Sedan News

BYD has made the boldest of claims about its newest EV, describing tonight's Seal launch as "possibly the biggest moment in Australian automotive history", suggesting the EV's arrival will outshine anything Ford, Holden, FPV or HSV managed while producing

The countdown’s on with just two full months before the year ends, and in that time we’ll see some highly anticipated new models land in Australia.So here it is: our top 5 cars still come in 2023.Arrives: Mid-NovemberPrice: From $75,600There’s only one other series that’s been running as long as the 70 Series and that’s Neighbours. And just like the popular soap opera, the Toyota favourite will be getting a reboot this year.Expected in mid-November, the updated LandCruiser 70 Series will arrive with a new 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. The 4.5-litre V8 turbo-diesel from the previous 70 Series will also return.The new 70 Series will also boast improved safety tech and fresh(ish) looks.The list price of the new LandCruiser 70 Series starts at $75,600 for the 76 Series Wagon WorkMate (only available with the four cylinder engine). At the top of the range is the 79 Series double cab chassis which is $83,500 for the four-cylinder variant and $87,600 for the V8.When: Mid-NovemberPrice: From approx. $60,000Hyundai was way ahead of most in the electric race when it launched the first generation of the Kona Electric in 2019, and now the new gen is about to land.Expected to arrive in mid-November the new Kona Electric follows the launch of the petrol variant in July this year. Like the combustion version, the Kona Electric is bigger than the previous generation - it’s longer, wider and taller.You can also expect the Kona Electric to be offered in two battery sizes with a range of up to 420km.The current extended range Kona in the top of the range Highlander grade lists for $64,000.When: OctoberPrice: From approx. $55,000BYD has introduced Australia to two new things already - a very affordable electric vehicle in the form of the Atto 3; and the longest badge we've ever seen on a tailgate - Build Your Dreams.Now, launching this month in Australia is the BYD Seal - that’s right, as in the sea creature - only it’s a fully electric mid-sized sedan that’ll do battle with the likes of Tesla’s Model 3.Expect rear- and all-wheel-drive versions, a big 82.5kWh battery, and a range of between 520km and 570km depending on the motor - possibly two variants in the form of a 230kW output and one making 390kW.In terms of money, expect the Seal to undercut the Model 3 which starts at $57,400 and tops out at $83,400.Arrives: Early NovemberPrice: From approx. $95,000The world has been stunned by Kia’s rapid rollout of electric vehicles, but next to arrive will be the EV9 fully electric large SUV.Big, boxy and, we think beautiful, the EV9 will come with three rows to seat seven.Expect two battery sizes - a 76.1kWh standard range and a 99.8kWh long range version.Prices are expected to slide in under the $100K mark for the entry grade, but you could pay about $120,000 for the fancier versions.The Kia EV9 will arrive in early November joining the EV6 mid-sized SUV and little Niro SUV.Recently Kia revealed the EV3 SUV and EV4 saloon. A Sportage-sized EV5 SUV is also set to go into production.Arrives: Late DecemberPrice: From $79,990Arriving late in December but just in time for Christmas is Ford’s first Mustang SUV - and it’s fully electric - the Mustang Mach-E.You can actually build and order the Mach-E at Ford’s website now and you’ll see it comes in all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive.The entry grade rear-wheel drive Select has an output of 198kW/430Nm, the mid-grade aPremium produces 216kW/430Nm and the top of the range GT makes a whopping 358kW/860Nm.The Premium comes with the extended range battery offering 600km, Ford says.Prices start at $79,990 for the Select, the Premium comes in at $91,665 and the GT lists for $107,665.

As Rachel Hunter famously told us - it won't happen overnight, but it will happen. She was talking about shampoo but her wise words also apply to Hyundai cars. As we recently reported, Hyundai Australia has little trouble finding buyers for its first six-figure model, the Ioniq 5 N electric performance car, with 126 buyers flocking to its website to order the new machine.

Kia's has thrown the covers of a concept version of its incoming EV4 - an unusual take on the classic three-box sedan.

The most credible rival to the dominance of the Tesla Model 3 in Australia has at last been given a launch date, with the hotly anticipated BYD Seal to launch on October 17.

While the TR is specifically designed for the US market and features revised suspension and steering for a sharper drive, as well as more track-focused Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres and beefier brakes, a similar version is all but confirmed for the Australian market.

Australia has a relatively small population for the large number of automotive brands that operate here.  So the question has to be asked - do we really need to add any more new brands or even new models to an already heaving market?

Honda has shown off a new 11th-generation Accord sedan in right-hand-drive form, leaving the door open for the refreshed Toyota Camry rival to come to Australia.

Vehicle supply has arguably been the Australian new-car market’s hottest talking point in 2023, and one recent newcomer to local showrooms, EV specialist BYD, has seemingly conquered the issue thanks to strategic investments in dedicated production capacity established in the brand’s Chinese factories.

Speaking to CarsGuide at the launch of the HiLux GR Sport, Toyota's local division said it had no interest in trading out its slow-selling Granvia for the more luxurious and hybrid-driven Alphard people mover, nor did it see space in its line-up for the brand's flagship Crown sedan and crossover.