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Popular small car ditches sub $30,000 price: Mid-life update for Toyota Yaris, MG MG3 rival sees prices rise for 2025 Volkswagen Polo and 2025 Volkswagen T-Roc SUV
By Samuel Irvine · 07 Feb 2025
Volkswagen is no longer offering a car under $30,000 in Australia after announcing a minor update to its Polo and T-Roc models.For 2025, the base model Polo Life will start at $30,790, before on-road costs, an increase of $1300 on last year’s price.That puts it at $2,290 more than its key rival in the Toyota Yaris Ascent Sport, which starts at $28,500, before on-road costs, while it is nearly $7000 more expensive than the MG 3 Excite, which starts at $23,990 before on-road costs.The T-Roc, meanwhile, gets a $2000 bump in price from last year to $38,990, before on-road costs, meaning it is at least $5090 more than the hybrid-only Toyota Yaris Cross ($33,900) and $6490 more expensive than the petrol Hyundai Kona ($32,500, both at before on-road costs).In exchange of the price increase, Polo buyers will get standard Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane-Keep Assist across the range.The biggest updates are reserved for the mid-spec Polo Style, however, which adds keyless entry, push-button start, satellite navigation and wireless charging.For the base model T-Roc CityLife, there is the addition of Side Assist with Rear Traffic Alert, which combines blind-spot monitor via a mirror-mounted illumination and an audible alert when an object or vehicle is detected behind the T-Roc while reversing.The T-Roc R-Line also gets a new sports leather-appointed steering wheel with buttons for audio, trip computer and adaptive cruise control functions.All new T-Roc customers now have access to VW’s GoConnect smartphone app, which allows five-year access to several functions including live technical status, vehicle location, recent trips, warning light and error notification, plus direct dealer communication.The upgraded Polo and T-Roc are available to order now with deliveries commencing during Q1 2025.Remaining supplies of the existing MY24 T-Roc CityLife are in run-out until March 31, which buyers can nab for $37,990, drive-away. Volkswagen sold 2154 Polos last year, an increase of 132.1 per cent on the previous year, while selling 7777 T-Rocs, a decrease of 13.0 per cent on the year prior.All prices are at before on-road costsAll prices are at before on-road costs
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New family SUV hero landing soon: 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan due in May to battle the big selling Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 and Nissan X-Trail
By Dom Tripolone · 31 Jan 2025
Volkswagen’s new Tiguan mid-size SUV is headed Down Under this May.The family-focused SUV brings updated styling, engines and a heavy amount of standard equipment as it gears up to battle the big selling Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail and Kia Sportage.The German brand hasn’t revealed local prices yet but it is likely there won’t be a massive jump over the outgoing model, despite advancements across the board. Buyers should expect prices to start below $50,000.Volkswagen will launch the Tiguan with a five-pronged variant offensive, starting with the 110TSI in entry-level Life and fully-loaded Elegance grades.These two versions use the carry-over four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that makes 110kW and 250Nm.This is followed by the 150TSI that comes in R-Line and Elegance trim lines. A new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine makes 150kW and 320Nm. This is paired with all-wheel drive.The Tiguan 195TSI R-Line tops the range with its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing a Golf GTI matching 195kW and 400Nm. It has all-wheel drive as standard.All engines are paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.There are no hybrid options for now, but Volkswagen does sell mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid alternatives in Europe.Volkswagen has stacked its entry-level Tiguan 110TSI Life variant with standard equipment. Some of the highlights are 19-inch alloy wheels, power tailgate, wireless device chargers, a 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen and 360-degree camera. All Tiguans come with a comprehensive list of safety equipment that covers all the bases.Elegance models up the list of goodies with upgraded LED lights and light strips on the front and rear, leather trimmed seats, power adjustable front seats that have heating, ventilation and massage functions.If you want a head-up display, premium sound system and panoramic sunroof you’ll need to add the optional packs.Step-up to the 150TSI Elegance and the stereo and head-up display become standard and it gets matrix LED headlights, dynamic rear indicators, a big 15-inch central screen and adaptive chassis control that provides different driving modes.The R-Line trim brings sportier exterior highlights and different 19-inch alloy wheels, sports seats and cloth upholstery as well as the dynamic chassis control and progressive steering to elevate the drive experience.It sits below the 150TSI Elegance and goes without the head-up display and premium stereo as standard.Top-of-the-range Tiguan 195TSI R-Line gets the beefier engine and all the equipment trimmings.It combines the features of the two 150TSI variants and adds a few more niceties such as 20-inch alloy wheels.The new Tiguan is bigger than before and has a roomier cabin and one of the biggest boots in its class at 652-litre with all seats up.
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Fresh looks and improved tech for legendary small car: 2025 Volkswagen Golf Mk8.5 release timing confirmed to challenge Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Honda Civic
By John Law · 29 Jan 2025
The new Volkswagen Golf is about to arrive in Australia.  This latest ‘Mk8.5’ mid-life update ushers in some small visual updates outside and gets a technology overhaul within, including larger touchscreens and the removal of the frustrating haptic touch steering wheel controls. 
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Fresh small SUV revealed in leaked images: 2026 Volkswagen T-Roc looks like a shrunken Tiguan at the front but when will it arrive to battle Toyota Corolla Cross, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 and more?
By John Law · 17 Jan 2025
Volkswagen is gearing up to replace its T-Roc small SUV, leaked images reveal. The Golf-sized crossover has appeared un-camouflaged for the first time in images shared to the Cochespias forum. There is no official timeline from Volkswagen for when the new T-Roc might launch, however the current generation has been on the market since 2017 (globally, and Australia since late 2018) suggesting its replacement is due late in 2025 or early in 2026. Up front, pictures show the new generation T-Roc getting a big makeover reminiscent of the larger Tiguan. There’s a broad front grille with big hexagons, more intricate aerodynamic detailing and fresh alloy wheel designs. Some of the T-Roc’s signature details remain including the lifted hatch proportions and chunky C-Pillar to accentuate the sloping roofline and give it a more coupe-like design. Underneath, the T-Roc is essentially a jacked up Golf Mk8.5 and thought to use that car’s MQB Evo underpinnings. The current T-Roc is based on a seventh-generation Golf. Upgrades include improved rigidity and stiffer mounting points and better compatibility with new plug-in hybrid powertrains. There are no interior snaps but if the T-Roc follows Golf and Tiguan, it will get new graphics, a fresh design and bigger 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen. Expect various engines, likely starting with the 110kW 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder. A mid-spec 150kW tune of a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with AWD is likely to replace the 140TSI all-wheel drive grade. It is possible Volkswagen will release an R model as in the current T-Roc but tighter emissions standards in Europe and now Australia may make that unfeasible. A 195kW tune is available which could support a warmer model. In Australia, the Volkswagen T-Roc is a rival for the likes of the Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek and Skoda Kamiq. The small SUV segment continues to grow in Australia accounting for roughly 15 per cent of sales and, as the T-Roc slipped to Volkswagen’s second-most popular model behind the Amarok last year, an update could be welcome. Volkswagen is yet to announce further details on the second generation T-Roc. Expect to hear more later in 2025. 
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Why so many car brands lost sales in Australia during 2024 including Tesla, MG, Ram and Jeep
By Chris Thompson · 17 Jan 2025
Australia’s new car market rose very slightly in volume in 2024 compared to 2023 - but it wasn’t good news across the board.
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These brands didn't make the top 10 in 2024, but models like the BYD Shark 6 ute, updated Tesla Model Y and Subaru Forester could turn things around in 2025
By Tim Nicholson · 13 Jan 2025
At the beginning of each year we dissect the top-10 best-selling automotive brands of the previous year, digging into what went right for some brands and what went wrong for others.What about the brands that just missed out on the glory of a top-10 placing?Based on full-year 2024 data, we’ve pulled together another list. For all the details of the top 10, read about it here. But now we are detailing the brands that landed in positions 11 to 20 on the best-selling car brands list.There are some big names that were once fixtures in the top 10, but a combination of factors have kept them out of the top rankings this time around.Competition from newer brands has had an impact, as has shifting consumer preference and cost-of-living concerns.Check out our table below for the full figures.Subaru was the unlucky brand to just miss out on a top 10 spot last year, after being shut out by growing Chinese manufacturer GWM by 2178 sales.Subaru had been a mainstay in the top 10 for years, but last year it captured 40,604 sales, which was a near 12 per cent dip compared with 2023. All of Subaru’s models, excluding the newer Crosstrek small SUV, experienced double-digit percentage declines last year.Another more recent top-10 entrant, Tesla, also slipped out of the main list last year. Declining interest in its only two models — the related Tesla Model 3 and Model Y — ensured a 17 per cent drop. This was part of a wider trend of stagnating EV sales in Australia. Battery EVs were only up by 4.7 per cent in 2024, a dramatic change from the 160 per cent increase in 2023 over 2022.Another long-standing brand, and former top-10 player, Volkswagen, saw a further slide in 2024. Its tally of 36,480 was about 17 per cent off the previous year.The Amarok ute was in positive territory, but sales of some other key models dropped as the wait for replacements of some of its biggest models like the Tiguan drag on.Fellow German maker BMW landed in 14th place and remained steady, shifting just 157 more cars in 2024 compared with 2023.The next two brands had a big year. Suzuki clawed back lost ground by increasing its sales by 24.6 per cent to 21,278 units. The Jimny continues to be Suzuki’s best seller, with the tiny off-roader nabbing nearly half its total sales at 9697 units - up a whopping 94 per cent year on year.The other big mover was BYD, with the Chinese giant adding 20,458 sales to its name last year.Challenging Australia’s SUV obsession, BYD’s top seller was the Seal sedan on 6393 sales, but the Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid SUV was just behind on 6198. The latter only had six full months on sale, however.Expect this to change in 2025 with the Shark 6 PHEV ute likely to take over of the brand’s most popular offering.Mercedes-Benz Cars took a dive in 2024, dropping by nearly 18 per cent for 19,989 units. If you add Mercedes-Benz Vans to its tally (they are reported separately in VFACTS) it would have recorded 24,831 sales which was enough to beat Suzuki.LDV was one of few Chinese manufacturers to go backwards in 2024 (-24.8%). The commercial vehicle specialist was hampered by ageing models like the D90 SUV and the T60 ute, but both of those are being replaced early this year.In 19th place was Audi which dropped by 19.5 per cent last year, with very few bright spots in its line-up except for the ever-popular Q3 small SUV. That model was ahead by 23.3 per cent last year and led the premium small SUV segment for sales, edging out the BMW X1 and Volvo’s XC40.Rounding out our top 20 is Honda with 14,092 sales. The Japanese brand was another regular visitor to the top 10 in the not-too-distant past, but a drastic change in sales strategy in Australia - including downsizing its model range, dealer network and shifting to an agency dealer model - meant sales dropped, ensuring what the company says is a more sustainable business model.While the excellent CR-V went backwards last year, its two other SUVS, the HR-V and ZR-V, gained ground, increasing by 53.3 and 79.3 per cent respectively.Just missing out on a top-20 placing were Lexus (13,642) and Chery (12,603).
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Hybrid hold-outs: The hybrid cars sold overseas we don't get here in Australia, from Toyota, Mazda, Volkswagen and more
By Chris Thompson · 01 Jan 2025
Australia has a very, very competitive new car market.  Our total new car sales each year is dwarfed by other nations around the world, but there are only a handful of countries where there’s as much choice for new car buyers as here.
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Emily Agar's top 5 cars of 2024: From The Toyota LandCruiser 4WD to the 2025 Toyota Camry hybrid and some luxury family cars
By Emily Agar · 28 Dec 2024
This is the list that's most fun to write but it’s sometimes hard to pick winners when you review as many cars as I do!This year has proven (once again) that the market is ruled by SUVs and Australia’s love affair with them isn’t slowing down any time soon. So, you may be surprised that only a few of them made the cut.Out of all of the cars I’ve been cruising in this year, these were my favourites (in no particular order).The LandCruiser got me good. There are enough old-school elements mixed in with premium tech and features to satisfy everyone (it has a CD/DVD player!). Rear passengers enjoy the same luxurious comforts as front rowers and you get one of the most practical shaped boots I’ve sampled. For adventuring families, it has great off-road and towing capabilities with effortless power and grunt. It also drives like a dream and is a comfortable road tripper. I love it and miss it.Station wagons are my favourite type of family-hauler. Technically this sits in the same category as a Toyota Prado (ahem) but it looks and behaves like a wagon. This is one of the smoothest driving experiences you can have. It has AWD and the old-school elements are seamlessly blended with easy-to-use tech. High comfort for longer journeys and its only downside was being a bit thirsty.It hurt my soul to hand the keys back. The driving experience is finely tuned with great power delivery and on-road comfort. The sedan/wagon hybrid style took a little while to get used to, but the practicality was a big win for my little family of three. It could fit the hubby’s golf clubs, do a big grocery haul and carry all the junk my eight-year-old seems to accumulate over a week. The boosted sound experience on the engine is one you simply have to hear once in your life.The Touareg is a great looking family SUV that caters to everyone with comfort and tech. It’s smooth to drive with power that is promptly delivered. The on-road experience is also a lesson in refinement, which a few other European brands can take notes on. Efficiency and ongoing costs are also good – what’s not to like?It made the list last year and the updated model won my heart again. Just a solid all-rounder that delivers great on-road comfort, steers well, has decent power and good features for a base model. The hybrid efficiency is hard to question and it’s a smart-looking sedan thanks to the substantial facelift. Annoyingly, it is heavily associated with ride-share and taxis but I’d have one in a heartbeat.It’s only fair to include my eight-year-old's top-five cars, as he tests them with me and is very loud with his opinions on them.He loves the ambient lighting in Mercs and whooped with joy whenever I had to get up to speed. The engine sounded cool and there were enough comforts in the rear.He loved all of the features in the second and third rows, including cupholders that are well-positioned on the doors.He loves a good ute and the manly internal styling won him (and my husband) over. The tray was the winning feature and acted as a cubby house.His nickname for it was the Batmobile. That really sums up how much he liked it.
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Truly all-new cars released in 2024: What separates the BYD Shark 6 and Kia EV5 from the Toyota Prado and Suzuki Swift?
By Byron Mathioudakis · 27 Dec 2024
Many so-called “all-new” models aren’t all that new. In fact, a sizeable chunk are reskinned versions of what came before, with fresh sheetmetal over the same general hard points.
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