Luxury

It’s no secret now that Audi is looking to have its own rival to the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

General Motors is determined to make a go of it in Australia in the post-Holden world.Sure, it’s no longer a big volume brand, but the American automotive juggernaut has invested in a long-term future in Australia, introducing multiple brands that it believes can make a good return on the significant investment.Up until 2025 the General Motors Australia charge had been led by Chevrolet and its polar-opposite duo — the Silverado pickup truck and Corvette sports car. But things changed dramatically in the past 12 months, with not only the arrival of GMC but also Cadillac, the historic luxury brand that has big global aspirations.In December 2024 we questioned whether this past year would justify GM’s decision to ditch the Holden/mass-market model and switch to the more niche, high-profit business, with both factory-produced (Corvette and Cadillac) as well as locally-converted (Silverado and GMC) vehicles.On the surface, things don’t look good. Sales were down for the brand overall and the Silverado continues to slide backwards as the ‘US ute’ market continues to look uncertain.But when you look at things more closely, there are reasons for optimism, even if it is the long-term future, rather than a sudden turnaround in 2026.GM expanded the Corvette range in late ‘24, adding the hybrid E-Ray and track-focused Z06, but overall sales of the model were down dramatically as prices increased and the limited market for such sports cars hit home.But the Corvette is a halo model for the brand, not its volume seller. That title belongs to the Silverado pickup and the news was more positive on that front.GM still managed to sell more than 2000 examples of the standard model and another 1500 odd of the Silverado HD. But the Silverado was still out-sold by the Ram 1500, despite the Ram introducing a new model with a six-cylinder engine and leaving Chevy as the solo V8 in the market.Of more concern is the entire US ute segment remains in decline, which is not a good sign for the long-term and amid the increased competition from Ford and Toyota. It seems that there is only so much demand for these $100k and up pickup trucks and we may have already reached the peak.The GMC Yukon Denali is a very niche product, only appealing to a limited audience that wants a high-cost, premium upper-large SUV, but brought diversity to the range. And having said it is niche, its sales are actually off to a good start, averaging around 40 units per month. That may not sound like a sales success story, but given this is a $175k SUV, that’s actually a result GM is likely very happy with.Which brings us to the biggest question mark that hangs over the head of GM Australia - Cadillac.It remains the biggest mystery but also its potential saviour. If the expanded line-up due in 2026 can find an audience - which is a big ‘if’ - then it has potential to grow as the luxury electric vehicle market expands.But there is no sign of that happening anytime soon. Electric vehicle sales remain steady, with no major growth in ‘25, and instead the hype is centred around plug-in hybrids for this moment in time.In many respects it’s a shame it has arrived at this moment in time, when interest in EVs has waxed and waned. Cadillac was sadly one of the big-name brands that made a bold commitment to electrification, only for the market to cool off dramatically on the transition. Several other brands have managed to carefully backflip out of that predicament, but Cadillac, like Jaguar, is set on its path for the foreseeable future.Discounts only months after going on sale was not a good message to send the market but there was always a sense that ‘25 was about establishing the brand in Australia, so sales were a secondary concern.GM Australia management did make a definitive call not to publish sales results, knowing that they would likely be small in these early days, so it’s clear they are aiming to play a long-term strategy.There will be a dramatic expansion in 2026, with the sporty Lyriq-V arriving as well as the smaller Optiq and larger Vistiq backing up the mid-size Lyriq. And, of course, there is the American brand’s entrance into the world of Formula 1, which is enjoying a popularity boom and might help spark interest in Cadillac amid the ‘new money’ types that are embracing the sport.

The GLS450d is the entry-level model in Mercedes-Benz's flagship SUV range but does its unique blend of performance, luxury and practicality make it the best choice for families?

There’s good news for fans of Porsche’s iconic two-door sports cars.

Well into its second generation, the Mercedes-Benz GLE remains a key player in the luxury large SUV space. In its category, there are however plenty of badges with the power to lure buyers away: Audi, Porsche and Range Rover. Even non-Euros like Genesis and Lexus. A week behind the wheel around and out of the city should reveal whether the GLE still has a strong-enough USP in 2025.

BMW is working on a rival to Tesla’s Full Self Driving mode, but the company is in no rush to roll it out before it’s ready.

Audi has revealed its next electric SUV, dubbed the E7X, but it’s not Audi as we know it.Instead, the E7X comes from the German luxury brand’s tie-up with MG owner SAIC in China.Styled AUDI, models from this joint venture dump the four-ring logo in favour of typeface only. The E7X is its second model after the E5 Sportback which hit the Chinese market earlier in 2025.What sets the AUDI models apart from their four-ringed counterparts is their use of SAIC platforms. For example the E5 and E7X share their underpinnings with models from the Chinese brand’s IM arm, which are sold in Australia badged as MGs.At over five-meters long, the E7X is even larger than the German brand’s Q8 e-tron, and it features an over-three-meter long wheelbase, suggesting generous interior dimensions. Two versions have been announced, a rear-wheel drive version which produces 300kW/500Nm and an all-wheel drive version which adds a 200kW motor on the front axle, and produces a total torque of 800Nm. Its battery capacity and driving range are yet to be revealed.Like other Chinese domestic market models, the E7X features a detailed LED light feature in the front, an illuminated logo, and similar light detailing for its rear lights. It offers enormous wheels in either 21- or 22-inch sizes, as well as trendy flush doorhandles, and a LiDAR pod on its roof. Interior images are yet to be revealed, although the car will likely follow in the footsteps of the E5 before it and look unrecognisable from Audi’s international range.The E5, for example, features a dash-spanning array of screens with Chinese-market specific software, a minimalist centre console and stripped-back steering wheel design. Like the E5, the E7X also features the option to have camera-based wing mirrors, which expand on the already massive screen real-estate on the interior.The Audi E7X is set to be fully revealed at the Beijing Motor Show in April and will go on sale in China shortly afterward.Audi’s SAIC joint-venture is regarded as a success in China, with the E5 amassing over 10,000 pre-orders as soon as it went on sale.While the E5 may remain a Chinese domestic market option, the E7X nameplate has been registered in Europe, suggesting Audi is considering overseas markets for the JV models.This comes with the backdrop of Audi’s Volkswagen parent company lobbying the European Union to relax tariff structures so it can bring Chinese-built models to Europe.The EU introduced tariffs in 2024 in order to protect domestic automakers from a torrent of lower-cost Chinese vehicles which it claimed at the time were unfairly subsidised by the Chinese government.According to industry source, Automotive News, VW Group is hoping the EU will grant it an exemption from what is currently a 20.7 per cent tariff.Volkswagen, which has been active in joint ventures in China for longer than most global car companies, gambled on new global models in China prior to the EU’s tariffs being introduced.For example, the Cupra Tavascan (which is built in a joint-venture with JAC and rides on the same MEB platform as the ID.4) is built in Anhui province with the original plan to sell it in Europe and abroad.If VW Group can secure an exemption to these rules, it opens up the opportunity for it to export more Chinese-built models, like the E7X and the upcoming large three-row Volkswagen based on the ID. Era concept which was revealed earlier in 2025.

Lexus has revealed it’s bringing the LFA name back but this time it won’t have a V10 at its heart.

Genesis wants to build a better Porsche 911. Or, at least, its own 911.

This legendary tough 4WD is getting a strange makeover.