Every car launching in Australia this year

Following the turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, many experts expected 2021 to bring a sense of recovery to the car world.

Instead, the year was marred by a widespread semiconductor chip shortage wreaking havoc on the automotive industry, as well as extended COVID-19 lockdowns in New South Wales and Victoria.

Despite these issues, 2021 saw the launch of a number of significant models in Australia, from the controversial new BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe earlier in the year to the redesigned Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series towards the end of the year, closing the lengthy 14-year run of the previous LandCruiser 200.

With many vehicle launches currently delayed due to the semiconductor issue, 2022 is shaping up to be a big year for the local automotive industry – spearheaded by the largest number of electrified vehicle arrivals to date.

Keeping this in mind, if you are struggling to keep on top of all the vehicles touching down in Australia, and when, our 2022 New Car Calendar has got you covered. We aim to keep this list updated on a regular basis.

NOTE: With dates frequently changing – especially during the current semiconductor chip shortage – this article will be updated as additional information comes to hand in the coming weeks and months. A quarter refers to a three-month period of the year (i.e. January to March).

UPDATED: 4 April 2022

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Lotus Emira

New Cars First Quarter 2022

Australia’s new car market will kick off 2022 with the launch of key models like the new-generation Audi A3 and Audi S3, the all-electric BMW i4 and, at last, the hotly anticipated Chevrolet Corvette.

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Mazda BT-50 SP

Launched:

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New Cars Second Quarter 2022

April to June 2022 will see a number of important new vehicles launch in Australia, including the next-generation Audi RS 3 hot hatch, an update to the Ford Mustang, the two-pronged Subaru WRX range, and our first look at a big expansion for the Volkswagen R line-up.

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Subaru WRX

Still to come:

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New Cars Third Quarter 2022

The arrival of the performance-orientated Cupra brand will kickstart the third quarter of 2022. An update to the popular Kia Seltos small SUV is also expected to arrive between July and September, joined by the Lotus Emira and the facelifted Volvo XC40, among others.

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Ford Ranger Raptor

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New Cars Fourth Quarter 2022

The first electric vehicle from Volkswagen Group Australia, the Cupra Born, will join two new four-wheel-drive vehicles – the Ineos Grenadier and next-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee – during the fourth quarter of 2022.

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Toyota GR Corolla

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First half

While specific timing details for the vehicles below are yet to be confirmed, Australia’s new car launches for the first six months of 2022 will include the all-new Nissan Qashqai, as well as the facelifted Skoda Karoq medium SUV and sporty Mercedes-AMG EQS 53.

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Nissan Qashqai

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Second half

The final six months of 2022 are set to be big, with the new car market bolstered by the arrival of the long-awaited Mazda CX-60, the next-generation Ford Everest, hybrid versions of the Honda Civic and Hyundai Santa Fe, and the Toyota Corolla Cross small SUV.

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Mazda CX-60

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New Cars Coming to Australia Sometime in 2022

Although details remain largely up in the air, vehicles such as the Ford Ranger Raptor, Honda Civic Type R and Nissan Pathfinder are expected to arrive at some point this year. These vehicles will be moved into a category above when further information is released.

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Honda Civic Type R rendering

• Aston Martin DBX707 (revealed) – more-powerful DBX expected later this year
• BMW iX M60 (unveiled) – flagship iX to arrive locally in mid-2022
• BMW 8 Series update (pricing and specifications) – scheduled to arrive in mid-2022
• BMW M8 Competition update (pricing) – expected to land mid-year, alongside the facelifted 8er
• BMW X5 facelift – updated luxury SUV expected sometime this year
• Citroen C5 Aircross facelift (revealed) – currently under evaluation for Australia, with local information expected in the coming months
• Ford E-Transit (confirmed) – electric Transit van coming to Australia mid-year
• GWM Ora Cat (showcased) – electric hatch expected in the coming months
• Haval Dargo (née Big Dog), GWM Tank 300 (under evaluation) – both are yet to be confirmed, but possible for 2022
• Haval Jolion Hybrid (revealed) – currently unconfirmed for Australia, but expected in 2022
• Honda Civic Type R (teased) (spied) – hot Civic hatchback tipped to rejoin Australian range from late 2022, now sourced from Japan
• Hyundai Ioniq 5 (details) – wider range without restricted supply to follow in 2022
• Jeep Grand Cherokee L (pricing and features) – long-wheelbase seven-seater confirmed for mid-2022
• Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator updates (North American details) – expected at some point this year
• Kia Carnival update (initial details) – 12.3-inch digital cluster display, blind-spot camera and auto-sensing wipers to join the range
• Kia EV6 eGT (revealed) (first local details) – performance flagship to arrive in late 2022 or early 2023
• Kia Sportage Hybrid (revealed) – no official confirmation yet, but Kia Australia is very keen
• Mazda MX-30 Range Extender – Wankel petrol engine to extend driving range of electric MX-30 in 2022
• Nissan Pathfinder (announced) (initial details)
• Range Rover Evoque plug-in hybrid (pricing) – exact timing to be confirmed
• Renault Trafic facelift – refreshed van with active safety and an updated interior is expected to arrive locally at some point in 2022
• Suzuki Baleno facelift (revealed) – anticipated to arrive around mid-year
• Suzuki S-Cross (revealed) – specific timing for the refreshed SUV is yet to be locked in
• Tesla Model Y (delayed)
• Volkswagen Golf R wagon (pricing) – mid-year launch expected for VW’s hot wagon
• Volvo S60, V60 Cross Country update (revealed) – revised luxury duo to launch in the middle of the year.

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To the future, and beyond (not likely for 2022)

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Ford Mustang Mach-E GT

• Alfa Romeo Tonale (revealed) – expected to arrive in Australia during the first half of 2023
• Audi A4 (spied)– next-generation ‘B9’ range will bow out internal-combustion power for the A4 when it launches around 2023, ahead of an electric-only A4 closer to 2030
• Audi A6 E-Tron (Sportback and Avant concepts) – electric PPE-based A6 expected to sit alongside an updated version of the current internal-combustion model
• Audi Q4 E-Tron (revealed) – no official Australian confirmation yet
• Audi Q6 E-Tron – electric Audi SUV set to launch in 2023, based on the same PPE platform as the next-generation electric Porsche Macan
• Audi E-Tron facelift (teased) – updated electric SUV expected to debut in late 2022, possibly with a new name
• BMW 7 Series – next-generation flagship sedan set for unveiling in the coming month
• BMW iX1 (teased) – electric small SUV promised to debut before the end of the year
• BMW i7 (teased) – electric 7 Series sibling to make its appearance at the New York Auto Show in mid-April
• BMW M2 (what we know so far) – 300kW turbo-six beast expected in 2023
• BMW M3 Touring (teased, leaked and rendered) – the first-ever five-door M3 will be revealed in late 2022, with an Australian launch not expected until 2023
• BMW M4 CSL (teased) – lightweight M4 expected to be unveiled in the coming months
• BMW X1 (M version spied) – next-generation small SUV to feature an all-new body, but will retain its existing FWD-based platform
• BMW X7 facelift – updated flagship SUV expected to touch down in early 2023
• BMW XM (concept unveiled) – performance-orientated coupe SUV alternative to the X7 expected to be revealed in late 2022 ahead of likely Australian launch
• Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (revealed) – 499kW naturally-aspirated beast now confirmed for Australia, with more news expected in mid-2022
• Chevrolet Silverado EV (revealed) – yet to be confirmed by GMSV; not expected until at least 2024
• Chevrolet Silverado facelift (unveiled) – timing currently unconfirmed for Australia
• Dacia range (step closer to Australia) – trademark filings suggest Ateco – the new local distributor for Renault, owner of Dacia – is preparing to launch the budget brand, however the importer has fallen short of any official word at this stage
• Fiat 500e – fully-electric 500 ‘successor’ not expected locally for a while
• Fiat Ducato facelift – recently revealed for Europe, and the United States as the Ram ProMaster, with no confirmation for the slow-selling Australian market
• Ferrari Purosangue (leaked) (rendered) – first SUV from the Prancing Horse expected to arrive in Australia next year
• Ford Escape facelift (rendered) – updated medium SUV expected locally in early 2023, although it could slip into 2022
• Ford F-150 (confirmed!) (vs. 2023 Ranger) – iconic truck returning to Australia in mid-2023
• Ford Mustang (what we know) (confirmed for Australia) – the next-generation pony car, codenamed S650, is expected to retain familiar underpinnings
• Ford Mustang Mach-E (international review) – no plans for Australia, despite right-hand drive availability overseas
• GWM Tank 500 (unveiled) – Chinese Toyota LandCruiser Prado rival under consideration for Australia
• Hyundai Casper (revealed, not for Australia) – India and Korea focused Kia Picanto rival not coming in petrol guise, although an electric version rumoured for 2023 could make the trip to Australia
• Hyundai Ioniq 7 – large electric SUV, previewed by the Seven concept, expected to debut in 2023
• Hyundai Kona – second-generation small SUV tipped to arrive in 2023
• Hyundai Palisade facelift (spied) – updated large SUV likely to get Santa Fe facelift and Kia Sorento goodies, including the hybrid-friendly ‘N3’ platform
• Lexus RZ 450e (exterior revealed) – first dedicated Lexus EV to debut this year, ahead of 2023 launch
• Lotus Eletre (revealed) – British marque’s electric crossover coming to Australia in 2024
• Maserati GranTurismo – next-generation sports car expected in the coming years, with internal-combustion and all-electric ‘Folgore’ power
• Mazda 2 – all-new model set for reveal in 2022, reportedly based on the Toyota Yaris GA-B platform
• Mazda 6 – rumours suggest the next-generation rear-wheel driven 6 could be unveiled in the first half of 2022, ahead of local arrival
• Mazda CX-20 – CX-3 replacement expected to shift to the brand’s latest SUV nomenclature
• Mazda CX-70 – American focus for wider five-seat ‘Large Platform’ RWD/AWD SUV, under consideration for Australia
• Mazda CX-80 – will sit alongside the CX-8 but on the Large Platform, possible for Australia
• Mazda CX-90 – CX-9 successor also under consideration for Australia
• Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 (revealed) – expected to join the EQE range locally in 2023
• Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift – updated small car expected in 2023
• Mercedes-Benz CLE – all-new coupe and convertible expected to merge current two-door C-Class and E-Class ranges into one
• Mercedes-Benz EQG (concept unveiled) – electric G-Class still only a vision for the foreseeable future, despite covers coming off the recent EQG concept
• Mercedes-Benz GLC (spied) – second-generation model will follow the footsteps of the new C-Class, with a reveal at some stage in 2022 ahead of 2023 arrival in Australia expected
• Mercedes-Benz T-Class and EQT – fancier versions of the Citan – with internal-combustion and electric power, respectively – are not likely for Australia either.

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2023 Volkswagen Amarok official sketch

• Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV (concept revealed) – tongue-twisting to occur when the production version of the Maybach EQS SUV is revealed, presumably in 2023
• MG 4 (teased) – electric small hatch likely to arrive in 2023
• Mini Cooper Hatch (leaked and teased) – the all-new three-door Mini will most likely arrive in Australia during 2023, with a five-door and convertible to follow
• Mitsubishi ASX (Renault-based model confirmed for Europe) – new-generation model likely to be a Nissan Qashqai twin in Australia, with hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid power possible
• Mitsubishi Triton – all-new Mitsubishi ute is also tipped to form the basis for the next-generation Nissan Navara, with an unveiling in 2023 now more likely
• Nissan Ariya (revealed) – electric SUV will arrive in Oz once demand in other markets has been met, with a 2022 launch possible (but not confirmed). More info here
• Polestar 3 (teased) (rendered) – local timing to be confirmed
• Porsche Macan (spied inside and out) – electric successor to the popular Macan will sit alongside the current internal-combustion model – for a few years, at least
• Renault Austral (revealed) – Kadjar replacement could launch in Australia
• Renault Megane E-Tech Electric (revealed) – Renault’s all-new electric small SUV – related by name only to the Megane hatch – is expected in 2023
• Skoda Enyaq (officially coming to Australia) (Coupe revealed) –electric SUV duo to launch in the second half of 2023
• Ssangyong Korando E-Motion (revealed) – under evaluation for Australia
• Subaru WRX STI (axed, could return as an EV)
• Tesla Cybertruck (delayed) – production of the brutish electric truck has been delayed to 2022 for the United States, with Australia set to miss out, potentially receiving a smaller version to meet local design standards instead
• Tesla Roadster (revealed back in 2017) – US launch delayed again… this time until 2023, with Australia typically a year or two behind for a Tesla launch
• Toyota bZ4X (unveiled) – local launch timing to be announced this year
• Toyota Corolla facelift – now approaching its fourth year on sale, an updated version of the popular hatch and sedan could arrive locally in 2022 or 2023
• Toyota LandCruiser Prado – next-generation version of the familiar 4X4 is tipped to arrive in early 2023
• Toyota Tundra – all-new ute still no closer to Australia, but Toyota ‘won’t rule out’ bringing LHD models like the Tundra to Australia
• Volkswagen Amarok (teased) – Ford Ranger-based VW ute is set to launch locally in the first quarter of 2023, with a reveal in mid-2022 confirmed
• Volkswagen ID Buzz (March 9 debut) – fully-electric people-mover not expected to arrive in Australia for at least another two years
• Volkswagen ID.3 – demand in EV-focused markets is behind significant delays to the electric hatch – first unveiled in 2019 – according to local bosses. Not expected to touch down in 2022
• Volkswagen ID.4 (revealed) and ID.5 (showcased) – cloudy launch timing for these electric SUV twins; could slip into 2022, but 2023 (or even 2024) seems more likely
• Volkswagen T7 Multivan – new MQB-based people mover currently unconfirmed for Australia
• Volvo XC90 successor – electric large SUV, previewed by the Concept Recharge EV, set to sport a new phonetic badge.

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Off limits for Australia

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Ford Bronco

• BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (revealed) – next-generation people mover not for Australia
• Chevrolet Blazer EV, and Equinox EV – highly unlikely for Australia
• Ford Bronco – after a long absence, the Bronco is back, taking fight to the Jeep Wrangler – just not in Australia
• Ford Bronco Sport – despite being a friendlier Bronco with Escape underpinnings, the Sport still isn’t coming here
• Ford Maverick – this car-based ute sits on the same platform as the Escape and Focus, but it’s not coming to Australia
• Ford Puma ST – hot Puma still limited to Europe – and we’re green with envy
• Genesis G90 (unveiled) – next-generation luxury flagship not coming to Australia, as is the case with the current G90
• Honda Civic sedan (revealed) – the small-car range will be strictly hatchback only for its eleventh-generation
• Hyundai Bayon – the closest we’ll get to this light SUV is the related i20 N, with the funky Bayon placed as an alternative in Europe to the Venue us Aussies get instead
• Hyundai Santa Cruz – a Tucson with a ute tray might be just what the doctor ordered for Australia; but alas the Santa Cruz was developed for, and is limited to, the North American market
• Jeep Commander – Compass-based large seven-seater will be limited to South American markets only
• Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel, and petrol V8 – the range will be limited to six-cylinder petrol and PHEV power for Australia
• Kia Telluride – we may get the heavily related Hyundai Palisade, but the Telluride won’t be coming here. United States production and the Carnival can be blamed for this, according to local executives
• Mazda 3, CX-30 2.5 Turbo – Mazda Australia would love to bring these turbocharged siblings here, but it is compounded by production being restricted to Mexico – where the left-hand drive North American variants are built
• Mazda CX-50 (revealed) – all-new Mazda 3-based medium SUV to be a US-market exclusive
• Mercedes-Benz C-Class All-Terrain (unveiled) – wagon option, including high-riding All-Terrain, axed from next-generation C-Class range
• Mercedes-Benz Citan (revealed) – second iteration of Renault Kangoo-based van not for Oz
• Subaru Solterra (unveiled) – electric sibling to the Toyota bZ4x officially off the table for Australia… for now
• Volkswagen ID.6 (international first drive) – large electric VW seven-seater restricted to the Chinese market
• Volkswagen Taigo (revealed) – T-Cross-based coupe SUV currently ruled out for Australia.

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