Have you ever felt like something was missing after opening all your presents?
We’re feeling a little bit at the end of 2025. The Australian car market has received plenty of gifts in the form of new vehicles from a range of brands, but some exciting vehicles haven’t been sent wrapped with a big bow.
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Some examples are:
- Acura RSX
- Racco World ev
- Cadillac Escalade iQL
- Cadillac Optiq-V
- Deepal L06
- Excel ES GT
- Infiniti QX65
- Jeep Cherokee
- Kia Telluride
- Mitsubishi Destinator
- In the Mitsubishi Grand
- Nissan Elgrand
- Ram Dakota
- Tata Sierra
- Volkswagen ID. Unyx 8
- Volvo XC70
- Yangwang U9 Track Edition
Here are the vehicles revealed in 2025 that we’re a little disappointed we won’t see here.
AITrendSpot: Kia Telluride
I had the opportunity to drive an older Telluride in the US earlier this year and was quite impressed with the package.
The one we tested had all-terrain tires and was a lot of fun to drive with plenty of interior space. It’s only built for left hand drive so unfortunately we can’t get it, but I’d like to see it here because I think it would sell well.
MORE: The 2027 Kia Telluride is the distinctive cousin of the Hyundai Palisade that Australians can’t have
AITrendSpot: None
None, we have enough cars and brands!
Marton Pettendy: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
Like the ZR1 on which it is based, the range-topping ZR1X is only made in left-hand drive, which is a shame considering the eighth-generation Corvette is not only the first mid-engined example of the legendary American supercar generation, but was also intended to be the first global Corvette.
That’s a real shame, as not only is the ZR1X the perfect standard-bearer for the brilliant C8 Corvette range, but thanks to its all-wheel-drive twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain with no less than 932 kW, it’s said to hit 60 miles per hour (97 km/h) in under two seconds and cover the quarter mile in under nine seconds.
This puts the most powerful production Corvette ever in elite hypercar territory, and at a fraction of the price you’d pay for an equivalent Ferrari.
MORE: The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is a twin-turbocharged V8 hypercar producing over 900 kW of power
AITrendSpot: Lexus IS facelift
Yes, this may be a coincidence of mine, but the latest Lexus IS fixes all of my previous problems with the old one and I really wish it was still sold here.
Many young professionals – er, like me – want to buy something nice, attractive and sophisticated, but don’t necessarily want to get into a large family SUV and don’t have the budget for something like a BMW M3.
Additionally, the regular BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class now cost the $90,000-$100,000 mark, which is frankly ridiculous in my opinion.
A new Lexus IS with the availability of a hybrid powertrain starting at $70,000 would have had a loyal following if Lexus had spent the money to adapt it to Australia’s new side impact regulations, which were the main reason for the nameplate’s abolition in 2021.
Even better, a small run of the great V8-powered IS500 Ultimate Editions (pre-facelift) would have been a great way to ditch the nameplate.
Anyway, we miss you, come back.
MORE: Lexus isn’t dead yet, as the aging sedan is getting another facelift
AITrendSpot: Renault Twingo and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
I’m going to choose two completely different cars here. One is an Apex Predator supercar with an electrified twin-turbo V8 powertrain, the other is an adorable retro-style electric city car.
I am of course referring to the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X and the Renault Twingo.
The ZR1X is the hottest C8 Corvette yet, and it’s hard to imagine GM topping it.
GM is really trying to prove that the Corvette belongs in the big supercar leagues like Ferrari, and this 932kW ZR1X is the real deal no longer ultra the C8 Corvette series.
Then there is the Twingo. Basically, I don’t like retro design. It tends to put manufacturers in a corner – I got tired of Mini’s retro styling about 15 years ago, for example.
But I can’t ignore how excited Renault’s design team was, first with the 5 Series and 4 Series and now with this one. And kudos to Renault for using decades other than the 1960s as design inspiration… although I feel old because the 1990s are now long enough ago to be considered retro.
It’s great to see a company add real flair and charm to its cheapest electric vehicles. Now just bring them here, Renault…
MORE: The 2026 Renault Twingo is a charming, affordable electric car, but Australians could be missing out
Ben Zachariah: Toyota LandCruiser FJ
My first answer to this question was the Toyota Crown Estate PHEV, but I hope Toyota Australia will bring it to market at some point; whereas not bringing the little LandCruiser – known as the FJ – to Australia seems like a terrible oversight.
In a four-wheel-drive-obsessed market that can’t get enough of the Suzuki Jimny, Toyota could have dominated the segment and cemented some brand loyalty among a whole new generation of outdoor-loving Australians.
MORE: The market launch of the small SUV Toyota LandCruiser FJ in Australia is being slowed down by the HiLux engine
Damion Smy: Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra represents a big opportunity for the brand here – especially given that there’s no confirmation that we’ll see the standard versions of the brilliant Renault 5 on which it’s based.
Even though it was priced above cheaper Chinese competitors, Nissan certainly has more brand equity… and it’s not a Leaf. I will have a Peugeot e-208 GTI though, thanks.
MORE: 2026 Nissan Micra review: Fast drive
Josh Nevett.
I love a hot hatch as much as the next enthusiast, and the upcoming Peugeot e-208 GTi is an exciting take on that formula.
I mean, just look at it!
Everything about the exterior design is eye-catching. The proportions? Nuggets. The wheels? Retro-cool down to the smallest detail. I also love the front and back lighting.
Inside you’ll find body-hugging bucket seats, a faux suede steering wheel and Peugeot’s creative cockpit layout. It’s a really special space for an entry-level model.
And it would be wrong to assume that the e-208 GTi is all show and no-go, because this little pocket rocket has a 209 kW/345 Nm electric motor, the power of which is only transmitted to the front wheels via a limited-slip differential – simply wonderful.
Now I understand that compact performance cars don’t sell as well as they used to, but the e-208 GTi is one of the few electric cars that could really be a supporter of rusty internal combustion engines. So it’s a shame we won’t be seeing it in Australian showrooms.
MORE: Peugeot e-208 GTi revealed: French hot hatch goes electric
Sean Lander: Ford F-150 Lobo
I miss street paraphernalia. Sure, the F-150 is a little bigger than a Falcon or Holden ute, but it keeps the ethos alive. And it comes with a proper V8 – none of that turbo nonsense.
MORE: Ford F-150 Lobo: Lowered V8 road truck revealed
Max Davies: Mitsubishi Xforce Hybrid
I’m a little out of the field with this model, but I can’t help but think the Xforce hybrid would have made a lot of sense.
By now we all know that the Mitsubishi ASX has been replaced by a ridiculously expensive Renault Captur clone, moving the nameplate dramatically away from its affordable SUV roots.
Instead, I would prefer if Mitsubishi had redesigned the Xforce hybrid and brought it here as a new ASX. Yes, the petrol Xforce was introduced in 2023, but the hybrid only broke cover in March this year.
The Xforce Hybrid, built for Southeast Asian markets, was not brought to Australia because it would not meet local standards. The overseas target markets have stricter safety and emissions regulations than ours.
Still, it’s a model designed and engineered by Mitsubishi, it’s the right size to serve as an ASX replacement, AND it’s a hybrid, which would make a lot of sense for Mitsubishi to offer it as a rival to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and Honda HR-V e:HEV.
Building in Southeast Asia could also mean a much lower asking price than the Renault ASX we have instead.
MORE: Mitsubishi is introducing another hybrid SUV, but it’s not coming to Australia
