Ever have that feeling after you’ve unwrapped all your presents that something was missing?
We feel a little bit like that at the end of 2025. The Australian auto market received plenty of presents in the shape of new vehicles from a raft of brands, but some exciting vehicles weren’t sent our way wrapped with a big bow.
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Some examples include:
- Acura RSX
- BYD Racco EV
- Cadillac Escalade iQL
- Cadillac Optiq-V
- Deepal L06
- Exeed ES GT
- Infiniti QX65
- Jeep Cherokee
- Kia Telluride
- Mitsubishi Destinator
- Mitsubishi Grandis
- Nissan Elgrand
- Ram Dakota
- Tata Sierra
- Volkswagen ID. Unyx 8
- Volvo XC70
- Yangwang U9 Track Edition
Here are the vehicles revealed during 2025 that we’re a bit bummed we won’t be seeing here.
Paul Maric: Kia Telluride
I had the chance to drive an older Telluride in the US earlier in the year and was pretty impressed with the package.
The one we tested had all-terrain tyres and was good fun to drive with plenty of space inside. It’s only built in left-hand drive, so unfortunately we can’t get it, but I’d love to see it here because I think it’d sell well.
MORE: 2027 Kia Telluride is the distinctive Hyundai Palisade cousin Australians can’t have
Alborz Fallah: None
None, we have enough cars and brands!
Marton Pettendy: Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
Like the ZR1 on which it’s based, the range-topping ZR1X is produced only in left-hand drive, which is a shame given the eighth-generation Corvette is not only the first mid-engined example of the iconic American supercar breed, but was also supposed to be the first global Corvette.
It’s a great pity too, given the ZR1X is not only the perfect flag-bearer for the brilliant C8 Corvette range but, thanks to its all-wheel drive twin-turbo V8 hybrid powertrain pumping out no less than 932kW, it’s claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) in less than two seconds and cover the quarter-mile in under nine seconds.
That puts the most powerful production Corvette ever in elite hypercar territory, for a fraction of the price you’ll pay for an equivalent Ferrari.
MORE: 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is a twin-turbo V8 hypercar delivering over 900kW
James Wong: Lexus IS facelift
Yes, this might be a random one from me, but the latest Lexus IS addresses all my prior gripes with the old one and I really wish it was still sold here.
A lot of young professionals – ahem, like myself – want to buy something a little nice, engaging and aspirational but don’t necessarily want to step into a big family-sized SUV, and don’t have the budget for something like a BMW M3.
Further, the regular BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class now start from the $90,000-$100,000 mark, which if you ask me is frankly ridiculous.
A new Lexus IS with the availability of a hybrid powertrain starting from $70,000 would have had a loyal following if Lexus spent the money adapting it for Australia’s new side impact regulations, which were the core reason the nameplate was killed off back in 2021.
Even better, a small run of the stonking (pre-facelift) V8-powered IS500 Ultimate Editions would have been a great way to send off the nameplate.
Anyway, we miss you, come back.
MORE: Lexus IS not dead yet as ageing sedan gets yet another facelift
William Stopford: Renault Twingo and Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X
I’m going to pick two wildly different cars here. One is an apex predator supercar with an electrified twin-turbo V8 powertrain, the other is an adorably retro electric city car.
I’m referring of course 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 this.
GM is really trying to prove the Corvette belongs in the supercar big leagues with the likes of Ferrari, and this 932kW ZR1X is the ne plus ultra of the C8 Corvette range.
Then there’s the Twingo. As a rule, I don’t care for retro design. It tends to box manufacturers into a corner – I got tired of Mini’s retro schtick around 15 years ago, for example.
But I can’t ignore just how on fire Renault’s design team has been, first with the 5 and 4 and now this. And kudos to Renault for mining decades other than the 1960s for design inspiration… even if it makes me feel old that the 1990s are now long enough ago to be considered retro.
It’s great to see a company giving its most affordable EVs genuine flair and charm. Now just bring them here, Renault…
MORE: 2026 Renault Twingo is an adorable, affordable EV but Aussies may miss out
Ben Zachariah: Toyota LandCruiser FJ
My initial answer to this question was the Toyota Crown Estate PHEV, but my hope is Toyota Australia will eventually bring this in; whereas not bringing the baby 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 owned the segment and cemented some brand loyalty into an entirely new generation of outdoor-loving Australians.
MORE: Toyota LandCruiser FJ baby off-roader’s Australian launch held back by HiLux engine
Damion Smy: Nissan Micra
The Nissan Micra is a great opportunity for the brand here – especially given there’s no confirmation we’ll see the bread-and-butter versions of the brilliant Renault 5 it’s based on.
Even if it was priced above cheaper Chinese rivals, surely Nissan has more brand equity… and it’s not a Leaf. I’ll have a Peugeot e-208 GTI though, thanks.
MORE: 2026 Nissan Micra review: Quick drive
Josh Nevett: Peugeot e-208 GTi
I love a hot hatch as much as the next enthusiast, and the upcoming Peugeot e-208 GTi is an exciting take on the formula.
I mean, just look at it!
Everything about the exterior design is eye-catching. The proportions? Nuggety. The wheels? Retro-cool right down to the finest detail. I love the front and rear lighting, too.
Moving inside, there’s a set of body-hugging bucket seats, a faux suede steering wheel, and Peugeot’s creative cockpit layout. It’s a truly special space for an entry-level model.
And it’d be wrong to assume that the e-208 GTi is all show and no go, as this little pocket rocket packs a 209kW/345Nm electric motor, with power sent to the front wheels only via a limited-slip differential – simply lovely.
Now, I get that compact performance cars aren’t selling like they used to, but the e-208 GTi is one of few EVs that could actually woo rusted-on ICE addicts. As such, it’s a shame we won’t see it in Australian showrooms.
MORE: Peugeot e-208 GTi unveiled: French hot hatch goes electric
Sean Lander: Ford F-150 Lobo
I miss street utes. Sure, the F-150 is a bit bigger than a Falcon or Holden ute, but it keeps the ethos alive. And it comes with a proper V8 – none of this turbo nonsense.
MORE: Ford F-150 Lobo: Lowered V8 ‘street truck’ revealed
Max Davies: Mitsubishi Xforce hybrid
Bit out of left field with this one, but I can’t help but feel the Xforce hybrid would’ve made a lot of sense.
By now, we all know that the Mitsubishi ASX has been replaced with a heinously expensive Renault Captur clone, dramatically shifting the nameplate away from its affordable SUV roots.
Instead, I’d rather Mitsubishi had re-engineered the Xforce hybrid and brought it here as the new ASX. Yes, the petrol Xforce was revealed in 2023, but the hybrid only broke cover in March this year.
Built for Southeast Asian markets, the Xforce hybrid hasn’t been brought to Australia because it wouldn’t meet local standards. Its intended overseas markets have more lenient safety and emissions regulations than we do.
Still, it’s a Mitsubishi-designed and engineered model, it’s the right size to be an ASX replacement, AND it’s hybrid, which would make so much sense for Mitsubishi to offer as a rival to the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and Honda HR-V e:HEV.
Building it in Southeast Asia could also mean a much lower asking price than the Renault ASX we have instead.
MORE: Mitsubishi reveals another hybrid SUV, but it won’t come to Australia
