HAPPY NEW YEAR
A host of star imports will fill the gap left by the end of local manufacturing
The “buy Australia” mantra loses relevance for patriotic car buyers in 2018. This year marks the start of the import-only sales landscape after the end of local production for Toyota and Holden late last year. There’s no fleet policy to buy local cars nor can loyal Aussie buyers support local product.
They can – and will – continue to support the transition to SUVs and pick-ups, which is why some of the most significant launches this year involve just those categories.
The other big change will be the alignment of safety standards with Europe, meaning all new cars will need a range of “safety assist” driving aids to earn a five-star rating.
Autonomous emergency braking is a key part of those aids and being fitted as standard should help cut the road toll and bring down insurance premiums.
Connectivity is the other must-have in 2018. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are the latest toys but size counts when it comes to infotainment and seven-inch screens are now pretty much the default displays.
Here are 10 top models due in showrooms.
FORD ENDURA
The Endura is intended as a road-biased replacement for the Territory. The five-seat, large SUV is sold as the Edge in the US but Toyota owns the rights to that moniker here, so Endura it is. Ford has confirmed only a diesel, expected to be a 2.0-litre turbo, ahead of the SUVs launch late next year. The Endura will take on the likes of the Toyota Kluger, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mazda CX-9, so prices are expected to start at about $45,000 and top out in the mid-$60K mark.
HOLDEN ACADIA
The Acadia will be in the same space as the Ford but Holden’s version has the added appeal of seven seats if needed. It’s still playing against the same overall opposition, so prices will be – by necessity – competitive, and somewhere around the Ford. The suspension has been tuned by local engineers on all versions, meaning it rides as you’d hope a Holden would.
HOLDEN COMMODORE
We’re only a couple of months away from the launch of the ZB Commodore. In this guise it is a mid-sized vehicle in liftback, sportwagon and tourer (high-riding wagon) body styles. Engine choices will include a 2.0-litre turbo diesel with an eight-speed auto or 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 3.6-litre V6 with a nine-speed auto. Power goes to the front wheels with the four-cylinder engines and to all corners on V6 versions. Prices range from $33,990-$55,990 before onroad costs.
HYUNDAI SANTA FE
The seven-seat SUV headlines a hectic year for Hyundai Australia. There’s not a lot of detail on the flagship but expect active driving aids across the range plus petrol and diesel engines. The styling will feature toned-down elements
of the Kona small SUV launched last year and prices can’t climb much beyond the current $40,990 starter car.
MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS
The first new car from Mitsubishi since the industrial revolution is arriving in dealerships now with a $30,500 sticker price. The Eclipse Cross sits between the small ASX and larger Outlander and is powered by a 1.5-litre fourcylinder engine good for 110kW/250Nm and paired with a continuously variable transmission. The top-spec Exceed takes the price to $36,000 while opting for all-wheel drive adds another $2500.
KIA CERATO
The bread-and-butter car for Kia will get improved connectivity and safety software when it is revealed at this month’s Detroit motor show ahead of a a midyear local launch. Don’t expect much tinkering with the $19,990 driveaway formula that has helped push the Cerato to prominence in the segment. Active braking is expected to be standard fit.
MAZDA6
The car that brought a premium feel to the Mazda product range is due for an overhaul – and that’s big news. The Mazda6 mightn’t claim the most sales but it remains a flagship for the brand, so expect to see major improvements in interior materials and fit. A 2.5-litre turbo will be sold on top-spec versions, alongside the carryover 2.5-litre petrol and 2.2-litre turbo diesel. Expect prices to start at about $35,000.
SKODA KAROQ
Suggestions of a $30,000 starting point for Karoq should grab early interest as Skoda looks to make inroads into the mid-sized SUV segment. The Karoq is a bigger, betterequipped vehicle than the Yeti it replaces. Expect a base petrol front-wheel drive version, with AWD reserved for the diesel variants. Adaptive cruise control and lane-change warning will be standard; a digital driver’s display as seen in VWs and Audis is expected to be part of a pack.
SUBARU FORESTER
Replacing Subaru’s top-selling car is no easy proposition, so details on the Forester are scarce ahead of a local launch in the second half of 2018. The mid-sized SUV will have the latest active driving aids and is also expected to pick up the 1.6-litre turbo from the Levorg. Facelifted versions of the Outback and Liberty should land later this month.
VW POLO
Liberating space turns the Polo into a mini Golf. A longer wheelbase adds rear legroom and endows 350L of cargo area – bigger than many cars in the next segment up. Volkswagen doesn’t have a lot of scope to play on price in the light car segment, so expect to see the entry price of about $17,990, meaning many of the more desirable items are likely to be on the topspec versions or bundled in extra-cost packs.