Mid-sized SUVs are among the most popular and sought after vehicles currently on sale in Australia, and buyers are increasingly flocking to hybrid and electric models.
According to the latest VFACTS new car sales data, a total of 268,480 mid-sized SUVs were sold in Australia during 2023, making it the top-selling segment. Sales grew 24.3 per cent year-on-year.
Looking forward to 2024, there are quite a number of new or updated mid-sized SUVs that are confirmed to be launching in Australia. The following is a breakdown of each new mid-sized SUV set to arrive this year.
If you would like to read all the new cars arriving Australia throughout 2024 and beyond, check out our new car calendar.
BYD plug-in hybrid SUV – first half of 2024
BYD’s local distributor EVDirect has confirmed it’s launching a plug-in hybrid mid-sized SUV in the first half of 2024, which is understood to be a version of the Seal U (aka Song Plus Champion Edition in China).
A number of prototypes, including an example without any camouflage whatsoever, have been spied in Australia.
It’s understood to be powered by BYD’s DM-i plug-in hybrid system, mating an 81kW/135Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 145kW/325Nm electric motor and either an 18.3kWh or 26.6kWh battery.
Depending on the battery, there’s either 110km or 150km of electric range on offer, based on the NEDC cycle.
MORE: BYD’s new SUV spied undisguised ahead of Australian launch
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro – first half of 2024
Chery Australia previously said the Tiggo 8 Pro would launch in Australia in the second half of 2023, though it recently revised this to the first half of 2024.
Measuring in at 4745mm long, the Tiggo 8 Pro closely matches the Mitsubishi Outlander in size and like its Japanese rival is also available with a third row of seating.
Chery has yet to detail what powertrains the Tiggo 8 Pro will be offered with here, though it has indicated it could – like the Outlander – be offered with available plug-in hybrid power.
MORE: Chinese upstart Chery expanding its Australian range in 2024
Hyundai Tucson update – mid-2024
A mid-life update to the Hyundai’s popular Tucson is set to arrive locally around the middle of 2024, at which point the previously confirmed hybrid will belatedly join the range.
CarExpert understands the updated Australian-market Tucson will continue to be sourced from Korea.
While the updated Tucson has only received subtle changes on the outside, the interior has seen more extensive revisions. The touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are situated in one assembly and there’s a new steering wheel, as well as a new column-mounted gear selector.
MORE: 2024 Hyundai Tucson facelift: Big changes inside, small ones outside
Kia EV5 – mid-2024
Kia Australia has confirmed the Sportage-sized EV5 electric mid-size SUV will launch locally during 2024 and will be sourced from China.
Contrary to previous reports, Kia has confirmed the EV5 uses the same E-GMP dedicated electric architecture as the EV6 and EV9, as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, though it’ll use lithium iron phosphate batteries sourced from BYD.
In addition to the core EV5 models, the South Korean carmaker has confirmed a high-performance GT variant will be revealed at a later date.
MORE: Kia EV5: Sportage-sized electric SUV due mid-2024
Kia Sportage hybrid – first quarter of 2024
The Kia Sportage Hybrid has been approved for sale in Australia and will launch in the first quarter of 2024.
Government approval documents list the Sportage Hybrid will be powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 132kW, mated with an electric motor, battery pack and six-speed automatic transmission. Drive will be sent to the front wheels only.
This petrol-electric powertrain is shared with the larger Sorento Hybrid, which has total system outputs of 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque.
At this stage it’s unclear which variant or variants Kia Australia will offer the Sportage Hybrid in locally. The company has previously indicated it’s looking to offer more than one variant.
MORE: Kia Sportage Hybrid to miss out on feature offered on electrified RAV4, X-Trail
Mercedes-AMG GLC and GLC Coupe – second quarter of 2024
The hot AMG versions of the new-generation GLC and GLC Coupe are set to arrive locally in the second quarter of 2024. These include the GLC 43 and GLC 63 S E Performance which are both powered by versions of the M139 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.
The flagship plug-in hybrid GLC 63 S E Performance, like the C63 S E Performance, features a 6.1kWh lithium-ion battery and a 150kW/320Nm rear-axle electric motor, integrated with an electrically shifted two-speed transmission and electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
Total system outputs for the GLC 63 S E Performance are 500kW of power and 1020Nm of torque. It can also do the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds.
MORE: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC range packs more power, fewer cylinders
MG HS update – second half of 2024
MG’s facelifted HS is now set to arrive in the second half of 2024, after originally being due in the second half of 2023.
The updated crossover features tweaked exterior styling including a more aggressive-looking front end with new headlights, a more sculpted grille, and a redesigned bumper.
Down back, there are tweaked tail lights, dual exhaust outlets, and revised rear bumper. There are also new alloy wheel designs.
Inside there’s a new-generation infotainment system for the 10.1-inch touchscreen, but otherwise there are no visible changes.
MORE: MG delays update for its popular mid-sized SUV
Peugeot 408 – third quarter of 2024
The Peugeot 408 plug-in hybrid high-riding fastback is launching locally in a single GT variant in the third quarter of 2024.
This genre-busting PHEV is priced from $67,990 before on-road costs and slots between the PHEV version of the 308 ($64,990 before on-roads) and the PHEV-only 508 ($81,610 before on-roads).
The 408 is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 132kW and 250Nm, mated with an 81kW/320Nm electric motor, a 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Total system outputs are 165kW of power and 360Nm of torque.
MORE: 2024 Peugeot 408 price and specs
Polestar 4 – third quarter of 2024
The Polestar 4 electric vehicle is set to launch locally in the third quarter of 2024 and will battle the likes of the Tesla Model Y.
The range will start from $81,500 before on-roads for the Long Range Single Motor, and will extend to $93,050 before on-roads for the Long Range Dual Motor.
While the larger Polestar 3 shares its SPA bones with the Volvo EX90, the Polestar 4 is built using the SEA architecture rolling out to brands under the Geely umbrella.
Controversially the Polestar 4 doesn’t have a rear window whatsoever. Polestar closed off the bootlid entirely, and offers rear visibility through a roof-mounted camera that provides a real-time feed to a screen in the cabin.
MORE: 2024 Polestar 4 electric SUV pricing confirmed for Australia
Porsche Macan EV – fourth quarter of 2024
The Porsche Macan EV will arrive locally in the fourth quarter of 2024.
This electric version of the Macan will debut the new Premium Platform Electric (PPE) that has been co-developed between Porsche and Audi. It will also form the base of the Audi Q6 e-tron and A6 e-tron.
Porsche has previously confirmed the Macan EV will be available with a rear-biased dual-motor electric powertrain with the latest generation of “permanently excited PSM motors”. In the most powerful variant, total system outputs will be 470kW of power and 1130Nm of torque.
Although a range estimate has yet to be revealed, the Macan EV will be available with a 95kWh (net) lithium-ion battery pack, an 800V electrical architecture, and will support DC fast charging at speeds up to 270kW.
MORE: Porsche putting finishing touches on electric Macan
Skoda Enyaq – June/July 2024
The Skoda Enyaq electric SUV is set to arrive in Australia in June or July this year with two variants and two body styles.
The Australian Enyaq range will include the Enyaq 85, as well at the newly updated RS variant which is now the most powerful vehicle ever offered by the Czech brand. Both will be available locally in both wagon and coupe body styles.
Both Australian-specification Enyaq models feature battery pre-heating functionality, as well as an increased charging speed. The Enyaq 85 and Enyaq RS have a maximum DC fast-charging rate of up to 175kW.
Australian-spec Enyaq models will also feature a new software version 4.0 that’s claimed to bring “a completely redesigned user interface” to the touchscreen infotainment system.
MORE: Skoda confirms when Enyaq electric SUV will arrive in Australia
SsangYong Torres – expected first half of 2024
SsangYong still hasn’t officially locked in the Torres mid-size SUV for an Australian launch this yet, but the latest word is it’s on track for the first half of 2024.
The Torres was originally revealed in mid-2022 and has gotten off to a strong start in the Korean market. The SUV broke the brand’s record for pre-orders in its home market with 12,000 in total.
At 4700mm long and 1890mm wide, the Torres is almost identical in size to a Mitsubishi Outlander. It’s offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 125kW of power and 280Nm of torque, mated with a six-speed automatic transmission.
MORE: SsangYong’s boxy new SUV on track, could come with EV
Toyota bZ4X – February 2024
The Toyota bZ4X has received some minor running changes ahead of its local launch in February 2024.
The electric SUV hasn’t received a full mid-life update, as it only entered production last year, so visually it’s unchanged. Instead, changes are found under the skin.
The company says it has improved battery warm-up performance in cold conditions, which it claims can reduce the charging time by up to 30 per cent.
The vehicle’s charging status now appears in the instrument cluster, and shows the time remaining until the vehicle has 80 per cent charge.
MORE: Toyota updates bZ4X electric SUV ahead of delayed Australian launch
Volkswagen ID.4 – June/July 2024
The updated version of the Volkswagen ID.4 is set to arrive locally in June or July this year with two variants.
The entry-level rear-wheel drive model now produces 210kW of power and 545Nm of torque. It replaces the less powerful 150kW/310Nm single-motor powertrain.
The flagship dual-motor all-wheel drive ID.4 GTX also gains the new rear electric motor, with a total system output of 250kW – up 30kW. Volkswagen has also given the GTX’s optional adaptive suspension revisions, promising a greater spread between comfort and dynamics.
Inside there’s a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a “completely new” menu structure and a new voice assistant with natural voice commands and cloud-based information. The touch sliders for the climate control and volume controls are now also illuminated.
MORE: Updated Volkswagen ID.4, ID.5 revealed ahead of Australian launch
Volkswagen ID.5 – June/July 2024
The Volkswagen ID.5, the coupe SUV version of the ID.4, is also set to arrive in June or July this year in updated form with entry-level rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive GTX forms.
All the powertrain changes the ID.5 receives mirrors what the updated ID.4 got. WLTP claimed range for the entry-level model has been increased by 11km to 556km.
Like the ID.4, the updated ID.5 has a larger 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a “completely new” menu structure, as well a touch sliders for the climate and volume controls that are illuminated.
MORE: Updated Volkswagen ID.4, ID.5 revealed ahead of Australian launch
