On the tenth day of Christmas…

From electric innovation to performance icons, these 10 cars shaped not only the way Aussies drive but also car culture itself.

The Palisade helped define 2025 as the year large family SUVs went premium and hybrid, proving Korean brands could confidently play at the $90k price point while undercutting European luxury three-row SUVs.

The second generation Hyundai Palisade marked a significant shift for Hyundai's flagship SUV, ditching diesel entirely for a new 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid producing 245kW/460Nm.

It’s not cheap at $89,900 – a $10,000 increase – but is now positioned as a genuine premium contender with mechanical AWD, Nappa leather across all eight seats, twin 12.3-inch screens and a 16-speaker Bose system. Hyundai worked hard on refinement with acoustic glass, thicker sound deadening, and foam-lined tyres creating a near-silent cabin.

At over five metres long and nearly two metres wide, it's bigger than a LandCruiser 300, with an enormous boot offering 348-729 litres depending on seat configuration.

Real-world fuel consumption around 7.3L/100km delivers impressive 750-1000km range.

The Zeekr 7X defined 2025 as the year Chinese premium EVs finally matched European build quality and performance while undercutting Tesla on price. It also proved that brands like Zeekr could compete on refinement and driving dynamics rather than just value alone.

The all-new model Zeekr 7X arrives in Australia with two compelling variants: the Long Range rear-wheel drive (RWD) and the Performance all-wheel drive (AWD).

The Long Range RWD offers a 100kWh battery, 310kW/440Nm, and a WLTP range of 610km, while the Performance AWD ups the ante to 475kW/710Nm and a 0-100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds. Fast? You better believe it.

Both models feature a premium interior with a 16-inch touchscreen, 21-speaker audio, and Nappa leather.

The 7X undercuts rivals like the Tesla Model Y Performance on price, starting from $72,900 plus ORCs, and impresses with its blend of luxury, technology, and outright pace.

The Ford Ranger Super Duty helped define 2025 by proving Australian engineering expertise could create a purpose-built heavy-duty ute that answered genuine industry demands.

At the same time it proved that Ford's local development team still plays a crucial role in creating vehicles for Aussie conditions, rather than just adapting overseas models.

Ford’s Ranger Super Duty ute or pick-up truck is engineered for serious work, with an 8-tonne GCM, 4500kg towing, and a reinforced chassis.

Priced from $82,990 plus ORCs it doesn’t come cheap but features heavy-duty axles, 33-inch all-terrain tyres, front and rear diff locks, and a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine right out of the box.

The interior is basic but functional, with a 12-inch screen and vinyl floors, making it a true fleet and off-road specialist.

The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS made its mark in 2025 for the same reason others did – hybridisation. But its raison d'être was to enhance the driving experience rather than just improve efficiency, proving even purist sports car icons could embrace electrification without compromise when done right.

The 2025 911 Carrera GTS debuts Porsche’s T-Hybrid system, pairing a 3.6-litre turbo flat-six with electric assist for over 353kW and a 0-100km/h time around 3.0 seconds.

Priced from $380,100 plus ORCs, it features four-wheel steering, active aero, and a tech-rich, luxurious interior.

Kia’s EV3 proved that 2025 was the year compact EVs finally offered genuine 600km real-world range at sub-$50k pricing. It also showed that electric family transport no longer required compromises on space, technology, or affordability.

The Kia EV3 brings a fresh approach to the compact electric SUV segment, combining a bold design with impressive real-world range and value.

The cabin features dual 12.3-inch screens, a 12-inch head-up display, and a nine-inch climate control touchscreen, while the boot offers a generous 460 litres of space.

Safety is comprehensive, with Highway Driving Assist 2, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and more, while 58kWh or 81kWh batteries give the Lego-like SUV a range of up to 600km.

Pricing starts at $47,600 plus on-road costs (ORCs), making the EV3 a compelling new option for Australian EV buyers.

The sixth-generation Forester marked Subaru's serious hybrid commitment, ditching its weak previous system for Toyota's "Strong Hybrid" tech – a benefit of Toyota's 20 per cent stake in Subaru.

While the base grade Hybrid proved surprisingly enjoyable to drive, with agile handling that defied boring SUV stereotypes, more broadly the Forester helped shape 2025 by proving traditional brands could successfully pivot to hybrid power without sacrificing their core identity.

That said, the lack of a spare tyre as standard was a controversial cost-cutting move for adventure-focused buyers.

Starting at $46,490, the entry hybrid pairs a 2.5-litre boxer engine (121kW/212Nm) with a substantially upgraded 90kW/276Nm electric motor for 145kW combined output.

What makes the Forester stand out is it retained Subaru's mechanical all-wheel drive with a propshaft rather than going purely electric like rivals, maintaining the brand's off-road credibility with 220mm ground clearance and X-Mode terrain settings.

The LBX Morizo RR is a compact luxury SUV proved that luxury brands could generate excitement in tiny packages.

The LBX is a genuine driver's SUV that prioritised engagement and exclusivity over practicality in a segment typically dominated by sensible family haulers.

Powered by a 206kW/390Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre triple cylinder petrol engine, the all-wheel drive tacker put power to the ground via an eight-speed auto.

Priced at $76,490 plus ORCs, it’s a passion project from Akio Toyoda, blending GR Yaris performance with Lexus luxury.

The Kia Tasman defined 2025 as the year a non-traditional ute manufacturer had a crack at the Australian dual-cab market with competitive capability and pricing, proving Korean brands could challenge the Toyota-Ford duopoly in their most sacred segment.

That said, it was widely lambasted as being the ugliest ute on the market.

Kia’s first foray into the Aussie dual-cab ute market impresses with its turbocharged 2.2-litre diesel (154kW/440Nm), eight-speed auto, and selectable low-range 4WD.

The SX 4x4 dual-cab, priced at $54,490 plus ORCs, sits between the Ranger XL/XLS and HiLux SR, offering a 3500kg towing capacity, locking rear diff, and a tech-forward, spacious cabin.

Volkswagen’s ID.4 defined 2025 as the year legacy European brands finally delivered competent, sensible EVs that prioritised family practicality over performance gimmicks.

It showed that mainstream electric adoption could be driven by unexciting but dependable everyday transport rather than headline-grabbing specs.

Indeed, the Volkswagen ID.4 is a practical, family-friendly electric SUV with up to 550km range, 175kW DC fast-charging, and a roomy, tech-laden cabin.

While not the most intriguing EV out there today, it’s level of comfort, safety, and everyday usability makes it a solid choice for buyers in the mainstream EV segment.

The Deepal E07 “Multitruck” is a unique blend of SUV and ute and takes a well-deserved place on this list.

It showed that Chinese brands had stopped playing it safe and started experimenting with genuinely innovative vehicle formats, proving that electrification enabled radical new body styles that blurred traditional segment boundaries.

With a 90kWh battery, up to 550km range, and a 3.9 second 0-100km/h time in all-wheel drive (AWD) form. 

Priced from $64,900, it features a luxurious, tech-heavy cabin, retractable glass load bay, and air suspension.

These ten vehicles didn’t just make headlines in 2025 – they helped redefine what Australians expect from their cars, setting new standards for innovation, performance, and usability.

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