The cars available overseas that could be big hits in Australia

Australians are flushed with choices when it comes to car brands. We have one of the highest number of car brands in the one market vying for your attention. But interestingly, not all of the models on sale globally by these brands make it to your driveway.

These cars are yet to grace Australian roads and some probably never will land here in their brand-new form. but if they did we think they could be real winners. From sleek sedans to rugged SUVs, these overseas gems promise uniqueness, style, and performance.

Fiat released the Pulse compact SUV into the Brazilian market as part of its strategy to expand its SUV lineup globally. The Abarth version adds a slicker body kit, sporty colours and a more punchy engine. This is not your regular 500 by any stretch.

Could it be sold in Australia? Chances are it won't be especially as it only received a two-star crash rating in the Latin NCAP.

Pitched as an affordable workhorse that doubles as a family chariot, the RAM 700 ute is primarily sold in Mexican and South American markets and shares its underpinnings and many of its body panels with the Fiat Strada. It's like a four-door version of the Subaru Brumby and Proton Jumbuck.

Don't get too excited, this isn't the second coming of an Australian family SUV icon. The Territory name was retired from Australia but lives on in the Ford universe, finding its way onto a Chinese-made family SUV that is sold across Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. It has a different Ford design flavour compared to the Escape and Puma but would look at home on driveways across Australia.

The Mondeo replacement that didn't really replace the Mondeo in key countries like Australia, the USA (Taurus) and the UK, is a reborn medium sedan that looks very sleek and is what a Falcon of 2024 could have looked like. With an ST-Line pack, this could be a winner with Aussies keen to head back to a sedan over an SUV and who don't want to drive a Camry.

This funky small SUV is from Renault's Romanian brand Dacia. The next generation Duster launches in 2024 and has a tougher and more assertive design, and there is a 4x4 version with actual off-road capabilities.

UPDATE: The Dacia Duster looks to be locked in for a 2025 arrival into Australia, badged as a Renault.

Once a seven-seater people mover, the Espace has been transformed (as have many cars in recent times) into a family SUV. Why is it on this list? Australia currently has the Koleos as Renault's entrant in the mid-size SUV market competing with the likes of the Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 - it isn't as fresh and dynamic as it could be. The Espace is a tiny bit longer than the Koleos (5cm) but is packed full of tech and luxe finishes that make modern Renaults a delight. It is also hybrid too.

Honda isn't really known in Australia as a big off-roading car brand, but over in the USA, you can get yourself into a large eight-seat SUV with hardcore off-roading abilities to rival the Toyota LandCruiser and Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Honda Pilot is 37cm longer than the Honda CR-V and 5cm longer than the LandCruiser!

Aussies love utes. Car brands know Aussies love utes too and many are sending them over with great success. Most Fords sold in Australia are Rangers so if Honda wants to grow its customer base, offering the Ridgeline ute would make great sense.

Unique Japanese kei cars are nothing new in Australia and by extension unique people mover vans and SUVs. The Xpander Cross is kind of like a tall stretched Eclipse Cross with a rugged look. What's not to love?

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