Top 20 new cars coming in 2021

As you’ll see in our ever-popular New Car Calendar, there’s no shortage of exciting new models on the way to Australian showrooms in 2021.

Indeed, due to coronavirus pandemic-related production and shipping delays, many new model launches have been pushed back into next year.

From small cars to dual-cab 4x4 utes and from compact SUVs to exotic supercars, there’s something new coming for everyone in 2021.

Here’s our pick of the top 20 new models worth waiting for over the next 12 months.

BMW iX and iX3

The Bavarian brand will have a trio of electric SUVs – and its first rival for the Audi e-tron, Jaguar I-PACE, Mercedes-Benz EQC and Tesla Model X – when the large BMW iX and mid-size BMW iX3 join the i3 here late next year.

BMW M3/M4

They’ve been a long time coming, but BMW’s latest answers to the Audi RS 5 and Mercedes-AMG C 63 finally arrive Down Under early next year, in both sedan and coupe form, priced from under $145K

Chevrolet Corvette

Ditto for the eighth-generation (and the first global) version of Chevrolet’s giant-killing supercar, the mid-engined C8 Corvette, which finally arrives here in late 2021 priced from around $130K.

Genesis GV70

Hyundai will compete directly with top-selling luxury SUVs like the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC when the all-new Genesis GV70 arrives in the first half of next year

GWM Ute

All-new from the ground up, the replacement for the rough and ready Great Wall Steed promises more safety, tech and refinement, wrapped in a more pleasing dual-cab 4x4 ute design. Towing and payload specs may not be up to the standards of the class-leaders, but at $10K less the new GWM Ute will offer unrivalled value.

Hyundai i20 N and i30 N sedan

The first Hyundai i20 N hot hatch and i30 N sedan will be among a host of new performance models from the Korean car-maker’s N brand in the first half of next year, when facelifted and automatic versions of the original i30 N hatch – and perhaps even the all-new Kona N – will also arrive

Isuzu MU-X

It’s not yet officially confirmed for Aussie release, but as sure as night follows day, the all-new Isuzu MU-X SUV will bring the same design, safety and tech upgrades as the new D-MAX ute it’s based on, sometime in 2021.

Land Rover Defender 90

On sale now ahead of first deliveries in February, the born-again two-door Land Rover Defender 90 ‘shortie’ will be a lot more expensive than its iconic predecessor, but just as capable off-road and far safer and higher-tech.

Porsche 911 GT3

The new-generation 992-based version of Porsche’s purest 911, the naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre GT3, will be launched globally early next year ahead of its local arrival later in 2021.

Maserati MC20

It might be priced at a cool $438K, but Maserati’s first supercar in 15 years, the mid-engined MC20, has already attracted a waiting list stretching into 2022, following its arrival in the third quarter of next year.

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

Likewise, all 28 versions of the hottest Mercedes-AMG GT supercar ever built are already spoken for Down Under, where first deliveries are slated for May 2021 – at a staggering $800K apiece.

Nissan 400Z

Undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated sports car releases of 2021, the new-generation Nissan Z (the 400Z name is still to be confirmed) will arrive here towards the end of next year packing twin-turbo V6 power and rear-drive dynamics.

Nissan Navara

The fifth update to the D23 Nissan Navara ute since its launch in 2015 will bring the most substantial design update yet seen, plus a host of new safety tech and standard equipment

Porsche Taycan

Zuffenhausen’s first electric car will be no ordinary EV. Priced well under the 911 from around $190K, three variants of the battery-powered Porsche Taycan will be available from February, all with all-wheel drive and blistering acceleration.

RAM 1500 TRX

We’re still waiting for the new-generation DT-series RAM 1500 from official Australian distributor RAM Trucks Australia, but the wait will be made worthwhile when it’s joined by the world’s wildest full-size production pick-up, powered by a 522kW/881Nm 6.2-litre supercharged Hellcat V8.

Skoda Octavia

The Czech mid-sizer has always been a firm favourite at carsales, but when the new-generation sedan, wagon and RS versions arrive early next year they’ll bring another step change in design, tech and simply cleverness

Subaru Outback

Similarly, Subaru’s mid-size crossover wagon has long been a hit with Aussies, and the new-generation Subaru Outback should be no different when it eventually arrives around March.

Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ

The second-generation Subaru BRZ coupe has been officially revealed with more style, more tech and more performance from a bigger 2.4-litre flat four, all of which will transfer to the new Toyota 86 that’s also due on sale globally in 2021.

Toyota GR Yaris Rallye

The new Toyota GR Yaris brings giant-killing all-wheel drive performance from a 200kW turbo triple, but the Rallye version will be even wilder with Torsen LSDs front and rear, track-tuned suspension, lighter wheels and grippier tyres.

Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series

Yes, there are three brand-new Toyotas we can’t wait for in 2021. At the other end of the scale from the Yaris GR rally-rocket and the compact 86 coupe, the all-new 300 Series LandCruiser will bring an all-V6 powertrain line-up and higher prices, but the same old towing, off-roading and people-moving capability.

Volkswagen Golf

Delayed by COVID, the long-awaited Volkswagen Golf 8 will also bring higher prices when it finally arrives in May, followed a few weeks later by the new GTI hot hatch, but expect a big lift in quality, refinement and technology.