Getting your hands on a brand-new car at the moment is challenging, to say the least.
Parts shortages caused by pandemic-related shutdowns, supply chain dramas and the war in Ukraine have had a huge flow-on effect in Australian showrooms.
Most market segments have been impacted, including family-friendly medium SUVs.
The top-selling model in that segment is the Toyota RAV4, which has a wait time – depending on the model grade – of approximately one year, particularly for the hybrid version.
But what about the RAV4’s direct rivals? Are there any other medium SUVs available for immediate delivery right now?
The answer is, it depends on the model.
We contacted all of the major importers with a model in the mainstream (non-premium) medium SUV segment to find out about current supply, and here is what we discovered.
The model with the best availability is the Hyundai Tucson. But there is a catch, of sorts. If you’re after a petrol-powered Tucson, then you’re probably still facing a wait for delivery.
But if you don’t mind opting for a diesel, then you’ll find plenty of stock at dealers around the country right now.
Hyundai says there are about 2000 examples of the Tucson diesel – split between mid-level Elite and flagship Highlander grades – available to order now for immediate delivery.
Supply of the mechanically related Kia Sportage has recently improved, but a company spokesperson said that examples are heading straight out for delivery as soon as they land to fill back orders, so expect a wait after purchase.
If you’re keen on Australia’s second best-selling medium SUV, the Mazda CX-5, there is some dealer stock on the ground. You could drive away with a new CX-5, providing you’re flexible with colour, trim and options. But if you order a CX-5 with specific features, then you’ll be facing a wait time similar to other medium SUVs.
One medium SUV is proving so popular that it has sold out for 2022, and that’s the Subaru Forester. A Subaru Australia spokesperson confirmed that the 2022 allocation is exhausted, with buyers now forced to wait for the 2023 model year Forester.
It is unclear when the 2023 Forester will arrive in showrooms, or if it will usher in changes over the facelifted model that arrived earlier this year. Let’s hope the 2023 Forester range includes the rumoured turbo-petrol option.
According to Mitsubishi, there is good supply of the recently launched new-generation Outlander, with much shorter wait times than many of its rivals.
If you order an Outlander Aspire now it will be delivered in a month, while ES, LS, Exceed and Exceed Tourer currently have a two-month wait.
The Nissan X-Trail is in runout ahead of the new-generation model arriving sometime in the second half of the year, and a Nissan Australia spokesperson confirmed with CarsGuide that production of the outgoing T32 X-Trail will end in June.
While dealers have visibility of outgoing X-Trail stock that’s already on the ground and still to be produced, the spokesperson said the remaining stock was selling fast and urged buyers to contact their dealer for more specific information.
Honda says it has “reasonably good supply” of the CR-V thanks to a new centralised stock management system, and added that the average delivery time at the moment is three to four weeks.
Ford has struggled with supply for its Escape for a while now and it is still battling those issues, but a company spokesperson said if you order a petrol-powered Escape now it should arrive late in the second quarter. There is some stock on the ground right now of the freshly launched plug-in hybrid version.
According to a Jeep spokesperson, there is a “healthy level of stock” on the ground of the Cherokee in all three flavours – Limited, S-Limited and Trailhawk.
If you’re after something with a European badge, you will find stock in dealerships right now of the Renault Koleos.
Current wait times for higher-end versions of the Volkswagen Tiguan and seven-seat Tiguan Allspace have stretched out to quarter one, 2023, while the entry and mid-grade 110TSI and 132TSI versions of both models are expected to land in the third quarter of this year. Although a VW spokesperson confirmed there is some floor stock of the 110TSI Allspace.
If you’re after a larger VW SUV, the German brand has secured an additional 1000 units of the Touareg for Australian customers for the second half of the year.
The Skoda Karoq is in runout, with the facelifted model expected in dealerships from late June, with some stock available immediately after launch.
For French car fans, there is stock on the ground of the Peugeot 3008 five-seat SUV and its 5008 seven-seat twin. However, you could face a wait of approximately 90 to 120 days if you order a specific grade with options that’s not hanging around in dealerships.
You’ll also be able to find examples of its Citroen C5 Aircross cousin in local dealerships.
An underrated offering in the segment is the SsangYong Korando, and according to the Korean brand’s local spokesperson, there is Korando stock in dealerships right now.
However, like many other models, if you’re after a specific grade with options fitted, you’ll face a wait for delivery.
MG says it has “good supply for immediate delivery” on most of its models, including the HS medium SUV, and added that capacity would improve once the Shanghai COVID lockdowns end.
Fellow Chinese manufacturer Haval has some stock on the ground now of its H6 medium SUV, with another month’s supply on the way to Australia as this story is being published.
Keyword: 2022 Toyota RAV4 wait time too long? Some family SUVs have stock available now or short wait times, like Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander