We may have only just seen the end of February but it’s a safe bet Toyota will lead the sales charts again in 2023, thanks to its range of popular models from the Corolla to the LandCruiser and everything in between.
But what about the brands beyond the big names like Toyota, Mazda and Kia? There are plenty of exciting new models headed our way this year from emerging brands including GWM, MG and BYD. There’s also some compelling new products coming from established brands like Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz that threaten to upset the status quo.
So we’re taking a look at some of these under the radar new vehicles that could become some of the country’s most popular new additions in 2023.
The Amarok should give VW a sales boost in 2023.
Volkswagen Amarok
While 2022 was the ‘Year of the Ford Ranger’ and a new Toyota HiLux is reportedly around the corner, this year presents as Volkswagen’s time to shine in the ute market. The new Ranger-based Amarok is due to arrive in April and should give the brand a major boost.
By partnering with the Blue Oval Volkswagen has given itself a better chance to win over customers looking for a reliable but more polished ute than some of its competitors. Plus, the Amarok continues to be powered by a V6 turbo diesel, making it one of the most powerful utes on sale, so that’s another reason to be excited.
While it’s too much to expect the Amarok to challenge the Ranger and HiLux in sales (as both sold nearly 10 times what VW did in ’22) but don’t be surprised if the German ute leaps up the sales charts in ’23.
GWM Tank 300
Australians are starting to make the switch to electrified models in greater numbers and that is extending to new markets in 2023. Enter the GWM Tank 300, a ladder-chassis off-roader with a hybrid powertrain to appeal to both the adventurous and environmentalist.
Local buyers are also warming to Chinese-made cars, so the GWM (formerly Great Wall Motors) may be well-placed to appeal to those who are looking for something rugged and capable beyond the usual suspects like the Toyota LandCruiser and Jeep Wrangler.
Beyond its price, the MG4 is a five-door hatch that will slot between the existing MG3 city car and ZS compact SUV.
MG4
This car and the next on our list look set to duke it out for the title of Australia’s cheapest electric car. Pricing hasn’t been announced for the new MG model, but if the brand follows the same pattern as it has in the right-hand drive UK market, then the MG4 will be cheaper than the ZS EV – which is priced from $44,900 drive-away.
Beyond its price, the MG4 is a five-door hatch that will slot between the existing MG3 city car and ZS compact SUV and, crucially, expand the Chinese brand’s line-up from its current trio (including the mid-size HS SUV). This, combined with the expected and long-awaited arrival of the MG5 small sedan, should provide a major boost for what is already one of this country’s fastest growing car brands.
BYD Dolphin
While the MG4 is incoming, also on the near-horizon is the BYD Dolphin (or whatever badge it ends up carrying in Australia), the upstart Chinese brand’s new small hatch. Like the MG, pricing is the key talking point around the Dolphin – which was spotted by CarsGuide under-going local testing in late 2022 – ahead of its arrival in showrooms in the first half of the year.
Given its compact size, roughly the same dimensions as a Nissan Leaf, it makes sense that it would be a more affordable prospect than the BYD Atto 3 SUV, which starts at $48,011 (plus on-road costs). If it can come in under the $40k mark it opens up the EV market to a wider audience and grows the BYD brand.
Polestar 3
The Swedish-Chinese brand is still flying under the radar with just a single model, but even so it was the fifth best-selling mid-size luxury sedan in 2022, behind the big names like Tesla Model 3 and BMW 3 Series.
So the arrival of the next model is exciting, especially when that new machine is an all-electric rival to the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5. The Polestar 3 is the brand’s first SUV which will only expand its appeal and with Tesla still unclear when it will begin selling the Model X to Australians again, there’s a space in the market for Polestar to fill.
Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
It seems unusual to say any Mercedes-Benz is ‘under the radar’ or ‘overlooked’ but one of the brand’s most promising new additions for 2023 hasn’t had as much attention as it deserves. The all-new EQE SUV will be a rival to the likes of the Polestar 3, BMW iX and Audi Q8 e-tron, adding yet another electric offering to the German brand’s expanding battery-powered portfolio.
Mercedes Australia is expected to offer a pair of options initially – the EQE300 and EQE500 4Matic – beginning in the third quarter of the year.
But that’s not all there is to get excited about, because Mercedes will also have the AMG EQE53, the first all-electric SUV from the famous performance division.
Keyword: Forget Toyota and Mazda! These are the most anticipated 'under the radar' cars coming to Australia in 2023