New Car Calendar
Here's everything you can expect to see touch down on Australian shores in 2021, and when!
The year 2020 was one that many would like to forget, and the automotive industry is no exception.
Lockdowns and economic slowdowns brought on by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic translated exactly as you'd expect for Australia's new-car sales, with a staggering 48.5 per cent sales decline in April, contributing to an overall market down 13.7 per cent by the end of the year.
Despite the sales slowdowns and production delays caused by COVID-19, 2020 was still a relatively strong year in terms of new model launches, with highlights from the year ranging from the rapid Ford Fiesta ST and Mercedes-AMG A45 S hot hatches in the first half of the year, to the new-generation Isuzu D-Max and Kia Sorento toward the year's end.
This new year of 2021 promises to be equally exciting, with this year set to host the launches of the controversial BMW M3 and M4, crucial new-generation Nissan Qashqai, and hybrid versions of the Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs.
However, much of the 2021 calendar remains unclear at this stage, with many new models due over the next 12 months yet to be revealed, or still to be locked in for our market. We expect any models you see below to arrive as described.
We'll be updating this story weekly as new information comes to light, be it the reveal of a new model, or simply the announcement of its Australian launch date.
LAST UPDATE: 5 April 2021
Below are the models we expect to launch inside a specific quarter of the year, as advised by each brand.
LAUNCHED: First quarter
Aston Martin DBX (revealed) – on sale now
Audi A4 Allroad power bump (pricing) – on sale now
Audi Q5 facelift – on sale now
BMW 128ti – on sale now
BMW 4 Series Convertible (revealed) – available to order
BMW X7 Dark Shadow Edition – on sale now
BMW M3 sedan, M4 Coupe – on sale now
Citroen C3 facelift – on sale now
Ford Ranger XL Tradie – on sale now
Ford Ranger Wildtrak X MY21 update – on sale now
Honda Odyssey update – on sale now
Hyundai Kona facelift – on sale now
Hyundai i30 Sedan N Line (pricing) – on sale now
Hyundai Nexo – on sale now
Iveco Daily – on sale now
Jaguar XF facelift – on sale now
Jaguar E-Pace facelift (pricing) – on sale now
UPDATED, Apr 5: Jaguar F-Pace facelift – on sale now
Jeep Gladiator Sport S (pricing) – on sale now
Jeep Wrangler MY21 – on sale now
Kia Carnival (revealed) – on sale now
Kia Stonic – on sale now
Land Rover Defender 110 MY21, Defender 90 (delay details) – available now
LDV Deliver 9 auto – on sale now
LDV Deliver 9 cab-chassis, bus – on sale now
Lexus LS facelift – on sale now
Lexus LX570 S – on sale now
Maserati Ghibli Trofeo, Quattroporte Trofeo (pricing) – on sale now
Maserati Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante MY21 updates – on sale now
Mazda 6 update – on sale now
Mazda CX-3 update (pricing) – on sale now
Mazda CX-5 update – on sale now
Mazda CX-8 update – on sale now
Mazda CX-9 update – on sale now
Mazda MX-5 update (pricing) – on sale now
Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe – on sale now
Mercedes-Benz E350 – on sale now
Mercedes-Benz Vito and Valente facelift – on sale now
MG HS PHEV – on sale now
MG HS Excite X, Essence X AWD – on sale now
Mini Countryman Boardwalk Edition – available to order
Mini Paddy Hopkirk Edition – available to order now
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport MY21 update – on sale now
Nissan Navara facelift (revealed) – on sale now
Nissan X-Trail MY21 update (pricing) – on sale now
Peugeot 3008, 5008 facelifts – on sale now
UPDATED, Apr 5: Porsche 718 GT4, GTS 4.0, Spyder PDK automatic option – available to order
Porsche Taycan (pricing) – on sale now
Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid MY21 battery upgrades (revealed) – on sale now
Range Rover (full-size) MY21 updates – on sale now
Range Rover Velar MY21 – on sale now
Renault Koleos update – on sale now
Renault Megane RS facelift (details) – on sale now
Skoda Fabia Run-Out Edition – on sale now
Skoda Kamiq 110TSI Monte Carlo, Limited Edition (pricing) – on sale now, following delays
Skoda Scala (pricing) – on sale now following delays
UPDATED, Apr 5: SsangYong Rexton – on sale now
Subaru Outback (details) – on sale now
Tesla Model 3 update – on sale now
Toyota HiLux Rogue, Rugged X facelift (delay details) (pricing) – on sale now
Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series Horizon special edition – on sale now
Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI – on sale now
Volkswagen Touareg Wolfsburg (pricing) – on sale now
Second quarter
Audi SQ2 facelift – May
Audi SQ5 TDI facelift – April
Ferrari Roma
Ford Mustang Mach 1
UPDATED, Apr 5: Genesis G70 facelift
Genesis GV70
UPDATED, Apr 5: Haval Jolion – first examples en route to dealers, full range due later in the year.
UPDATED, Apr 5: Haval H6 – April
Honda Civic Type R Limited Edition
Hyundai i20 N – expected April or May
Hyundai i30 N hatch facelift – expected May or June
UPDATED, Apr 5: Hyundai Kona Electric facelift – April
Hyundai Tucson
Kia Cerato – May arrival, reveal expected imminently
Kia Niro – order books open in Q2
Kia Sorento hybrid
Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Evoque P300e PHEVs
Jaguar F-Pace SVR facelift – first deliveries expected April
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Willys Edition – April
UPDATED, Apr 5: Mazda MX-30 mild-hybrid – on sale now
Mercedes-Benz EQA – order books open April, first deliveries June
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series
Mercedes-Benz S-Class – order books open in March
Nissan Leaf e+
Peugeot 308 mild facelift
Porsche 718 Boxster 25 Years – April
Renault Captur (new gen) – first deliveries April
Skoda Octavia (new gen) – late April
UPDATED, Apr 8: Skoda Superb 162TSI – full details later in April
NEW, Apr 5: Suzuki Swift 100 Year Anniversary Edition – order books open in April
Toyota Camry facelift – April
UPDATED, Apr 5: Toyota GR Yaris Rallye limited edition – first 200 arrive in April (initially March)
UPDATED, Apr 5: Toyota Kluger – June
UPDATED, Apr 5: Toyota Mirai – April
Volkswagen Amarok W580 – April
Volkswagen Golf Mk8 hatch – May
Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk8 – May 24
Volkswagen Passat full range – 162TSI sedan, wagon and Alltrack here in April, 206TSI coming May or June
Volkswagen T-Cross 85TSI CityLife – April
Volkswagen Tiguan 162TSI and 147TDI – late May
Volkswagen Tiguan 132TSI – June
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 132TSI 4Motion – May
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace Wolfsburg Edition – June
Third quarter
Audi E-Tron GT
NEW, Apr 5: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT Trail Boss
Hyundai Ioniq 5
Hyundai i30 Sedan N
Hyundai Kona N
Hyundai Staria – by the end of August
Jeep Grand Cherokee L – understood (though yet to be officially confirmed) to be arriving in August or September
Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid
Land Rover Defender V8 – July
Maserati MC20
McLaren Artura
Mercedes-Benz G400d – July
Mercedes-Maybach GLS600 – August
Mitsubishi Outlander (new generation) – by end of 2021 confirmed, September or October expected
Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo – only 4S and Turbo grades bound for Australia
Skoda Octavia 140TSI
Volkswagen Arteon liftback and Shooting Brake wagon
Volkswagen Golf wagon – July
Volvo B-series mild-hybrid petrol engines – July 2021, replacing conventional petrol and diesel engines
Volvo XC40 Recharge EV – August
Volvo XC60 facelift
Fourth quarter
Abarth 595 Pista
Aston Martin DBX Bowmore Edition – 18 available to order worldwide, first deliveries fourth quarter, 2021
Aston Martin Vantage F1 Edition
BMW iX – pricing to be released mid-2021, first deliveries in the fourth quarter
BMW M4 Competition x Kith
UPDATED, Apr 5: Chevrolet Corvette – production commences in Q4
Ford Escape plug-in hybrid – late 2021
Kia Sportage – global unveiling due before July, Australian launch in Q4.
Lexus UX300e – November
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
Ram 1500 TRX – order books now open
NEW, Apr 5: Skoda Kodiaq facelift – local arm hopes to have cars in Australia before the end of year, though a local launch could be pushed to first quarter, 2022.
NEW, Apr 5: SsangYong Musso facelift – Australian arrival understood to occur in the fourth quarter.
Subaru WRX – due by the end of 2021, likely late in the year
Below are the models we expect to launch in either the first or second half of the year, as advised by each brand. More specific timing has not yet been offered for these models.
First half
None, as all models initially scheduled for the first half have since had more specific timing confirmed.
Mid-year
Alpina B3 – first examples delivered directly to customers late in 2020, more stock due on showroom floors mid-year
Audi Q2 facelift
BMW iX3
BMW M5 CS – just 20 for Australia, all sold out
Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Trail Boss
Hyundai Sonata N Line – initially fourth quarter of 2020, then delayed to the first quarter of 2021, and now mid-2021.
Ram 2500 Heavy Duty
Second Half
Audi S3
Audi Q5 Sportback
Audi SQ5 Sportback TDI
Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Citroen C4
Isuzu MU-X – expected mid-to-late-2021
Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid
Mazda MX-30 all-electric – initially mid-year, now expected early in the second half of 2021.
Mini Hatch and Convertible facelift
Peugeot 2008 GT
Peugeot 3008 plug-in hybrid – initially first half, now delayed to the second half.
Peugeot 508 plug-in hybrid
Polestar 2
Porsche 911 GT3
Renault Arkana – replacing the slow-selling Kadjar
Subaru BRZ – confirmed for Australia, expected (though not confirmed) in the second half of 2021
Subaru Levorg (new generation) – expected in the second half of 2021, with WRX power (and name)
Toyota GR Yaris – second batch of cars due to arrive in the second half of 2021
Volkswagen Amarok and Crafter Seikel off-road accessories
Volkswagen Caddy
Volvo V60 Cross Country
Below the models we expect to see in Australia sometime this year, but with no specific timing or confirmation offered by the relevant brands.
Sometime in 2021
UPDATED, Apr 5: Alpina XD3 – initially early 2021, new timing still to be confirmed.
UPDATED, Apr 5: Alpina XB7 – initially early 2021, new timing still to be confirmed.
UPDATED, Apr 5: Alfa Romeo Stelvio – initially first quarter, new timing still to be confirmed.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo
UPDATED, Apr 5: Audi Q7 55 TFSI – initially first quarter, new timing unclear.
UPDATED, Apr 5: BMW X2 M Mesh Edition – initially first quarter, new timing still to be confirmed.
Genesis electric vehicle – understood (though not confirmed) to be badged GV60, and sit on a dedicated EV platform
Haval H6 Hybrid – expected by the end of the year
Honda HR-V – due in Australia by February 2022, meaning a likely local launch late this year or early next.
Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross plug-in hybrid – third quarter of 2021 expected
Jaguar F-Type Heritage 60 Edition – available to order, first deliveries expected sometime in 2021
Lotus Elise, Exige Final Edition – sometime later this year
UPDATED, Apr 5: Mahindra Thar – initially first half, new timing unclear
UPDATED, Apr 5: Ram 1500 (new generation) – initially expected starting March, new timing TBC.
Range Rover Evoque updates - available to order, first deliveries expected in 2021
Rolls-Royce Ghost - Australian timing unclear, but first deliveries expected sometime in 2021 (likely Q1)
SsangYong Tivoli – relaunch due to happen in 2021, likely in facelifted form
Walkinshaw-tuned Chevrolet Silverado 1500– initially first quarter, new timing yet to be confirmed
The models below have either not yet been confirmed for Australia, or have already been ruled out.
Maybe...?
Audi SQ5 TFSI facelift - revealed in the US, but Australian plans yet to be confirmed
Audi TTS updates – under evaluation for Australia
Bentley Bentayga Hybrid – confirmed for Australia, but timing yet to be announced
Bentley Continental GT Speed – timing yet to be confirmed, but understood to be bound for Australia
BMW X3 xDrive30e – originally due second quarter, new timing unclear
BYD vehicles – 2022
Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, CT5-V Blackwing – not for Australia
Citroen C3 Aircross facelift – under evaluation for Australia
Cupra brand – early 2022
Ferrari SF90 Spider, Portofino M – timing unconfirmed
Ford Bronco, Bronco Sport – not available in right-hand-drive… yet
Ford Puma ST and mild-hybrid – no plans for an Australian launch
Haval, Great Wall (GWM) – Big Dog, Tank 300 all rumoured to be under consideration.
Honda Civic (new generation) – sedan not for Australia, regular and Type R hatch models only. Timing remains unconfirmed, however – the current model will be phased out locally in mid-2021, so expect a new model to arrive at a similar time.
Hyundai Bayon – not for Australia
Jaguar XJ electric – axed with new business plan.
Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer – not for Australia, as left-hand-drive-only (details)
NEW, Apr 5: Kia EV6 – confirmed for Australia, arrival timing yet to be confirmed.
Land Rover Discovery facelift – available to order, but timing unconfirmed
Land Rover Discovery Sport update - available to order, but timing unconfirmed
Lexus IS500 F Sport Performance – left-hand-drive only, so not for Australia
Lotus Evija – yet to be certified for sale in Australia
MG Marvel R , MG 5 Electric – neither confirmed for Australia, though the Marvel R is on MG Australia's wish list.
Nissan 400Z - expected between 2021 and 2023, looking near-identical to the Z Proto concept
Nissan Note E-Power (new generation)– no plans
Nissan Qashqai – Australian launch confirmed, but no arrival timing announced, with more details due in the coming months.
Nissan Pathfinder (new generation)– no timing confirmed for Australia, however late 2021 or sometime in 2022 probable.
Nissan X-Trail – initially expected late in the second half of 2021, now looking possible for 2022
Peugeot 208 – initially set for a 2020 launch, but now looking likely for 2022.
Peugeot 308 – here first quarter of 2022
Porsche Taycan rear-wheel-drive – understood to arrive in around early 2022
Renault Kangoo (all-new generation) – confirmed for Australia, launch timing expected to be announced in 2021
Renault Trafic safety upgrade – sometime in 2022
Skoda Fabia – debut set for autumn, ahead of Australian launch by early 2022
Skoda Kamiq 85TSI – current 2021 model nearly sold out, more stock unlikely before 2022
SsangYong E100 electric vehicle – yet to be confirmed for Australia
Tesla Model S, Model X facelift – sometime in 2022
Tesla Model Y – timing yet to be confirmed
Toyota Corolla Cross – late 2022
Volkswagen ID.4 – expected in 2022 or 2023.
Volkswagen Golf Mk8 Alltrack – not coming to Australia
Volkswagen Golf R – hatch confirmed for early 2022, wagon expected at a similar time
Volkswagen Polo and T-Roc facelifts, including T-Roc R
Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace facelift – first quarter of 2022
Volkswagen Tiguan R – expected second half of 2022
Volkswagen Touareg R, eHybrid - Australian launch previously confirmed to be off the table
Drive Team