A new Tucson, a cheaper RAV4 plug in hybrid, a 350kW diesel hybrid ute and a BMW 3 Series that costs $12,000 less. Here's what's confirmed for 2027, and whether you should wait.
By Varun Punyamurtula ·
Here's a number that should make you pause before signing anything this year: BMW's next 3 Series starts at $83,900 plus on road costs. That is more than $12,000 less than the car it replaces.
It isn't a one off. 2027 is shaping up as the biggest changeover year Australian showrooms have seen in a decade. The Hyundai Tucson is all new. Toyota is adding a cheaper RAV4 plug in hybrid. Chery is launching a diesel plug in hybrid ute with more power than a Ranger Raptor. And Nissan's new Patrol finally swaps the V8 for twin turbos.
So if you're shopping now, the real question is whether the car you're about to buy will look old in six months. We've sorted the confirmed arrivals from the rumours, so you know exactly what's worth waiting for.
Quick answer: The five new cars most worth waiting for in 2027 are the Hyundai Tucson hybrid (mid 2027), the Toyota RAV4 GXL plug in hybrid (early 2027), the Chery Stockman diesel plug in hybrid ute (deliveries from 1 February 2027), the new BMW 3 Series family including the M350 and electric i3 (early 2027), and the Nissan Patrol Y63 (deliveries early 2027). If you need a car now, the outgoing versions of these are where the best runout deals will be.
Every car below is either officially confirmed for Australia or strongly reported with local timing, and marked Confirmed or Expected. Where a price isn't announced, we give our best estimate. Treat it as a guide, not a quote.
What it is: Chery's first ute, and Australia's first diesel plug in hybrid dual cab.
Why it matters: The numbers are wild for a work ute. Chery Australia quotes 350kW and 800Nm combined, a 34kWh battery good for up to 96km of electric driving (WLTP), 3,495kg braked towing, and front, centre and rear diff locks. That's more power than any Ranger or HiLux on sale. It has a leaf sprung rear and all terrain tyres, so this isn't a soft roader in disguise. A petrol plug in hybrid version with coil springs is reported to follow later in 2027.
What it is: The first all new Patrol in well over a decade. The 5.6 litre V8 is gone, replaced by a 3.5 litre twin turbo V6 with 317kW and 700Nm, a nine speed auto and a 3,700kg braked towing rating.
Why it matters: It's priced right on top of the LandCruiser 300. The entry Ti costs $280 less than a LandCruiser GX.
What it is: A China built plug in hybrid ute (sold overseas as the Frontier Pro) with a 1.5 litre turbo petrol and an electric motor making around 320kW and 800Nm.
Why it matters: It would be Nissan's answer to the BYD Shark 6. Test cars have been seen in Australia, but Nissan Australia hasn't officially confirmed it, so pricing and specs are unknown.
What it is: Not the body on frame Bronco you've seen in American photos. This is a China built, five seat adventure SUV with Ford's first extended range electric powertrain: a 1.5 litre turbo petrol engine charges a 49.9kWh battery that drives two electric motors.
Why it matters: Ford is targeting 800 to 900km of total range, plus a pop up roof, a sleeping area and 6.6kW of onboard power for camping gear. It's roughly Everest sized.
What it is: An all new, fifth generation Tucson. It's longer (4,700mm), wider and taller than today's car, with a boxier look and Hyundai's new Pleos touchscreen system.
Why it matters: Australia will get it as a hybrid only. The 1.6 litre turbo hybrid makes 174 to 180kW and 380Nm, so the base petrol engine is gone. The bigger body should mean a roomier back seat and boot, which is exactly where the current car trails the RAV4.
What it is: A cheaper way into the new RAV4 plug in hybrid. It pairs the popular GXL grade with a 2.5 litre plug in hybrid system making 201kW, front wheel drive only.
Why it matters: The 22.7kWh battery gives a claimed 121km of electric range (WLTP). For most people that covers a week of commuting on electricity alone. At the moment the cheapest RAV4 plug in hybrid is the XSE 2WD from $58,840 plus on road costs.
The next Sportage is reportedly hybrid and plug in hybrid only overseas, but Australian timing isn't confirmed and Kia Australia has said diesel will stay locally for now. Don't hold off for this one unless you're happy to wait into 2028.
What it is: The first electric 3 Series, built on BMW's Neue Klasse platform.
Why it matters: Range. BMW claims up to 912km (WLTP) for the i3 50 xDrive and 710km for the i3 40 xDrive. That would make it the longest range EV on sale in Australia. Both are all wheel drive, and the 50 makes 345kW.
What it is: A battery electric version of the C-HR, sitting under the bZ4X.
Why it matters: It will be Toyota's cheapest EV here. Australian cars are reported to get a 74.7kWh battery and a 165kW front motor, in two grades.
A sleek electric wagon from Geely's premium brand. Pricing isn't confirmed, but expect roughly $55,000 to $70,000. The big 9X plug in hybrid SUV follows in 2027 at well over $100,000.
Neither has confirmed an all new model for Australia in 2027. Tesla's Cybercab is touring the country this year, but it's a display car with no steering wheel and no legal path onto our roads yet.
What it is: The replacement for the M340i. It gets the same 3.0 litre straight six with a smarter 48 volt hybrid system, now making 326kW and 580Nm.
Why it matters: It's the most driver focused six cylinder 3 Series yet, and on a price per kilowatt basis it's actually better value than the car it replaces. We compared them in detail in our BMW M350 vs M340i review.
An Australian exclusive Mustang developed with Triple Eight Race Engineering. Ford hasn't announced pricing yet, and numbers will be limited.
What it is: An all new Seltos that is now hybrid only, using a 1.6 litre petrol engine and electric motor.
A small electric SUV with a 53kWh battery and 382km of WLTP range. It's expected to start at about $30,000 drive away, which would make it one of the cheapest electric SUVs in the country.
The next CX-3 is confirmed for 2027 globally with hybrid power, but Mazda Australia hasn't locked in local timing. Don't wait for it if you need a small car soon.
Dealers know these new models are coming, and they need to clear the old stock. That's where the best money is right now. Tell us what you're after and we'll use our network to find you the best deal anywhere in Australia, on a runout, demo, near new or used car. Get the best deal. Got a car to move on first? We can help you sell your car too.
Wait if: the car you want is being fully replaced in the next six months (Tucson, RAV4 plug in hybrid, 3 Series, Patrol), you care about resale value, or you want the new tech. A brand new model year car will be worth noticeably more in three years than the outgoing version.
Buy now if: you can get a genuine runout discount, you need a car before mid 2027, or the "new" model is still unconfirmed for Australia (Sportage, CX-3, Navara Pro). Runout stock is often the sharpest priced car in the showroom, and a proven model with known reliability is no bad thing.
Our take: For family SUVs, the new Tucson and RAV4 GXL plug in hybrid are worth the wait. For utes, the Stockman is exciting but unproven, so wait for pricing and the first owner reports before committing. For a 3 Series, the M350 is the better car, but a heavily discounted M340i is the smarter money.
The biggest confirmed arrivals are the new Hyundai Tucson hybrid, Toyota RAV4 GXL plug in hybrid, Toyota C-HR+ electric, BMW 3 Series and i3, Chery Stockman ute, Nissan Patrol Y63 and Ford Bronco Basecamp.
If you can wait until mid 2027, yes. It's bigger, hybrid only and gets a new tech setup. If you need a car sooner, push hard for a runout deal on the current Tucson.
Customer deliveries start from 1 February 2027. Reservations opened on 1 October 2026, but pricing hasn't been announced yet.
It starts at $83,900 plus on road costs for the 320. The i3 40 xDrive is $96,900, the i3 50 xDrive is $112,900 and the M350 xDrive is $128,900.
Some will, some won't. The new BMW 320 is cheaper than before, while the Patrol costs a little more. The surest saving is an outgoing model on runout.
Prices checked on 7 October 2026 and are manufacturer list prices plus on road costs unless marked drive away. Expected prices are our estimates and timing can change, so confirm with the manufacturer before you buy. Images: Chery Australia, Hyundai Motor Company, Toyota and BMW Group (manufacturer media).
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