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Continuing our countdown of the top cars to watch for in 2024.
If you missed kickoff, catch up here with 40 to 31. You could also jump ahead to 20-11, if you really must...
JUMP AHEAD
- 30. Volvo EX90
- 29. Volkswagen ID.Buzz
- 28. Mini Cooper
- 27. Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
- 26. Toyota C-HR
- 25. Volkswagen ID.4
- 24. Volkswagen ID.5
- 23. Toyota Tundra
- 22. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
- 21. Lamborghini Revuelto
30. Volvo EX90
Due: H2 2024
Model: EX90
Price: from c.$180,000
Volvo’s EX90 electric seven-seater SUV is due late year and will lead the brand’s transition to EV-only in Australia by 2026 (and by 2030 globally).
The EX90 will be introduced as a dual motor AWD, featuring sustainable materials, bi-directional charging, and Android-powered infotainment.
The Chinese-built EX90 rides on the Geely- developed SPA2 architecture and will be initially sold alongside the XC90. A powerhouse, the EX90 offers 380kW and 910Nm, can do 600km on a charge of its 111kWh battery (WLTP), and is capable of fast charging from 10 to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes.
A lidar sensor on the roof’s leading edge, along with an array of radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors underpin EX90’s semi-autonomous driving capability. A minimalist interior is headlined by a 14.6-inch portrait touchscreen, widescreen instrument display, and 25-speaker Bowers and Wilkins audio.
MOREEverything Volvo
29. Volkswagen ID.Buzz
Due: December 2024
Model: ID.Buzz
Price: from $100,000
The coolest car of 2024 could be a van. Well, an electric people mover at any rate.
Expressions of interest have opened for the 150kW/310Nm ID.Buzz and Volkswagen is optimistic about it making some fairly significant numbers in Australia.
For those that want to relive the spirit of the Kombi, the ID.Buzz is available in five or seven seat configurations and, as is usual with Australian market cars, are likely to be offered with a high level of standard equipment.
The ID.Buzz range is underpinned by Volkswagen’s dedicated MEB electric platform, hosting a 77kWh battery pack with driving ranges of 423 kilometres (WLTP). Fast-charging is capped at 170kW (DC) for a 5-80 per cent rejuice time of around 30 minutes. AC home-charging, meanwhile, maxes out at 11kW.
28. Mini Cooper
Due: Q3 2024
Model: Cooper E / SE
Price: from $55,000
The ideal platform for electrification? Probably the luxury limo. Second best? That surely has to be the cheeky urban scoot, which is why we're so excited for the fourth-gen Mini Cooper.
Incidentally, Cooper is now the name for what were the Mini three and five-door Hatches and the Convertible. Go figure.
Parent company BMW is, on the quiet, developing some seriously impressive EV chops and the slickly restyled Mini hatch, due to launch next year as an integral part of sending Mini all-electric by 2025.
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The Chinese-built hatch gets a 30mm stretch to the wheelbase, and the E gets a 40.7kWh battery packs 135kW and 290Nm, which is enough for 7.3 second sprint to 100km/h.
Meanwhile the SE's 54.2kWh battery is good for 160kW/330Nm, enough to scuttle it to 100km/h in 6.7secs. The SE features a respectable 402km of range, and 95kW rather than the E's 75kW charging rate.
This or the rather more spacious electric Countryman? Decisions, decisions...
MOREEverything Mini
27. Hyundai Ioniq 6 N
Due: December 2024
Model: Ioniq 5 N
Price: from $115,000
We've raved over the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N but how about that drivetrain and tech in a lower, lighter, sleeker package?
That's exactly what's set to be delivered with the 6 N and, frankly, we can't wait to try it. We've seen a sniff of what it'll be like in the shape of the RN22e concept, the first of Hyundai's 'rolling concepts' that aimed to inject involvement and emotion into the experience of driving a performance EV.
Hyundai has dropped hints that the 6 N's performance could well eclipse that of the 478kW/770Nm Ioniq 5 N, and it could just squeak in for a late 2024 reveal. Could Hyundai deliver a more convincing electric performance car than Porsche? Get the popcorn out...
26. Toyota C-HR
Due: Q1 2024
Model: GXL, Koba, GR Sport
Price: from $43,000
Toyota’s next-gen 2024 C-HR will open at $42,990 plus on roads – up from $31,715 for today’s base model – when it lands in Q1.
$43K for a baby SUV?! That’s partly explained by the fact each of the continuing three grades – GXL, Koba and GR Sport – will come with a hybrid powertrain.
Also contributing to the rises – which range from $11,275 for the GXL to $16,525 for the GR Sport AWD flagship – is a multitude of equipment. Lash out on the now-$54,990 (plus on-roads) GR Sport with pano roof ($1150) and two-tone premium plus paint ($1550) and … sheesh!
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The outlandish second-gen C-HR brings 12.3in infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0in instrument display, six-speaker audio, and dual-zone climate as standard.
Up spec, there’s even more fruit including leather and suede, bi-LED headlights, 19in alloys, powered and heated seats, 12.3in digital instruments, and nine-speaker JBL audio.
There’s also AEB, traffic sign recognition, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, adaptive cruise and a 360-degree camera across the range. Front-drive GXL and Koba run a 72kW, 142Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder with 70kW, 185Nm electric motor assistance, to deliver a combined 103kW, and the all-paw GR Sport packs 112kW/190Nm 2.0-litre four with 83kW front/30kW rear for a combined 145kW.
25. Volkswagen ID.4
Due: July 2024
Model: base, GTX
Price: from c.$55,000
Volkswagen’s first locally bound electric car the ID.4 medium SUV, which has been on sale in Europe since 2021, will arrive in July in freshly updated form.
Running changes aimed at addressing overseas criticisms should give Aussies a well-sorted package from the outset and target improved performance, range, comfort, cabins and tech.
Pricing for Wolfsburg’s Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and KIA EV6 rival has not been announced but expect the range to open around $60K plus on-roads.
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The line-up is likely to include a 210kW single-motor rear-wheel-drive variant and a 250kW dual-motor all-wheel-drive GTX performance variant that does 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.4sec.
Euro WLTP range from the 77kWh battery is 550km and 175kW DC charging can add 178km of range in 10 minutes for all-wheel drive versions (RWD versions’ max charge is 135kW).
Inside, there’s 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment with illuminated touch-sensitive sliders below for audio and AC, along with steering wheel touch controls, which have drawn criticism on other models.
24. Volkswagen ID.5
Due: July 2024
Model: base, GTX
Price: from c.$65,000
We’re expecting Volkswagen’s coupe-styled, dedicated electric ID.5 around July, along with its ID.4 SUV sibling (featured below) with the pair bringing some worthwhile USPs.
Whereas most of the small electric SUV class – such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, Tesla Model Y, Mercedes-Benz EQA and Polestar 2 – put the focus on aggressive styling and punchy performance, the ID.5 is softer in both image and attitude, so presents less of a leap from the familiar ICE experience, at least based on our overseas first drive.
The range is likely to include a 210kW rear-drive powertrain and a 250kW dual motor all- wheel drive GTX flagship, each with standard equipment and technology in line with prices starting around $70K.
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The single-motor versions have a range of 562km from a 77kWh battery while the dual- motor can travel 505km (WLTP figures). However, with alternatives offering up to 350kW of fast-charging capability the ID.5’s 135kW maximum is a bit off the pace.
The ID.5 has been sold in Europe for more than two years and will land with the benefit of a series of running changes, with the aim of being right first time in Australia.
23. Toyota Tundra
Due: Q4 2024
Model: Grande
Price: from c.$145,000
Toyota Australia isn't taking any chances with the 'official' right-hand re-engineering of the Tundra monster ute. It has too much riding on it.
That's why a fleet of 300 cars are on trial with customers and Toyota staff right now in Australia. The quality of the right-hand drive conversion, performed in partnership with Walkinshaw, must be at least as good as OE and engineers from both the Tundra's home plant in Texas and the Japanese mothership are closely monitoring progress.
When Toyota's 'premium towing machine' does go on sale, expect a hybridised 3.4-litre V6 petrol powerplant good for 326kW and 790Nm and the ability to tow horse floats, big boats, race cars, construction equipment and farming gear. Alongside maximum towing capacity the Tundra also needed to offer space, comfort and a long driving range.
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The focus was firmly on-road driving. That's why the Tundra sports a five-link coil-sprung rear end rather than the heavy duty leafs as seen on most other dual cabs.
Yes, you lose a little in the weight it can carry in the bed, but Toyota claims the gains in comfort and control more than offset this.
It can operate in EV mode to 30km/h and features a 288-volt Ni-Mh battery under the rear seats while the motor-generator sits in the bell housing of the 10-speed auto. A tow/haul mode changes gearbox shift points, electric power steering feel, throttle mapping, alters the drop-down front spoiler, detects a trailer and optimises safety systems like blind spot monitoring.
Thousands of kilometres of back-to-back testing at AARC in Victoria and on-road between Altona and Darwin while towing a heavyweight trailer have convinced Toyota that it's onto a good thing with the Tundra. It may well be right. Look for the road test right here in Wheels next month.
22. Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Due: Q2 2024
Model: E300
Price: from c.$145,000
Mercedes’ next-gen E-Class sedan will eschew EV and V8 extremes for a series of mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, to take on the soon-to-be-updated BMW 5 Series while leaving the EQE to battle the all-electric i5.
Benz is calling the new W214 ‘a bridge between tradition and digitalisation’ so while it’s a slightly bigger and roomier three-box sedan (with a slick 0.23 Cd), sporting turbo petrol and diesel engines, occupants are treated to a sumptuous digital immersion.
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Try third-gen MBUX Superscreens spanning the dashboard, featuring support for the TikTok, Angry Birds, Webex and Zoom apps, an inbuilt dashtop selfie and video camera, and AI functionality.
Then there’s a ‘Just Talk’ function for the Hey, Mercedes voice assistant and digital key support for iPhone and Apple Watch, optional 21-speaker Burmester 4D surround-sound audio, and four-zone climate control, and near S-Class elbow room, says Mercedes. Whereas the old E Class featured a myriad of specification and engine choices, the new version takes its lead from the GLC with just a petrol E300 version confirmed for Australia.
Hard luck if you were counting on a wagon; it's just the four-door sedan, initially at least. And remember, Merc has merged both C and E Class Coupe and Cabriolets into a sole CLE model, also due in '24.
21. Lamborghini Revuelto
Due: H2 2024
Model: Revuelto
Price: from $987,000
The Lamborghini Revuelto has some heavy lifting to do. With the successor to the Huracán likely not available before 2026, it'll be the sole super sports car on offer from Sant'Agata, which is why the order bank is already full three years in advance.
The hybrid tech cuts emissions by 30 percent, allowing Lamborghini to persevere with its V12, here boosted to 746kW.
While the Urus was always going to attract buyers new to the marque, and some 70 percent were, the order applications bank for the Revuelto is comprised of 60 percent who have never owned a Lamborghini before.
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