Just like that 2022 is coming to a close!
There have been a quite a number of new vehicles that launched during the year amid continuing component and semiconductor shortages.
Here are the top-five new car reviews that caught the most attention from our native Australian readers.
2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid review
The Toyota Corolla is a vehicle that needs little introduction.
In Australia, the Corolla consistently tops the passenger vehicle sales charts, comfortably beating the Hyundai i30, Kia Cerato and Mazda 3.
Part of the Corolla’s recent success is the option of a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, with most competing models still unable to offer similar engine technology at competitive pricing.
Toyota has since rolled out an update to the Corolla range for the 2023 model year which brought updated tech, a more powerful hybrid, and some cosmetic tweaks.
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2023 Mazda CX-60 review
Mazda has announced ambitious plans to roll out a number of new vehicles between now and 2030, including a full-electric vehicles to complement the brand’s only current electric offering, the MX-30.
But before then, Mazda is embarking on a journey of electrification through plug-in hybrid technology that aligns with the introduction of a set of new SUVs. The first of these to arrive in Australia will be the 2023 Mazda CX-60.
Mazda has since detailed the full pricing and specification of its most luxurious SUV date ahead of first arrivals in April 2023.
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2022 Haval H6 Hybrid review
Haval is doing what most of its rivals can’t. It’s tackling the Toyota RAV4 head on, with the new H6 Hybrid.
It’s available in one fully-loaded trim level, and features a drive-away price that undercuts the most expensive front-drive RAV4 by around $4000, and the most expensive all-wheel drive by $10,000 when on-roads are accounted for.
There’s more to the H6 Hybrid than its sharp sticker price. With 179kW of power and 530Nm of torque, it channels a whopping 210Nm more than the turbocharged petrol H6 through the front wheels.
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2023 Tesla Model Y review
The launch of the Tesla Model Y has been a long time coming in Australia. Tesla imported three vehicles to the country in November last year for homologation before they were expected to go on sale.
This car has been out for a while now in other markets, including Europe, where the reception about how it drives hasn’t been so positive.
We were keen to see how it would handle Australian roads and some of the unique conditions we throw at cars.
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2023 Ford Ranger XLT V6 review
This car needs no introduction. The new Ford Ranger is the biggest new vehicle launch in Australia this year, and the V6 is the engine buyers are keenest on.
Unlike the fully-loaded Wildtrak, or even the mid-range Sport, the XLT V6 needs to tread a difficult tightrope.
On the one hand, its price tag and V6 engine mean it needs to be a nice ute capable of hauling a family in comfort. On the other the XLT badge appeals to tradies, or off-roaders keen for a reasonably affordable base on which to build their dream truck.
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Honourable mention – Holden Monaro Convertible review
Although this isn’t a new car review, it technically was in our top five most-read reviews for the year and was worth mentioning.
When Holden pulled out of Australia in 2017, a number of prototypes, design sketches, and stories came to the surface.
That includes the story of what was going to be the Holden Monaro Convertible. Not Marilyn, the Monaro-based convertible built for the 2004 Melbourne motor show, but the original based on a VN Commodore.
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See you next year everyone! From the CarExpert editorial team.