Relaunch of the Chery brand in Australia kicks off with a petrol-powered small SUV called the Omoda 5. Two grades will be offered, a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol FWD, and a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol AWD.  Has a five star Euro NCAP rating, which bodes well. Prices TBA.

Possibly one of the most anticipated new models for 2023, the Corolla with 224kW, 1.6-litre turbo triple with AWD is a maybe in February as some are already in dealerships. No pricing details are available but based on overseas pricing, could kick off in the vicinity of $65,000.

Priced from $52,190 + ORC the Subaru Outback XT utilises a 183kW/350Nm 2.4-litre turbo-petrol flat-four engine. It has a CVT auto transmission, useful braked towing capacity of 2400kg and a generous level of standard equipment. Has two-mode X-Drive AWD system and a full-size spare.    

New X-Trail goes hybrid with 1.5-litre, three-pot petrol engine driving a motor generator to charge a small battery that directly feeds a pair of electric motors to provide what Nissan calls e-4orce AWD. Prices for e-Power models starts from $54,190 + ORC.  

Here this month with variant-dependent upgrades including, from base ES, auto high beam, auto rear braking, rear cross traffic alert. All variants have enhanced luxury and safety specification. Priced from $55,490 + ORC.

Slick Benz sedan and wagon powered by an 48V electrified version of Benz’s M139L (for longitudinally set) turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine kicking out 300kW at 6750rpm and 500Nm at 5000rpm, with a further 10kW available on overboost. Clocks a quickish 4.6 seconds for the 0-100km/h. Priced from circa $130,000 + ORC.

The fifth-generation Lexus RX SUV arrives in dealerships this month with a six-variant range priced up considerably on the outgoing model, starting from $87,500 + ORC and topped by the new RX500h F Sport Performance variant that combines a 2.4L turbo-petrol engine with dual electric motors.

Kick-butt off road Dakar Rally inspired Lambo runs a raucous 5.2-litre V10 boasting 448kW and 560Nm paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. It has an electronically controlled all-wheel drive system with mechanical self-locking rear diff’ and is capable of a 0-100km/h time of just 3.4 seconds. Pricing? Expected to be over $400,000 + ORC.

One of the hottest hot hatches, the Civic Type R remains front-wheel drive and manual, cranking out 235kW from a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four. Said to be a sharper tool than the outgoing model in all areas but up against serious AWD competition for similar money. Price jumps alarmingly to $72,600 drive-away

Revealed late last year now available from $55,990 drive-away featuring a rugged ladder chassis with selectable 4WD. Well-equipped Tank 300 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol and electric motor combination together rated at 225kW and upwards of 500Nm, driving through a nine-speed automatic transmission

Due last month but delayed until February. Priced from $49,790 + ORC, revised Kluger scores a multitude of improvements to safety, technology and performance for 2023. Now with a 198kW/420Nm, 2.4-litre turbo petrol four cylinder engine replacing the 3.5 V6 on all non-hybrid grades.