A mid-grade addition to the Tesla SUV range, the Model Y Long Range is priced from $81,900 +ORCs. It features dual motors and AWD rated, with output rated at a combined 378kW, or a bit less than the Model Y Performance with which the Long Range shares the same 82kWh battery. WTLP range is listed at 533km while the 0-100km/h dash is dispatched in five seconds flat.

The Spanish are flying into the market with their cut-price Cupra Leon V hatch, priced from $43,990 +ORCs, or $47,990 drive-away. Well-equipped, and with a Volkswagen-sourced EA888-series 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine cranking 140kW/320Nm, it is offered exclusively with a seven-speed dual (wet) clutch transmission.

Ford Australia is countering Volkswagen’s closely related Amarok with the addition of a rear-wheel drive four-cylinder version of the Ranger ute. Updated for mid-2023, the line-up now sees XLT and Sport variants receive an integrated trailer brake controller as standard and XL cab-chassis variants a rear-view camera kit. Pricing increases by up to $1300, now from $36,180 +ORCs.

Ford has updated its Everest large SUV for mid-2023 with pricing from $62,790 + ORCs. The freshened Everest retains its generous 3500kg braked towing capacity, the Sport variant available exclusively with Ford’s 2.0-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine and seven-seat interior layout.

A hard-core version of Urus SUV, the Performante is priced from $465,876 +ORCs. Headlined by a 47kg reduction in overall weight, lower and firmer suspension with steel springing, and enhanced acoustics for the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 it shares with the Urus S – the flagship model produces 490kW at 6000rpm and 850Nm from 2300-4500rpm.

Lexus’ newest mid-sized all-electric SUV is available in two variants and is priced from $123,000 +ORCs. It is the first Lexus battery-electric vehicle (BEV) to be built on the brand’s e-TNGA dedicated EV platform and boasts 230kW total system power from dual electric motors and a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery.

This is the Lotus Emira First Edition which features a bespoke version of Mercedes-AMG’s M139-series 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo-petrol engine. The model is priced from $177,990 +ORCs and performance is said to be nothing short of sensational.