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2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA review

2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA review

Perth Now05-05-2025
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has formed the entry point to the German luxury carmaker's SUV lineup for years now. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
A formidable rival to the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Lexus UX, Mini Countryman, and Volvo XC40, among others, this small premium SUV has been on sale in Australia in second-generation guise since 2020.
Now it has received a worthwhile mid-life facelift.
On the outside there is a 'modernised' headlight and tail-light signature, as well as a redesigned front bumper and grille.
Inside, there is a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons and sliders, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, illuminated USB ports, and an additional USB-C port. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
Under the bonnet, the mid-spec 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic on test here, as well as the hotter AMG GLA35 4Matic, now get 48V mild-hybrid assistance, comprising a belt-driven starter-generator that's capable of providing an additional 10kW for brief periods.
Is this small luxury SUV from the three-pointed star still the benchmark in its segment? Read along to find out.
On test here is the mid-range GLA250 4Matic, priced from a cool $80,500 plus on-road costs. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLA lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Despite its more compact dimensions, the Mercedes-Benz GLA feels very much like any other model from the German luxury brand. The door handles require a similar amount of force to open, and the doors make a familiar thwack sound when closed. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
Once you're in there are rather comfortable sport seats that feature plenty of electric adjustment and manually extendable thigh support. This means people of all different sizes and statures will be able to find their desired seating position easily.
As standard, the GLA gets microfibre upholstery with Artico artificial leather on the seat bolsters. While real leather is available as an option, I prefer this because it doesn't make you feel as sweaty on hotter days.
Both front seats are heated, which was appreciated as it's starting to get a little cooler here in Melbourne. On the highest setting, these seats got hot really quickly, which is yet another benefit of the microfibre upholstery.
Ahead of the driver is an AMG Line steering wheel, which feels chunky and is wrapped in soft Nappa leather. Annoyingly, it has touch-sensitive buttons and sliders for adjusting things like the sound system volume and cruise control, among other things, and they aren't nearly as intuitive as proper physical buttons. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
Another disappointing aspect of these buttons is the fact they are covered in glossy piano black panels which attract fingerprints and look grubby quickly.
While there are dedicated buttons for picking up and hanging up phone calls, there's also no proper way to change the track that's playing, which resulted in me having to use the touchscreen instead. Bizarre…
Behind the steering wheel is the same dual 10.25-inch screen setup that this car has featured for years now. It just has a refreshed look with the mid-life update.
The 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster looks crisp and high-resolution. It has a number of different layouts to choose from, and you can customise them to show different information. The Germans still know how to do a good instrument cluster. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
Moving across, the 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen still looks good, but compared to some rivals it's starting to look a little small. The screen is very responsive to touch inputs and the user interface is dead easy to navigate.
Compared to the pre-update model, the GLA range now gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The window for smartphone mirroring also now takes up the entirety of the display, which looks much better.
Looking around the cabin, you can tell this car has received some tweaks over the years. The most notable is the removal of the touchpad on the centre console. Instead, there's now an awkward storage space that isn't big enough for a plus-sized phone.
I appreciate all the physical switchgear for the climate controls as they feel premium and are much more intuitive than having to use the touchscreen. It is somewhat annoying, however, that you need to look at the touchscreen to see what temperature you're setting the system to. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
While the majority of the finishes in this car look and feel premium to interact with, there's an overload of glossy piano black around the cabin. It's especially frustrating around the circular air vents because it attracts dust quickly.
There are a lot of darker finishes up front, though there is interior ambient lighting in certain areas, which makes the car feel a bit more special at night. There's also a panoramic glass sunroof as standard, which has a panel that tilts and slides to offer more air flow.
Moving to the second row, it's clear there's more emphasis put on the seats up front. It's not a terrible space to be, it just doesn't feel as special.
At a leggy 182cm, I had enough leg, head, shoulder and toe room behind by own driving position. Two adults will fit fine in the second row, though pushing it to three would make things squishy. The person in the middle seat also has to contend with the sizeable transmission hump.
Second-row amenities include air vents, USB-C ports, as well as a fold-down armrest with retractable cupholders. It's pretty standard. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
Around the back, there's a power tailgate that has a hands-free function, which comes in handy if you've got your hands full of stuff. With the tailgate open, there's a decent amount of boot space, though it won't blow you away.
Disappointingly, there's no spare wheel here. As standard, the car comes with run-flat tyres, though you can opt for a tyre repair kit as a no-cost option. This isn't ideal for those who frequently travel in the country.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLA lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
The Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic's 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine gains 48V mild-hybrid assistance with the mid-life facelift. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLA lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Starting up the GLA250 4Matic, the turbo-petrol engine deliver a rowdy rev flare, which is more noticeable in the cabin than outside the car. Tat's because this car pumps fake engine sound into the cabin. GLA220d – Overseas model shown Credit: CarExpert
To set off, you use the column-mounted gear selector, which feels premium and sleek. It's handy because you can quickly flick from drive to reverse, especially in parking scenarios or when doing a three-point turn.
When the engine is still warming up, the first two gears rev out to around 3000rpm, which feels like way too much. This creates a jarring feeling inside the cabin, as the engine doesn't sound the best at these revs.
Once the engine has warmed up a little, or you start travelling a bit faster, the car then opts for higher gears and will keep the revs down to minimise fuel consumption. This feels a lot more natural and calm.
While the 2.0-litre turbo four in this car is far from new, it is now augmented with mild-hybrid assistance, which allows for more seamless and longer engine idle stop/start interaction. When in Eco mode, the car can also coast with the engine switched off to save fuel.
As part of this 48V system, there's a belt-driven motor generator that is used to start the engine, but can also provide an additional 10kW of power for brief periods. This helps for faster acceleration, or to generally take load off the engine.
Another part of the 48V mild-hybrid system is the regenerative braking system, which helps top up the small 48V battery pack. It's satisfying to know that you're recuperating energy to then use to help performance later on. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
In practice, the system is seamless and even has an intelligent function by which it'll increase the amount of regenerative braking based on how quickly the car in front of you is travelling. It means you don't have to think that much about it and can instead focus on driving.
As a package, this powertrain is a little firecracker. You'll easily be keeping up with traffic from the lights, and with only a subtle flex of your right foot, you'll be accelerating faster than most. At no point was I looking for more power, which makes me feel like the AMG GLA35 is somewhat superfluous, as many performance cars are.
This car comes with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which provides snappy and almost instantaneous gear changes. With the assistance of the 48V motor generator, a lot of the dual-clutch hesitancies are ironed out, making it feel more seamless behind the wheel.
However, there were still moments where it was abundantly clear this car has a dual-clutch auto. An example included when I changed from drive to reverse on a hill and started to roll before the gear actually engaged. This wasn't the most confidence-inspiring feeling behind the wheel.
While the engine packs a punch, it also has the driving dynamics to match. The steering is wonderfully direct and well-weighted for tossing this small SUV around on city streets. It's rather smile-inducing.
Even though all local non-AMG GLAs come with the AMG Line package as standard, they don't actually have sport suspension. Instead, they have a lowered version of the comfort suspension, which is great because this means the car doesn't feel overly stiff all the time. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
This car soaks up general lumps and bumps that occur with general urban road imperfections without any worries, though harsher singular bumps can send shocks into the cabin. It feels a little brittle if you hit a hard bump with a little too much pace.
On the parking front, there are front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera which has great quality. There's also a parking assistant, which is handy if you're not the most confident at parallel or perpendicular parking, though it's slow.
Out on the open road, this car settles into a perfectly comfortable cruise. The engine revs are kept down low as the transmission prioritises the highest gear possible, though there is a bit of tyre roar at higher speeds. This isn't uncommon with European cars, especially those with run-flat tyres.
There's still plenty of punch available if you need to do a quick overtake. The transmission will drop a few gears and the 48V motor generator will help get acceleration happening as soon as possible. You need to keep an eye on your speed because you'll easily creep above the speed limit if you're not paying attention.
The steering still feels incredibly direct and well-weighted, which makes this fun to drive in the twisties. Like many crossover SUVs, however, the GLA does get a bit of body roll up when pushed. It's not horrible, but it limits its dynamism compared to a lower-slung hatchback, for example.
Like at lower speeds, the suspension feels settled and composed at higher speeds, though harsher bumps can transmit into the cabin. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
On the safety front, the GLA is now fully loaded. With the mid-life update, it now gets adaptive cruise control as standard. It's an intuitive system which is able to keep a safe distance between the car ahead and not freak out when a car cuts in front of you.
The lane-keep assist is fairly relaxed with how it reacts when you get close to the lane markings but, disappointingly, there's no active lane-centring function as standard. You need to opt for the Plus Package to get this, among a range of other features, including a head-up display and adaptive high-beam.
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLA lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
On test here is the mid-spec Mercedes-Benz GLA250 4Matic with no option packages. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA200 equipment highlights: LED headlights with adaptive high-beam
Power-adjustable front sports seats
Heated front seats
Galvanised paddle shifters
AMG Line exterior package
10.25-inch digital instrument cluster
10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – wireless
Satellite navigation with live traffic
Wireless phone charger
Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel
Semi-autonomous parking assist
Panoramic sunroof
Dual-zone climate control
Keyless entry and start
Power tailgate
GLA250 4Matic adds: Off-Road Engineering Package
The GLA250 4Matic is available with a number of different options, but none were equipped to our tester. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
Plus Package: $5000 Driving Assistance Package
Augmented reality satellite navigation
Burmester sound system
Illuminated door sills
Head-up display
Multi-beam LED headlights
Adaptive high-beam
MBUX Interior Assist
Surround lighting with projected logos
Other standalone options include: 20-inch AMG multi-spoke black alloy wheels: $1600
Black Lugano leather upholstery: $1700
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLA lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on tests conducted on the related B-Class in 2019. B-Class Credit: CarExpert
Standard safety equipment includes: Autonomous emergency braking
Adaptive cruise control
Blind-spot monitoring
Lane-keep assist
Safe exit warning
Traffic sign recognition
Surround-view camera
9 airbags (front, side and curtain, plus a driver's knee airbag)
Opting for the Plus Package on the GLA200 and GLA250 4Matic adds: Active Distance Assist
Steering Assist
Active Lane Change Assist
Extended route-based speed limit assist
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLA lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
The Mercedes-Benz GLA is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
To see how the Mercedes-Benz GLA lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
The Mercedes-Benz GLA has long been a default option for those looking at a small but luxurious SUV. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
There are now more rivals than ever, but this car still shines through as a benchmark, though it's starting to feel its age.
This mid-life update has invigorated the GLA just enough, though there are newer rivals like the BMW X1 that offer more technology and much better value.
It's nice there is now wireless smartphone mirroring, as well as different looks inside and out to keep things fresh. Some of the changes hinder the useability, though, including the fiddly touch sliders on the new steering wheel. The storage space where the touchpad used to be also just looks weird.
I'm a fan of the new 48V mild-hybrid version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine in this GLA250 4Matic. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
It certainly packs a punch and you likely won't be looking for any more power in your everyday commute. However, it doesn't notably improve fuel consumption.
Lastly, let's talk money. The GLA is certainly one expensive small SUV. At $80,500 before on-roads for the GLA250 4Matic on test here, it's considerably more expensive than all of its direct rivals. It's also rather expensive to service, which is a further pain point.
If you're willing to buck up the cash for one of these and are a die-hard fan of the three-pointed star, you'll love this car as a package. It certainly doesn't disappoint.
If you're more brand-averse, however, it may be worth checking out the competition because there's plenty out there. 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLA Credit: CarExpert
Interested in buying a Mercedes-Benz GLA? Get in touch with one of CarExpert's trusted dealers here
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz GLA Zippy performance
Fun driving dynamics
Comfortable driving position Expensive to buy and service
Fiddly steering wheel touch sliders
Lots of piano black around the cabin
Orange background

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Should Audi not bring the new-generation A6 to Australia, including its inevitable hotted-up RS flagship, the recently launched A5/S5 would become the brand's largest combustion-powered passenger car available in Australia. ABOVE: Audi S8 The discontinuation of the S8 locally now leaves Audi without a model in the so-called 'Upper Large' passenger car segment, which also contains vehicles like the rival BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, after 30 years. Audi delivered just three S8s in the first half of this year, but even looking at full-year sales of the A8/S8 in 2024 – when the flagship was still available to order – it notched up only 10 deliveries, down 47.4 per cent on the previous year and behind the LS (11), S-Class (43) and 7 Series (49). It isn't just the Upper Large segment from which Audi is withdrawing. 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If you want a large, combustion-powered Audi without the RS treatment, you now have just one option: the A6 45 TFSI quattro S line, priced at $124,950 before on-roads. ABOVE: New-generation Audi A6 (left), outgoing model (right) A look at Audi's German website confirms the outgoing A6 and A7, including their sportier S and RS variants, are no longer available to order. Audi is replacing the outgoing A6 with a new-generation sedan and Avant wagon based on the company's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which will be complemented by the electric A6 e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Both of these model lines are already on sale in Europe but Audi has yet to officially lock them in for Australian release. Instead, it says these vehicles are "currently under evaluation for the Australian market". "Our product team are constantly evaluating each model line and the specific models within the range to determine the mix, pricing, and specification for everything we offer here in Australia," said the spokesperson. Should Audi not bring the new-generation A6 to Australia, including its inevitable hotted-up RS flagship, the recently launched A5/S5 would become the brand's largest combustion-powered passenger car available in Australia. ABOVE: Audi S8 The discontinuation of the S8 locally now leaves Audi without a model in the so-called 'Upper Large' passenger car segment, which also contains vehicles like the rival BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, after 30 years. Audi delivered just three S8s in the first half of this year, but even looking at full-year sales of the A8/S8 in 2024 – when the flagship was still available to order – it notched up only 10 deliveries, down 47.4 per cent on the previous year and behind the LS (11), S-Class (43) and 7 Series (49). It isn't just the Upper Large segment from which Audi is withdrawing. The four-ringed brand no longer offers any coupe or convertible models, neither here nor abroad, following the axing of the R8 supercar and TT sports car, and the introduction of the new-generation of A5 without any two-door variants. MORE: Everything Audi A6 • S6 • RS6 • A7 • S7 • RS7 • A8 • S8 Content originally sourced from: The Audi A7 Sportback and S8 limousine are the latest passenger models from the German luxury brand to become unavailable to order in Australia. Audi Australia has updated its website to confirm orders for the large five-door liftback and even larger four-door sedan are now closed. While the A7 is at the end of its lifecycle – it's understood the latest A6 replaces both the outgoing A6 and A7 – the S8 hasn't been discontinued globally. The S8 also continues to be offered in the UK, another major right-hand drive market, as well as in its home market of Germany. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. ABOVE: Audi A7 However, the A8 and S8 family entered production late in 2017, which means they're close to a decade old now, and yet no replacement has been announced, combustion-powered or otherwise. "The S8 is no longer available in showrooms at this stage," confirmed an Audi Australia spokesperson. "While the A8 range is currently unavailable, the Audi Australia team constantly evaluates all models available to us from the factory, ensuring that we have a broad range of models available here to meet customer's needs." The removal of the A7 and S8 from Australian order books comes after the 'regular' A8 was retired locally, and orders were closed for the high-riding A6 allroad wagon, the S6 sports sedan and the S7 Sportback after the 2024 model year. That leaves Audi's large passenger model range consisting of only the high-performance RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback, plus the outgoing A6 sedan and the recently updated S and RS e-tron GT electric sedans. If you want a large, combustion-powered Audi without the RS treatment, you now have just one option: the A6 45 TFSI quattro S line, priced at $124,950 before on-roads. ABOVE: New-generation Audi A6 (left), outgoing model (right) A look at Audi's German website confirms the outgoing A6 and A7, including their sportier S and RS variants, are no longer available to order. Audi is replacing the outgoing A6 with a new-generation sedan and Avant wagon based on the company's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which will be complemented by the electric A6 e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Both of these model lines are already on sale in Europe but Audi has yet to officially lock them in for Australian release. Instead, it says these vehicles are "currently under evaluation for the Australian market". "Our product team are constantly evaluating each model line and the specific models within the range to determine the mix, pricing, and specification for everything we offer here in Australia," said the spokesperson. Should Audi not bring the new-generation A6 to Australia, including its inevitable hotted-up RS flagship, the recently launched A5/S5 would become the brand's largest combustion-powered passenger car available in Australia. ABOVE: Audi S8 The discontinuation of the S8 locally now leaves Audi without a model in the so-called 'Upper Large' passenger car segment, which also contains vehicles like the rival BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, after 30 years. Audi delivered just three S8s in the first half of this year, but even looking at full-year sales of the A8/S8 in 2024 – when the flagship was still available to order – it notched up only 10 deliveries, down 47.4 per cent on the previous year and behind the LS (11), S-Class (43) and 7 Series (49). It isn't just the Upper Large segment from which Audi is withdrawing. The four-ringed brand no longer offers any coupe or convertible models, neither here nor abroad, following the axing of the R8 supercar and TT sports car, and the introduction of the new-generation of A5 without any two-door variants. MORE: Everything Audi A6 • S6 • RS6 • A7 • S7 • RS7 • A8 • S8 Content originally sourced from: The Audi A7 Sportback and S8 limousine are the latest passenger models from the German luxury brand to become unavailable to order in Australia. Audi Australia has updated its website to confirm orders for the large five-door liftback and even larger four-door sedan are now closed. While the A7 is at the end of its lifecycle – it's understood the latest A6 replaces both the outgoing A6 and A7 – the S8 hasn't been discontinued globally. The S8 also continues to be offered in the UK, another major right-hand drive market, as well as in its home market of Germany. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. ABOVE: Audi A7 However, the A8 and S8 family entered production late in 2017, which means they're close to a decade old now, and yet no replacement has been announced, combustion-powered or otherwise. "The S8 is no longer available in showrooms at this stage," confirmed an Audi Australia spokesperson. "While the A8 range is currently unavailable, the Audi Australia team constantly evaluates all models available to us from the factory, ensuring that we have a broad range of models available here to meet customer's needs." The removal of the A7 and S8 from Australian order books comes after the 'regular' A8 was retired locally, and orders were closed for the high-riding A6 allroad wagon, the S6 sports sedan and the S7 Sportback after the 2024 model year. That leaves Audi's large passenger model range consisting of only the high-performance RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback, plus the outgoing A6 sedan and the recently updated S and RS e-tron GT electric sedans. If you want a large, combustion-powered Audi without the RS treatment, you now have just one option: the A6 45 TFSI quattro S line, priced at $124,950 before on-roads. ABOVE: New-generation Audi A6 (left), outgoing model (right) A look at Audi's German website confirms the outgoing A6 and A7, including their sportier S and RS variants, are no longer available to order. Audi is replacing the outgoing A6 with a new-generation sedan and Avant wagon based on the company's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which will be complemented by the electric A6 e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Both of these model lines are already on sale in Europe but Audi has yet to officially lock them in for Australian release. Instead, it says these vehicles are "currently under evaluation for the Australian market". "Our product team are constantly evaluating each model line and the specific models within the range to determine the mix, pricing, and specification for everything we offer here in Australia," said the spokesperson. Should Audi not bring the new-generation A6 to Australia, including its inevitable hotted-up RS flagship, the recently launched A5/S5 would become the brand's largest combustion-powered passenger car available in Australia. ABOVE: Audi S8 The discontinuation of the S8 locally now leaves Audi without a model in the so-called 'Upper Large' passenger car segment, which also contains vehicles like the rival BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, after 30 years. Audi delivered just three S8s in the first half of this year, but even looking at full-year sales of the A8/S8 in 2024 – when the flagship was still available to order – it notched up only 10 deliveries, down 47.4 per cent on the previous year and behind the LS (11), S-Class (43) and 7 Series (49). It isn't just the Upper Large segment from which Audi is withdrawing. The four-ringed brand no longer offers any coupe or convertible models, neither here nor abroad, following the axing of the R8 supercar and TT sports car, and the introduction of the new-generation of A5 without any two-door variants. MORE: Everything Audi A6 • S6 • RS6 • A7 • S7 • RS7 • A8 • S8 Content originally sourced from:

Another Chinese brand wants to help keep sedans alive in Australia
Another Chinese brand wants to help keep sedans alive in Australia

7NEWS

time4 hours ago

  • 7NEWS

Another Chinese brand wants to help keep sedans alive in Australia

Chery wants to introduce sedans to Australia, even as their popularity dwindles in an increasingly SUV-hungry market. Sedans, at least those built by Japanese, Korean and European brands, have been slowly disappearing from Australia as sales decline and customers shift to utes and SUVs – as evidenced by the recent axing of models like the Mazda 6, Volkswagen Passat and Volvo S60, among others. In contrast, the introduction of new sedan models has primarily been led by Chinese manufacturers, with MG selling the MG 5 and soon introducing the MG 7 (technically a liftback), BYD selling the Seal and considering another sedan, and now Chery showing interest. 'I wonder if part of the reason that segment has been shrinking is because the competitors are leaving,' Chery Australia chief operating officer Lucas Harris told CarExpert. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. ABOVE: BYD Seal and MG 7 'So if there's not as many suitable options, is that naturally shrinking that segment? There's only really one main competitor.' This competitor is almost certainly the Toyota Camry, which remains Australia's top-selling sedan, with 4259 units delivered so far in 2025. It's trailed by the Tesla Model 3 with 3715 and the BYD Seal with 1609, but naturally, the entire medium passenger car segment pales in comparison to SUVs. Even if you lump mid-size cars with small and large cars, inclusive of sedans, hatches and wagons, that's only around 53,000 sales across the first half of 2025. In contrast, mid-size SUVs alone have notched just over 149,000 sales. Chery Australia's current lineup, including the now-separate Omoda Jaecoo brand, is comprised entirely of SUVs. ABOVE: Fulwin A9L 'I certainly would advocate very strongly for us to be able to bring sedan options. We've got them globally, but left-hand drive, so I think if we can do a really good job with what we are [currently] given in right-hand drive, then maybe our friends in R&D could consider giving us a sedan in right-hand drive,' Mr Harris added. Globally and across all its brands, Chery offers at least six sedans, albeit in left-hand drive. SUVs still dominate its lineups, but there are sedan models that could conceivably be engineered for sale in right-hand drive markets. There are also several different powertrains available, including petrol (Chery Arrizo 5 and Arrizo 8), plug-in hybrid (Chery Fulwin A8 and Fulwin A9L) and battery-electric (Exeed Sterra ES). Chery chief engineer David Xianqiang Lu told CarExpert that while there would still be a focus on SUVs, the brand is open to introducing global sedan models to Australia. ABOVE: 2025 Exeed Sterra ES 'We all see the trend in sedans dropping and SUVs increasing, so it's obvious that every company is focusing more on the SUV,' he said. 'But globally, we can see we are making more and more sedans for global markets. I would say we are definitely in the research phase, studying the potential, doing the business analysis to see if it's worthy to do that [in Australia]. 'Chery is just getting into the right-hand side of business, we also see that overall the right-hand drive side of the business group is growing. If there is an attractive business case, we can put it in very quickly.' Chery is currently working on expanding into other segments too, with work currently underway to bring ute models to Australia. The first of these models is expected to arrive in the second half of 2026.

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