Mid-size SUVs are all the fad within the Australian automotive panorama.
Whereas many affiliate the sunburnt nation with dual-cab utes, medium SUVs truly promote in better numbers, with practically 300,000 new examples discovering a brand new house this 12 months.
As such, CarExpert readers have lapped up our crossover protection in 2025. That mentioned, some fashions garnered extra consideration than others.
So, because the 12 months involves an in depth, it’s time to look again at our most considered mid-size SUV evaluations of 2025.
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Spoiler alert: Chinese language newcomer fashions function closely, and best-sellers such because the Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 are mysteriously absent!
Within the pursuits of transparency, all autos on this record are medium SUVs as outlined by VFACTS gross sales statistics revealed by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).
5. Subaru Forester Hybrid
European correspondent James Fossdyke ventured to the English midlands for the UK launch of the brand new Subaru Forester, certainly one of Australia’s hottest mid-size SUVs.
Modifications for the newest Forester included a brand new hybrid system, though James drove a British-specification mannequin with a 2.0-litre boxer engine.
James Fossdyke wrote:
“In case you worth ruggedness, reliability and off-road functionality above all else, the Forester continues to be the automobile for you.
“It’s now higher wanting and extra comfy than earlier than, but when heading away from the blacktop is much less of a precedence and also you simply need a household SUV that feels semi-premium and nice to drive, there are higher and extra polished choices on the market.”
You’ll be able to learn our full overview of the Subaru Forester Hybrid right here
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MORE: Discover the Subaru Forester showroom
4. Geely EX5
Geely made its contribution to the inflow of Chinese language-made electrical SUVs by launching the EX5 again in February, and then-deputy market editor Jack Fast was current in Bowral, New South Wales for the primary nationwide media drive.
Jack Fast wrote:
“This automobile is all about perspective. In case you’re getting into one from a combustion-powered automobile, it’ll shock you with its silence (the Mr Whippy-esque pedestrian warning sound apart), and its snappy low-speed acceleration. The packaging can even be refreshing to you as a result of there’s no driveline to encroach on second-row house.
“Nonetheless, when in comparison with different rival EVs, there’s little that units the Geely EX5 aside from the ever-growing crowd. The know-how feels eerily paying homage to a Tesla moreover there being a digital instrument cluster and head-up show, there’s no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto out there at launch, and the blobby seems and restricted paint color palette do it no favours.
“I recognize the quantity of effort Geely has put into investing in native chassis tuning, which is a step in the correct path that a number of rival Chinese language manufacturers simply haven’t taken but.
“However though the corporate claims it has made modifications to the suspension, it nonetheless errs firmly on the consolation finish of the spectrum, as many Chinese language vehicles do. I’d have an interest to expertise what the Chinese language-spec mannequin is like on Australian roads only for comparability’s sake.
“The very fact this automobile can also be front-wheel drive doesn’t assist from a dealing with dynamics standpoint. Many rear-wheel drive rivals are significantly extra rewarding to drive on twisty roads.
“The entrance wheels on this automobile can get overwhelmed with the quantity of energy and torque they should ship to the highway, and you may inform Geely has dialled again the preliminary throttle response to account for this.
“In the end, the extent of Australian curiosity on this automobile might properly come right down to its pricing. The leaked figures are extraordinarily promising, however we’ll reserve judgement till we get affirmation of this.”
You’ll be able to learn our full overview of the Geely EX5 right here
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Geely EX5. Click on right here to get a fantastic deal.
MORE: Discover the Geely EX5 showroom
3. Zeekr 7X
Chinese language producer Zeekr is starting to seek out its ft in Australia, with the 7X mid-size electrical SUV promising to speed up that course of. Senior contributor Matt Campbell headed to China for the briefest of drives, and got here away impressed.
Matt Campbell wrote:
“This shall be probably the most attractive new electrical fashions to reach within the bustling mid-size SUV market this 12 months.
“It has the correct tech and specs, standout design and sufficient fascinating options to make it a really engaging proposition in comparison with a few of its present mainstream rivals.”
You’ll be able to learn our full overview of the Zeekr 7X right here
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new Zeekr 7X. Click on right here to get a fantastic deal.
MORE: Discover the Zeekr 7X showroom
2. BYD Sealion 7
BYD rolled out its most necessary mannequin in Australia earlier this 12 months – the Sealion 7 electrical SUV. Market journalist Max Davies travelled to South Australia for the native launch within the type of a flashy presentation forward of the LIV Golf Adelaide 2025 event.
Max Davies wrote:
“All up, the Sealion 7 is sort of a superb automobile. Clearly it isn’t an SUV that stands out for its exterior magnificence nor its inside format, as there are plenty of parts right here which might be discovered on many different electrical SUVs.
“Its energy due to this fact lies in its perform. In our comparatively transient time with the automobile we discovered hardly any options that may annoy us in the long run, and whereas issues like velocity restrict warnings can crop up, it’s not too troublesome to disable them.
“Every part simply works, and the inclusion of varied gadgets like bodily air vents and a handful of precise buttons make the automobile simpler to function on the transfer – particularly in comparison with the screen-only Mannequin Y and Deepal S07 mid-size SUVs.
“Then there’s the trip. BYD has executed properly to set this automobile up for Australian roads, and no matter whether or not there was a concerted effort to tune it domestically or not, the actual fact is it’s impressively stable.
“Its firm-ish suspension provides it a premium-feeling trip that doesn’t tire you out. Energy supply can also be easy, the steering feels because it ought to, and there’s a robust stability between straight-line efficiency and each day usability – particularly evident with the Premium.
“The Sealion 7’s solely actual points are the accelerator pedal’s bizarre ‘flywheel impact’, its as-yet-unknown real-world effectivity, and the actual fact the Efficiency flagship actually isn’t price the additional cash. A way more convincing worth proposition is the Premium, because it has extra vary and an already wholesome record of normal gear.
“BYD’s latest Australian mannequin has loads of house, drives properly, doesn’t value an excessive amount of, and doesn’t annoy you with poorly deliberate consumer interfaces or incessant beeps and bongs.
“You possibly can do loads worse than the Sealion 7 Premium, and at launch we predict it makes extra sense than the incoming Mannequin Y will.”
You’ll be able to learn our full overview of the BYD Sealion 7 right here
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new BYD Sealion 7. Click on right here to get a fantastic deal.
MORE: Discover the BYD Sealion 7 showroom
1. BYD Sealion 6
The Sealion 6 obtained its first main replace this 12 months, which introduced Australia-specific suspension tuning and revised pricing throughout the vary. Senior contributor Matt Campbell obtained behind the wheel of a top-spec Premium to see if these modifications had been for the higher.
Matt Campbell wrote:
“If you’d like a mid-size SUV and also you’re unsure if going full-electric is true, then the Sealion 6 might be the best choice for you.
“It has a helpful EV vary, loads of spec and tech, and a extra inexpensive value than every other medium SUV with this type of smarts.
“No marvel it’s the best-selling PHEV available on the market. It deserves to be.”
You’ll be able to learn our full overview of the BYD Sealion 6 right here
CarExpert can prevent 1000’s on a brand new BYD Sealion 6. Click on right here to get a fantastic deal.
