The most exciting models from Australia's biggest brands arriving in 2023: Toyota GR Corolla, Ford F-150, Kia EV9 and more

A new year presents new opportunities. For Australia’s best-selling car brands, it also means there are some exciting new additions headed for local showrooms.

We’ve already looked at the most important model for the likes of Toyota, Kia and Mitsubishi, the new offerings that will have a crucial role in shaping the success or failure of each brand’s 2023 sales. But today we’re looking at the same brands from a new angle and assessing what is the most exciting new model incoming.

Exciting can mean many things, from a new performance option to a much needed newcomer that fills a compelling need in the line-up.

With that in mind, here are our picks for the most exciting new models from each of the biggest brands in Australia.

Toyota GR Corolla

The GR Corolla has an engine that has been tuned for even more performance, with 220kW and 370Nm.

It will probably be one of the lowest-selling models for the Japanese giant, with only 500 examples of this new hot hatch confirmed to local shores, but it will unquestionably be the one that generates the most excitement.

The follow up to the incredibly popular and acclaimed GR Yaris, the bigger GR Corolla finally gives Toyota a rival to the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R and Honda Civic Type R. It sticks to the winning formula too, with the powertrain borrowed from the GR Yaris.

That means a 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, six-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive. Thankfully for the larger GR Corolla, the engine has been tuned for even more performance, with 220kW (instead of 200kW) and 370Nm.

Toyota has been trying to spice up its image for years with its Gazoo Racing range of performance cars and it’s paying off in 2023.

Mitsubishi Triton Xtreme

It’s likely the new Triton will feature upgrades to the suspension, wheel and tyre package and bodywork.

The Japanese brand’s local executives have said the company is in talks with a local engineering firm about building its own Ford Ranger Raptor rival, but so far there’s been no official confirmation. 

What we expect is a partnership between Mitsubishi Australian and Walkinshaw Group to produce a more capable Triton wearing the ‘Xtreme’ badge. Walkinshaw is the most logical partner for this project, given the company’s history producing performance vehicles for this country, firstly with HSV and more recently the Volkswagen Amarok W580 series.

We don’t know any technical specifications, but it’s likely to feature upgrades to the suspension, wheel and tyre package and bodywork, although the engine is likely to remain untouched.

Assuming it gets the green light it should be in showrooms before the end of the year, with the next-generation Triton tipped for a 2024 release. 

Kia EV9

Kia has hinted that the EV9 could start at less than $100k despite its size and space.

Yes, the EV6 GT will also hit the road in ‘23 and give the brand a new electric performance hero. But for many Australians, the more exciting addition will be the EV9.

Why? Because this is reportedly going to be an electric rival to the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol. Given our love-affair with those big off-roaders, the idea of an all-electric option will be appealing to many.

Sure, it won’t have the same rugged off-road capabilities as the LandCruiser or Patrol, but upper-large SUVs are a growing market in Australia and having an option is a big plus for Kia, filling a gap in its current range.

The EV9 will be based on the same ‘e-GMP’ platform that underpins the EV6, so the technology will be proven and the increased economies-of-scale should help keep the price in check. Kia has hinted it could start at less than $100k despite its size and space.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

The Ioniq 5 N should get a unique bodykit and suspension tune.

An open-secret for years, 2023 will finally see Hyundai’s ground-breaking electric performance car. Having spent recent years launching its line-up for sporty N Performance models alongside its range of all-electric Ioniq 5, the two sides will combine this year to produce a car unlike anything the brand has offered previously - and it doesn’t get more exciting than that.

The South Korean giant is still keeping official details secret, but it’s not hard to understand what to expect. The Ioniq 5 uses the same e-GMP platform as the new Kia EV6 GT, and Hyundai has previewed a performance electric car with the RN22e concept, so don’t be shocked if the Ioniq 5 N is packing 430kW/740Nm and all-wheel drive performance.

It should also get a unique bodykit and suspension tune, based on the spy images seen of the car testing at the Nurburgring, which also means it will be a very track-capable EV - or “corner rascal” as Hyundai prefers.

Ford F-150

The F-150 will be available with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine.

Keeping in mind that a new Mustang is also due in 2023 and you can understand the significance of us choosing the F-150 and the excitement it will bring to the brand. Ford Australia has become synonymous with the Ranger, with local buyers seemingly equating the blue oval badge with a hard-working ute.

There aren’t any hard-working utes in the world than the F-150, the staple of the brand’s success in the US market, where it has been a best-seller for nearly five decades. Unlike the Mustang that comes to Australia with the steering wheel on the right-hand side from the factory, the F-150 will be converted locally.

This is a big deal for Ford Australia on multiple levels, showing the faith Ford HQ has in Australia to not mess up the iconic F-150 nameplate, but also the possibilities it opens up for similar programs in the future for other models.

But before all that, there’s just excitement that the F-150 will finally be available from Ford Australia showrooms, with a 298kW/678Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine and 4500kg of towing capacity.