Coming in 2025: car models worth waiting for

Automotive experts say that the coming year will bring us some very interesting new products. From high-tech electric vehicles with a long range to practical family SUVs. But is it worth waiting for them?

Experts from Consumer Reports have selected new car models that have already been test-driven by journalists and bloggers and received good reviews. They are worth paying attention to if you are planning to buy a new car this year.

Audi A6 E-Tron

The Audi A6 E-Tron is a mid-size four-door electric car with a hatchback body, similar in style to the A5 and A7 Sportback models from the same automaker. It will be available with three different powertrains when it goes on sale in 2025. The base version uses a 362 hp electric motor that drives the rear wheels. While the all-wheel-drive E-Tron Quattro will get two electric motors that produce 422 hp. The high-performance AWD version of the S6 will produce 496 hp or 543 hp with launch control. All models have a 100 kWh battery. The automaker says the car uses an 800-volt architecture, which allows it to have a maximum speed of 270 kW at a fast charging station. Inside the cabin, the model will have large screens - an 11.9-inch curved one in front of the driver that turns into a 14.5-inch center touchscreen. An optional 10.9-inch display is available for the front passenger.

Audi Q5

Audi has redesigned its luxury compact SUV Q5 for the 2025 model year. It received a new exterior and was radically updated inside. The new model will be supplied with two powertrains: a standard 268-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in most versions or a 362-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 in the SQ5 Performance package. Both are mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and come standard with all-wheel drive. While all the basic safety systems come as standard, an adaptive driver assistance system that uses various advanced systems including high-resolution mapping data will be available for an additional fee.

BMW X3

Redesigned for 2025, the fourth-generation X3 is slightly longer and more powerful, and has a high-tech minimalist interior design. It is available in two trim levels: 30 xDrive with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 255 hp and M50 xDrive with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with 393 hp. Each is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, supplemented by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, and uses all-wheel drive. The dashboard is dominated by a wide curved display that houses the iDrive 9 infotainment system, available with numerous connectivity features. Among the notable updates is the ability to overlay navigation instructions on the road ahead using a projection display with augmented reality elements.

Ford Expedition

The redesigned 2025 Ford Expedition has the same dimensions and overall look as the previous version. Fans will recognize their favorite spacious interior and square proportions but will notice a slightly smoother exterior style and more tech features inside. The instrument cluster is a 24-inch digital display that sits between the bottom of the windshield and the top of the large center infotainment screen. The new Tremor trim adds rugged touches to the vehicle's appearance, such as larger tires, a taller stance, skid plates, and a host of electronic off-road assistants originally introduced on the Ford Bronco. Many active driver assistance features are standard, and Ford's BlueCruise hands-free driving assistance feature is available at an additional cost.

Honda Passport

The 2026 Passport, due out soon, is more than just a smaller version of the Pilot. Both SUVs use the same 285 hp V6 engine and 10-speed automatic transmission, but the Passport now takes on a more striking look with a square, aggressive exterior design. The TrailSport trim enhances this with bolder styling and special off-road features such as recovery points and skid plates. There is no hybrid version of the Passport, making it less competitive in terms of fuel economy. All-wheel drive is standard on the model, along with a host of active safety features. Inside, there's a Google-based infotainment system (still compatible with Apple CarPlay) and new seats, while climate and audio are controlled by buttons and knobs rather than screen functions. Honda says that everything from the suspension to the safety radars and cameras have been improved over the previous model.

Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude model is back this time in the form of a sporty hybrid coupe. This model was first introduced in 1978 and gained a lot of fans thanks to its impressive handling and advanced technology. Honda discontinued the Prelude in 2001, meaning that an entire generation of drivers never had the opportunity to experience the model. The sloping roofline and two-door design give the new Prelude a retro look, similar to the Ford Mustang and Nissan Z. Although details are scarce, Honda says the new Prelude will have a two-engine hybrid powertrain, likely more powerful than the one found in the Accord or Civic Hybrid, neither of which is offered as a coupe. The automaker also promises a simulated gearshift that will mimic a traditional automatic transmission.

Hyundai Ioniq 9

The Hyundai Ioniq 9 joins a growing number of three-row electric SUVs on the market. It can be configured to accommodate six or seven passengers. The six-seat configuration includes two folding second-row captain's chairs that can be turned to face the third row. Stylistically, this is a softened, more practical version of the futuristic Hyundai Seven concept. Nevertheless, Hyundai has made a big step in aerodynamics, smoothing out everything from the door handles to the roof antenna, as well as the chassis. There is a single-engine rear-wheel drive version and a twin-engine all-wheel drive version, as well as a 430 hp all-wheel drive option. Both get a large 110 kWh battery and a NACS-style charging port.

Mini Aceman

The new Aceman is a small, all-electric crossover for five passengers that complements the newly redesigned Mini Cooper and the larger Countryman. As with all new Mini models, it is part of the brand's stated goal of becoming fully electric by 2030. Buyers will have access to two electric powertrains: a 184 hp electric motor and a 218 hp electric motor, both with front-wheel drive. The availability of all-wheel drive was not reported. The Aceman is 406 cm long and 150 cm high. The interior of the model looks like a redesigned Mini Cooper with air vents and a floating infotainment screen.

Nissan Murano

After almost a decade without major updates, Nissan has unveiled the redesigned Murano, the brand's midsize two-row SUV. The new Murano features a smoother styling similar to Nissan's all-electric Ariya. Nissan's reliable V6 engine and peculiar CVT have been replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic transmission. Although the exterior and interior dimensions remain more or less the same, the new Murano benefits from a more robust suite of technologies, including standard AEB, BSW, RCTW, automatic high beams, and ProPilot, an optional adaptive cruise control with advanced steering. Electronically adjustable heated front seats are standard, and ventilated massage seats are optional, as are heated steering wheel, panoramic roof glass, and multi-color LED interior lighting.

Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid

In the 2026 model year, the Subaru Crosstrek will be available with a hybrid powertrain. It is equipped with a typical Subaru 2.5-liter "opposition" engine, supplemented by a 1.1 kWh battery pack. Like the regular Crosstrek, it also has a continuously variable transmission. The total output of the system is 194 horsepower, which is 12 horsepower more than the non-hybrid 2.5-liter engine. Of course, all-wheel drive is standard. In the cabin, analog gauges have been replaced by a digital instrument panel. The exterior of the hybrid is distinguished by exclusive colors and wheels, as well as mandatory badges. The Crosstrek Hybrid is equipped with the latest EyeSight driver assistance features, adding a system that can stop the car if the driver stops responding to warnings while using adaptive cruise control.

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