Car news, 11th March ’25: Mazda expands the CX-5 range with new front-wheel-drive option, Kia EV3 small SUV local pricing and spec revealed

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Thanks for joining us this Tuesday March 11th 2025. Mazda expands the CX-5 range with a new front-wheel-drive option, Kia lobs pricing and specs for EV3 electric small SUV, and more.

Browse this issue:

• Mazda expands the CX-5 range with new front wheel drive option 
• Kia reveals pricing and spec for electric EV3 small SUV
• Hyundai Australia announces Don Romano as President and CEO
• Tesla stocks fall 45 percent since December 
• 2025 BMW X3 xDrive review 

Mazda expands CX-5 range with new front-wheel-drive option 

• Mazda Australia has just announced an expansion of the CX-5 range, their most popular vehicle, with a new front-wheel drive option in the G25 Touring FWD. 

• This expansion means there are three FWD variants in the CX-5 range. Maxx, Sport and Touring. The new front-drive Touring grade essentially replaces the G25 Maxx Sport AWD  

• All Touring spec variants will now come with Adaptive Front Lighting System, as well as Cruising and Traffic Support. 

• Pricing is yet to be announced, however it is reported we will see the 2025 CX-5 Touring FWD in Australian dealerships in June 2025. 

Kia EV3 small electric SUV to launch locally from $47,600 RRP

• Kia Australia has confirmed pricing and specifications for the upcoming EV3 small SUV, the most affordable electric line-up in the importer’s stables.

• The EV3 enters at $47,600 list for the Air Standard Range and tops out at $63,950 list for the flagship GT-Line. Rounding out the four-variant line-up are the Air Long Range at $53,315 list and the mid-grade Earth Long Range at $58,600 before on-roads.  

• Built off the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP 400-volt platform, all variants fit a 150kW/283Nm front-drive powertrain, with all but the 58.3kWh (55kWh useable) entry grade fitting an 81.4kWh (78kWh useable) battery. 

• The range-leader is the Air LR at 604km WLTP claimed, with both the big-battery Earth and GT-Line versions sharing a 563km WLTP figure. The Air SR peaks at a more modest 436km WLTP. Check out our dedicated pricing and specs story for a deeper rundown. 

Hyundai Australia announces Don Romano as President and CEO

• With 40 years of automotive industry experience, Don Romano has just been announced as Hyundai Motor Company Australia’s Chief Executive Officer. 

• Mr Romano is set to take up the position effective immediately, replacing current CEO, Ted Lee, who will remain in Australia in an Executive Support role after his three-year stint as CEO.  

• Don Romano will oversee both Hyundai and Genesis as part of his new role, after 10 years serving as President and CEO of Hyundai Canada.  

• “It’s an honour to join Hyundai and Genesis in Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region – Australia is one of the most challenging automotive markets on earth,”  says Mr Romano.

Tesla stocks fall 45 percent since December 

• According to a recent report by Reuters, Tesla stock has fallen a sizable 45 percent since reaching a high point in valuation of $1.5 trillion dollars on December 17. 

• Shares have also dropped 15 percent, making it the worst performing Standard and Poor 500 (S&P 500) yesterday.  

• Tesla’s vehicle-based business makes up the vast majority of revenue for the company. Falling vehicle sales have been widely blamed on Tesla boss Elon Musk’s increased involvement with the geo-political landscape. 

• Rising competition in the space is reported to also play a part in this decline, with more affordable EV options flooding global markets, including Australia. Tesla has also not released a new model since the Cybertruck – which we still can’t access in Australia.   

2025 BMW X3 xDrive review 

• Chasing Cars contributor Nathan Ponchard has just finished reviewing BMW’s fourth-generation X3, putting  the 20 xDrive variant through its paces. 

• Nathan enjoyed the good looking exterior styling, impressive dynamics and overall refinement of the base version of the new ‘G45’ SUV. 

• He also found the vehicle efficient to run, and just an easy vehicle to live with, while offering improved value for money as well. 

• However, Ponchard reckons the interior plastics could do with some improvement and the base ‘20’ engine could do with more power.  

• Read the full review here

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Wednesday 12th March at 4.30pm Sydney time.