Car news today: Toyota Yaris and Yaris Cross updated, Jeep Avenger pricing chopped 30 percent, and more – 12 May 2025
Lukas Foyle
Contributor
Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Monday, May 12th 2025. Notably in car news today: Toyota updates Yaris and Yaris Cross with more features and higher pricing, Jeep Avenger entry price point cut by 30 percent.
Toyota improves safety for 2025 Yaris and Yaris Cross
Toyota Australia has announced it will incorporate a slew of new driver assistance technologies to its Yaris hatchback and Yaris Cross compact SUV in a new update.
New pricing for the two compact Toyotas reveals price increases of between $40 and $890 depending on model and variant. All models use the same hybrid drivetrain, and gain an ‘acoustic vehicle alert system’ which emits external audio during EV driving.
2025 Toyota Yaris Cross
Base model variants of the two cars are set to receive the sharp end of the price rise, gaining a ‘parking support brake’ which aims to prevent low-speed carpark incidents. The base GX Yaris Cross now comes standard with blind spot monitoring and safe exit assist.
Toyota’s Yaris Ascent Sport and Yaris Cross GX 2WD are currently priced from $28,990 and $31,790 (MSRP) respectively. They chiefly rival the $29,000 (MSRP) Hyundai i30 and $30,370 (MSRP) Mazda CX-3.
Jeep Australia has quietly slashed the price of its introductory model Jeep Avenger Longitude from $56,000 to $40,000 drive-away, making it now one of the cheapest small-size EV SUVs on the market.
The Avenger Longitude is one of a handful of Jeep model variants (including the Gladiator Rubicon and Grand Cherokee Limited) to receive a significant pricing haircut in light of the end of financial year.
Strangely, only the base model Jeep Avenger Longitude has been granted a price reduction. The mid-spec Limited and range-topping Summit are still priced at $61,495 and $67,845 respectively.
So far in 2025, Jeep has sold 21 Avengers – a lower sales figure than the $429,000 D/A Aston Martin DBX (24 units). Regardless of trim, the Jeep Avenger features a 51kWh battery, 115kW/260Nm front-drive electric motor, and range of up to 390km (WLTP).
Tesla’s ‘Acceleration Boost’ option returns to US markets
Tesla has re-introduced the ‘Acceleration Boost’ package as a US$2000 (around AU$3200) option for the 2025 Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD.
Acceleration Boost grants buyers an approximate 75-kilowatt boost in output, raising overall power from 378kW to 453kW. Tesla claims the boost will lower the 0-100km/h time of the Model Y from 4.8 to 4.2 seconds.
Whilst currently exclusive to the US market, it is possible the Model Y Acceleration Boost could come to Oz. Tesla Australia already offers the package as an AUD$3000 option for the Model 3 Long Range.
The new Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD began selling in Australian markets in April 2025. It features a 75kWh battery, 551km (WLTP) range, and 27 minute rapid DC charge time (10-80 percent at 250kW DC). Currently, the Model Y Long Range AWD is priced at $68,900 before on-road costs.
Volvo XC70 revived in China…as a plug-in hybrid SUV
Gone are the days of the quirky, off-road focused and unapologetic wagon. Volvo’s newly revealed XC70 is a plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV with an impressive 200km (CLTC) range.
Volvo’s new XC70 is built on an all-new ‘Scalable Modular Architecture’ platform, which centralises around extended range plug-in hybrid architecture. CEO Håkan Samuelsson claims the platform is an “attractive alternative to customers who are not yet ready for fully electric cars.”
Details surrounding the combustion-engine component of the XC70 have not yet been revealed. It will likely be a variant of Volvo’s B4204T turbocharged petrol four cylinder, seen in the XC60 and XC90.
Currently, Volvo intends to market the new XC70 exclusively to the Chinese market, with initial orders to be taken at the end of the year. Volvo claims it is “exploring potential additional markets at a later stage.”
2025 Kia Tasman reviewed
Chasing Cars off-road specialist Evan Spence’s Australian first drive of the 2025 Kia Tasman was published, including its bespoke ladder frame chassis and frequency selective shock absorbers.
Spence was impressed by the rugged and well thought out engineering of the Tasman. Great suspension articulation, enhanced control arm bushes, specialty shock-absorbers and huge rear differential all look the part for a promising off-roader.
On-road performance and real-world towing ability remain to be tested, with Spence denoting that his test drive was held strictly off-road on private property.
The team at Chasing Cars eagerly await the public release of the Kia Tasman. On initial viewing and during preliminary off-road testing, the Tasman looks to be more than capable of rivaling the best-selling Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux.
