Car news 17 April 2025: New Chery Omoda/Jaecoo BEV and hybrid models revealed, seventh-gen 2026 Subaru Outback unveiled, and more
Lukas Foyle
Contributor
Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday, April 17th 2025. Notably in car news today: Chery/Omoda/Jaecoo model blitz hits China show, Seventh-generation Subaru Outback unveiled in New York.
Chery/Omoda/Jaecoo EV and hybrid blitz at the Shanghai Motor Show
Chery is poised to unveil a bevvy of electrified models under its mainstream Omoda and upmarket Jaecoo brands set to debut shortly at the Shanghai Motor Show, which kicks off next week.
The Chery Omoda models – as they’re branded and marketed in Australia – include the new C5 and C7 SUVs, which will be powered by the family’s Super Hybrid System first seen the Jaecoo J7 midsize SUV, which is comprised of a 1.5L turbocharged petrol-electric powertrain.
Meanwhile, upmarket Jaecoo will pull the sheets off its J5 SUV, which will be battery electric powered. More details will come on the J5 in the coming days.
(Chery) Omoda is also set to debut a compact C3 crossover thus far only teased in illustrations released by the carmaker of what Chery calls a “cyber-inspired” design language. The C3 will also debut at the show in Wuha, China, this coming week.
Seventh-generation Subaru Outback unveiled in New York
Subaru America has officially pulled the veil off its new 2026 Subaru Outback, expected to go on sale in the American market in late 2025. The seventh-generation Outback boasts a rugged, off-road-focused exterior and wealth of modern comforts inside.
The new ‘SUV-look’ Outback measures around 50mm taller than the outgoing model, and has extended its overall length by 25mm – now measuring around 4.9 metres long. This pits the Outback more closely against larger SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe (4.83 metres long) and Toyota Kluger (4.96 metres long).
Currently, Subaru has not provided an official statement but it’s certain that the Outback will continue to be an essential part of the Australian model line-up. The sixth-generation Outback went on sale in March, 2021, making the model a prime candidate for renewal.
The seventh-generation Outback, at least in the American market, will continue to be powered by Subaru’s signature boxer four-cylinder engine in two power offerings: a 135kW 2.5-litre naturally aspirated unit, and a 194kW 2.4-litre turbo (US outputs tunes). Both vehicles will come standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive.
Hyundai debuts rugged off-road-style Palisade XRT PRO
Hyundai USA has showcased an off-road-focused variant of the next-generation 2026 Palisade at this week’s New York Auto Show, called the XRT PRO.
The Palisade XRT PRO promises a unique bodykit with pronounced front recovery points , electronic limited-slip differential, all-terrain 255/60R18 tyres, and an additional inch of ground clearance, raising the overall clearance to 8.4-inches.
While the new 2026 Palisade was planned to have its global reveal at the New York Auto Show, the new model was previewed at the recent Korean showcase in Seoul, where Chasing Cars got the opportunity to get the early rundown.
The 2026 Australian-spec Palisade, due in Q4 this year, will feature only one driveline option: A 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol coupled with two P2 mounted electric motors within a six-speed conventional automatic. Hyundai claims a total system output of 245kW/450Nm and a claimed range of 996 kilometres (EPA Cycle).
Long awaited Kia EV4 finally makes debut in global markets
Kiahas pulled the covers off the highly anticipated EV4 sedan at this week’s New York Auto Show, which will serve as the company’s first dedicated-electric sedan. The EV4, which will also be offered in hatchback form, aims to be an inexpensive shake-up to the established electric SUV status quo.
The Kia EV4 will utilise the same South-Korean assembled E-GMP 400V electrical architecture seen in the EV3. The system can support DC charging with a 10-80-percent charge time of 29-31minutes depending on battery size.
Two battery options are available for the EV4; a 58.3 kWh unit with a claimed 430km (WLTP) of range, and long-range 81.4 kWh battery, which claims a range of 630km. Regardless of battery size or trim, all EV4’s will use a single 150kW/283Nm* front-mounted electric motor (much like the current EV3).
Kia Australia is likely to bring the EV4 sedan to Australian showrooms by the end of 2025. It is unconfirmed at this stage if the EV4 hatch is coming to Australia.
*Speculated torque figure likely, but not yet confirmed.
Audi A3 2025 review
Chasing Cars deputy editor Curt Dupriez’s road test of the 2025 Audi A3 Sportback and Sedan was published, including his thoughts on pricing and positioning of the facelifted fourth-generation twins.
Dupriez reveals that Audi’s refresh has left the humble A3 with a very S3-like style inside and out, and that engineers have done a fine job evolving the MQB Evo underpinning to yield fun-to-drive dynamics.
However, disappointment lurks in the modest 1.5-litre turbo front-drive powertrain that’s not up to the task of matching A3’s newfound looks and spirited handling. Further, the A3 is expensive, with pricing having risen $8500 since the gen-four’s debut just three years ago.
Essentially, the A3 is something of a backwards step, especially given the feisty 2.0L 40 Quattro variant (once more affordable than the new 35) has been pulled from the local menu.
