Car news today: Toyota’s cheaper Prado GXL five-seater on sale, Audi’s red-hot RS3 detailed, and more – 15 May 2025

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Thanks for joining us this Thursday, May 15th 2025. Notably in car news today: Toyota has released pricing for its cheaper five-seat version of Prado GXL, Audi releases pricing and specs for updated RS3 twins, and more.

Browse this issue:

• Toyota Prado GXL five-seat priced from $78,990 list
• Pricing and specs for Audi RS3 Sportback and Sedan revealed
• Skoda’s electric Elroq small SUV to hit showroom in Q3 2025 
• Lexus updates LX SUV for 2025, adds new Overtrail variant

• Reviewed: 2025 BYD Sealion 7 reviewed

Toyota Prado GXL five-seat on sale in Oz

• Toyota Australia has confirmed a cheaper five-seater variant of its popular Prado large SUV. The new Prado GXL Five Seat will now be offered alongside the existing seven-seat configuration.

• Priced at $78,990 before on-road costs, the five-seat GXL saves $1000 over the existing three-row version variant. When factoring a drive-away price of $85,386, the five seat GXL has a higher ‘real-world’ saving in some states ($1365 in NSW, for instance).

• Five-seat Prado variants promise a significantly larger boot space of 954 litres, compared with the 906L of the seven-seater with row three stowed (to five seats). The added practicality counters the seven-seater’s widely criticized raised boot floor and ad hoc storage design. 

• The Toyota Prado GXL rivals rugged, off-road inspired family SUVs such as the $59,240 Ford Everest Ambiente 4WD, $54,400 Isuzu MU-X LS-M 4X4, and $51,540 Mitsubishi Pajero Sport GLX 4WD (all prices shown are MSRP). 

READ: Toyota Prado GXL 2025: cheaper five-seat variant priced for Australia

Audi RS3 pricing and specs revealed

• Pricing and specifications have been revealed for Audi’s new RS3 Sportback and Sedan high-performance executive twins.

• The new 2025 RS3 will be priced from $104,800 (MLP) for the five-door hatchback, and $107,800 (MLP) for the four-door sedan. Both models gain the option of new Progressive Red, Ascari Blue or Daytona Grey paint. 

• The heart of Audi’s new RS3 is a 294kW/500Nm 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine, which sends power through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic to a Quattro all-wheel-drive system equipped with a torque-splitter rear differential. 

• Redesigned front sport seats and an all-new steering wheel design headline the updates to the interior of the RS3. A panoramic glass sunroof, 10.1-inch infotainment system and 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit also come standard. 

READ: Audi A3 2025 review

Skoda’s new Elroq small SUV scheduled for a September release

• Skoda Australia has confirmed the Elroq small electric SUV will be released locally in September this year. The Elroq presents as a dedicated electric alternative to the combustion-powered Skoda Karoq.

• Skoda’s Elroq will be offered in two variants, a base model ‘85 Select’ from $54,990 before on-road costs, and the top-spec ‘130 Years Edition’, priced from $64,990 before on-roads.

• Both variants of the Skoda Elroq will be sold in Australia with a single 210kW rear-drive electric motor and 82kWh battery. In overseas markets, the Elroq is offered with a smaller 55kWh battery – a tantalising budget option which could rival BYD’s Atto 3.

• The Elroq measures 4.49 metres in length, boasts a combined range of 529km (WLTP), and supports 175kW rapid DC charging. It is Skoda’s first model in Australia to sport a new ‘Modern Solid’ design language, with contemporary, sleek touches.
  

READ: Skoda is ready to Elroq and roll with their all-new, all-electric SUV that is set to hit Australia in September.

Lexus refreshes its flagship LX SUV alongside an all-new variant 

• Lexus Australia has revealed a wealth of new technological features coming to the LX SUV range, as well as the addition of a new Overtrail variant which comes with an exclusive Moon Desert paint colour.

• Lexus claims the new $182,300 (MSRP – LX 500d) LX Overtrail will combine flagship luxury with “unmatched off-road performance”. It offers locking front and rear differentials, higher-profile all-terrain tyres, and enhanced exterior styling.

• Also headlining the range updates is a new 12.3-inch infotainment screen, now compatible with Android Auto. New safety features standard across the range include updates to autonomous emergency braking, acceleration suppression at low speeds, safe exit assist, emergency driving stop system and a driver monitor camera.

• The optional Lexus Enhancement Pack, available only to the ‘Luxury’ base model LX also receives new equipment, including 22-inch alloy wheels, moon roof and hands-free kick sensor for the powered tailgate. The enhancement pack costs an additional $5500 over standard LX Luxury pricing.

2025 BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD reviewed

• Chasing Cars senior contributor Nathan Ponchard’s review of the 2025 BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD was published, and includes a fair comparison to Tesla’s model Y, and in-depth look at the Sealion 7’s lavish interior. 

• Ponchard was greatly impressed by the wealth of features inside the Sealion 7, particularly at a $63,990 list price tag. He commends the ample rear passenger comfort and legroom, and the boatload of interior tech.

• The Sealion 7 was criticised for hosting a bucking, unsettling ride, with Ponchard noting the ride-quality shortcoming is most notable at slow speeds around town.

• With a large 82.6kWh battery, two electric motors and combined outputs of 390kW /690Nm, the BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD should be seriously considered as a competitor to long-time best-selling mid-size electric performance SUV, the Tesla Model Y Long Range AWD.

READ: The best Chinese-branded electric EV on the market? (BYD Sealion 7 Performance AWD 2025 Review)

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday, 16th May at 4.30pm Sydney time.