New Year, New Wants: Top Anticipated Models Avaliable in 2025

As the year is coming to an end, we wave goodbye to all the happenings this year and look forward to the next horizon in the future. Saying that this year had some fluctuations in the automotive landscape would be a major understatement as there were some tectonic plate-level shifts within the industry, especially for the Chinese automakers. As we look ahead, there’s a ton of new models that are highly anticipated by most. Some are speculative and others are confirmed, let’s take a look at what’s to come next year!

1. Honda Civic Facelift

The Ol’ Honda Civic is getting a refresh for 2025 and it's quite the upgrade. A new honeycomb grille, 18-inch wheels and an update to the Honda Sensing suite of safety features. The e:HEV RS model outputs around 184PS and 315nm of torque from a 2.0 hybrid powertrain, whereas the petrol RS model gets 182PS and 240nm from a 1.5 liter turbocharged engine. It's scheduled to launch on January 1 next year and bookings are made available from December 12 this year. Here’s the full details if you’re interested. 

2. Proton Saga 

It’s been long overdue but yes you heard that right, the next-gen Proton Saga is rumoured to be getting a complete redesign. Proton is reportedly undergoing RnD in its facility in Hangzhou, China. According to some sources, the new Saga is going to be equipped with a 1.5 liter naturally aspirated engine that's mated to a CVT for fuel efficiency and a smoother driving experience, though I personally hope for an automatic or manual transmission option too.

3. Perodua EMO

After Perodua revealed their EMO-2 concept at KLIMS this year, they’re saying that the production version may be released towards the end of 2025. So far not much details have been revealed as of yet but we do know that it runs the 0-100kmph time in 6 to 7 seconds, and that it has around 410km of range. This marks the first EV Perodua has made, which means that both national automakers will have EVs in their model lineups later next year. For more details, read this!

4. GWM Wey 80 

The GWM Wey 80 was also seen at KLIMS earlier this month, which has garnered a lot of interest as an Alphard contender. The luxury MPV currently doesn’t have a RHD model yet, but that will soon change as GWM has confirmed that the Wey 80 will be assembled in Melaka at the end of 2025, meaning that you’ll be seeing these on the road pretty soon. It has a pretty quick motor for its size and tons of luxury features. If you want more specific details about the MPV, read it here!

5. BYD Denza D9

Speaking of Alphard contenders, the Denza D9 is also seeking to claim the throne. BYD has confirmed that the D9 will be coming during Q1 of 2025, however unlike previous BYD models this will be sold by BYD Malaysia themselves. It can be either FWD with 313PS and 360nm of torque, or AWD with 374 PS and 470nm of torque. The range of both models comes at 520km and 480km respectively. It’s also packed with tons of luxury features, which makes for an interesting fight for the luxury MPV crown next year.

6. Mercedes CLA EV

Here’s some German love, the new Mercedes CLA is becoming an EV.  The next-gen CLA will be built on the new Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), as well as an 800V electrical architecture for fast DC charging. The EV variant is rear-wheel drive with a power output of 272PS and the 4Matic models get an additional 107PS front motor. If EV’s aren’t your cup of tea, the CLA will also come with a 1.5 liter hybrid system that has three levels of output, which are 136PS, 163PS, and 190PS. It will be mated with a 8-speed DCT too. 

7. Audi A5

Speaking of luxury saloons, this is the new Audi A5, which is to replace the Audi A4? This is confusing. The new Audi A5 has a slight redesign all around, with a mild hybrid system bringing the 2.0 TFSI variant to 150PS and 270Nm of torque, or 204PS and 370Nm of torque as some options. The sporty S5 model on the other hand gets a 3.0 liter TFSI V6, making around 367PS and 500Nm of torque. It’s currently available for booking in Germany but it may make its way to Malaysia sometime next year.

8. Mazda CX-60

Yet another car that was shown at KLIMS this year, the Mazda CX-60 has been teased to be Malaysia bound by 2025. Mazda hasn’t confirmed the exact details yet but some presume that the powertrain will be the same one found in Singapore, a 2.5 liter NA inline 4 making 188PS and 250Nm of torque to all wheels that’s paired with an 8-speed automatic. However, we could be lucky and also get the 3.3 liter turbocharged inline 6 paired with a mild hybrid, but that’s just wishful thinking.

9. Toyota GR Yaris 2025

Now down to the spicy last three, the updated GR Yaris has silently debuted at KLIMS this year, which prompted many to wonder if that means that it’s coming next year. The beloved hot hatch has gotten some good upgrades from Toyota, with a boost in power, stiffened chassis, AWD configuration tweaks and a very slight aesthetic change. The biggest change is the inclusion of a new 8-speed GAZOO Racing Direct Shift automatic transmission. Enthusiasts fret not however, as the 6-speed manual remains untouched and can still be optioned. Though UMW Toyota has not confirmed nor denied any claims, it's very much hinted that the 2nd generation GR Yaris is coming soon.

10. Toyota MR2/Celica

Another Toyota model we’re all very excited for is the rumoured MR2, which is said to be released around late 2025. However, BestCar Japan has just stated that the MR2 and confirmed Celica may be the same car, so it's very much speculative as to what this car will be named. There aren't many details provided by Toyota as of yet but so far we know that it might have the X20 engine, which is a 2.0 liter turbocharged inline 4 engine that was revealed at WRC Rally Japan this year. The Japanese automaker said that the X20 puts out a blistering 400PS without any electrification, which would be absolutely amazing for us enthusiasts if the rumor proves to be true! It's also gonna be mid-engine and have a 4WD drivetrain, similar to the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Diablo. 

11. Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster EV

Last but not least, the Porsche 718 models are getting the electrification treatment for their next-gen model. There isn’t much known about these models yet despite having their 718 EV prototype run the Nürburgring a few months prior. All we know is what it looks like and just a powertrain number, with its electric motors making around 630PS and 1129Nm of torque. Although I’m not quite thrilled with the image of an EV Cayman or Boxster, they’re already making the Taycan which is a great driving EV, so let’s hope they keep the original Cayman/Boxster recipe in the next generation. 

There we have it folks, those are some of the most anticipated models that’s coming next year. I know that there’s way more incoming that I haven’t mentioned, but that’s for next year’s me to cover them in separate articles. Which car on this list are you most excited about?

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