New year, new list of hotly anticipated new cars that our writers and editors are looking forward to wheel-time in
As tends to happen every year, said authors’ anticipations seem to be largely centred on a few headline models, cars we’re sure you’re just as eager to hear about as they are to wheel. But there’s also still enough variety, here, for us to count some 17 different nameplates on this list, although we have to say several are of models we’re not sure will be ready for evaluation purposes in the next 12 months. Doesn’t mean we can’t keep our fingers crossed, right?
In any case, via a poll of the Driving.ca officers, here’s the cars we’re most looking forward to test-driving in 2025. How about you? What’s on your to-drive list for next year?
Sami Haj-Assaad: 2025 Dodge Charger Daytona, Ford Mustang Mach-E Rally, and Toyota 4Runner
While there are many electric vehicles on the market, several of them feel very similar. However, the Porsche Taycan arrived with distinctly unique driving dynamics, and was an EV that felt so different in terms of power delivery, dynamics, and overall feel. It didn’t feel like an appliance, it felt like something more, which is very rare for the current crop of EVs on the market.
Matthew Guy: 2027 Scout Motors line-up and Ram 1500 REV and Ramcharger
Andrew McCredie: 2025 Kia EV3, Lucid Gravity, and Dodge Charger Daytona; and 2026 Rivian R2 and Hyundai Ioniq 9
Considering how many all-new electric vehicles are set to drop in 2025, this could be a very long list, but I’ll whittle it down to a handful. First and foremost is the Kia EV3. Yes, not the most exciting EV on this list, but as a small, urban, and relatively affordable all-electric, it will appeal to many people who are looking to jump on the EV bandwagon but are scared off my luxury vehicle pricing.
Renita Naraine: 2025 Volkswagen ID.Buzz
Brian Harper: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed and 2026 Subaru Outback
Damn, as a proud owner of a 2008 NC, I was hoping Mazda would be introducing a new Miata, the current fourth-generation version (ND) of my favourite two-seat sports car turning 10 next summer and in need of a redesign (but not, please, God, with anything other than a zippy, gasoline-powered four-cylinder — which is to say, no weighty EV powertrain, please). Sadly, not a peep from the zoom-zoom company.
The Outback has always struck me as a good choice — and something stylistically “alternative’ — for those looking for a sporty, family-oriented set of wheels. So, it’s curiosity more than anything that has me wanting to know why this change in body styles.
Jil McIntosh: 2027 Scout Motors line-up
Elle Alder: 2027(?) Toyota S-FR
This is even more optimistic now than it was two months ago, for Trump’s promised tariffs on imports to the U.S. would make it harder for Toyota to sell such a niche product at a juicy enough price. If Toyota sees too many headaches and too little reward in homologating such a low-volume special for that market (which dictates ours) the model may well just skip the continent entirely.
Brendan McAleer: Porsche 959, 2025 Dodge Charger, and 2026 Honda Prelude
I’m still waiting on my chance to drive a Porsche 959, specifically one of the Canepa-modified ones with the adjustable air suspension removed and fixed sport suspension in place. I hope Santa Motor Claus got my letter this year and is just taking his sweet time.
Stephanie Wallcraft: 2025 BMW M5 Touring and Toyota 4Runner, and 2026 Toyota RAV4
And there’s a not-zero chance we’ll be driving an all-new Toyota RAV4 before the end of next year. Given that it’s Canada’s best-selling SUV by a significant margin and the best-selling vehicle in the country that’s not a truck, a new RAV4 is a Big Deal. It’ll be very interesting to see if Toyota can improve on an already winning formula
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