2025 Mitsubishi Outlander: Popular SUV gets tech, design upgrades - Related to australia, small, gains, sedan, option
2025 Ford Maverick hybrid gets more expensive, gains AWD option
Ford refreshed the Maverick pickup truck for 2025.
The updated Maverick can pair the hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive.
The 2025 Ford Maverick is on sale now and costs $28,590.
The Ford Maverick compact pickup truck has impressed with its fuel efficiency and capability, but consumers wanting all-wheel drive have had to opt for non-hybrid models. That changes for 2025.
The 2025 Ford Maverick hybrid adds an all-wheel drive option as part of a mid-cycle refresh that also includes slightly revised styling and more tech attributes. The front-wheel drive Maverick hybrid will continue as well, along with the non-hybrid [website] turbo-4 powertrain.
Available on XL, XLT, and Lariat grades, meaning it only skips the Tremor off-road grade, the all-wheel drive hybrid uses the same system as the front-wheel drive version, pairing a [website] inline-4 engine and 94-kw electric motor for 191 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque.
Maverick hybrids can still tow up to a ton, but a new 4K Towing Package (also available on non-hybrid models) bumps up maximum towing capacity to 4,000 lbs. The hybrid's maximum payload capacity is 1,500 lbs with front-wheel drive and 1,400 lbs with all-wheel drive.
Ford didn't offer fuel-economy estimates for the all-wheel drive hybrid, but front-wheel versions are expected to get the same 37 mpg combined (42 mpg city, 33 mpg highway) as before. That tops all other gasoline-fueled pickups in efficiency.
The addition of an all-wheel drive version is an indication that Ford is finally widening availability of the Maverick hybrid. Production was very limited for the 2022 model year, something Ford blamed on the global semiconductor shortage. Reports also indicated that Ford simply hadn't anticipated the high level of demand for the hybrid, and the automaker has indicated throughout that it would build more hybrids, eventually.
The 2025 Maverick also receives a styling revision, with the main differences around the front end, and a tech upgrade. It now uses the Ford Sync 4 infotainment system, which enables wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a [website] touchscreen in place of the previous [website] display. An [website] digital instrument cluster is standard as well.
Newly available driver aids include a 360-degree camera system, Pro Trailer Hitch Assist and Pro Trailer Backup Assist, towing aspects, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering, and traffic sign recognition for higher trim levels.
Ford has reversed a change to the pricing structure made for 2024, once again making the front-wheel drive hybrid the cheapest version in the lineup. Mavericks costs $28,590 with a mandatory $1,595 destination charge. That's $7,100 more than the Maverick Hybrid cost when it launched in 2022. Adding all-wheel drive to the hybrid costs another $2,200 on XL and XLT models while standard on top-spec Lariat hybrid trucks.
This story has been updated with revised pricing, which increased since the 2025 Ford Maverick was presented.
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Another small sedan axed in Australia
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it’s discontinuing the A-Class sedan in Australia, with the hatchback counterpart remaining on sale for the time being.
Prospective A-Class sedan buyers can no order a new example directly from the factory.
“We can confirm that the A-Class sedan can currently be ordered from existing stock in Australia, built-to-order has been closed,” presented a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson.
“The A-Class hatch is still available for factory order and stock order.”.
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The local A-Class sedan lineup consisted of the A200, A250, and AMG A35. The plug-in hybrid A250e sedan was axed back in 2022.
It’s worth noting Mercedes-Benz still offers a small sedan in Australia, in the form of the the related, yet more curvaceous CLA sedan.
The writing has been on the wall for the A-Class for a while now as it has already been axed in the United States.
Back in 2022, Mercedes-Benz also showcased it will trim a number of its smaller models, while releasing more high-end vehicles to increase profit.
The German carmaker is soon poised to roll out a range of next-generation ‘Entry Luxury’ vehicles based on the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture (MMA), which can support both battery-electric and petrol-electric hybrid drivetrains.
A new, third-generation CLA will be the first vehicle on the MMA, and will be followed by two SUVs and a wagon.
Notably absent is a successor to the current A-Class and the B-Class. The latter was axed locally back in 2023.
Revealed in 2018, the fourth-generation A-Class hatch and sedan last received a facelift in 2023.
A total of 1997 examples of the A-Class were sold last year, which saw it outsold by the Audi A3 (2375 sales).
However, the A-Class did outsell the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe combined (1852 sales) in 2024.
The A-Class is the latest small car to lose its sedan body style in Australia. Honda Australia dropped the sedan option with the latest generation of Civic, while the Subaru Impreza went hatch-only globally with its latest generation.
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2025 Mitsubishi Outlander: Popular SUV gets tech, design upgrades
The Mitsubishi Outlander was Australia’s second best-selling SUV last year, and now a refresh could help the popular SUV further stand out in a crowded, high-volume segment.
The refreshed Outlander lineup – including the previously revealed Outlander PHEV – is due in Australia during the third quarter (July-September) of 2025. Local pricing and specifications will be showcased closer to launch.
The updated mid-sized SUV has been revealed in the US, though the organization has released scant imagery despite announcing pricing for that market.
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However, we can see that exterior tweaks are minor, comprising a revised grille and tail lights, plus a new Moonstone Grey finish and new wheel designs.
The updated Outlander gets a recalibrated power steering system claimed to deliver more precise steering feel, while there are also recalibrated springs, shock absorbers and stabiliser bars.
Mitsubishi has also added more sound deadening material which has resulted in a claimed reduction of more than [website] decibels in road noise.
Inside, the cupholders have been repositioned to sit alongside the shifter and drive mode knob, instead of sitting just ahead of the centre console bin. Notably, the updated PHEV revealed for Europe doesn’t feature this revised layout.
Mitsubishi also says it has created “a more functional area” for wireless phone charging, while there’s a larger armrest and centre console area with more storage.
In the US, all Outlander models will come standard with a Yamaha sound system and a [website] touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Other new functions flagged for the updated Outlander PHEV last year included a digital rear-view mirror and ventilated front seats, and the aforementioned Yamaha sound system with either eight or 12 speakers.
The outgoing Outlander functions a [website] touchscreen and either a six-speaker unbranded sound system or a 10-speaker Bose setup.
Unlike the Outlander PHEV, which has received an overhauled plug-in powertrain, no mechanical changes have been detailed for the regular Outlander.
All models are therefore set to continue packing a naturally aspirated [website] four-cylinder engine with 135kW of power and 244Nm of torque, mated with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The Outlander is currently offered here with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, and five- or seven-seat configurations.
It’s the brand’s best-selling vehicle here, with 27,613 units delivered last year – up [website] per cent over 2023. That put it behind only the Toyota RAV4 (58,718 units, up [website] per cent), making it Australia’s second best-selling SUV.
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Market Impact Analysis
Market Growth Trend
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.3% | 10.0% | 10.5% | 11.6% | 12.3% | 12.7% | 12.8% |
Quarterly Growth Rate
| Q1 2024 | Q2 2024 | Q3 2024 | Q4 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.9% | 11.7% | 12.4% | 12.8% |
Market Segments and Growth Drivers
| Segment | Market Share | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Connected Cars | 35% | 14.2% |
| Autonomous Driving | 22% | 18.5% |
| EV Technology | 28% | 21.9% |
| Telematics | 10% | 9.7% |
| Other Automotive Tech | 5% | 6.3% |
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity:
Competitive Landscape Analysis
| Company | Market Share |
|---|---|
| Tesla | 16.9% |
| Waymo | 12.3% |
| NVIDIA DRIVE | 10.7% |
| Bosch | 9.5% |
| Continental | 7.8% |
Future Outlook and Predictions
The 2025 Gets Ford landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, changing threat vectors, and shifting business requirements. Based on current trends and expert analyses, we can anticipate several significant developments across different time horizons:
Year-by-Year Technology Evolution
Based on current trajectory and expert analyses, we can project the following development timeline:
Technology Maturity Curve
Different technologies within the ecosystem are at varying stages of maturity, influencing adoption timelines and investment priorities:
Innovation Trigger
- Generative AI for specialized domains
- Blockchain for supply chain verification
Peak of Inflated Expectations
- Digital twins for business processes
- Quantum-resistant cryptography
Trough of Disillusionment
- Consumer AR/VR applications
- General-purpose blockchain
Slope of Enlightenment
- AI-driven analytics
- Edge computing
Plateau of Productivity
- Cloud infrastructure
- Mobile applications
Technology Evolution Timeline
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
Expert Perspectives
Leading experts in the automotive tech sector provide diverse perspectives on how the landscape will evolve over the coming years:
"Technology transformation will continue to accelerate, creating both challenges and opportunities."
— Industry Expert
"Organizations must balance innovation with practical implementation to achieve meaningful results."
— Technology Analyst
"The most successful adopters will focus on business outcomes rather than technology for its own sake."
— Research Director
Areas of Expert Consensus
- Acceleration of Innovation: The pace of technological evolution will continue to increase
- Practical Integration: Focus will shift from proof-of-concept to operational deployment
- Human-Technology Partnership: Most effective implementations will optimize human-machine collaboration
- Regulatory Influence: Regulatory frameworks will increasingly shape technology development
Short-Term Outlook (1-2 Years)
In the immediate future, organizations will focus on implementing and optimizing currently available technologies to address pressing automotive tech challenges:
- Technology adoption accelerating across industries
- digital transformation initiatives becoming mainstream
These developments will be characterized by incremental improvements to existing frameworks rather than revolutionary changes, with emphasis on practical deployment and measurable outcomes.
Mid-Term Outlook (3-5 Years)
As technologies mature and organizations adapt, more substantial transformations will emerge in how security is approached and implemented:
- Significant transformation of business processes through advanced technologies
- new digital business models emerging
This period will see significant changes in security architecture and operational models, with increasing automation and integration between previously siloed security functions. Organizations will shift from reactive to proactive security postures.
Long-Term Outlook (5+ Years)
Looking further ahead, more fundamental shifts will reshape how cybersecurity is conceptualized and implemented across digital ecosystems:
- Fundamental shifts in how technology integrates with business and society
- emergence of new technology paradigms
These long-term developments will likely require significant technical breakthroughs, new regulatory frameworks, and evolution in how organizations approach security as a fundamental business function rather than a technical discipline.
Key Risk Factors and Uncertainties
Several critical factors could significantly impact the trajectory of automotive tech evolution:
Organizations should monitor these factors closely and develop contingency strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts on technology implementation timelines.
Alternative Future Scenarios
The evolution of technology can follow different paths depending on various factors including regulatory developments, investment trends, technological breakthroughs, and market adoption. We analyze three potential scenarios:
Optimistic Scenario
Rapid adoption of advanced technologies with significant business impact
Key Drivers: Supportive regulatory environment, significant research breakthroughs, strong market incentives, and rapid user adoption.
Probability: 25-30%
Base Case Scenario
Measured implementation with incremental improvements
Key Drivers: Balanced regulatory approach, steady technological progress, and selective implementation based on clear ROI.
Probability: 50-60%
Conservative Scenario
Technical and organizational barriers limiting effective adoption
Key Drivers: Restrictive regulations, technical limitations, implementation challenges, and risk-averse organizational cultures.
Probability: 15-20%
Scenario Comparison Matrix
| Factor | Optimistic | Base Case | Conservative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implementation Timeline | Accelerated | Steady | Delayed |
| Market Adoption | Widespread | Selective | Limited |
| Technology Evolution | Rapid | Progressive | Incremental |
| Regulatory Environment | Supportive | Balanced | Restrictive |
| Business Impact | Transformative | Significant | Modest |
Transformational Impact
Technology becoming increasingly embedded in all aspects of business operations. This evolution will necessitate significant changes in organizational structures, talent development, and strategic planning processes.
The convergence of multiple technological trends—including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and ubiquitous connectivity—will create both unprecedented security challenges and innovative defensive capabilities.
Implementation Challenges
Technical complexity and organizational readiness remain key challenges. Organizations will need to develop comprehensive change management strategies to successfully navigate these transitions.
Regulatory uncertainty, particularly around emerging technologies like AI in security applications, will require flexible security architectures that can adapt to evolving compliance requirements.
Key Innovations to Watch
Artificial intelligence, distributed systems, and automation technologies leading innovation. Organizations should monitor these developments closely to maintain competitive advantages and effective security postures.
Strategic investments in research partnerships, technology pilots, and talent development will position forward-thinking organizations to leverage these innovations early in their development cycle.
Technical Glossary
Key technical terms and definitions to help understand the technologies discussed in this article.
Understanding the following technical concepts is essential for grasping the full implications of the security threats and defensive measures discussed in this article. These definitions provide context for both technical and non-technical readers.
hybrid intermediate
platform intermediate
adaptive cruise control intermediate
electric vehicle intermediate
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