5 Exciting New Cars Coming in 2024 To Watch

The beginning of a new year is always such an exciting time. 

It’s a chance for us to think about all the wonderful things that the next 12 months will bring. 

For us, that means checking out all the new cars coming to Australia in 2024.

Of course, with the rise of hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as well, there are now a plethora of options available or coming to the market soon to suit everyone’s tastes. 

So, it’s only right that we kick this year off by bringing you a list of 5 exciting new cars coming in 2024 that we think you should be keeping your eye out for. 

Who knows – maybe your next car will be one of these! 

1. Ford Mustang – 2024 Sports Car to look out for 

If you’re a sports car lover, then you’re going to love the new Ford Mustang arriving on Australian shores in early 2024. 

We’ve waited a long time for this one to arrive, but it looks like it’s going to be worth the wait. 

As part of the release, Ford will also be bringing a limited-edition Mustang to the market known as the Dark Horse. This top-of-the-line model has proven popular in the US, but with only 1000 of these cars being produced, you’ll have to be quick to get your hands on this beauty. 

2. Mazda CX-80 – 2024 SUV to look out for 

The Mazda CX-80 will be coming to market sometime in 2024 in a bid to provide a more affordable SUV option for Mazda enthusiasts. 

It’s expected that the CX-80 will look and feel quite similar to its already available sister models in the CX-60 and CX-90 – and should prove strong competition for other reasonably priced SUVs that we’ve already seen from brands like Toyota. 

If you’re looking for a reliable SUV in 2024, make sure you consider the new Mazda CX-80. 

3. Audi Q4 e-tron – 2024 Electric Vehicle to look out for 

Customers looking for an alternative to larger electric vehicles like the Tesla Model Y will be pleasantly surprised by the arrival of the Audi Q4 e-tron in Australia in 2024. 

This sleek new SUV has been available in Europe for a couple of years now and boasts a driving range of up to 560km, which is quite impressive for an electric vehicle – and something that will definitely appeal to Australian audiences who enjoy the open road. 

Perhaps the new Audi Q4 e-tron will become your new car in 2024. 

4. Kia Sportage Hybrid – 2024 Hybrid Vehicle to look out for 

Hybrid vehicles are gaining more and more traction with each passing year here in Australia, and Kia will be looking to capitalise on that when they release the new hybrid version of their popular Sportage model early in 2024. 

Boasting many of the same features as the petrol and diesel variants already available here, the Kia Sportage Hybrid will offer a more eco-friendly alternative to their mid-sized line-up without compromising on the key details many Australians already love about the car. 

This is definitely one hybrid to keep in mind if you’re looking to buy a new car in 2024. 

5. Mitsubishi Triton – 2024 Ute to look out for 

If you’re looking for all the grunt you can get from your new car in 2024, then it’s going to be hard to go past the new Mitsubishi Triton ute. 

The next generation of Triton has been heavily redesigned in just about every way, with a fresh new body, a powerful new engine and a completely revamped 4WD system and features to make this the ideal choice for ute enthusiasts around the country. 

Whether you’re towing the boat, pulling the caravan, or looking to head off-road for a bit of fun on the weekend, the new Mitsubishi Triton will have you covered. 

Find the right new vehicle in 2024 at the right price with Private Fleet 

Private Fleet empowers you to gain all the benefits of a fleet purchase but as a private buyer. 

Backed by decades of vehicle industry experience, fleet buying power and a network of car dealers across Australia, we are here to ensure that buying your next vehicle in 2024 will be as straightforward as possible for you. 

Shopping for a car is an enjoyable process – let us make it hassle-free, too. 

Reach out to us today for a seamless and simple car-buying experience. 

Finance Lease vs. Novated Lease: which option is right for you?

So, you’re getting a car – congratulations!

No doubt you’ve had many factors to consider along the way:

• Purpose of the car. Check!
• Car model. Check!
• To lease or to loan? To lease – Check!

But wait, if you’re planning to lease a car, we have a question for you.

What type of lease are you going to choose: a finance lease or a novated lease?

Since your wallet is on the line, this is one of the most important questions to ask when planning to lease a car.

In this article, we’ll break down the differences between a car finance lease versus a novated car lease to help you make an informed decision for your car lease.

What is a car lease?

Leasing is a great way to have full use of a car in your name without paying a large upfront cost. Instead of buying a car, leasing allows you to ‘rent’ a car for a longer period of time – typically 24-36 months – and make fixed monthly payments based on your leasing agreement.

As a general rule, the longer the lease is, the cheaper the monthly payments are and at the end of the lease period, you may have the option to buy out the vehicle should you decide to keep it. Otherwise, you can return it to the dealership and either start a new lease or buy a new car.

The benefits of both finance car leases and novated car leases

1. Lower monthly paymentsSince you’re only paying for the car’s use during the specified lease term, rather than the full purchase price, leasing a car is often the ideal option for short-term savings, especially if your lease has fixed interest rates allowing repayments to be budgeted throughout the leasing term of the car.
2. Maintenance and warranty coverageDepending on the supplier, lease agreements often include maintenance and warranty coverage, saving you from unexpected repair costs – after all, it isn’t you who owns the car.
3. A chance to enjoy the latest car modelsIf you’re looking for a newer model that would otherwise not fit your budget or are looking to upgrade your car every few years or so, a car lease gives you this flexibility, even if you’re on a budget.

The difference between a Finance Car Lease and a Novated Car Lease

What is a car finance lease?

A car finance lease is one of the most straightforward financing options available when buying a car, and it works like a long-term rental agreement.

Basically, it allows you to drive a vehicle for an agreed-upon amount of time while you pay the dealership a monthly fixed price for the usage of the car.

What is a novated lease?

Another increasingly popular form of vehicle financing is the novated lease. It works the same way as a car finance lease, the only difference is that it’s a three-way agreement between you (the employee), your employer and the financier.

With a novated car lease agreement, the obligation to meet the repayments is with your employer. The repayments come from your income as a component of a salary sacrifice arrangement.

Take note: a car leased through a novated lease agreement is not considered a company vehicle, so you can use it for 100% private use without the need for logbooks. A novated lease can also have tax advantages since the financing of the vehicle is paid from your pre-tax remuneration package.

For more information about Novated Leases, check: Novated Leases with Private Fleet.

So, which one should you choose? Finance Lease Vs. Novated Lease

Ultimately, there is no right answer. Choosing how you pay for your car lease is still a matter of personal preference and your financial circumstances.

If you don’t want to worry about monthly repayments and you feel more secure knowing that your car lease is already taken care of every time you get your paycheck, then a novated lease may be for you.

On the other hand, if you have other sources of income that you’re using to pay for your car lease other than your monthly paycheck, then a finance lease can be a great option.

If you still have questions and want to make an informed decision about which option may be right for your unique circumstances, simply reach out to us for a chat.

Find the right car leasing option for your vehicle with Private Fleet.

Private Fleet empowers you to gain all the benefits of a fleet purchase, but as a private buyer.

Backed by decades of vehicle industry experience, fleet buying power and a network of car dealers across Australia, we are here to ensure that leasing a vehicle will be as straightforward as possible for you.

Leasing a car is a memorable experience – let us make it hassle-free, too.

Reach out to us today for a seamless and easy car leasing experience and all the guidance you need around your financing options.

NOTE: At Private Fleet, we are not car financiers, nor are we able to offer advice regarding finance leases or novated leases. As car brokers, our aim is to get you the best purchase price on any new or used car.

The information given here regarding car finance leases and novated leases is for information only. However, if you would like to contact one of our preferred car lease companies, you may reach out to us to discuss your options.

Car Lease vs. Car Loan: Here’s How to Decide Which Option is Right For You.

We all know that feeling. 

The first time revving a new engine. The first time sitting in those soft recliner seats. That unmistakable new car smell. When it comes down to it, purchasing a car is such a great experience! 

But before you finance your new set of wheels and hit the road, there is an age-old question that needs to be answered: 

Should I take out a car lease or a car loan? 

With your wallet on the line, this is one of the most important questions to ask when financing a new car. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between a car lease versus a car loan to help you make an informed decision that’s right for your next vehicle purchase. 

Car lease Vs. Car Loan 

First things first, let’s clarify what sets a lease apart from a loan.  

A car lease is essentially a long-term rental agreement. You pay a monthly fee to use the car for a specified period before returning it at the end of the lease term.  

On the other hand, a car loan is a financial agreement where you borrow money to purchase the car outright, and then you repay the loan, plus interest, over a set period. 

In other words, it’s a question of ownership. Are you borrowing the car using your money (a car lease) or buying a car using borrowed money (a car loan)?

Let’s consider some reasons why you might choose either option. 

Reasons for a Car Lease 

1. Lower Monthly Payments 

One of the key advantages of leasing a vehicle is the potential for lower monthly payments as compared to those of a car loan. Considering you are only paying for the car’s use during the specified lease term, rather than the full purchase price, your monthly payments are typically lower. This can be especially appealing if you are on a tight budget or would just prefer to spend your money elsewhere. 

2. Enjoy the Latest Models 

Car leasing allows you to access newer models of your desired car, or the flexibility to change your car completely and more frequently. If you choose to, you can upgrade to the latest make or model every few years, enjoying the newest features, technology, and safety advancements without the hassle of having to sell or trade in your previous vehicle – it’s just a matter of changing the terms of your car lease. 

If staying at the cutting edge of automotive innovation, or just general flexibility to change your mind are priorities for you, leasing might be the way to go. 

 3. Maintenance and Warranty Coverage 

Depending upon the supplier, lease agreements often include maintenance and warranty coverage, saving you from unexpected repair costs – after all, it isn’t you who owns the car.  

Suppliers usually offer comprehensive car warranties that cover major repairs and regular maintenance during the term of your car lease. This peace of mind can be a significant benefit, as you won’t have to worry about sudden mechanical issues or the expense of routine services. 

Be careful however – these warranties tend to only cover “routine” or “unavoidable” issues, meaning you might still be liable in the case of negligence and recklessness. 

Reasons for a Car Loan 

1. Ownership and Equity 

When you take out a car loan, each payment you make to the lender will bring you closer to full ownership of the vehicle. With every passing month, you build equity in the car, and once the loan is paid off, it’s all yours as an asset.  

This means that at the end of the term, you can sell or trade the vehicle in at any time. 

2. No Restrictions or Penalties 

A car lease will often come with certain distance restrictions, to minimise the downsides associated with overuse. With a car loan, you are the owner of the vehicle and have complete freedom to drive as much as you want, whenever you want, wherever you want without any penalties or restrictions.  

The takeaway? If you have a long commute or frequently embark on road trips, a loan might be a better fit for your car needs.

3. Create and Customise! 

Do you love to make additions and modifications to your cars? 

If so, a car loan is almost certainly the right option for you!  

Buying a car with a loan gives you the freedom to personalise it to your liking as you are the owner. From custom paint jobs to aftermarket accessories, you have full control over modifying your vehicle. Car leases, on the other hand, usually require returning the car in its original condition, limiting your ability to make alterations. 

So, which one is best? Car lease Vs. Car Loan 

Ultimately there is no right answer. It’s a matter of personal preference. 

If you value flexibility and don’t like being tied down to one car for a lengthy period, consider a car lease. If, on the other hand, you are looking to take ownership and responsibility for a vehicle, consider a car loan. 

If you still have questions and want to make an informed decision about which option may be right for your unique circumstances, simply reach out to us for a chat. 

Find the right financing option for your vehicle with Private Fleet. 

Private Fleet empowers you to gain all the benefits of a fleet purchase, but as a private buyer. 

Backed by decades of vehicle industry experience, fleet buying power and a network of car dealers across Australia, we are here to ensure that buying a vehicle will be as straightforward as possible for you. 

Buying a car, whether through a lease, a loan or otherwise is a memorable experience – let us make it hassle-free, too. 

Reach out to us today for a seamless and easy car-buying experience and all the guidance you need around your financing options. 

2021 Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain: Private Fleet Car Review.

This Car Review Is About: Isuzu’s substantially overhauled D-Max, specifically the 4×4 capable and top of the range X-Terrain. It heads a solid list of 4×2, 4×4, cab chassis, extended cab, and four door utes, all with the same 3.0L diesel and six cogger manual or autos. Info on the range and engine updates can be found here.How Much Does It Cost?: At the time of writing, Isuzu have a drive-away price tag of $58,990. Then there is the extensive list, over fifty, of options available.

Under The Bonnet Is: A revamped 3.0L diesel and six speed auto, driving a switchable two or four wheel drive system, with low range and a locking rear differential. Peak power is 140kW, but it’s the peak torque of 450Nm from 1,600rpm to 2,600rpm that does the important stuff.

Economy was good with our final figure of 9.7L/100km on our 70/30 urban to highway split close to the quoted figures from Isuzu, as the pure urban figure is 9.8L/100km, and highway 6.9L/100km. Isuzu’s combined figure is 8.0L/100km from a 76.0L tank. Towing capacity, by the way, is 3.5 tonnes. Dry weight is 2,30kg with a payload of 970kg.On The Inside It’s: A considerable step up from the previous model. There’s a more luxurious feel, a better look, yet some noticeable omissions.

Our time with the X-Terrain coincided with Sydney’s notoriously fickle late spring weather. Temperatures varied by twenty degrees Celsius, so the absence of heating and venting for the leather appointed seats was striking. However, they’ve been redesigned so there’s more sense of sitting in, not on, and the support level laterally goes up as a result. However, only the driver’s seat is powered for adjustability.

There is also no smartphone charge pad, only the driver’s windows switch is one touch, and the DAB tuner’s sensitivity isn’t the best going, with dropouts in areas no other vehicle we’ve tested and packing a DAB tuner having similar issues. Touchscreen size is 9.0 inches and Isuzu say it’s a pixel heavy count, at 144 pixels per square inch. The touchscreen interface for the audio needs polishing, as does the home screen look. It’s somewhat irksome that Isuzu has gone to a lot of trouble to “rebuild” the D-Max yet some basics have been overlooked. This is a top of the range vehicle, but yet…On the upside is the app connectivity and dash display design. It’s unlike virtually everyone else in look, yet it’s easy to read, and easy to use thanks to the steering wheel tabs that scroll information on a full colour LCD screen. The analogue dials are also clearly read, as are the no-nonsense tabs in a strip below the touchscreen. An added pair of pluses are the rain sensing wipers and auto headlights.

The dash itself has angles built into the soft-touch plastics that evoke the angles of the exterior of the D-Max. This includes the creaseline from the left air vent down and across the double glovebox design, with an upper and lower split. There’s a lidded storage locker on the upper dash that has been improved, in the sense the locker mechanism works all the time, every time. The very handy cup holders that pop out from under the left and right air vents remain.Drive is selected via a basic looking pistol grip lever, surrounded by piano black that echoes the material surrounding the touchscreen. The steering column is rake and reach adjustable. Leg room for the front seats is 1,075mm, with the rear seats in the four door ute at 905mm. 1,460mm shoulder room is what is found up front, meaning comfort levels in this aspect are high. Having rear seat air vents and a USB socket, plus a coat or shopping bag hook on the back of the front passenger seat raises the ante too.On The Outside It’s: Clad in a brilliant Cobalt Blue (on the test car), and there are three bespoke colours (two shared with the LS-U) including Volcanic Amber specifically for the X-Terrain. The most noticeable change from the previous model has been the enlargement of the grille which now extends further downwards, and the horizontals which have been flipped 180 degrees. The end plates now look more like teeth, adding an aggressive look.

Headlight design sees a slimming down of the design, and it brings a more assertive look, somehow evoking an eagle or a hawk. The rear lights also have been reprofiled, with a sharper overall look. The aggressive styling continues with strakes in the housing for the driving lights. On the test car was a lockable and rolling tray cover with the rear bumper, fitted with a towbar, having three steps to access the tray.

A stylish rollbar flows back from the roofline, and in a graphite grey plastic (with red highlights) it matches the roofrails and a pair of lower rear quarter aero-foils. Sidesteps and and wheel arch flares finish the package.Rolling stock sees black painted alloys wrapped in Bridgestone Dueller H/T rubber. They’re a good size at 265/60/18. The X-Terrain itself is a good size, measuring a full 5,365mm in total length, 1,785mm in height, and a broad 1,870mm on a 1,570mm track. Wheelbase is up too, from 3,095mm to 3,125mm. Wading depth is now up to 800mm thanks to a redesigned engine bay air intake.

On The Road It’s: A little underwhelming in one respect. There’s noticeable understeer in 2WD, the Duellers lose just enough grip to squeal as they push wide too. The auto suits the engine’s characteristics much better than the six speed manual we tested in the SX recently.

Being a diesel, it does mean that the torque delivery at low revs means it’s an unstressed, easy going, highway spinner. That breathlessness comes in more for suburban driving, especially when pulling away from a set of traffic lights and trying to clear traffic. It’s not the zippiest of engine and gearbox combinations, nor is it the quietest, feeling a little lacklustre in comparison to, say, a Kia Sorento 2.2L and eight speed, which has a similar overall weight. Move away from a suburban stop sign and it pulls cleanly and effortlessly away for the speed zone as the throttle sensor keeps revs lower than accelerating from the aforementioned lights..

The auto is smooth, with up and downshifts mostly invisible. Downhill runs had the transmission holding gear, and again mostly worked well enough, changing up when a human also would have made the change.

Ride quality, considering it’s a commercial oriented vehicle, isn’t horrible. It’s well tied down for the most part, with nicely controlled rebound from the rear leaf sprung suspension, and a well balanced, tauter, double wishbone front end, in comparison. Steering weight is well matched to the ride too, with enough effort required to move the new electronically assisted steering to not feel over-light and thus lose steering feel.

Being four wheel drive capable, there are some big numbers for the angles. Get off road and an approach angle of 30.5 degrees, a departure of 24.2 degrees, and a breakover of 23.8 degrees make for some exceptionally capable dirt eating.Something that stood out, and not entirely in a positive way, was the determination of what the Forward Collision Warning system felt to be a dangerous situation. There’s some recalibration to be done ans it would alert the driver to an object ahead however the brake was already being employed. At other times it would read an object that was turning left or right and therefore no longer a potential issue.

What About Safety?: There are now eight airbags throughout the cabin. In between the front pews is a centre mounted airbag, a segment first. A reverse camera is standard, along with parking sensors at either end. AEB is programmed for speeds above 10kph and has pedestrian & cyclist detection. Lane Keep Assist is standard and works best for speeds between 60 to 130. Forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are also fitted.

What About Warranty And Service?: Isuzu’s warranty offers six years or 150,000km, plus they’ll lob in seven years of roadside assistance provided services are done at the dealerships. Service intervals on the new D-Max remain 15,000km or 12 months, covered initially by a seven-year capped-price servicing program. This totals $3374 over that period, with the most expensive service (at 90,000km) costing $749.

At The End Of The Drive. It’s a much improved machine that Isuzu has given the marketplace, and the results are already flowing, with sales of the 4×4 version over 1,500 in November 2020. It takes on the HiLux and Ranger, and outsold the Triton too.

It’s a better looker, the interior has a more upmarket feel, but it still needs some more polishing in a couple of areas for features seen in other marques but not here, such as heating/venting for the seats, or perhaps offering electrical adjustment for the front passenger seat, not just the driver’s. As an overall package, it’s a better option that before, and the coming months will tell the tale sales wise. It looks the part, and pricewise it is poised to take aim at the two above it quite nicely.