How are these cars still popular? The oldest new cars still on sale including the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, Toyota HiLux, Mazda CX-3 and Mitsubishi ASX that buyers can't get enough of

The car industry is based on constant model renewal. Cycles have been getting shorter and shorter, with the main industry settling on between six and eight years as the norm. 

China is coming in and changing that with faster development cycles than ever before. But is this really a good thing? 

A large number of Australians seem to think not and continue to invest in ageing — and therefore proven — new cars, including the now 15-year-old Mitsubishi ASX and, of course, the 41-year-old Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series. Just how popular are some of these dinosaurs? Let’s find out. 

Mazda CX-5 — 8 years old

It is not unusual to see commercial vehicles such as utes and vans live long lives, but the jewel in a carmakers crown like a mid-size SUV? Certainly for Japanese and Korean manufacturers, a heavy overhaul is usually due every six or seven years. 

The Mazda CX-5 launched to much fanfare in April 2017, not that long ago, but it’s comfortably the oldest mainstream rival in its class. It is still selling well, with 23,038 registrations in 2024 just 1.1 per cent down on the year before. 

Mazda has been busy on high-margin ‘luxury’ products including CX-60, -70, -80 and -90, we hope it refocuses on its most important model soon. Preferably with a RAV4-beating hybrid. 

Kia Picanto — 9 years old

There was a much older car in this category, but the Fiat 500 (2008) moved on officially at the end of 2024. The Picanto doesn’t trouble the top 10 sellers, but it managed an impressive 5822 sales in 2024. Australia’s cheapest new car dominates its market segment.

Small cars regularly hang around for a long time, as their low price means slim margins for carmakers and dealers. That said, a deep refresh in early 2024 helped this wallet-friendly supermini. It now feels fairly up-to-the-minute when it comes to cabin tech and design, if not engine refinement. 

Mazda CX-3 — 10 years old

Another Mazda! The related 2 is also getting on at 11 years, but the CX-3 is far more popular. Last year, the little SUV comfortable aced its class with 18,461 registrations totted up by the Federal Chamber of Automobile Industries, up 17.0 per cent. 

Mazda must be happy — the cost of developing the CX-3 is a long way in the rear-view mirror. Some clever emissions lowering engines could be all this car needs to sneak through efficiency standards, but Japan is very quiet on the CX-3 and Mazda2 front for now. 

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport — 10 years old

The new Triton is here and it’s selling up a storm. Mitsubishi invited media to a new Pajero Sport launch late last year but guess what? It was yet another facelift! To be fair to the ute-based wagon, it’s more charming than the previous-gen Triton its based on and performs admirably off-road. 

It also does well in sales, with 7306 registrations in 2024 enough to beat the more family-friendly Hyundai Santa Fe, along with all other ute-based rivals bar the Ford Everest. 

We’d love to see a toughened up, updated version of Mitsubishi’s rough and tumble wagon, but the bottle is corked for the time being. 

Toyota HiLux — 10 years old

If it ain’t broke, ’eh? Except that the last two years has proven the HiLux formula might actually be a teeny bit broken. 

Still the third best-selling model with 53,499 registrations and ahead of other ageing models including the Nissan Navara, Toyota’s workhorse slipped behind both the Ford Ranger and the Japanese brand’s hard-charging RAV4 hybrid last year. 

A new, heavily-updated version of the current HiLux is expected to debut in Thailand later this year. 

Porsche Macan — 11 years old

The most popular Porsche was technically discontinued last year and replaced with an all-electric model. However, dealer stock of the combustion-engined car still on the ground saw sales swell of 13.6 per cent throughout 2024. 

It was a big December for the Macan (up 117.3 per cent on 2023), too, though it’s not clear if this is due to lots of interest in the new, much more expensive electric model, or low-priced previous-gen versions.

Mitsubishi ASX — 15 years old

You guessed it, despite being so old it has a benign growth housing the multimedia screen, the Mitsubishi ASX once again aced the sales race. Seriously, sales were up 34.4 per cent in 2024 to 12,330 for the year. 

Another fairly old model, the MG ZS, was most popular in the segment but Hyundai and GWM Haval showed that investing in new, hybrid models can pay off. That said, with no investment in engine, suspension or interior technology, the ASX still managed a fourth-best spot. 

The ASX’s success reflects the exact sort of buyer set looking for a reliable, no-fuss vehicle. They are popular in rural areas and where Mitsubishi dealer networks are strong. Still, an all-new model with much-needed safety updates would surely be welcomed. 

Nissan Patrol — 15 years old

There are no signs of slowing for Patrol, even with a new model revealed. You can chock part of the continued demand down to the fact the new ‘Y63’ won’t be here until the fourth-quarter of 2026 — that’s at the earliest, according to Nissan Oz. 

Nearly another two years of a vehicle that’s been on sale, globally, since 2010 and will surely hurt Nissan Australia’s bottom line emissions standards. The Patrol has its charm, with a muscular V8 and soft ride. Any issues have been ironed out, too, which is a bonus. 

Plus, the price of the Patrol sees it undercut the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. It is also competitive with the new Prado that, although much-improved, retains a weedy turbo-diesel four-cylinder. Combine those factors and the Patrol’s sales were up 6.2 per cent in 2024 (8293) for the year making it Nissan’s third most-popular model. 

Toyota 70 Series — 41 years old

Much has been written about the age of the 70 Series, but of all the cars on this list, it serves a purpose more than any other. It is built to Toyota’s toughest standards to be the most capable vehicle it sells, no compromise. 

The reason the 70 Series, that launched here in 1984, has copped more heat lately is due to the increased interest from private buyers, with social media championing its build-ability. Let’s not get it twisted though, the 70 Series is a total pain to drive on road, even in new four-cylinder automatic guise. 

Another 4.5 per cent bump in the light commercial body styles in 2024 to 11,929 sales reflects the 70 Series continued utility for mining and rural areas. As long as Toyota keeps making this same basic recipe, the buyers will flock.