Australia’s new-vehicle market is changing into more and more extra environment friendly, as carmakers downsize the scale of their engines – each in capability and cylinder rely.
Developments in turbocharging has resulted within the variety of naturally aspirated 12-, 10-, eight- and even six-cylinder fashions on sale dwindling.
Within the case of the latter, non-turbo six-cylinder engines are actually scarce, reserved just for a handful of huge SUVs and people-movers, plus some sports activities vehicles.
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Whereas 10 years in the past there have been 18 manufacturers promoting naturally aspirated sixes, now it’s simply 5 – and three of them are pulling no less than one mannequin from showrooms.
Listed here are the one remaining N/A six-cylinder vehicles you may nonetheless purchase in Australia.
Hyundai
Amid a lineup of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines – plus a handful of hybrids and electrical autos – Hyundai continues to promote two naturally aspirated six-cylinder vehicles in Australia, however not for lengthy.
The Hyundai Palisade massive SUV and Staria folks mover share the identical 3.5-litre V6 petrol engines, powering solely the entrance wheels.
In each fashions, you need to go for a costlier 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel to get all-wheel drive.
Nevertheless, quickly it’ll solely be the Staria bought with a V6, because the new-generation Palisade will solely be powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, obtainable with hybrid help.
Whereas the Staria V6 could possibly be below risk from a hybrid model obtainable in South Korea, Hyundai has but to lock on this powertrain for Australia.
Jeep
Simply 5 years in the past, you possibly can get Jeep’s ‘Pentastar’ petrol V6 in 3.2-litre guise within the Cherokee mid-size SUV, or as a 3.6-litre within the Wrangler, Gladiator and Grand Cherokee, however now solely the latter pair provide the non-turbo bent-six.
The twin-cab Gladiator pickup has solely been obtainable with N/A V6 energy in Australia since its native launch in 2020, regardless of US examples having beforehand been supplied with the choice of a V6 turbo-diesel – arguably a greater match for our market, given the demand for diesel utes right here.
A 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain shall be supplied within the Gladiator within the US, however stays unconfirmed for Australia.
The identical PHEV powertrain will be had right here in newest technology Grand Cherokee, marketed because the 4xe, however the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 powers the remainder of the vary.
Nevertheless, you’ll should be fast to purchase one, as final month the American off-road model introduced the dying of the Grand Cherokee in Australia, because of the present mannequin’s sluggish gross sales.
The present WL technology launched right here in 2022, initially solely in long-wheelbase, three-row L guise – the primary Grand Cherokee to supply seven seats.
However whereas it gives larger practicality, the WL isn’t obtainable globally with the turbo-diesel V6 of its WK2 predecessor, which accounted for round 57 per cent of Grand Cherokee gross sales in Australia.
Australian examples additionally haven’t been obtainable with the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 supplied within the US.
You probably have a hankering for a Pentastar V6, Jeep is closely discounting inventory of the Grand Cherokee.
Kia
Like its guardian firm Hyundai, Kia solely gives two N/A V6-powered fashions in Australia, the place a 3.5-litre petrol engine is obtainable within the Carnival people-mover and the Sorento massive SUV.
The Carnival is the cousin to the Hyundai Staria, and in addition gives the identical turbo-diesel engine in addition to hybrid energy, which is off-limits within the Hyundai for Australians.
Although the Sorento additionally gives seven seats just like the Palisade, it’s based mostly on a distinct platform, and cannot solely be ordered with the V6 (additionally solely in front-wheel drive guise) but additionally the turbo-diesel, plus a sequence hybrid and a plug-in hybrid.
Kia is trying to herald extra inventory of the hybrid variants, because of the New Car Effectivity Commonplace (NVES) – which turns into punitive from July 1, 2025 – which penalises carmakers for exceeding emissions targets, although it’s unclear what this implies for the Korean model’s V6.
Nissan
The Nissan Pathfinder is among the Japanese model’s slowest-selling autos in Australia, and although it’s the carmaker’s solely mannequin with a V6, the big SUV is on borrowed time domestically.
Nissan’s current-gen Pathfinder was revealed in 2021 and initially resulting from arrive right here in late 2021… then early 2022… earlier than lastly reaching showrooms in late 2022.
Constructed within the US and powered by a 3.5-litre V6, the brand new Pathfinder was meant to symbolize a marked enchancment on its predecessor, nevertheless, it’s sadly been a gross sales flop, accounting for simply 523 deliveries final 12 months, making it the least common Nissan aside from the Z sports activities coupe and the outdated Leaf electrical hatch.
Issues aren’t significantly better in 2025, with simply 51 examples delivered within the first quarter of this 12 months.
The Pathfinder additionally wasn’t included in Nissan’s 2027 roadmap for Australian showrooms, because the embattled carmaker focuses on the merchandise which may maintain it afloat.
Porsche
In contrast to the remainder of the manufacturers on this listing, Porsche doesn’t make V6 commuter vehicles, as an alternative reserving its flat atmo sixes for its most driver-focused fashions.
With manufacturing of the petrol-powered 718 sports activities automotive (Cayman and Boxster) ending for Australia in September final 12 months, and solely restricted inventory remaining obtainable throughout Porsche’s vendor community, the German efficiency model now solely gives an N/A boxer engine within the 911 – and even then it’s restricted entry.
Following the transition to the facelifted 992.2-generation, the 911 GT3 RS is not obtainable to order, nevertheless, the up to date 911 GT3 is.
Its big-bore 4.0-litre flat-six is now the one non-turbo engine on provide throughout the 911 lineup, and it’s able to howling all the best way to a 9000rpm redline.
Abroad stories have claimed the next-generation GT3 will lastly turn into turbocharged, becoming a member of 911 GT variants just like the lesser GTS and the upcoming GT2 RS flagship.
