Weekly wrap-up: 2025 Honda Civic, 2025 Toyota GR Corolla, GR Yaris launched, Tesla Model Y Juniper revealed, and more

This week was packed with one marque event after the other. From Toyota introducing three new GR models to Honda giving us the all-new Civic facelift, there was so much that went down. To top it off, JPJ released the vehicle registration data for 2024, giving us a clear picture of how the national and non-national automakers performed during the last year. 

Here, we bring a quick recap of all the top auto news that remained in the headlines during the week.

Malaysia automotive market: Key updates

All-new 2025 Honda Civic facelift launched

Globally revealed in May 2024, the 11th-gen Honda Civic facelift has now made its way to the local shores. Honda Malaysia has launched the all-new 2025 Civic facelift in four variants - E, V, RS and e:HEV RS. The upgraded sedan boasts design enhancements, new features, and a new Canyon River Blue Metallic colour option. Powertrain options include - 1.5-litre VTEC turbocharged and a 2.0-litre two-motor full hybrid system. The 2025 Honda Civic price begins at RM 133,900 and goes up to RM 167,900.

2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport, GR Corolla facelift, GR Yaris facelift launched

UMW Toyota launched three new models this week - the new Toyota Corolla GR Sport, the new GR Corolla facelift, and the new GR Yaris facelift during the Toyota Gazoo Racing Season 7 finale.

• The all-new 2025 Toyota Corolla GR Sport comes with updated handling. It also gets a new 10-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic CVT gearbox, styling enhancements, a larger screen with wireless smartphone integration and upgraded upholstery and stitching for 2025. The price tag reads RM 149,800.
• The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla benefits from a retuned 1.6-litre turbo engine, improved handling with GR-Four AWD, and cosmetic enhancements inside and out. It is priced at RM 367,000.
• The Toyota GR Yaris also received significant upgrades for 2025, including an upgraded design, enhanced suspension, increased engine output, a new Cooling Package, and a driver-focused cockpit. It now retails for RM 315,600. 

Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupé launched 

The locally-assembled Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid Coupe is now up for grabs in Malaysia at RM 728,000 (inclusive of taxes and duties). It is the second CKD Porsche car to come out of Sime Motor’s Kedah facility. The vehicle is powered by a 353 PS/500 Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine and a 176 PS/460 Nm electric motor, combinedly generating 519 PS and 750 Nm. Also part of the kit is a 25.9 kWh battery pack, offering an all-electric range of up to 90 km.

2025 MINI Countryman S ALL4 goes on sale

BMW-owned MINI also rolled out locally assembled Countryman S ALL4 this week. The price is estimated to begin from RM 259,000, which is significantly lower than the fully imported model introduced last September. The more affordable MINI Countryman is powered by a 2.0 litre inline-four cylinder turbocharged petrol engine generating a maximum power of 204 PS and a peak torque of 300 Nm.

Tesla Model Y Juniper bookings open in Malaysia 

Tesla has unveiled the all-new 2025 Model Y, known as the "Juniper," in the international market. Soon after its debut, the upgraded EV became available to order on the Malaysian website as well. The 2025 Tesla Model Y Juniper is offered in two variants locally - Rear-Wheel Drive and Long Range All-Wheel Drive, priced at RM 195,450 and RM 242,450. The former is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor, delivering a WLTP range of 466 km while the latter comes with a dual-motor AWD setup with a WLTP range of 551 km.

Jetour Malaysia to open 10 centres in Q1 2025

Ahead of its Malaysian arrival this year, Jetour has revealed its big plans. The Chinese marque is geared up to establish over 20 outlets in Malaysia with 10 (4S and 3S centres) of them opening in the first quarter of 2025. The brand plans to cover key locations in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Penang, Ipoh, Seremban, Melaka, Johor, Sabah and Sarawak. As confirmed earlier, Jetour will be soon launching its two flagship SUVs in Malaysia - Dashing and X70 Plus.

Best-selling car brands, cars in Malaysia 

The Road Transport Department (JPJ) has published the vehicle registration data for the year 2024, revealing top automakers, best-selling models, best-selling EVs etc. The key highlights include-

Best-selling car brands in Malaysia (2024)	Perodua: 358,100 units Proton: 147,587 units Toyota: 127,202 units Honda: 85,273 units Chery: 19,687 units
Best-selling cars in Malaysia (2024)	Perodua Bezza: 100,814 units Perodua Axia: 88,137 units Perodua Myvi: 72,214 units Proton Saga: 69,863 units Perodua Alza: 44,374 units
Best-selling EVs in Malaysia (2024)	BYD Atto 3: 2,969 units BYD Seal: 2,958 units Tesla Model 3: 2,824 units Tesla Model Y: 2,300 units BYD Dolphin: 1,431 units

Malaysia gets the all-new 2025 Honda RS-X Winner

Boon Siew Honda has launched the new RS-X Winner in Malaysia. It comes in three standard colour options -  Blue, Green and Matte Grey, priced at RM 9,998 and a Special Yellow variant costing RM 10,298. For the model year 2025, the moped gets a new 149.2 cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine good for making 15.8 hp at 9,000 rpm and 13.6 Nm at 7,000 rpm. Also new is an Assist and Slipper clutch and Smart Key system.

Proton's second EV launching in 2025

As market reports, the Geely Xingyuan is set to launch in Malaysia in 2025 as Proton’s next EV. While the model's name remains a mystery as of now, it is widely speculated to be called the Proton eMAS 5. Here’s what we know so far about the Proton second EV.

Global automotive market: Key international launches and updates

Honda 0 Series EV models unveiled in the US

Honda unveiled two futuristic electric vehicle concepts at the ongoing 2025 Consumer Electronics Show in the US. These include - Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV; the first is a low-height, sporty saloon while the latter is an electric SUV concept underpinning the earlier revealed Space-Hub concept. Both prototypes are equipped with the next-gen technologies aligned with the brand's “Thin, Light, and Wise” development philosophy. The Honda 0 Series models are slated to launch in 2026.

2026 Sony-Honda Afeela 1 revealed at CES

Sony Honda Mobility has finally pulled the wraps off its first EV, the Afeela 1, at the 2025 CES event. It is a five-seater sedan, powered by a dual-motor AWD powertrain generating a combined output of 483 hp and a 91 kWh lithium-ion battery offering an estimated driving range of 483 km. The EV is set to launch in California sometime in 2025 with deliveries expected to begin in 2026. The price ranges between USD 89,900 (RM 404k) to USD 102,900 (RM 463k). 

2025 Toyota Hilux Travo spied

Toyota recently trademarked the name Hilux Travo in Thailand, which is speculated to be the ninth generation of the popular pickup truck. Well ahead of any official details, the pickup has been spied on while undergoing testing in Thailand. Spy shots reveal a heavily updated design, including a U-shaped front bumper and slimmer headlights. The vehicle is also anticipated to get a redesigned interior with larger infotainment system and new features. However, drivetrain options are likely to be the same with the ninth-gen Hilux getting the electric version later.

2025 Porsche 911 Carrera S breaks cover

Porsche has expanded the 911 range with the launch of the 911 Carrera S. Positioned between the 911 Carrera and Carrera GTS, the latest model is offered in two body styles - coupe and cabriolet. Powering the 911 Carrera S is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo flat-six engine tuned to deliver 473 hp and 530 Nm enabling the car to hit the century sprint in 3.3 seconds. Key features include staggered 20/21-inch wheels, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus, a sports exhaust,  and upgraded brakes.

That's a wrap for now. For all the latest updates on the automotive industry, stay tuned with us.

Also read: Rewriting the Premium SUV rulebook: Meet the C9 by JAECOO