Volkswagen seems to seriously considering expanding its European range with some models initially designed specifically for the Chinese market.Sources have told Handelsblatt (via Electrive) the Volkswagen Group is contemplating importing the ID. Era 9X, a large SUV developed with SAIC, the owner of the MG brand, to Europe.The ID. Era 9X is an extended range electric vehicle (EREV) available in either 240kW rear-wheel drive, or 380kW all-wheel drive forms. Available with either...

Chinese brand Omoda Jaecoo has added another plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) to its local lineup.Its largest SUV, the Jaecoo J8, is now available in a single highly specified PHEV variant, priced at $59,990 before on-road costs. It's reaching showrooms this month.The J8 SHS Summit shares its tri-motor all-wheel drive PHEV powertrain with the identically priced Chery Tiggo 9 Ultimate Super Hybrid, as well as the more expensive Omoda 9 ($61,990 plus on-roads).Looking for your next car? We'll help...

Three official one-off Porsche 911s inspired by the beloved Buzz Lightyear, Woodie and Jessie characters from the Toy Story franchise have been sold to a well-heeled anonymous buyer, generating $3 million for three US charities.The fifth instalment of the popular animated movie franchise was released on June 19, just in time for school holidays in most Australian states, after the trio of exclusive 911s was revealed at the film’s red-carpet world premiere in Los Angeles last...

As high fuel prices continue to put pressure on household budgets, there’s a way to save some pennies at the pump if you’re currently looking to buy a new car: choose a hybrid.These petrol-electric combos are designed to be more fuel-efficient without comprising on practicality, performance, or driving range.In general, hybrids command a price premium over similar models without electric powertrain hardware, but higher fuel prices have made the crossover point at which they start...

Demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids continues to grow, as evidenced not only by sales figures but also by a new study.According to servicing provider mycar’s 2026 Mobility Index, a total of 46 per cent of Australian vehicle owners plan on buying an EV or hybrid for their next vehicle purchase, up from 36 per cent in 2025.The finding comes from a study of 2025 vehicle owners in Australia aged over 18, conducted by Lonergan Research in April 2026. Looking for your next car?...

The Leapmotor B05 is about to enter an increasingly crowded small electric hatch segment in Australia.Arriving in August, the rear-wheel drive B05 small car will take on rivals such as the BYD Dolphin and MG 4, with a choice of two trim levels and two batteries.Leapmotor claims a 50:50 weight distribution, and says chassis tuning was conducted in Italy with its partner Stellantis, which owns brands such as Alfa Romeo and Maserati.Looking for your next car? We'll help...

The top-spec version of the Toyota Prado is the Kakadu, which is the model grade we're testing here.It’s a practical-looking large off-road SUV and also looks good on paper – diesel, four-wheel drive, seven seats, and loads of equipment.But given the price tag it would want to be overflowing with standard equipment, so in this review we’ll tell you if it feels like a fitting flagship or not.How much does the Toyota LandCruiser Prado cost?Prices recently went up for the Prado...

The 2027 Land Rover Discovery Landmark has been confirmed for Australia, bringing a new trim level with a unique look to the brand's long-running seven-seat SUV lineup.Priced from $132,000 before on-road costs, the Discovery Landmark will sit in the middle of the local Discovery range, above the S but below the Tempest flagship. It fills the spot left by the previous Dynamic SE and Gemini trims.The Landmark name has been used on previous Discovery special editions, including run-out variants...

The full-size BMW iX7 electric SUV has been spied undergoing development testing in Germany, ahead of its expected debut sometime in 2027, and its potential Australian arrival the following year.Hot on the heels of this week's reveal of the new iX5/X5 – which is due to arrive here before the end of this year – the appearance of the first ever iX7 wearing production-spec lighting follows sightings of the new model dating back to mid-2025.The iX7 will be based on the new seven-seat...

Electric vehicles (EVs) helped power the Australian new-vehicle market to an all-time sales high last month.Per VFACTS data obtained by CarExpert and the Electric Vehicle Council's published monthly sales report, a total of 140,058 new vehicles were delivered to Australian customers in June. This was the highest monthly tally for the Australian new-vehicle market since 2017.The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has opted to make available only limited VFACTS sales data for June...

SPONSOREDLuxury SUV buyers tend to start with the usual suspects. BMW. Mercedes-Benz. Audi. Porsche. Perhaps even Polestar or Genesis.But Cadillac’s decision to extend its $95,000 drive-away offer on the Lyriq until July 31 has changed the conversation completely.At under six figures drive-away, Cadillac’s large electric SUV now sits in a position few rivals can match.It delivers the size, presence, refinement and equipment level expected of a far more expensive luxury vehicle,...

The production version of the McMurtry Spéirling PURE has been revealed as a candidate for the ultimate track weapon, with the British startup claiming its single-seat, track-only electric vehicle (EV) delivers Formula 1-rivalling performance in a package designed to be far easier for owners to use.After almost a decade of development, McMurtry says the customer-specification Spéirling PURE features 95 per cent new components compared with the prototypes that have broken records...

BYD Australia posted its highest ever monthly sales figure in June, when it sold no fewer than 18,881 new electric and hybrid vehicles – just 243 less than the preliminary tally supplied by long-time market-leader Toyota (19,124).That correlated to a 13.5 per cent market share for the month, just 0.2 per cent lower than Toyota’s 13.7 per cent share.It’s the third consecutive month this year BYD has finished second behind Toyota, and brings its half-year 2026 total to 52,335...

When the Honda and Nissan merger was cancelled at the beginning of 2025, the two companies pledged to find ways to work together. According to Nikkei Asia, the two automakers are currently discussing collaboration in three areas: electronic control units, operating systems, and North American development and production.Sources say Honda and Nissan are weeks away from announcing an agreement to develop common electronic control units (ECUs) for use by both...

BYD is one of the most impressive success stories in recent Australian automotive history, going from a single model imported by a third-party distributor to a top-five brand with a sprawling lineup of vehicles in record time.While everybody seems to be talking about the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute that has pioneered a new niche here, it’s not actually BYD’s best seller. That title goes to the BYD Sealion 7, which sells in even greater volumes despite vying for contention in...

Another year, another new Ram 1500.The popular full-size pickup has now been without its iconic V8 in Australia for two years, as the 'Hurricane' straight-six has instead found its way into four variants of Ram Trucks Australia's 1500 range since the latest DT-series received its MY25 facelift locally. First were the Laramie Sport and Limited, then came the off-road Rebel, and now there's this: the 2026 Ram 1500 Express Black Edition.The Express badge returns after a two-year absence but, as...

June 2026 was the best monthly result yet for not only the Tesla Model Y in Australia, but also the Tesla brand itself.Per data from the Electric Vehicle Council, Tesla delivered 8670 vehicles in June – well above its previous monthly record of 6433 set just a month prior in May, and almost double its June 2025 result (4589, an 88.9 per cent year-on-year increase).The American electric vehicle (EV) brand is now sitting at 23,588 deliveries so far this year, up 66.7 per cent on the first...

MG Motor Australia says it's not focused on its sales figures despite being usurped as the top-selling Chinese brand by BYD, GWM and Chery, and as it teeters on the edge of Australia's top 10 best-selling brands.To the end of May 2026, MG sold 18,145 vehicles in Australia, a year-on-year gain of 2.1 per cent – yet down on its best result to the same point in 2022, 2023 and 2024, and its lowest January-to-May result in five years.Using data from CarExpert Atlas, MG sold 20,769...

The “all-new” GWM Tank 300 sure looks the same at first glance, but a closer look reveals the next generation of the large ladder-frame off-road SUV has grown significantly.For now, GWM has only released a handful of exterior images on Chinese social media. However, a recently published Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing shared by Chinese outlet Kuai Technology reveals some key details."This remains a domestic market release only at this stage....

Four SUVs have secured five-star safety ratings from safety authority ANCAP, though not under the newest testing protocols.The Mazda CX-5, MG S6 EV, BMW X3, and updated Cupra Formentor all achieved the maximum safety score under ANCAP's outgoing 2023-2025 testing protocols.Leading the latest results was the new-generation Mazda CX-5, which recorded a standout 93 per cent score for vulnerable road user protection – the highest recorded under the 2023-25 ANCAP assessment regime.ANCAP said...

Driving a car with a manual gearbox – such as a Ford Mustang or Mazda MX-5 – is good for your brain function and could even help reduce the risk of dementia, according to a new study from a Japanese university.Professor Ryuta Kawashima of Tohoku University, who is described as a leader in 'brain training' and has previously helped develop Nintendo Brain Age games, found that driving a vehicle with a traditional three-pedal manual transmission can bring a raft of benefits to the...

Ford Australia is recalling a trio of models – the Mustang Mach-E, Transit Custom and Transit – as their high-beam lights may not work properly."Due to a manufacturing defect, Advanced Driver Assistance System may not operate as intended. This may cause unintended activation or deactivation of the high beam lamps," the company says in its recall notice."High beam lamps not operating as intended could reduce the driver’s visibility and other road users may be unable to...

The 2026 Cupra Formentor has arrived in Australia, with local independent crash-test authority ANCAP awarding the refreshed small SUV a five-star safety rating.However, the top score doesn't apply to Formentor VZe and VZx variants with the optional Extreme Package, due to their seats.Along with upgraded brakes and matrix LED headlights, the package includes sports bucket seats from Italian firm Sabelt, which aren't fitted with the centre airbag found on the standard sports seats from...

New rules regarding road work speed limits outside of work hours have come into force from July 1 throughout New South Wales.The NSW Government has updated its Traffic Control at Work Sites standard, which now states that "speed reductions in construction zones must be removed during non-work hours, when it is safe to do so".According to the government, "If there are no workers on site and out of work hours, the road work speed limit will be increased, as long as it is safe for motorists and...

Distributor Inchcape is dropping Peugeot from its portfolio, leaving parent company Stellantis to find a new importer for the historic French auto brand in Australia, or take up the task itself.The move comes after Inchcape – also the local distributor for Subaru, Deepal and Foton – axed Citroen in Australia in 2024. Both brands had been picked up by Inchcape in 2017, having previously been distributed by Sime Darby.“As part of Inchcape's standard approach to portfolio...

Omoda Jaecoo’s largest – though not its most expensive – SUV in Australia is getting a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain and a seven-seat layout.The Jaecoo J8 SHS is arriving in dealerships this month, available only in a single Summit trim priced at $59,990 before on-road costs.That places it atop the local Jaecoo J8 lineup, with the petrol-powered front-wheel drive Track priced at $49,990 drive-away and the all-wheel drive Ridge at $54,990 drive-away.The SHS borrows its...

The Leapmotor B05 will become the Chinese brand's cheapest model in Australia when it arrives here next month, undercutting not only the B10 and C10 SUVs but also other small hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla – despite being all-electric.Arriving late in August, the B05 range will open with the Style at $35,990 drive-away, with the Design Long Range priced at $39,990 drive-away.These are special drive-away prices, which will be available for vehicles purchased and delivered between...

BMW Australia wants the federal government to scrap the Luxury Car Tax (LCT), labelling it "outdated" and calling for a "level playing field" as the latest changes come into effect from today, July 1, 2026.Speaking at an event for the new BMW X5 SUV – due in Australian showrooms later this year – BMW Australia head of product and market planning, Brendan Michel, said the LCT adds unnecessarily to consumer costs."It was brought in to protect local manufacturing, that no longer...

Kia Australia is recalling V6-powered examples of the current-generation Carnival people mover as loose nuts could lead to a vehicle fire."Due to a manufacturing defect, the high-pressure fuel pipe nuts may be insufficiently torqued and could become loose over time," the company says in its recall notice.Looking for your next car? We'll help you research and compare so you choose with confidence."This may lead to a fuel leak and in the presence of an external ignition...

Subaru Australia has issued a nationwide product safety recall for its first electric vehicle (EV), the Solterra mid-size electric SUV, due to a software fault that could cause its electric drive system to shut down.This is the same problem that forced the recall of the related Lexus RZ and more than 1100 examples of the Toyota bZ4X recently.“Due to a software issue with the high-voltage battery Electronic Control Unit, the electric drive system may shut down,” says...

Mazda's Tesla Model 3 fighter – the 6e – has finally arrived in Australia.Pitched as an indirect successor to the long-lived Mazda 6 sedan, the 6e is an electric take on the mid-size passenger car, developed in collaboration with Changan Automotive – the Japanese automaker's Chinese affiliate.Changan supplied the vehicle platform, electric powertrain, and cabin technology, while Mazda took charge of the exterior design, interior materials, and chassis tuning. All of those...

Polestar is the latest brand to start using Gemini as its voice assistant for its Android Automotive-based infotainment system.The Gemini AI assistant replaces Google Assistant, and is said to be better at understanding natural language.In addition to standard commands, users can access Gemini Live via the “Hey Google, let’s talk” prompt. With Gemini Live users can brainstorm with the AI agent, and ask follow-up questions.Looking for your next car? We'll help...

The new fifth-generation BMW X5 has been revealed with five powertrain types – petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid (PHEV), electric (EV) and hydrogen fuel-cell (FCEV) – but Australians will miss out on the latter when the redesigned SUV lands here later this year.BMW Australia pointed to limited infrastructure as the reason why it wouldn't bring the X5 FCEV Down Under.“It’s not planned for us at the moment,” BMW Australia's head of product and market planning, Brendan...

The fifth-generation BMW X5 SUV and electric iX5 SUV have been revealed with a bold new look, and a choice of petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric versions – the latter with up to 845km of claimed driving range – locked in for Australia.The new G65 X5 is a critical moment for the German automaker, with the existing model – a rival to the Audi Q7, Land Rover Discovery, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Volvo XC90 – having sold more than one million examples globally...

Chinese automakers’ short model cycles and rapid-fire updates have led to a nickname, 'China speed', and the updated BYD Atto 2 is yet more proof of this phenomenon. After entering production in 2024, the small electric SUV has already been spied in updated guise, and this is no mere tweaking of the grille and bumpers.Spy photos published in Chinese media show the Atto 2 is largely unchanged visually apart from a charge port that’s been moved to the rear, and a slightly different...

Ford has revealed it hired hundreds of experienced engineers after discovering artificial intelligence (AI) alone wasn't enough to improve vehicle quality.According to Bloomberg, the American automaker said it has hired 350 veteran engineers over the past three years – many of them former Ford employees and supplier specialists – to help address long-running quality issues that have cost the company billions of dollars in warranty claims and recalls.Rather than replacing...

Cupra is expanding its Tavascan mid-size electric SUV lineup with a new entry-level V trim, which will be the Spanish Volkswagen Group subsidiary’s most affordable electric vehicle (EV) yet in Australia.Priced at $55,490 before on-road costs, it’s cheaper than even the small Born electric hatch, which had a list price of $59,990 plus on-roads before it was discontinued in 2025. It also undercuts the base grade of the top-selling Tesla Model Y, which is priced at $58,900 plus...

Hyundai Australia sees the current record market share for electric vehicles (EVs) as the new normal, suggesting the boom in sales has marked a turning point.Record EV sales in Australia have cemented their broader acceptance, with recent growth set to continue, according to Hyundai, as it increases its shipments to around 1000 per month. Speaking at the launch of the updated Staria people mover and Staria Load commercial van in Sydney – which will be joined by the Staria Load EV later...

Jeep has detailed its product plans for the rest of the decade in Europe, but don’t expect Australia to follow these to the letter.For example, Jeep recently discontinued the Wrangler in Europe for 2026, following its withdrawal of the related Gladiator ute there in 2023, but the brand won’t follow suit here.“The Wrangler and Gladiator will continue on in Australia,” said a Jeep Australia spokesperson.As in Europe, however, Jeep is set to receive fresh metal via parent...

The MG U9 Black Edition has arrived in Australia and is now available from $57,990 drive-away, with MG Motor Australia saying it will add "incremental growth" to the dual-cab ute's local sales.Shown at the 2026 Melbourne Motor Show in April, the U9 Black Edition is positioned below the flagship $59,990 drive-away U9 Explore Pro, but above the entry-level Explore ($52,990 d/a) and mid-spec Explore X ($55,990 d/a). While a limited edition, MG has not said how many Black Edition U9s it will...

Australia hasn't hit ‘peak ute’, according to MG Motor Australia's marketing boss, who says the nation's appetite for dual-cab utes is far from saturated despite comments from his former counterpart at Toyota Australia.Speaking about the new MG U9 Black Edition, a limited-run version of the brand's Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux rival, marketing lead Dimitri Andreatidis said there's still growth potential in Australia's ute market.“No, we couldn't possibly say it...

Seemingly every Chinese car brand has announced plans to enter the Australian market, from A (Aion) to Z (Zeekr), and it appears the country’s oldest car brand is now poised to make an announcement of its own.Hongqi, best known for large luxury sedans used to transport dignitaries and high-ranking officials, is reportedly planning an Australian launch this year.The Straits Times, in an article republished on Hongqi’s Singaporean website, reports the Chinese brand will enter the...

Wagons may be an increasingly endangered automotive species, but MG will keep the flame burning a little longer with a wagon variant of its upcoming 07 electric vehicle.These patent images come from the company's filing with China's National Intellectual Property Administration, which were posted on social media site Weibo by SugarDesign.Looking for your next car? We'll help you research and compare so you choose with confidence.The 07 wagon has a...

In an ever-rising sea of affordable new SUVs and crossovers, it's easy to feel like you're drowning in options.The 2026 Mazda CX-30 doesn't look all that old, but it is in fact a veteran of the small SUV segment, having launched pretty much in its current form at the turn of this decade.When the Japanese brand's Mazda 3-based crossover first landed it was considered quite expensive, but now I'm not so sure that's the case – especially for the version we're testing here.Sure, a tenner...

Hyundai Australia will launch its first dual-cab ute to challenge the market-leading Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in 2028 at the earliest, and it says there are lessons to be learned from the slow-selling Kia Tasman.Speaking at the launch of the updated Hyundai Staria people mover and Staria Load commercial van, Hyundai Australia chief operating officer Gavin Donaldson said the South Korean automaker is taking a cautious approach.Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) brand Kia introduced its first...

Hyundai Australia could ‘do a Toyota’ and replace almost all its petrol and diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) passenger models with hybrid versions, mirroring a move its Japanese rival made here in mid-2024.Speaking to CarExpert, Hyundai Australia chief operating officer Gavin Donaldson said such a move makes sense, but could also spell the end of some current models.“Would we consider making our mainstream cars more hybrid? I think that's inevitable. I think...

The updated Hyundai Staria lineup will be retested by safety watchdog ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) as its existing safety rating is due to expire next year.The Staria people mover, given its biggest update since it was introduced here in 2021, achieved a five-star safety rating that same year, with the Staria Load commercial van also awarded five stars in 2021.With ANCAP ratings now expiring after six years, they'll need to be retested to retain their five-star rating and...

Mazda Australia intends to make hybrid power available right across the new CX-5range, aligning the mid-size SUV with its main rivals.The third-generation CX-5 launched Down Under just weeks ago with a carryover 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine without forced induction or electrification, although a new ‘Mazda Hybrid’ system will be introduced in 2027, based around a new petrol engine and in-house hybrid technology.And while the Japanese automaker hasn't yet locked in a list...

Lexus Australia is recalling a small number of RZ electric SUVs due to a software fault that could cause their electric drive system to shut down – the same problem that forced the recall of more than 1100 examples of the related Toyota bZ4X recently.“Due to a software issue with the high-voltage battery Electronic Control Unit, the electric drive system may shut down,” says Lexus in its recall notice.“This could lead to a loss of motive power resulting in ‘EV...

Volvo is finally making headway on fixing defective EX30 batteries in Australia.Another recall notice has been published on the Australian Government’s recall database, but it lists 3026 vehicles – down from 3344 in the last notice, published in February.“The reason for the different number is that the number of affected vehicles is less than the previously published recall, and the supply chain has been updated to include parts arrival,” a spokesperson for Volvo Car...

The Volvo EX90 lineup is being reshuffled for 2027, bringing a significantly more affordable base variant to the local large electric SUV range.According to industry pricing guide Redbook, the model year 2027 (MY27) EX90 lineup will now open with a Plus Single Motor variant, priced at $106,990 before on-road costs and due in showrooms September/October.This replaces the MY26 EX90 Plus Twin Motor AWD, which is priced at $124,990 plus on-roads. The Ultra Twin Motor Performance is set to...

Mazda Australia has suggested the next MX-5 may be the last with petrol power, with the subsequent sixth-generation model in line to adopt an electric (EV) powertrain."One of the executives who visited us early in the year said 'yes, there will be a new one. When? We can't comment‘,” Mazda Australia CEO Vinesh Bhindi told CarExpert at the local launch of the Mazda 6e electric liftback."He also hinted at it possibly being the last ICE (internal combustion engine)...