SUV

Sometimes I think the present is nowhere near as futuristic as I thought it would be when pondering things 20 years ago.And then there are times when the two cars you’re comparing are an electric Mustang SUV and a 580 horsepower Kia that accelerates faster than a Ferrari Enzo. Yep, this comparison of the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Kia EV6 GT is one of those times when we’re reminded how much things have changed and how quickly we need to accept the changes electric cars introduce as the new normal.[read-more-default-title]2024 Ford F-150 Lightning spotted in Australia: Details revealed about 'unofficial' right-hand drive conversionFarewell, Cerato! 2025 Kia K4 sedan officially revealed but when is the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30 and Mazda 3 rival coming to Australia?How do electric cars work?Supercar-like acceleration, the dilemma of charging and the premium price they command are key EV attributes. But they are still cars. Still the way we get around.If they’re SUVs like the Mach-E GT and EV6 GT we need to compare more than just their EV credentials. Practicality, driveability, value-for-money, safety and ownership costs are also hugely important.And this is what we’ve done here, comparing them not just as electric cars but in all the ways you’ll use them, too. 

BYD’s first non-battery electric vehicle is aimed at the very heart of the Australian car market, the mid-sized SUV segment dominated by the Toyota RAV4.The latter comes in either petrol or hybrid, but the Sealion 6 “Super Hybrid” goes one step further by being a plug-in hybrid EV, or PHEV, just like the pioneering Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV was a dozen years ago.It’s a prudent move commercially by BYD, of course, but given the generally yawning chasm between good EVs and the mediocre-at-best internal combustion engine (ICE) options out of China right now, how does the EV-first/petrol-powered Sealion 6 stack up?Here’s our first taster.Read more about BYDWhat's going on with BYD's hot hatch? 2024 Dolphin Sport axed as brand makes way for higher-volume models later this yearThe answer to our electric car problems? Chinese car brand BYD developing new Tesla-smashing batteriesBig, tough and full of tech: Best pics yet of 2024 BYD ute as plug-in hybrid Ford Ranger rival nears

The Volvo EX30 is instantly recognisable as a contemporary Volvo thanks to everything from the signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights to the chunky rear haunches, blocky indents along the flanks and characteristically curved bonnet give the game away.It’s offered in three models and this Twin Motor Performance Ultra is the premium model, weighing in at $69,990, before on-road costs.Included features on this grade run to ambient lighting, Harman Kardon audio, in-built navigation, dual-zone climate control, a power-operated tailgate, adaptive cruise and a 12.3-inch (portrait) tablet display for virtually all media and car functions. There’s also a panoramic roof, 360-degree camera view, ‘Park Assist Pilot’, electrically adjustable heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and 20-inch alloys.[read-more-default-title]Volvo EX30 2024 reviewVolvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range 2024 review: snapshotThe interior is strictly a leather-free zone, the cabin swathed in recycled and renewable materials and you can choose from four interior themes, or 'rooms' as Volvo refers to them. The EX30 is a five-seater. The front seats are comfy and supportive, even after lengthy stints on the road. Move to the rear, however, and the limitations of the car’s overall footprint are apparent. The Twin Motor Performance is powered by front and rear motors sending 315kW/543Nm going to all four wheels via a single-speed auto transmission. Juice is provided by a 400V 69kWh lithium-ion battery.Volvo says this dual motor EX30 has an estimated (WLTP) range of up to 460km. And in terms of charging, peak DC capacity through the Type 2 CCS connection is 153kW and on a suitably rapid charger the 69kWh battery can be boosted from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes, which is pretty great.Active (crash-avoidance) tech is comprehensive and passive (injury minimisation) measures include eight airbags and a ‘Whiplash injury protection system’ (WIPS).The EX30 is covered by Volvo’s five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, with the drive battery covered for eight years, both pretty standard for the category. The service interval is two years / 150,000km and the first two visits to the workshop cost $0, so the price is right for the duration of the five-year warranty.