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Kia has revealed a hybrid version Kia K4 hatch to complement the strong-selling petrol variants remains part of the brand's plans in Australia. The K4 hybrid appears to still be on target for a launch Down Under this year, but timing has not been confirmed, according to local Product Planning Manager Raymond Pok. “We launched with just the petrol variants and we’re pretty keen to get a hybrid as quickly as we can,” Pok told CarsGuide.  “It’s still in the plans, but timing is to be confirmed.” The K4 is a competitive seller in the small car segment, only trailing the Toyota Corolla. It has amassed more sales in 2026 than the hugely popular Hyundai i30 and Mazda3, turning around a deficit to those rivals last year. Currently the K4 is only available with petrol engines.Most of the range comes with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre unit, with top-spec GT-line models getting a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine.  The hybrid starts from $32,090 (before on-road costs) and comes in hatch or sedan body shapes.Expect the hybrid K4 to have a slight bump on price compared to the petrol version when it finally gets to Australia. There are no confirmed details yet on what the hybrid set-up will look like, but there is a good chance it will be a version of the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol electric motor unit found in other Kia hybrid cars and the mechanically similar Hyundai i30 sedan.This means it's in line for a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, which combines for 104kW and 265Nm. Fuel use in the similar Hyundai i30 sedan is just 3.9L/100km. Kia Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith revealed 30 per cent of all the brand’s sales at the moment are coming from hybrid models. The K4’s petrol-only lineup could pose problems down the line, with the brand conscious of potential fines leveled at the maker because of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) . “You just have to look at the penalties for NVES on a petrol vehicle versus a hybrid vehicle,” General Manager Marketing for Kia Australia Dean Norbiato said. “For us to be a sustainable OEM in this market, hybrid obviously makes sense from that standpoint.”

Renault has added a mild hybrid version of its slow-selling Arkana small SUV to its Australian line-up.This new variant replaces the petrol-only model that was previously on sale. It will start from $41,990 before on-road costs, meaning buyers will have to pay $5000 more than before to get into an Arkana. The price increase does come with some extra gear, with the previous mid-tier Techno grade now kicking off the range now, as well as the addition of mild hybrid assistance. The Esprit Alpine remains the same price at $45,990 (before on-road costs).While Renault is calling this a hybrid, it's not a hybrid like the systems found in Toyota, Honda and Hyundai models. The Arkana’s hybrid system is more akin to a mild hybrid, with its electric motor producing only 3.6kW. It will continue to take on the likes of the Toyota C-HR, Hyundai Kona and Kia Seltos, as well as the Mazda CX-30. The Arkana comes in roughly $5000 cheaper than the fully plugless hybrid C-HR, but it is more expensive than the cheapest Kona hybrid and Seltos petrol variants. The petrol-only Mazda CX-30 is cheaper again. It continues to be powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 116kW and 270Nm, representing minor increases on the previous version. All variants of the Arkana Hybrid come with front-wheel drive, meaning there is no all-wheel drive option as on some rivals. Inside the Arkana has a 9.3-inch central vertical touchscreen and a 10.3-inch digital driver display, with wireless phone charging. 2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid pricing Australia2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid engine and efficiency2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid standard features Other standard features include:Wireless phone chargerSatellite navigationElectric tailgateElectrically operated front seatsHeated front seatsSynthetic leather steering wheelEsprit Alpine grade addsPremium eight-speaker Bose sound systemFrameless auto-dimming rear-view mirrorSuede-style and synthetic leader seats with embroidered Alpine ‘A’Heated steering wheelPrivacy glassSlate-look trim19-inch alloy wheelsOpening sunroof2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid safety The Renault Arkana Hybrid has not been crash tested yet. Standard safety features: Emergency auto brakingForward collision warningSafe distance warningLane departure warningLane keep assistLane centringTraffic sign recognitionAdaptive cruise controlBlind spot monitoringRear-view camera360-degree camera2026 Renault Arkana dimensions 2026 Renault Arkana Hybrid warranty and servicing The Renault Arkana Hybrid comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.It has a five-year capped-price servicing plan available for purchase, with firm details still to be revealed.

The conflict in Iran is continuing to have ramifications and it’s now reportedly creating supply chain disruptions for the best-selling carmaker in Australia.As reported by Bloomberg, a number of companies that produce components for Toyota vehicles are citing delays due to the inconsistent supply of raw materials, including aluminium, resins and paint thinners, among others.This is being compounded by the rising costs and tumultuous logistics of sourcing the aforementioned raw materials.“We’re hearing from smaller suppliers that suddenly say they won’t be able to deliver parts in two weeks’ time, which makes things very hard to predict,” said Toyota Industries President Koichi Ito to Bloomberg.Toyoda Gosei President Katsumi Saito also told Bloomberg that disruptions could emerge as soon as June.Without the relevant materials, vehicles on the production line reportedly cannot be finished, with Saito noting “the impact would be felt everywhere”.Toyota Boshoku President Masayoshi Shirayanagi told Bloomberg that it’s seeking short-term assurances from each of its suppliers as long-term commitments are becoming difficult to lock in.Additionally, Denso Executive Vice President Yasushi Matsui told Bloomberg the company is working to shift to alternative materials for products, such as organic solvents.Denso factored in a profit hit of ¥45 billion (~A$394 million) due to the uncertainty of the supply chain.At this stage it’s unclear if or how much this will affect the rate that Toyota produces vehicles, especially as the months go on.We’ve reached out to Toyota Australia to see if there will be any local ramifications in terms of vehicle shipments and potential delays. We’ll update this story once we hear back.Until the end of March, Toyota new-vehicle sales in Australia are down 23 per cent year-on-year. It’s still firmly the best-selling brand locally, however, with a total of 44,490 vehicles sold year-to-date.The Japanese carmaker is also currently in the changeover period for two of its best-sellers, the RAV4 and HiLux.“Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, as HiLux and RAV4 volumes increase, our monthly results will begin to increase as the year progresses,” said Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas to CarsGuide earlier this month.“And whilst VFACTS tells you what has been delivered, it doesn't tell you the full story.“What VFACTS doesn't show is customer demand, which remains very strong across the range, particularly with vehicles like LandCruiser 300, HiLux, LandCruiser Prado and, of course, the RAV4.”

If you feel like you’ve seen Toyota pumping up its campaign for the Tundra, you’re not imagining things.The 2026 Toyota Tundra is being advertised more widely after its proper launch, with the full-size American ute appearing regularly on TV ads, particularly during AFL games with Toyota the major sponsor.Toyota admits the advertising push is simply due to its full-size ute not making the big waves it had hoped for upon its arrival.In 2024, when the Tundra was ‘soft-launched’ with participating customers rather than taken to a full retail launch, Toyota Australia’s then-Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, Sean Hanley, told media he believed the Tundra was “going to have a good start, no problem”.But at the launch of the new Toyota RAV4, Hanley’s replacement as Toyota’s VP, John Pappas, told CarsGuide the reception to the Tundra has been generally positive, but awareness of the model hasn’t met expectations.“The feedback we were getting on Tundra was that it was only a personal import, and because we haven't brought in Tundra under the official distributor route for a long time… now we've noticed that awareness of the vehicle being an official vehicle across the dealer network has been very low.“So that's why you've seen the increased advertising and awareness, because we've got a job to do there, to make people aware that they can walk into a local dealer and actually go and have a test drive.“We did a massive activation over the Gather Round weekend together with the AFL on the Tundra, where we drove vehicles from Victoria to South Australia, and we had an activation at the Gather Round.“And so we're trying to do a lot. We've got the Supercars going on where we've got Tundra also there. So we're trying to do a lot to raise awareness. But it is going to take us some time.”So far, the Tundra hasn’t exactly put the full-size ute, or pick-up, market on notice. Its 2025 figures saw its 837 sales just beat the Ford F-150 (792), the latter down massively on the previous year (2428) as it has been beset by quality issues and pauses on sales.In the first quarter of 2026, the Tundra’s 262 put it well behind its peers the Chevrolet Silverado (462), Ram 1500 (545) and, yes, even the F-150 (577) which has snuck into first place for the year so far.When asked if more awareness of the Tundra will make it properly competitive with its US compatriots, Pappas told CarsGuide “absolutely”.“The Tundra is a great truck. I get a lot of feedback from reviewers or customers about the performance of the vehicle.“The fact is that we need to get the awareness out there, and that's really our prime motive right now. And then we're very confident that once people are aware of it and they test drive it, then we're confident that it will be successful.”

Volkswagen has officially unveiled its new ID. Polo electric hatch, which will be the brand’s first electric variant of the popular model.The ID. Polo is the latest of the brand’s revamped electric fleet, and will be one of its cheapest EVs.There is no official news yet on the ID. Polo’s potential future in Australia.It would tackle the likes of the BYD Dolphin, MG4 and the incoming GWM Ora 5, as well as the GAC Aion UT, which all start from under $40K.Expect the ID. Polo to have a bigger price tag, given it starts from the equivalent of around $41,000 in Germany and will be subject to additional costs if exported here. It would also be a rival to crossover models such as the Zeekr X and the Renault Megane E-Tech.A spokesperson for Volkswagen Australia said the brand is not able to confirm availability of the ID. Polo or detailed timing at this stage.There will be three electric motor choices producing 85kW, 99kW and 155kW. The launch of a GTI version has been pushed back to next year, and will boost power to 166kW. Lower grade models of the car get a 37kWh battery, offering a driving range of 329km (WLTP), while higher specifications get 454km (WLTP) of range from a 52kWh unit. Additionally, the battery has DC charging capacity at 105kW, but official charging times are yet to be revealed by VW.The ID. Polo follows the brand’s new design direction inside, whcih features the return of physical buttons on the centre console. There's a 10-inch digital driver display and a 13-inch central touchscreen, along with a premium Harman Kardon sound system. The car has vehicle-to-load capabilities, allowing for external devices to be charged from its battery.Measuring at 4053mm long, 1816mm wide and 1530mm tall, the ID. Polo is shorter than the petrol Polo, but bigger in every other dimension, including wheelbase.Pre-sales of the ID. Polo in Europe will begin imminently.

GWM says it is bowing to public pressure by putting the Tank 400 back on the table for consideration in Australia.The larger, chunkier and more aggressive version of the popular Tank 300 had been sidelined for Australia since making its debut at the 2021 Shanghai Auto before hitting global markets as a 2023 model, but consistent requests have led to the rethink.We understand that a $60,000-to-$70,000 price tag is the target, thanks to premium positioning, and it's likely to include GWM’s new efficiency-focused Hi4-Z plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) system.That powertrain in 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol guise paired with a rear-mounted electric motor and 59kWh battery can offer a claimed EV-only range of 200km and more than 1000km combined in some related GWM models.There is also the more 4x4-orientated Hi4-T PHEV, with extra driven differentials and other off-road-biased tech, giving the 400 a wide breadth of capability.The brand’s vaunted new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel hybrid system is also expected to feature at some point, as the Hi4 hybrid grades, though nothing has been announced.However, the Tank 400 you see in these pictures will not be the version Australians might be able to buy, given a major makeover is in the pipeline for sometime next year, meaning that we won’t likely see the SUV before 2028 at the earliest.“We’re definitely considering the 400 now,” according to a GWM spokesperson, speaking to CarsGuide at the China Auto Show in Beijing last week, adding that the company will gauge Australian consumer reaction to the media coverage from the event.“We’ll see how our dealers and customers react to it.”To that end, journalists were invited to sample the current model under extremely heavy and very limited supervision at GWM’s new proving ground in Hebei near the company’s headquarters in Baoding.So, what is the 400 and how does it fit into the Tank hierarchy? Based on the body-on-frame platform as found underneath the Tank 300 and 500, as well as their respective Cannon and Cannon Alpha ute counterparts, the 400 is most closely aligned with the 300.However, it is more than 100mm longer in body and wheelbase, as well as 30mm wider overall. Consequently, the five-seater body is considerably larger in those dimensions as well, bringing a big increase in passenger space as well as cargo capacity compared to the donor 4WD.If given the green light, GWM hopes to pitch the 400 against other premium 4WDs with some off-road capability, like the Denza B5 and Land Rover Defender.

Leapmotor's flagship SUV, the D19, is firming for Australia, with the PHEV version promising a mega EV-only driving range that would free most owners from the daily plug-in.The D19 is a sizable – we're talking more than 5.2m in length and 1.9m in width – six- or seven-seat large SUV, that promises to be a more road-focused alternative to models like the Denza B8, LandCruiser 300 Series and Lexus LX.There are three powertrains on offer, including the choice of a dual-motor or triple-motor EV, or a plug-in hybrid REEV solution.It's the latter that is the most interesting, with Leapmotor fitting a giant battery to the D19 that would free PHEV owners from having to plug in every day.On board is a choice of 63.7kWh or 80.3kWh LFP batteries, with the latter delivering an all-electric driving range of up to 500kms under CLTC testing, which is admitedly known to be more leniant than Australia's WLTC measurements. That should convert to around 400kms in our market, which is still an impressive number for any plug-in hybrid vehicle. Speaking of our market, Leapmotor says the model "would work" in Australia, with a local launch firmly on the cards, and that – at its fastest – a launch here could occur early next year."The D19 is a car that has been, just this moment, launched in China. So we have already run the opportunity study for multiple regions," says Leapmotor International's Global head of Brand Strategy, Product and Marketing, Francesco Giacalone."In Australia, it could work. The Middle East, of course, is a market. South America is interested. "Definitely it's a flagship right now. And wherever there is appetite, we will try to be there. The localisation for overseas is nine to 12 months after what has happened in China. If tomorrow morning we say, ‘you know what, we want D19’, that is nine months."In terms of pricing, nothing has been confirmed for our market, but in China, the REEV model starts at 210,800 CNY, which is around $45,000 in AUD.Like all Leapmotor REEVs, the battery is used to power an electric motor or motors, which in turn is used to drive the wheels. Also on board the D19 is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine which is used to recharge the battery, or to provide power to the motor.In the D19, the system produces a total 300kW and 520Nm, and the brand is promising a total driving range of around 1300kms with a full tank and a full charge.Also available are dual-motor or tri-motor EV versions, making 410kW/625Nm and 540kW/745Nm respectively, and which promise a range of up to 720km, and a sprint to 100km/h in less than four seconds in the tri-motor variant.

Chinese car giant Chery has confirmed its electrified off-road brand iCaur will launch in Australia in February 2027, with its recently introduced V27 and still-to-be-released V25 SUVs.Confirming that both new models will touch down early next year, an insider told media following the Beijing motor show, that the Suzuki Jimny wagon-rivalling V23 would also eventually join the line-up, but not until 2028 or 2029, following a mid-life makeover.Only introduced to the world back in 2023, iCaur, known in China as iCar, has already won fans with its combination of retro boxy-designed vehicles that combine either a range-extender hybrid or all-electric powertrains.In little more than two years the brand has gone on to sell more than 160,000 models globally, something that will ramp up rapidly in the next three years as the Land Rover or Toyota LandCruiser-rivalling brand races to enter 100 export countries.In Australia, it's expected the V27 will launch first, coming with a single range-extender hybrid powertrain.The largest model yet introduced by the iCaur, locally the V27 will be offered with either two-wheel drive or all-wheel drive and two different power outputs.Pinching design cues from the Ford Bronco, Land Rover Defender and Mercedes G-wagen, the V27 shares the same boxy shape with the 4x4 icons and bags similar circular headlamps.All Australian-spec models will also come with the externally-mounted full-size spare wheel, conventional door handles and a side-hinged tailgate.Measuring in at 4909mm long, 1976mm wide and 1855mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2910mm, the V27 is roughly the same size as a Land Rover Defender 110.Under the bonnet is a 105kW1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that is combined with both a 34.3kWh and a 20.6kWh battery pack.Maximum power is 335kW, with 0-100km/h taking 5.5 seconds.In China, thanks to the large powerpacks, the V27 can travel up to 210km on EV power alone and cover a total 1200km before it needs recharging; both of those figures are expected to fall under Euro WLTP test conditions.Longer ranges are expected for the light two-wheel drive versions.Full specifications have yet to be detailed for the Australian market, but it's thought our cars will drop the long-range LiDAR sensor Chinese-spec comes with which, combined with 27 sensors provides for a Level 2+ autonomous capability.Within, the iCaur comes with a 15.4-inch infotainment that runs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P chip for smoother, quicker responses. Below the big screen is a row of physical buttons that provide shortcuts for the climate control and more.Ahead of the driver is a slimline letterbox-style 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, while bathing the cabin in light is a four-pane segmented sunroof.Locally, the V27 is priced from just 200,000 Chinese yuan (A$40,000), it's not known what the range will kick off from but the insider told Carsguide that the new rugged-looking V27 will be positioned lower than the Denza B5 ($74,990-$79,990).Despite comparisons with the Denza, the same source said the V27 was not created for ultimate off-roading in mind and won't be as capable as a car like the Defender (from $96,255).Instead, the V27 is suited for light off-roading and can only tug up to 1600kg, some way off the 3000kg maximum towing weight claimed for the Denza B5.Other than testing, little is known about the new smaller mid-size V25 other than when it arrives in Australia after the V27 next year, it will come with both a range-extender hybrid and hybrid power.With spy shots confirming it won't deviate far from the classic 4x4 styling, it's thought the fresh Toyota RAV4 rival will share much with both the V27 and the smaller V23.For our market, it will also be offered with two power outputs and with or without all-wheel drive.Despite rumours that iCaur is secretly developing a ute based on all three of its models, an iCaur pick-up is unlikely to be offered in Australia, says the insider, following the decision to import the inbound dual-cab plug-in diesel hybrid Chery KP31 that's set for release in late 2026.

Kia has poured cold water on the prospects of its EV2 budget electric SUV making it to Australia. The EV2 was unveiled at the start of this year at the Brussels Motor Show and it was expected to hit Australia in the second quarter. It was also poised to carry the important tag of the brand’s cheapest fully electric vehicle on sale in Australia. It now looks the brand has backtracked on its prospects to bring in the EV2, with question marks over its competitiveness in Australia. The brand remains keen to bring in the EV2 if the numbers line up so it is not completely off the cards yet. “It has been in our product plan, there is no question about that,” Kia Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith said.“The reality is we’re still working it out.“If we can, we will, but there are some things that are compounding that are going to make it difficult.”The EV2 lines up as a rival to other small electric vehicles, which often sit at the budget end of a carmaker’s line-up. This includes the BYD Dolphin, MG4 and the outgoing GWM Ora, which have price tags under $40K.The EV2 would also have to be priced less than one of Kia's best-selling electric cars, the EV3, which starts from $47,600 (before on-road costs). This necessary price competitiveness raises complications for the EV2 to launch in Australia, given it is manufactured in Europe. The cost of transporting vehicles from Europe to Australia adds significantly to the price. This has been a major roadblock for brands looking to bring budget-targeting cars from Europe. Costs are further blown out by the fact imported vehicles are subject to import duty and goods and services taxes, all raising the price further.This means EV2 may not be offered at the price it needs to be, according to Kia. “You’re not going to bring a product that’s not competitive for its segment in market and we need to make sure that it is to bring it in,” Kia Australia’s General Manager Marketing Dean Norbiato told CarsGuide. 

Honda will follow Toyota’s lead by going hybrid only in Australia in the not-too-distant future.Until recently the Japanese carmaker has only offered single high-spec hybrid grades across most of its model lines, including Civic, HR-V, ZR-V and CR-V. But it’s in the process of ramping up the number of hybrid model grades, given the market’s clear shift to electrification.In late 2024 Honda boosted the number of hybrid grades of the Civic small hatch and HR-V small SUV from one to two each, while the updated CR-V goes on sale this month with four available hybrid grades. The ZR-V will follow suit in the next couple of months, too.Honda Australia Director, Automotive, Robert Thorp confirmed the plan to go hybrid only, with the plan set to kick in from sometime next year.“First answer is, yes, I don't have a definitive time, but I will say it's probably not too far away. It's not too far away at all. I'd say somewhere between 27/28 to be honest, it'll be 100 per cent hybrid,” he told journalists at the recent 2026 CR-V launch.“Whilst we've got our line-up set and our plans set, it is always subject to change, you know? So you can lock these things in, but you have to make those adjustments strategically when markets shift or consumer preferences shift, or whatever that may be. So it's hard to be super definitive of a time period when that would be but I'd say within the next 12-18 months, it's likely all of our line-up will be hybrid in nature.”Toyota went hybrid only on all non-performance-focused passenger cars, and all monocoque SUVs in mid-2024. That meant Yaris, Yaris Cross, Corolla, Corolla Cross, C-HR, Camry, RAV4 and Kluger shifted to petrol-electric power only.Honda’s petrol range currently consists of one base HR-V grade, two CR-Vs and three ZR-Vs, but again, the ZR-V line-up will change imminently.The Accord mid-size sedan and soon-to-arrive Prelude coupe are both offered as single-grade hybrid models. And the sold-out Civic Type R hot hatch won’t be impacted.While the hybrid focus makes sense, don’t expect to see increasingly popular plug-in hybrid tech roll out across Honda’s line-up anytime soon.A PHEV version of the CR-V is offered in some markets, including right-hand-drive countries like the UK, but when asked about this, Thorp said:“Probably too early to say.”Given the age of the current CR-V - it was revealed in mid-2022 and went on sale locally in late 2023 - CarsGuide believes Honda Australia will hold off on a PHEV version until the next-gen version, which is still a few years away.Honda has dropped most of the petrol grades from the updated 2026 CR-V, with just two on offer compared with four hybrids. The carmaker is expecting 85 per cent of CR-V sales this year to be hybrid.It also anticipates overall sales to be 80 per cent hybrid as well.