EV Reviews

Geely’s follow-up to its first Australian model follows a familiar pattern. The new Starry EM-i is a similar-sized SUV to the EX5, but instead of an all-electric powertrain this new model is a plug-in hybrid.

Aussies love diesel-powered four-wheel drives but Toyota is set to mix things up with its petrol-electric LandCruiser Hybrid. Is the classic formula still intact?

The entry-level Zeekr 7X model misses out on some of the good stuff, with less power than the AWD, and a smaller battery than the Long Range model. It is the fastest-charging of the lot, though, with up to 450kW DC charging possible. It's $57,900, before on-road costs, and standard kit is pretty impressive across the board, with the entry-level model scoring 19-inch alloys, LED lighting all around, a powered boot and a glass roof with a powered shade. and ambient interior lighting, too. Tech is handled by a 16-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there are two 50W wireless charge pads. You also get a digital dash, tri-zone climate and a 10-speaker stereo. It gets a 75kW LFP battery, which should deliver a 480km driving range on the WLTP cycle.

The Skoda Enyaq Coupe 85 Sportline for 2026 continues from the original, pre-facelift version released in Australia in September, 2024, introducing a new look as well as a second body style that should appeal to family-orientated consumers – a more-practical SUV wagon shape. Like the base 60 Select, both versions are only available with a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear wheels. Starting from $59,990 before on-road costs, the new 85 Sportline SUV wagon is competing head-on with the likes of the BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y. It also lines up against closely-related cousins within the Volkswagen Group riding on the same 'MEB' platform – the VW ID.4, Cupra Tavascan and Audi Q4 e-tron. Going for the Enyaq Coupe 85 Sportline from $65,990 means you’ll need to fork out another $6000. Unlike the base 60 Select, the 85 Sportline scores a larger battery at 82kWh for more WLTP range and stronger performance from its electric motor. The 85 Sportline shares the entry-level Enyaq’s advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) technologies like autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control are included. There are also seven airbags, a reversing camera, a 13-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a wireless charger, digital radio, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, charging cables, a seven-year warranty and an umbrella. Then the 85 Select brings matrix LED headlights, leather with synthetic-suede trim, powered, heated and massaging front seats, heated rear seats, regenerative-braking paddles on the steering wheel, 20-inch wheels and more. For goodies like a surround camera view, a head-up display, premium audio, adaptive dampers and 21-inch alloys, you’ll need the Ultimate pack as a $5000 option. Note that the Enyaq Coupe 85 Sportline adds a glass roof, but the SUV wagon buyer must fork out another $2000 for a panoramic sunroof with sunshade. Neither versions come with a spare wheel, sadly, just a tyre-repair kit. The 85 Sportline’s electric motor delivers a healthy 210kW of power and 545Nm of torque, propelling it from zero to 100km/h in 6.7 seconds on the way to a 180km/h top speed. Underneath is MacPherson-strut suspension up front and a multi-link rear end. The combined energy consumption figure is 15.9kWh/100km on average for the 85 Sportline SUV wagon and 15.5kWh for the Coupe version, due to the latter’s superior aerodynamics. Their WLTP ranges differ as a result, coming in at 547km and 561km, respectively. Charging to 100 per cent full using a normal power socket could take 40 hours, or about 12 hours with an optional 7.0kW Wallbox, while a 20-80 per cent top-up on a 50kW DC fast charger needs about 80 minutes, or half that with a 100kW charger.

Geely's rapid expansion into Australia continues with its first plug-in hybrid. The memorably-named Starray EM-i will compete head-to-head with the likes of the BYD Sealion 6, Chery Tiggo 7, MG HS Super Hybrid and Jaecoo J7. But does it have what it takes to leave an impression on the crowded mid-size SUV market?

The Skoda Enyaq 60 Select is the least expensive of the Czechian brand’s mid-sized family SUV EV range, which was facelifted just one year after the series' debut in Australia. For now, it is available only with a rear-mounted electric motor driving the rear axle, and ushers in a new-to-Australia body style in the guise of an SUV wagon shape. Kicking off from $50,990, before on-road costs, the 60 Select is aimed at luring buyers away from popular alternatives like the BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y. The significance of the Enyaq is that it is the first SUV of this size in Australia to use the Volkswagen Group’s advanced 'MEB' dedicated EV architecture at this lower price point, making the entry-level grade usefully less-expensive than the closely-related VW ID.4 Pro from $59,990, Cupra Tavascan Endurance from $60,990 and Audi Q4 45 e-tron from $84,900. To help keep the price down, the 60 Select uses a smaller, 63kWh lithium-ion traction battery, rather than the others’ 82kWh item, as well as a lower-powered electric motor, but the resulting 410km of range and 150kW performance is more than adequate for most people’s needs. Plus, the base Enyaq is fairly-well equipped, with full advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) technologies, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-support help and rear cross-traffic alert. There are also seven airbags, front/rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, keyless entry/start, adaptive cruise control, a 13-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a wireless charger, digital radio, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, a powered tailgate, charging cables, 19-inch alloy wheels, a seven-year warranty and even an umbrella in one of the doors. But no spare wheel, sadly, just a tyre-repair kit. The electric motor by the 60 Select’s rear axle makes 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque, propelling the Czech-built EV from zero to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in 8.1 seconds, on the way to a 160km/h top speed. Keeping all that in check, so to speak, are MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear suspension set-up. With its 63kWh battery, what’s the 60 Select like for efficiency? The combined energy consumption figure for the grade in Europe is 15.1kWh/100km on average, for a WLTP rated range figure of 410km. As a comparison, the $9000 more-expensive 85 Sportline with 210kW/545Nm and a larger, 82kWh battery bumps that up to 547km, and can sprint from 0-100km/h in 6.7sec. Charging to 100 per cent full from empty at home using just a regular socket might require about 30 hours, or under 10 hours with an optional 7.0kW Wallbox. A 20-80 per cent top-up on a 50kW DC fast charger needs about an hour, or half that time with a 100kW charger. One of the benefits of the smaller-battery 60 Select is that those charging times can be cut roughly by about 20 per cent compared to the 85 Sportline.

The Zeekr 7X is the mid-size Tesla Model Y rival the Chinese brand has been waiting for. In fact, this model alone has already tripled the brand's sales, and it hasn't even arrived yet. The question is, does it live up to the hype?

Chery's latest offering ticks a lot of boxes, but here's why it might not be the brand's strongest offering.

The Deepal E07 Performance AWD is priced from $73,900. The major difference from the RWD version is the addition of the second electric motor delivering all-wheel drive grip. Power jumps to 440kW and 645Nm. This drops the 0-100km/h time to about four seconds. It uses the same circa-90kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery as the RWD, but range drops to 510km. It has a max DC charge rate of 240kW, which Deepal said can replenish the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in 15 minutes. AC charging maxes out at 7.0kW. It matches the RWD with a long list of standard equipment. This includes a 15.4-inch multimedia screen that is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there is a wireless device charger and USB-A and -C ports front and back. A monster head-up display — which projects information on the windscreen in front of the driver — replaces the driver display, with no instruments in front of the driver. This is joined by power-adjustable front seats that are wrapped in supple Nappa leather. The front seats are heated, ventilated and have a massage function. There is self-levelling air suspension and big 21-inch alloy wheels. Deepal has ticked all the driver aid boxes with autonomous emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane-keep assist, rear cross traffic alert with auto braking function, blind-spot detection, speed sign recognition and over speed alert, door open warning, rear passenger alert, safe distance alert and adaptive cruise control.

Skoda's first EV might be five years old in Europe, but this year's facelift means the Enyaq is now a fierce alternative to the BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5 and even Tesla Model Y. Related to the VW ID.4 and Audi Q4 e-tron, the electric Skoda's affordable pricing and smart specification hark back to earlier brand values, making the Enyaq one of the most compelling and enjoyable family EV SUVs, period.