EV Reviews

As Lord Acton told us way back in 1887, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” But Lord Acton never drove the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Performance Hybrid. Remarkably, despite the company’s litany of sports cars over the years - Supra, MR-2, Celica, etc - this new off-road SUV can lay claim to the title of ‘the most powerful Toyota production car’ ever offered in Australia.That’s thanks to its new powertrain, which is lifted from the US-built Tundra ‘pick-up’ (aka super-sized ute), combining a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine with an electric motor mounted between it and the 10-speed automatic transmission.But unlike the rest of Toyota’s hybrid range that focuses on efficiency, this 'i-Force Max' powertrain (as it is known in the Tundra) is biased towards performance - and a lot of it. The new LandCruiser makes 341kW of power and 790Nm of torque, which is an extra 114kW and 90Nm on top of the already very capable 3.3-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine in the LC300.It’s obviously a lot of performance, but the LandCruiser is a lot of SUV, so while Toyota calls it a ‘performance’ vehicle, don’t expect to be blowing the doors of a Porsche Cayenne or Ferrari Purosangue. Instead, it offers a punchy amount of torque that helps get the big beast moving with relative ease. But during on- and off-road drives there weren’t any moments where this new powertrain stood out as hugely different and better than the already impressive turbo-diesel option. Officially, Toyota says this new engine helps to tow more easily but we weren’t able to test that, so we’ll reserve judgement. They also said the addition of the electric motor improved low-speed behaviour off-road - and this we did get to test.In news that will shock nobody, the Toyota LandCruiser performed well off-road, with the addition of a new, more powerful engine not suddenly turning it into a tarmac-only soft-roader. But to say the electric motor makes it dramatically different, and indeed superior, off-road is a hard call to make without back-to-back testing on more challenging off-road terrain.The catch with this potential improved off-road and towing performance is the performance hybrid powertrain comes with a not-insignificantly smaller fuel tank than its diesel sibling - a 98-litre tank, instead of the 110L one in the diesel.Combined with higher fuel economy - 10.0L/100km vs 8.9L/100km - it means the theoretical range of the performance hybrid is 980km compared to over 1235km from the diesel. For those looking at an LC300 for a long-distance adventure vehicle, losing a potential 255km of range on each tank is not a small matter and swings the needle in favour of the diesel.You’re also paying upfront for the extra performance, with this new model more expensive than its diesel alternatives. For starters, the performance hybrid powertrain is only available with the high-spec Sahara ZX and GR Sport variants, which start at $156,740 and $155,990 (before on-road costs) respectively, a more than $8000 premium over the diesel.Obviously both are well equipped with alloy wheels (18-inch on the GR Sport and 20s on the Sahara ZX), leather-accented seats, heated and ventilated front seats, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen paired with a 14-speaker JBL sound system. The only major specification difference for the Sahara ZX (aside from wheels and some styling) is the inclusion of a dual rear-seat entertainment system. For comparison, Denza B8 plug-in hybrid starts at $91,000, and offers 425kW and 760Nm from its plug-in hybrid powertrain. Like the LC300 it can tow up to 3500kg but unlike the Toyota, the Denza’s bigger battery allows for up to 115km of electric-only driving and has better on-paper fuel economy. It’s certainly a vehicle worth cross-shopping if you’re looking at an LC300, but ultimately there are some major differences between the pair.In terms of design and practicality there isn’t a lot to say about the new performance hybrid variants compared to the rest of the LC300 line-up, as it’s still a relatively new vehicle by Toyota standards, having only launched in 2021.The only design difference between the petrol and diesel models is the lower bumper treatments (front and rear) on the Sahara ZX, but the GR Sport is visually identical regardless of which engine you choose.Inside the new options look the same, with a fantastic array of physical buttons, dials and knobs (as well as the 12.3-inch touchscreen) to easily adjust things even on bumpy, tricky roads - and very much in keeping with the practical ethos of the LandCruiser.However, the biggest difference between the diesel and petrol is the boot. Thankfully there is no repeat of the hybrid Prado’s high boot floor and plastic riser solution to housing the hybrid’s battery under the rear floor. Neither of the petrol models are available with a seven-seat option and the floor is slightly higher than the diesel model, but not dramatically so.But despite Toyota’s best efforts to package the battery up tightly space is still lost, 216 litres to be precise, with the hybrid boot measuring 910L compared to 1126L in the diesel.

After some heavy delays and legal action, the updated 2026 XPeng G6 has finally arrived in Australia through a factory-backed operation that has no ties to the previous distributor, TrueEV.There are now more variants on offer and on test here is the new flagship trim level, the G6 AWD Performance Black Edition. Only rear-wheel drive versions were offered previously.This flagship is priced from $66,800, before on-road costs, which sees it rival the BYD Sealion 7 Performance ($63,990 BOC), Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range AWD ($68,900 BOC) and Zeekr 7X Performance ($72,900 BOC).One of the biggest changes is under the surface. Every G6 trim now receives a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery compared to the previous nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) unit. These batteries have better thermal safety and can charge to 100 per cent more often without the risk of degradation.While the slightly smaller 80.8kWh LFP battery means claimed range is down incrementally compared to the pre-update car (this new version offers up to 510km of WLTP-claimed range), peak DC fast-charging has been boosted from 280kW to 451kW. This is equivalent to the Zeekr 7X which also offers LFP batteries.No DC fast-charger in Australia can currently charge at that higher rate and we didn’t get to properly test out the car’s charging performance due to the short loan length. However, XPeng claims the battery can charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 12 minutes.Another big change that has already been alluded to is the availability of a dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain. It offers a total system output of 358kW, which is 140kW more than the RWD Long Range and 173kW more than the RWD Standard Range.Power delivery is immediate and there’s just the right amount without being excessive. You’re able to accelerate up to speed in traffic with ease and there’s plenty of oomph left for higher-speed overtakes.If you want to experience the proper 4.1-second 0-100km/h sprint, you can use launch control and the Sport drive mode. Surprisingly, it doesn’t snap your neck like some electric vehicles (EVs), instead the power is delivered progressively.Things largely stay together once you start turning the wheel in the twisties, but you can tell this car leans a touch more towards the comfort side than the dynamic, which is the case for many Chinese EVs.This continues on to the suspension as it’s largely compliant around town, though there’s some roll and sway as the car settles itself. It also gets a touch bouncy if you hit a series of undulations at higher speeds.Something XPeng deserves credit for is its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) calibrations. The systems do everything they should and only interact when required.You’re able to customise the sensitivity of all the safety systems which is a lovely surprise. This means fewer bings and bongs. Hallelujah!You can also customise the steering weight, brake pedal feel and there’s even an ‘Individual’ drive mode. It’s great to see.It’s a little disappointing XPeng hasn’t been able to roll out its more advanced semi-autonomous driving system in Australia yet, but what is already present does a good job.The lane-centring is rock-solid, the automatic lane changes feel natural, plus the parking assist is great as it reads the parking lines, rather than the space between parked cars.Once the more advanced tech arrives it’ll finally give Tesla some competition. Speaking of which, a lot of the G6 feels inspired by Tesla.It feels uncanny inside with the minimal design putting the 15.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system in centre stage. There are barely any physical buttons around the cabin, forcing you to use the touchscreen for many functions.Thankfully the touchscreen’s user interface is easy to navigate. Unlike Tesla it also boasts wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a proper digital instrument cluster.However, beyond this it feels like the G6 lacks any character or defining feature that marks it specifically as an XPeng. Even the exterior design feels like a generic amalgamation of many models.On the safety front, the pre-update model received a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2024. It’s unclear if this will be renewed for the updated model.As standard there is autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition as well as a surround-view camera system.New G6 owners are covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 20,000km, however XPeng hasn’t confirmed pricing yet.One critical point is XPeng’s new factory-backed operation in Australia is still scaling and as it stands there is no open dealer or service centre.A number are coming soon in Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. It’s unclear whether XPeng has plans to open a dealer in New South Wales, or any other state yet.

The 2026 GWM Ora 5 Ultra, starting from $36,990 drive-away, is a small electric SUV from China as part of the relaunch of the Ora brand in Australia after the mildly received Ora hatchback a few years ago.It boasts Australian ride and handling tuning, plus a decent list of standard features including 18-inch wheels, auto LED headlights and LED tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers and tinted privacy glass, a large 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless phone mirroring, a 10.25-inch driver display, synthetic leather upholstery and electric driver’s seat adjustment.The extra $3000 the Ultra costs over the base Lux grade adds an electrically adjustable front passenger seat, seat ventilation and heating for both up front, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof and three extra speakers for nine in total.It has a single 150kW/260Nm electric motor at the front axle drawing from a 58.3kWh battery. Its claimed consumption figure of 15.5kWh/100km results in a 435km range under WLTC testing according to GWM. DC fast-charging is maxed at 120kW, for a 30-minute charge from 10 to 80 per cent.The Ora 5 remains unrated by ANCAP for now, but it has seven airbags and a pretty comprehensive list of features including door-open warning and rear cross-traffic alert.GWM’s seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty also includes eight years (unlimited km) for the battery, plus there’s seven years of roadside assistance and seven years capped-price servicing at $195 per service (every 12 months or 15,000km).

Toyota has adopted a slow and steady approach to electric vehicles, with the new bZ4X Touring only its second battery-powered model. The new, more spacious SUV goes head-to-head with the likes of the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Subaru Trailseeker. We put the bZ4X Touring to the test to see how it rates for value, practicality, performance, safety and more.

Starting at $33,990 drive-away, the 2026 GWM Ora 5 Lux is a competitively priced small electric SUV from China that marks the relaunch of the Ora brand in Australia after the Ora hatchback faced an arguably unenthusiastic reception on launch a few years ago.With Australian ride and handling tuning and some updated ergonomics and tech, the Ora 5 SUV comes with a decent list of standard features including 18-inch wheels, auto LED headlights and LED tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers and tinted privacy glass, a large 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless phone mirroring, a 10.25-inch driver display, synthetic leather upholstery and electric driver’s seat adjustment.A single motor mounted at the front axle provides drive, with 150kW/260Nm outputs. It draws from a 58.3kWh battery and has a claimed consumption figure of 15.5kWh/100km, which GWM says results in a 435km range under WLTC testing.DC fast-charging is maxed at 120kW, and takes about 30 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent.ANCAP hasn’t completed an assessment of the Ora 5 SUV yet so, for now, the model remains unrated. It does however have seven airbags and a pretty comprehensive list of features including door-open warning and rear cross-traffic alert.GWM’s seven-year unlimited kilometre warranty (with eight years for the battery), plus seven years of roadside assist and seven years capped-price servicing at $195 per service (every 12 months or 15,000km) is a strong ownership proposition.

This is a big moment for Toyota in Australia. The biggest in recent memory, even.Because it’s not just when, at last, its best-selling model, the RAV4, scores one of the fastest-growing powertrain choices in Australia, the plug-in hybrid. It’s also the brand tip-toeing into the powertrain solution that will no doubt eventually end up driving all of its icons, from HiLux to LandCruiser and everything in between. And there's another way to look at it, too, and that is that many of the rush of new brands in Australia – BYD, Geely etc – have arrived with a mid-size plug-in in their arsenal. This is Toyota returning serve.Well, kind of. If you're expecting Chinese pricing, think again. The RAV4 PHEV is currently offered in three guises across two grades, with the XSE 2WD ($58,840), the XSE AWD ($63,340) and the new big dog of the range, the GR Sport AWD ($66,340).The RAV4’s biggest competitor these days is probably the BYD Sealion 6, which tops out below where the plug-in Toyota starts, with the Premium listed at $52,990 before on-road costs. Something like a Geely Starray EM-i is even cheaper, starting at less than $38,000. The Toyota does start below something like a VW Tayron eHybrid, in which the Elegance starts from $62,390.In terms of bang for bucks, the XSE trims mirror their non-plugged sibling – and we have a story detailing all the equipment here – while the GR Sport adds a unique exterior package, including a new grille, bumpers and a rear spoiler. There’s also a whole bunch of mechanical stuff you can’t see, too, like a 20mm wider track, sportier front damping, extra rear bracing for better lateral stiffness and a shift-by-wire continuously variable transmission (CVT).The big difference between the two grades, at least in terms of look, is the front-end treatment, with the XSE cars getting the perforated-style grille that reminds me a little of a chain-link fence, and the GR Sport scoring the deeper mesh grille with far more gloss black. Now I would never be so bold as to tell you which one you should like better, beauty being in the eye of the beholder and all that, but I will say this; if it’s not the GR Sport, then you’re wrong.The plug-in power here comes from the combination of a 2.5-litre petrol engine, a 22.7kWh battery, and a front electric motor in 2WD spec, and a second rear electric motor in the AWD trims. Toyota doesn’t quote a combined torque figure, but power is at 201kW for the single motor, and 227kW for the AWD, officially making this the most potent RAV4 we’ve ever seen in Australia. The GR Sport, for example, will clip 100km/h in a brisk 5.8secs – provided the battery is topped up.Like most makers of plug-in hybrids, Toyota's claim of 0.7L/100km on the combined cycle are fanciful, you will never get close to that. We were averaging around 3.0L with the battery topped up, which is good. But if you want to use no fuel, Toyota says the 2WD version will travel 121kms on electric power alone, while the AWDs will take you 113kms.The rest is fairly RAV4, so we’ll summarise before we get to the good stuff. The PHEV models benefit from the tech upgrade delivered on the rest of the new RAV4 range, and it makes the interior a far nicer, more modern-feeling space. The backseat is sparse but spacious, though the tunnel does cut into the middle-seat leg room, and I had no problems getting my 175cm frame comfy in the window seats. And the boot is slightly smaller, now at 655L VDA rather than the regular hybrid’s 705 litres. Kudos to Toyota, though, for fitting a space-saving spare wheel.OK, caught up? Let’s drive this thing. Climb behind the wheel of the RAV4 PHEV and – and I know this is going to sound a little bit boring – you’ll find it drives a lot like a RAV4 Hybrid, only with a plug. That is not a criticism of this car, it’s consistently among our best-selling vehicles for a reason.The GR Sport is the grade we spent the most time in, and it gets the wider track, the sportier ride and handling and, of course, all the power, at 227kW with the battery fully charged. And the end result is an SUV that is actually really fun to take around corners. There is a balance and a composure to this car that is simply not present on some plug-in hybrid products.Now there is a catch, of course, that’s 227kW with everything topped up. I spent a fair chunk of the test in a vehicle with its battery depleted, which meant I was relying on ICE power above all else, and it felt slower (particularly under rolling acceleration) and you could certainly hear the engine and the gearbox working away under heavy revs.The other catch is that once the battery is depleted, there's no coming back. Some plug-in hybrids have a charge function, where you can use the petrol engine to recharge the battery on the fly. That's not the case here. It will recoup some charge from the regenerative braking, but nowhere near enough to fully charge the battery. You need to plug it back to meaningfully top it up. The only minor downside to the drive experience, or the thing that differs a little bit from the regular RAV4 Hybrid, is the weight of this vehicle. Using round numbers, there appears to be around 250kg in extra weight on board the plug-in hybrid version – pushing the kerb weight to around two tonnes – and you can feel it around you at times.They have upgraded the brakes on the PHEV vehicles to deal with the extra weight, but it doesn't disguise it completely. It can feel heavy under braking when you're on a slippery downhill into a corner, which takes a little bit of getting used to.The other quirk is that, in some of vehicles we tested, when you put your foot down you could hear the faintest whine of what seemed to be the electric motor spinning, which, if you're a bit like me and a tiny bit OCD about these things, might eventually drive you crazy.Final quirk – and it’s a complicated one, but I’ll try and sum it up quickly – is that the RAV4 PHEV was developed for 2025 ANCAP protocols, not 2026, but a launch delay saw it miss that testing window. Updates are being made, and the brand is confident it will be issued a five-star rating later this year, but that won’t be retroactive. The cars now are unrated, and will remain so, even after a new ANCAP result is issued this year. Whether that's a problem is a decision for you. 

GWM is relaunching its Ora brand with another go at creating a hero model, this time a small SUV called the Ora 5. There are supposedly some big improvements compared to the electric hatchback that arrived a few years ago, so we headed to the Australian launch of the new model in Victoria to find out if that’s true.

One of the most influential small SUVs of recent times is also one of the most underrated in Australia – the Nissan Qashqai e-Power. A plugless range-extender EV, this British designed, engineered and built crossover melds premium quality and practical sophistication with slick performance and low fuel consumption. Massive in Europe, the Qashqai deserves a much stronger following here.

If you’re missing the Mazda6 and looking for a new electric car - then Mazda may have the perfect car for you. The all-new Mazda6e Atenza is the flagship of its new electric vehicle (EV) range, with the CX-6e SUV due later this year.The Atenza grade is priced from a very competitive $52,990 and comes equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital driver display plus a 14-speaker Sony audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And to make it feel more premium inside there are leather and synthetic suede seats, a two-tone leather-wrapped steering wheel and more synthetic suede on the dash and doors.The 6e Atenza is motivated by a single, rear-mounted motor which produces 190kW of power and 290Nm of torque. It’s equipped with a 78kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, which Mazda claims is good for an impressive 560km of range.Mazda has included a long list of safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and 360-degree cameras. The 6e is covered by the same five-year/unlimited km warranty as the rest of the Mazda range, with the battery getting eight years and 160,000km of extended coverage.Service intervals for the 6e are every 15,000km/12 months, whichever comes first, and the car is covered by a seven-year/140,000km capped price servicing plan. 

Sales of fully electric cars are booming in Australia at the moment, having accounted for a record one in five new vehicles sold in May 2026.It is good timing, then, for Skoda to launch the first sub-$50,000 European EV to be sold Down Under, the 2027 Skoda Elroq Select 60 small-to-medium SUV.When the Elroq launched with its mid-range Select 85 and flagship 130 Years Edition variants in September 2025, it quickly established itself as one of CarsGuide’s favourites in the segment, having been shortlisted for the Medium SUV Under $60K category in our 2026 Car of the Year awards.But the entry-level Select 60 has since arrived to tempt buyers who crave European style and driving dynamics as much as they crave value and zero emissions.But is the Elroq Select 60 actually any good to own?I have got the keys to a Timiano Green example for the next three months to find out.In this three-part long-term review, I will detail the Select 60’s pricing, specifications, efficiency and aftersales support.The second instalment will deep-dive the Elroq’s design inside and out, as well as its all-important practicality, while the third will be headlined by our full driving impressions and overall verdict.With further ado, let’s get into it!As mentioned, the Elroq 60 Select is Australia’s first sub-$50K European EV.How much cheaper than $50K is it, though?The answer is just $10. Yep, the Elroq 60 Select costs $49,990 drive-away, which makes it $10K and $20K more affordable than its aforementioned 85 Select and 130 Years Edition siblings, respectively.That said, the Select 60’s relatively low price has it well positioned against its competition.Before I go too much further, though, it is worth noting that the Elroq is 4488mm long, which makes it large for a small SUV, and small for a medium SUV.Point being, the Select 60 has rivals all over the place, including one of our 2026 COTY award winners, South Korea’s brilliant Kia EV3 and its similarly priced range-opening Air Standard Range ($47,600 plus on-road costs, 4300mm long).Then there is the more affordable but similarly sized MG S5 EV Essence 49 ($42,990 d/a, 4476mm long) and Zeekr X RWD ($48,900 d/a, 4432mm), both of which are Chinese.Do not make the mistake of thinking that Skoda took a lot of ‘goodies’ out of the Elroq to make the Select 60 a sub-$50K proposition.Its list of standard equipment still includes:Keyless entryMetallic paintworkDusk-sensing LED lightsRain-sensing wipers19-inch Proteus alloy wheels with 235/55 tyresAuto-dimming side mirrors with power foldingLED puddle lightsBlack window surroundsBlack roof railsRear privacy glassKeyless start13.0-inch touchscreen multimedia systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoBluetoothDAB+ digital radioEight-speaker sound system5.0-inch digital instrument clusterWireless smartphone chargerFour 45W USB-C portsOne 12V power outletHeated front seatsHeated steering wheelDual-zone climate controlAuto-dimming rearview mirrorFabric upholsteryLED ambient lightingMeanwhile, the Select 60’s safety features include:Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detectionLane-keep assistSteering assist with emergency functionalityAdaptive cruise control with stop and go functionalityHighway assistBlind-spot monitoringDriver attention alertRear cross-traffic alertA reversing cameraFront and rear parking sensorsSafe exit alertTyre pressure monitoringA tyre repair kitSeven airbags (front-centre and dual front, front-side and curtain)Two ISOFIX child-seat anchorage points (rear outboard)Three top-tether child-seat anchorage pointsThe Select 60 has one option, with the tempting $6000 Signature package adding:Dynamic Matrix LED headlightsPower tailgate with handsfree operationDynamic LED tail-lights12-speaker Canton sound system with a subwooferHead-up display with augmented realityPower-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functionalityRear sunshadesSurround-view camerasDual rear-side airbagsFor reference, aside from a larger battery and a more powerful electric motor (more on both of those in a moment), over the optionless Select 60 the Select 85 adds:19-inch Regulus alloy wheels with mixed tyres (235/55 front, 255/50 rear)Dark-chrome window surroundsDark-chrome roof railsLED rear foglightsThen the 130 Years Edition goes the whole way the further addition of:Dynamic Matrix LED headlightsHeated windshield21-inch Supernova alloy wheels with self-healing tyres (235/45 front, 255/40 rear)Power tailgate with handsfree operationDynamic LED tail-lights12-speaker Canton sound system with a subwooferHead-up display with augmented realityTri-zone climate controlPower-adjustable front seats with memory functionalityMassaging front seatsHeated outboard rear seatsRear sunshadesFabric/artificial leather upholsteryExtended LED ambient lightingPark assistSurround-view camerasSo, what is the Elroq missing?Well, the 130 Years Edition’s surround-view cameras should be standard range-wide – it is strange to see a car of this size without them.Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality is also missing action, which campers and workers on the road are sure to miss.The Select 60 is powered by a single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, which is fitted to its rear axle.It produces 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque, enabling a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 8.0 seconds, which is quite brisk in its EV reality, where instant torque is king.That said, the Select 60 falls short of the heartier 210kW and 545Nm, which the Select 85 and 130 Years Edition output for a triple-digit sprint time of a hot-hatch-like 6.6 seconds.Select 60 buyers will not be left wanting, though, because its straight-line performance is more than satisfactory.So too is its single-speed automatic transmission, which will make most drivers realise how much they do not miss a traditional gearset.The Select 60 is fitted with a 63kWh lithium-ion (NMC) battery, which has a useable capacity of 59kWh.That enables a WLTP-rated driving range of 395km on the combined-cycle test, which is a little underwhelming for an EV in 2026, when 500km-plus claims are increasingly becoming the norm.It is good news, then, that Select 85 and 130 Years Edition up the ante with an 82kWh NMC battery (79kWh net) that boosts the Elroq’s claimed driving range to a more acceptable 529km, albeit at a $10K or $20K premium.The Select 60’s claimed energy consumption is 15.9kWh/100km on the combined-cycle test, which is exactly what I averaged in reality over 729km of driving in my first month of ‘ownership’, which included a good portion of inefficient highway mileage.Based on the Select 60’s useable battery capacity, that equates to a real-world driving range of 371km, which is just 24km short of that particular claim.I must admit, though, that a long weekend away from Melbourne to Venus Bay proved that long-distance EV driving is far from care-free in a sub-400km model like the Select 60.Personally, I would be paying at least $10K more for the peace of mind – and higher performance – provided by its long-range siblings.The Select 60 does have the 85 Select and 130 Years Edition beat, though, when it comes to DC fast charging, with its power peaking at 165kW for a 10-80 per cent charge in a respectable 24 minutes, compared to their 135kW peak and 28-minute duration.That said, it is an even playing field when it comes to AC charging, with an 11kW peak shared, which is perfect for an overnight wallbox charge at home or abroad, at 6.5 hours in the Select 60 or eight hours in the 85 Select and 130 Years Edition.Like all Skoda Australia models, the Elroq comes with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is the best a European brand offers Down Under.That said, we are increasingly seeing eight- and 10-year terms from both Chinese and non-Chinese brands, so Skoda’s offering is by no means the absolute best.As is the case with nearly every EV in Australia, the Elroq’s battery is covered by a separate eight-year/160,000km term.Similar to other Skoda EVs, the Elroq also comes with two years of roadside assistance, which can be extended for a further two years each time it is serviced at an authorised dealership.Speaking of servicing, the Elroq’s service intervals are nice and long, at every 24 months or 30,000km (whichever comes first).A capped-price service pack is available for eight years/120,000km for $1750 (an average of $437.50 per visit), or 10 years/150,000km for $1990 ($398.00 average), both of which are rather good value.And with that we have reached the end of the first part of this long-term review of the 2027 Skoda Elroq Select 60.As mentioned, the upcoming second instalment will focus on its design and practicality.See you then!Acquired: May 6, 2026Distance travelled this month: 729kmOdometer: 1686kmAverage energy consumption this month: 15.9kWh/100km