Articles by Chris Thompson

Lexus this week revealed the updated IS sedan ahead of a Japanese on-sale date of early 2026.The updates consist of some mechanical changes for more engaging driving and design alterations to emphasise the “signature aggressiveness” of the car, but one thing that hasn’t changed is whether the car can be sold in Australia.The Lexus IS was discontinued for Australia in 2022 due to its inability to pass ADR 85, or ‘Pole Side Impact Performance’, which assesses the car’s ability to withstand a sideways impact into a pole. It’s one of many models that fell victim to ADR 85, including the Lexus RC coupe.Lexus Australia confirmed the IS update does not affect whether it can be sold here.“The updated IS sedan announced this week will be offered in selected markets only. This does not include Australia, which ceased offering the IS in 2022,” a Lexus spokesperson told CarsGuide.While the updated Lexus IS is a clear progression over the refreshed 2020 design, it looks rather different to the first iteration of what is still the same generation that debuted back in 2013.Twelve years on from being revealed, the third-generation IS has been given a more aggressive look, Lexus says, with a new face that bears a wider grille, has new F Sport design features, and is 10mm longer than before (now 4720mm).Inside, the changes are more significant. A 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen is standard across the range, while a completely restyled driver display panel (also 12.3 inches), console and door trims creates a more “driver-focused” interior.The IS now has more functions under the brand’s ‘Lexus Safety System +’ and can support hands-off during highway traffic congestion.

Just weeks after Australian pricing was confirmed for the Zeekr 7X, the model has been updated in its home market of China.

A new version of the Xpeng X9 people mover has been revealed in China, with a large battery and an internal combustion engine (ICE) that combine to result in a claimed range that blows rivals out of the water.The 2026 Xpeng X9 ‘SuperRange Extended Range’, as the brand called it on Chinese social media platform Weibo, is confirmed for launch with a claimed battery-only range in excess of 450km and a combustion engine to charge it on the move.According to CarNewsChina, the Chinese Government’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has also published specifications of the X9 extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and the seven-seat people mover should launch in the fourth quarter of the year in China.The model pairs a huge 63.3kWh battery with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine for what Xpeng claims is a total range of 1600km, though that figure was reached using lenient CLTC testing, which often results in far longer distances than NEDC (also relatively inaccurate) or WLTP, the latter being most widely accepted as an accurate testing method.Even if you account for a large portion of the total range to be unrealistic, the fact a people mover could be realistically able to cover more than 1000km on a single charge and full tank is impressive.Xpeng says the X9 EREV is capable of super-fast charging thanks to its 800V architecture, reducing waiting times for charging during particularly long trips and likely avoiding the need to rely heavily on the ICE for charging.According to the wording from Xpeng on its social media, the EREV tech is likely to make its way to other Xpeng models in the future.In Australia the X9 is still in the ‘register interest’ stage ahead of its launch in the fourth quarter of 2025, though it does have a fairly detailed page on the Xpeng Australia website. The EREV would likely be a while away if it does end up confirmed for Australia.When the standard EV X9 shows up, it’ll have a 702km range (CLTC) and be able to charge as much as 300km of range in 10 minutes, Xpeng claims.

While it lends itself rather strongly to being mistaken for a Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door at first glance, this is in fact the new Geely Galaxy Starshine 6 EM-i.

MG has confirmed some details ahead of the Australian launch of its ute, the U9, which is still awaiting a locked-in on-sale date.

VW's next-gen EV onslaught to be led by this T-Cross-sized electric small SUV

The Qashqai Ti e-Power is now Nissan's cheapest hybrid, but does an EV driving experience justify the circa-$50K asking price?

Genesis has confirmed pricing and specifications for the updated G80 line-up for 2026, with a new variant topping the range.The 2026 Genesis G80 line-up now uses the ‘Signature’ naming as other new and updated Genesis models, with a starting price of $104,200 before on-road costs for the 2.5T Signature RWD — the same pricing as before.A new variant, called simply Black, is also introduced to the line-up and, while Genesis calls it the ‘crown’ of the G80 variants, it’s slightly cheaper than the Signature Sport.The G80 Black introduces mostly design changes, and uses the same V6 powertrain as the Signature Sport.This line-up is separate from the G80 Electrified, which was updated earlier this year.Two drivetrains are available in the G80 line-up, the base model running with a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that drives the rear wheels via an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission with 224kW of power at 5800rpm and 422Nm of torque from 1650-4000rpm. Genesis says it uses 9.0L/100km with a 95RON minimum fuel requirement.The 3.5 variants, Signature Sport and Black, both have a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, which drives all four wheels via the same transmission and makes 279kW of power at 5800rpm and 530Nm of torque between 1300-4500rpm. Genesis claims 11.0L/100km combined fuel efficiency, with a 95RON minimum.Standard for 2.5T Signature RWD:19-inch alloy wheelsPanoramic sunroofMicro Lens Array (MLA) LED headlamps with High Beam Assist (HBA)Dynamic welcome lightLED taillights + Reverse guide lightsAuto folding, heated & electro-chromatic side mirrorsNappa Leather appointed interiorSuede headlining, pillar & rear shelf trimsOpen pore real wood garnish18-way front seats (driver & passenger)Heated & ventilated rear outboard seatsHeated two-tone leather steering wheelHeated Front Console ArmrestUV-C Sanitizing ConsolePower rear outboard seats (40/20/40 split)Power door latch - soft close doorsRear armrest console controlsRear wireless phone chargerActive road noise cancelling3.5T Signature Sport AWD adds:20-inch sport alloy wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyresSport exterior stylingDark chrome exterior garnishesSport seat quiltingThree-spoke sport steering wheelCarbon interior garnishAlloy pedals 3.5T Black AWD adds20-inch alloy wheels (Black exclusive)Monoblock Black brake callipersBlack G-Matrix front grilleDark tinted ‘GENESIS’ emblem and letteringDark tinted chrome body claddingDark tinted Genesis emblem on steering wheelBlack seat quilting and Nappa leatherBlack Ash real wood interior trimBlack aluminium speaker grilleBlack garnishing, bezels and switchgearExclusive welcome & goodbye animationMatte paint - $2000ABS10 airbagsactive bonnet lift systemBlind-spot collision avoidance-assist-rear/sideBlind-spot view monitorDriver attention warningEmergency stop signalHighway driving assist 2Intelligent speed limit assistForward collision avoidance-assist 2Lane keeping assist-lineLane following assist 2 with hands on detectionManual speed limit assistPre-active adjustment safe-seat -front passengerPre-safe seat belt: front seats with front & rear seatbelt pre-tensionersParking collision-avoidance assistParking distance warning-forward/side/reverseRear cross-traffic collision avoidance-assistRear occupant alert: radar typeSmart parking assist - remote smart parking assist 2Safe exit assistSmart cruise control w/ stop & goMachine learning + nav-based smart cruise controlSurround view monitorTyre pressure monitoring systemForward attention warningGenesis offers five years and unlimited kilometres of warranty for privately owned cars, with complementary servicing (every 12 months or 15,000km) for 5 Years / 75,000km, and roadside assistance for 10 years at unlimited kilometres.

Honda has finally confirmed details of its much anticipated next-gen Prelude, which is already confirmed for an Australian launch next year.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has published ratings for several new cars after crash testing new SUVs, a ute and a sedan.