Articles by Jack Quick

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.

A new Chinese electric commercial van brand has launched in Australia and its first model is a rival to the likes of Ford E-Transit Custom, Farizon Supervan and LDV eDeliver 7, among others. Cavan is a sub-brand of Foton globally but in Australia it’s being distributed by a different company, meaning a different dealer and service network. Foton is distributed by Inchcape in Australia. There are three versions of the Cavan C1 at launch with differing wheelbase lengths and heights. There is also a promotional pricing offer on all trim levels. The entry-level C1 is $44,990 drive-away, the C1 Plus is $47,990 drive-away and the C1 Max $48,990 drive-away. It’s unclear what the pricing will change to after the promotional offer ends. For now this firmly makes the Cavan C1 the most affordable electric van in Australia. This title was previously held by the Farizon V7E. It’s even more affordable than many diesel-powered vans like the LDV Deliver 7, Hyundai Staria Load, Fiat Scudo, Peugeot Expert and Toyota HiAce, among others. All versions of the C1 are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 125kW and 210Nm. Top speed is 120km/h. The electric motor in the entry-level C1 is fed by a 50.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack sourced from CATL. This allows for a claimed range of up to 270km, according to lenient WLTC testing. Both the C1 Plus and C1 Max have a larger 66.7kWh lithium ion battery pack sourced from CATL. Claimed range is up to 325km and 333km, respectively, according to lenient WLTC testing. The entry-level C1 measures in at 4885mm long, 1810mm wide and 1960mm tall, with a 3100mm wheelbase. It offers 6.6 cubic metres of cargo volume and has a 1000kg payload. The C1 Plus is 300mm longer at 5185mm long and has a 3400mm wheelbase. It offers 7.4 cubic metres of cargo volume and has a 1200kg payload. The top-spec C1 Max is the same length but has a 200mm higher roof. It’s 2160mm tall. It offers 8.4 cubic metres of cargo volume and has a 1200kg payload. All versions of the C1 have a three-seat bench, dual sliding side doors, as well as rear barn doors. There are LED headlights, 16-inch wheels with hub caps, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system, climate control, exterior and interior vehicle-to-load (V2L) ports, as well as a heated driver’s seat. On the safety front there are two airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, as well as a surround-view camera. Cavan Australia offers differing warranty durations depending on the component type. The body and chassis is covered for up to three years or 100,000km, the electric motor and controller is covered for up to five years or 200,000km, and the high-voltage battery is covered for up to eight years or 400,000km. Logbook servicing is free for up to three years or 100,000km. There’s also three years of complimentary roadside assistance. As it currently stands, there is only one Cavan dealer in Australia. It’s located in Mitcham, which is in Melbourne’s east.

The 2026 Cupra Formentor VZx is currently the flagship trim level in the line-up, although this will change once the Audi RS3-powered VZ5 arrives later this year. It’s priced from $69,990 before on-road costs. Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 245kW and 420Nm. This is 17kW and 20Nm more than before. It’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with drive sent through an all-wheel drive system. This update has picked up a trick torque-splitting rear differential that allows for a ‘Drift’ mode. Cupra claims the Formentor VZx can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds. Launch control is standard. The Fomentor VZx is claimed to consume 8.3L/100km (8.5L/100km with the Extreme package) on the combined cycle according to ADR 81/02 testing. There’s a 55L fuel tank which requires a minimum of 98 RON premium unleaded petrol. Using this claim the Formentor VZx has a theoretical total range of 663km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch forged alloy wheels, LED headlights, a hands-free power tailgate, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.9-inch touchscreen multimedia system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system, wireless phone charger, interior ambient lighting, three-zone climate control, leather-accented upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated front seats. A panoramic glass sunroof is optional for $2000, plus the $7000 Extreme package adds matrix LED headlights, six-piston Akebono front brakes and Sabelt front bucket seats. The Cupra Formentor originally received a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2021 and this has been renewed for the updated model based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2025. There are 10 airbags including rear-side and front-centre airbags as standard, plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with lane centring, a surround-view camera, as well as a parking assist. The Formentor, like all other Cupras, is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is a little lacklustre for a mainstream brand now as many have moved to conditional eight or 10-year terms. Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. There are three- and five-year pre-paid service packages available that are priced at $1090 and $2190, respectively. In the latter case, this means each service averages out to almost $440 which is fairly average for a European car.

Nissan has officially revealed a new small SUV that’s aimed at the Indian, Middle Eastern and African markets, but don’t expect it to be coming to Australia. The Nissan Tekton is essentially a rebadged Dacia or Renault Duster. It has been developed in India and will be manufactured in partnership with Renault in India. There are two powertrains on offer, a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. The latter produces 100kW and 280Nm. Depending on the powertrain there are either manual or dual-clutch automatic transmissions on offer. A wide array of trim levels are available in India but available equipment includes a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Google built-in, LED headlights, panoramic glass sunroof, dual-zone climate control and ventilated front seats. Although the top-spec models get 18-inch alloy wheels, a number of the more affordable models get 17-inch steel wheels. On the safety front there are six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera. Although the Tekton is built in right-hand drive and is set to be offered in 50 global markets across the Middle East and Africa, a Nissan Australia spokesperson confirmed it is “not currently under consideration for Australia”. Renault launched the related Duster in Australia during 2025. It's built in Romania alongside the Dacia Duster and comes in two- and all-wheel drive guises. As it stands, Nissan's smallest vehicle in Australia is now the UK-built Qashqai. The new-generation Juke EV isn’t coming to Australia. Nissan recently launched the Kicks small SUV in right-hand drive for Japan but it’s not confirmed for an Australian launch either. It’s offered in Japan exclusively with e-Power hybrid powertrains.

BYD has confirmed the pricing and specifications for the new Dolphin G DM-i plug-in hybrid (PHEV) hatchback for the UK ahead of first arrivals in September. There are four trim levels available, Active, Boost, Comfort and Sport. Pricing starts at £23,990 (~A$46,350) and extends to £29,490 (~A$56,990). The entry-level Dolphin G DM-i is £6005 (~A$11,600) more affordable than the entry-level Sealion 5 DM-i. For context, the entry-level Sealion 5 in Australia is priced from $33,990 before on-road costs. If the Dolphin G DM-i comes to Australia it could slide under $30,000, making it the new cheapest PHEV. This title currently goes to the aforementioned Sealion 5. At this stage BYD hasn’t confirmed whether the Dolphin G DM-i is due for an Australian launch. The entry-level Dolphin G DM-i Active is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors with a total system output of 129kW. It features a 7.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that allows for up to 39km of electric range, according to WLTP testing. Claimed total range is 1018km. The battery pack can only be AC charged at rates up to 3.3kW. The rest of the line-up is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors with a slightly higher total system output of 155kW. They have a larger 18.3kWh LFP battery that allows for up to 104km of electric range, according to WLTP testing. Claimed total range is 1039km. The battery pack can be AC charged at rates up to 6.6kW, plus it offers DC fast-charging capabilities at rates up to 39kW. As standard the entry-level Dolphin G DM-i Active comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, a 10.1-inch central touchscreen multimedia system, a four-speaker sound system and fabric upholstery. Stepping up to the Boost gains a larger 12.8-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 15W wireless phone charger, eight-speaker sound system, interior ambient lighting, synthetic leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, two 18W USB-C ports in the rear, electrically folding side mirrors and privacy glass. The Comfort gets larger 18-inch alloy wheels, Google Built-in multimedia operating system, fabric and synthetic leather upholstery, power adjustable driver’s seat, as well as a surround-view camera. Lastly the Sport gets black 18-inch alloy wheels and synthetic suede upholstery finished in black with either orange or blue accents. BYD hasn’t confirmed whether the Dolphin G DM-i will be coming to Australia, but the related Atto 2 DM-i has been approved for local sale. These types of government approval filings usually come a few months before a new model is confirmed for local sale. However, it isn't always a guarantee. If the BYD Atto 2 DM-i does launch in Australia it will complement the all-electric trims that launched late last year.

Tesla has sold out of a sought-after genuine accessory for its Model 3 electric sedan only days after its launch. The US electric carmaker is offering an air mattress for the Model 3 that fits across the folded rear seats and the boot. It’s made of three-inch high-density foam with a waterproof polyester exterior covering. It can be inflated with the integrated air pump and it comes with a carry bag and repair kit. This kind of air mattress is perfect for those who want to sleep in their vehicle overnight when camping. At this stage Tesla is only offering this air mattress genuine accessory on its US website. It’s priced from US$235 (~A$340). This Tesla-branded air mattress is not offered in Australia yet, although a number of third party accessory companies already offer a similar product. However, many don’t fit the exact contours of the vehicle. Tesla already offers genuine accessory air mattresses in the Model Y, Model Y L in Australia. They’re priced from $375 and $300, respectively. The US electric carmaker also offers a genuine accessory air mattress for the Cybertruck electric pick-up in North America. In Australia, Tesla has been going from strength to strength. In June a total of 8670 vehicles were sold, making it the fourth best-selling brand for the month. A lot of the heavy lifting was done by the Model Y electric SUV. A total of 8072 vehicles were sold in June, making it the best-selling vehicle for the month by far. It’s the first time an EV has ever been the selling-car. So far in 2026, Tesla has sold a total of 23,588 vehicles, which is up 66.7 per cent year-on-year. It’s now the 10 best-selling brand in Australia.

The 2026 Cupra Formentor VZe is the penultimate trim in the current line-up and the only plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offering currently. It’s priced from $68,990 before on-road costs, which is $4000 more than it was previously. Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor with total system outputs of 200kW and 400Nm. This is 20kW more than before. This is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with drive sent to the front wheels only. Cupra claims the Formentor VZe can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.2 seconds. Launch control is standard. There is a 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack as standard which allows for up to 114km of electric driving, according to WLTP testing. AC charging is offered at rates up to 11kW, while DC fast-charging is available at rates up to 50kW. Cupra claims the Formentor VZe consumes an average of 1.7L/100km, according to ADR 81/02 testing. There’s a 40L fuel tank which requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol. Using this claim, this car has a theoretical total range of 2350km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a hands-free power tailgate, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.9-inch touchscreen multimedia system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system, wireless phone charger, interior ambient lighting, three-zone climate control, leather-accented upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated front seats. A panoramic glass sunroof is optional for $2000, plus the $6500 Extreme package adds matrix LED headlights, four-piston Brembo front brakes and Sabelt front bucket seats. The Cupra Formentor originally received a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2021 and this has been renewed for the updated model based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2025. There are 10 airbags including rear-side and front-centre airbags as standard, plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with lane centring, a surround-view camera, as well as a parking assist. The Formentor, like all other Cupras, is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is a little lacklustre for a mainstream brand now as many have moved to conditional eight or 10-year terms. Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. There are three- and five-year pre-paid service packages available that are priced at $1090 and $2190, respectively. In the latter case, this means each service averages out to almost $440 which is fairly average for a European car.

After almost 20 years of prototyping, Bridgestone is finally doing a commercial rollout of its airless tyres, though expect to be waiting a while for it to be offered on everyday cars. Dubbed Airfree, the Bridgestone airless tyres will be equipped to a fleet of autonomous electric vehicles (EVs), which look like elongated golf carts. These autonomous EVs with the Airfree tyres will be used for a rideshare service in Higashiomi City in Japan, which is a mountainous area with a rising number of elderly residents. Bridgestone has been developing its Airfree tyres since 2008 and it’s now onto its third-generation version. These are made for thermoplastic resin with the outside covered with a layer of rubber. As reported by Nikkei Asia, which had the opportunity for a test ride, the autonomous EV with the Airfree tyres has a top speed of 20km/h and demonstrated the ability of climbing steep hills and poorly paved roads. This low top speed limits a wider rollout of the Airfree tyre to mainstream vehicles. Other limitations include performance issues, high costs, as well as weight and efficiency. However, an upside is that punctures are not possible due to the non-pneumatic design of the tyre. At this stage Bridgestone still has no clear timeline for mass production and a wider rollout of its Airfree tyres. Despite this, the company is expecting to take learnings from the Airfree tyres and implement it in other products. For example, it’s developing lunar rover tyres with a metal structure that’s based on the Airfree tyre’s design. Looking beyond Bridgestone, Michelin is another company that is looking to roll out airless tyres. Its UPTIS (Unique Puncture-Proof Tyre System) tyres were revealed in 2019 as an airless tyre concept for passenger cars. Michelin had partnered with General Motors and aimed to bring them to market in 2024. This still hasn’t happened. While it’s unclear whether airless tyres will ever be available for everyday cars, Michelin does already offer the Tweel airless radial tyres for ATVs, golf carts and ride-on mowers, among other small commercial applications.  

All automatic versions of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series are available to order once again in Australia as the company makes some subtle tweaks to reduce emissions. The LC70 Series now comes with a 20-litre AdBlue tank across the line-up, which allows the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine to comply with Euro 6 emissions regulations. The AdBlue system uses the vehicle’s selective catalytic reduction process to inject AdBlue into the exhaust to help reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. In 76 Series wagon, 78 Series Troopcarrier and 79 Series dual-cab chassis grades the AdBlue refuelling port is located above the front left wheel arch and has a lockable lid. 79 Series single-cab chassis grades, on the other hand, have the AdBlue refuelling port between the cab and rear wheels on the passenger side. The 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine produces an unchanged 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque. The 78 Series Troopcarrier grades now receive a smaller 130L diesel fuel tank with this update, bringing it line with the rest of the 70 Series line-up. It previously had an 180L unit. While all versions of the LC70 with the six-speed automatic transmission are back on sale, including the 76 Series GXL wagon automatic, which had a sales pause since 2025, grades with the five-speed manual transmission are unavailable for the time being. At this stage Toyota hasn’t given a timeline for when manual-equipped versions of the LC70 will return to Australian shores. “After pausing orders for certain LandCruiser 70 Series in 2025 to manage customer expectations around vehicle supply challenges, we are excited to say that order books are now back open,” said Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operation John Pappas. “The addition of the AdBlue system will also ensure the vehicles meet the latest Euro VI emission standards.” Toyota hasn’t detailed pricing for the LC70 yet with the inclusion of the AdBlue system. The line-up currently starts at $75,600 before on-road costs for the 76 Series Workmate wagon automatic, and extends to $83,500 before on-road costs for the 79 Series GXL dual-cab chassis automatic. It’s likely pricing may rise incrementally but we’ll have to wait and see if this is the case.

The small and light passenger car segments have been dwindling for years in Australia, but new offerings are helping to revive the affordable new car. These cars are the BYD Atto 1, MG3 and MG4 Urban. They’re all from Chinese carmakers and offer electrified power options. In June BYD sold a total of 871 examples of the Atto 1. It’s only been on sale for a few months and it’s the most affordable electric vehicle (EV) in Australia with a starting price of $23,990 before on-road costs. It was only pipped at the post in terms of monthly sales by the MG3 with a total of 898 examples sold. This is down 1.8 per cent compared to June 2025. The MG3 is now one of the only cars that's available for less than $20,000. It’s offered with both petrol and hybrid power. The Kia Picanto is the only other new car that’s available for less than $20,000 and it’s even smaller than the MG3. The South Korean carmaker sold 626 examples during June, which is down 13.3 per cent over the same month last year. MG also had some sales success with its new MG4 Urban small electric hatchback in June with a total of 1015 examples sold during the month. This almost outsold the venerable Toyota Corolla which shifted 1037 units. This is down 28.6 per cent compared to June 2025. Looking at the year-to-date (YTD) sales figures, BYD has sold a total of 3254 examples of the Atto 1 despite only being on sale for a few months. The Chinese carmaker has been going from strength to strength in terms of sales in Australia. It’s now the second best-selling brand in Australia behind only Toyota, which has held the crown for the last 20 consecutive years. MG sold a total of 3917 examples of the MG3 to the end of June which was down 25.9 per cent year-on-year. For context, MG sold a total of 8984 examples of the related ZS small SUV over the same period, an 11.7 per cent drop. MG sold a total of 1424 examples of the MG4 Urban up to the end of June. It’s only been on sale for a few months now and it appears full supply is coming on tap and backorders are being fulfilled. Forecasting for the rest of the 2026, it will be interesting to see how much of this renewed interest in certain small cars carries on as the segments as a whole continue to decline. Light and small SUV sales continue to boom and don’t look like they’re slowing down anytime soon. The overall sales volume for the segments are much higher than the respective passenger car segments too. Chery sold a total of 13,638 examples of the Tiggo 4 small SUV until the end of June, which is up 70.6 per cent year-on-year. It also makes it the fifth best-selling car in Australia overall. The best-selling passenger car currently is the Toyota Corolla in 22nd place for YTD sales. Every vehicle with a higher sales volume is either an SUV or ute.