Articles by Jack Quick

The 2026 Ford F-150 Platinum is a new, flagship trim in the locally converted pick-up line-up.Priced from $163,950 before on-road costs, irrespective of whether you opt for the short- (SWB) or long-wheelbase (LWB) body styles. This is the most expensive F-150 to date and is more expensive than the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, however the Toyota Tundra Platinum is still pricier.Power comes from a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW and 678Nm. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel-drive system.Like all F-150 variants, the Lariat offers a 4500kg braked towing capacity with a 70mm tow ball. Payload is between 704kg and 724kg, depending on the body style.The F-150 Platinum comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, panoramic glass sunroof, spray-in bedliner, power tailgate with a swing-door section, power side steps, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen, folding gear selector, fold-out centre console, leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats that are heated, ventilated and have a massage function, plus heated outboard rear seats.The Ford F-150 received a 'Platinum' collision avoidance score from ANCAP in 2025. This only applies to Lariat and Platinum trims and not the base XLT.Standard safety highlights include six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera.The F-150 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is fairly average now for mainstream brands, however in the world of American pick-ups this is still generous.There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance which gets extended every time you service the car when required.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. You can purchase a five-year pre-paid service package for $1968, which averages out to just under $400 per service.

Hyundai Australia has detailed some major additions to its Staria people mover and Staria Load commercial van line-ups.Highlighting the changes is a new hybrid powertrain that will be offered across both the Staria Load line-up, as well as the new Staria Lounge seven-seat flagship people mover.The Staria Load Hybrid is the first series-parallel hybrid commercial van offered in Australia, overlooking the Transit Custom PHEV which, as the name suggests, is a plug-in hybrid.Power comes from a familiar set-up combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor, like the Carnival Hybrid and Santa Fe Hybrid, but has a higher total system output of 180kW.Hybrid versions of the Staria Load and Staria Lounge are due to launch in Australia in June.The 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine still feature in the entry-level Staria people mover, which is due at dealers this month, but the latter engine option is front-wheel drive, rather than all-wheel drive.Additionally, an electric version of the Staria Load is due to launch in Australia in the second half of 2026. It has a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 160kW and is fed by a 84kWh lithium-ion battery pack.Other changes made to the Staria and Staria Load line-up with this model year 2027 (MY27) update include a new front fascia with a different lighting signature, plus vertical side-mounted tail-lights.All versions of the Staria Load have a two-seat configuration, with the pre-update five-seat variant being discontinued.2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia pricing:2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia powertrain and efficiency:2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia dimensions:2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia standard equipment:Staria Load highlights:Two-seat configuration17-inch steel wheelsFull-size spare wheelLiftback rear tailgate (rear barn doors available)Halogen headlights4.2-inch digital instrument cluster12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system (NEW)Apple CarPlay and Android AutoOver-the-air updates (NEW)Keyless entry and push-button start (NEW)Electric park brakeLeather-wrapped steering wheelCloth upholsteryStaria Load Hybrid adds:Single-zone climate controlStaria Load Electric adds:12.3-inch digital instrument clusterBattery heating systemShift-by-wire gear selectorSatellite navigationStaria Load Premium adds:17-inch alloy wheelsLED headlightsPower tailgateElectrochromic rear-view mirrorHeated steering wheelHeated front seatsStaria highlights:Eight-seat configuration18-inch alloy wheelsFull-size spare wheelLED headlights4.2-inch digital instrument cluster12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system (NEW)Over-the-air updates (NEW)Front single-zone climate controlRear manual climate controlKeyless entry and push-button start (NEW)Cloth upholsteryStaria Lounge adds:Seven-seat configurationProjector LED headlightsSatin chrome door handlesDeluxe door scuff platesPrivacy glassDual power-sliding side doorsDual sunroofsPower tailgate12.3-inch digital instrument clusterInterior ambient lightingSuede rooflinerMetal pedalsRear single-zone climate controlNappa leather upholsteryHeated front and rear seats2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia safety:The Hyundai Staria received a five-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2021, whereas the Staria Load received a Platinum collision avoidance rating based on testing in 2022.Standard safety highlights include:Seven airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane-keep assistLane centringIntelligent speed limit assistAdaptive cruise controlFront and rear parking sensorsReversing cameraA surround-view camera is now only offered on the Staria Load Premium and Staria Lounge.2027 Hyundai Staria and Staria Load Australia warranty and servicing:Like all Hyundais, the Staria and Staria Load are now covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery in the hybrid and electric models are covered for eight years or 160,000km.Logbook servicing and pricing hasn’t been detailed yet.

Fuel prices are skyrocketing right now in Australia and Ford is looking for a way to capitalise on selling more of its low-emission vehicles.The Blue Oval is offering a wide range of drive-away pricing offers across its Ranger plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute, as well as the Mustang Mach-E and E-Transit electric vehicles (EVs). All are valid until June 30.2025 model year (MY25) examples of the Ranger PHEV now start at $62,000 drive-away for the XLT trim and extend to $73,000 drive-away for the flagship Stormtrak.The Ranger PHEV usually starts at $71,990 before on-road costs for the XLT and extends to $86,990 before on-road costs for the Stormtrak.The Blue Oval is also offering drive-away pricing offers across the F-150 line-up, as well as on certain Everest and Tourneo models.A table with the full drive-away pricing offers currently available is at the bottom of this story.Ford is also offering an additional $1000 discount on Ranger, Ranger PHEV and Ranger Super Duty models for farming businesses that are registered as Primary Producers. This is valid until June 30.Lastly, Ford is throwing in a $4000 fuel card to select Ranger variants and Everest Trend models that are MY26 and older to help ease the high cost of diesel currently. This is until stock sells out.“These initiatives are designed to help our customers, from small business owners to families, get through this challenging financial period,” said Ford Australia and New Zealand President and CEO Fadi Mawal.“Ford vehicles offer incredible capability, performance and long-term value for money and we don’t want anyone to miss out on getting the best car for their needs because of short-term pain at the pump.“By offering the most fuel-efficient Ranger ever built at a fantastic drive away price, along with an immediate $4000 cashflow injection for ICE customers via a fuel card, we are ensuring that Ford doesn’t just offer great vehicles, but a total ownership solution. We’ve sharpened our pencils to ensure we’ve got our customers’ backs.”

The 2026 Ford F-150 Lariat is now the mid-spec variant in the line-up, following the introduction of the new Platinum flagship trim.Priced from $141,950 before on-roads, irrespective of whether you opt for the short- (SWB) or long-wheelbase (LWB) version. This is aligned with versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500, though it’s still cheaper than the Toyota Tundra.Power comes from a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW and 678Nm. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel drive system.Like all F-150 variants, the Lariat offers a 4500kg braked towing capacity with a 70mm tow ball. Payload is between 769kg and 794kg, depending on the variant.The F-150 Lariat comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, panoramic glass sunroof, spray-in bedliner, power tailgate with a swing-door section, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen, folding gear selector, fold-out centre console, leather upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable front seats that are heated and ventilated, plus heated outboard rear seats.The Ford F-150 received a 'Platinum' collision avoidance score from ANCAP in 2025. This only applies to Lariat and Platinum trims and not the base XLT.Standard safety highlights include six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a surround-view camera.The F-150 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is fairly average now for mainstream brands, however in the world of American pick-ups this is still generous.There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance which gets extended every time you service the car when required.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. You can purchase a five-year pre-paid service package for $1968, which averages out to just under $400 per service.

Ford has revealed a new, city-focused electric commercial van that’s aimed to be cost-conscious and simple, yet uncompromised.The 2026 Ford Transit City is the newest model in its sprawling line-up consisting of the Transit, Transit Custom, Transit Connect and Transit Courier.Despite all the aforementioned Transit models being different sizes, the new Transit City is on par with the mid-size Transit Custom.All versions are powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 110kW of power. This is fed by a 56kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that allows for up to 254km of WLTP-claimed range.While this doesn’t seem like much range, Ford claims the battery is “right-sized” and that 90 per cent of vans in the Transit City’s segment drive under 110km per day on average.DC fast-charging is available at rates up to 67kW, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent charge to happen in 30 minutes.AC charging on the other hand is offered at rates up to 11kW, allowing a 10 to 100 per cent to take 5.2 hours.The Transit City is available in three body configurations – L1H1 Van, L2H2 Van and a cab-chassis. The latter can be used to install a box body or tray, for example.The L1H1 Van has a load length of up to 2770mm, allowing it to fit up to three Euro-sized pallets. It has a payload capacity of 1085kg.The larger L2H2 has 8.5 cubic metres of cargo space and a payload of 1275kg.As standard the Transit City comes with a 12-inch touchscreen multimedia system that offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry and a heated driver’s seat. A three-person bench seat is standard.The safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a reversing camera.The Transit City is being targeted at the European market where orders will open in the second quarter of 2026, ahead of first arrivals before the end of the year.At this stage it’s unclear whether this new city- and budget-focused Ford electric van will be offered outside of Europe.“The Transit City is an exciting addition to the global Ford line-up, adding a new variant of the world’s most iconic nameplates. Ford Australia is always evaluating options to expand our line-up for customers, but we have no news to share about future products at this time," said a Ford Australia spokesperson.Ford already offers a number of electric vans in Australia – the mid-size E-Transit Custom and the larger E-Transit.

The 2026 Ford F-150 XLT is the entry-level version of this locally converted pick-up line-up in Australia.Now priced from $114,950 before on-road costs, it’s $8000 more than it was pre-update. The short- and long-wheelbase versions are now priced the same.The F-150 XLT is still cheaper than all versions of the Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra, though Ram is still offering V8-powered versions of the 1500 for less.Power comes from a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 298kW and 678Nm. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel-drive system.Like all F-150 variants, the XLT offers a 4500kg braked towing capacity with a 70mm tow ball. Payload is between 853kg and 878kg, depending on the variant.With this update, the XLT now receives a considerably higher level of standard specification. New inclusions are LED headlights and tail-lights, a 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system.This is above and beyond other highlights like 20-inch alloy wheels, a spray-in bedliner, seven-speaker sound system, fold-out centre console, column-mounted gear selector, power-adjustable foot pedals, fabric upholstery, 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 10-way power-adjustable front-passenger seat.The Ford F-150 received a 'Platinum' collision avoidance score from ANCAP in 2025. This only applies to Lariat and Platinum trims and not the base XLT.Standard safety highlights include six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera.The F-150 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty which is fairly average now for mainstream brands, however in the world of American pick-ups this is still generous.There’s also 12 months of complimentary roadside assistance which gets extended every time you service the car when required.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. You can purchase a five-year pre-paid service package for $1968, which averages out to just under $400 per service.

BYD has revealed a new electric vehicle (EV) that’s capable of flash charging at a rapid rate.The 2026 BYD Song Ultra EV, an electric mid-size SUV, comes with the Chinese maker’s second-generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery and is capable of charging from 10 to 97 per cent in nine minutes.Four trim levels of the Song Ultra EV have been detailed for now. There are two electric motor and battery configurations.Entry-level versions come with a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 240kW of power and 305Nm of torque. This is fed by a 68.4kWh battery pack, allowing for a claimed range of 620km, according to relatively lenient CLTC testing.Higher models feature a slightly more powerful rear-mounted electric motor that produces 270kW. They also get a larger 82.7kWh battery pack allowing for a CLTC-claimed range of 710km.In terms of design, the Song Ultra EV has elements reminiscent of a number of other BYD models. There’s minimal front fascia with a full-width light bar, a clean side profile with flush door handles as well as a full-width light bar at the rear.Standard equipment includes adaptive dampers across the line-up, as well as a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 15.6-inch central touchscreen multimedia system, head-up display, interior ambient lighting, fridge/hotbox, plus heated and ventilated front seats.On the safety front there are seven airbags, as well as an optional package that adds Lidar and 27 sensors enabling semi-autonomous driving functionality in city and highway scenarios.At this stage it’s unclear whether the mid-size Song Ultra EV will come to Australia. BYD’s electric SUV line-up currently consists of the small Atto 2 and Atto 3, as well as the mid-size Sealion 7.If it does come here it will go up against rivals like the Kia EV5, Tesla Model Y, XPeng G6 and Zeekr 7X among others.Although BYD sales in China have been faltering over the past few months, they have been accelerating in Australia.In the first two months of 2026, the Chinese carmaker sold a total of 10,324 vehicles, which is up 161.0 per cent year-on-year.Its best-seller currently is the Sealion 7 electric SUV (2498 sales), followed closely by the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute (2166 sales).

Chery has unveiled a facelifted version of the E5 in Thailand, though it’s unclear if or when it will launch in other markets.Thailand is already a right-hand drive market, theoretically meaning an Australian launch of this facelifted Chery E5 could come soon.A Chery Australia spokesperson has confirmed there are no plans to introduce an E5 facelift at this point.Known as the Omoda C5 EV in the Thai market, it picks up a refreshed exterior design. The front end is claimed to be inspired by a shark, featuring striking new LED daytime running lights that are higher up on the front bumper, as well as a bolder faux grille area.Around the back the tail-lights have a zig-zag lighting signature that has an element of Peugeot-like design.Inside has also been given a major overhaul. There’s a larger 15.6-inch touchscreen multimedia display, as well as a revised centre console area and a squared-off steering wheel.In Thailand, only the Max+ version of the facelifted C5 EV has been detailed. It’s powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 155kW and 288Nm.This is fed by a 50.6kWh battery pack, allowing for a claimed range of 422km, according to more lenient NEDC testing.For context, the Australian-specification Chery E5 features a similarly powerful, front-mounted electric motor but a slightly larger 58.9kWh battery pack, allowing for an NEDC-claimed range of 505km.The Chery E5, originally known as the Chery Omoda E5, first launched in Australia in 2024 as an electric version of the C5, which was originally called the Chery Omoda 5.Although the Omoda name has been spun out as its own brand in Australia, the C5/E5 have remained a Chery-badged model locally.Two trim levels are offered in Australia – Urban and Ultimate – that are priced at $38,990 and $42,990 drive-away, respectively.

Even more Honda electric vehicles (EVs) have been given the axe before they made it to production.Sony Honda Mobility, which is a joint venture between Honda and Sony, has indefinitely delayed the launch of the Afeela 1 electric sedan, as well as its follow-up electric SUV model.The company claims that this is due to Honda’s “reassessment of its automobile electrification strategy”, which it announced earlier this month.“SHM will not be able to utilise certain technologies and assets that were originally planned to be provided by Honda at the time of SHM’s initial business planning,” explained the company in a statement.As a result it determined there is no “viable path forward” to bring the Afeela 1 and its SUV counterpart to market.The company is issuing full refunds to those who placed reservations for the Afeela 1 in California, USA.Sony Honda Mobility first revealed a concept version of the Afeela 1 at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in 2023 before revealing it in production guise at CES in 2025.It had been planned for production to commence at Honda’s Ohio production facility by mid-2026. The electric SUV counterpart was set to follow in 2028.In the US, the Afeela 1 had a starting price of US$89,900 (~A$129,500), extending out to US$102,900 (~A$148,300), making it a premium rival to the likes of the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE.Power was to come from a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 180kW. The electric motors would be fed by a 91kWh battery pack, allowing for a driving range of around 480km, according to an undisclosed testing standard.A major focus of this EV was its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) which used 40 sensors, including LiDAR, AI and visualisations for the driver and passenger.Technology was also another major focus of the Afeela 1. It featured a so-called ‘Media’ bar on the front bumper, an interior panoramic screen display set-up, as well as a yoke-style steering wheel and power-operated doors.While the Afeela 1 and its SUV counterpart may never reach production, Sony Honda Mobility hasn’t ruled out introducing something in the future.“SHM will continue discussions with Sony and Honda regarding its future business plans,” said the company in its statement.This latest Honda-related cancellation follows the Japanese carmaker axing its forthcoming 0 Series of EVs, plus the Acura RSX.

After three years, plus numerous recalls and stop-sales, Ford has finally launched an update for its biggest model in Australia, the F-150. There's now more standard kit plus a new flagship trim, but does it do enough to shake its reputation?