Articles by Jack Quick

Volkswagen Australia has admitted sales of the retro-looking ID.Buzz and ID.Buzz Cargo electric vans didn’t get off to the quickest start but it believes the tides are now starting to change.

It’s been almost three years now since the current-generation Volkswagen Amarok has been available in Australia and the company is now finally starting to reveal some details regarding the locally fettled Walkinshaw version. Dubbed the Volkswagen Amarok W600, this new range-topping version of the South African-built and Australian-tweaked dual-cab ute will be fully revealed early in the second quarter ahead of customer deliveries commencing in the third quarter of 2026. Unlike off-road-oriented flagship utes such as the Ford Ranger Raptor, Isuzu D-Max Blade and Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior, this new Amarok W600 sits as an ultimate road-going ute, much like the previous-generation Amarok W580S. Based on the Amarok TDI600 Style, the W600 features a number of unique upgrades that are all equipped at Walkinshaw’s new facility in Dandenong South, Victoria. There are new 20-inch six-spoke alloy wheels that are 10-inches wide and are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV tyres. In order to house these larger tyres the wheel arches have been flared, plus there is a new front end with a ‘W’ motif in the grille and a full-width LED light bar connecting the LED headlights. Volkswagen claims that Walkinshaw has made additional changes to the front end of the W600 and will fully reveal the front fascia at a later date. Other tweaks include electric side steps, a dual side-exit exhaust system and exterior Walkinshaw badging. Under the skin there is a bespoke Koni suspension set-up that has been tuned especially by Walkinshaw for this ute. It’s worth noting the rear leaf spring set-up is retained. The dampers use frequency selective damping (FSD) technology which essentially means there is a valve bypass inside allowing the vehicle to maintain comfort if you hit a pothole, for example. There are also Raid shock absorbers which is Koni’s off-road line of shock absorbers. This is the first time Koni has combined this type of shock absorber with this kind of damper. Additionally there is a 22mm rear anti-roll bar fitted to the W600 by Walkinshaw with what it claims is OEM levels of integration. All of the new suspension equipment fitted by Walkinshaw is coloured in Volkswagen’s Lapiz Blue. Inside there is Walkinshaw embroidery on the headrests, as well as aluminium pedals. Despite all these changes, there hasn’t been any under the bonnet. Power comes from an unchanged 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel engine producing 184kW of power and 600Nm of torque. This is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a full-time four-wheel drive system. It’s worth noting that the brakes also remain unchanged in the W600 and although there is a space for a full-size 20-inch wheel under the tub, Volkswagen has decided to stick with a smaller spare wheel. At this stage it’s unclear how much the Amarok W600 will cost. The current line-up caps out at $82,990 before on-road costs for the Amarok TDI600 Aventura. Historically the W580S was around $7500 more than the next most expensive Amarok trim level. If this carries over it could see the go over $90,000 before on-road costs. It’s worth noting that the Ford Ranger Raptor is currently $90,690 before on-road costs. Despite being overtly more off-road-oriented, it features a more powerful 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that produces 292kW and 583Nm.

Fiat looks set to revive a nameplate that was last seen in Australia over a decade ago. A new-generation version of the Fiat Scudo mid-size commercial van has been approved for sale in Australia according to government filings. While Fiat Professional Australia hasn’t confirmed if or when it plans to launch this new Scudo yet, the current approval filing was issued in November 2025 which typically precedes a new car launch by a few months. We’ve reached out to Fiat Professional Australia and will update this story once we hear back. If it isn’t already obvious, this new Fiat Scudo is a rebadged version of the Peugeot Expert. In fact, this van’s Stellantis underpinnings also forms the base of the Citroen Jumpy, Toyota Proace, Opel Vivaro and Vauxhall Vivaro, among a number of others. According to the filing, two versions of the Scudo have been approved for sale in Australia, a standard- and long-wheelbase version, both with a three-seat bench and turbo-diesel power. Said engine is a familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which produces 110kW of power. It’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with drive sent to the front wheels only. No versions of the electric E-Scudo have notably been approved for local sale yet. For context, the related all-electric Peugeot E-Expert is already on sale in Australia. All versions of the Scudo have sliding doors on each side of the vehicle and barn doors at the rear. The standard-wheelbase style measures in at 4981mm long, 1924mm wide and 1955mm tall with a 3275mm wheelbase. The long-wheelbase style is 350mm longer overall at 5331mm long, however the 3275mm wheelbase technically remains unchanged. The tare mass for both vans is around 1700kg, gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 3100kg and the braked towing capacity is only 600kg. Other notable inclusions in the approval filing include standard 16-inch wheels with optional 17-inch units, a standard internal partition, front and rear fog lamps, as well as an optional vertical tailgate to replace the rear barn doors. Australians haven’t been able to buy a Fiat Scudo since 2015. This previous-generation model was also rebadged Peugeot Expert, for context.

The writing has been on the wall for years now, but Mazda will cease production of two of its entry-level models as it gears up to launch an all-new replacement, according to reports.

Kia Australia has confirmed the pricing and specifications of its new EV4 sedan ahead of first examples arriving at dealers later this month. The three-variant Kia EV4 sedan line-up starts at $49,990 before on-road costs and extends to $64,690 before on-road costs. This entry price sees it undercut the Tesla Model 3 RWD, but the entry-level BYD Seal Dynamic is cheaper again. All EV4 sedan variants are front-wheel drive and there are two battery pack options available – a 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh lithium-ion battery. The EV4 has received a local ride and handling tune that’s claimed to suit Australian road conditions. It’s worth noting that while Kia is launching the EV4 exclusively in the sedan body style for now, a hatchback body style is set to arrive in the second half of 2026. 2026 Kia EV4 sedan pricing Australia   2026 Kia EV4 sedan engine and efficiency   2026 Kia EV4 sedan standard equipment 2026 Kia EV4 Air Standard Range sedan: 17-inch alloy wheels Tyre repair kit Reflector LED headlights LED tail-lights 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 12.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system 5.0-inch climate control touchscreen Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Over-the-air (OTA) software updates DAB digital radio Six-speaker sound system Satellite navigation Dual-zone climate control Cloth upholstery Exterior vehicle-to-load (V2L) adaptor EV4 Earth Long Range sedan adds: 19-inch alloy wheels Auto-dimming rear-view mirror Cloth and synthetic leather upholstery Premium mesh front headrests 10-way power driver seat adjustment Heated front seats Interior V2L socket EV4 GT-Line Long Range sedan adds: GT-Line 19-inch alloy wheels GT-Line exterior styling Gloss black wheel arch cladding Projector LED headlights Dynamic welcome lighting Sunroof Power tailgate Privacy glass Auto-folding side mirrors Head-up display Eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system Wireless charger Three-spoke premium sport steering wheel Heated steering wheel Alloy pedals Interior ambient lighting Synthetic leather upholstery Ventilated front seats Two-position memory driver seat 10-way power front passenger seat adjustment ‘Premium Relaxation’ front seats Relax Mode 2026 Kia EV4 sedan safety The Kia EV4 hasn’t been crash-tested by ANCAP just yet, though it received a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating without the Safety Pack and a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with the Safety Pack. Standard equipment includes: Seven airbags Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) Blind-spot monitoring Safe exit warning Rear cross-traffic alert Lane-keep assist Lane centring Lane-change assist Driver attention monitor Intelligent speed limit assist Front and rear parking sensors Reverse camera Kia Connect telematics (SOS emergency calling, remote control and vehicle status monitoring) EV4 GT-Line Long Range sedan adds: Rear AEB Blind-spot view monitor Safe Exit Assist Powered child-proof rear door locks Surround-view camera Remote Smart Park Assist 2026 Kia EV4 sedan dimensions   2026 Kia EV4 warranty and servicing The Kia EV4 is covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty. Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Three-, five- and seven-year pre-paid service packages are available and are priced at $688, $1308 and $1929, respectively.

Another city-centric, entry-level electric vehicle (EV) has been confirmed for Australia. China’s GAC has confirmed it’s launching the Aion UT small electric hatchback in the second quarter of 2026. Pricing, technical specifications and the full equipment list for Australian-specification models will be detailed closer to the launch, but when it arrives it’ll go up against rivals like the BYD Atto 1 and Dolphin, plus the Geely EX2, GWM Ora and MG4 Urban. All of these models have been vying for the title of cheapest EV in Australia. This title currently goes to the BYD Atto 1 which starts at $23,990 before on-road costs. Globally the Aion UT is offered with either a 100kW or 150kW front-mounted electric motor, which is fed by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery ranging from 34.8kWh to 60kWh. Measuring in at 4270mm long, 1850mm wide and 1575mm tall with a 2750mm wheelbase, the Aion UT is sized between the Toyota Yaris and Corolla hatchbacks. The Aion UT will slot under the Aion V mid-size SUV in GAC’s EV model line-up locally and features similar design cues. Inside there’s a 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch central touchscreen multimedia system. GAC only arrived in Australia late last year but in a few months it will already have four vehicles on sale locally – the Aion V mid-size electric SUV, Emzoom small petrol-powered SUV, M8 PHEV people mover and the Aion UT electric hatchback. GAC Australia President Kevin Shu has confirmed plans to bring “more than 10 models” to the Australian market in the next five years. There are also plans to have a total of 100 GAC dealers around Australia by the end of 2030. “Our strategy of ‘In Australia, For Australia’, will see GAC bring more than 10 models to the Australian market in the coming five years,” said Shu. “The GAC Aion UT showcases the strength of GAC’s product portfolio, combining elegant design with clever technology that genuinely enhances the daily lives of its owners. “I have no doubt this model will resonate strongly with Australians seeking an intelligent, city-focused vehicle to navigate the nation’s iconic urban landscapes. “We look forward to continuing to grow along with our customers here in Australia.”

Kia only just revealed the production version of its EV2 light SUV, but it could soon be announcing details of something even smaller. As reported by Autocar, the South Korean carmaker is still continuing to study the possibility of a Picanto-sized electric vehicle (EV), likely to be dubbed EV1. “The whole industry is looking at how they make EVs more accessible. Of course we're doing that as well,” said Kia Europe Marketing Director David Hilbert to Autocar at the reveal of the Kia EV2. “We will continue to look at where the opportunities are and, obviously, it's called EV2 for a reason. “Longer-term, we continue to study the A-segment. Picanto is still an important model for us, and we continue to have a very important volume from that.” Last year Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song told Autocar it’s doing its “homework” on an EV with a starting price under €25,000 (~A$43,300) to rival the likes of the forthcoming Renault Twingo and Volkswagen ID.1 city cars in Europe. If the EV1 does come to fruition it will likely go into production before the end of the decade. Hilbert’s comments also hint at this potential electric model being offered alongside the Picanto light hatchback. The current model dates back to 2017 and has now received two facelifts so it’s unclear whether a new-generation model is also in the works. At this stage it’s unclear whether Kia is pitching the EV1 as a European-only model or if it’ll be offered in its home market or other export markets, like Australia. Initially the Kia EV2 was alluded to as a European-only model, however it’s set to come to Australia in the second half of 2026. It’s produced at Kia’s Slovakian facility alongside the EV4, which is set to launch imminently in Australia in both sedan and hatchback body styles. If Kia does decide to bring the EV1 to Australia it will come up against stiff competition. BYD has just launched its new, entry-level Atto 1 electric hatchback which starts at $23,990 before on-roads, plus MG is soon launching the new, entry-level MG4 Urban.

The small car segment, especially on the premium and luxury end of the spectrum, has been very tumultuous over the last few years with hatchback and sedan sales plummeting, while SUV sales have climbed astronomically. In order to combat this, as part of our ongoing 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards, we’ve combined small premium passenger cars and SUVs into this segment. It’s worth noting that each shortlisted small premium car mentioned below is inclusive of the entire line-up, though its entry price must be under $80,000 before on-road costs for this particular category. The following is a rundown of our top 10 sub-$80K small cars in alphabetical order and why they made the cut. Our top three, including the category winner, will be announced on February 6. Note Mercedes-Benz's current A-Class, CLA and GLA were ineligible as they were unavailable for review. While many brands are fleeing this segment of the car market, this German small hatch and sedan is still offered in Australia in a wide range of trim levels and variants. Beyond the normal A3 variants, there’s the sporty S3 and the fire-breathing RS3. It notably made this shortlist due to the latter which is still offered with an iconic five-cylinder engine. However, we do wish it made just a bit more noise like the older models did. Beyond this, CarsGuide reviewers praised the A3 line-up for its capable and engaging driving dynamics, as well as its luxuriously equipped and premium-presenting interior. While the A3 hatch and sedan may be newer, the Audi Q3 small SUV has been soldiering on for a couple of years now without any major updates. The current model is reaching the end of its lifecycle and is set to be replaced by a new-generation model during 2026. Despite this, CarsGuide reviewers liked how the Q3’s exterior design is ageing, even in the polarising Sportback body style, plus the on-road manners are both elegant and fun. The new-generation version of the BMW 1 Series hatchback launched locally late in 2024, offering everything from everyday commuter trims to the M135 xDrive hot hatch. CarsGuide reviewers were impressed with its driving dynamics and outright performance, though fuel efficiency took a hit as a result. Additionally we liked the new and modern front-row layout, however the exterior design, especially at the front, likely isn’t for everyone. The X1 small SUV is the most popular BMW in Australia currently and for good reason. It launched locally in new-generation guise in 2022 to popular fanfare, then the all-electric iX1 variants joined the line-up in 2023, cementing its status as a benchmark small SUV. CarsGuide reviewers praised X1/iX1’s on-road manners, as well as the modern and high-tech exterior and interior designs. However, common European quibbles like tyre roar and suspension bumps can intrude into the cabin. The X2 is a swoopy ‘coupe’ SUV counterpart to the X1 small SUV and still notably offers both petrol and electric (iX2) powertrain options. While its exterior design is polarising and not for everyone, CarsGuide reviewers appreciated how polished the drivetrains feel from behind the wheel. The X2/iX2 is also affordable when compared to premium rivals from the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. The few dislikes were centred around the X2 M35i xDrive’s firm ride due to its large (and thankfully optional) 21-inch alloy wheels, as well as the slight reduction in boot capacity over the X1/iX1. This spicy Spanish small crossover SUV is the clear front-runner for Cupra in Australia. Arriving in 2022, the Formentor is offered in a range of variants from warm to hot, plus even a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offering. CarsGuide reviewers appreciated the lifted hatchback looks and the smile-inducing driving dynamics, however some found the multimedia system to be a little finicky and the ride a little too far on the firm side. An oft-forgotten entrant in the small SUV segment, this quirky French electric SUV impresses with its sleek design, maximised interior space and reactive driving feel. There is currently only one trim level of the Megane E-Tech offered in Australia, the Techno EV60, and it’s limited by its 7.4kW maximum AC charging rate, plus the lack of features like connected services that are available overseas. A huge step away from the iconic Fortwo of the early ‘00s and ‘10s, the Smart #3 is the brand’s largest car in Australia to date. With unique looks and a premium cabin feel, the #3 impresses though the driver-assist features can be a little overbearing and the panoramic glass sunroof has no sunshade. More sore points are the average warranty coverage of five years or 150,000km, as well as the hefty servicing costs for an electric vehicle. While a number of these shortlisted vehicles are high-tech or electrified offerings, the Subaru WRX stands out as a purist sports car. Still featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder boxer engine and a manual transmission in certain trim levels, the WRX is offered in sedan and wagon body styles. CarsGuide reviewers praised the WRX’s dynamism, practicality and even value when compared to rivals with similar amounts of power. However, the WRX Sportswagon only comes with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and doesn’t look as sporty as the standard WRX sedan. This vibrant and quirky Volvo electric SUV stands out on the road thanks to its stunning exterior design with boxy proportions. The interior also stands out, but sometimes not in the best of ways. CarsGuide reviewers found too many of the key features are tucked into menus on the central touchscreen, plus the lack of a proper instrument cluster was grating.

Mahindra has historically never publicly shared information regarding its Australian new vehicle sales figures, but it has given us a glimpse of how it fared during 2025. Last year the Indian carmaking giant sold a total of 4653 new vehicles, which is up 11.6 per cent year-on-year. This makes Mahindra the 29th best-selling brand in Australia, outselling Renault (4569 sales), KGM (4116 sales), Cupra (2830 sales) and Jeep (1585 sales). The brand hasn’t provided a model-by-model breakdown of its sales, but it now offers a total of three SUVs in Australia. Its latest edition was the XUV3XO small SUV, which launched in mid-2025. Mahindra claims its introduction increased overall sales by 42 per cent. The Mahindra XUV3XO is still tied for Australia’s cheapest SUV with the Chery Tiggo 4 and GWM Haval Jolion at $23,990 drive-away. Earlier in 2025 Mahindra launched a model year update for the Mitsubishi Outlander and Nissan X-Trail-rivalling XUV700, which saw it receive an all-black interior trim as standard, plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and ventilated front seats with memory on the flagship AX7L trim. Thanks to run-out offers the XUV700 is now priced from $35,990 drive-away for the AX7 trim and $38,990 drive-away for the AX7L trim. This makes it Australia’s cheapest seven-seat SUV. Just before the end of 2025 the Indian carmaker detailed a major safety upgrade for its Scorpio large body-on-frame SUV. It now receives a range of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) functionality that are claimed to be “designed for Australian roads and conditions”.   These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with stop and go, front vehicle start alert, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane centring, traffic sign recognition, forward collision warning and automatic high-beam. The pre-update Scorpio went without all of the aforementioned safety features and notably received a zero-star ANCAP safety rating back in 2023 due in part to this. It’s unclear when or if Mahindra plans to retest this updated model. Other new features in the 2026 Mahindra Scorpio Z8L+ include an electric park brake with auto hold, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, as well as ventilated front seats. A seven-seat configuration is now standard with the six-seat configuration featuring second-row captain’s chairs getting the axe. Despite these changes, pricing for the Scorpio for the new Z8L+ trim has only risen $2000 over the pre-update Z8L range-topper. It’s priced from $48,990 drive-away.

The US carmaker’s outspoken CEO Elon Musk has announced via X that it will stop selling its FSD semi-autonomous driving software outright to buyers from February 14, 2026, instead pivoting to a subscription-only model. At this stage it’s unclear whether this will be a global directive or something specifically for the US market. We’ve reached out to Tesla Australia and will update this story once we hear back. Tesla rolled out its FSD (Supervised) software in Australia last year as the first right-hand drive market. It’s currently available to purchase outright on Model 3 and Model Y with Hardware 3 and 4 camera systems for $10,100, or $149 per month. FSD (Supervised) is a Level 2 advanced driver assist system which requires you to comply with all current state and federal laws. According to Tesla, “Under your supervision, your car will be able to drive itself almost anywhere with minimal driver intervention”. Tesla also stipulates this does not make the car autonomous. While using the software you need to be fully attentive, have your hands on the steering wheel and be ready to take over at any point. It uses the car’s interior camera to ensure you’re paying attention to the road ahead and after a number of strike-outs for not obeying the rules, it’ll lock you out of the software for a number of days. All you need to do to start FSD (Supervised) is input a destination into the navigation system then either press the start button on the touchscreen or the right scroll wheel on the steering wheel while driving. It’s unclear why Tesla is moving to a subscription-only model for its FSD software, but it follows a decline in new vehicle sales globally. It sold a total of 1.64 million cars during 2025, which is down 8.3 per cent year-on-year. It has also been dethroned by BYD as the best-selling EV carmaker in the world. The Chinese carmaker sold a total of 2.26 million EVs during 2025, which is up 27.9 per cent year-on-year. It’s worth noting that BYD did sell a total of 4.6 million vehicles globally, including plug-in hybrid vehicles and commercial vehicles like buses and trucks.