Articles by Jack Quick

Denza has touched down in Australia and the B5 is a plug-in hybrid rival to the likes of the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and GWM Tank 300 body-on-frame large SUVs. There's lots of hype surrounding this car so let's see if it lives up to it.

The Denza B8 is a ultra-luxurious, plug-in hybrid alternative to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series but without the six-figure price tag you'd expect. We test out how it stacks up on Australian soil.

Renault Australia has detailed the pricing and specifications for its updated 2026 model year (MY26) Trafic commercial van.The entire 2026 Renault Trafic line-up now gets a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, replacing the previous six-speed dual-clutch automatic. The six-speed manual variants have been discontinued.The 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel has also been reworked to adhere to Euro 6 emissions standards but retains the pre-update model’s 125kW and 380Nm outputs.As a result, claimed fuel consumption has dropped to a minimum 6.2L/100km, according to ADR 82/01 testing, depending on the body style. It was previously as low as 6.5L/100km.Additionally the entire range now has a 2500kg braked towing capacity. This is up from 1680kg in the short-wheelbase variants and 1630kg in the long-wheelbase variants.Beyond this, other changes to the Trafic for MY26 includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection across the line-up, adaptive cruise control on the Premium and Lifestyle trims, a driver attention monitor, standard metal bulkhead and middle-seat workstation across the line-up (excludes Crew Pro), plus LED reflector headlights.2026 Renault Trafic pricing Australia2026 Renault Trafic engine and efficiency2026 Renault Trafic standard equipmentTrafic Pro highlights:16-inch steel wheelsLED reflector headlights8.0-inch touchscreen multimedia systemWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoThree-seat benchBulkhead with glazed window (van only)Middle-seat workstation (van only)Premium adds:Half-painted rear bumperPainted tail-light column7.0-inch digital instrument clusterLED interior lightingCrew Lifestyle adds:Painted side body mouldingPainted rear bumperFive-seat configurationRear under-seat storage2026 Renault Trafic optional equipmentSingle options for the Trafic Pro:Unglazed window on right-sliding door: $800Glazed windows on rear barn doors: $40017-inch alloy wheels: $1000Single options for Trafic Premium:Glazed tailgate window: $NCONo right sliding door: $NCODual sliding doors: $40017-inch alloy wheels: $1000Single options for the Trafic Lifestyle Crew Pro:Tailgate with glazed window: $NCOTrade Pack ($2000, Trafic Pro and Premium):Anti-slip wooden floorCargo area wall liningHeavy-duty batteryAnti-theft spare wheel basketLED interior lightingPeace of Mind Pack ($1200, Trafic Pro):Front fog lightsTyre pressure warningRain-sensing wipersKeyless entry and push-button startWide-view mirrorAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorBusiness Pack ($2200, Trafic Premium):Climate controlTinted rear windows17-inch alloy wheelsHeated driver’s seatSatellite navigationOverspeed preventionPainted side mirror capsPainted body side mouldingsPainted rear bumper2026 Renault Trafic safetyThe Renault Trafic received a ‘Gold’ rating from ANCAP in 2024 with an overall performance score of 69 per cent.Standard safety equipment includes:Six airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Driver attention monitorAdvanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) shortcut buttonQR rescue codeRear parking sensorsReversing cameraPremium adds:Adaptive cruise control2026 Renault Trafic dimensions2026 Renault Trafic warranty and servicing

GWM's top exec believes many Chinese carmakers are still behind the eight ball compared to other global car brands, but the gap is reportedly closing quickly.As reported by Chinese publication Y-Auto, GWM Chairman Wei Jianjun said too many people are praising the company and not giving it critical feedback to allow it to iterate and develop further.“The shortcoming today is that everyone is praising the Great Wall,” said Wei when translated from Chinese to English.“If users can honestly point out the problems they encounter during use and the areas that need improvement, touching our souls, then today's meeting will be a success.“In reality, there is still a significant gap between Chinese automakers, including Great Wall Motors, and those excellent companies.“We must remember that the gap is not small, but very large.“The road to car manufacturing is still long, and we should learn from Europe, America, Japan, and South Korea - learn diligently, humbly and practically.“An individual or an organisation can only make progress if they are able to criticise themselves and dare to take responsibility.”Wei singled out Toyota as an example of a carmaker that's producing vehicles at a high level of quality and one that takes accountability if problems arise.“Toyota is one of the most iconic and highest-quality companies in the world. In fact, Toyota has never stopped issuing recalls, both large and small,” said Wei.“However, users still give it high praise because Toyota never shirks responsibility when problems arise.“It takes responsibility and proactively fixes and informs users before they even realise the problem. This is true responsibility.”Wei’s comments echo a similar sentiment from He Xiaopeng, global boss and founder of XPeng, who noted that Chinese cars are still 10 or 20 years away from being of a truly global standard.This isn’t the first time Wei has spoken out against the Chinese automotive industry. In 2025 he criticised how rampant price wars in China would help short-term sales but in the long-term would suffocate many brands.In Australia many Chinese carmakers are experiencing sales success, including GWM. In 2025 a total of 52,809 GWM vehicles were sold, which was up 23.4 per cent year-on-year.This made GWM the seventh best-selling brand in Australia during 2025, just ahead of eighth-placed BYD which sold 52,415 vehicles and up a meteoric 238.3 per cent year-on-year.

Hyundai hasn’t even revealed the small Ioniq 3 yet, but the South Korean carmaker appears to be working on something even tinier.As reported by Chinese publication Autohome via Indian forum site Team-BHP.com, a camouflaged prototype of what is tentatively being called the Hyundai Ioniq 1 has been spied in India.It has a boxy SUV silhouette, a split headlight set-up with Hyundai’s ‘Parametic Pixel’ daytime running light (DRL) motif and an illuminated brand logo, flush door handles, plus a virtually non-existent rear overhang.It appears this forthcoming vehicle will be less than 4.0 metres long and could be aimed at developing markets, like India. Vehicles under 4.0 metres long receive tax breaks in India as they have a smaller footprint and are generally more fuel efficient than larger cars.Autohome speculates production of the Ioniq 1 could be based in India, though it’s unclear whether export markets are on the cards.No details on the electric powertrain or the platform have been detailed yet.Once the Hyundai Ioniq 1 does go on sale it will go up against the likes of the Mahindra XUV3XO EV, plus the Tata Nexon EV and speculated Suzuki Fronx EV in India.It’ll also likely form as an electric counterpart to the Venue small SUV which was recently launched in new-generation guise in India.Autohome speculates the Ioniq 1 could also be offered in markets outside of India. If this is the case, Europe would be a likely candidate as a number of tiny, entry-level electric vehicles (EVs) are popping up from many carmakers.However if the Ioniq 1 is exported to other markets, like Australia, it would likely be more of a budget alternative to the Korean-made Inster. It would also go up against the likes of the BYD Atto 2, GWM Ora 5 and the Leapmotor B10.It’s expected the reveal of the Ioniq 1 will follow after the Ioniq 3, which is being unveiled in April.As previously reported, the Ioniq 3, as previewed by the 2025 Concept Three, will likely adopt a fastback-style hatchback look. It’ll likely almost be a new and electric take on the Veloster hatchback.It’s likely to be built on a version of the Hyundai E-GMP platform like the larger Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 9.

Mitsubishi’s new Toyota Prado rival is getting closer to its reveal.In the meantime Japanese publication Best Car Web has shown off new digital renders of what the forthcoming 2026 Mitsubishi Pajero will look like in production guise.They show a blocky and bluff large SUV, which appears to be off-road-capable and also draws some inspiration from the latest Nissan Patrol Y63, especially at the rear.At the front there is a large grille with headlights that cascade down the fascia, plus the bonnet has bulges helping to indicate its toughness.Around the side it’s fairly slab-sided, with one design flourish being the character lines on the C-pillar.The rear is virtually vertical and features tail-lights that have a similar design motif to the headlights. Notably the renders don’t show a tailgate-mounted spare wheel, indicating that Mitsubishi isn’t planning on offering this.While Best Car Web has published these new digital renders of the Pajero, a camouflaged prototype has already been spied numerous times on Australian roads.Mitsubishi has also included a camouflaged prototype in an official teaser video, confirming the new “cross-country” SUV will be revealed this year.As previously reported, it’s understood this new SUV will be called just the Pajero, dropping the Sport suffix altogether.This could see the iconic and original Pajero nameplate being revived for the first time since it was retired in 2021.There is still a lot of speculation surrounding what this new SUV is based on. The Pajero has historically been its own vehicle, however the Pajero Sport (formerly known as the Challenger) has always been based on the Triton ute.Previous reports have stipulated the new Pajero will be based on the current Triton ute, which launched locally in 2024. This means a body-on-frame is likely.Historically, the Pajero was built on a ladder-frame chassis, but later versions from the 2000s onward were built on a monocoque platform, like the current Land Rover Defender.If this new-generation Pajero is based on the Triton, this likely means it will share a version of its 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine. It produces 150kW and 470Nm in the Australian-specification Triton.It’ll likely also receive Mitsubishi’s latest version of its Super-Select four-wheel drive system which allows for full-time four-wheel drive on sealed surfaces.Locally the Triton is only offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, however the outgoing Pajero Sport was offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s unclear if Mitsubishi will offer this new-generation Pajero with a similar eight-speed automatic transmission.This new Mitsubishi large SUV can’t come soon enough as the Japanese carmaker axed a considerable portion of its line-up, including the Pajero Sport, earlier this year due to them not meeting new Australian Design Rule (ADR) standards which stipulated specific requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems.As a result Mitsubishi’s largest SUV is currently the mid-sized Outlander, which is also its best-seller by far. Certain trims can be had in seven-seat form.

BYD’s Denza has updated its D9 electric people mover once again bringing more power, a bigger battery, plus refreshed looks.A new listing on China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), as reported by Car News China, shows the 2026 Denza D9 EV now makes more power than ever.The single, front-mounted electric motor in the front-wheel drive version now produces 340kW, which is an increase of 110kW over the outgoing model.The all-wheel drive version also has a total system output of 410kW, which is an increase of 135kW over the outgoing model.While the battery specifications and claimed range figures are yet to be revealed, the MIIT filing notes the D9’s kerb weight has increased by 100kg to 3015kg. This indicates it may feature a larger battery, meaning more range.The D9 EV currently comes with a 103.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery which allows for up to 620km of range, according to lenient CLTC testing.It’s worth noting the D9 also comes with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, however Denza technically treats it as a different model and hasn’t revealed any new updates for it yet.Beyond the changes under the skin, the D9’s exterior has received a minor refresh. The most obvious change is the front grille design.The MIIT filing also details a range of different grille and alloy wheel designs that are available.The D9 EV continues to measure in at 5250mm long, 1960mm wide and 1900mm tall with a 3110mm wheelbase. This makes it just a little bit larger than a Kia Carnival.It’s unclear whether there are any changes or updates to the interior.At this stage Denza hasn’t officially confirmed if or when the D9 will come to Australia. However, it does feature on the company’s local website, along with what appears to be the Z9 GT, in blurred images that are captioned ‘Coming Soon’.Camouflaged prototypes of the D9 have also been spied testing around Australia. It’s unclear whether they are fully electric or PHEV versions.The luxurious people mover space has been taking off in Australia over the last 12 to 18 months. A step above the mainstream Kia Carnival, the electric Zeekr 009 was one of the first, along with the hybrid Lexus LM.Now there’s also the GAC M8 PHEV people mover which is arguably the closest rival to the Denza D9.

China’s BYD is upgrading its top-selling Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute in Australia with more power and towing capacity.According to local government approval filings, this version of the Shark 6 will receive a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 200kW front electric motor and a 150kW rear electric motor, bringing a total system output of 345kW.This is up from the current 321kW total system output which is achieved by a smaller 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, a 170kW front electric motor and a 150kW rear electric motor.It’s worth noting that this new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and dual-electric motor set-up is borrowed from the recently launched Denza B5, though it’s a detuned version. The B5 has a total system output of 400kW.Thanks in part to the extra power, the maximum braked towing capacity has been increased from 2500kg to a segment-meeting 3500kg.The larger engine and more powerful front electric motor however has also increased the tare mass from 2675kg to 2738kg. No payload or gross vehicle mass (GVM) figures have been detailed yet.It’s unclear whether BYD will add this forthcoming more powerful version as a flagship offering in the line-up, or whether it will completely replace the existing model.Regardless it will likely cost more than the current Shark 6 Premium, which starts at $57,900 before on-road costs.For now BYD hasn’t officially announced when this upgraded version of the Shark 6 will be going on sale, though government approval filings like the typically are published just a few months before a vehicle goes on sale.As previously reported, the approval filings also include a cab-chassis version of the Shark 6.It’s worth noting that it still features the same 1.5-litre turbo-petrol dual-electric motor powertrain as the existing Shark 6, meaning it also only has a 2500kg braked towing capacity.BYD similarly hasn’t confirmed exactly when this Shark 6 cab-chassis will be going on sale.In Australia the Shark 6 has been a runaway sales success since it was first launched in early 2025.Last year a total of 18,073 examples were sold, making it the best-selling PHEV in Australia.Even in January 2026, a total of 1108 Shark 6 examples were sold. This saw it outsell the likes of the GWM Cannon and Cannon Alpha (885 sales combined), Kia Tasman (410 sales) and the Mazda BT-50 (780 sales).

Toyota is reportedly set to boost production of vehicles with its popular hybrid powertrain technology by around 30 per cent in the next two years.As reported by Nikkei Asia, the Japanese carmaker expects to produce 6.7 million hybrid vehicles globally in 2028. This is up from the planned five million hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars it expects to produce in 2026.This also means that 50 to 60 per cent of the 11.3 million cars Toyota expects to make globally in 2028 will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain.Nikkei Asia reports a key driver of this boost in hybrid vehicle production will come from the US as people are moving away from electric vehicles (EVs) due to subsidies and incentives being cut.In November 2025, Toyota announced its plans to invest 1.5 trillion yen (~A$13.86 billion) in the US over the next five years.It will initially spend 140 billion yen (~A$1.29 billion) to produce hybrid powertrains and components at five of its US facilities.According to GlobalData as reported by Nikkei Asia, Toyota currently holds a 58 per cent share of the global hybrid vehicle market as of the end of 2025.Toyota is far from the only carmaker that is ramping up and adjusting its strategy in response to falling EV demand in certain markets. Examples include Ford, General Motors, Hyundai and even Volkswagen, among others.In Australia hybrid vehicles accounted for 16.5 per cent of overall new vehicle sales during 2025, as reported by VFACTS. This is up 15.3 per cent year-on-year.Toyota has long been the top-selling hybrid brand in Australia and was one of the first to market with its Prius hatchback that launched locally in 2001.Many Toyota vehicles, including the C-HR, Camry, Corolla, Corolla Cross, Kluger, RAV4, Yaris, Yaris Cross and the Tundra are exclusively offered with hybrid powertrains in Australia.Lots of other brands are reacting though to growing hybrid vehicle interest and are offering more options. Examples include GWM, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Subaru.There has also been meteoric growth in PHEV sales in Australia. Last year a total of 53,484 examples were sold, which was up 130.9 per cent year-on-year.Toyota is set to dive into this segment in Australia during 2026 with the forthcoming PHEV version of its new-generation RAV4. It’s set to arrive in the third quarter of 2026 after the regular hybrid versions.

Subaru Australia has finally announced it’s launching the Trailseeker electric SUV in Australia in the second quarter of 2026.This will be the Japanese carmaker’s second electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, following the related and slightly smaller Solterra electric SUV.You can now register your interest for a 2026 Subaru Trailseeker on the carmaker’s local website. Pricing and specifications will be announced closer to its launch.The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker was first revealed in 2025 alongside the updated Solterra at the New York International Auto Show. It’s being offered in Europe as the E-Outback.With a total system output of up to 280kW, the Trailseeker is set to be Subaru’s fastest accelerating production vehicle offered to date. It’s claimed to be able to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.4 seconds.Additionally it offers 211mm of ground clearance and a 1500kg braked towing capacity.The dual electric motors are fed by a 74.7kWh CATL-sourced lithium-ion battery, which Subaru claims allows for up to 533km of range, according to ADR testing.AC charging is available at rates up to 22kW and DC charging is available at rates up to 150kW. Using the latter a 10 to 80 per cent charge will take around 30 minutes.The Trailseeker also offers 1500W vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.“Trailseeker is the EV with personality. As the name suggests, this is the vehicle for drivers seeking adventure, who want to enjoy an engaging performance drive, all while remaining grounded in the confidence, safety and all-terrain capability that defines Subaru’s DNA,” said Subaru Australia General Manager Scott Lawrence.“It shows that electric performance doesn’t have to come at the expense of confidence, control or real-world capability – the qualities our customers expect from a Subaru. And being the quickest Subaru production vehicle ever it’s a fun and engaging drive in all conditions“Trailseeker stays true to Subaru’s DNA, while opening a new chapter through electric power, offering even greater choice for our customers.”The Subaru Trailseeker is virtually a twin under the skin with the forthcoming Toyota bZ4X Touring which is set to arrive in Australia around a similar time.Toyota and Subaru collaboratively developed the bZ4X and Solterra, as well as the bZ4X Touring and Trailseeker.As noted above, local pricing and specifications for the 2026 Subaru Trailseeker will be announced closer to its launch.