Articles by James Cleary

The current, cool and confident Land Rover Defender has been a big success for the iconic British brand. But for some, its shift to monocoque construction took away an element of ultimate toughness inherent in a body-on-frame four-wheel drive. So, if you're hankering for the good old days of a ladder-chassis Defender, complete with the boxy, upright design made famous over close to 80 years, your (nearly) new car has arrived. The Defender Classic V8, hand‑built using re-engineered and upgraded original Solihull‑produced 2012-2016 donor vehicles, is now available for commission in Australia. Defender Classic is an official factory division of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), housing expert craftspeople with the restoration knowledge and skills required to deliver what the brand said is “the ultimate expression of customisation” with every vehicle made to an individual specification. Powered by a genuine 298kW/515Nm 5.0‑litre naturally aspirated Land Rover V8 with eight‑speed automatic transmission, the Classic V8 is available in a range of 90 and 110 body styles, priced from £209,000 (~A$398,000), plus “applicable delivery and local taxes.” Three body styles - 90 Station Wagon, 90 Soft Top and 110 Station Wagon - will be followed by more variants soon with extensive customisation available, including “exterior colour palettes, hood colours and styles, interior materials and lifestyle accessories.” Options include Heritage, Standard or Adventure grille designs, black or silver exterior packs, 16-inch ‘Wolf’ steel wheels (finished in Black or Limestone) or 18-inch ‘Sawtooth’ alloy wheels (in Gloss Black or Diamond-turned with Black contrast finish). The Defender Classic V8 features upgrades including LED headlights, four-piston Alcon brakes, pistol shifter gear selector as well as premium leather across the dashboard, seats, door panels and roof lining. Subtly integrated modern tech includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation and digital radio managed through a 4.8-inch multimedia touchscreen. Options include Premium seats (with performance-focused Recaros available on certain models), a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen system (integrated within a custom fascia), an Explorer Pack (including a Ply Guys Camper Conversion) and a Suspension Upgrade Kit with revised Eibach coil spring rates and anti-roll bars and Bilstein dampers. Introducing Australian availability of the Defender Classic V8, Defender Classic Director Dominic Elms said, “Since its introduction, our Works Bespoke program has become the ultimate expression of Defender Classic ownership, with clients commissioning highly individual vehicles tailored to their personal tastes and lifestyles.  “The program has enabled our teams to showcase extraordinary levels of craftsmanship, creativity and attention to detail, with every Defender Classic V8 handcrafted to an individual’s specification.  “As we expand into new markets, we look forward to helping new clients bring their vision to life through a truly custom commissioning experience,” he said.

Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa has declared war on sub-standard quality across the automotive giant’s portfolio of 14 brands. He says the strategy he has put in place to tackle the well documented problems many of the group’s high-profile nameplates have faced in recent years is starting to bear fruit. In an overnight presentation of Q3 2026 results from the company’s Amsterdam HQ, Filosa said, “During the quarter, we continued to make progress in the early execution of our FaSTLAne 2030 plan, launching new products, accelerating partnerships as planned and delivering meaningful improvements in manufacturing and quality.”    Speaking with Automotive News Europe in a post-presentation interview he referenced the roughly 80 ‘war rooms’ established across the business, including engineering, quality and manufacturing personnel working with the group’s suppliers to iron out long-standing issues. Recalls, including a global call back of over 1.3 million Jeeps in June this year for an imminent fire risk, have not only cost the company in terms of physical rectification, but brand reputation. That recall, where owners were advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures, put a massive dent in Jeep’s already fragile credibility, with over 9000 Wrangler and Gladiator models (built between 2020 and 2024) impacted in Australia. And the Automotive News Europe report included feedback from HSBC Analyst Michael Tyndall, who said. “There is no end in sight to (the) recalls.” “Stellantis had 18 more recalls in the third quarter, cumulatively impacting 3.4 million vehicles, with many requiring a dealer visit to be fixed.” The Stellantis Group houses European brands Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Citroen, DS, Fiat (+ Fiat Professional), Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot and Vauxhall with US nameplates including Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram. Citing a specific problem with a 12-volt battery system that, among other things, caused the unit to drain and leave vehicles unable to start, Filosa said, “Fifteen months ago we were behind the competition. “In the next two months, the quality of this specific system, which is in every one of our cars in North America, will be top quartile.” Stellantis has built up its in-house engineering strength in recent years, adding thousands to the head-count, with the hiring campaign on-going. And on top of that, Filosa said AI (Artificial Intelligence) will be part of the company’s armoury to address vehicle issues that have raised expenses for repairs and warranties. Despite the still frequent recalls, Filosa said the group remains “very happy” with its brands, with none up for sale, adding, “We just need to put our heads down and work relentlessly on execution.”

Honda has released details of an updated version of its HR-V for the Japanese domestic market, where the small SUV is badged Vezel. Exterior cosmetic changes as well as new features inside have been added to internal-combustion engine (ICE) and ‘e:HEV’ hybrid models to freshen the car’s looks and enhance practicality. In Australia, the HR-V is offered across four model grades, all front-wheel drive; the entry-level, pure-combustion Vi X, with the e:HEV powertrain available in X, L and flagship RS form. Japanese buyers also have the choice of four models - one combustion (G) and three hybrid (X, Z & Z Play package) - however, all-wheel drive is standard on the base ICE car and an option on the hybrids. The Japanese market facelift sees the wheel arches and front, side, and rear bumper garnishes finished in the same colour as the body on the Z models, with additions to the base G’s spec list including: Rear ventilation Dual rear USB-C ports Black inner headlight lenses On top of that, the e:HEV X has picked up: Heated front seats As well as the exterior trim pieces finished in body colour, the e:HEV Z also gets the black inner headlight lens treatment, with the Z Play package adding 18-inch alloy rims with a dark clear finish. Colours not seen in Australia so far, include Seabed Blue Pearl and Premium Sunlight White Pearl. Already on sale, the updated Japanese HR-V is priced from ¥2.77 million, which, taking import and distribution costs into account translates to a number very close to the local HR-V Vi X’s current $32,900, drive-away price. The Japanese flagship e:HEV Z Play package sits at ¥3.66 million in FWD form, again close to its Australian RS equivalent at $44,400, drive-away on an import-adjusted basis. CarsGuide contacted Honda Australia for comment on the updated HR-V’s potential for local release and a spokesperson said, “We are unable to confirm at this stage whether the updated HR-V currently available in Japan will be introduced to the Australian market.”

Another piece of the ‘Li Auto coming to Australia’ puzzle has seemingly fallen into place with news the premium Chinese brand will go on sale in the UK in 2027. Li Auto has already stated it will produce its electric Li i6 five-seat SUV and Li Mega EV people mover in RHD for sale in Hong Kong, Singapore and other ASEAN nations before the end of 2026. And with the rapidly expanding brand also setting up operations in Malaysia (another RHD market), it feels like a matter of time before those high-profile models arrive Down Under. Confirming the UK move, Li Auto Head of International Business Nestor Wu told Autocar the brand’s line-up will target family buyers with pure-electric and ranger-extender (EREV) options. “Families have different market needs. That’s what we focus on and succeed (with) in China and we think it will work here,” he said. Established in 2015 and offering an eight-model line-up in China, across pure-electric SUV and people mover options, as well EREV SUVs, Li Auto positions itself as a luxury brand “committed to providing products and services that are safer, more comfortable and more convenient for family users.” The Li i6 is the entry-point to the Li Auto range, measuring just under five metres long, close to 2.0m wide and around 1.6m tall with a 3000mm wheelbase. Autocar said Li Auto has adapted the i6 to European tastes, adding air springs for sharper dynamic response than the Chinese market version, where customers typically prefer a softer ride. And in line with the maker’s premium positioning it features a 15.7-inch HD dual screen for backseaters, 20-speaker premium audio and multimedia driven by a high-performance Qualcomm Snapdragon chip set. Highly configurable Nappa leather seats, ambient lighting, power everything, a panoramic roof and close to 730 litres of boot space (with all seats up) mark it as a high-end blend of luxury and practicality. Offered domestically in (250kW/425Nm) single-motor rear-wheel drive and (400kW/660Nm) dual-motor all-wheel drive form, the i6 features an 87.3kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery and supports ultra-fast DC charging for a 10 to 80 per cent top up in less than 15 minutes. Maximum CLTC range is 720km. The Li Mega is a futuristic, strongly aero-influenced (Cd 0.21) luxury people mover offering seven seats including two fully rotating captains chairs in the second row. At over 5.3 metres long, just under 2.0m wide and a bit over 1.8m tall with a 3300mm wheelbase it’s a substantial machine offering everything from heating for all seven seats (ventilation and massage function on the first two rows) multiple large screens, Dolby audio and a dual-purpose refrigerator, to a massive panoramic roof, Nappa leather upholstery and one-touch power doors. With dual electric motors producing overall outputs of 413kW/542Nm this 2.8-tonne beast can blast from 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds. Its 103kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery is good for a quoted CLTC range of 710km and the car’s 800-volt architecture delivers a peak charge capacity of 520kW for a 10-80 per cent charge in just over 10 minutes. The Li i6 single-motor starts at ¥249,800 in China with the dual-motor at ¥269,800. Taking import and distribution costs into account those prices would likely translate to around A$70,000 and A$75,000, respectively, putting it in the same price ballpark as large EV SUV players like the Ford Mach-E (from $65,990), Kia EV6 (from $72,865) and Lexus RZ (from $84,500). The Li Mega costs ¥509,800 in China, which would potentially end up at around A$140,000 here, mixing it with the XPeng X9 (from $89,900) and Zeekr 009 (from $115,900). CarsGuide has contacted Li Auto for comment on the Li i6 and Li Mega’s potential sale in Australia.

In a rare move, Toyota Australia is discounting its ever-popular HiLux ute, specifically via a $4000 ‘deposit bonus’ offer on new and demonstrator versions of the mid-range SR5 model. Unsurprisingly, there are several conditions applied, the primary one being that to qualify, the vehicle must be purchased through Toyota Finance, with a minimum $10,000 in the deal. Next, the offer applies to SR5s built between August 2025 up to December 2026 and excludes the dual-motor battery electric version. Private buyers as well as Toyota Bronze and Silver fleet customers are eligible, but a purchase connected to Toyota Finance Lease Products means the bonus is a no-go. And once you clear those hurdles, the vehicle must be ordered with finance applications received between 01/09/2026 and 31/12/2026 and settled by 28/02/2027. The 4x4-only HiLux SR5 line-up is currently listed from $69,901, drive-away (in NSW) for the Double-Cab Pick-Up, with the Double-Cab Cab-Chassis, featuring 48V ‘V-Active’ mild-hybrid power, topping the line-up at $73,952, drive-away. The HiLux was the fourth best selling vehicle in the country in September this year (4455 units), down 11.7 per cent on the same month in 2025 and more than 600 sales behind the market-leading Ford Ranger ute (5062 units). But Toyota Australia is pushing towards a big finish for the year, with increased supply of key models set to boost fourth quarter sales. Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas said increased vehicle stock secured earlier in the year was continuing to flow through to customer deliveries. “In June, we announced we had secured additional arrivals of some of our most popular models. “Our customers continue to demand a broad range of vehicles that meet their needs and with our increased supply, we are targeting a very strong, record fourth quarter sales for 2026,” he said.

In a widely anticipated move, Changan Automotive is set to take over Australian representation of its Deepal brand, side-lining independent importer-distributor Inchcape Australia. Changan Automotive has been on a hiring spree in Australia, with multiple recruitment ads for senior roles appearing on LinkedIn during the past several months, as it prepares to launch Down Under, initially with the luxury Avatr brand in 2027, led by the large 07L electric SUV and 06T mid-sized wagon. That will be followed by the Nevo nameplate, likely led by the Q05 small SUV hybrid and Q06 mid-sized SUV EV (with range-extender EV option). State-owned Changan is one of China’s biggest automotive groups, of a similar scale to Chery or SAIC, the latter the owner of MG. Inchcape Australia launched the Deepal brand here in late 2024, bringing the pure-electric S07 SUV to market as a Tesla Model Y rival. Available in a single grade, priced from $53,900, before on-road costs, the S07 is powered by a single electric motor producing 160kW and 320Nm. Following local feedback, Inchcape worked with Changan to update and recalibrate the S07’s advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) and extended service intervals from 10,000km to 20,000km. The Deepal E07 electric ‘multi-truck’ followed a year later, the SUV/ute mash-up priced from $64,900, before on-road costs, for the single-motor rear-wheel drive version, and $73,900 before on-roads for the flagship dual-motor all-wheel drive model. Unlike conventional SUVs, the E07 has a coupe-like roofline that electrically retracts to reveal a cargo section much like a ute tray. This area only has a 300kg payload, however. But a big question mark has been hanging over the brand’s third model, the entry-level  Deepal S05 compact electric SUV. The S05 has been ‘set to arrive in Australia’ for some time; initially, the third quarter of 2025, but we’re still waiting and the new distribution announcement offers a big clue as to why. With Inchcape now side-stepping the investment cost required for a new model introduction, expect the BYD Atto 3 and Kia EV3 rival to land sooner rather than later. Although the local Deepal website invites pre-orders and requests for more information, local specification is yet to be finalised. Overseas this car is available as an EV with up to 510km of CLTC range, or a range-extender electric vehicle (REEV) that pairs an electric motor with a 1.5-litre petrol engine that acts as a generator. On a side note, the arrival of Changan spells bad news for Mazda, which has a partnership with the giant manufacturer and relies on it to source its new range of electric cars, including the recently launched Mazda 6e sedan and CX-6e SUV.  Changan versions of these models will likely be cheaper than the Mazdas and more premium Deepal versions on sale in Australia.  For the Deepal handover, in what Changan and Inchcape describe as a “mutual decision” there will be a transition period commencing October 21, 2026 until March 31, 2027, during which time Changan will assume distribution responsibility. A statement announcing the shift said, “Inchcape Australia and Changan will continue to work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition for the brand, with a focus on supporting staff, customers, dealers and partners. “All Deepal sales, servicing, warranty programs, comprehensive logistics, parts, after sales and customer support will continue with all existing customer orders honoured. “Customers will also continue to have access to factory-trained technicians, genuine Deepal parts and ongoing servicing support and diagnostic updates throughout the transition period,” it said. Commenting on the coming changeover, Inchcape Australasia Managing Director Colin Christie said, “We are proud of what we have achieved alongside Changan in establishing Deepal in Australia and helping build awareness of the brand with customers.  “Through our partnership, we have shared valuable local market expertise and supported Deepal’s successful introduction to the Australian market.” Changan Australia Managing Director Bryan Guan added, “On behalf of Changan Australia, we thank Inchcape for its partnership in establishing the Deepal brand in Australia.  “As Deepal enters its next phase in Australia, Changan will manage the transition with transparency, professionalism and respect, ensuring continuity for customers and confidence across the dealer network" he said.

The term ‘China speed’ is now firmly entrenched in the automotive vernacular, with engineering and design cycles coming out of carmakers from that country setting the bar ever-higher for legacy brands around the world. In response, General Motors is looking to bridge the gap by embracing the time-saving potential of AI to “cut development cycles in half” and rapidly bring high-level autonomous driving to market. That could mean a reduction from GM’s traditional four- to five-year new model development timeframe to as little as two years.  In fact, the Detroit giant says a large percentage of the US$16 billion (~A$22.8 billion) it has dedicated to research, development and manufacturing in 2026 has been directed towards modernising operations and developing new technology faster. Under the banner of ‘GM Forward’, initiatives including a Generation 4 electric vehicle platform, next-generation electrical and computing architecture, more advanced OnStar Connected Intelligence systems and a wide roll-out of fully-autonomous highway driving (following the next Cadillac Escalade in 2028) have been accelerated through the use of AI. GM said its new EV platform features the world’s first production lithium manganese rich (LMR) prismatic battery, an in-house developed low-cost chemistry designed to offer 33 per cent more energy density than lithium iron phosphate (LFP). According to GM, AI-driven computer modelling allowed its development team to test more than 300,000 battery designs before building a physical prototype, ultimately moving from its first LMR battery pack concept to formal program approval in only one month. At the same time, GM said the future platform will feature new electric motors and power electronics that require 40 per cent fewer parts in the powertrain, a third less wiring and will boast 40 times the current EV average processing power. GM added its “connected intelligence (is) transforming the everyday driving experience and helping businesses run their fleets more efficiently.” A new-generation OnStar system includes a ‘Fleet Intelligence’ function “to help fleet managers spot issues sooner, reduce downtime and manage costs across vehicle health, maintenance and fuel and energy use.” It said the system’s AI Assistant “turns that data into practical guidance” allowing fleet managers to “ask questions in natural language to quickly identify trends, improve vehicle utilisation and make more proactive decisions.” GM has already confirmed its plan to roll out “eyes-off, hands-free” autonomous highway driving with its next-generation pure-electric Cadillac Escalade IQ, due to hit the North American market in 2028, and now says it will be able to quickly expand the capability to higher-volume models thanks to AI. Confirming the broader program GM said, “Expanding autonomous capabilities to high-volume vehicles requires validation at unprecedented scale.  “That foundation starts with the trust built over more than 1.2 billion hands-free miles driven by Super Cruise customers.  “To accelerate autonomous deployment safely, our engineering teams are combining real-world data collection with frontier AI and machine learning tools.” The autonomous system combines active safety, chassis control, propulsion and other systems into a single ‘Central Compute Unit (CCU), allowing vehicles to run in-cabin AI and self-driving systems simultaneously.

Audi Australia has confirmed local pricing and specification details for the German maker’s much-anticipated, fifth-generation Audi A6 Allroad, with headline news including availability of ‘electrified’ turbo-diesel and petrol hybrid models as well as a scheduled arrival in the first half of 2027. The A6 Allroad e-hybrid quattro ($127,900, before on-road costs) is an all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid combining a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and an electric motor integrated into its seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission for overall outputs of 270kW/500Nm. Its 20.7kWh (usable) battery is good for a combined cycle electric-only range of up to 87km (and an electric top speed of 140km/h) with 11kW AC charging capacity enabling a 0-100 per cent top-up in 2.5 hours. As its name implies, the A6 Allroad TDI quattro ($137,900, BOC) is also all-wheel drive, this time a mild-hybrid powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine supported by a belt-driven alternator/starter/generator and electrically-powered compressor for outputs of 220kW/580Nm. In launching the new-from-the-ground-up Allroad Audi said this is “more than $10,000 in additional standard equipment compared with its predecessor”, the standard equipment list for both variants including: S line interior Nappa leather sport front seats Leather sport steering wheel Matt brushed shift paddles Aluminium inlays Stainless steel pedals Black headlining Electrically-adjustable front seats (heated/ventilated/massage) Four-zone climate control Dynamic ambient lighting Panoramic glass roof (with switchable transparency) 11.9-inch ‘virtual cockpit’ instrument display 14.5-inch OLED multimedia display 10.9-inch front passenger display Head-up display  Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto  Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System (16-speaker/685 watts) Matrix LED headlights OLED tail-lights 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels (e-hybrid 21-inch) Equipment for home and public AC charging And standard safety includes: Adaptive cruise control Active lane assist Autonomous emergency braking Front cross-traffic assist Front and rear turn assist Side assist Rear cross-traffic assist Lane departure warning  360-degree camera view Park assist plus Speed sign recognition Front dash camera Nine airbags (including front centre bag) Tyre pressure monitoring. The new Allroad is 84mm wider than the previous model with adaptive air suspension offering a height adjustment range of 55 millimetres.  In dynamic mode, the Allroad lowers 20 millimetres “to support stability and handling” and offroad and offroad+ modes raise the suspension by 15 millimetres “with revised damping and traction control characteristics designed to improve capability on uneven or low-grip surfaces.” An additional 35mm lift is available at speeds up to 35 km/h for even more extreme terrain. Standard all-wheel steering sees the rear wheels turn up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the fronts at slow speeds reducing the turning circle by almost a metre to 11.4 metres.  At higher speeds, the rear wheels can turn up to two degrees in the same direction as the fronts for added stability. Introducing the new Allroad Audi Australia A6 Product Manager Peter Strudwicke said, “The Audi A6 Allroad has always occupied a distinctive position in our portfolio, combining the practicality of an Avant (wagon) with the confidence and capability of quattro all-wheel drive.” “The introduction of the e-hybrid is significant for our market. Together with the advanced V6 TDI, it gives customers two compelling interpretations of the Allroad, while delivering the performance and refinement they expect from Audi,” he said. 2026 Audi A6 Allroad option pricing:

In early 2021 Volvo got on the EV front foot with a commitment to phase out all internal-combustion engine (ICE) models, including hybrids, by 2030. Volvo Car Australia went one further and staked a claim for an all-EV line-up by 2026. But the Swedish brand walked all that back a bit in 2024, citing changing market conditions and slow infrastructure growth to arrive at its current 2030 goal of 90 to 100 per cent of global sales consisting of fully electric and plug-in hybrid models with a modest percentage of hybrids, if required. No matter which way you cut it, though, Volvo has been pushing the pure-electric vehicle barrow hard for some time and the EX90 is its current flagship. As its name implies the seven-seat EX90 is effectively a zero tailpipe emissions equivalent of the long-serving XC90 ICE SUV and the Plus variant we’re testing here is a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive entry grade sitting under the top-spec dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Ultra. Unlike many ‘base’ models the Plus boasts an impressively long list of included features for its $124,990, before on-road costs, asking price. Aside from the performance and safety tech we’ll get to shortly, standard spec highlights include: Four-zone climate-control Heated steering wheel 14.5-inch multimedia display 9.0-inch instrument screen Head-up display LED headlights (active), tail-lights & DRLs Power-adjustable steering column Rain-sensing wipers 20-inch alloy wheels Panoramic roof 360-degree camera view Synthetic leather trim Hands-free power tailgate Heated power front seats (with driver memory) Heated second-row seats Power-folding third-row backrests Bose audio (14-speaker with digital radio) Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store Wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Wireless phone charging There’s more, but even that list is what you’d expect plus a little more from an SUV in this price bracket and our test example included half a dozen options including Bowers & Wilkins hi-fi sound ($3000), an electrochromatic panoramic roof ($1500), 21-inch rims ($1200), tinted rear windows ($1050), ventilated front seats ($1000) and Denim Blue metallic paint ($0). Price as tested is $132,740, before on-road costs. A strong alternative to the Cadillac Vistiq (from $116,000), Kia EV9 GT-Line (from $121,000) or Hyundai Ioniq 9 (from $119,668), all before on-road costs.   At just over five metres long, more than 2.0m wide and over 1.7m tall with a 2985mm wheelbase, the EX90 is a sizeable machine. The Charcoal upholstery and Light Ash wood trim elements on our test car lift the interior vibe, although the grind of family life would mean keeping the cleaning kit handy. Plenty of breathing space up front with loads of storage including big door bins, a lidded central box, cupholders, an under-console bay and a glove box (which no matter how many times we pressed the on-screen opening button refused to cooperate). The 40/20/40 split-folding second row seat is comfy and supportive with each section sliding individually to allow negotiation with those in the third row for extra legroom. The Volvo offers lots of headroom for me at 183cm tall and ample width, although the rear centre spot is best thought of as an occasional position. Cupholders, bins, vents and pockets aplenty. With the second row set for adequate legroom for me, the third row lines up as a kid-friendly zone doubling as emergency adult accommodation. Still, there are cupholders and storage bins back there. There are no less than six USB-C sockets throughout the cabin and a 12-volt socket in the boot. Speaking of the boot, its capacity is a handy 324 litres with all seats up, expanding to a generous 697L with the (power-folding) third row backrests lowered and 1316L with the second and third rows down. The power tailgate operates hands-free and there’s a 46L front boot under the bonnet. But the bad news is there’s an inflator repair kit rather than a physical spare tyre. Not good enough. Power in the EX90 Plus is provided by a single electric motor sending a healthy 245kW/480Nm to the rear wheels and claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is a snappy 6.8 seconds. The battery is a 92kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) pack which is good for a claimed range of “up to 479km” and the EX90’s 800-volt architecture means on a 300kW DC charger it goes from 10 to 80 per cent full in 24 minutes, which is average for this kind of set-up. Claimed energy use on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle is 21.6kWh/100km and over a mix of city, suburban and freeway running over a week on test we saw an average of 19.0kWh/100km. Not bad and a real-world range approaching 480km should be eminently doable. Once underway the EX90 Plus is an effortless, comfortable and stress-free drive. The front seats are great and although you can feel the car’s 2.6-tonne weight in quicker corners the suspension is well calibrated and the steering (adjustable through three settings) provides surprisingly accurate response and decent road feel. It’s quiet, which sounds like stating the bleeding obvious in an EV, but even in this context the refinement is serene. Acceleration is rapid, to the point where it’s hard to justify the dual-motor Ultra’s 500kW/870Nm and the adjustable regenerative braking works beautifully, although it’s worth noting the maximum single-pedal mode doesn’t bring the car to a full stop. There’s also a ‘Creep Mode’, which sounds disturbing but is designed to help you nudge ahead in heavy traffic as the car in front of you moves on. We gave it a try but ultimately opted for the off position. In fact, there are a thousand and one adjustments available through multiple vehicle set-up screens. Too many to detail here, but suffice it to say fine-tuning is a fun and worthwhile activity. That said, there are too many in-screen controls for my liking. Everything from the climate set-up to opening the glove box. Things like exterior mirror adjustment and steering wheel position are referred to switches on the steering wheel but it feels like an unnecessary complication. No surprise, active (crash-avoidance) safety tech is extensive with things like lane-keeping, speed limit warnings and driver attention alerts operating without undue interference. There are seven airbags on board if a sheet metal interface can’t be avoided. Although the EX90 tracks maintenance requirements and tells you when it's time for a service, the nominal interval is 12 months or 15,000km. A service plan covering the first three workshop visits will set you back a competitive $1490, and a Service Plan Plus, including wear and tear items like wiper blades as well as brake discs and pads doubles that number to $2990. Volvo’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty is still par for the course in the premium part of the market and there are 39 Volvo dealers across the country (with the exception of the Northern Territory).

Mercedes-Benz has added new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants to its local GLE large SUV line-up with the arrival of the GLE450e 4Matic in Coupe and traditional SUV wagon form. The newcomer is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and a single 135kW electric motor integrated into the nine-speed automatic transmission, sending a combined 320kW/680Nm to all four wheels via the three-pointed star’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system. That’s enough to propel the 2.7-tonne five-seater from 0-100km/h in just 5.6 seconds. A 25.7kWh lithium-ion battery gives the sleek coupe version an electric-only range of 91km (WLTP), with the more upright wagon good for 87km. Both are capable of up to 140km/h in EV-only mode. Standard charging set-up is 11kW AC for a zero to 100 per cent top-up in under three hours.  An optional onboard DC charger ($1100) accepts 60kW for a 10-80 per cent recharge time of around 29 minutes. On sale from today (October 15, 2026), the Mercedes-Benz GLE450e 4Matic plug-in hybrid SUV and Coupé are priced at $156,900 and $160,900, respectively (both before on-road costs). Car-spotters should look out for AMG Line exterior styling and Night Package elements, jointly bringing: AMG front apron Matt black roof rails Gloss black exterior mirror caps Star pattern radiator grille Horizontal louvres in the nose air intakes Dark chrome faux underguard Tinted rear windows 20-inch AMG five-spoke alloy wheels (SUV) 21-inch AMG five-twin-spoke alloy wheels (Coupé) Inside, standard features include heated front seats, synthetic leather trim in the SUV (synthetic leather and microfibre on AMG Line sports front seats in the Coupé) and a new steering wheel marking the return of rocker switch and roller controls. Existing GLE standard features include: Three 12.3-inch screens (under single glass surface) Head-up display Burmester 3D surround sound Memory Package Keyless-Go Comfort Package (with hands-free access) 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLE450e 4Matic option pricing: