Articles by James Cleary

In making what it has positioned as “minor specification changes”, Mazda Australia is moving to make the Mazda3 hatch more competitive in the hotly contested small-car market.

Massive MG safety recall.

Here's when the new HiLux will be revealed.

Skoda's large SUV goes PHEV at a sharp price.

It may have only just arrived in Australia, but Nissan’s compact pure-electric Ariya crossover was unveiled globally way back in 2020 and ramped into full production in early 2021.

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, Sport and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 15,352 BMWs across multiple models sold new in Australia from 2016 to 2020.It confirms that in examples of the 320d, 320i, 330i, 420i, 430i, 520d, 520i, 530i, 620d, 630i, X3, X4 and Z4, “Due to a manufacturing defect, inadequate sealing of the starter motor may allow moisture to enter into the unit. If this occurs, corrosion may result in the engine not starting.”The department said, “In rare cases, it could also cause a short circuit leading to overheating of the starter motor and in the worst case, to a vehicle fire while parked or driving.“A vehicle fire could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants, other road users, bystanders and/or damage to property,” it said.Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by BMW requesting they schedule an appointment immediately with their preferred authorised BMW dealer to replace the starter motor free of charge.Alternatively, BMW Australia can be contacted on a dedicated Recall Hotline (1800 243 675), via email (info@bmw.com.au) or through a recall-specific website (https://www.recall.bmw.com.au).

Polestar Australia has confirmed pricing and specification for an upgraded 2026 model year version of its mid-size pure-electric Polestar 4 SUV.Headline news is no change to the manufacturer’s list price despite a key design tweak for both models in the local range with the cost of selected options also reduced.In a win for greater ease of use and reduced driver distraction, touch-sensitive steering wheel controls have been replaced by more conventional buttons, while the option pack structure has been massaged with pricing for the Bridge of Weir leather trim and electrochromic glass roof options reduced.At the same time an illuminated front Polestar logo, high-level interior illumination and net pockets in the boot have been moved to the 'Plus Pack' (see below).As the name implies, the entry-level Polestar 4 Long Range Single motor is powered by a single (rear-mounted) permanent magnet electric motor sending 200kW/343Nm to the rear wheels while the Long Range Dual motor pushes 400kW/686Nm to all four wheels. Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration times are 7.1 and 3.8 seconds, respectively.With energy consumption between 7.8-18.4kWh/100km, WLTP range for the single-motor is 620km. That drops to a still impressive 590km in the high-performance dual-motor version which consumes 19.0-21.7kWh/100km. The Polestar 4 is capable of charging its 100kW lithium-ion battery at up to 200kW DC, taking on a 10-80 per cent fill in 30 minutes. Braked trailer towing capacity is 1500kg for the single motor version and 2000kg for the dual motor.20-inch alloy wheelsActive LED headlightsRain-sensing wipers‘Bio-attributed’ fabric trimEight-way electrically adjustable driver seat (with memory)Six-way electrically adjustable passenger seatHeated front seatsAmbient interior lightingDual-zone climate controlPower tailgate10.2-inch driver display14.7-inch head up display15.4-inch central multimedia display8.9-inch digital rear-view mirrorEight-speaker audio (with digital radio)Wireless Apple CarPlayPlus Pack: Harman Kardon 1320W premium sound system, head-up display, zinc deco, ‘Star knit’ illuminated deco, illuminated front Polestar logo, pixel LED headlights with ‘Adaptive High Beam’, hands-free power tailgate, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, rear control screen, 12-way powered sport seats with mechanical cushion extension easy entry/exit driver’s seat, power reclining rear seats, heated steering wheel and rear seats, tri-zone climate control, PM2.5 air filtration, 22kW AC charging - $8000Pro Pack: 21-inch ‘Pro’ alloy wheels, ‘Swedish Gold’ valve caps, striped seatbelts - $2500Performance Pack: 22-inch ‘Performance’ wheels, ‘Polestar Engineered’ chassis tuning, Brembo brakes, ‘Swedish Gold’ accents (available on Dual motor with Plus pack) - $7200Electric retractable towbar - $3310Electrochromic glass roof - $2200Body-coloured lower claddings - $1400Privacy glass on rear side windows - $700Nappa upgrade: Bridge of Weir leather, ventilated front seats (with massage), Harman Kardon headrest speakers in front seats, rear comfort headrests, brushed textile headlining - $6100 (Zinc) / $5700 (Charcoal) - requires Plus PackSnow (white)Magnesium (cool grey)Electron (silver)Storm (dark grey)Space (black)The Polestar 4 scored a maximum five-star ANCAP score from assessment in 2024. It’s Adult Occupant Protection score is 92 per cent, Child Occupant Protection score is 87 per cent, Vulnerable Road User protection score is 81 per cent and its Safety Assist Score is 79 per cent.Four short range camerasRear-view HD cameraTwo forward-facing HD camerasFour side-view HD camerasUndersteer Control LogicTrailer Stability AssistAdaptive Cruise ControlAEB (vehicle / cyclist / pedestrian detection)Advanced Collision AvoidanceForward Collision WarningLane Keeping AidLane Departure WarningOncoming Lane MitigationDriver Alert ControlRear Collision Warning and MitigationCross Traffic Alert with brake supportRoad Sign InformationBlind Spot Information with steer assistExit assistPost-impact brakingTyre pressure monitoringWhiplash Injury Protection System (WIPS)Seven airbagsISOFIX mountings (rear seats)The Polestar 4 is covered by a five-year, unlimited km warranty (with roadside assistance included). The traction battery is covered for eight years, 160,000km and there’s also a 12-year corrosion warranty. Onboard diagnostics will notify the driver if and when service is necessary, although Polestar says “Generally (the) Polestar 4 doesn't need to be serviced for up to two years or 30,000km”.The Polestar 4 is 4840mm long, 2067mm wide (mirrors folded) and 1534mm tall with a 2999mm wheelbase. Boot volume is 526 litres with the rear seat upright, expanding to 1536L with it folded down. There’s also a 15L ‘frunk’ in the nose.

Hyundai Australia has reached into the depths of its financial pockets to reduce the price of selected models across its portfolio of pure-electric models by between seven and 38 per cent.In place for the fourth quarter of this year, the new drive-away prices apply nationally to specific versions of the Kona Electric small SUV, Ioniq 5 medium SUV, Inster city hatch and Ioniq 6 sedan.The catalyst for the clean out is shifting cars currently on the ground in Australia, including stocks of 2023 model year examples of certain models, while new orders are also included on others.A single Kona Electric model, the Standard Range, has been reduced by 15 per cent, the Ioniq 5 Standard Range is down 13 per cent and three versions of the Inster light hatch have been discounted by between seven and eight per cent.For all of the above, offers apply to existing stock or new orders delivered before December 31, 2025 with no restriction on model year.But the jaw-dropping repositioning is reserved for 2023 model year examples of the Ioniq 6 sedan, reduced by between 35 and a whopping 38 per cent. Specifically, 115 cars celebrating their second birthday in stock in Australia.The entry-level Ioniq 6 Dynamic is a single-motor, rear-wheel drive sedan with 168kW/350Nm, a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery and a 614km WLTP range. The MY23 version's price has been reduced by more than $27,000 to $49,990, drive-away.The mid-grade Techniq is a dual-motor, all-wheel drive which ups power to 239kW/605Nm while range from the same 77.4kWh battery is limited to 519km. The ask here is $54,990, drive-away, which is a 38 per cent reduction on the standard D/A price.Then the flagship Epiq adds a higher standard specification to the dual-motor powertrain with no less than $34K lopped off the D/A pricing for a MY23 example. Asked whether the reductions may continue into the new year a Hyundai Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide there are “no plans to continue into 2026 at this stage”.

There’s been a lot of noise about US President Donald Trump’s high-percentage import tariffs on everything from steel, copper and aluminium to timber, furniture and you guessed it, cars and car parts.But it was his predecessor, Joe Biden that upped the tariff on Chinese electric vehicles from 27.5 per cent under the first Trump administration, to the current 100 per cent rate.Not surprisingly, this slammed the brakes on the ambitions of Chinese carmakers for growth in the US, which has led to a pitched battle in the domestic market with manufacturing capacity and current output outweighing demand.And China’s biggest carmaker, BYD has been reaching into its deep pockets to cut profit margins and drive a price war many believe is designed to put smaller players to the sword.But it’s possible these heavy-handed tactics may be backfiring because for the first time since 2020 the rise and rise of BYD has faltered. As reported by CarNewsChina BYD Group sales in China fell 5.9 per cent (to 393,060 units) in September, compared to the same month last year, following two months where year-on-year sales had been close to flat.In particular, BYD’s plug-in hybrid numbers dropped 25.6 per cent last month, with sales now declining for six consecutive months since April.But while the mother ship BYD brand has borne the brunt of the domestic downturn, its relatively small-volume sub-brands have gone the other way. Fang Cheng Bao (off-road capable SUVs) grew 345 percent (to 24,121 units), Denza (premium models) was up 20.5 per cent (to 12,407 units) and Yangwang (super performance models) improved by 145 per cent (to 758 units) in September, YOY.Of course, BYD has been aggressively seeking new market opportunities to fill a USA-sized export hole in its business plan. And Australia is clearly a target, as the brand has made a big impact locally in a stunningly short period of time.Having recently switched from an importer/distributor arrangement to a direct factory subsidiary, BYD is now a regular top 10 new car player here (P8 year-to-date in 2025) with models like the Sealion 7 SUV and Shark 6 dual cab ute occupying an increasing number of Aussie driveways.And there’s lots more on the way, with the Atto 2 small electric SUV and large three-row Sealion 8 PHEV both approved for local sale and expected to arrive before the end of the year.But the next step is a flanking manoeuvre, using the Denza brand to expand BYD’s group-wide offering. And this week saw confirmation of a November arrival for the Denza B5 and B8 PHEV 4WD SUVs.Marketed in China under the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard Series banner, the B5 is a mid-size plug-in hybrid riding on a full body-on-frame chassis powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and two electric motors for combined outputs of 505kW and 760Nm with a 1200km overall range. Then, the larger, seven-seat B8, also a Fang Cheng Bao Leopard model in China, is a similar separate-frame 4WD powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a pair of electric motors delivering 550kW/760Nm with a 1200km range.Both feature a trio of diff locks, selectable terrain modes and generous ground clearance for serious off-road performance and the standard specification is sky-high with multiple media and instrument screens included in a premium interior fit-out.Look out Toyota RAV4 and LandCruiser Prado! BYD said this week it would offer a curated range of premium vehicles from BYD’s three acclaimed sub-brands in Australia under the Denza brand.This means models from the Yangwang product portfolio will soon be on offer here. Most likely the front-engine, quad-motor U8 SUV; a large, five-seat ‘tank turn’ capable 4WD.Stand by for more BYD and Denza new model news as the Chinese giant’s push into this market continues to build momentum.

Tesla has announced a battery upgrade for its flagship Model 3 Performance as well as a new Long Range rear-wheel-drive variant of the long-serving pure-electric sedan.Available to order from today (03/10/25), the Model 3 Performance now features a higher capacity Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery increasing (WLTP) range from 528km to 571km, with pricing unchanged at $80,900, before on-road costs.With dual motors delivering 343kW/741Nm, the Model 3 Performance accelerates from 0-100km/h in just 3.1 seconds before storming on to a maximum velocity of 261km/h.At the same time, the local Model 3 line-up has been massaged with the addition of a new Long-Range RWD variant, replacing the existing Long-Range AWD model.With a (WLTP) range of “up to 750km”, a whopping 230km more than the standard RWD model, Tesla is claiming it as “the longest-range EV in Australia”.All Model 3s have also been tweaked cosmetically with black Tesla badging, and the brand has confirmed its ‘Supercharger’ charging network has grown to 163 sites across Australia which equates to 1003 plugs. Tesla lays claim to “the largest global, fast charging network in the world” and says its superchargers can add up to 282km of range in 15 minutes. Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive and Long-Range RWD models are powered by a single 190kW/375Nm electric motor with claimed ranges of 520km and 750km, respectively. The top-spec Performance puts out 343kW/741Nm and now has a range of 528km. Alloy wheels15.4-inch centre touchscreen8.0-inch second row displayNine-speaker audio (RWD)17-speaker audio (Performance)Wireless phone chargingGlass roofNavigation (with real-time traffic updates)Acoustic glassAmbient lightingVentilated front seatsFull Self-Driving (Supervised) - $10,100Home charger - $800Mobile charger - $55019-inch alloy rims - $1800Exterior - Pearl White Multi-Coat (no cost)Diamond BlackDeep Blue MetallicStealth GreyQuicksilverUltra RedInterior -BlackBlack and White (optional)The Tesla Model 3 received a maximum five-star ANCAP rating from assessment in 2025. Its Adult Occupant Protection score was 90 per cent, Child Occupant Protection was 95 per cent, Vulnerable Road User Protection was ranked at 89 per cent and Safety Assist came in at 88 per cent.Features -AEB (car-to-car junction, crossing and head-on)Lane keeping assistBlind-spot monitoringDriver fatigue monitoringForward collision warningIn-cabin child presence detectionActive cruise controlRear cross-traffic alertAuto emergency callNine airbagsActive bonnetFortified battery packMulti-collision brakeTesla’s standard warranty in Australia is four years/80,000km (including roadside assistance for the duration) with the drive battery covered for eight years/160,000km. Servicing is computer determined so the car will tell you when it's time to visit the workshop. However, Tesla recommends the following maintenance items and intervals:Brake fluid health check every four yearsCabin air filter replacement every two yearsWiper blade replacements every yearClean and lubricate brake calipers every year or 20,000kmRotate tyres every 10,000kmTesla also offers a mobile customer tyre repair service covering puncture repair, tyre replacement and wheel loan.The Tesla Model 3 is 4720mm long, 1848mm wide (excluding mirrors) and 1442mm tall with a 2875mm wheelbase. Boot space is 594 litres with 88L in the ‘frunk’.