Articles by James Cleary

Audi’s third-generation Q5 and sporty SQ5 hit showrooms next month and have been priced aggressively and specified generously with the aim of putting a dent in the market share of its premium German mid-size SUV rivals, the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, while getting closer to the lower-priced, segment-leading Lexus NX.Starting at $81,000, before on-road costs, the all-new Q5 undercuts the BMW X3 (from $86,100) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (from $89,000) while dipping down to put some pressure on the Lexus NX (from $63,400).The new Q5 line-up starts with the entry-grade TFSI, powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine sending 150kW/340Nm to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. That combination receives mild-hybrid support from an integrated powertrain generator tipping in up to 18kW/230Nm and allowing low-speed pure EV propulsion for short distances.A redesigned interior features an 11.9-inch digital dash display and 14.5-inch multimedia screen with a 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen available as part of a ‘Tech pro’ option package.Other standard features include 19-inch alloy rims, matrix LED headlights, leather-appointed upholstery, power front seats (with heating and memory), three-zone climate control, colour ambient lighting, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and eight-speaker audio (including digital radio).The TDI quattro ($87,600 BOC) offers an almost identical standard specification but swaps out the TFSI’s petrol engine for a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel unit, this time sending 150kW/400Nm to all four wheels via the same seven-speed auto and an on-demand version of Audi’s quattro AWD system. It also features the mild-hybrid support system.Next, the TDI quattro Sport ($94,100 BOC) retains the same diesel powertrain but adds 20-inch alloys, a panoramic tinted glass sunroof, sports front seats, a three-spoke leather sports steering wheel, black headlining, stainless steel pedal covers and more.Step into the even more focused world of the SQ5 and power is bumped up to a 3.0-litre, turbo-petrol V6 engine pushing 270kW/550Nm through the seven-speed auto and quattro AWD system. With a revised suspension tune and 4.5-second 0-100km/h acceleration Audi positions it as the fastest SQ5 so far.From local launch, a limited SQ5 edition one model ($106,400 BOC) will be available for a “short period”, featuring gloss-black roof rails, mirror caps and window trims, anthracite grey badges, dark tailpipe trims and privacy glass. It also boasts 20-inch Audi Sport black metallic alloy rims and red brake calipers.Inside, the leather-appointed seats feature S embossing and a flat-top and bottom multi-function steering wheel is added.The ongoing SQ5 variant ($122,400 BOC) retains the edition one’s powertrain but switches its black elements for bright and brushed metal pieces while adding acoustic front door glass, premium diamond-stitched leather trim, additional massage and ventilation functions for the front seats, dynamic ambient interior lighting, a head-up display, top-shelf Bang & Olufsen audio and more.Underpinned by Audi’s ‘Premium Platform Combustion’ (PPC) platform the new Q5/SQ5 features progressive rate steering and ‘Frequency Selective’ dampers (using a valve to adjust damping force based on the vibration frequency) are standard across the line-up.Safety is comprehensive with a full ADAS suite including auto emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, speed sign recognition, ‘Audi Side Assist’, park assist plus and a 360-degree camera view standard. The airbag count runs to nine.Audi Australia has confirmed these five initial models will be joined by Q5 and SQ5 Sportback variants later this year.2026 Audi Q5 / SQ5 

Following its unveiling earlier this year, with order books for Chinese domestic sales opening last month, XPeng has now confirmed pricing for its G7 mid-size electric SUV in its domestic market.Offered across three versions in China - 602 long-range Max, 702 ultra-long-range Max and 702 ultra-long-range Ultra - the single-motor RWD five-seater is priced from ¥195,800 to ¥225,800.CEO of Australian XPeng distributor, TrueEV, Jason Clarke is already on the record with his desire to see the new model hit Australian showrooms in 2026 as a high-tech companion to the similarly-sized G6.Using the Chinese domestic to Australian market pricing ratio applied to the G6, that spread translates to a potential Aussie entry-price of around $61,000, before on-road costs, rising to approximately $70,000 for the flagship grade.That would pitch the G7 into an mid-size EV cage fight against the Cupra Tavascan, Jeep Avenger and Mini Aceman (all from $60,990, before on-road costs) as well as the Tesla Model Y (from $58,900) Kia EV5 (from $61,170), VW ID.4 (from $59,990) and the smash-hit BYD Sealion 7 (from $54,990).Standard equipment across all grades in China includes four-seat ventilation/heating/massage, Nappa leather seat trim, 18- or 20-inch alloy rims, a 15.6-inch central multimedia screen, a new 87-inch head-up display, a panoramic sunroof, 20-speaker audio and ambient lighting.XPeng positions the G7 as the world’s first ‘L3-level AI car’ using three in-house developed ‘Turing’ chips, collectively capable of processing ‘2250TOPS’ (2250 Tera Operations Per Second), largely focused on future L4/L5 autonomous driving.Riding on the same ‘Smart Electric Platform Architecture 2.0’ chassis as its G6 stablemate, the G7 is powered by a 218kW permanent magnet synchronous motor driving the rear wheels only.The coupe-style G7 is only marginally bigger than the G6 at 4892mm long (+139mm), 1925mm wide (+) and 1655mm tall (+) with the same 2890mm wheelbase.Boot volume is generous at 819 litres, expanding to 2277L with a 42L ‘frunk’ in support.The car features an 800V matrix for fast charging of the standard 68.5kWh LFP battery or larger 80.8kWh unit (using the same chemistry).Claimed maximum charging capacity in China is a whopping 451kW (350kW is the current maximum rate available in Australia); enough to charge from 10 to 80 per cent in just 12 minutes.Minimum energy consumption is quoted as 12.9kWh/100km (CLTC) with claimed range varying between 577km for the standard battery variant and 702km for the larger battery ‘ultra-long-range’ models.The G7 also features a ‘Taichi AI chassis’ which facilitates self-learning for, among other things, refined road surface reading. This instructs the standard adaptive damping system which forms part of the double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension set-up.

It feels like 2021 all over again with strong demand comprehensively out-stripping supply for a popular Toyota model. And this time it’s the 70 Series GXL Wagon automatic.But rather than global supply chain disruptions or customs-related shenanigans, this time around it’s simply a matter of short-term supply exceeding current demand for the tough 4WD five-seater.Toyota Australia has confirmed “strong customer demand and relatively low production levels” have forced it to pause customer orders for the LandCruiser 70 Series GXL Wagon automatic variant as of July 17, 2025.But the brand said the sales pause only affects this single model, adding it has good supply of all other LandCruiser 70 Series variants with some models in stock ready for immediate sale and others open to order for delivery within two to four months.Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations Sean Hanley said the decision to pause availability of the auto GXL Wagon “would provide customers with more certainty around delivery times for existing orders”.“We know in the past, particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic and during the global semi-conductor supply shortage, vehicle supply challenges caused a degree of frustration with our customers with wait times for delivery of new vehicles being extended significantly.“We never want to be the cause of that frustration again so together with our dealer network, we are committed to carefully managing any supply issues to provide complete transparency for customers when issues outside our control arise.“We continue to work with our parent company in Japan to optimise production and supply levels of all Toyota vehicles to ensure we can deliver and satisfy Australian customer demands,” Hanley said.Offered in Wagon, Troop Carrier and Double Cab Chassis form in GXL trim, as well as a Troop Carrier and Double Cab Chassis in the WorkMate grade, all LandCruiser 70 Series models are now powered by the same 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine used in its HiLux ute sibling.The WorkMate Wagon and all Single Cab Chassis models are offered with six-speed automatic transmission only, while others in the line-up offer a choice of five-speed manual or the auto.The launch of an updated four-cylinder LandCruiser 70 Series in late 2023 signalled the beginning of the end of the rugged body-on-frame off-roader’s previous 4.5-litre turbo-diesel V8 engine.But despite the recent departure of that long-serving powerplant Toyota says it has seen the appeal of the 70 Series grow across the range, although according to industry statistician, VFacts, registrations of the ‘Landcruiser PU/CC’ are down just over 15 per cent year-on-year for the first six months of 2025.

Despite a seemingly huge appetite for the ultra-cool Ford Bronco SUV and its mini-me Bronco Sport sibling, Aussie new car buyers have so far been denied access to the super-successful retro-futurist Ford models.

Model Y gets a battery boost.

Subaru has teased what is potentially its most significant new model introduction of the year with a preview shot of its upcoming compact EV SUV, the Uncharted.

Mercedes-Benz has kicked off the new financial year with value-add special edition versions of its key small and medium hatch, sedan and SUV models claimed to add up to $4800 worth of extra features at no additional cost.

The Lexus RZ has maintained a low profile since it's local launch in early 2023 and the large, five-seat, dual-motor, pure-electric SUV has captured only modest sales so far. But Lexus is banking on this significantly upgraded version, with more power, greater efficiency and a tweaked AWD system, not to mention tricky steer-by-wire and 'manual' shift tech, to give it a solid boost.

Nissan Australia is looking to boost sales and has drawn on the Japanese translation of the numbers two (Ni) and three (San) to generate a revised pricing structure for its X-Trail SUV, as the long-serving mid-size ‘Ni San’ model turns, you guessed it, 23 years old.Currently the sixth-placed player in the white-hot medium SUV segment behind family favourites such as the all-conquering Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson, the current fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail has been in market here since early 2022.As recently arrived challengers like the BYD Sealion 6, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, Geely EX5 and MG HS add extra pressure to this already hyper-competitive segment, price adjustments from established players are almost inevitable.And so it is, that with zero change to model specification the X-Trail’s Australian pricing has been reduced by between $1000 to $3000, depending on model.With a starting price now less than $37K, before on-road costs, the X-Trail throws down the gauntlet to the now hybrid-only RAV4 (from $42,260), Mitsubishi Outlander (from $37,740) and Mazda CX-5 (from $36,740) as well as newcomers like the BYD Sealion 6 (from $48,990) and Geely EX5 (from $40,990).But it’s still some distance away from the budget-focused MG HS (from $33,990 drive-away) and sharply-priced Chery Tiggo 7 Pro (from $29,990 drive-away). The current ‘T33’ X-Trail is offered across five model grades, with the entry-level ST’s standard features list including LED head and tail-lights, six-speaker audio (including digital radio) managed through an 8.0-inch multimedia display, 17-inch alloy rims, adaptive cruise control and more.Safety tech incorporates AEB (with pedestrian and cyclist detection), lane departure warning/prevention, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and airbag coverage including a front centre ‘far side’ bag.The top-shelf Ti-L adds 10-speaker Bose audio, bigger alloys, a heated steering wheel, electric front seats (with memory), heated rear seats, Nappa leather-accented trim, ambient lighting, a hands-free tailgate and more.Earlier this year Nissan Australia also introduced a (dealer-servicing activated) 10-year/300,000km warranty operating in concert with a five-year ‘Flat Price Servicing Program’.Is this the first shot fired in a full-scale price war as more and more new brands enter what is a mature Australian new car market? Feels like the battle has only just begun.

Currently ranked as the world’s sixth-largest carmaker (by unit volume) and biggest EV producer, it appears BYD is suffering demand headwinds, particularly in its Chinese home market, leading to a significant production slowdown.According to sources “with knowledge of the matter” quoted by global news agency Reuters, production at some factories has been “cut by at least a third”, leading to reduced shifts and a rethink on plans to add new manufacturing capacity.Said to be grappling with rising inventory, even after sharpening the pricing pencil in China's cut-throat new vehicle market, BYD has allegedly cancelled night shifts at “at least four factories”.BYD sold 4.27 million cars in 2025, the majority in China, and has publicly targeted a close to 30 per cent rise in sales to 5.5 million this year.It’s important to note Reuters was unable to quantify the precise scope of the production slowdown or confirm how long these measures will last.One of its sources pinned the primary cause on cost saving measures, while the other highlighted failure to meet sales targets.But the report quotes data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers showing growth of BYD’s output had slowed to 13 per cent and 0.2 per cent (year-on-year) in April and May, respectively. The data show that’s the slowest rate of growth since February 2024 when production was briefly disrupted by a week-long Lunar New Year holiday.At the same time, the report references a survey conducted by the China Automotive Dealer Association in May finding domestic BYD dealers were holding average inventory of 3.21 months, the highest among all brands in China (against an industry-wide average of 1.38 months).It also points to a ‘government-owned’ media report stating that, “a large BYD dealer in the eastern province of Shandong has gone out of business with at least 20 of its stores found to be deserted or shut.”Reuters said the Chinese car industry’s virtual exclusion from the US market, thanks to 100 per cent import tariffs, in part led the China Auto Dealers Chamber of Commerce's call on carmakers in early June to “stop offloading too many cars on domestic dealerships” and to set “reasonable” production targets based on sales performance. In the first five months of this year, BYD sold 1.76 million vehicles, of which around 20 per cent were exported, with even greater focus on global markets likely in future.In Australia, BYD sales continue to skyrocket with year-to-date registrations up no less than 95 per cent year-on-year, thanks in no small part to the recent introduction of the Shark 6 ute as well as the Sealion 6 and Sealion 7 SUVs, with more new model arrivals coming soon.When contacted for comment a BYD Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide, "BYD continues to enjoy strong growth in Australia with sales up significantly year-on-year."With so much exciting new product in the pipeline for the back half of this year, we expect that to continue," they said.