Articles by John Law

Another blow dished out for the family sedan and wagon, Mazda has officially retired the iconic 6 after 22 years in market. 

Following its 2025 pricing cull, BYD has chopped the entry price to its Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid range. The family SUV now starts in Essential trim, with the old Dynamic grade dropped entirely, from $42,990 before on-road costs. This cements its position as Australia’s cheapest plug-in hybrid — the price battle is getting bloody. Compared to rivals, it is very sharply priced. The most popular vehicle in the segment, the Toyota RAV4, starts at $42,260 before on-road costs in plugless hybrid guise while the most affordable Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is the ES at $57,290, before on-road costs. BYD says the new Essential is targeting fleet customers mainly and it does lose some equipment.Inside, there’s no 360-degree camera, auto-dimming mirror, insulated front door glass, seat heating and ventilation, metal sill protectors, mood lighting or wireless phone charging.The touchscreen is smaller (but still generous) at 12.8 inches and the speaker count falls from 10 to six. The driver’s seat is still power adjustable but only six ways, not eight. The Sealion 6 Essential still features two-tone brown synthetic leather upholstery, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting and keyless entry. Under the bonnet is the same plug-in hybrid system based around a 1.5-litre petrol engine. It drives the front wheels only with a total power output of 160kW, for a 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds. The 18.3kWh ‘Blade’ battery remains, giving around 80km of electric-only driving range and total full-empty distance of 1000km plus, says BYD, if you can achieve the 1.1L/100km rating. A five-star ANCAP safety rating covers all Sealion 6 trims. It is currently advantageous to purchase a plug-in hybrid as it is considered a low-emissions vehicle, making them much more affordable to finance thanks to the FBT exemption. This will change on 1 April 2025 and may impact PHEV sales. Since its release in May 2024, though, the Sealion 6 has proven popular, with 6198 finding homes. BYD is on a product offensive in 2025, rolling out a new Sealion 7 electric model and introducing Australia’s first plug-in hybrid ute, the Shark 6. 

Over the weekend, Chinese car making BYD made a big statement. It revealed a new pair of flagship vehicles in its Dynasty series, the Tang L SUV and Han L sedan. Dubbed “Chinese culture carriers” by their maker, the two five-metre-long plus models show what BYD can do with luxury trimmings and with up to 810kW on offer they are thrusting to be chosen over a Tesla Model S, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz EQS or BMW iX.The new Han sedan is a clear continuation of its predecessor with Model S-like dimensions. There’s more intricate detailing on the bonnet and down the flanks, while the alloy wheels and lighting signatures are both new.The Tang, a large three-row SUV that previously targeted the Kia EV9, steps upmarket big time. A new grille-free front end, tiny LED headlights and more imposing profile give it enhanced visual presence. Both models have a roof-mounted Lidar pod. Under the lead of designer Wolfgang Egger — credited with the gorgeous Alfa Romeo 8C supercar — the Han and Tang L share BYD’s new ‘Loong Face’ and chrome ‘Dragon Moustache’ details. Inside there's a big central touchscreens next to a digital driver’s display. The Tang and Han's clean cabin layout is more mature than the BYD products we currently get in Australia and shows evolution. The electric and plug-in hybrid systems are the most impressive parts, and we don’t even know driving ranges yet. An entry-level rear-wheel drive electric version of the Tang and Han L is available with a 500kW electric motor. There are two plug-in hybrid options. The DM-i combines a 115kW 1.5-litre petrol and 200kW electric motor, presumably with 1000km or more driving range. A punchier variant is available with a second 200kW electric motor, called the DM-p. But the most impressive specification is the 810kW all-wheel-drive flagship, with its 580kW rear electric motor spinning to 30,000rpm, BYD claims it is the second most powerful electric motor after the Koenigsegg Gemera. Yet pricing for the Tang and Han in China is expected to start at a reasonable 300,000 yuan, equivalent to A$66,000.BYD is gearing up for a big 2025, first launching the Sealion 7 all-electric Tesla Model Y rival, while deliveries of its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute are kicking off in earnest. CarsGuide has contacted BYD to find out whether the Tang L and Han L are on the radar. This story will be updated if we receive any updates.It might be prudent to offer them, despite being niche, with rival Chinese brand MG having an 800km-plus electric car with active suspension in its sights. For now, BYD continues to go from strength to strength, selling 4.27 million cars last year, of which 433,000 were exports. A little more than 20,000 of those made it to Australia and the brand is looking to double sales again this year. 

Could it really be true that the next Toyota RAV4 will be available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric guise?That’s the word from Japanese magazine BestCar, known for its insider sources, which has come across information suggesting the new RAV4 won’t only be a Nissan X-Trail rival, but also compete with the BYD Sealion 6 in plug-in guise and the Tesla Model Y as a BEV. There’s even a render based on sightings of prototypes to accompany the story. Bad news is that the new version of Australia’s second most-popular car won’t launch until the third quarter of 2026. We’ve known for some time that the new RAV4 is likely to follow the lead of Camry that sits on the same TNGA-K platform in getting a heavy redesign, rather than all-new model but the RAV is set to go much further. The latest info suggests that there’s no new-generation 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre turbo coming to the RAV4 hybrid, instead it will continue with the fifth-gen hybrid just like the Camry.So far, outputs are expected to stay similar with the RAV4 hybrid producing either 168kW in front- or 173kW in all-wheel drive guise. There will be no petrol-only RAV4 this time around. However, a new battery electric version is looking to take over from the bZ4X based on a modified version of the hybrid RAV4’s underpinnings. Adding fuel to the fire is Toyota’s publicised move away from alphanumeric names back to real ones, at least in Europe. A Toyota RAV4 electric certainly has more brand recognition than a bZ4X. There’s precious little more detail on battery size, driving range, power outputs or battery chemistry. To be competitive an electric RAV4 would require at least a 70kWh battery, if not 80kWh, for a 500km-plus driving range. Charge times will need to improve from the bZ4X, closer to 20 minutes from 10-80 per cent. Toyota’s plug-in hybrid system will continue with BestCar suggesting improved electric-only driving range, up to 120km from a charge. It is currently 75km. Expect a 20kWh-plus battery for such a result, up from the existing 18.1kWh item. BestCar’s intel suggests the RAV4 will grow significantly, stretching to 4.7 metres long (+85mm) and riding on a 60mm longer, 2750mm wheelbase, resulting in improved cabin space. It’s not clear if seven seats will be available in certain markets. There are strong ties to the new Camry in the RAV4 render’s design, with a honeycomb grille and the ‘Hammerhead’ front clip. The electric version is expected to have a blanked off grille. Interestingly, it sounds like there will be minimal differentiation between hybrid, plug-in and electric versions, with all of them available in various trims sold simply as RAV4.Information from Japan suggests that pricing will go up to 4.5 million yen (A$46,500) for a hybrid version, when it currently starts at $42,260 for the GX. Surprisingly the plug-in hybrid (est. 5.8 million yen/A$60,000) is only expected to be a little cheaper than the battery electric version (est. 6.0 million yen/A$62,000) making both far more competitive with Chinese-made EVs such as the Tesla Model Y and Deepal S07. Currently, the RAV4 news is pure speculation, though now we’ve seen spy pictures of test mules on public roads the launch must be approaching. BestCar’s estimate is a third quarter launch in 2026, so over a year and a half away. By that time, a hybrid Mazda CX-5 may have left its mark in Australia and the USA. Stay tuned for more information on the new Toyota RAV4. 

Voice control seemed so futuristic, with KITT, the heavily modified Pontiac Firebird showing just how helpful it could be in Knight Rider.

Skoda's entry into the highly populated electric medium SUV segment isn't exactly normal, or particularly pragmatic on the surface. The Enyaq RS Coupe turns heads, especially in the lewd 'Mamba Green' paint hue, yet manages to hit most of the requirements of a family EV. An impressive piece of kit, though one that's destined to remain niche in Australia.

Volkswagen is gearing up to replace its T-Roc small SUV, leaked images reveal. The Golf-sized crossover has appeared un-camouflaged for the first time in images shared to the Cochespias forum. There is no official timeline from Volkswagen for when the new T-Roc might launch, however the current generation has been on the market since 2017 (globally, and Australia since late 2018) suggesting its replacement is due late in 2025 or early in 2026. Up front, pictures show the new generation T-Roc getting a big makeover reminiscent of the larger Tiguan. There’s a broad front grille with big hexagons, more intricate aerodynamic detailing and fresh alloy wheel designs. Some of the T-Roc’s signature details remain including the lifted hatch proportions and chunky C-Pillar to accentuate the sloping roofline and give it a more coupe-like design. Underneath, the T-Roc is essentially a jacked up Golf Mk8.5 and thought to use that car’s MQB Evo underpinnings. The current T-Roc is based on a seventh-generation Golf. Upgrades include improved rigidity and stiffer mounting points and better compatibility with new plug-in hybrid powertrains. There are no interior snaps but if the T-Roc follows Golf and Tiguan, it will get new graphics, a fresh design and bigger 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen. Expect various engines, likely starting with the 110kW 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder. A mid-spec 150kW tune of a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol with AWD is likely to replace the 140TSI all-wheel drive grade. It is possible Volkswagen will release an R model as in the current T-Roc but tighter emissions standards in Europe and now Australia may make that unfeasible. A 195kW tune is available which could support a warmer model. In Australia, the Volkswagen T-Roc is a rival for the likes of the Mazda CX-30, Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross, Subaru Crosstrek and Skoda Kamiq. The small SUV segment continues to grow in Australia accounting for roughly 15 per cent of sales and, as the T-Roc slipped to Volkswagen’s second-most popular model behind the Amarok last year, an update could be welcome. Volkswagen is yet to announce further details on the second generation T-Roc. Expect to hear more later in 2025. 

On the same day Mitsubishi confirmed its new Renault-based ASX, the French brand’s Captur version of the light SUV is coming back to Australia. 

This new mid-size SUV could be the car to put Renault back on the map in Australia and it isn’t even really from the French brand. The Dacia Bigster is a stretched version of the Romanian budget marque’s latest Duster small SUV. Measuring 4.57 metres long, the Bigster is a direct rival to the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, BYD Sealion 6, Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander. Plus, the Bigster is said to pack a hybrid system not unlike the RAV4’. Australian plans are not concrete, but Renault importer boss Glen Sealey previously told CarsGuide that Dacia is “going to happen” and they’ll probably wear Renault badges Down Under. Beneath the Bigster’s bonnet is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine (from a previous project between Renault and Geely) paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and electric motor on the front axle, the cumulative output is 114kW. Like its Duster brother, Dacia has confirmed an all-wheel drive hybrid version of the handsome Bigster will be available. Like the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, it adds a separate motor on the rear axle not connected to the front via a differential or transfer case. A plug-in hybrid is a possibility in the future thanks to parent company Renault having “all the solutions”, said Dacia CEO Denis Le Vot to AutoExpress. “We recoup the assets developed by the Group… We put them back and make our own soup with the leftovers. We make good business with that for us, and for the clients and we manage, as a whole, the CO2 emissions of the Group,” Le Vot told the British publication.  While Dacia is seen as a budget brand in the UK and Europe, helping drive its success, in Australia it won’t be quite so bargain basement. A combination of Australian Design Rules and market forces mean they’ll be closer to existing Renault products in price. “The specification we will take for Australia will be vastly different to what they perhaps take in the UK,” Sealey admitted to CarsGuide. “There’s certain features and requirements that we will have that the UK are happy not to have.”Think automatic transmissions, advanced parking cameras, sound systems, alloy wheels and the like. Looking at the related Duster in the UK, the upper-mid Journey trim looks like it would suit Australia with large alloy wheels and all the usual creature comforts. Compared to an equivalent Mazda CX-30, the Dacia is around £5000 (A$10,000) cheaper. It is worth noting that UK buyers typically pay much higher prices for their cars than Australia. Stiff competition from China’s GWM Haval, MG, Chery and more is keeping prices lower Down Under. “In Australia, the Chinese pay zero per cent duty and we have to pay five per cent to get Duster here. So already, before we even start, there’s a 15 per cent differential,” explains Sealey.In other words, don’t expect a base model Bigster to compete with a Haval H6 Premium ($30,990, drive-away). Instead, expect a similar price to a base grade RAV4 GX ($42,260 before on-road costs) but with more value-oriented features, just like Skoda used to offer.As for models it makes sense to bring, the Bigster fights in Australia’s biggest market segment, the medium SUV, which made up 22.8 per cent of sales in 2024. The smaller Duster’s segment accounts for nearly 15 per cent of the market, so both are prudent choices. Sales of the ageing Renault Koleos that the Bigster may effectively replace were down 67 per cent last year. Importer Ateco is remaining quiet on plans for Dacia for now but we expect movement this year. 

Toyota looks to be ending its bZ4X naming conventions, at least in Europe, following the launch of its new cut-price electric SUV.