Articles by John Law

Five years after the Middle Eastern market, Australia’s 2024 Nissan Patrol update brings a new dash fascia with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Except that the new 10.1-inch screen doesn’t sit above the dash as seen in other markets, because Nissan Australia has worked with local company Directed Technologies to effectively carry out an especially neat head unit replacement. There are a few other upgrades, too, including a digital rear-view mirror, wireless charging pad, DAB+ radio, front seat cool box (new to Ti) and both USB-A and USB-C charge ports. The price increase over the MY23 model is $3000 for all trims, including Warrior.Worth noting is that the Ti-L’s 13-speaker Bose sound system has been downsized to a six-speaker Infinity set-up for the MY24 Patrol. Other cabin changes are limited to a storage cubby in place of the MY23’s Patrol’s 8.0-inch non-touch display for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series rival.For those keen to explore the outback in the MY24 Patrol, the new multimedia system comes pre-installed with Hema maps, a trusted navigation software with detailed information. A month’s subscription is free, with ongoing pricing to be paid to Hema by the owner.  Aside from that, the Y62 Patrol is largely unchanged with its 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre V8 petrol, seven-speed automatic and full-time 4WD system enabling tried-and-true off-road capability and a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity.The Ti-based Premcar-fettled Warrior builds on this with bespoke suspension, wheel and tyre upgrade, snorkel, bi-modal exhaust and tough-looking body protection. Despite its 13-year (global, 11-year Australian) vintage, the Y62 Patrol’s sales record was set in September 2023. A turbo V6-powered ‘Y63’ Patrol is expected to debut in 2025 based on the Infiniti QX60. 2024 Nissan Patrol pricing before on-road costs 

Price increase ushers in a sleeker and more sophisticated Peugeot 2008.

This could be our first glimpse at the 2024 GWM Haval Jolion facelift as new pictures of the small SUV appeared in government approval documents. It’s clearly a Jolion – the lights are a giveaway – that’s pictured and is likely a facelift of the existing car rather than the Jolion Pro unveiled late last month.Visually there’s a simpler blacked-out grille with vertical slats, more pronounced front valance with less visual clutter, ‘GWM’ badge in place of ‘HAVAL’ lettering, new lower bumper garnish and raised rear spoiler. There are no images showing what the updated car’s interior may look like, though we’d expect similar architecture and technology to the existing Jolion small SUV. There are two variants of the ‘A01 FL’ (presumably short for facelift) both complied with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. One of the two shows a sunroof as standard specification while weighing 60kg more (1400kg). CarsGuide sighted these documents and has sought comment from GWM Australia on the new vehicle. This story will be updated when we hear more. GWM South Africa confirmed that a new model, the Jolion Pro (or ChiTu in China, which means Red Rabbit), would replace upper-spec Jolion Ultra and Ultra Hybrid variants in the second quarter of the year. What we’re probably seeing – and this makes sense owing to the smaller 17-inch alloy wheels with which this vehicle is complied – is a refreshed Jolion that will offer a more affordable small SUV option alongside a new Jolion Pro. This wouldn’t be out of the ordinary, with MG choosing that very route with its ZS and ZST range – the ZS offering a price-leader entry point and the ZST a richer specification with more modern powertrains.If the right-hand-drive South African market is anything to go by, the Jolion Pro will adopt the same 130kW/270Nm tune as the existing Jolion S, with the facelifted Jolion to stay at 105kW. The two vehicles share more than names, with the Pro just 2mm shorter and matching its 2700mm wheelbase – the Pro will also be offered in South Africa with a hybrid powertrain producing 140kW/370Nm. Pricing and features will be confirmed closer to when a new Jolion launches. Expect it to start just above $30,990 drive-away where the current Jolion Lux petrol sits. 

GWM continues expansion with bigger Cannon Alpha ute packing hybrid powertrain.

Following drastic price cuts to the Model Y electric SUV, the 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD has had $1000 shaved from its price.

The 2024 Tesla Model Y has arrived in Australia with a few small changes and serious price cuts.

Toyota Kluger pricing has climbed by $2630 across the range for 2024 despite no equipment additions. The seven-seat Kia Sorento, Hyundai Palisade and Mazda CX-90 rival is available in three trim levels and starts at $54,420 (before on-road costs) for the 198kW GX petrol FWD – $4700 dearer than when the turbo-petrol launched in December 2022.Toyota last adjusted the Kluger’s price in August 2023 and the current cost-of-entry is $2630 higher than that change. This fourth increase in two years applies across the range.“Toyota is committed to keeping price increases to a minimum” a Toyota Australia spokesperson told Carsguide."These changes came into effect on 4 March 2024 due to increased costs and inflationary pressures both here and overseas," they added.The entry-level Kluger GX front-wheel drive scores cloth upholstery, an 8.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and dual-zone climate control. All-wheel drive is available for $58,420 and a 184kW hybrid for $60,920, both before on-road costs. The mid-spec GXL ($31,940-70,440) adds a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, synthetic leather upholstery (and more) while the flagship Grande sprinkles 20-inch alloy wheels, an 11-speaker JBL sound system, leather upholstery and a panoramic sunroof on top. The Kluger is the latest Toyota model to face price increases following the diminutiveYaris hatch (up $1270-$1770) and Yaris Cross (+$880-$950) light SUVs that were subject to bumps in March. In terms of year-to-date sales, although it remains behind seven-seat body-on-frame alternatives such as the Ford Everest (4499) and Isuzu MU-X (4854), the Toyota Kluger (2556) has been more popular than monocoque rivals such as the Kia Sorento (2552) and Hyundai Palisade (795) this year. 2024 Toyota Kluger pricing (before on-road costs)

No mid-life facelift just yet, the Outback soldier on with a few choice changes and $1K price bump.

The bloody battle for Australia’s cheapest electric car continues with BYD slashing its Ora small car to $35,990 drive-away, with that price applying nationally. All variants in the GWM Ora range now carry national drive-away prices so it’s a little tricky to give an exact change from the old $39,990 list price as tariffs differ by state. Still, the discount is significant, and makes the Ora around $4500-$7000 more affordable than before, depending where you live. GWM’s latest hit follows MG chopping prices of its entry level MG4 Excite to $39,990 drive-away in March to be more competitive with the BYD Dolphin Dynamic ($38,890 before on-road costs). The lower price has been achieved by GWM utilising “continued favourable exchange rates and supply to sharpen Ora pricing”, the company said in a statement. It follows a $4000 price cut in July 2023. GWM has delivered 282 Oras so far this year compared to 688 BYD Dolphin and 1335 MG4 deliveries. There are no changes to Ora specification with the entry-grade Standard Range featuring 18-inch alloy wheels, a 360-degree camera, power seats, and twin 10.25-inch screens for the instruments and multimedia system.Its driving range is rated at 320km WLTP from a 48kWh battery and 126kW/250Nm front-mounted electric motor.  The $40,990 Extended Range’s 63kWh battery bumps range to 420km without any other changes save for keyless entry. Moving up to the Ultra (now $43,990 drive-away) scores a power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, power-adjust mirrors, heated steering wheel and heating/ventilation for the front seats. The $46,990 drive-away Ora GT gets an exterior makeover with sporty Toyota Supra-esque wheels, exterior cladding and red accents but no change to the 126kW electric motor. While GWM has set the latest gauntlet, we don’t expect the EV price wars to end any time soon. In fact, it’s already setting up for another change with the 2025 BYD Dolphin expected to bring cost improvements according to China’s AutoHome. GWM also promised plug-in hybrid powertrains for the Australian market. It’s unclear if that refers to its Haval SUV range, such as the Jolion and H6, or if that’s a teaser for the upcoming hybridised Alpha ute.2024 GWM Ora drive-away pricing