Articles by Laura Berry

Mitsubishi’s upcoming Pajero Sport successor has been unveiled, well in a way.Japanese Publication Best Car Web has published new digital renders of the so-called Pajero without any camouflage based on a prototype vehicle seen testing earlier this year in Europe.The images are similar to CarsGuide’s own renders produced by Thanos Pappas earlier this year. They depict a large angular and boxy SUV with a very upright and broad nose, as well as a horizontal-slat grille, tall bonnet, set-back cabin and a high flat roofline, leading to a squared-off tailgate.As previously detailed, Mitsubishi may shelve the Pajero Sport badge and bring back the iconic and original Pajero name. Earlier this year Mitsubishi Australia told CarsGuide that with the previous-generation Pajero Sport - plus the ASX and Eclipse Cross SUVs - being retired due to not meeting Australian Design Rules (ADRs) there would be a replacement but wouldn’t say what it would be called."These nameplates will be replaced by equivalent — if you want to call it that — vehicles in the coming years," said Mitsubishi Australia's GM of Product Strategy and PR, Bruce Hampel.Best Car Web claims the new Pajero will be based on the current Triton which launched locally in 2024. This means a body-on-frame chassis is likely, like the outgoing Pajero Sport.Historically, the Pajero was built on a ladder-frame chassis, however, later versions from the 2000s onward were built on a monocoque platform, like the current Land Rover Defender.If the Pajero does make a full comeback it will have its work cut out for itself because its old rival, the Prado, is only recently starting its new generation and offered with a turbo-diesel mild-hybrid powertrain locally and a hybrid powertrain in other markets.Mitsubishi’s best selling vehicle is the Outlander mid-sized SUV with 15,043 sales so far this year. The current Pajero Sport despite being on the way out is still selling well with 3758 sold until the end of August.

Audi has added its 'Sportback' coupe bodystyle to its Q6 e-tron and SQ6 e-tron electric SUV line-up, which the brand says offers more than just sleeker looks.

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The rise of smart electric cars could see us fall into a future where we have to pay for nearly every function – even turning the vehicle on.Computers have been an integral part of vehicles since the 1980s, when engine management systems and electronics became more sophisticated, but it was always a car first and mainly mechanical with software added. In the past 10 years, however, we’ve seen computers become the architecture around which the car is built and aptly referred to as software defined vehicles (SDVs).Sure, that seems a natural part of the evolution of vehicles which have always been on a path of continual advancement from performance, efficiency and safety to comfort, convenience and entertainment. What could go wrong?The problem is that with cars essentially becoming just large electronic devices with many functions provided with software that’s updated over the air, the carmakers may choose to charge you for the use of them, or switch those functions off remotely if you don't pay up.It’s no different from your phone or TV and because you’re fine with paying for your Netflix and Spotify subscription, it stands to reason you’ll be okay with paying a subscription fee for car functions. Things such as heated seats, a head-up display, proximity unlocking, even the amount of power the motor makes. A most extreme scenario is failure to pay a bill resulting in the car itself not being able to be started. The safety implications of this are obvious and concerning at the very least.That last one seems unlikely but don’t underestimate the potential carmakers see in monetising vehicle functions. Electric vehicles have much fewer moving parts that need replacing, or fixing or maintaining than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and manufacturers stand to lose billions of dollars they’ve made in the past servicing ICE cars. Subscription fees will be one of the ways they’ll keep that cash flow going.Some car companies are already charging for features through subscriptions. Tesla currently offers extra features such as live traffic updates, dash cam and music streaming through its subscription model. BMW offers heated seats among other features through subscription, and Toyota has made its remote start function available this way on some models. Mercedes-Benz provides traffic and sat-nav updates using subscription, and Volkswagen will increase the power output of its ID.3 electric hatch from 150kW to 170kW for a monthly or annual fee. Chinese carmakers haven’t embraced the subscription model yet in Australia, despite many of the brands such as BYD, Geely and Zeekr having increasingly software-defined these vehicles.This could be because the competitiveness of the Australian market is forcing the new carmakers into a price war where the value for money of Chinese EVs is all important in attracting buyers to what are still unfamiliar brands. But given enough time the brands will establish themselves locally and be in a position to almost certainly charge subscriptions for what they used to offer for the price of the car.As vehicles become even more software-orientated, we could see brands compete on the basis of technology in the form of entertainment and comfort features to performance and handling, even the physical features of the car which could change the colour or shades of the car through intelligent body panels, as we’ve seen in concepts such as the BMW iX Flow at motor shows over the past few years.New Chinese brand Nio has just confirmed its coming to Australia and overseas it offers subscription services to vehicle functions including the EV battery itself. Buyers can purchase the Nio electric vehicle without the battery and then pay a regular fee that allows them to swap to a larger battery for a greater range if they want, but it’ll cost them a bit more.Nio scored particularly well in a recent report from research company Gartner, which ranked car manufacturers based on the value added to their vehicles through software. Nine categories ranging from electrification, vehicle architecture and autonomy to connectivity, the user experience, and even how tech-savvy the executive team of the company are were rated.The big winners this year were Tesla, Nio and Xiaomi, with all three being headed by technology leaders who focused on monetising and adding value to their products. Mazda, Nissan and Toyota came in at the bottom of the rankings. These three established companies who helped define the modern motoring would be being left behind by carmakers whose software defines their vehicles. Will consumers actually pay for features that were once part of the costs of the vehicle? Would you? Well, if you could see the number of silly apps I subscribe to on my phone, the answer is probably yes. But maybe subscriptions could lead to cars that are even more affordable - a blank slate that allows a really low entry price with no pressure to add any features unless you wanted to. Oh wait, that’s exactly how the carmakers will sell it to us…

Chinese carmakers aren’t just winning over Aussies with affordable electric SUVs, the same manufacturers have quickly established themselves as serious competitors in the popular ute segment that's dominated by the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger. Just this year we’ve seen a stack of new Chinese utes models arrive in Australia to join some already well-established players. So, here’s the ultimate list of Chinese utes in Australia to help you keep up to date with what’s on the ground now and those expected to arrive soon.BYD has taken Australia by storm with its affordable electric cars, but wading into the treacherous and competitive waters of the ute segment inhabited by the likes of Toyota’s HiLux and Ford’s Ranger was brave. BYD, however, didn’t just wade in, it backstroked in during late last year and stole a sizable chunk of the market with the Shark 6 becoming the fourth best-selling 4x4 ute on the market so far in 2025.The Shark 6 is a plug-in hybrid that uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors for a combined output of 321kW and 650Nm. Braked towing capacity is 2500kg.The GWM Cannon is the most established Chinese ute in Australia and is popular for its combination of good looks and good value.The Cannon dual-cab has a 2.4 litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel unit making 135kW and 480Nm. Braked capacity is 3500kg.JAC’s T9 arrived in Australia in late 2024 and there are currently two grades on sale - the Oasis and the Haven. Powering the T9 is a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine making 120kW and 410Nm, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Braked towing capacity is 3200kg.LDV’s Terron 9 is the latest member of the brand’s growing ute family. Larger in every way than the T60 both in dimensions and grunt.Powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel four cylinder making 163kW and 520Nm, the Terron 9 has a braked towing capacity of 3500kg.An eTerron 9 electric version could also be arriving in Australia soon. The LDV T60 is the smaller stablemate of the Terron 9 and is powered by a 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder, mated to an-eight speed automatic, with a six-speed manual gearbox also available. LDV upgraded the T60 in 2025 and this T60 Max, as it's called now, has a higher braked towing capacity of 3500kg.The new Foton Tunland arrived late in 2025 a very different vehicle to the one we used to know with strikingly handsome exterior and lavish looking cabin.All variants have a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine with a 48V mild hybrid system, with outputs of 120kW and 450Nm.Chery has confirmed that it will bring a plug-in hybrid ute to Australia to compete against BYD’s Shark 6 in 2026 and the Rely P3X could be it.Rely is one of the many brands owned by Chery, along with Omoda and Jaecoo which are already in Australia. Rely showed off the P3X recently at the Chengdu motor show and it's very likely one or both of these will be vehicles to be picked and arrive wearing a Chery badge.The P3X appears to have all the ingredients to make it a tough rival to the BYD Shark 6 with its ladder frame chassis and 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine with dual electric motors.MG’s U9 arrives right about now and could be a game changer, even if it’s based on a ute that’s already here - the LDV Terron 9.MG’s bosses say that the U9 will come with a choice of diesel, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains, and that variety, along with its good looks and expected affordable price point, will make it a big market disrupter. A 3500kg braked towing capacity is confirmed as well - possibly only on the diesel.Unlike all the other utes here the Geely Riddara doesn’t sit on a ladder frame and is far more car-like and lifestyle focused than a work truck.Still, there’s definitely a market for a small and comfortable little ute like the Riddara RD6, which is likely to come to Australia with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.When it does come isn’t certain, with Geely appearing to concentrate more on growing its passenger car line-up first.

Three years ago almost nobody in Australia had even heard of BYD, but now the Chinese manufacturer is a top-five brand here, outselling big names Aussies used to flock to like Honda, Nissan and Subaru. All that now stands in its way is Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Kia and Hyundai. And all BYD has to do is add four new models to its range and it could leave those holdouts in its dust. But not just any models - these models.Rapid just doesn’t describe well enough just how fast BYD has grown in Australia. To go from zero sales in 2021 before it had arrived to selling 32,839 cars so far just in the first eight months of this year is overwhelming. Well, it has been for brands such as Nissan, Honda and Subaru, who haven’t sold more than 30,000. Even the big Europeans like Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW and Audi haven’t sold more than 20,000 this year. Hyundai doesn’t exactly have a comfortable lead either with 51,957 sales year to date, and neither does Kia with 55,554. Mazda might think it's safe with 63,208, but really only Toyota doesn’t have to panic yet with 163,491 until the start of September.Three or possibly four new models for BYD will easily reach 60,000 sales for the same period, catching Kia and Hyundai and possibly overtaking Mazda, too. But not just any models will do this, only the right ones will, but it's easy to see what they are from the sales data.Looking at the latest sales data from the first eight months of the year, it is clear what models BYD needs and it’s not more mid-sized SUVs, the brand has this covered with the Sealion 6 and Sealion 7, with the possibility of the Sealion 5 coming, too. BYD also has the big-selling Shark 6 4x4 ute. Having popular mid-sized SUVs and a ute are key ingredients for success in Australia as these are the largest-selling segments. Toyota is the king of this recipe with its HiLux ute and RAV4 SUV, and it’s why Kia has just launched its Tasman pick-up to help the Sportage SUV with the heavy lifting. But Toyota and Kia don’t just rely on these cars to succeed. BYD has such momentum and the attention of Australians now that if it places a model to rival Toyota and Kia in other key segments, it will gain ground. And it can absolutely do this - not only is the company financially secure, it has an excellent supply chain and production process, plus it has the models already made. First, and everybody can see this, BYD needs a large, off-road SUV, something that will rival the Toyota Prado. If BYD is able to make that happen, it could gain up to 20,000 sales a year. These are all very conservative numbers too, the potential for much bigger sales is there.After all, have you seen how many BYD Shark 6 utes are getting around with canopies? Stylish ones that make this hybrid 4x4 pick-up look like an SUV, similar to a Ford Everest or Toyota MU-X. Can you see where we’re going here? Yep, it’s going to happen. BYD’s answer to the Prado is its Denza B5. The B5 is a ladder-on-frame, large, off-road SUV that’s also a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and two electric motors producing a combined 505kW and 760Nm. That’s slated to arrive late this year or early 2026, albeit marketed under a separate Denza brand that is owned by BYD.Next is a small SUV. BYD has the Atto 3 but at 4.5m long, it's almost classed as a 'small' mid-sized SUV. So something smaller to rival the Hyundai Kona or Mazda CX-30 is needed. We won’t have to wait long because by the end of this year the BYD Atto 2 electric SUV will launch in Australia. At 4.3m long, the Atto 2 is the size of a Kona. A smaller SUV like this could bring in 15,000 extra sales for BYD each year.Finally, BYD needs to bring a light SUV here the size of Toyota's Yaris Cross - but fully electric like Hyundai’s Inster. Again, BYD already has this - it’s the Atto 1. BYD doesn’t plan to bring the tiny SUV here. If it does, it could pick up another 5000 sales a year.Essentially, though, BYD needs the large, off-road Prado rival and the small Kona rival to start really worrying the brands currently ahead of it in the sales charts, and these models - the Denza B5 and Atto 2 are coming. It’ll be interesting to see what BYD’s year-to-date sales are this time in 2026 - 50,000? Very likely, at least, this by the looks of it. 

Mercedes-Benz has added a new plug-in hybrid variant to its mid-sized SUV line-up in the form of the GLC350e.

Hyundai Australia has issued an urgent recall for almost 20,000 examples of its i30 hatchback following the discovery of a fuel fault that could lead to a sudden loss of power.The fault affects only the i30 PD model made between 2020-2021 and involves 18,634 vehicles in Australia.Hyundai Australia has issued a statement explaining the fault is connected to the fuel supply which can cause the vehicle to lose power.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the fuel pump impeller may become deformed under certain environmental conditions, interrupting the fuel supply,” Hyundai’s statement reads. “If this occurs, the engine could stall resulting in a sudden loss of motive power.“Owners of affected vehicles will be contacted in writing by Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA), asking them to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have the fuel pump impeller inspected and replaced, free of charge.”Owners who may be concerned are encouraged to speak to their local dealer or contact Hyundai’s customer care line on 1800 186 306.The i30 has long been in Hyundai’s top three best-selling vehicles. Sales of the i30 year-to-date to the start of September have totalled 7447 units. Hyundai’s latest recall follows another recall in March for the 8700 ix35 SUVs due to a brake fluid leak.

Chinese carmaker Leapmotor has teased us with a hint of its sleek, small electric hatch the B05 ahead of its upcoming Munich motor show debut.

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