Articles by Samuel Irvine

Kia has announced modest price increases for some of its most popular cars, ranging from $100 to $200 depending on the model.For 2025, the Kia Picanto will remain Australia’s most affordable car, despite a $100 price rise lifting the model’s entry price to $18,390, before on-road costs.With an estimated national drive-away price of $21,340, that still puts the small hatch $2650 clear of Australia’s next cheapest vehicle, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, which is a small SUV.A further $100 rise across the range sees the top-spec GT-Line with an automatic transmission now headline the range at $21,790, before on-road costs, or $24,140, drive-away.The price adjustments are slightly more substantial for the Kia Stonic crossover, the brand’s second-most-affordable model in Australia.It now starts at $25,660, before on-road costs, for the entry-level S, $200 more than it did last year. Prices peak at $31,980 for the GT-Line.Kia has enacted the same price changes for the Seltos small SUV, which now starts at $30,050, before on-roads, for the S FWD, rising to $45,470 for the top-spec GT-Line AWD.Finally, the upper-mid-sized Sorento, Kia’s most popular model of the bunch, now starts at $53,500, before on-roads, for the petrol S 2WD. Prices for variants with an internal combustion engine now peak at $68,790 for the diesel GT-Line AWD.The price rise follows a seasonal $150 range-wide price rise for the segment-dominating Kia Carnival people mover in January.No model updates or additional spec inclusions have been made across the Kia range in return.

Mitsubishi has officially confirmed pricing and specifications for its new Club Cab and Cab Chassis Triton variants as it introduces additional sub-one-tonne payload options.The new Club Cab body style will apply to the GLX and GLX+ variants in respective cab chassis and pickup guises. They are a two-door, four-seat configuration that carry smaller rear seats while maintaining a full-sized rear tray or tub.Pricing will commence at $47,240 for the GLX Club Cab Chassis and $50,340 for the GLX+ Club Cab Pickup, both of which come standard with four-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic gearbox.New cab chassis body type options will apply to two- and four-wheel-drive GLX variants in both six-speed manual and automatic forms, as well as the GLX+, GLS and GSR variants, the latter of which are only available in automatic and four-wheel drive guises.Additionally, Mitsubishi has added sub-one-tonne payload options for the Triton GLX, GLX+ and GLX-R variants in Double Cab Pickup guise, a strategic move to make more variants qualify for novated leasing, according to Australian tax regulations.It follows a similar decision made to the high-grade GLS and GSR variants in August last year.No changes have been made to the Triton’s 2.4-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine, which provides 150kW/470Nm as standard across the range.Standard features on the entry-grade GLX included cloth seat trim, a vinyl floor, driver's seat electric lumbar support, 17-inch steel wheels, a 9.0-inch multimedia display, high- and low-range drive modes (only on 4WD variants) as well as heavy-duty rear suspension.The GLX+ adds a rear differential lock, 17-inch silver alloy wheels, side-steps, rear-window privacy glass, halogen front fog lamps, rear USB-C and USB-A ports and digital radio (DAB).GLX-R variants get even bigger 18-inch black alloys, Mitsubishi's Super Select 4WD-II system, terrain control, hill descent control, a black sports bar, carpet flooring and a leather steering wheel.Mitsubishi's best-selling grade, the GLS, gets grey 18-inch alloy wheels, electric folding outdoor mirrors, LED headlamps and daytime running lights, a black Mitsubishi embossed grille, soft-touch interior materials with silver stitching, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, a wireless charger and push-button start.Headlining the range is the GSR with black 18-inch alloys, leather seats with orange stitching, plastic wheel arches, roof rails, electronically-adjustable driver's seat controls and a body-coloured front grille.All Triton variants carry a comprehensive suite of safety features, including front and rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control (automatic-transmission variants only), blind spot warning, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert and a rear parking camera with parking sensors.They are also covered by a 10-year/200,000 warranty, with 10 years of capped price servicing and four years of complimentary roadside assist.Mitsubishi has confirmed that the full Triton line-up, which is now 18 variants strong, will be progressively introduced to the market through 2025, commencing with the double-cab-cab-chassis variants.Sub one-tonne payload GLX, GLX+ and GLX-R variants will arrive in Q3, alongside single cab cab-chassis and club-cab variants.Triton sales have fallen 9.4 per cent this year to date from 2920 sales in the first two months of last year to 2643 sales as of February 2025. It follows a bumper year for the model in 2024, following the new-generation model's release last February.

Mitsubishi has recalled 7489 units of its popular petrol Outlander Exceed and Exceed Tourer variants, built between 2022 and 2023, over concerns the steering wheel’s touch sensors may be defective.A recall notice published by the Australian government’s vehicle recall regulator reads: “Due to a manufacturing defect, the steering wheel touch sensors may be defective.“As a result, the vehicle may not accurately detect the driver's hands on the steering wheel and the MI-PILOT system may not operate as intended.”In extreme cases, the notice said: “If the MI-PILOT system does not operate as intended it could increase the risk of an accident, causing injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.”Owners of affected vehicles should immediately contact their preferred Mitsubishi Motors Australia dealer to have the steering wheel replaced, free of charge.Owners can check their VIN number here.Mitsubishi sold 45,253 Outlanders last year, including 6975 plug-in hybrid versions, making it the fifth best-selling car in the country and Australia’s second-best-selling SUV behind the Toyota RAV4.As of February 2025, Mitsubishi has sold 4475 Outlanders, an increase of 4.4 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Two of Mazda’s most prized models could be on the chopping block globally, according to a report out of Japan, potentially costing the brand almost 24,000 sales domestically.

Mahindra will unveil its all-new XUV3XO compact SUV at the Melbourne Motor Show this weekend, along with a seven-seat version of its Scorpio four-wheel drive.At approximately 3990mm long, 1821mm wide and 1647mm tall, the XUV3XO is considerably smaller than its larger sibling, the Haval H6- and Chery Tiggo 7 Pro-rivalling XUV700.The XUV3XO will instead act as a rival to the Hyundai Venue and Kia Stonic, with pricing expected to start around $25,000, before on-road costs, where both of its competitors also reside.In return, expect three potential powertrain options consisting of two engines and three differing outputs, as is the case on its home market India.That includes two 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine configurations capable of 82kW/200Nm or 96kW/260Nm, as well as a class-leading 1.5-litre turbo-diesel that delivers 85kW/300Nm.Both petrol and diesel variants are offered with the choice of an automatic or manual transmission, with a two-wheel-drive setup coming standard.Exterior features are likely to include single-tone and dual-tone paint, alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail-lights, rain-sensing wipers, a small rear spoiler and roof rails.Inside, the XUV3XO is likely to carry synthetic leather upholstery, twin 10.25-inch displays for the central multimedia display and digital driver’s display, keyless entry and push-button start.Safety features include six airbags, a surround-view camera, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control and lane-departure warning.Mahindra hasn’t yet confirmed when it will launch the XUV3XO, though it is likely to arrive at some point in the second half of the year.No additional upgrades have been made to the Scorpio aside from the additional option of a seven-seat configuration, which bumps the price to $46,990, drive-away, for the Z8L, up $5000 from the six-seat Z8.Despite the price rise it still matches the GWM Tank 300, which is only available in five-seat configurations, on entry price. Additionally, it is $1410 less than the cheapest seven-seat Isuzu MU-X variant – the LS-M – which comes in two-wheel drive guise as standard.

BYD’s local distributor EVDirect says it has notched up 40,000 sales less than three years after the brand arrived in Australia and is projecting a further 40,000 sales this year alone.Although the figures are yet to be officially verified in March’s national vehicle sales data, set to be released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries later this week, the announcement indicates that BYD has flown past Tesla to achieve the feat.Tesla is understood to have recorded 40,000 total sales in the second half of 2022, nearly eight years after the brand officially opened its first showrooms Down Under with the Model S sedan and later the Model X. Both models have now been discontinued for Australia.Sales for Tesla in Australia didn’t take off until 2019 when it debuted its popular Model 3, followed by the Model Y in 2022, the latter remaining Australia’s most popular EV.Last year, Tesla sales dipped to 38,347 cars following a record 46,116 in 2023. As of February this year it has sold 2331 cars, a 65.6 per cent decline on the previous year.Since arriving locally in 2022 with the electric Atto 3 SUV, BYD expanded its model range more aggressively than Tesla, now including plug-in hybrids in its line-up. It's a strategy EVDirect CEO David Smitherman said is responsible for BYD’s swift rise.“What we’re providing Australian customers is a choice they haven’t previously been able to enjoy. With the Shark 6, Sealion 7, and soon the Essentials range, we’re introducing new vehicles in segments and at price points never seen before,” said Smitherman.The Essentials range, which includes new entry-level grades for the Dolphin and Atto 3, are stripped-back versions of their respective models, with less standard features but a considerably lower entry price.For example, the Dolphin Essential is the first EV in Australia to be offered at less than $30,000, before on-road costs.Sales are only expected to climb for BYD as it continues its product assault on Australia with its Denza sub-brand later this year, which includes the B9, a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prado-rivalling SUV.The future is a little less clear for Tesla, with its polarising CEO Elon Musk turning many prospective buyers in Australia, the US and Europe off the brand with his controversial role as an advisor to the Trump administration.In the US, Tesla shares have lost 50 per cent of their value since they peaked at US$479 a share on the Nasdaq last December, while this month, BYD announced it officially exceeded Tesla in revenue last year at $170 billion, approximately $15.5 billion more than Tesla.The updated Model Y, which is set to arrive in Australian showrooms by May, could add some life to the embattled brand, with Tesla Australia confirming the Launch Edition allocation for Australia has already been exhausted. Exactly how many units that entails, though, remains unclear.BYD has been nipping at the heels of Tesla on the global market since the end of 2023, when it briefly usurped it as the world’s best-selling EV brand before Tesla reclaimed the title in the first quarter of 2024.2025 could officially be the year that Tesla loses its EV crown, with the brand going all out on alternative markets as it finds itself locked out of the US due to a blanket 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese cars.

Nissan has recalled 11,107 petrol versions of its popular Qashqai SUV sold between 2022 and 2024 over concerns a manufacturing defect could lead to a vehicle fire.

Two of Australia's leading car industry bodies, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), are at odds over what they consider to be an electric vehicle (EV).

Lexus has announced some big upgrades for its flagship EV.The formerly entry-grade RZ 450e has been replaced by the 500e, which now offers a benchmark 280kW of power – an increase of 50kW on its predecessor thanks to retuned front- and rear-axle electric motors.A pacier headliner in the RZ 550e F Sport replaces the previously top-spec 450e Sports Luxury, delivering an additional 70kW for a new total output 300kW. It sprints from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the 500e.To simulate the experience of a petrol engine, Lexus has installed a virtual eight-speed manual transmission that incorporates artificial gear shifts and engine noises for the driver, similar to what is offered on a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N or Kia EV6 GT.The updated all-wheel drive platform now welcomes a bigger 76.7kWh lithium-ion battery too, up from 71.4kWh on its predecessor. As a result, Lexus said the driving range has improved by 14 per cent to 500km under the WLTP cycle on the 500e. The 550e F Sport, meanwhile, tops out at 450km.Charging time is also down by up to 30 minutes, Lexus claims. The brand hasn’t outlined exact specifications yet, but the updated model is presumed to improve on the 150kW DC fast charging rate of its predecessor.On the 550e F Sport, Lexus has introduced steer-by-wire technology, which replaces the traditional mechanical steering unit for an electronic system.Lexus said it delivers 200 degrees of rotation on the new RZ, eliminating the need for a conventional steering wheel. The 550e F Sport adopts a yoke-style design instead.Additionally, the 550e F Sport adds sports suspension, a unique lower bumper, brake ducts, rear spoiler and 20-inch alloy wheels with aero covers.Inside, a dimmable, UV-resistant panoramic sunroof is now available. Lexus has improved cabin acoustics through additional sound-deadening materials and trims, which includes Lexus’ new synthetic suede fabric.Lexus Australia will confirm the local line-up, specifications and pricing for the updated RZ closer to its launch in its home market of Japan later this year.Pricing is expected to exceed the current RZ 450e Luxury’s entry price of $121,059, before on-road costs, which is $4,059 more than the incoming Cadillac Lyriq but $15,841 less than the larger BMW iX

Mercedes-Benz has revealed its all-new CLA, the brand’s most technologically advanced EV yet.