Articles by Tim Gibson

Geely’s Starray plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV will soon be available with all-wheel drive for Aussie buyers. The increasingly popular Chinese brand has confirmed it will add a new ‘Inspire’ AWD grade to its growing line-up.  Starting from $44,990, before on-road costs, it will be $3500 more expensive than the top-grade two-wheel-drive variant.  This means it will undercut the smaller Toyota RAV4 AWD PHEV by nearly $20,000. The new variant provides competition for the BYD Sealion 6 AWD ($52,990) and the 2WD-only Chery Tiggo 8 PHEV ($49,990, drive-away). It will arrive in dealerships in mid-September 2026 as the brand’s third Starray EM-i variant, with increased popularity encouraging the brand to broaden offerings. It went on sale in Australia in September 2025, following on from the fully electric EX5 earlier in the year. The AWD Starray uses the same 29.8kWh battery as the 2WD top grade, capable of travelling 130km (WLTP) on electric-only power.  This is marginally less than the Inspire 2WD, but Geely has given the AWD a 60L fuel tank (up from 51L), boosting total driving range to 1065km from 996km.  This variant boasts the most powerful set-up in the range. It adds a rear motor to compliment a front motor and 1.5-litre petrol engine, to make a combined 220kW and 412Nm. The new set-up means the car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, down from 8.2 seconds. It is slightly more thirsty than its 2WD sibling, registering 1.7L/100km for fuel efficiency, as opposed to 1.6L/100km.   Geely has added a five-link rear suspension compared to the four-link unit on other variants for improved comfort and handling, according to the brand.  It also has two new all-terrain-focused driving modes called ‘Snow’ and ‘Off-road’.

Toyota is getting serious about its EV plans. The Japanese carmaker will build a new-generation electric car in China using a revolutionary manufacturing process, according to a report in Nikkei Asia. The SUV model will be sold under Toyota’s luxury division Lexus and will be built in the company’s new plant in Shanghai. This marks a huge shift for Toyota - a brand that has historically developed its new technology for vehicles in Japan before exporting globally. This time it will develop the technology in China and then potentially bring it back home. China is a hub for EV manufacturing, with local and now legacy brands. Toyota is the latest example, although only a small scale at this stage. Gigacasting is a game-changer for EV production because it makes cars lighter, stronger and cheaper to build. Electric cars are heavier than petrol- and diesel-powered equivalents, so reduced weight boosts driving range significantly.  Gigacasting is a process where a large die-casting machine moulds the body components of a car into a single piece, rather than welding many individual steel parts.  It could reduce the overall body weight by as much as 20 per cent, while also being cheaper to build overall. Tesla and Xiaomi were early adopters of the technology, with other brands like Toyota now exploring it.   Many Tesla Model Y’s feature gigacasting on front and rear underbody elements, while the rear underbody of the very popular Xiaomi SU7 is also produced using a single piece.  This new EV could be the production version of Lexus' LF-ZL Electric SUV concept revealed in 2023. Lexus also revealed a sedan concept called the LF-ZC at the same time. Lexus said at the time both models were designed to be built using gigacasting. Toyota will begin production of its new Lexus-badged electric car in the first quarter of 2027.  The brand plans to produce 1000 units each month for the first year, before expanding to tens of thousands per year by 2028.  If Toyota is successful with its gigacasting project in China, it is likely to be brought back to Japan for mainstream use on its cars to save the company money and time. Don’t expect to see this Lexus EV in Aussie showrooms any time soon, because Australia is more likely to receive other Toyota vehicles built with gigacasting in the coming years. 

A new rugged SUV destined for Aussie buyers has just been priced overseas. The Freelander 8 will launch in China on the 3 September 2026, as the Chery and Jaguar Land Rover partnership's first official model. It is a large boxy three-row SUV measuring 5118mm long, so it rivals the Denza B8 plug-in hybrid ($91,000, before on-road costs) and more budget-focused GWM Tank 500 ($66,490, drive-away). It will also provide competition for the GAC Yue 7 and Geely Galaxy Cruiser earmarked for launch Down Under in 2027. The 8 will differ from much of its competition, sporting an SUV monocoque chassis in contrast to traditional ladder-frame set-ups. It will start in China from 339,900 yuan (or roughly $71,000), with prices rising up to $429,900 (or about $90,000), though it will be 20 to 30 per cent more in Australia. Freelander is a joint venture between Chery and JLR to revive Land Rover’s former affordable SUV's name globally. The brand is focused on selling SUVs that boast off-roading capabilities and a luxurious on-road driving experience at an affordable price point. The 8 will be the first of six China-built models launched under the Freelander name in the next five years. The car is powered by a range-extender set-up that employs a 1.5-litre petrol engine, producing 115kW to charge its 60.3kWh battery. The engine is solely responsible for charging the 60.3kWh battery, while two electric motors provide 610kW to all four wheels, offering acceleration from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds. The Freelander 8 can travel for up to 310km on pure electric power, according to the more lenient CLTC standards. The car will be available in four trim levels in a 2-2-2 six-seat layout. All variants will feature a 46.3-inch panoramic display spanning the dashboard and a 15.6-inch central touchscreen. Despite rising on an SUV monocoque chassis, it boasts a front differential lock and a rear electric limited-slip differential. This is coupled with a 2000kg towing capacity. Chery has confirmed the Freelander sub-brand is coming to Australia in 2027, but there are no official details on what models will launch here or in what order. The Freelander 8 is expected to be the first model to hit Aussie shores in mid-to-late 2027.  The brand is currently focused on introducing its Lepas lifestyle-focused sub-brand Down Under that is due to begin sales soon after a delay to launch plans.

Kia has teased its electric Carnival alternative overseas.  The brand has provided a glimpse at its new PV7 van ahead of an official debut on 14 September 2026 at the IAA Transportation.   The PV7 is the bigger sibling of the PV5 that launched in Australia this year.  It will tackle the Ford E-Transit Custom van as well as the Hyundai Staria Electric people mover.  It would shape up as a cheaper alternative to luxury Chinese competition such as the Denza D9 and Zeekr 009 in Australia.  Details are scarce at this stage, with Kia only providing a preview before it receives an official unveiling next month.  The PV7 is expected to be available in both cargo and passenger configurations, as Kia stated it is adaptable across commercial and lifestyle applications.  The PV7 concept was nearly 5.3m long, which is a little longer than the diesel- and hybrid-powered Carnival. From the outside, it sports a rounded front look, similar to the PV5, while it also features an angular headlight design. Its rear headlights are assembled in a vertical shape, with a chrome-look rear bumper.  It will be the brand’s second model to use its dedicated all-electric E-GMP.S platform, following the PV5.  Kia has not confirmed what will power the PV7, but the PV5 employs a single electric motor producing 120kW and 250Nm.  More details will be revealed in the coming weeks.  There is no official word on the PV7 in Australia, but it seems likely Kia would be eager to add another electric people mover to its line-up.  The PV7 will launch in the UK next year, so it will be built in right-hand drive, smoothing its potential launch here. Kia recently launched the smaller PV5 Down Under, with the cargo variant arriving first followed by the people mover that has just been approved for local sale. An Australian arrival for the PV7 would come after it launches globally in 2027. We can expect more concrete information around the PV7’s Australian future when it’s officially unveiled next month.

The new Nissan Patrol Y63 has given Aussie 4WD buyers some serious thinking to do.  Nissan recently revealed pricing and key specifications for the new-generation Patrol. There are some huge changes for the Patrol in 2026, but Nissan has done its best to trump the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. So, how does it shape up to its sparring partner on the numbers? 2026 pricing (before on-road costs) Pricing is pretty close, with both models skirting on the edge of the $100,000 mark to start, despite the Patrol being about $2500 more expensive than its outgoing V8 sibling.  The Patrol undercuts the LandCruiser across the range, with Nissan’s 4WD kicking off from $350 less. The biggest gap comes in the sport-focused variants, where the Patrol Pro-4 X is more than $10,000 cheaper compared to the GR Sport grade of the LandCruiser.  Hybrid LandCruisers are the most expensive, with a near $11,000 gap on the most expensive Patrol variant.   This round goes to the Patrol, but there might not be much in it for buyers on base price. Nissan made the big decision to ditch its much-loved naturally-aspirated 5.6-litre V8 petrol engine for a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 unit. The good news is the Patrol’s petrol V6 boasts even more power than the V8, producing 317kW, compared to 298kW on the outgoing model.  This blows the LandCruiser 300’s twin-turbo diesel V6 engine out of the water on power because it only produces 227kW. It's debatable how much difference this will make in the real world as torque often proves more important for 4WDs when it comes to off-roading and towing capacity. Both the Patrol and LandCruiser 300 pack 700Nm in a dead heat. The LandCruiser 300 Series Hybrid edges the Patrol, making 341kW and 790Nm, although it does come at a price premium as covered above.  The Patrol’s engine is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, while the LandCruiser 300 uses a 10-speed unit.  Nissan claims its new Patrol can tow 3700kg, which is 200kg more than the industry standard and what is offered for its Toyota rival.  Nissan has not revealed the fuel efficiency of the Patrol, so it cannot be compared with the LandCruiser 300's 8.9L/100km.  The Patrol’s fuel tank is 13L smaller than the LandCruiser 300, and is a noticeable step down on the Y62 model, impacting how far it can travel between fill-ups. Fuel efficiency will be an important point to compare, especially with fuel prices continuing to surge. The Y62 returned claimed fuel consumption of more than 14L/100km, so the Y63 will need to offer a substantial improvement to remain competitive. The Patrol trumps in power numbers and has superior lugging capacity, so it is the winner on the figures for now. The Patrol features much of the equipment and interior luxuries available on the LandCruiser 300 as standard. All variants are equipped with a joint 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital driver display. By contrast, buyers need to upgrade to higher grades of the LandCruiser to receive a 12.3-inch digital driver display.  The Patrol also rides on 18-inch wheels as standard, compared to the LandCruiser 300's 17-inch examples. The Patrol edges the LandCruiser 300 when it comes to standard equipment, but there’s not much in it again. Nissan’s 10-year/300,000 conditional warranty is hard to go past, but services must be completed at an authorised Nissan dealership to be eligible.  Toyota offers a similar deal, adding an extra two years of warranty for the car’s engine and driveline when serviced at dealerships.  Nissan offers capped price servicing at $499 per visit for the first five appointments, working out roughly $2000 less than the LandCruiser over its first five years.  Without authorised dealer servicing, the Patrol’s warranty reverts to a five-year/unlimited kilometre promise, which matches the LandCruiser’s standard one. Nissan’s stacks up a better deal than Toyota’s seven-year engine and driveline alternative, and it’s also cheaper. If buyers don’t opt for capped price servicing, the pair can’t be separated.   Nissan has put forward a compelling proposition for its Y63 Patrol.  It’s cheaper, more powerful and better equipped as standard than the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.  The Patrol’s real test will be whether it can match the LandCruiser’s reliability record, but a 10-year/300,000km conditional warranty shows Nissan is backing its 4WD to do the business.  Only time will tell whether the Patrol can provide a serious threat to Toyota’s iconic name.  It’s undeniable it's already doing so on paper. 

Geely’s Xiaomi SU7 rival is a smash hit in China. The Geely Galaxy TT has already had more than 20,000 pre-orders in China in its first two weeks on offer, ahead of its September 2026 launch date. The Galaxy TT is an electric coupe-style sports sedan - a segment gaining huge amounts of fanfare in China. The rival Xiaomi SU7 sold out 15,000 units in just 34 minutes earlier this year. These sedans are viewed as cheaper alternatives to the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT, with the Galaxy TT priced from 145,900 yuan (or about $30,000).  This places it about 50,000 yuan (or roughly $10,000) cheaper than the Zeekr 007 GT wagon, which will be known as the 7GT when it arrives in Australia later this year.  Cars imported from China incur a 20 to 30 per cent increase compared to what they cost when put on sale here. Based on this., the Galaxy TT would likely be offered from less than $50,000 if it ever lands Down Under.  The Galaxy TT is 4999mm long, 1919mm wide, 1479mm high and has a 2920mm wheelbase, so it is a little bigger than a Toyota Camry. It is powered by single and dual electric motor set-ups, with the front motor pumping out 180kW, while the rear motor makes 245kW, combining for up to 425kW in total.  Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes as little as 3.8 seconds, going on to a top speed of 210km/h. Top-spec variants are equipped with a 75kWh CATL battery with up to 725 km of driving range, according to lenient CLTC testing.  Its 800-volt platform allows for a DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 12 minutes, with capacity to add 400km of range in a little over 10 minutes.  The Geely’s Galaxy TT is not the local branch's short-term schedule currently, but it has not categorically ruled out an arrival down the line.  Its early success in China could prove a catalyst for Geely to explore global expansion, including to right-hand drive markets like Australia.  Geely has slowly increased its model range in Australia, meaning we could see the Galaxy TT in local showrooms in the coming years.  

BYD might have provided key insight into future car prices for its Aussie vehicles. Standard BYD flagship models will be priced no more than about 300,000 yuan in China (roughly $62,000), according to Chinese media. The news comes after BYD released pricing for its upcoming Da Han (or Big Han) flagship large electric sedan aimed at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class in China.  It confirmed the Da Han will wear a maximum starting price tag of 299,900 yuan (roughly $62,000), just shy of the 300,000 yuan cap.  This leaves BYD’s premium sub-brands like Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang room to occupy more expensive brackets.  BYD’s latest pricing insight provides a glimpse into how its Australian line-up could be priced moving forwards. An imported new car from China usually incurs a 20 to 30 per cent price rise when it goes on sale here, so the cap is more likely to be around the $80,000 mark compared to $62,000.  BYD’s most expensive model on sale right now is the range-topping variant of the Sealion 8 plug-in hybrid three-row large SUV, starting from $70,990 (before on-road costs).  This is not an exact science partly because BYD sells some of its models under different sub-brands and names in Australia compared to China.  The Denza B5 is known as the Fangchengbao Bao 5 in China, while the incoming BYD M9 people mover goes by BYD Xia in its local market.  This news does demonstrate BYD’s commitment to offering its cars at affordable price points in Australia in the future.  Chery Group has a growing list of sub-brands in Australia, adopting a different strategy to BYD. It seeks to capture different buyer demographics through its sub-brands as opposed to bracketing features at higher price points.  The majority of Chery Group cars in Australia rides on the brand’s T1X platform, including the Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8.  Chery relies on its T1X architecture for its sub-brands, with the Jaecoo J5 and incoming Lepas L6 riding on an updated version of the platform.  Chery uses styling tweaks to cater for different buyers. The Tiggo 4, Jaecoo J5 and Lepas L6 all share similar set-ups with minor price differences, but each is designed to appeal to a specific lifestyle compared to a price point.

BYD is exporting its budget electric car formula globally.  The brand has its sights on affordable EV markets in Europe and other markets, with technology from its Racco kei car forming the basis, according to a report in Nikkei Asia.  The Racco launched in July 2026 as BYD’s first attempt to break into Japan's very popular kei car segment, and its already got strong early demand.  Kei cars are common in Japan, representing an affordable and practical electric car option for compact roads with limited parking room.  BYD is looking to adapt the Racco's efficient ‘X-Pack’ battery unit to tackle Europe’s new M1E mini-car segment in the next few years.  The Chinese carmaker will avoid pricey development costs by adopting the Racco's technology for the new European segment. The X-Pack is made up of key electrical parts integrated into a single battery unit fitted under the car’s floor to make the unit more compact.  The up to 36kWh Blade battery boasts a quoted driving range of 320km, making the Racco the first kei car with a driving range exceeding 300km.  It also features 100kW fast charging, with an estimated 10 to 80 per cent charge time of roughly 20 minutes.  This efficient and practical set-up makes it perfect for buyers seeking a cheap electric car for urban driving. The European Union’s ‘M1E’ electric car classification requires cars to be less than 4.2m long (compared to 3.4m with Japanese kei cars).  Carmakers who build models under M1E could be eligible for subsidies, with the EU eager to combat imported competition with locally built cheap EVs. Chinese carmakers have been plagued in Europe by tariffs on imported vehicles, as the EU seeks to address alleged foreign government subsidies pricing out local brands.  BYD is planning to open a manufacturing plant in Hungary before the end of the year, so building its new mini-car there could make sense. The BYD Racco was effectively ruled out for Australia by the brand’s executives, because it was solely built for the Japanese market.  Kei cars usually don’t comply with Australian Design Rules (ADRs). The Racco would require extensive reengineering to achieve adequate side-impact crash protection and rectify other safety concerns. The Honda Super-One is sold in Australia, spawning out of the N-One kei car to become substantially longer, wider and taller than its sibling. It also incurs a noticeable price hike on its smaller Japanese-only inspiration, demonstrating the prohibitive nature of conversion for budget-focused manufacturers.   It is expected cars built under the M1E classification will be valid under ADRs here because Europe and Australia derive design rules from similar principles.  This could open the door for a European-built BYD mini-car to hit Aussie showrooms in the future.  It would need to be built in right-hand drive and satisfy the business case to be a sufficiently cheap competitor Down Under.

This family favourite three-row SUV has been given some serious off-roading credentials in Australia.  The Hyundai Palisade will be available in a new XRT Pro grade from next month. It starts from $79,900 (before on-road costs), making it $3400 more expensive than the base variant, but $10,000-plus cheaper than the range-topping example. This off-road ready variant could provide the Palisade an edge for buyers over the popular Toyota Kluger three-row SUV. The Palisade XRT Pro still features a car-based chassis, but its upgrades bring it closer to the rugged ladder frame Ford Everest 4WD ($58,990).  The new variant is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 207kW and 422Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This differs from other Palisade variants that are also equipped with a 2.5-litre engine but have a conventional plugless hybrid set-up and six-speed auto, making a combined 245kW and 460Nm. The Palisade XRT Pro comes with a factory-fitted towbar. When fitted with the towing accessory kit, it boasts a braked towing capacity of 2200kg, up from 2000kg as standard. It has XRT-specific 18-inch alloy wheels and a distinct metallic grille, along with blacked out and 'XRT Pro' detailing. Hyundai said the debuting XRT Pro grade adds genuine off-road capability, with focused hardware and other physical components geared for rugged activities. It features an electric limited-slip differential (e-LSD), dedicated off-road displays and a ground-view monitor. It also has improved approach and departure angles compared to the standard Palisade, with ground clearance up to 212mm from 187mm.  The car has been given a specialist 4WD-tuned suspension in addition to the Aussie-specific set-up on other variants. It has separate mud, sand and snow terrain modes designed to help tackle different challenges. The new variant is slated to arrive in dealerships from September.  

BYD's answer to the Kia Carnival is coming to Australia. The BYD M9 plug-in hybrid is due to arrive in the fourth quarter of this year as a new electrified people mover option for buyers. The M9 will directly tackle the conventional hybrid- and diesel-powered Kia Carnival ($54,560, before on-road costs), sporting very similar dimensions. The M9 is BYD’s second people mover put on sale in Australia, following the arrival of the Denza D9 from the brand’s luxury division earlier this year. The M9 name comes from BYD’s Chinese ride-sharing and taxi services sub-brand Linghui. It also shares its underpinnings with the luxury-focused Xia DM-i people mover.  It will be available in ‘Dynamic’ and ‘Premium’ grades, initially as a seven-seater that includes second-row captains chairs, before an eight-seater variant arrives afterwards.  The front wheels are driven by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor, but BYD has not revealed output figures yet.  In China the engine produces 115kW, while an electric motor adds a further 200kW.  It will be equipped with either a 20.4kWh or 36.6kWh battery, offering 145km of electric-only driving range and a total range figure of 850km, according to WLTP standards.  BYD confirmed the car will have DC charging capacity and vehicle-to-load capacity so devices can be powered directly from the car.  Inside the car is available with heated and ventilated front and second row seats, as well as ‘near’ zero gravity adjustability.  BYD has not confirmed a specific launch date, other than it will be in the fourth quarter of this year.  The brand will also reveal pricing in Q4 and it is expected to be competitive with the established pack.  It will certainly be cheaper than the Denza D9 starting from $95,990, while hybrid variants of the Kia Carnival kick off from $68,540.