Articles by Tim Gibson

The Zeekr 7X just got better in Australia following an over-the-air (OTA) update.The OTA upgrades include revamped software and increased functionality for the electric mid-size SUV.It now comes with remote smart parking assist, meaning the vehicle can be moved forwards or backwards through a smartphone, similar to the 'Summon' feature found on Tesla cars.This is only available for Apple smartphone users.The upgrades for iPhone users continues with the addition of digital key functionality. This enables the car to be accessed using an iPhone, removing the need for a conventional physical key or fob. There have also been substantial improvements to the Apple CarPlay system. It runs more smoothly and has improvements to navigation, phone connectivity and entertainment functions. Zeekr further announced adjustments to in-car volume levels for indicator and other notification and alert sounds.The update will be automatically applied to all 7X vehicles.“Our 7X customers are gaining new features that make their vehicle even smarter, easier to live with and more enjoyable to drive,” Zeekr Australia Managing Director Frank Li said. The 7X starts from $57,900 (before on-road costs), with prices rising up to $75,900 for the range-topping special edition Black variant.It has surged up the sales charts since it went on sale towards the end of last year, and will break through the 3000-sale barrier for 2026 imminently. This makes it one of the best-selling EVs in Australia, but it still trails the Model Y and the BYD Sealion 7 by a significant margin.The Model Y does not boast either Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, with Tesla’s SUV using its own software to manage communication and navigation.The 7X is Zeekr's most successful model in Australia to date, but the Geely sub-brand is plotting the introduction of several new models by the end of 2027.This includes the much-anticipated 7GT wagon as well as the 8X and 9X luxury large SUVs.

Australia’s most popular SUV will get plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power ahead of schedule. The new Toyota RAV4 PHEV will start from $58,840 (before on-road costs), making it roughly $15,000 more expensive than the car's base standard hybrid variant ($45,990). The cheapest all-wheel drive variant starts from $63,340, while the range-topping GR Sport spec costs an extra $3000.It is competitively priced to PHEV rivals the Mazda CX-60 ($63,790) and the Mitsubishi Outlander ($57,290), but it is substantially more than the BYD Sealion 6, which starts at $42,990.This new PHEV variant could give Toyota a leg up on mid-size SUVs such as the self-charging hybrid- and internal combustion-powered Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage.The news comes after the brand’s long-awaited new-generation RAV4 finally launched Down Under after initial supply delays, with wait times remaining at three-to-six months. This PHEV RAV4 will go on sale at the end of June, which is roughly a month earlier than previously anticipated as Toyota looks to turn around a tough sales return in 2026 without its big hitter SUV.FWD variants of the RAV4 PHEV will be powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and front-mounted electric motor, producing 201kW. AWD variants add a rear-mounted motor, increasing power to 227kW.All RAV4 PHEVs are equipped with a 23kWh battery, offering a fully-electric driving range of up to 121km on the FWD, with AWD at 113km, according to WLTP standards. When the battery is fully charged, the RAV4 has fuel efficiency of 0.7L/100km. It can DC charge up to 80 per cent in roughly half-an-hour. The battery has a vehicle-to-load capacity of 1500W, meaning there is capacity for small appliances to be powered.One of the key differences on the RAV4 PHEV compared to the standard hybrid is that is has larger brake discs. The GR Sport RAV4 has a 20mm wider track and also gets performance front dampers, a stiffer chassis and more responsive steering. 2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV pricing Australia  

A new small hybrid SUV from Europe has just been priced in Australia and it could give the established pack something to worry about.The Renault Symbioz will start from $36,990 (before on-road costs) for the mild hybrid, with the cheapest plug-less hybrid starting from $42,990, when it arrives in dealerships in July. This means it is roughly $5000 more than a comparative Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid ($37,440) and Hyundai Kona Hybrid ($36,950). The mild hybrid Symbioz is powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 104kW and 245Nm. Self-charging hybrid variants of the Symbioz have a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and single electric motor, boosting performance to 116kW and 265Nm. This set-up provides superior fuel efficiency and less emissions, with its system prioritising electric motor power up to 60km/h. Renault said driving range on the plug-less hybrid can be as much as 1000km, according to WLTP standards. The car comes as standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, which are upgraded to 19-inch with the range-topping grade. The interior features a 10.25-inch digital driver display and 10.4-inch central touchscreen, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The Symbioz is due in showrooms from July, with orders getting underway before the end of June. 2027 Renault Symbioz pricing Australia 2027 Renault Symbioz engine and efficiency 2027 Renault Symbioz standard features Other standard features include: Wireless phone chargerBuilt-in Google navigation and servicesRear tinted privacy glassRain-sensing wipersFrameless rearview mirrorHeated steering wheelAuto air conditioningHeated and power-folding side mirrorsAuto headlightsEsprit Alpine grade addsPower tailgate with hands-free openingHeated front seatsElectrically adjustable front seatsPremium nine-speaker Harmon Kardon sound systemAlloy pedal covers19-inch alloy wheelsChrome window framesSteering wheel with red, while and blue stitchingPerformance seatsThe Renault Symbioz can be optioned with a panoramic sunroof for $2000. 2027 Renault Symbioz safetyThe Renault Symbioz has not been crashed tested.Standard safety features: Six airbagsLane keep assistLane change warningDriver attention cameraTraffic sign recognitionAuto emergency brakingDoor exit warningRear cross-traffic alertAdaptive cruise controlRearview cameraFront, rear and side parking sensors Esprit Alpine grade adds360-degree cameraHands-free parking 2027 Renault Symbioz dimensions 2027 Renault Symbioz warranty and servicingThe Renault Symbioz comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the high voltage battery of plug-less hybrid variants eligible for an eight-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. Service intervals occur every 12 months or 30,000km, whichever occurs first. 

Chery has announced its latest sub-brand, and its got sights sets on the hugely popular Kei minicar segment in Japan.EMTA will launch in the second half of 2027 and feature a fully-electric lineup.A Kei car will come first, followed by a hatchback and SUV, with a larger model also in the works down the track.It is clear at this stage EMTA’s cars will specifically target the Japanese market, but the brand is considering overseas expansion. Kei cars have to meet strict rules, which restrict dimensions and power outputs.Chery has not shied away from adding a crowd of sub-brands in Australia. Omoda Jaecoo is already here, with Lepas, iCaur and Freelander scheduled to arrive over the next 12 months.A spokesperson for Chery Australia said there were no plans for any models under the EMTA name to launch in Australia.There have long been calls for Kei minicars to be introduced in Australia, with their cute proportions turning heads and the increasingly busy streets of capital cities requiring smaller vehicles. The news comes after Chinese rival BYD announced it is planning to launch its Racco Kei car in Japan in the middle of this year.The Kei car has been a strong segment in Japan for many decades, with it suiting the packed traffic conditions of city streets. There are several roadblocks in the way of these cars launching Down Under, but it mainly comes down to failing to meet Australian design standards and likely low safety scoring. Currently Chery exclusively offers SUVs across its lineup, so a Kei car would certainly provide some more variety. Chery Australia confirmed it was reviewing plans for its QQ hatch to launch Down Under as a small car option, with momentum gathering for a 2027 launch.

Honda is preparing to blow the BYD Shark 6 out of the water, according to reports.The Japanese brand is rumoured to be plotting a V6 hybrid ute to launch before the end of the decade.A report in Auto News states Honda will stop producing its current Ridgeline ute this year and replace it with the new hybrid-powered model from the second half of 2028.It is expected the next-gen Ridgeline will continue to ride on a monocoque chassis, differing from its ladder-frame rivals, but still designed for moderate lifting and towing. Such a hybrid ute from Honda could be the perfect fit for Australia, building on the success of plug-in hybrid utes like the Shark 6.Its more emissions-friendly set-up could provide valuable relief from New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines for the brand. The Ridgeline has been a North America and left-hand drive-exclusive model for Honda since its introduction more than two decades ago, so it has never seen Australian shores.Prohibitive import costs from the US, and the need to be built in right-hand drive, appear to cancel it out for Oz at the moment. There were reports Honda was considering importing the ute to Japan late last year. Honda Australia has shown interest in bringing the ute Down Under. Back in 2020, then Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins told CarsGuide the Ridgeline was strongly requested by dealers and customers. He said it would require a significantly improved set-up on the 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine, producing 210Nm and 355Nm to aid towing and carrying capacity.The presumably more powerful hybrid Ridgeline could provide the necessary grunt to make it an enticing proposition in Australia. The Ridgeline’s transformation is the latest in the brand’s game-changing hybrid focus, which will see the introduction of 15 new models launched globally by 2030.

Not all utes are created equal, with some better suited to the city and some destined for the wild, but all are suited to a life of hard work.A monocoque chassis based ute, which uses the same underpinnings as an SUV or sedan, delivers more responsive and comfortable driving dynamics and can carry a load, but aren't suited to heavy off-roading. The iconic Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore utes are prime examples.A ladder framed ute, which underpins the utes of choices these days such as the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, are better suited to off-roading and hard work, but can be a chore to drive around town.These utes have become the predominant ute on sale in Australia, but over in the US conventional car/SUV-based utes are thriving.Ford has shown just how popular these vehicles can be with its Maverick SUV and it has got other brands dreaming up competitors.Australia could be the perfect target market for these lifestyle-focused vehicles. They also open the door to more electric or hybrid options.KGM's electric Musso is one example of a monocoque ute already here, but let's look at some of the ones that could be on the way next.Ford MaverickThe Maverick has proved so successful in the US, it even outsells the bigger Ranger ute, which has dominated the Aussie sales charts for years.It sits on the same platform as Ford’s Escape SUV, which left Aussie showrooms a few years ago. It is powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and hybrid set-up, producing 142kW, while there is also a slightly more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine option.There remains limited prospects of the Maverick’s arrival in Australia, with its huge popularity causing a backlog of orders, meaning there is insufficient supply to launch it globally.Toyota RAV4-based uteToyota has been plotting to introduce a monocoque-based ute for some time, but new details have just been revealed about what shape the ute could take. It was recently confirmed that it would be based on the RAV4, which is one of the best-selling small SUVs in Australia. “But for the compact truck? Definitely, we have such demand,” Toyota’s North American Chief Executive Officer Tetsuo Ogawa said in a recent overseas interview.“A RAV4-based pickup is an opportunity for us, and the dealers are waiting.“Maybe they say we need today or tomorrow, but it takes time.”As has been the case with this ute, it appears to be a matter of timing for Toyota, but regardless the launch of a potential monocoque ute for the brand remains several years away.  Chery T1TP ConceptMomentum for a monocoque ute from Chery has gathered steam since the brand unveiled its P1TP concept late last year. While there are no official details on how the ute will look, or what will power it, when it launches, we know the local Australian division of Chery is eager to bring it onboard. “There have been some type approval documents and that sort of thing that people have found, which has the monocoque chassis P1TP ute,” Chery Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris told CarsGuide. “It is absolutely something we are interested in. I think there is an interesting market for that.”Any launch of this ute will come after the arrival of the much-anticipated diesel plug-in hybrid ‘KP31’ coming later this year, before a petrol PHEV variant next year. BYD monocoque uteBYD’s monocoque ute is further along the line than many of its rivals, with it already being spotted in spy shots just last month. It is expected to use a plug-in hybrid set-up, but differing from the one on the game-changing Shark 6 ute, which has been a resounding success in Australia so far. The PHEV set-up is not going to be the same one as on the Shark 6, but it is anticipated to mirror the Sealion 6 mid-size SUV.The global branch of BYD previously poured cold water on the prospects of a smaller ute Down Under to sit under the Shark 6, but its success might have changed minds.The Shark 6 is built on a ladder frame, so this ‘Baby Shark’ could compliment nicely especially if it could get in ahead of approaching rivals.  Ram RampageRam has confirmed production and timings for a compact pick-up, rumoured to ride on a monocoque chassis. It is expected to be based on the Rampage currently on sale in South America, coming petrol and diesel variants. There is no official news on whether this ute would ever be on the cards for Australia, but we know the local branch is keen on adding a ute to its portfolio. Geely RadarGeely is another Chinese with a monocoque ute, and its already on sale in New Zealand, but don't expect to see it Australia any time soon.The ute is available with plug-in hybrid and fully-electric set-ups, producing up to 315kW.Geely Australia Chief Executive Officer Alex Gu recently told CarsGuide while the brand will introduce a ute Down Under, the Radar was not the solution.“So Geely, we fully study the customer demand, and provide exactly or even beyond what the customer is expecting of them otherwise," Gu said“For the ute, just like Ranger or HiLux or Shark 6, these have a different character, so we must benchmark those ‘star’ models."

One of Australia's most popular small SUVs is about to get some massive changes.It was previously understood the Hyundai Kona was due for a minor facelift, but it now looks like it will get a comprehensive set of changes, equating to a whole new generation. There is no official news yet on when this next-gen Kona will come to Australia, but it is rumoured to arrive next year, with testing appearing to be at an advanced stage.According to Korean Car Blog, the new Kona will be dramatically redesigned compared with the outgoing car.It shows off boxy proportions and sharp bodywork creases, similar to the Crater concept revealed by Hyundai late last year. This gives it a more imposing stance compared to the current Kona.There is also a new front light and grille design to further distinguish the new Kona. It is expected hybrid variants of the Kona will receive the same setup found in the recently unveiled Kia Seltos SUV. The new Seltos is available with a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor setup, ditching the petrol variants for its new generation in Australia. This could foreshadow a similar move for the next-gen Kona. The current version is available in Australia with petrol, hybrid and fully electric options. The car will target tech-savvy buyers with a new software system and a combined 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen.The Hyundai Kona currently sits in the top 10 best-selling cars in Australia, with petrol and hybrid models proving especially popular.

BYD’s latest budget hybrid hatch has just been revealed in Europe, but it is likely to evade Australia. The Dolphin G DM-i is a new plug-in hybrid hatchback from the brand, designed specifically to target the European market.This means other markets, including Australia, are not being considered just yet. This does not rule the hatch out of the running Down Under given BYD has demonstrated its willingness to shuffle its lineup around. A spokesperson for BYD Australia said they would not comment or speculate on potential future models when contacted to see if there were any launch plans for the Dolphin G in Australia. As a plug-in hybrid hatch, it would not have any direct rivals in Australia, but it would still target the likes of the Toyota Yaris plug-less hybrid and EVs like the GAC Aion UT. The car first appeared in spy shots late last year, but there were limited details available.Many details remained unconfirmed from BYD, but we know the Dolphin G will have a combined driving range exceeding 1000km.It is believed to combine a 1.5-litre petrol engine and single electric motor, like on the Atto 2 PHEV SUV on sale in the UK. It measures up at 4160mm long and 1825mm wide, making it marginally bigger than the electric Dolphin hatch on sale from BYD in Australia.BYD has not revealed pricing yet, but it is rumoured to start from less than the equivalent of $40,000 in the UK. Any future Australian version would likely be built in China or South-East Asia, which would make it substantially cheaper.It will go on sale in European markets in the next few weeks, with deliveries beginning by August. More details on the new Dolphin G will be revealed closer to its official launch.

Australia is about to get a new budget electric van early, with pricing and specifications for the LDV eDeliver 5 just revealed. The mid-size van will start with an introductory drive-away deal for ABN buyers from $47,990 for the short-wheel base variant, making it the cheapest electric van on sale from LDV.It will be available until 31 July 2026 while stocks last.ABN pricing for the long-wheel base will start from $52,990 (drive-away), while the high roof will be an extra $2000. It offers a competitive deal compared to other electric rivals in the segment such as the ID. Buzz Cargo.This pricing also comes in cheaper than some of the eDeliver 5’s diesel rivals like the Ford Transit Custom and the Toyota HiAce.It is powered by a single electric motor, producing 120kW and 240Nm, with its 64kWh battery offering a driving range of up to 335km (WLTP), depending on the variant. DC charging from 20 to 80 per cent takes 36 minutes, with the van also supporting vehicle-to-load capacity up to 6.6kW, enabling the charging and powering of tools. It has a payload of up to 1265kg, as well as dual sliding side doors and rear barn doors. Cargo volume can be as much as 8.7m³ for the high roof long-wheel base.The car’s interior has a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital driver display, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. LDV Australia said stock for the van will be initially limited due to the expedited launch of the van, but deliveries are still expected to get under way from July 2026. The brand said it brought forward plans to release the eDeliver 5 in Australia because high fuel prices were driving demand for electric alternatives.Expressions of interesting on the van are up and running from today.2027 LDV eDeliver 5 pricing Australia2027 LDV eDeliver 5 electric motor and efficiency2027 LDV eDeliver 5 standard features include12.3-inch central touchscreen7.0-inch digital driver displayApple CarPlay and Android AutoTwin sliding doorsRear barn doors2027 LDV eDeliver 5 safety LDV Australia has been contacted to find out the safety features available on the eDeliver 5.2027 LDV eDeliver 5 dimensions Cargo capacitiesSWB low roof: 6.6m³LWB low roof: 7.5m³LWB high roof: 8.7m³2027 LDV eDeliver 5 warrantyThe eDeliver 5 comes with a five-year/160,000-kilometre manufacturers warranty and an eight-year/250,000-kilometre battery warranty. 

Volkswagen sporty Cupra brand has confirmed its new Tindaya electric SUV concept will become a reality soon.There is no news yet on the mid-size SUV’s potential future in Australia, but it would give Cupra another EV in its increasingly electrified line-up Down Under.It would be direct competition for the BMW iX3 and the incoming Volvo EX60, which are launching later this year.Cupra Australia has been contacted to comment to see if the car will arrive in Australia. Production of the Tindaya was confirmed by Cupra Chief Executive Officer Markus Haupt in an overseas interview. “It looks fantastic - why should we not build the Tindaya?,” Markus Haupt told AutoCar. “We are indeed looking at our plans for when we could build the Tindaya, but it’s something I can promise: this car will see the streets in some years.”The car was first revealed as a sporty SUV concept in September 2025, showing off a sharply-creased body and standout sloping roofline. This latest information confirms the car will be built and put on sale, but technical details remain scarce. The car will ride on Volkswagen Group’s new EV-specific SSP platform, which will also form the basis of many of VW's future electric cars.It has previously been reported the Tindaya would be available in fully-electric and range-extender set-ups, offering substantial driving range.Haupt could not confirm the powertrains being considered, with it still being established, according to the CEO, but it will be something already available in the VW group. “But which powertrains will we have in the end? It’s a decision we have not taken now, and we want to stay flexible as long as possible, because when the car hits the streets, we need to ensure that it has the right powertrains for our markets, for our customers,” Haupt told AutoCar.The Tindaya concept measures up at 4.72m long, making it the biggest car in Cupra’s lineup, complimenting the smaller Tavascan electric mid-size SUV. It is likely to be the brand’s fourth fully-electric model on sale, after the budget-focused Raval arrives in Australia next year.