Articles by Tim Gibson

Australia is about to receive a wave of new EVs before the end of 2026.EV sales are surging in Australia as brands beef-up their line-ups to provide further choice.Here is a look at some of the best models still to arrive this year.GAC will launch an ultra-affordable variant of its Aion UT electric hatchback before the end of 2026.This Standard Range variant is priced similar to the popular Geely EX2 that starts from $26,490 (before on-road costs).It should start at less than $30,000 drive-away when it gets here, given the current variant on sale starts from $31,990 (drive-away).It’s equipped with a 44kWh battery instead of a 60kWh unit, offering a driving range of 320km, compared to 430km, according to WLTP standards.GAC hasn’t confirmed performance output yet, but in China its front-mounted electric motor produces 100kW and 145Nm, which is less than the 150kW/210Nm available now.Kia will introduce its first fully-electric people mover, the PV5 Passenger, to the Australian market in 2026.The PV5 Passenger is the people mover variant of the PV5 Cargo already on sale Down Under. Its performance matches the PV5 Cargo, with a single electric motor making 120kW/250Nm and its 71.2kWh battery expected to offer around 416km of range (WLTP).Kia hasn’t provided a more specific launch date than Q4 2026, but it’s likely to be closer to December.The Korean brand hasn’t revealed pricing yet either, but Cargo starts from $55,990 (before on-road costs), so buyers can expect the more expensive Passenger variant to sit between $60,000 to $70,000.The much-anticipated Zeekr 7GT wagon is due to land in Australian showrooms in Q4 2026.The fully-electric Euro-styled wagon will target a similar reception to its 7X mid-size SUV sibling that has taken the Aussie market by storm so far. The 7GT is available in a rear-wheel drive configuration, making 310kW/440Nm, as well as an all-wheel drive variant, with 475kW/710Nm. We still don’t know how much it will cost, but it could sit around the $55,000 mark, coming in cheaper than the 7X SUV.XPeng is looking to make the most of its new factory-backed operation Down Under.The brand will launch its L03 electric mid-size SUV in December 2026, priced from $41,900 (before on-road costs). This means it’s cheaper than the Tesla Model Y ($58,900) and the Zeekr 7X ($57,900), while matching the Geely EX5’s starting price ($41,900). The L03 comes as standard with a single electric motor, producing 163kW/280Nm, and a 445km driving range from its 58kWh battery. There will also be a hybrid range-extender variant of the car that uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine to charge the battery and a single electric motor, making 178kW/280Nm.An updated Chery E5 small SUV will hit Aussie showrooms in late 2026.The E5’s budget-friendly status pits it against the BYD Atto 3 ($41,990) and Jaecoo J5 ($36,990, drive-away). It offers the same performance as its outgoing model, with 155kW and 288Nm, while its 59kWh battery offers 430km of WLTP driving range. It now has a larger 15.6-inch central touchscreen display and an auto-dimming mirror.The EX60 is the fully-electric counterpart to the XC60 - Volvo’s best-selling car of all time.The mid-size SUV will start from $86,900, and will tackle the BMW iX3 ($89,990) in the increasingly competitive electric SUV segments. The RWD variant produces 275kW/480Nm, while the AWD makes 375kW/710Nm. Performance increases up to 500kW and 680Nm on the more expensive P12 variant due in 2027. Its initial variants will be equipped with either an 83kWh battery offering 610km or a 95kWh unit offering 660km of range, according to WLTP standards.GWM is about to launch a new hatchback variant of its Ora 5 EV in Australia. The Ora 5 hatch will rival the BYD Dolphin and MG4 Urban in the affordable EV space. It’s expected to have the same single motor found in the SUV variant, making 150kW/260Nm. GWM has confirmed it has a 58kWh battery with a 435km driving range (WLTP). 

Aussies holding out for Lepas' budget electric SUV will have to wait a little longer.The Lepas L4 small electric SUV will be the Chery sub-brand’s second model to go on sale in Australia. Lepas had previously said the L4 would launch Down Under in 2026, but it now won’t be available until 2027.The L4 SUV was slated for launch in December 2026, following the Lepas L6 mid-size electric SUV that will arrive in showrooms before the end the year, but now the L4 has been pushed well back into 2027.Lepas has now said it has a view to launching the L4 in the first half of 2027, which could mean a delay of anywhere between one to six months.The L4’s compact size at 4420mm long sees it shaping up as a rival to the BYD Atto 3 Evo ($41,990) and Hyundai Kona Electric ($46,000). It will use the same battery and electric motor set-up as in the L6, but it has an improved 450km range due to reduced weight.The brand itself was originally projected to launch in mid-2026, but Lepas pushed it back to the late second half of 2026. It comes as fellow Chery sub-brand Omoda Jaecoo needed to delay the arrival of its Omoda 4 and Omoda 7 electric SUVs to the first half of 2027.Lepas has big plans in Australia.The brand will introduce plug-in hybrid variants of its L6 and L4 models in March and June 2027, respectively. It is unclear if the L4 plug-in lauch will be delayed now, too.The L8 PHEV will then arrive towards the end of 2027 as a large mid-size SUV rival to the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year Overall Winner, the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. There will also be a full-size L9 SUV following after that in 2027. In 2028, there will be fully-electric variants of the L8 and L9, followed by a budget-focused L2 hatchback.  

EV prices are at an all-time low for Aussie buyers. The BYD Atto 1 is available from $19,990 (drive-away) until 15 December 2026, making it the most affordable new car on sale in Australia. This makes it cheaper than the petrol-powered Kia Picanto hatch that previously held the title.While the Kia Picanto’s retail $19,190 price is lower, this does not include on-road costs that push its drive-away cost in excess of the $20,000 mark.Other budget-focused players are also gathering steam like the Geely EX2 ($26,490), MG4 Urban (from $29,990 as a limited offer) and the incoming GAC Aion UT Standard Range.It's not just affordable EVs getting cheaper, SUV segments aren't far behind.Fuel prices have driven EV demand, but government rules are having a different sort of impact. The Australian federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has brands seriously thinking about what models they introduce to the market Down Under. This is because cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 now incur significant fines, and count towards each brand's fleet total.Pure combustion cars, whether they are petrol or diesel powered, generally fall foul of emissions regulations which has seen brands remove those models from their line-up in favour of hybrid or fully-electric alternatives. Head of the EV Council and Origin Energy E-mobility GM Chau Le told CarsGuide NVES was driving competitive pricing for electric vehicles in Australia. “Thanks to the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, we now have over 100 EV models in Australia and across quite a number of segments from affordable, smaller cars all the way to larger SUVs,” Le said. “In each of these segments, EVs are becoming competitive, but we're not quite there yet in some of the segments. “We're still a bit out, but with more EV models coming in and improvement in battery technology, it's only a matter of time until we're competitive across all segments.”Kia Australia’s General Manager Marketing Dean Norbiato told CarsGuide in May 2026 the Korean brand was pivoting its popular Seltos SUV to hybrid-only due to potential NVES fines. The outgoing Seltos SUV is sold in Australia with both petrol- and hybrid-powered set-ups. “You just have to look at the penalties for NVES on a petrol vehicle versus a hybrid vehicle," Norbiato said. “For us to be a sustainable OEM in this market, hybrid obviously makes sense from that standpoint.”Kia's sister brand, Hyundai, has also signalled its intent to switch much of its incoming range of next-generation vehicles to hybrid-only.Expanding EV options doesn't automatically boost buyer demand, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Chief Executive Tony Weber. “The impact it has had has been on the supply of vehicles. And we now are in a market in Australia where there's 132 EVs on sale in the country, and there's 80 plug-in hybrid models,” Weber told CarsGuide. “What NVES doesn't do is address the demand issue. And therein lies the challenge for the industry.”Electric car sales are not surging in all areas of the market, and the ute segment is still dominated by diesel-powered options.  The popular Ford Ranger had a slow August 2026 due to an ongoing recall preventing deliveries. It was still the sixth best-selling car in the country, while the Toyota HiLux held a place in the top three. The plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 has been a game-changer for the segment in Australia, and it has been one of the few utes to see sales growth in the last 12 months. Even though the Shark 6’s sales have grown significantly, buyers are still primarily choosing diesel options. BYD’s ute has sold only roughly a third of the units compared to the Ranger in 2026. Weber said demand is not driven by NVES, but external factors like the price of petrol and the subsidisation of EVs.He said the technology needs to be available before buyers make the jump.“Now, you can argue, and quite rightly, that NVES has had an impact, say in the ute market, because we're now seeing plug-in hybrids,” Weber said. “The question I have is whether those products would have come to the market anyway, because what also drives change in markets is competition."I think people will buy the car that meets their needs and wants and until the technology can actually satisfy those people in those segments, that will limit what they buy. “This is one of the great barriers as we move forward on that pathway to zero-emission vehicles.”Electric cars outsold petrol- and diesel-powered cars for the first time in a single month in August 2026.The SUV segment has been the latest to see a surge in EV sales, with three of the top 10 for August 2026 being fully-electric. SUVs show how technology reaches an enticing level to boost buyer demand. Many models now boast driving range exceeding 450km and there are now three-row options at more price points. Utes remain a difficult segment for fully electrics to crack, with towing and driving range key aspects of a buyer’s decision.  The BYD Shark 6 initially launched with a 2500kg braked towing capacity - short of the industry standard 3500kg. BYD has since introduced a performance grade that reaches the 3500kg, but it is the most expensive in the range, starting from $62,900. The Toyota HiLux BEV launched in May 2026. It only offers a 240km (WLTP) driving range and a 2000kg towing capacity, despite being the most expensive variant in the range ($74,990).The recently-revealed MG U9 will launch in Australia the fourth quarter of 2026 with a 3500kg towing capacity and 430km driving range, but it carries a $78,990 price tag.It costs buyers noticeably more money to drive out of the showroom with an electric ute than a diesel-powered one.As technology improves and demand picks up, this gap will shrink. 

LDV's flagship workhorse might be set to get more lifestyle-oriented variants in the future, with new versions of the Terron 9 ute launching in China.Known as the Maxus Star X over in China, these domestic market versions add the option of a factory canopy and all terrain tyres, as well as the fold-down bulkhead which in Australia is only available on the Terron 9's MG U9 sister car.Meanwhile the Australian version of the Terron 9 is offered primarily in more work-oriented versions, shipping with road tyres and more basic trim levels.These latest versions of the Terron 9 is focused on adventuring capability over workhorse credentials.The ute’s cargo box connects directly through to the cabin, so when fitted with a canopy, it can be used for sleeping and camping generally.It has a mobile bed mode where the rear seats fold down to create a flat space for a double bed.There is a fishing edition of the car, with rod holders, tackle gear organisation and dedicated wet-storage compartments.The space can also be used for an increased storage space of 3000L.It continues to feature a rugged off-roading system, with front- and rear-locking differentials as well as an off-road expert mode and steep descent control. The Terron 9 continues to have an imposing look from the outside, with a large ‘T’-shaped headlight design and rectangular front grille, boasting small metallic segments across it.The ute rides on 18-inch wheels as standard. Inside, there is a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen, with convenience features like keyless entry and start.It continues to be powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine, making 165kW and 520Nm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.It’s unclear whether these variants of the LDV Terron 9 will make their way into Aussie showrooms. CarsGuide has contacted LDV Australia for comment to see if there are new variants planned to be sold here.The Chinese-market Terron 9 starts from 185,800 yuan, which is roughly $39,900, but prices rise up to 263,000 yuan, or $55,000.The Terron 9 is currently available in Australia from $50,674, drive-away until September 30, 2026.Buyers could expect this new variant to be closer to the $60,000 mark locally to account for importing and other associated costs, especially considering its higher level of inclusions.The e-Terron 9 electric ute is still on the cards for Australia as the brand continues to work with the factory to bring it into the country.The closely-related MG U9 electric ute was recently priced in Australia, which could suggest LDV’s version isn’t too far away. 

Hyundai's flagship family electric SUV is under investigation for a safety concern in Australia, following similar reports overseas. The South Korean brand is looking into an issue on its Ioniq 9 in Australia over a potentially dangerous problem with the second-row power-folding seats.It relates to the seat assemblies failing to detect passengers or objects on the seats and continuing to close even when using excessive force.This can lead to the seats squashing occupants and cause serious injury or worse.The Ioniq 9 is Hyundai’s most expensive car on sale, and is its biggest electric SUV offering Down Under.Virtually every Ioniq 9 sold in Australia could be affected by the issue, with more than 100 vehicles being looked into.The issue is expected to be able to be fixed with an over-the-air software update like in other markets, or owners can option to have it resolved at a Hyundai dealer.Owners should take extra care during the folding of seats in the meantime, according to the brand. In the United States, 5360 Ioniq 9 examples have been recalled, according to reports.The brand said all vehicles recalled have the fault. It’s not just the Ioniq 9 impacted in the United States, with it also linked to power-folding seats in the Palisade and the Telluride SUVs. At this stage, only the Ioniq 9 is under investigation in Australia.

Two Chinese carmakers have come under fire in Australia for alleged lax cyber security measures and questions over privacy, following investigations from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Technology in EVs bring an increased risk of surveillance and privacy breaches and potential hacking, with Four Corners showing how easy it was to allegedly hack a BYD Shark 6.BYD has now responded to the ABC's claims, stating the footage does not conclusively show its vehicles are open to hacking without first gaining physical access to the vehicle."The footage from the Four Corners report does not provide conclusive evidence that a remote attack vulnerability exists without physical access to the vehicle. Once unrestricted physical access to the vehicle is established the need for passwords diminishes," a spokesperson said.An ABC investigation uncovered that BYD’s privacy policy said data could be collected "in connection with suspected illegal or improper activities" and that this could be done through "surveillance activities".This broad policy gave BYD significant powers to gather data on owners, and how it could disclose information.The carmaker has since removed all references to China and mentions of surveillance.A spokesperson for BYD Australia told CarsGuide privacy policy changes were not made due to the ABC's investigation."Any inference that the policy was updated in response to the Four Corners investigation is strenuously denied," they said.The company's high-tech credentials mean its vehicles feature lots of camera and other monitoring equipment primarily to improve safety, combined with over-the-air connectivity technology. BYD cars use a driver monitoring system that includes a camera pointed towards the driver to detect any drowsiness or a lack of attention. These systems generate substantial amounts of information about those in the car, what they do and the conversations they have. The Chinese government recently released a raft of new rules to tighten how its carmakers operate in overseas markets.Carmakers are now required to take necessary measures to ensure any data-processing, including collection, use and cross-border transfers must comply with applicable laws. They must also adhere to personal information protection regulations and safeguard consumer privacy. This move is designed to improve buyer trust in overseas markets, but there remains concerns about its application. Australia’s privacy rules allow for data to be transferred to China, so theoretically owner data could be at risk. BYD’s new policy states in the event of personal data transfers to other countries, it will comply with data protection laws regarding cross-border transfers. "We haven't and would not transfer any data of Australians to the Chinese authorities," it said. Companies must still cooperate with authorities when required under national Chinese security rules. A spokesperson for BYD Australia said the brand cannot be compelled to provide owner information because Australian law governs its operations. The ABC also published an article on cybersecurity concerns for new EVs. Cybersecurity expert Dan Hreszczuk was able to remotely access some of a BYD Shark 6’s functions without even needing a password. Hreszczuk said he unpicked the software programs controlling different functions, and could blast music over the speakers, remotely switch the car’s lights on and off, and operate the wipers, among other things. “It’s a little bit scary how open … the BYD Shark is to a hacker,” Hreszczuk told the ABC. A spokesperson for BYD Australia told CarsGuide it was working through its own investigation, and is querying claims made by the ABC."We are taking full and immediate action in reviewing alleged claims and will respond in detail once we have completed our investigation," they said.They said BYD conducts its own simulated cyberattack testing to assess the effectiveness of protections and identify vulnerabilities."In current versions of our infotainment system, third-part apps cannot be installed by users, which helps prevent unauthorised software and potential vulnerabilities being installed on the vehicle," they said.It’s not just BYD making headlines over its in-cabin surveillance.Leapmotor cars feature lots of cameras to provide increased vision and safety for owners, in line with many Chinese EVs.The ABC has reported some Leapmotor models use cameras removed from federal government buildings over surveillance concerns.The cameras in question are made by Dahua Technology, and in 2023, many were removed from federal buildings and defence sites.CarsGuide has contacted Leapmotor Australia for comment to find out which models have Dahua cameras installed in them.Leapmotor currently sells its B10 and C10 fully-electric or hybrid range-extender SUVs, and its B05 hatchback in Australia.It will soon introduce the smaller budget-focused B03X designed to rival some of the most affordable EVs on sale in Australia.

A new adventure-focused brand is one step closer to Australia.The Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV has just been priced in Malaysia, a right-hand drive market, ahead of the Jetour brand’s impending Australian arrival.It shapes up closer to the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year overall winner, the Hyundai Santa Fe and the incoming Ford Bronco Basecamp.The T2 is a size up on mid-size SUVs, including the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.It starts from 162,800 ringgits (about $56,000), which is more expensive than the petrol variant of the car.The T2 PHEV is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 100kW/220Nm and two electric motors making 165kW/390Nm.The set-up’s combined to produce a total system output of 265kW and 610Nm.It has four separate driving modes and can drive on EV-only or hybrid power.The PHEV is only available with front-wheel drive, meaning it doesn’t have an AWD option like the petrol variant.It is equipped with a BYD Blade 18.4kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, offering more than 100km of EV-only driving range and a total range of 1200km, according to the more generous NEDC.It is capable of DC charging from 30 to 80 per cent in 27 minutes.The PHEV set-up in the T2 means it can power devices at up to 3.3kW using its vehicle-to-load system.Inside, there is a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver display, with a 50W wireless phone charger also standard.The car comes with a 12-speaker Sony audio system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.From the outside, the car has a boxy look and shows off full-length roof racks.Its headlight design is split up into four quarters, with a vertical front grille design.Jetour is Chery’s adventure-focused sub-brand, but it will operate separately to Chery Group in the Aussie market when it launches in Australia in 2027. The T2’s right-hand drive status provides an indication it could be one of its first models to go on sale Down Under.Jetour recently launched its T1 SUV in Malaysia, a smaller sibling to the T2 but it is a petrol-only model and would incur penalties under Australian emissions rules. Buyers can expect more details on Jetour, and the T2’s future later in 2026. 

Aussie buyers have a new electric SUV to choose from in Australia.The Smart #5 is a mid-size SUV from a Geely and Mercedes-Benz joint venture in China.It will start from $58,900, so it’s identically priced to the Tesla Model Y ($58,900) and $1000 more expensive than the Zeekr 7X ($57,900), all before on-road costs.Its more expensive than its #1 hatch ($54,900) and #3 coupe siblings ($57,900).The ‘Premium+’ variant of the #5 starts from $63,900, while the range-topping all-wheel drive Brabus edition is available from $73,900.Deliveries for the Smart #5 begin in November 2026 and will be distributed through LSH Auto's dealer network that have showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.The brand has not officially revealed performance output figures for Australia yet, but in the UK its standard single electric motor provides up to 267kW and 373Nm to the rear wheels.The AWD Brabus adds an additional motor, increasing performance to 475kW and 710Nm.This dual motor set-up means the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Smart Australia has confirmed the car is equipped with a 100kWh battery, offering a driving range of 590km, according to WLTP standards.Riding on an 800-volt platform, it is capable of DC fast charging from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 18 minutes. The platform also offers vehicle-to-load capabilities, enabling devices and tools to be powered directly from the car. The #5 has a well thought out suspension system that includes a front double-wishbone and rear five-link set-up for comfort and versatility.Smart said the car has been styled by Mercedes-Benz’s global design team, featuring boxy external proportions, and is dimensionally a size-up on the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.The #5 is fitted with plenty of technology as standard, including a single 13.0-inch OLED central display and smaller digital driver display.Up-spec variants add a 13.0-inch passenger display and a premium 20-speaker audio system.The car also features an automatic three-way camping layout for added adventuring potential.

Aussie buyers will soon have a new fully-electric ute to choose from.The MG U9 EV will be the latest in a limited, but expanding set of electric utes in Australia.Prices for the MG U9 EV will start at $78,990 (before on-road costs).Its main competition will be the KGM Musso EV and the low-volume targeted Toyota HiLux BEV.The Musso EV is about $20,000 cheaper than the U9 EV, and the HiLux BEV is in the same ballpark.The U9 EV joins its diesel sibling that has been available in Australia since September 2025.The MG U9 is powered by two electric motors, making 325kW and 700Nm.This is substantially more performance than the Musso EV (152kW/339Nm) and the HiLux BEV (144kW/468Nm).It has the industry standard 3500kg braked towing capacity and a 685kg payload.It’s equipped with a sizeable 102kWh battery that offers a driving range of 430km, besting the HiLux BEV (240km), both according to WLTP standards.DC charging at 115kW from 20 to 80 per cent takes 42 minutes.The car has all-wheel drive and a four-wheel electric air suspension system.The U9 EV can charge and power external devices directly using its vehicle-to-load system.Its external outlet operates at 6.6kW, with three 2.2kW outlets available in the cabin. Elsewhere inside, there is a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen as well as a wireless phone charger.The ute has an eight-speaker JBL audio system and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.Front seats are wrapped in leather and are heated, while the driver seat is ventilated and has massage functionality.The U9 EV's technology includes a 360-degree camera and hands-free automatic tailgate.The U9 EV will be shown in the metal for one of the first times on September 18, 2026 at the Everything Electric event in Sydney as it edges closer to an official launch.Australia will be the first market to launch the U9 EV globally, which is expected to happen before the end of 2026 or early 2027.Pricing will be revealed closer to U9 EV’s arrival, but it will need to be competitive with the KGM Musso EV ($60,000, drive-away) and the Toyota HiLux BEV ($74,990, before on-road costs).Buyers can expect it to be more expensive than the diesel variant that starts from $52,990, drive-away. 

Ford has put out a recall notice and stop-sale order for some of its Mustang sports car examples in Australia. The recall impacts 7724 units built between 2023 and 2026, across both its 2.3-litre four-cylinder and 5.0-litre V8 engine options. The Mustang is one of the most popular choices for sports car buyers on the market.Nearly 500 vehicles in dealer stock will not be sold until the issue is rectified.Any stock built since the start of June is not affected by the issue as well as upcoming Mustang Dark Horse and Dark Horse T8 Spec Pack examples.The issue concerns potential vibrations causing the engine wiring harness to break loose.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the engine bay wiring harness ground terminal may become damaged due to vibrations,” the notice reads. “This may cause the wiring harness to break, resulting in a loss of engine power. Additional safety functions such as the headlamps and windshield wipers may fail to operate as intended. “A loss of motive power and safety functions whilst driving increases the risk of an accident, resulting in serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.” A spokesperson for Ford Australia said there have been no reported instances of the issue occurring in Australia.   Ford will contact affected vehicle owners in writing to request they contact an authorised dealer to arrange inspection and repair, free of charge. Owners can also contact Ford Australia for additional information.