Articles by Tim Gibson

Cupra has officially unveiled the updated range for its sweet-steering Formentor small SUV in Australia, ahead of the start of deliveries late next month. The range has been consolidated for 2026, with a new mild hybrid variant starting the range off from $53,990 (drive-away). This means it is $7000 cheaper to buy into the Formentor range (before on-road costs), but elsewhere there have been some substantial price increases, particularly for internal combustion examples.The cheapest petrol-powered Formentor now retails from $57,490 (before on-road costs), which is up from $51,990, but it will be available with a drive-away offer of $61,990. The Formentor takes on other small SUV rivals across different powertrain choices, such as the petrol powered BMW X2 and up-spec versions of the Mazda CX-30. Plug-in hybrid variants of the Formentor have also experienced a decent price jump, starting from $68,990 (before on-road costs), up from $64,990, although it also has a drive-away offer of $74,490. The updated petrol version of the Formentor still features a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, which produces 150kW, up from 140kW.The juiced up petrol version has seen a slight power increase of 17kW and now produced 245kW, while getting other performance upgrades like a torque vectoring rear differential for added handling boosts.To compensate for the extra cost, the PHEV set-up has seen a more substantial increase in power, now producing 200kW - an increase of 90kW. It has also been given DC fast charging capabilities, as well as a boosted electric-only range up to more than 100km, according to Cupra.On the inside, there is a 12.9-inch central touchscreen, along with synthetic suede upholstery and a power operated and massaging driver seat. Cupra has introduced an optional ‘Extreme’ package which costs $6500 on the plug-in hybrid and $7000 on the more powerful ICE variant. This unlocks features such as carbon fibre-backed bucket seats in a grey upholstery as well as performance Akebono brakes on the ICE and Brembo ones on the PHEV.These variants complete the Formentor range for 2026, following the announcement of the high-performance variant of the car, which was announced last month. 2026 Cupra Formentor pricing Australia  

Two car brands could reshape the Australian car market.The EV transition is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, particularly in Australia, as fuel prices soar. This has allowed brands to capitalise on snatching EV market share to surge up the sales charts and claim established status.BYD has been leading the way on this front, with all six of its electric models sitting inside the top 15 best-selling EVs for March 2026. The brand has adopted a similar strategy to its previous domestic Chinese market success by offering cars at comparatively low prices to rivals. BYD seems to have cornered the budget EV market Down Under, with its Atto 1 hatch priced from $23,990 (before on-road costs). It also offers the bigger Dolphin hatch, which also starts at less than $30,000, before on-roads. This price competitiveness continues up the range, with only the Sealion 7 mid-size SUV, sitting above the $40,000 range. The other brand that could be threatening BYD’s EV crown is Zeekr, following a flying start to life in Australia. The 7X mid-size SUV has flown up the sales charts and was the third best-selling EV for March, following a much-anticipated launch late last year. The car is arguably breaking similar ground for Zeekr as the Atto 2 did for BYD when it launched in Australia in 2022.Zeekr is a sub-brand of major Chinese carmaker Geely, and has been expanding its presence Down Under after a slow start due to supply challenges.In addition to the 7X, it has the X small SUV and the 009 people mover, with plans to introduce further EVs in the future. Zeekr has already delivered more than 1800 EV units across its range so far this year.The federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is further benefiting these brands, as they can sell their credits to heavy polluting brands.BYD accumulated more than 6 million NVES credits for the 2025 performance period, and this gives the brand some serious bargaining power.Units can be traded with other carmakers who have accumulated liabilities under the scheme, which allows brands such as BYD that are in a strong position to potentially dictate terms. BYD could cover the entire liabilities for the 2025 NVES reporting period more than five times over. Zeekr is on the cards to pick up a strong NVES position for 2026 as the 7X sales increase, but the brand has already secured more than 250,000 units, despite selling less than 2000 cars last year. 

A new more affordable variant of the Chery Tiggo 9 plug-in hybrid family seven-seater SUV has just been unveiled.It will start from $52,990 (before on-road costs), which is $7000 cheaper than the only other Tiggo 9 variant on the market and will be available in showrooms from the start of next month. This price drop makes it cheaper than a comparative BYD Sealion 8, which has a starting price of $56,990 (before on-road costs).It also cements the Tiggo 9's comparative cheapness to a seven-seater example of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which recently increased in price, now starting from $66,790 (before on-road costs). Although the Outlander PHEV comes as standard with AWD.The main difference on this cheaper Tiggo 9 is it is front-wheel drive as opposed to the all-wheel drive system on the up-spec model.There are some other compromises buyers will have to make, including only two electric motors instead of three, producing a combined 225kW and 450Nm, as opposed to 315kW and 580Nm. There is a 19kWh battery, down from 34kWh, which nearly halves the electric-only driving range to 90km, according to more generous NEDC testing.On the inside, the FWD version gets much of the gear found on the AWD, such as heated front seats as well as a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch digital driver display. The FWD swaps leather seats for a synthetic-based material, with massage function only available on the driver’s seats, and neither front seat is ventilated.Other omissions include a heated steering wheel as well as heating and ventilation for the rear outward seats.From the outside, the Tiggo 9 FWD looks much the same, keeping the panoramic sunroof, but it does ride on smaller 19-inch wheels, down from the 20-inch ones on the AWD. The Tiggo 9 launched in Australia late last year and has managed 420 sales so far in 2026, trailing the likes of the BYD Sealion 8. 2026 Chery Tiggo 9 pricing  

Chery sub-brand has officially confirmed the arrival of its electrified Lepas L6 mid-size in the United Kingdom, but an Australian launch for the brand has just been pushed back. Lepas was originally scheduled to launch in Australia in the middle of this year, but we will now not see it until the end of this year.Projections for Lepas are now stated as being in the late second half of 2026.All Lepas models remain under consideration in Australia, but it is expected the L8 and the L6 will be the first models to launch, followed by the L4 compact SUV later down the track. The brand’s first car Down Under could be the L8, which is a larger mid-size SUV than the L6, and was the first model put on sale from Lepas in the UK. There is potential Lepas will follow the same route in Australia, with the L8 launching first this year, followed by the L6 in 2027. Hybrid versions of the L8 and the L6 pose a new threat to the soon-arriving revamped Toyota RAV4, along with hybrid variants of the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sorento. The L6 will launch in the UK towards the end of this year and will be offered in plug-in hybrid and fully-electric variants. There are limited other details available on Lepas’ latest overseas-bound model, but we know the PHEV version of the L6 will share the same set-up as the Jaecoo J7. The J7 is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and electric motor, producing 152kW, along with a small 18.3kWh battery with an electric-only driving range of 90km, but these figures may differ on the L6. Lepas has revealed the total driving range of the PHEV L6 sits at the equivalent of more than 1100km.The power and torque stats for the EV variant of the L6 have not been released yet, but it has been confirmed it will have a 67kWh battery, which offers a driving range of more than 430km. DC fast charging from 30-80 per cent takes 20 minutes, but beyond this, more information on the L6 will be confirmed closer to its late 2026 launch. 

Diesel fuel prices have been skyrocketing in Australia, making buyers think twice about running costs.According to NSW fuel price data, diesel is up to $1 per litre more expensive than petrol on average, sitting on average at over $3 per litre.Diesel sales were already in decline, but sustained higher fuel prices appear to have accelerated this trend.What may surprise some, though, is that petrol car sales are decreasing at a faster rate than diesel. Diesel sales have declined 10.1 per cent compared to February 2026 and 4.8 per cent overall this year. Petrol sales for the same periods have declined by more than 20 per cent and nearly 18 per cent, respectively. This equates to almost 22,000 less vehicles sold compared to this time last year. Diesel sales have only declined a little over 4000 units compared to March 2025. There were 28,364 diesel sales in March 2026 as opposed to 34,694 petrol ones, but if petrol sales continue to decline at the same rate, it will not be long before diesel is the top selling non-electrified fuel type for vehicles.Diesel also still more than doubles the sales of electric month-on-month, but EVs are rapidly catching up.One of the key reasons for these differences is many brands are ditching pure petrol models for electrified variants, as Australia's new vehicle efficiency standards start to impose big consequences for higher-emitting engines. For example, most of Toyota’s major models are now hybrid only, such as the Yaris hatch, Camry sedan and RAV4 SUV. There have also been talks of brands completely cutting petrol options from their line-ups, such as Chery.Local Chief Executive Officer Lucas Harris told CarsGuide earlier this year it is something he is eager to see happen.  “Personally I would hope that we get to that point because the super hybrid driving experience, in particular Chery’s super hybrid driving experience is so good and I think it is much better than ICE,” Harris said.“The more people that try it, the more consumers go that way. We’ll be led by demand so if all of a sudden nobody is buying an ICE Tiggo 7, and they're only buying Tiggo 7 super hybrid, it probably doesn’t make much sense to continue bringing an ICE product that consumers don’t really want.”Other brands have echoed these comments in the past as they move to predominantly hybrid and electric line-ups. In February, for example, Hyundai was number two for hybrid sales in Australia, a title it may lose to BYD's popular range of plug-in hybrids like the Shark 6 and Sealion 6. BYD, meanwhile, is already hybrid and electric only.Diesel utes still dominate the sales charts, the Ford Ranger and the Toyota HiLux leading the way, with the Isuzu D-Max also in the top 10. Both the HiLux and D-Max experienced subtle growth, while the Ranger had a near 10 per cent decline compared to last month.  Best-selling diesel cars in March 2026  

Lexus has released the pricing and specifications for its RZ electric SUV in Australia, ahead of its official launch next month.The lineup starts from $84,500 (before on-road costs) for the 500e, which is substantially cheaper than the outgoing 450e variant that had a retail price of more than $120,000 before on-roads.This is a serious price drop that brings it closer to the price of many of its key rivals in the electric SUV segment.It is now cheaper than the Genesis GV60, which starts from more than $100,000 in Australia, while remaining a little more expensive than the Polestar 4.This updated RZ will also take on the incoming Volvo EX60, scheduled to launch in late 2026.The RZ has been given a boost in power of 50kW up to 280kW as standard from its dual motor set-up, with the higher spec model offering 300kW.The RZ lineup gets an upgraded 75kWh and 77kWh battery depending on the variant, which Lexus has said boosts charging times.DC charging on the RZ from 10-80 per cent takes around 28 minutes at 150kW, while AC charging from 0-100 per cent takes 3.5 hours at 22kW.Lexus also revealed more details about its incoming performance variant of the RZ called the 600e F Sport Performance. Pricing will be revealed closer to its launch in late 2026, but expect it to sit some way above the $100K price point.We know it has dual electric motors, with the front motor offering 167kW and the rear motor adding 268kW to provide a total system output of 313kW.Adding to the performance feel is the car sitting 20mm lower to give it a more poised centre of gravity.On the exterior there are 21-inch matte black alloy wheels along with enhancements such as a vented hood and a two-tiered rear wing spoiler.Other changes include a sharper front lip spoiler, rear lower bumper and lower rocker panels.It has also been given beefed up ventilated brake disks at 400mm x 28mm, which have larger six-piston blue calipers.2026 Lexus RZ pricing Australia 2026 Lexus RZ engine and efficiency  2026 Lexus RZ standard features Other standard features include: Heated front seatsElectrically adjustable steering wheelDual-zone climate controlPowered tailgate Sports Luxury grade adds20-inch two-tone machined alloy wheelsPremium fabric seatsWoodgrain interior elementsHeated and ventilated front seatsMemory drivers seatHeated rear outward seatsHeated steering wheelPanoramic roof13 speaker audio systemDigital rearview mirrorHead-up displayPremium digital driver displayAuto-levelling headlights F Sport grade addsYoke-style steering wheelGloss black alloy wheelsSimulated gear changesFront lip spoilerRear spoilerRear diffuserPainted brake callipersSuede sport-style front seatsAluminium pedals 2026 Lexus RZ safetyThe Lexus RZ received a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2023.  Lexus said the RZ has a full suite of its ‘Safety Sense+’ features as standard. Standard safety features: Blind spot monitorRoad sign assistAuto emergency brakingAuto emergency steer assistRear cross traffic alertLane keep assistAdaptive cruise control 

GWM will axe its Ora electric hatchback from sale in Australia - at least for now.The Ora is GWM’s only EV currently on sale in Australia, with a starting price of $35,990 (drive-away). Up-spec models of the Ora start from $37,990 and $38,990, drive-away.The Ora has been subject to several price drops since its introduction to the Australia market in the middle of 2023 as it battled increasingly diverse budget rivals.There remains limited stock available on the outgoing Ora.It has tried to keep price parity with other cheap EVs, including the BYD Dolphin, but more competition in the form of the GAC Aion UT and MG4 Urban will arrive soon.The Ora comes with a single electric motor producing 125kW and 250Nm, with its 57.7kWh battery providing up to 400km of driving range.  It now appears GWM has decided to shift focus to its new EV.The Ora’s departure coincides with the arrival of the larger Ora 5 electric SUV, which will come in $2000 cheaper than the Ora, starting from $33,990 (drive-away). This might not be the last the we here of the Ora in Australia, with potential for the car to make a return in the near future.GWM currently sells plug-less and plug-in hybrid versions of the Ora overseas and it could line up with plans to diversify the range."In terms of the levels of adoption that we expect to see within this market, within the coming years, we expect (hybrids) to accelerate more quickly," GWM Australia Head of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver told CarsGuide late last year."We think we can do a lot more with Ora… with plug in hybrid, but EV will certainly come behind that as well, for sure."It can be speculated the revamped Ora lineup in Australia could launch before the end of the year, and it would likely have fit under the $33,990 price tag of the Ora 5 SUV.While the Ora 5 is the GWM’s only confirmed future EV, the brand will continue to bring across new plug-in hybrid models, such as on the rugged Tank 300 and Tank 500 off-roaders.GWM is experiencing serious growth Down Under currently, with a near-enough 30 per cent month-on-month increase as per the latest numbers.

Fuel type and engine set-up are becoming increasingly important factors in people's new car buying thinking, exclusive data reveals, with rising fuel prices making buyers even more vigilant.Diversity of engine set-up choices have increased substantially in the past few years. Buyers can pick from internal combustion, hybrid or electric.It appears this choice is encouraging buyers question what is best for them when they enter the showroom.The data is part of Gumtree Group's The Next Gear: Australia in Motion report and was gathered from 4,400 people who used Gumtree, CarsGuide and AutoTrader in 2025. According to exclusive data, fuel type is the primary consideration for 40 per cent of prospective buyers. This is an increase of 33 per cent year-on-year demonstrating how fuel type has become more important. Among the biggest considerations for prospective buyers is that 52 per cent of those surveyed said they would consider hybrid, while 39 per cent said they consider plug-in hybrid. This represents substantial year-on-year increases. It lines up with sales boosts to hybrid and plug-in hybrid models over the past 12 months at the expense of internal combustion alternatives.Another choice increasingly peaking the interests of buyers in Australia is fully-electric vehicles, which have seen a substantial boost in sales. According to Gumtree’s data, one-in-three prospective buyers said they would consider an electric car for their next purchase, which is an increase of 57 per cent compared to 2024.Expect these figures to increase further in the coming months as fuel prices rise further. This is despite hybrid and electric cars often incurring an initial purchase premium on internal combustion, which is paid off over time courtesy of less fuel use.Many of the top-selling brands are pivoting to hybrids in light of NVES, such as Toyota, Kia and Hyundai. As well as Chinese brands such as BYD which only offer electrified powertrains.Even utes are starting to offer hybrid options, like the popular BYD Shark 6, while the Ford Ranger has a PHEV variant. Chery will bring across a diesel PHEV showing the diversity of hybrid options. 

Electric vehicle sales are booming in a way they never have before in Australia. Buyer options have increased significantly in 2026, with more affordable choices also appearing more regularly. There were 15839 electric vehicle sales for March in 2026, up from 8385 compared to this time last year, representing a near 89 per cent year-on-year growth. Established SUV players such as the Tesla Model Y lead the way with 2818 sales, along with the BYD Sealion 7 (1970). There are also some new competitors climbing up the sales charts, such as the Zeekr 7X performance SUV, which managed 679 registrations for March, having launched late last year.The Tesla Model 3 sedan (667) continues to be present among the top sellers despite its prolonged downturn.The SUV trend continues as Geely’s EX5 (606) and the Kia EV5 (587) are next on the list, before BYD’s presence resumes with the Atto 2 small SUV (572). Another new EV making an early impression is the Jaecoo J5, which launched at the start of this year and achieved 569 sales last month. The BYD Atto 1 (488) and Atto 2 (466) also make the list along with the Kia EV3 (461). Hatchbacks are proving popular amongst EV buyers as well. The MG4 (451) remains among the strongest selling EVs, as does the BYD Dolphin (373). The Toyota bZ4X is also experiencing an upturn to 447 sales for March and BYD is represented again with its Seal sedan (337) to round out the top 15. Top selling electric cars Australia March 2026

Chery Australia has introduced a sharp drive-away deal for its E5 electric compact SUV, while discontinuing the previous entry level variant.The E5 will now start from $37,990 (drive-away), coming in a single variant called the Ultimate, which used to top the range, meaning the base Urban grade is no longer available. Despite the entry level grade being cut from the range, the new price represents a substantial saving on previous $40,990 before on-road cost pricing for the range-topping variant.The new E5 drive-away deal will be available until the end of the financial year. The deal means the E5 is now more affordable than many of its rivals, including the BYD Atto 3 and the Geely EX5, with the latter recently experiencing a small price bump. The E5 now comes as standard with all off the model’s premium features such as a sunroof and synthetic leather upholstery along with heated front and rear seats.Other upgrades on the Ultimate include a heated synthetic leather steering wheel, ambient lighting and a 50W wireless phone charger as well as a premium sound system.It is powered by a single electric motor, which produces 155kW and 288Nm, along with a 68kWh battery offering a driving range of 430km. DC charging on the E5 from 30-80 per cent takes less than half an hour. Chery pulled a similar pricing move with its luxury sub-brand Jaecoo on the J7 SUV, which was offered with a cheap drive-away price until the end of February, following the base variant being cut.The brand has had a bumper start to 2026 climbing into the top 10 selling brands for March 2026, led by the success of the Tiggo 4 compact SUV.Chery will launch several new models in Australia in the coming months, including the much-anticipated diesel plug-in hybrid ute codenamed the KP31.