Articles by Tim Gibson

Hyundai has placed heavy discounts across its range of electric Kona compact SUVs.

Sony and Honda Mobility (SHM) has unveiled its 2026 Afeela Prototype at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. The Afeela 2026 Prototype is an all-electric SUV, which will be the second of the brand’s proposed vehicles.Pricing has not been confirmed for the new Afeela SUV, but it is likely to be more than the Afeela 1, which starts from US$89,900 (A$144,000).The Afeela 1 sedan has been in the works for some time, with it first revealed as a concept in January 2023 at the CES.Reports emerged in early 2024 SHM was considering an SUV, with the latest CES announcement confirming the car will be a real thing. SHM is a collaboration between major entertainment company Sony and well-known car manufacturer Honda, combining to create a car focused on a technology vision. This tech-based approach and all-electric status sees the brand shape up as a potential rival to Tesla.This 2026 Prototype could be seen as direct competition for the Tesla Model Y, but it looks to come in at a significantly higher price point.SHM has also unveiled new elements for its vision, one is an intelligent drive system similar to what is available on some Tesla models. The advanced driver assistance system supports Level 2 autonomous driving, allowing travel from departure point to destination, with the company setting its sights on Level 4-equivalent capabilities in the future. There is also a sophisticated AI system in the car called the ‘Personal Agent’, which is an interactive conversational AI, using Microsoft's Azure OpenAI. This computing power is supported by a Snapdragon Digital Chassis, which offers high-level connectively and vehicle security.The 2026 Prototype looks like a raised version of the Afeela 1, keeping the same rough design and features.This includes the car having cameras instead of side mirrors among other cameras on the roof for its AI driving capacity and there are also no door handles.According to SHM, the 2026 Prototype offers greater spatial flexibility and accessibility in comparison to the Afeela 1.While we are yet to see an Afeela car hit the market, the company has confirmed there is progress on beginning production.Reservations for the Afeela 1 opened up in January 2025, with trial production runs of the car conducted at Honda’s East Liberty Auto Plant in Ohio.The company has also confirmed deliveries of the Afeela 1 are expected to begin sometime in 2026. The new Afeela concept SUV is targeted for a launch in the United States market in 2028. 

A new budget SUV has just been revealed. Indian brand Mahindra has unveiled its updated flagship seven-seater, called the XUV 7XO, which will replace the current XUV 700.It will start from 1.366 million rupees (around $22,500) in its home market of India. It will be available in two engine choices, which are 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.2-litre turbo-diesel variants, paired with either six-speed auto or manual transmissions. The petrol motor produces 149kW and 380Nm, while the diesel has 137kW and 420Nm, which rises to 450Nm with an automatic transmission.The petrol engine variant can go from 0-60km/h in under five seconds, according to Mahindra. The XUV 7XO is available with an all-wheel drive option.It is unclear at this stage whether 7XO will come to Australia, but it will likely replace the current 700 in the brand's local line-up.The XUV 700 starts from $36,990, drive-away and is only available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, producing 149kW and 380Nm. The 7XO would be an alternative to the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, which managed more than 3500 sales last year. Mahindra Australia has been contacted for comment as to whether we will see the updated budget seven-seater down under. The 7XO represents a big upgrade from the 700.It comes with 19-inch alloy wheels, a new sleek headlight and grille design and electric door handles.The car has undergone a serious revamp in the cabin, with a variety of new technology on offer. Most notably, there is a display spanning the full width of the dashboard, comprising of three high definition screens. Elsewhere, it has a 16-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system, featuring Dolby Atmos 3D surround sound technology to further provide high quality audio. Wireless charging comes as standard in both the front and rear of the car, while a sunroof and retractable rear shades add to the comfort for passengers in the back. The seats in the 7XO have also been significantly upgraded, with a new high-density foam and plush pads, along with front and rear ventilation. 

Hyundai has announced the pricing and specifications for its Elexio all-electric mid-size SUV. The Elexio comes in a single variant and is priced at $59,990 drive-away as a launch introductory offer. It will compete against the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5, XPeng G6 and the Geely EX5.The Elexio is similarly priced to the XPeng G6, which ranges from $54,800 to $59,800 (before on-road costs).It is more expensive than the Geely EX5, which starts at $40,990, before on-road costs, but cheaper than the Tesla Model Y that starts at $58,900 (before on-road costs).Its single electric motor produces 160kW and 310Nm and there is a range of 546km (WLTP) from a 88kWh lithium-ion-phosphate battery.DC charging from 10-80 per cent takes 38 minutes.The Elexio will only launch in Australia with the 'Elite' single motor variant and not the dual motor all-wheel drive variant available overseas. When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for Hyundai Australia said the Elite grade will be the only option for buyers in the future at this stage.The Elexio is built in China as a product of Beijing Hyundai, which is a joint venture between Hyundai and BAIC Motor.  The car has undergone an Australian-specific tune, with suspension and steering tweaked to tackle demanding roads.The Elexio has been edging towards an Australian launch over recent months, with Carsguide spotting the SUV on the back of a truck in December 2025. It will join Hyundai’s increasingly growing electric SUV range in Australia, sitting in between the smaller Kona and the bigger Ioniq 5.Hyundai said it expects the Elexio to launch in Australia in the first quarter of 2026. 2026 Hyundai Elexio pricing Australia 2026 Hyundai Elexio electric motor and efficiency 2026 Hyundai Elexio standard features20-inch alloy wheelsHeated and power folding side mirrorsPower tailgate4-spoke leather steering wheelHeated steering wheelLeather appointed seatsHeated and ventilated front seatsKeyless entry and startWireless phone chargingRain sensing wipers27-inch digital driver and central touchscreen displayHead-up display6-speaker audio system2026 Hyundai Elexio safetyThe Hyundai Elexio has not been crash tested.9 airbagsLane keep assistBlind spot assistHigh beam assistHighway driving assistLane departure warningForward collision avoidance assistIn-cabin camera for driver monitoringParking collision avoidance assist2026 Hyundai Elexio dimensions  2026 Hyundai Elexio warranty and servicingThe Hyundai Elexio comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which can be extended to seven years if all servicing is with Hyundai and on time. There is an eight-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for the high-voltage battery. Hyundai's 'Genuine Service Plan' is available with the car. Pricing has not been disclosed yet.

Renault has announced a new hybrid luxury large SUV called the Filante. Few details have been revealed about the car at this stage, but it will feature state-of-the-art technology and roominess, according to the brand. Renault has released one photo of the Filante, which is mostly shrouded in smoke.The teaser shows a sloped roofline and a rear spoiler, highlighting an overall sporty design.Renault says the Filante nameplate “alludes to shooting stars, outer space and journeys”, which lines up with the French meaning of the word being "shooting," "flying," "falling," or "spinning”. Renault has drawn further inspiration from its Etoile Filante record-breaking speedster, which on one run in 1956, reached an average speed of more than 300km/h over 1km and 5km distances.Etoile Filante means “shooting star” in French. Renault also says the name refers to its 'Filante Record 2025', which was a concept car that set a new record for energy efficiency late last year.The Filante will be manufactured at Renault’s biggest Asian factory in Busan, South Korea where it will be initially marketed highlighting a more sustained push outside of Europe for the brand. "Korea has exceptional strength in the D and E segments. This is why Korea is so important to Renault. Filante is the second new-generation model in the Renault International Game Plan 2027 to be designed in Korea,” Nicolas Paris, CEO of Renault Korea said.“It illustrates our vision of a distinctive and daring crossover, a bold expression of Renault's global move upmarket. It perfectly embodies the brand's French roots." It will be built on a Geely-developed platform and have a hybrid powertrain, similar to the new-generation Koleos SUV also built at the Busan facility. The car forms part of the brand’s more than $5 billion ‘International Game Plan 2027’, being one of eight new models planned by the French-based company for launch outside of Europe. Renault recently confirmed the return of its iconic Scenic nameplate as the first of its 2027 initiative, with an all-electric Scenic E-Tech SUV.With driving range between 430km and 625km (WLTP), and a starting price tag of $55,990 (before on-road costs), deliveries on the Scenic E-Tech in Australia are scheduled to start this month. The range-topping Esprit Alpine ($65,990, before on-road costs) will launch before the Techno EV60 and Techno Long Range EV87 variants.It is unclear at this stage whether we will see the Filante in Australia, but given it will be manufactured in right-hand drive and Renault has already brought across the Scenic E-Tech, there are positive signs. The Filante will be officially unveiled in Seoul next week. 

Mitsubishi has just teased its new Pajero large SUV as it draws closer to an official reveal.The brand has released a promotional video celebrating its rallying heritage, with clips of its previous success and its most recent triumph with the Triton ute. Towards the end of the video on the Mitsubishi YouTube channel, the new Pajero is featured driving along a road in dim lighting for roughly five seconds. While we get little more than a silhouette, the front light design matches up with a camouflaged version of the Pajero spied by CarsGuide in Australia late last year.  The video confirms a more boxy overall design on the new Pajero as spotted on the spy pictures of the pre-production test mule.It further reveals straighter window frames and a flat roofline as part of the design tweaks. It is expected Mitsubishi will drop the ‘Pajero Sport’ nameplate altogether to revive the ‘Pajero’ name, which was retired in 2021. It has been previously reported the new Pajero will be based on the new-generation Triton ute, supporting the increased likelihood of a body-on-frame chassis.This chassis set-up highlights the next Pajero's potential for rugged off-roading capabilities.The soon-to-be outgoing Pajero Sport battles in the hotly-contested large SUV segment, where it mustered more than 5500 sales in 2025 up to the end of November, which is a roughly 19 per cent drop on last year. It trails several of the big hitters in the segment such as the Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X which combined for nearly 30,000 sales in 2025. The new Pajero is likely to form part of the brand’s Momentum 2030 plan, which will see a comprehensive revamp of the Mitsubishi range over the next five years. It will focus on developing new energy cars such as those with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains.It is unclear when we may see the speculated Pajero in full form, but this latest teaser from the brand indicates it's edging closer to the showroom.Regardless, it is unlikely we will see the Pajero back in Australia before 2027. 

A ute from Hyundai could be in the works and it might signal a new direction for the brand.

A Chinese ute has had its price slashed just months after entering the Australian market.The LDV Terron 9 will now be available from $47,990, drive-away, until 31 March 2026, which equates to $3000 off its original price.The dual-cab ute was previously on sale for $50,990, drive-away for ABN holders.It launched in 2025 with a special promotion $49,990 drive-away price tag, meaning this is not the first time it has been discounted.The price discount means the Terron 9 undercuts its fellow Chinese rival the MG U9, which starts from $52,990, drive-away.The Terron 9's sales figures already trump that of the MG U9, but it still falls well short of the main market leaders, such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger which offer a greater number of variants.The Terron 9 has had a tough time breaking into the hyper-competitive ute market with just 513 sales in its first year (having hit showrooms mid-year) in 2025.General manager of LDV Australia Dinesh Chinnappa said offering a ute under $50,000 is important in a competitive market.“With the Terron 9 we are giving customers more space, more comfort, more technology and more value,” said Mr Chinnappa.“We know the sub-$50,000 price point is hugely competitive in the ute market and we are pleased to be able to offer this price range for a limited time while we clear 2025-built inventory.”It has a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 163kW and 520Nm.There is an eight-speed automatic transmission with a four-wheel drive system.On the inside the Terron 9 features dual 12.3-inch digital driver and central touchscreen displays.The Terron 9 is the bigger of LDV's two ute offerings, with the smaller T60 Max, starting from $45,253, drive-away.An electric version of the Terron 9, the eTerron 9, is targeted for a 2026 launch in Australia.2026 LDV Terron 9 pricing until March 31

China is about to ban a popular feature on new cars.Retractable door handles on cars will be banned in China from January 2027, according to a public notice from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).Under the draft rules, cars will be required to have mechanical emergency releases for exterior and interior door handles. Exterior door handles must be positioned within accessible areas on the door or door frame. For interior side doors, they must have at least one mechanical interior handle, and a minimum of one interior handle must be visible to occupants.Many manufacturers had been adopting retractable door handles on their vehicles, with it quickly becoming the latest premium gimmick.There are also some other more practical benefits such as aiding aerodynamics by reducing drag when the car is moving. Despite the points in favour, there have been several safety concerns raised, including a fatal fire-related incident in China recently. In situations where electric vehicles become submerged or catch alight, the electrics can malfunction and halt the operation of any electric door handles, leaving occupants trapped. This latest ban will require manufacturers to rethink their approach to door handle design if they want to continue selling their cars in China.This will likely have knock-on effects for Australia given it's an important export market for many Chinese carmakers.Among the many carmakers utilising electric door handles are Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y, as well as plenty of Chinese competitors. Similar concerns around electric door handle safety have also been raised in Australia.The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has adapted its safety testing protocols from 2026, placing emphasis on electric door handles. “Increasingly popular electrically-operated door handles – which sit flush with bodywork when not in use – should remain operable after any crash,” a press release read. ANCAP’s official 2026 changes brochure expands on this. “We’re asking that cars with electric door handles – those powered by the cars’ 12 volt auxiliary battery – provide the ability for all side door handles to be in the extended/ready-to-open position immediately after a crash,” it reads. “They’ll also need to remain operable from the inside, or provide a manual override, so that occupants can exit, or first-responders can gain access inside the vehicle after a crash.”

A recall has been put out for some of GWM’s leading hybrid models as per a Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts notice. The GWM Cannon Alpha plug-in hybrid ute, Tank 300 hybrid and Tank 500 hybrid and plug-in hybrid SUVs have been caught up in an electrical issue which could affect performance. There are a total of 1445 vehicle affected by the issue, all from cars sold in 2025.“Due to a manufacturing defect, the shielding ring in the high voltage wiring harness may not be properly grounded,” the notice reads.“This can reduce the effectiveness of electromagnetic shielding, which may cause abnormal communication with the engine and transmission control systems.“As a result, warning lights may illuminate, vehicle torque may be reduced, and cooling performance of the hybrid system may be affected.”According to the notice, reduced vehicle performance and cooling operation could increase the risk of an accident causing serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users. GWM will contact owners of the affected vehicles to request an appointment with an authorised dealership and have the work to rectify the issue carried out for free. The rugged-branded Tank 300 and 500 have been among GWM’s best-selling vehicles in Australia, approaching 6000 sales between them for 2025.Only the Haval H6 and Jolion SUVs have sold more units for the brand this year. The Tank 300 currently comes as a petrol, diesel and hybrid in Australia, but it has been announced that GWM will bring across a plug-in hybrid version next year. The Tank 500 is now exclusively sold as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, however it's understood a new diesel engine could come in 2026.The Cannon Alpha has also been a competitive seller for the brand, with more than 2000 sales in 2025. Offered with diesel power, it also comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain which is an alternative to BYD's popular Shark 6.This isn’t the first wiring issue to be found on the Cannon Alpha, with the ute suffering from another similar issue earlier this year.  An electric power steering wiring harness may come into contact with the driveshaft when driving and become damaged. This could lead to a loss of power steering and engine shutdown.