Articles by Tim Gibson

BYD's flagship SUV has already been given buff before its even launched in Australia, Car News China reports.The Chinese brand has announced an upgraded version of its Sealion 8 seven-seater large SUV that is launching very soon in Australia.It will be the largest and most expensive BYD that has been introduced to the market so far. BYD sells the Sealion 8 in China with electric and plug-in hybrid variants, but it will be solely available as a plug-in hybrid when it hits Aussie shores.The plug-in hybrid option Australia will get comes with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces a total output of 400kW and 668Nm.The new Sealion 7 gets 115kW from the four-cylinder engine and paired with electric motors, offers a 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds.This new version will boost range, with the 36.5kWh battery boasting an electric-only range of 175-215km via the more lenient CLTC testing system. The Australian bound versions can drive a climbed 152km using the slightly more stringent NEDC test cycle. Other updates include a re-designed front grille, bamboo wood trim, while there are improved driver assistance features. There is an all-electric version of the Sealion 8 in China that has a dual-motor set-up. The front motor produces 230kW, while the rear motor makes 580kW, to achieve a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds. It has a massive 101kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides a CLTC range of 670km for the top-tier variant. BYD is growing its presence in Australia as they target a top-three place in the market by the end of next year, according to BYD Australia boss Stephen Collins.Both its Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid SUV and Sealion 7 all-electric SUV have been well received in Australia with strong sales figures. The comparatively larger Sealion 8 will be priced competitively to its main rivals, between $65,000 and $75,000. Jaecoo’s Omoda 9 plug-in starts from $61,990, as a five-seater. But the Sealion 8 will also have to take on the Kia Sorento, which is a dominant seller in the seven-seater segment. Its plug-in variant starts from just over $70,000.Another challenger will be the seven-seater variant of the Mitsubishi Outlander plug-in, which starts from under $70,000.It is unclear whether this new Sealion 8 will be seen in Australia, with the original variant still yet to hit showrooms. BYD has not confirmed whether it will bring the electric version of the Sealion 8 to Australia, but it is rapidly expanding its line-up into new segments.

Our best look at the next-gen Sorento's design yet.

A new performance all-electric SUV hero is approaching.

This tech upgrade could be a game changer.Chinese-owned Swedish EV brand Polestar will introduce advanced AI voice assistant Google Gemini to its cars. The Gemini update was first seen in a public demonstration on the Polestar 5 at the start-up and technology event in Finland, Slush.Google’s Gemini is a generative artificial intelligence chatbot that can engage with users in conversation. The technology will allow users to have more natural conversations with the car to brainstorm aloud, ask follow-up questions and learn, according to Polestar. It will replace the current Google Assistant in all Polestar cars. Gemini builds on Google Assistant as it is more than a voice assistant, but can answer unique questions.Gemini is normally found in Google’s suite of smart speakers, and will eventually supersede the Google assistant available in older examples. Polestar's head of User Interface and User Experience Sid Odedra said the change will enhance driving experience. “Our collaboration with Google is a great example of how we continue to evolve the digital experience in our cars,” Odedra said. “Gemini brings the next generation of AI voice interaction into the car, and we’re excited to give a first look at how it will enhance the driving experience.”The first look at this new tech was on the Polestar 5, which was recently made available for order in Australia.It is available in dual motor and performance specs, with the latter producing 650kW and 1015Nm, and priced at $193,100, before on-road costs. Gemini will be introduced across Polestar’s line-up with a 2026 Google update.Polestar sells three other variants in Australia, which are the Polestar 2 sedan, Polestar 3 four-door coupe and Polestar 4 SUV.Polestar has seen a modest boost in Australian sales in 2025, rising nearly 39 per cent, up to October 2025 compared to this time last year, equating to over 2000 sales for the year so far. It is expected that a Polestar 6 two-door sports car, that was revealed in 2022 will go into production, after a medium SUV in the Polestar 7 launches. 

A new budget hatch is set to join the Aussie new car market as Kia has announced pricing and specifications for its updated K4. The K4 now comes as a hatch or sedan, starting from $32,090, before on-road costs, in either form. It keeps its two engine choices, both front-wheel drive, which have been tweaked according to Kia. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine comes in the first four grades in the line-up and produces 110kW and 180Nm, with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The range-topping GT-Line, gets a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, pumping out 142kW and 265Nm with an eight-speed auto. Its price has been bumped up slightly across the range, as the base model S grade is now $2000 more than the previous sedan-only variant, which launched at the start of 2025.The K4 has been embroiled in a tight fight in the small car category, facing tough competition from the Toyota Corolla, the category’s best-seller, which has hit nearly 16,000 sales so far this year.The K4 also trails Hyundai’s i30 and the Mazda 3 which, with nearly 20,000 sales in 2025, combine for almost 40 per cent of the segment, while the K4 has managed a little over 5000 units.  An electric version of the K4 sedan, the EV4 will launch in January 2026, with the hatch variant scheduled for the second half of next year. 16-inch alloy wheelsCloth trim seatsTwo-spoke steering wheelFour-inch driver displayMetal paint finish door handlesFour cupholdersApple CarPlay and Android AutoSix-speaker sound systemSatellite navigationSport grade features:17-inch alloy wheels12.3-inch multimedia screen12.3-inch digital driver displayDual-zone climate controlAuto window defog Sport+ grade features:Synthetic leather seatsHeated front seatsSilver door handlesIlluminated glove boxSolar glass windscreenRain-sensing wipers GT-line features:18-inch alloy wheelsCombined rear lightsFront fog lightsSynthetic leather seats with GT-Line stylingMemory driver seatGloss black window and wheel arch surroundsGloss black grilleGloss black door mirrorsSunroofThree-spoke two-tone steering wheelHeated steering wheelPaddle shiftersAmbient lightingPremium eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound systemVentilated front seatsPowered seatsThe K4 sedan was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, with the optional ‘Safety Pack’ ($2100). Without the Safety Pack, it received a four-star rating. The K4 hatch has not been assessed by ANCAP.Front and rear parking sensorsReversing cameraAuto emergency breakingBlind spot detectionLane keep assistLane follow assistS grade with Safety Pack features:Crossing and direct oncoming lane change detectionSport features:Lane change assistSport+ features:Auto dimming rear view mirrorThe car gets a seven-year, unlimited km warranty. 

There has never been a Jeep like this.

A new safety report has rated some popular used cars.Monash University’s Accident Research Centre Used Car Safety Ratings for 2025 have been revealed, with 23 new vehicles added to the handbook that covers vehicles built between 1982 and 2023.Top picks of the newly added vehicles were the 2013-22 Ford Transit van, 2014-21 BMW 2 Series, 2019-23 Mazda CX-30, 2017-23 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and 2018-23 Subaru Forester.The report revealed the average risk of being killed or seriously injured across all road users involved in a crash is 34 per cent lower in a vehicle manufactured from 2022 onwards, compared to 20 years ago. The ratings report looked at crash data analysing more than 9.5 million vehicles and 2.6 million road users in Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2022. It rated 561 vehicle models that were built between 1982 and 2023 looking at factors such as crash location, driver age and the number of vehicles involved. It measured safety through an overall rating with three categories: driver safety, other road user safety and crash avoidance. All are ranked out of five.Certain vehicles received a ‘Safer Pick’, where they scored five stars for overall and driver protection, with at least four stars for other road user safety and crash avoidance. Almost all 'Safer Pick' vehicles are available second-hand for under $25,000 and more than half priced below $10,000, according to Monash University.The report made particular note of the high risk attached to ute crashes, with only one ute achieving a five-star overall rating, and 70 per cent one or two stars.Some of this real-world data does not line up with ANCAP safety ratings. The Ford Mustang, manufactured from 2015-2022, received a two-star rating, which was later upgraded to three-stars with ANCAP. Yet, it achieved a near all-excellent rating in real-world crashes, according to the data.The full data set is available here.

Another hybrid SUV will join the increasingly popular segment.

A forgotten ute is poised to make a return to the Aussie market, a Federal Department of Infrastructure filing has confirmed.

A new budget SUV has hit the Aussie new car market. The GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) Emzoom steps into the competitive compact SUV battleground as a five-seater, starting from $25,590, before on-road costs.It's powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine sending 125kW and 270Nm to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission.It has a combined cycle fuel efficiency figure of 5.4L/100km, along with 47-litre fuel tank capacity. The car gets some neat features as standard including a panoramic sunroof and powered liftgate.Other interior features include a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, while also offering 50-watt wireless device charging. There is plenty of other useful tech on board, with a 360-degree camera view, automatic parking functionality and lane keep assist. It will have to take on several big hitters in pursuit of sales but comes in significantly cheaper than the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross, which starts from $37,440, before on-road costs. It is also cheaper than the strong-selling Hyundai Kona and is similarly priced to the MG ZS. That pair combined for nearly 30 per cent of local small SUV sales in October. The Emzoom is one of three GAC models in the brand's Aussie launch. The Aion V joins as an all-electric mid-size SUV, starting from $42,590, before on-road costs. Its single electric motor pumps out 150kW and 210Nm to the front wheels, while its 75.26kWh battery delivers a WLTP range of 510km. DC fast charging from 10-80 per cent takes 24 minutes, while AC charging time from 0-100 per cent takes over eight hours. The Aion V will need to hunt down Geely’s EX5 that's had a bumper first year in Australia, achieving more than 3000 sales so far in 2025. GAC’s third offering is the premium M8 plug-in hybrid people mover, which is a seven-seater starting from $76,590, before on-road costs. GAC claims the combined range of this people mover, in a space traditionally dominated by internal combustion engines, is more than 1000km.This impressive range is in part due to its 25.57kWh battery that can charge from 0-80 per cent in half an hour. Its set-up includes a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors, which produce 274kW/630Nm.The M8 will have to take on the imposing force of the Kia Carnival in the people mover segment, that accounted for nearly 86 per cent of sales in October 2025.