Articles by Tim Gibson

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. 

Hyundai’s new electric van has landed.  The Hyundai Staria Load Electric has become the latest in a growing list of electric van choices for buyers.  It starts from $70,990, making it cheaper than the smaller Ford Transit Custom Electric ($77,890), but it will also tackle its mechanical sibling the Kia PV7 due in Australia before the end of 2027.  This equates to a more than $20,000 jump on the base diesel grade, and more than $9000 extra compared to previous range-topping hybrid.  The Staria Load Electric will make its Australian debut at the Everything Electric event in Sydney that starts from 18 September, 2026.  The brand has already confirmed a people mover variant of the Staria Electric is not under consideration at this stage.  The Staria Load Electric is powered by a single electric motor, producing 160kW and 350Nm. Diesel variants produce 130kW/430Nm, while hybrid variants produce 180 kW/304Nm The van is equipped with an 84kWh battery, offering a total driving range of 450km, according to WLTP standards.  It consumes 20.7kWh of power for every 100km driven, according to the brand.  Riding on Hyundai’s 800-volt E-GMP platform it can DC fast charge at up to 350kW, meaning a 20-80 per cent juice up takes 20 minutes.  The Staria Load Electric has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg (500kg less than diesel variants), and a 1005kg payload.  The van’s cargo capacity is 4935L, but it also has a 23.9L front storage area.  It can also use its battery via vehicle-to-load to power tools and other devices directly with a standard three-pin electrical outlet.  The Staria Load electric only comes in a two-seat configuration.  Elsewhere in the cabin, there is a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen as well as a wireless phone charger.  It has a leather steering wheel, while seats are wrapped in a black cloth material. The van boasts keyless entry and a push-button start.  Buyers can choose from either liftback or twin outward-swinging rear doors at no extra cost for added practicality.  The Staria Load Electric has a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturer's warranty as well as an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the high-voltage battery.  The van is available with a capped-priced servicing deal, with servicing occurring every two years or 30,000km. 

BMW has priced its latest luxe SUV Down Under.  The new-generation BMW X5 large SUV will start from $143,900 for the diesel variant, while petrol power starts from $145,900, both before on-road costs.  This means the diesel variant is $4000 more expensive now, while the petrol variant costs an extra $2000.  The new BMW X5 is due to arrive in showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2026, with plug-in hybrid variants available in the first quarter of 2027.  The brand has confirmed a new fully-electric iX5 is also on its way to Australia in Q1 2027.  The X5 will rival the cheaper Audi Q7, with its base diesel-powered variant starting from $120,530.  It will also tackle the new Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class that was unveiled in Australia for the first time in September 2026, priced from $142,300.  Both petrol- and diesel-powered variants use an improved 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-charged engine layout with 48-volt mild hybrid system. The base Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d also now comes with a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine as standard, but is $1300 more expensive.  Diesel variants now produce 230kW/670Nm, compared to 210kW/650Nm, while petrol variants now make 294kW/540Nm, up from 280kW/520Nm.  Petrol variants can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds.  All examples come with all-wheel drive as standard and a 3500kg braked towing capacity.  The BMW X5 is only available as a five-seater, so it does not have a seven-seater option, like its close rivals the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.  It features BMW’s high-tech interface, with a 3D head-up display and panoramic dashboard-mounted screen.  The car also gets a flashy new 17.9-inch central touchscreen and a passenger display as standard.  The front seats are heated, ventilated and have massage functionality.  Elsewhere in the cabin, there is an 18-speaker sound system and a panoramic glass roof.    Buyers can option heated armrests and rear seats and a rear roller sunblind for an extra $2300.

Diesel buyers are still on the agenda for Mercedes-Benz. The German giant has just unveiled its new GLE 350d large SUV in Australia that debuts a new 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. It replaces the outgoing 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit in the GLE 300d, boosting performance to 210kW and 650Nm. This more powerful base grade GLE-Class costs nearly $6000 more than the previous model, starting from $142,300, before on-road costs. This means it is cheaper than the base diesel-powered BMW X5, starting from $143,900. More budget-friendly Chinese options are appearing in the Australian market with much cheaper price points and electrified powertrains. Zeekr will soon introduce its 8X full-size SUV that is larger than the GLE-Class, but could be offered for less than $100,000. Australia's diesel demise is in full swing. Diesel-powered car sales are down more than 16 per cent in August 2026 compared to August 2025. For the first time ever in August 2026, there were more fully-electric registrations than petrol and diesel individually. Potential fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) are also squeezing diesel-powered choices out of the market. Non-heavy duty diesel-powered vehicles sold in Australia generally fall foul of the emissions regulations, with brands incurring fines on these cars. This will not deter Mercedes-Benz, according to the Australian branch's Director of Sales Johannes Schoen, who said customer demand was driving the decision. “Well, we listen to customers, and obviously, we have a great new drivetrain here (3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel), and I could now talk about all the performance indicators. “On the other side, it's also about the refinement and the drive experience. And I think that new six-cylinder diesel engine will deliver exactly that, and that, I feel, is especially relevant here in Australia.” Schoen also said the brand can offset potential fines for its emissions-heavy vehicles like the GLE 350d with fully-electric sales. The brand now has an extensive range of electric models, with the EQA and EQB small SUVs the most prolific on the sales charts. The pair combine for roughly the same number of sales as the GLE-Class up to August 2026. “Well, we fully understand, and we also support, obviously, the intention of the legislator to contribute to lower CO2 emission values,” Schoen said. “We, as a company, globally speaking now, are obviously trying to support a road to net zero carbon emissions in the future. “Now, having said that big picture, obviously, in the here now, we have a product portfolio that allows us to also manage a very high battery electric share. “So in that sense, this is one product out of our large portfolio, and ultimately, it means, on average, we have to fulfil the legislation, and we will do everything, which is in our power, to go that path.”

This plush family SUV has just been updated in Europe.  The Volvo XC90 is a three-row large SUV available in mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid petrol set-ups.  The Swedish-built XC90 tackles other luxury European SUVs the Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE. It will now face tough Chinese competition, including the Australia-bound Zeekr 8X.  The XC90 will continue to be available with petrol or PHEV power for its update model.  Mild hybrid petrol variants use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-charged engine, producing 184kW and 360Nm, along with a 48-volt battery.  The plug-in hybrid also uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-charged engine that produces the same 184kW and 360Nm, but an electric motor adds 130kW and 309Nm. This means the PHEV can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds - more than two seconds faster compared to the petrol-only variant.  Its 41kWh lithium-ion battery has an electric-only driving range of 164km - more than double compared to before. It has a total driving range of 1100km, according to WLTP standards.  All variants use an eight-speed automatic transmission.  The interior features an 11.2-inch central touchscreen and Google’s Gemini AI assistant to plan trips and manage communication. The XC90 is expected to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2027. The car will launch in Europe later in 2026, so buyers can expect the new XC90 to arrive Down Under in 2027.  The XC90 currently starts in Australia from $97,990 for the petrol-only variant and $120,990 for the PHEV, both before on-road costs.  Pricing is likely to start around the $100,000 mark, but could incur a small hike on the previous model.  The XC90 is the bigger sibling of the XC40 and XC60 SUVs that are Volvo’s best-selling petrol-powered cars in Australia.  The brand’s EX30 small electric SUV is one of two models to have experienced sales growth in 2026, registering an increase of 36.4 per cent up to August 2026 compared to August 2025.