Kia Carens Reviews

Kia’s Sportage model tapped into a rich vein of buyer interest when it was launched here and, by the time the QL (Kia’s internal name for the model) range turned up, the Sportage was an established and popular franchise. Which is probably part of the reason Kia decided to make the Sportage line-up such a comprehensive one. There was only one body style; a five-door SUV wagon (which was what everybody wanted anyway) but beyond that there was lots of choice. Trim levels started with the base Si, then moved to SLi and finally to Platinum. The Platinum badge was dropped in 2017 and replaced with the GT-Line tag to bring the Sportage into line with the rest of the Kia range in Australia. At about the same time, a new variant called Si Premium was slotted in between the Si and SLi. The base version was available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 114kW or a turbo-diesel of the same size making 136kW but a lot more torque (400Nm played 192Nm). The Si Premium was a 2.0-litre petrol proposition only, but the SLi could be had with either engine as well as the option of a 2.4-litre petrol engine with 135kW. The Platinum and its replacement GT-Line, meanwhile, were available with either the 2.4-petrol or turbo-diesel engines. All variants were fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission and while the 2.0-litre versions were all front-wheel drive, the others featured an on-demand all-wheel drive system that engaged the rear axle when grip levels dictated. The Sportage of this vintage was popular for some good reasons. It was big inside compared with its competitors and overall build quality was better than average, too. The locally-tuned suspension and steering worked wonders in making the car more comfortable and agile than it might have been, and the turbo-diesel engine option made for very frugal, relaxed motoring. On the downside, the base 2.0-litre engine felt flat and gutless, and for cars built before July 2018, the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) systems such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and forward collision warning were only available if you ponied up for the Platinum or GT-Line models. Those features became available across the board after that 2018 facelift, but some ADAS functions such as blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert were still restricted to the GT-Line variant.   Overall, this make and model seems pretty robust and many owners have had trouble-free runs. But there is one major thing to watch and that’s oil consumption and early engine wear on either of the petrol engines offered in the Sportage. The engine problems with petrol-powered Sportages concern what’s called piston-slap and bore scoring, both of which are symptoms of accelerated internal engine wear. There are several theories on what causes this, but debris left over from the machining process at the factory as well as poor engine design are just two of them. Either way, if your Kia Sportage engine is making a ticking or tapping noise or consuming lots of engine oil, chances are you have one of the dud engines. There was not a safety recall for this, but Kia Australia was looking at each case on its own merits. The bottom line is that a lot of petrol engines in Sportages (and other Kias) were replaced at Kia’s cost, so that’s the first thing you should check when assessing any second-hand Sportage; has the engine been replaced? If it has, great. If it hasn’t, then the engine probably wasn’t a 'bad' one in the first place. Kia’s own database (via a dealership) should be able to determine what cars were fitted with replacement engines. We’ve also heard of a lot of Kias of this vintage with peeling paint. White seems to be the most affected colour, and it seems as though a bad batch of paint from the supplier was the cause. Again, Kia was sorting this out on a case-by-case basis. The Sportage was recalled twice by Kia, the first to check the anti-lock braking module which could pose a fire threat. The second recall was also for a fire risk as the software that controlled the heater core’s temperature could allow the core to run too hot. You can check out the details at https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/ .   The first-gen cars were the ones that missed out on the ADAS active safety gear unless you paid for the flagship model. With that in mind, go for a later, second-gen car if you’re shopping for anything but the Platinum or GT-Line versions. On the basis of those engine problems, we’d probably give the petrol-engine Sportage a miss, too. Plenty of Sportages of this vintage have reached the 200,000km mark while still having plenty of life left in them. And if the engine problems haven’t occurred by then, it’s a pretty safe bet they aren’t going to surface now. The turbo-diesel, in particular, draws on Kia’s decades of engineering experience in designing and building small-capacity diesel engines, and should be a good long-term prospect provided it’s serviced correctly.   The absolute plum buy would be a post-facelift turbo-diesel GT-Line which got all the ADAS functionality as well as a new eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The diesel engine is far and away the best option in this car and the new automatic only made it better. If you can stretch to a very late example of this car, say from 2020 or 2021, you should find it still has a small amount of the factory seven-year warranty remaining, which is huge peace of mind in any second-hand car. Prices for QL Sportages start at between $7000 and $10,000, but for that you’ll be buying a 2.0-litre petrol example with as many as 200,000km on board. At the other end of the scale, prices can reach the low-$30K mark, but that should get you into a low-mileage, high-specification turbo-diesel car, even with some of that all-important factory warranty remaining.   Kia’s dealer network in Australia has something like 140 dealerships across the country, so parts and service should be no problem. Equally, there’s no shortage of independent workshops that know their way around a Kia Sportage and that will generally be a less expensive option. Parts supply is no problem and Kia’s status as a major global brand means service and repair parts are available form a wide range on online sellers.   The Sportage was a good sales performer for Kia and the brand sold upwards of 10,000 examples per year while the QL model was on sale. So, there are now plenty for sale as used-cars, and the bigger online sales sites often have literally hundreds to choose from via private sellers and licensed dealers.

Physical buttons are making a return to cars around the world, but the Chinese government is taking it a step further. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has filed proposals to mandate physical buttons and switches for critical car functions. Multimedia screens, large-area displays and complex head-up displays in cars must undergo mandatory safety checks under the proposals. These tests will measure the impact on driver distraction, reliability in extreme weather and crash performance. The rules take effect for new models from January 1, 2027, with existing models getting the same scrutiny from July 1, 2027. In February 2026, China overtook Japan as the biggest seller of cars in Australia. The China-built BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y have consistently been the two best-selling electric cars in Australia. They feature 15.6-inch and 16.0-inch central touchscreens, respectively. The Model Y’s screen controls virtually all functions, while the touchscreen in the Sealion 7 controls climate as well as vehicle and safety settings. Installing a large screen instead of a series of buttons and switches can save carmakers money. Housing features like this in a touchscreen increases driver distraction, with drivers needing to sift through menus instead of looking at the road. It arguably causes a similar distraction to using a mobile phone while driving, but using a big touchscreen isn’t illegal. These new rules will require key functionality to be controlled physically as opposed to being embedded in the in-car software. Buyers will see many of Australia’s most popular models adopt a new layout inside the cabin from 2027. Some brands have already started to reintroduce physical controls in the cabin in response to buyer feedback, including Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. The Chinese government is moving to prohibit “folding” or “flexible” screens inside the car. While there aren’t mass-production cars that have these styles of screen, some brands were developing plans to introduce them down the line. China is also banning the use of ‘zero-gravity’ seats while driving that have become hugely popular in luxury models. This feature enables a seat to recline back on a steep angle, while elevating the leg rest to distribute body weight evenly, hence ‘zero-gravity’. This poses dangers to passengers, because in the event of a sudden stop or a crash, they could slide under the seatbelt, and will also be misaligned with airbags. It comes after the Chinese government outlawed electrically-operated hidden door handles, in favour of manual emergency releases.

A fix for a huge electric car problem is in the works. The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has announced a $1.43 million investment into a national EV charging roadmap.  The EVC said in its 2026 State of EVs report that Australia still needs "substantial public charging investment”.  It called for better data on demand use, reliability and coverage, with Australia’s charging infrastructure conundrum more complex than merely installing more fast chargers.  The roadmap is expected to be finalised in mid-2027.  The $1.43 million is made up of funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) ($1.06 million) as well as contributions from the EVC and other project partners.  The roadmap will look at charging demand, pressure points and where greater coordination could inform investment decisions through to 2035. It aims to introduce a coordinated charging network for passenger cars and heavy vehicles in metropolitan and regional Australia.  “Other major EV markets have recognised the value of coordinated national planning,” EVC Chief Executive officer Julie Delvecchio said.  “This Roadmap will bring that to Australia, shaped around our distances, our electricity system and the needs of everything from passenger cars to heavy trucks.” Owning a petrol or diesel car is becoming more expensive in Australia, and buyers are making the switch to EV power.  The Tesla Model Y has consistently featured in the top five best-selling cars, and in June 2026, it achieved a recording-breaking 8072 sales.  The BYD Sealion 7 has also recorded a serious increase in sales as it provides tough competition for the Model Y, while Geely’s EX5 has had a bumper 2026.  The federal government is targeting 5 million electric cars on Aussie roads by 2035, which would require the total number of EVs on the road to increase tenfold. Electric cars are now among the cheapest on offer in Australia.  The BYD Atto 1 starts from $19,990, drive-away (until December 15, 2026), while the Geely EX2 is available from $26,490, before on-road costs.  The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) is helping to increase EV choices for buyers, with high-emission cars incurring hefty fines under the scheme. 

Holden versus Ford was the rivalry that defined the Australian car industry for decades. Whether it was in the driveways around the country or on the racetrack, like this weekend’s Bathurst 1000, for generations Aussies picked a side - red or blue. But while Ford and General Motors (via Chevrolet) are still competing at Mt Panorama, the fire has well and truly gone out of the contest between the two sides. While Ford remains a popular brand, with Holden gone and General Motors now fragmented into Chevy, Cadillac and GMC, there’s no direct competition. So what is Australia’s new car rivalry? There are several options, but in an ever-shifting new car market it can be tricky to pin down just one specific head-to-head battle. So here are a list of our contenders for the replacement of Holden v Ford - let us know your favourite (or suggest your own) in the comments or join the debate on social media. The Holden v Ford contest was defined by Commodore against Falcon, at least it was for decades. These days the two most popular new vehicles have traditionally been the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, so it makes sense to pit these two against each other. Ford’s Everest also gives Toyota’s Prado a hard time in the battle for Australian SUV buyers looking for adventure. And the Mustang and GR Supra are now rivals on track, competing against each other in the Supercars. But, the argument against this being the new Aussie grudge match is Ford simply doesn’t have enough competition against the rest of Toyota’s expansive range. Ford sales have fallen off notably in 2026 (down 14 per cent at the end of September), while Toyota remains on top. Even before Holden’s demise, Toyota had emerged as the benchmark in the Australian car industry. Such was its dominance, capturing nearly a quarter of the new car market each year, that it seemed nobody could challenge it for top spot on the sales charts. But in 2026, BYD has emerged as the surprise new contender, not only for a top five spot, but actually the clear number two brand - ahead of Kia, Ford, Mazda and all the rest. BYD sales have more than doubled in ‘26, as its line-up of electric and plug-in hybrid models clearly hits the spot with what Australian buyers are looking for. Perhaps even more so than Toyota’s limited all-electric and conventional hybrid offerings. Toyota remains comfortably ahead, as in nearly double the amount of sales ahead. So it may take a few more years for Toyota to get nervous about losing the sales lead, but it seems like BYD is the most likely challenger for the crown. If we’re looking to the future perhaps this will come to be the defining contest for the hearts and purchases for Australians in years to come. The pair have locked in a battle for the best-selling electric vehicle in recent years, although the American brand looks to comfortably claim that honour this year thanks to the boom in Model Y sales. But as Australians seemingly embrace electrification, these two brands have clearly impressed plenty of buyers with what they are offering. Whether or not they can both become best-selling brands, especially Tesla with its limited line-up, remains to be seen and that will define how far into the Australian psyche this rivalry ingrains itself. While it’s clearly not the same as the Holden v Ford contest of one brand against another, there is very clearly a new divide in Australia between the so-called ‘legacy brands’ and the new order of Chinese car makers. The likes Toyota, Kia, Mazda and Hyundai have been the Aussie favourites since the Holden/Ford dominance faded - and, in fact, the rise of these brands undoubtedly played a role in the downfall of Holden. But in recent years, especially 2026, they have come under pressure. BYD, GWM, Chery and MG have now cemented themselves in the top 10 selling brands, pushing the likes of Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan and Volkswagen down the sales charts. As I’ve previously written, Australians are more brand agnostic than ever before and have embraced these new Chinese brands remarkably quickly. But there are clearly still many who prefer to stick to brand names they know and have experience with. This divide, between those that appreciate the establishment and those who are happy to try the new, could very much come to define the next decade of car culture in Australia. What do you think is the new Holden v Ford? Let us know in the comments or join the debate on social media.

A revamped family hybrid SUV is gearing up for an Aussie arrival.  The Kia Sportage is due for a refresh some time in 2027 as it faces an increasingly competitive mid-size SUV segment in Australia. The Hyundai Tucson and Toyota RAV4 rival has some serious upgrades in store. Under the skin, the Sportage is expected to have a longer wheelbase, up from 2755mm to 2790mm (+35mm), for greater practicality and more interior space. The new Sportage will feature a boxy overall exterior design, similar to what is found on the Kia EV3 and Kia EV5. This gives it a sharp and angular body, with the lights made up of vertical and horizontal elements at the front and rectangular vertical taillights at the rear. The new Sportage will ride on bigger 20-inch wheels for its new generation.  Some new renders from Gotcha Cars on YouTube has brought the 2027 Sportage to life. Inside, the car will use Kia’s new 17.0-inch touchscreen using its next-generation ‘Pleos’ multimedia system.  It will also have a redesigned steering wheel and enhanced over-the-air (OTA) updates. Korean Car Blog suggests the new Sportage will only be available with hybrid set-ups. Kia will offer its Sportage with mild hybrid, conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid power globally, but it’s unclear exactly which ones will be available in Australia.  The Korean brand currently offers the Sportage in Australia with petrol, diesel and hybrid power, but the latter represents the vast bulk of sales. The conventional hybrid set-up is the most likely to be offered here. It combines an efficient petrol engine with an electric motor and self-charging battery.  It’s unlikely the mild hybrid variant will be sold here because its high emissions levels would incur fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). The next-generation Sportage PHEV will have up to 100km of electric-only driving range, which is nearly double compared to the outgoing model (55km).  The current Sportage PHEV is built in South Korea as a left-hand drive model, ruling it out for an Australian launch.  There is a short-wheelbase variant of the car sold in the United Kingdom, but its European-built status means it's too expensive to import and sell competitively in Australia. There is no official news on whether the new Sportage PHEV will be built in right-hand drive in South Korea, which would increase its chances of a future Australian arrival. It’s expected the new Sportage will launch globally in the second half of 2027, with CarsGuide previously reporting that the Sportage should arrive locally in late 2027. It could follow a similar timeline to the Seltos that Kia Australia announced in late 2025, before launching roughly a year later. We won’t get an indication on pricing until its global reveal, but the current-generation hybrid grade of the Sportage starts from $44,450, before on-road costs.  Buyers can expect more Australian details on the next-generation Sportage in the coming weeks.

Aussie buyers have a new hybrid SUV to consider. Kia has revealed the pricing and line-up for its next-generation Seltos small SUV. It will start from $39,990 (drive-away), making it more expensive than the outgoing petrol-only model, that started from $31,250, before on-road costs.  This means it’s identically priced to the Hyundai Kona Hybrid that’s available with a drive-away deal until December 31, 2026.  The new Seltos will hit dealer showrooms in October 2026, but it’s unclear how long the drive-away offer will last.  The Seltos will be available in six grades.  Buyers can add the safety pack on the base ‘S’ grade for an extra $2500, while Sport and Sport+ grades start from $43,990 and $46,990, respectively.  The GT-line front-wheel drive variant starts from $52,900, which is $13,000 more than the entry-level example. AWD is only available for buyers on the Seltos' range-topping variant, priced from $55,490. This e-AWD system uses another electric motor to power the rear axle. Buyers were previously able to choose AWD on the cheaper Sport+ grade of the outgoing Seltos model. Kia Australia said detailed local specifications will be available soon. Kia’s new-generation Seltos will only be available with a hybrid set-up in Australia, having previously been sold as a petrol-only model. It will use a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and electric motor set-up, paired to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.  Kia hasn’t officially revealed performance figures, but Aussie sales approval documents show it will produce either 118kW or 169kW, which is likely the difference between front- and all-wheel drive. The new Seltos boasts a larger footprint than its previous generation, measuring in at 4430mm long, 1830mm wide, 1600mm high, with a wheelbase of 2690mm. This places it in direct competition with the Hyundai Kona Hybrid ($39,990, drive-away, until December 31, 2026) and the hybrid-only Toyota Corolla Cross ($37,440, before on-road costs).  Buyers shouldn’t expect petrol variants of the Seltos available overseas to land in Australia as Kia looks to avoid fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).

Hybrid power is now mainstream for Aussie buyers.   It's an important choice for buyers transitioning from petrol- and diesel-powered cars to full EVs. Hybrid-powered cars are also important for brands as they seeks alternatives to internal combustion cars that incur fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). There are broad categories of hybrid cars in Australia, and each one has its own benefits for buyers. Here's a look at what hybrids are available, and which one might suit you best. Mild hybrid power is the first stage of electrification for cars. Mild hybrid cars can't drive on EV power alone, because they only use a small, low-voltage battery (usually) 48-volt, with a less than 1kWh capacity. The electric motor usual powers certain electrical features and the starter motor. They don't need to be charged, but they also don't offer noticeably better fuel efficiency than standard petrol- and diesel-powered cars. The popular Toyota HiLux ute is available with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, while Suzuki and Renault offer mild hybrid set-ups on some of their models. Conventional hybrid, plug-less hybrid or self-charging hybrid cars are popular in Australia. The engine works seamlessly with a bigger electric motor to maximise fuel efficiency. A conventional hybrid usually runs on electric-only power at low speeds or for short distances when cruising at higher speeds. The engine will kick in at higher speeds or when more power is needed, blending petrol and electric power. This makes fuels efficiency in urban environments or star-stop traffic better than what a petrol- or diesel-powered car would achieve. The battery in a conventional hybrid is charged by the engine and from regenerative braking, meaning the car doesn't need to be plugged in. The conventional hybrid car's battery is smaller than those in plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars, and still requires a petrol engine to run. Toyota provides conventional hybrid set-ups on the vast majority of its Australian line-up, including its RAV4 SUV and Camry sedan. Other popular brands Kia, Hyundai and others also have affordable conventional hybrid variants on its popular models. Plug-in hybrids or PHEVs take hybrid power to the next level because they are equipped with a much larger battery and a more powerful electric motor set-up. PHEVs have a long electric-only driving range, with some capable of exceeding 200km, before the engine is needed to drive the wheels. Most new PHEVs have an EV range of at least 100km. This means daily commuters will rarely have to fill-up on fuel if they charge the battery every night. PHEVs also boast significant combined driving range as they have a regular sized fuel tank to power the engine, resulting in ranges of north of 1000km before the fuel tank and battery are depleted. Carmakers often claim PHEVs drink less than 2.0L/100km of fuel, but that requires owners to constantly charge their batteries and never let it deplete. Once the battery is depleted fuel use will skyrocket, as the small engine has to move around a heavy vehicle weighed down by the battery and electric motors. PHEVs suit a buyer with access to charging facilities, who also want outstanding fuel efficiency. Bigger Chinese vehicles usually employ PHEV set-ups, including the BYD Shark 6 ute and incoming Zeekr 8X and 9X. Range-extender hybrids, also known as Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) or Extended-Range Electric vehicle (EREV), are gaining popularity globally. They are feature similar hardware to PHEVs, but work in a different way. The engine in a REEV's is used as a generator for charging the battery, and the wheels are driven by the electric motor, or motors, only. REEV's have an EV-sized battery that can also be plugged in to charge, giving these cars a driving range comfortably exceeding 1000km. Leapmotor's B10 and C10 SUVs use REEV set-ups in Australia, but the incoming Forthing Taikon 5 and the XPeng L03 will also employ the set-up when they hit showrooms. Nissan’s ‘e-Power’ hybrid system in the X-Trail and Qashqai SUVs employ REEV tech on a smaller scale, using the engine to power a small battery that powers the wheels, but this battery cannot be plugged in to charge.

If you’re an EV buyer in 2026, you need to know about this.  The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has revealed the state of play for electric and plug-in hybrid cars in Australia in 2026.  This is the 10th year of the ‘State of EVs’ report as more buyers bought EVs than ever before Down Under.  The report analysed the 2025-26 financial year, and how buyer trends and infrastructure, among other things, have changed in that time.  It called for several policy reforms, including targeted equity-based policy to assist economically-disadvantaged Aussies reap the benefits of EV driving. Australia’s charging landscape is diverse, it is also complex and fragmented and needs major investment, according to the report.  In June 2026, there were 4268 public charging locations, which is 235 per cent more than June 2025 There were 11,602 public charge points in June 2026, up 175 per cent compared to June 2025 The EVC said there needs to be more research into how owners charge EVs and where they need them most.  “Australia still needs substantial public charging investment, but the task is not as simple as just installing more fast chargers,” the report reads.   “Most charging happens where vehicles already park—at homes, apartment buildings, workplaces, destinations, kerbsides and depots.” The report calls for a nationally-coordinated charging roadmap and scaled infrastructure deployment. This news comes after NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury told CarsGuide in December 2025 Australia’s charging infrastructure was lagging behind.  “We’re nowhere near. We’ve got nowhere near enough public charging,” NRMA spokesperson Khoury said.  “There are lots of areas that don’t have energy that comes from outside the energy grid so you’ve got to create energy sources at those locations.” The EVC is calling for the government to implement a range of new rules in Australia.  It wants a targeted equity-based policy to help all Australians use EVs and take advantage of the cost savings with EV adoption. The report states that EVs have lower running costs than petrol- and diesel-powered cars, with less maintenance, seeing a typical driver saving roughly $3000 per year.  The EVC said this figure did not include the substantial increases to fuel prices in 2026, with savings calculated today even higher.  It said the federal government needs to implement an updated New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) for cars sold beyond 2029 to align with 2035 emissions reduction targets.  NVES is a set of emissions rules that imposes fines on cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 into the atmosphere.  Developing a car takes a brand several years to complete, meaning carmakers need to know the rules these models will need to follow. It also said there should be a national road-user charge that does not deter EV uptake. This would differ from the current system proposed by the New South Wales government from 2027 that the EVC said would slow EV sales. The New South Wales government wants a road user charge to make up for lost fuel excise revenue and ensure all road users contribute to maintenance.  The EVC found a fully-electric or PHEV car was bought every 100 seconds on average in the first half of 2026, with one in four new car sales using an electric powertrain. The report reads cost-of-living pressures, soaring fuel prices and greater EV choice has contributed to a sharp increase in electric car uptake in 2026.  Fully-electric and PHEV sales accounted for 25.8 per cent of new car sales up to June 2026, increasing from 12.1 per cent up to June 2025 There are 196 combined full EV and PHEV models on sale, compared to 153 models in 2025 There were 157,957 electric and PHEV sales in H1 2026, up 177 per cent from H1 2025 Australia’s EV uptake is now in line with the global average, according to the International Energy Agency “So, at a time when fuel prices are fluctuating and cost-of-living continues to bite, it’s no surprise that EVs have become a popular choice,” the report states.  “As of June 2026, drivers have never had a greater choice of EVs in Australia.” Australia recently got its new cheapest electric car in the BYD Atto 1 that is being offered from $19,990 (drive-away) until December, 15 2026.

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). 

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.