GWM News

New mandatory national standards for vehicle safety in China have cracked down on battery safety in an effort to make battery fires a thing of the past.This will affect cars manufactured in China and subsequently exported to Australia. The new standards increase the requirements on safety equipment for high-voltage batteries fitted to both fully electric and hybrid vehicles.The new rules, according to Chinese state-backed media outlets, stipulate that high voltage batteries must have defined power on and off states, define allowable temperature ranges for high-voltage batteries and include a requirement for a ‘thermal event’ alarm that allows at least a five-minute warning prior to explosion.It also states smoke from batteries must not be able to harm vehicle occupants, and introduces a new impact test to ensure batteries can survive debris strikes, or the vehicle bottoming-out.There is a new safety requirement for fast charging, which requires an external short circuit test after 300 cycles to ensure the battery doesn’t ignite or explode after such rigorous energy exchange.It is worth noting that many electric vehicle batteries sold in Australia have already been tested to a higher standard, including batteries from the world’s largest manufacturer, China’s CATL.BYD also subjects its signature ‘Blade’ batteries to higher testing standards than the new national requirements, and the company uses a less volatile LFP chemistry.Experts quoted by Chinese state media say the new rules will continue to cause a consolidation of EV automakers as compliance costs for producing electric cars increase, and that the cost of batteries is expected to increase. The new safety rules are also expected to reduce insurance premiums and increase used car values, at least for Chinese consumers.The rules will have an impact in Australia, as over 34 per cent of new cars sold into our market are now manufactured in China (regardless of their brand) and many more still use batteries sourced from BYD or CATL even if they are sourced from another country.Other new Chinese regulations impacting the Australian market include the country recently banning sunken or concealed door handles and yoke-style steering wheels over safety concerns.The changes are visibly impacting many new Chinese cars headed to our market in the coming 12 months, with many updated or facelifted models complying with the new rules by featuring traditional door handles. There has also been an increase in physical buttons and control dials in many upcoming cars as both Chinese and European regulators look to crack down on key vehicle functions being touchscreen-based in the near future.The local safety body, ANCAP, is expected to follow suit with European regulations, which it broadly follows, although the organisation told CarsGuide earlier this year that it regularly monitored safety developments in other countries from which Australian new cars are sourced. It updates its policies on a three-year cycle.The news will no doubt come as an additional peace of mind for a wave of new car buyers looking to make the switch to fully electric or hybrid vehicles for the frist time, although increasing insurance costs for many new brands in Australia are affected by multiple factors including confidence in service networks and parts availability, which for some new brands still sees increased premiums.

If you have your heart set on a ute but can’t decide what to buy, the range of choices available nowadays is mind-boggling.But a lot of the utes on offer cost more than $60,000.So, what’s available with a sub-$60,000 price-tag and may actually be a good buy for you?Here’s our guide to budget-friendly workhorses.Warning: you don’t get champagne on a beer budget and that’s fine because lots of people (including me) prefer beer anyway. The point is: when you’re shopping in the cheaper part of the market you have to be prepared to make some compromises on quality, ride and handling and overall drivability, and ultimately accept that there’ll always be trade-offs – sometimes minor and sometimes not so minor.(Note: For the purpose of this yarn we’ll focus on dual-cab 4WD utes as they offer the most flexibility in terms of passenger- and gear-carrying functionality ... and because I want to focus on them.)Read on.This top-spec Tunland has plenty of standard features for the price, is adequately capable off-road and offers a reasonable driving experience all-round.It has a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (120kW/450Nm), a 48V mild-hybrid system, a reasonably calibrated off-road traction control system, and front and rear diff locks.The engine and eight-speed auto transmission produce a sluggish driving experience on sealed surfaces, and it feels underpowered, but the set-up works better at low-speed 4WDing more than anything else.If you plan to do anything beyond formed trails in dry weather than think about swapping out the showroom-standard Giti 4x4 AT71 tyres (265/70R18 116T) for some more-aggressive all-terrain tyres.Towing capacity? 3500kg.Foton Australia offers a limited range of accessories for the Tunland (including tonneau covers, roof platforms and towbar kits) but the Australian aftermarket industry is more than capable of kitting you out with everything you’ll need for your Tunland and there’s gear across all price points to suit every budget.The Musso has an impressive features list, is a capable 4WD, and yields a decent driving experience on sealed and unsealed surfaces.And with the optional XLV pack, it gets a longer wheelbase (110mm extra), a 300mm longer tub and 90kg of extra payload over the standard Musso (880kg rather than 790kg).It has a 2.2L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (133kW/420Nm), a six-speed automatic transmission, part-time 4x4 and an auto-locking rear differential.This is a rather sluggish ute and the powertrain is not particularly efficient, but the Aisin auto is a reliable, well-proven transmission and the Musso does well with what it has.Towing capacity? 3500kg.KGM Australia offers a range of accessories for the Musso (including hard lids, ladder rack kits and “premium” underbody protection) and if you can’t find what you want in KGM genuine accessories, then you can always tap into the lively Aussie aftermarket sector.The top-shelf Cannon XSR is the most capable 4WD of this bunch and – coming in at a little more than $50,000 drive-away (nationwide, at time of writing) – you get a lot for your money.This ute has a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine (135kW/480Nm), twin lockers, a snorkel, underbody protection and Cooper Discoverer AT3 all-terrain tyres – so it is set up for off-road adventure straight off the showroom floor.And it does perform well off-road.The engine and nine-speed auto is a tractable pairing and well suited to the demands of 4WDing, easily able to muster and harness more than enough power and torque on- and off-road when needed – although it does exhibit pronounced lag at times and that auto can be patchy during daily driving duties.Towing capacity? 3000kg.GWM Australia and New Zealand has a variety of accessories (including bull bars, tow bars, and canopies) and if GWM doesn’t have what you want, Australia’s well-stocked aftermarket sector will likely be able to sort you out as soon as humanly possible.More a lifestyle ute than a 4WD ute, the BYD Shark 6 has rattled the market’s cage with its blend of premium features, refinement and all-round driveability. At $57,990 (excluding on-road costs), this ute offers a lot in an appealing package.The Shark has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system* (321kW/650Nm), a 30kWh battery and, in basic terms, the petrol engine — and regen braking — feed power into that battery during general driving. It has a single-speed reduction gear/dedicated hybrid transmission, which enables electric-only driving and hybrid operation, switching between modes based on throttle demand and battery level.(* Note: The new Shark 6 Performance will have a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and dual electric motors, claimed to deliver total outputs of 350kW and 700Nm.)Worth noting here is that the Shark does not have 4WD, it has an all-wheel drive system split between the front and rear, and Drive modes include Eco, Normal and Sport and Terrain modes include Sand, Snow, Mud and Mountain.But this Shark 6 is actually impressive off-road, as long as it’s driven within its scope of capability: light to moderate off-road conditions — that is, if possible, stick to well-maintained dirt tracks in dry weather; do not take on any ‘4WD/high ground clearance only' tracks, prolonged sand-driving or rock-crawling.Towing capacity? 2500kg.BYD Australia offers a range of accessories (including “deluxe” bull bars, roof racks, and suspension upgrade kits) and if they don’t stock what you want/need, feel free to buy through the Aussie aftermarket.The other brands on this list are still in their relative infancy in this country – compared to established car-makers in Australia, such as Toyota et al – and there are lingering concerns about after-sales service (or lack thereof), availability of parts, and long-term reliability with these newer brands that have to be taken into account.There are no such concerns with Mitsubishi or its well-proven Triton.While a Premcar-developed Raider ($74,990 drive-away) would be the pick of the Tritons, a less expensive GLX-R Is on the cards here.This ute has 2.4-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine (150kW/470Nm), a six-speed automatic transmission and, while it is comfortably mid-range in terms of price, it gets the higher-spec variants’ Super Select II 4WD, an impressive legacy set-up, which enables this ute to be driven in all-wheel drive mode (and centre-diff unlocked), so it’s safe to use on high-traction sealed surfaces.This engine, auto and Super Select II 4WD is an impressive combination – smooth, nimble and torquey – and offers a decent all-round driving experience on- and off-road.Towing capacity is 3500kg.Out of this five-strong mob of utes, the Triton is the best in terms of value for money, baked-in brand trust, parts availability, and ultimately resale value.Bonus: there are plenty of aftermarket accessories (OEM or otherwise) available for the Triton.

GWM’s next model under its Ora electrified sub-brand has appeared in regulatory filings in China, as a sporty new station wagon.Dubbed the Ora 7, this car made its debut in concept form at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2025.It was called the Lightning Cat Travel Edition, and was pitched as a spin-off of the sportback model, which never launched in Australia.Thanks to the new filings, which have appeared via the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, it appears the production version of the car will instead adopt Ora’s new numerical naming system, and will be pitched above the incoming Ora 5 small SUV.At 4820mm long, 1850mm wide and 1520mm high, the new Ora model competes directly with the incoming BYD Seal 6 plug-in hybrid, which is available in both sedan and wagon form.Unlike the Seal 6, the Ora 7 is a pure electric model, with dual motors producing 160kW and 150kW. The old Lightning Cat was previewed as having a combined output of 300kW/680Nm.What does seem to have evolved since the Lightning Cat is the battery chemistry, which appears to have swapped from the more expensive and higher-output NMC chemistry to a more affordable LFP unit, according to Chinese media.The car remains almost entirely faithful to the concept shown at Shanghai, all the way down to the sporty gloss black wheel package, although notably the flush door handles have been swapped for traditional ones in keeping with new Chinese regulations that ban flush or sunken door handles for safety reasons.The interior is yet to be revealed, but expect it to come with similar new-generation updates as seen on the recently-launched Ora 5, including the brand’s latest two-spoke steering wheel design, stalk-mounted gear shifter, minimalist centre console and new software hosted on larger screens.At this stage it is unclear whether Australia will see this station wagon model.

GWM has just stepped up its budget EV game in Australia, unveiling the Ora 5 hatchback.There is no official news on a launch for the Ora 5 hatchback, but there is a good chance it will hit showrooms before the end of the year, with deliveries of the SUV variant already beginning.GWM Australia has been contacted for comment to find out launch plans for the car. The Ora 5 hatch shares much of the same design and set-up as its SUV sibling, but it has been given a lower and sportier stance, according to GWM. It differs from the SUV as it does not featuring roof rails. It keeps the same bubble headlight design and general exterior look. GWM also confirmed it has the same 58kWh battery with a driving range of 435km on WLTP standards. The brand did not confirm what will power the hatch, but given it is so similar to the SUV, it is expected to have the same single electric motor producing 150kW and 260Nm. Pricing remains unknown at this stage, but there is potential for it to be priced under the SUV, which starts from $33,990 (drive-away).The news comes after the brand ditched its Ora hatch Down Under earlier this year to make way for the Ora 5 SUV. The Ora faced serious budget competition from other Chinese rivals such as the BYD Dolphin that is priced from under $30,000 (before on-road costs), while the Ora was priced from $35,990 (drive-away).Competition in the EV hatch space has increased significantly, including the arrival of the GAC Aion UT ($31,990, before on-road costs). The Ora 5 is generally bigger than many of these EV hatch rivals.It joins at a time when GWM continues to grow on the sales front and chase down legacy brands in Australia.Chinese competitors such as BYD and Chery have experienced more growth than GWM in 2026, with the affordability proving a key selling point.

Audi RS5: Ready to enter the German ‘Big Three’ performance octagon with the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63S, the new Audi RS5, offered as a sedan and ‘Avant’ wagon, is a plug-in hybrid combining a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a powerful single electric motor for outputs of 470kW/825Nm. Pricing is already confirmed from $179,900, before on-road costs. Read moreBentley Bentayga Speed: Swapping out the British brand’s epic (but emissions constrained) 6.0L W12 for a fearsome 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has made this luxurious SUV even faster and louder. How about 478kW/850Nm and $525,000, before on-road costs, when it arrives here in the next couple of months?Read moreBMW iX3: Arriving in early July, BMW’s much-anticipated 'Neue Klasse' iX3 is an ultra-modern mid-size five-door SUV with a pure-electric powertrain initially launching with one model, the 345kW/645Nm 50 xDrive (109,900, before on-road costs). The 235kW/500Nm iX3 40 ($89,900, BOC), which slips under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, will follow in Q4.  Read moreBMW M2 xDrive: New compact muscle coupe variant picks up all-wheel drive to put the 353kW/600Nm produced by its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder on the ground. Zero to 100km/h in 3.7sec with cost-of-entry at $172,900, before on-road costs when it arrives in Q4.Read moreBYD Atto 3 Evo: Prior to the all-new next-gen Atto 3 likely hitting Aussie showrooms sometime in 2027, the Evo version of the current model gives it rear-wheel drive. There’s also an all-wheel-drive flagship with 330kW available. Likely local touchdown in Q3.Read moreChery KP31: And you thought there wasn’t room for another ute in the Aussie market. The subject of a local naming contest (Orca is looking likely, as it tops BYD Shark) the Chery ‘KP31’ is scheduled for a Q4 launch, featuring a ladder chassis and a segment-first 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and electric motor hybrid powertrain. A petrol-electric hybrid will arrive in 2027.Read moreCupra VZ5: Fire-breathing mid-size SUV variant powered by an Audi RS3-sourced 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine sending 287kW/480Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. Zero to 100km/h comes up in 4.2 seconds – 0.7 seconds quicker than the 228kW VZx, making it one of the fastest combustion-powered SUVs out there. Read moreDeepal S05: The Deepal S05 small-medium SUV joins the S07 mid-size SUV, likely offered in range-extender hybrid and/or pure-electric form. ADR compliance is locked in and pre-orders are open on the brand’s Aussie website.Read moreFerrari 849 Testarossa: Okay, the shopping list - milk, bread, eggs and a $932,648 Ferrari 849 Testarossa. Not for everyone, then. But what a car! Zero to 100km/h in 2.3sec courtesy of a twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain sending 611kW/842Nm to all four wheels. Coupe in Q4, with the roofless Spider arring in early ‘27.  Read moreGeely EX2: Set to arrive in the third quarter, this budget-focused electric compact SUV could start under $30K, before on-road costs. It has a single motor driving the rear wheels and two battery sizes are offered in China, providing 310km or 410km of range, respectively. Read moreGenesis GV60 Magma: Part of the upcoming next-gen GV60 line-up, the Magma is a performance-focused pure-electric powerhouse SUV riding on the same ‘E-GMP’ platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Dual electric motors for 478kW/790Nm, 0-200km/h in 10.9sec and maximum velocity of 264km/h. Arrives in July.Read moreGWM Wey G9: The Wey G9 (name yet to be confirmed for Australia) is a luxury plug-in hybrid people mover scheduled for Q4 with the V9X PHEV SUV spilling over into 2027. Its chunky 44.2 kWh battery provides a claimed pure-electric driving range of up to 170 km with a combined range of more than 1000km. Read moreHonda Super One: Super by name, super by nature, this pure-electric ‘kei’ car is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with a likely Aussie starting price around $35,000. A front-mounted electric motor produces 70kW/162Nm and Honda claims up to 274km of range.  Read moreHyundai Palisade XRT Pro: A tough looking Toyota LandCruiser rival with twin, chassis-mounted tow hooks as well as more ground clearance for useful approach, departure and breakover angles. Add a rear electronic limited-slip differential for better off-road capability as well as downhill brake control and new terrain modes for mud, sand and snow. Read moreIsuzu D-Max EV: One of the most popular utes in the county could get a pure-electric option powered by front- and rear-mounted electric motors, producing 140kW, with front motor torque at 108Nm and rear motor torque at 217Nm for a maximum 325Nm and full-time 4WD. A 67kWh battery offers a driving range of 263km (WLTP). No launch confirmation yet, but Isuzu Ute Australia says “it will continue to monitor local needs and evaluate the reception of BEVs”. Read moreJeep Compass: Potentially a Q4 arrival, the new Compass rides on the same ‘STLA Medium’ platform as Stellantis stablemates such as the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008. It will join the smaller Avenger in Jeep’s electrified line-up. There should be a choice of 106kW 48V eHybrid and 145kW plug-in hybrid powertrains, both likely based on the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine carried over from the current-generation. Read moreKGM Musso Q300: Dual-cab only, powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 150kW/441Nm mated to a six-speed torque-converter auto transmission with 4WD and a locking rear differential. Coil- or leaf-spring rear suspension options with a payload of 500kg for the former and 700kg for the latter. Features a 12.3-inch digital dash and matching multimedia touchscreen.   Read moreKia Seltos: Coming in Q4, We’re expecting a front-wheel drive version with outputs to be approximately 113kW/265Nm, plus an all-wheel drive with 131kW, though its rear wheels will be powered by an electric motor and not mechanically connected to the front wheels. The all-new Seltos should start around $30K, before on-road costs. A specific Australian suspension tune is already in the works.  Read moreLeapmotor B05: Lobbing in Q4, the Leapmotor B05 is a five-door, electric, rear-wheel drive, hot-ish hatch with 180kW/320Nm in the flagship Ultra variant. A choice of 56.2kWh or 67.1kWh battery, delivers a range of 500km or 600km (CLTC) and we’d be shocked if it wasn't among the cheapest warmed-over hatch offerings in the local market.   Read moreLexus ES: Electric versions of the striking all-new Lexus ES have been approved for Australian sale, the dual-motor, all-wheel drive ES500e flagship producing 252kW. The ES350e is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor delivering 170kW. However, the brand has confirmed hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered locally.  Read moreMazda CX-6e: Set to challenge the Tesla Model Y on price, the Mazda CX-6e is likely to land with a starting price around $54K. A 78kWh battery delivers a 450km (WLTP) range, the rear-mounted 190kW/290Nm electric motor drives the rear wheels and 0-100km/h comes up in 7.9sec. Its 195kW DC charging capacity is good for a 10-80 per cent top-up in under 25 minutes.Read moreMercedes-Benz GLB: Launch line-up of the pure-electric small SUV will be single-motor rear-wheel drive (200kW/335Nm) GLB250+ or dual-motor all-wheel drive (260kW/515Nm) GLB350. Its 800-volt architecture allows an ultra-rapid DC charging rate of up to 320kW. Three hybrid powertrains will be added later in front- or all-wheel drive all using a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt assistance. Read moreMG QS PHEV: Launched in plug-in hybrid form in the UK with an Aussie introduction likely this year. Plug-in hybrid uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor for around 220kW combined. A 24.7kWh battery pack grants it a WLTP-certified electric range of 100km.Read moreMitsubishi Pajero: One of the year’s most significant arrivals comes with the return of the Mitsubishi Pajero, with sights set on the upcoming Y63 Nissan Patrol and current Toyota LandCruiser 300. Most likely powertrain is an updated version of the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel powering the current Triton range (150kW/470Nm). Looking like a Q4 launch.Read moreNissan Patrol: Nissan Australia has confirmed orders for the new ‘Y63’ Patrol will “open in coming months” with vehicles on the ground at the end of the year or very early next. Its 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine is derived from GT-R’s and produces 317kW/700Nm, dwarfing the 298kW/560Nm outputs of the soon-to-be-defunct V8 of the Y62 Patrol. Read moreOmoda 4: New entry-level model for the brand with edgy, angular looks and a choice of internal-combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric power in the domestic Chinese market. Riding on Chery’s ‘T1X’ platform, the Omoda 4 is a likely Toyota Corolla Cross competitor.Read morePolestar 5: Headed our way in Q3, the 5.1m long ultra-slippery (Cd 0.24) Polestar 5 offers the performance, comfort and touring ability of the Porsche Taycan and its Audi e-tron GT sibling at an appreciably lower price. Two versions coming, both powered by dual motors - the Dual Motor (550kW/812Nm) at $171,100 and the Performance (650kW/1015Nm) at $193,100 (both before on-road costs).Read morePorsche Cayenne Electric: Dropping in Q3, as the name implies, this is a pure-electric beast with even the entry-grade (of three) Cayenne Electric ($167,800, before on-road costs) featuring dual motors, all-wheel drive and producing 325kW. The flagship Turbo accelerates from 0-100km/h in hypercar-equalling 2.5sec thanks to its stonking 850kW/1500Nm outputs.  Read moreRenault Symbioz: On course for a July touchdown, the Symbioz is a Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross rival with an entry-level mild-hybrid 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powertrain producing 104kW/245Nm. A 1.8L full-hybrid boosts that to 116kW/265Nm. Pricing starts from $36,990. Read moreSmart #5: It’s been a long time in the offing but the Smart #5 plug-in hybrid SUV is a likely Aussie arrival in the second half of the year. It offers up to 252km of pure-electric range and up to 320kW of total power from its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine and three-speed hybrid transaxle motor powertrain. Claimed fuel economy is as low as 4.4L/100km (when its battery is depleted). Read moreToyota RAV4 PHEV: Another significant new entry. FWD variants of the RAV4 PHEV will be powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and front-mounted electric motor, producing 201kW. AWD variants add a rear-mounted motor, increasing power to 227kW. Pricing will start from $58,840, before on-road costs, making it roughly $15K more expensive than the car's base standard hybrid variant ($45,990).  Read moreVolkswagen T-Roc: Sleeker looking and bigger, with a more premium vibe, VW’s small SUV also features new powertrains. A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid in two states of tune (85kW and 110kW) for FWD versions and a more powerful 2.0L mild-hybrid arriving later. A T-Roc R is confirmed to follow, too.  Read moreXPeng G9: As the legal cage fight between previous XPeng importer True EV and the XPeng factory continues, the priority is getting G6s back into showrooms. But the luxury G9 electric SUV is a possible addition. Rear- or all-wheel drive with two battery options, a driving range of up to 680km and loads of included features for an estimated starting price in the region of $70K.Read moreZeekr 8X: Upper mid-sized, plug-in hybrid luxury SUV to sit above the mid-size fully electric 7X and below the flagship three-row 9X. Pairs a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine (205kW/410Nm) with dual electric motors for a combined 660kW/935Nm and a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds. A 55kWh or 70kWh battery pack with a 900-volt architecture allows ultra-fast charging and either a 320km or 410km EV driving range. Probable starting price in the $80K band.Read moreZeekr 9X: Ultra-luxury, upper-large, three-row SUV offering a dual- or tri-motor plug-in hybrid system, backed by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a massive battery pack. The result is either 660kW/935Nm of combined power for the two lower variants, or 1030kW/1410Nm for the top-spec car, as well as between 300 and 380km of fully electric driving range. Standard equipment and features are suitably extensive. Expect a starting price just over $100K.Read more

The Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and RAV4 are typically Australia’s most popular cars in any given month. But what other cars are having a great 2026?We’ve scoured the latest new car sales data to reveal the cars that are off to a storming start in the first five months of this year. For our list we’ve tried to focus on cars that have shown at least double-digit sales growth and have sold at least four-digit volume, so we avoid niche models that are coming off a very low base.We also deliberately avoided focusing on electric vehicles, as we have previously written about the EVs that are enjoying a sales boom in 2026.This is by no means a comprehensive list, and there are several models that are enjoying huge growth from brands such as BYD and Chery, but we’ve limited it to one entry to highlight more brands.Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - up 200.2%Choosing a Chery to put on this list wasn’t an easy task, as the brand is enjoying a bumper year with total sales up more than 84 per cent. The compact Tiggo 4 Pro remains the brand’s sales leader, with more than 11k sold already, but the Tiggo 7 is the clear star performer in terms of growth.With sales tracking more than 200 per cent up, the Tiggo 7 Pro has moved from also-ran to serious contender in the intensely competitive mid-size SUV market. It’s still well-short of the class-leading Toyota RAV4, but only the related Jaecoo J7 (up 427%) and BYD Sealion 7 (up 297%) have experienced more growth so far this year.Kia K4 - up 103.5%Reports of the demise of the hatchback appear to be exaggerated. While small SUVs remain incredibly popular, Kia has demonstrated that the right small car (as the K4 is both a hatch and sedan now) still has plenty of appeal.The South Korean brand has sold 3850 examples of its Cerato-replacement so far in 2026, more than double what it managed this time last year, when the hatch was not available.BYD Seal - up 92%The Atto 3 and Sealion 7 EVs are also enjoying good years, and the new Sealion 5 and 8 plug-in hybrids are both off to a good start, but for this list we’re highlighting the under-rated Seal EV. Under-rated because, like the hatchback, sedans are supposed to be in terminal decline.And yet, BYD has managed to almost double the sales of its mid-size sedan in 2026, with 1885 sold year-to-date. This actually makes it one of the brand’s worst-performing models, only further highlighting just what a successful year BYD is having.For the record, sales of the Sealion 7 are up 297%, the Dolphin is up 115% and the Atto 3 is up 85% (despite being the brand’s longest tenured model). Everything is looking rosy for BYD so far in 2026.Toyota Camry - up 48.3%It’s not exactly the glory days for the Camry, 5221 sales in five months is small fry compared to its past, but it remains an under-rated sales performer for not just the brand. Combined with the Seal, these two very different sedans have almost single-handedly kept the family car segment afloat in recent years.Every other existing model in the mid-size sedan segment is down in 2026, but the Camry remains the automotive equivalent of a cockroach - impossible to ever count out.Hyundai Palisade - up 37.1%This was a borderline inclusion on the list, as Hyundai introduced a new generation Palisade in late 2025 so the comparison to last year’s sales is against the out-going model. But given the huge price jump from the old model, plus a small range, it suggests Hyundai’s biggest SUV is finding an audience.Aside from the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro and GWM Tank 300 (see below) the Palisade is the only other large SUV to meet our criteria, further underlining its strong sales performance so far this year.The addition of a more-affordable Elite trim grade, to go along with the initial flagship Calligraphy, plus the introduction of the more-rugged XRT Pro variant later this year may help the Palisade to continue its momentum.GWM Tank 300 - up 26.9%As mentioned above, the Tank 300 is another standout performer in the large SUV segment. The Chinese brand’s off-road capable offering has grown in recent times to include a diesel and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) alternative for buyers, which has clearly helped to expand its appeal.The relative struggles of the bigger Tank 500, which has only sold 529 units this year compared to 2228 Tank 300, is a clear demonstration that not all Chinese models sell in big numbers simply because they are cheaper than their rivals.The Tank 300 has therefore done enough to convince buyers to give it a chance and if this growth continues in the second half of the year it could become a key model for GWM.

We are now living in the age of the Super Hybrids - vehicles that can drive for at least 1000km on a tank of petrol. We’ve picked five of the best long haulers sold in Australia right now.Super Hybrid is the snazzy buzz word given to plug-in hybrids with large batteries, big fuel tanks and clever fuel-energy management systems, which ensure outstanding efficiency. They are better suited to cities and suburbs duties than interstate commutes. Super Hybrids allow for long distances between filling up the petrol tank - as long as you plug it in regularly to charge the battery.Here are the top five super hybrids currently sold in Australia.5. MG HS Super Hybrid - 1000kmThe MG HS mid-sized plug-in hybrid SUV has a four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, a large 24.7kWh battery and a 55-litre fuel tank, which offer an electric driving range of up to 135km and 1000km combined range, both calculated via the more lenient NEDC test cycle. Combined fuel economy is 0.7L/100km, but this requires you to never let the batter run low and applies to all the cars listed here.4. GWM H6 GT PHEV - 1183kmGWM’s H6 GT mid-sized SUV is a plug-in hybrid, which uses a four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, a huge 35.4kWh battery and 55-litre fuel tank to deliver a long electric driving range of 183km and a combined range of 1183km (both NEDC). Combined fuel consumption is 0.6L/100km.3. Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid - 1200kmThe Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid is a large SUV, which uses a four-cylinder engine and a single motor driving the front wheels, an 18.4kWh battery combined with a 60-litre fuel tank to deliver 95km of electric driving range and up to 1200km (NEDC) of combined driving range. Combined fuel consumption is 1.3L/100km. The Chery Tiggo 9 and Tiggo 7 Super Hybrids offer similarly long ranges.2. Jaecoo J7 SHS - 1200kmThe Jaecoo J7 SHS mid-sized SUV is a plug-in hybrid cousin to the Chery Tiggo 8, and has a very similar driving range. A four-cylinder petrol engine and a single electric motor drives the front wheels, while an 18.3kWh battery and 60-litre fuel tank offer 90km of electric driving range and 1200km of combined driving range. Combined fuel consumption is 1.0L/100km. 1. BYD Sealion 6 - 1250km BYD’s Sealion 6 plug-in hyrbid is a mid-sized SUV and its the Dynamic Extended range variant, which uses a four-cylinder engine and a single electric motor, is the real long range hauler.  Its 26.6kWh battery and 60-litre fuel tank offer 140km (NEDC) of electric driving range and 1250km (NEDC) combined driving range. Combined fuel consumption is 0.8L/100km.

Plug-in hybrid utes are taking over the diesel dominated segment in Australia.There has been an influx of PHEV utes into the Australian market.The BYD Shark 6 has captivated buyers' attention, but it faces increasing competition from Chinese rivals such as the GWM Cannon Alpha, along with the Ford Ranger Hybrid.With these utes chasing higher payloads and towing capacities, they are battling against each other to be the dominant player in a still emerging segment.The JAC Hunter is the latest entrant, joining with a competitive price tag and performance figures.How does the Shark 6's latest predator shape to the rest of the competition?Pricing The Hunter will enter the Australian market at a price of less than $50,000, making it the cheapest PHEV ute to date. The BYD Shark 6’s cheapest pick-up variant starts from $57,900, with the Canon Alpha a small step up at beyond $60,000. The Ford Ranger PHEV has had a recent price cut, with a new entry-level XL variant arriving to slip between the Hunter and Shark 6 at $59,000 drive-away.Engine and efficiency *Driving range figures not provided by Ford Australia but calculated over several CarsGuide road tests once battery had been depleted. Ford Australia has been contacted to obtain driving range figures. The JAC Hunter leads the way for power with 360kW for its 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors, with an official torque figure still be revealed.The Shark 6’s 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors pumps out 321kW, which betters the 2.0-litre engine and single motor from the Cannon Alpha. GWM’s PHEV ute beats the Shark 6 on torque.A new Shark 6 Performance variant is coming soon with a more powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It produces total system outputs of 350kW and 700Nm, and boosts towing to 3500kg, but is $5000 more than the Premium version.Ford’s Ranger PHEV has a 2.3-litre unit, producing 207kW - the least power of any of its competitors, despite competitive torque. For the purposes of a consistent comparison, more generous NEDC figures have been used where possible. NEDC testing is generally more lenient than WLTP, so real-world experience may not match up to the numbers. The important fuel efficiency figure is edged out by the Hunter at 1.6L/100km, but the GWM Cannon Alpha is not far behind at 1.7L/100km. The Shark 6 offers fuel efficiency of 2.0L/100km, with the Ford Ranger at 2.9L/100km. While BYD is the only brand to advertise its fuel use figure without a fully charged battery, it highlights the general importance of these utes having the battery charged to achieve low fuel efficiency figures.JAC has confirmed the Hunter will have an electric-only driving range of 100km from its 31kWh battery, with a total range of 1005km. The Shark 6 has a 30kWh battery, with a total driving range of 800km, and an all-electric range of 100km.The Cannon Alpha has a bigger 37kWh unit, boosting range to 1060km total and 115km for electric-only.The Ranger PHEV has a significantly smaller 12kWh battery, offering an all-electric driving range of 49km, according to WLTP standards. This also means it has the least driving range of the four. BYD’s cheapest Shark 6 pick-up variant is the only one of the PHEV utes to not offer 3500kg braked towing capacity, although there is a more expensive performance variant offering this. The Ranger has the most payload in this group, with the Hunter coming in close, followed by the Shark 6 and then the Cannon Alpha.Verdict The JAC Hunter will launch in Australia with the cheapest price for a PHEV ute by some margin, and also comes in with strong performance figures. Ford's recent price cuts make the Ranger Hybrid a more compelling proposition.But the Shark 6 remains the leader of the PHEV ute market, but with more competitors coming, it could be about to change. GWM will release a cheaper, smaller Cannon ute in the coming weeks.Chery is not too far away from launching a diesel PHEV ute, which will add further choice for buyers. 

The Toyota Prado-esque Haval H9 won’t be allowed into Australia.One of GWM’s guaranteed hits, the chunky 4WD that would probably cost a fraction of its Japanese inspiration rivals seems to have been knocked back for our market.Planned to land locally this year, we understand that the H9 instead makes way for a pair of brand-first seven-seater hybrid SUVs, the H7 Plus and H10, although neither are officially confirmed as yet.Disappointing news for 4x4 fans wanting a handsomely proportioned, off-road-engineered value option, perhaps, but the odds are stacked against the H9.Looking exactly like what a rugged and ready Toyota Prado rival should, the body-on-frame 4WD wagon, now two-years old in China, shares its chassis and some mechanical parts with GWM’s actual proper off-road brand Tank’s 500 sold in Australia since 2024, along with the related Tank 300.The latter, in particular, has been a success for GWM, attracting a diverse buyer set. And therein lies the problem.Haval is a value-for-money SUV brand proposition, not an off-road offering. This means the rugged, Tank-esque H9 does not fit with the rest of the range, creating fears that it would muddy the waters for buyers who are still getting used to GWM’s sheer proliferation of sub-brands that will soon add Wey (luxury) alongside Ora (electrification), Cannon (ute) and Tank (4WDs).Furthermore, due to their shared parts, sizing and visual similarities, the question of sales cannibalisation between the Tank and Haval is clearly keeping GWM’s Australian product planners up at night, particularly when the added cost of model complexity is thrown into the mix.Plus, just facelifted this year in China, the H9 now looks similar to one of the several facelifted H7 Plus versions, which has conveniently gained the company’s vaunted Hi4 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) tech. And that’s scheduled to come to Australia before the end of the year as a long-wheelbase seven-seater adjunct to the volume-selling H6 five-seater mid-sized SUV.Or, in other words, right in the heart of the family-car market in this country fight now.Not only would this broaden Haval’s market reach against rival Chinese seven-seater SUV PHEVs like the recently-released BYD Sealion 8 and Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid, it gives GWM another low-emissions hybrid to help it better meet New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) requirements.Fewer fines, more potential buyers. This is something that the 2.4-litre turbo diesel and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol-powered H9 would actively work against, sealing the model’s fate in Australia, at least for this generation.According to GWM Australia Public Relations Manager, Justin Stefani, it makes more sense to choose the H10 over the H9.“If we don't bring in the H9, there's potential for bringing H10 in,” he revealed at the China Auto Show in Beijing late last month.“The option is there… it’s just how we play the chessboard, right?”As reported last month, the H10 is Haval’s monocoque five-metre flagship SUV, offering three rows of seating, and is slated to arrive in early 2028 at this stage.It has only been announced with GWM’s four-cylinder turbo-petrol PHEV powertrains, though other varieties are expected to follow in time.GWM Australia Marketing Manager, Steve Maciver, added that he is cognisant of the potential confusion of offering a Tank-like Haval.“That’s the bit that we have to work through,” he admitted. “You know, we're developing a very, very clear master brand position in GWM with Wey sitting at the head of that. How those brands across Haval, Tank, Cannon, Ora and Wey play.“It's about bringing personality, purpose and a role to each of those brands.“We've got to be clear on what Haval stands for. That's where those product decisions are really important for us to make sure we get that right.”

The Tank 700 appears to have the green light for Australia.That’s the good news. So is the fact that it will offer GWM's vaunted new twin-turbo V8, as well as a long-wheelbase model with three-row/seven-seater capability, making it more family-friendly practicality.The bad news is that the Toyota LandCruiser, Mercedes G-Wagen-like hybrid off-road SUV is still up to two years away from launching here, despite the debuted of a facelifted version at last month’s China Auto Show in Beijing.According to GWM Australia Public Relations Manager Justin Stefani the company will hold out for the next redesign that is due to surface in its home market later next year or in 2028.“There is no timing confirmed,” he said.“It aligns with what (GWM International Vice President, James Wang) said… that, from an engineering perspective, we would look to potentially bring the 700 into Australia on the back of a new iteration.“Because the 700 is quite an old vehicle, it’s been around for a while, so if you think about chronologically, (this just facelifted) 700 comes out, new V8 powertrain comes out, and we’d be silly to put a car in for 12 months that’s aged and then have to update it.“We’d probably wait until the next-generation is out, and then look to how that business case works.“We’d probably say 18 to 24 months off.”So, how actually old is the 700? Using a variation of the platform found in the Tank 500 SUV and Cannon Alpha ute, this large, design-driven body-on-frame 4x4 five-seater wagon arrived in China in early 2024.As part of the mid-cycle update, the MY26 facelift includes a revised front-end design, new trims and updates to what’s under the bonnet.This includes the implementation of that highly-anticipated 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, to be made available with electrification. Details are to be divulged at a later time, as it has yet to hit the roads in China.Which means, for now at least, the 700 headline is the new 3.0-litre twin-turbo internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol V6s.First up is the 260kW/560Nm non-electrified unit, driving all for wheels via a nine-speed torque-converter auto developed in-house at GWM and shared with the China-market Cannon Alpha and Tank 500. It’s good for 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds, 190km/h or 12.5 litres per 100km.Next up is the Hi4-T plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version, adding an electric motor to up the V6’s combined power, combined torque and acceleration numbers to 385kW, 800Nm and 8.3s, while a 37.1kWh battery pack allows for under 100km of pure-EV range. This one prioritises off-road 4x4 prowess.Finally comes the all-new, GWM-first Hi4-Z PHEV application, removing the centre differential but adding an electric motor and 59kWh battery out the back, for a WLTC (China)-claimed 190km range, as well as a 720kW and 1375Nm combined-bump in outputs, shaving 0.6s off the 0-100km/h time. This is more on-road focused, boosting efficiency significantly.Note the latter’s additional electrification tech significantly cuts into the 700’s braked towing capacity, dropping from 3500kg to 2500kg.Plus, cargo capacity suffers as well, from the ICE’s 490 litres to 392L (Hi4-T) and just 180L (Hi4-Z), followed by corresponding drops when the rear seatbacks are folded down, from 1601L to the Z’s 1025L.Maybe that’s why GWM Australia has elected to wait for the next-gen model, which may have better electrification packaging so as to not compromise practicality.With the latest electrified V6 and V8 petrol choices, combined with upgraded diesel options and the Australian Tune 1 steering and suspension upgrades by ex-Holden dynamics engineer Rob Trubiani, the 2028 700 is shaping up to be an intriguing premium off-road SUV indeed.