Hatchback News

Nissan has revealed a new light EV called the Pixo, built on the same platform as the new Renault Twingo.With a single grade confirmed but no pricing so far, the 2027 Nissan Pixo is “engineered specifically for European customers” according to the brand, and will be built at Renault's Novo Mesto manufacturing plant in Slovenia.Set to start European customer deliveries in early 2027, it’s unlikely the Pixo will head down under due to its low power output and relatively limited range.With a 27.5kWh LFP battery providing power to a 60kW front-mounted electric motor, the Pixo is capable of a 259km claimed range and is limited to 50kW on DC fast charging.It should take around half an hour to charge from 15 per cent to 80 per cent, according to Nissan.In terms of specification the Pixo almost mirrors the related Renault Twingo, which also has a 60kW motor and a range only a few kilometres longer.The Pixo also features 23 ‘easter eggs’ in the design and details, seemingly including a smiling face in the tail-lights.Nissan Global Design Lead Exterior Designer Masato Koyama said the Pixo’s diminutive design plays into its intention as a city car.“Pixo proves that great things can come in small packages. “Its compact dimensions make it a natural fit for Europe’s cities, but we’ve worked hard to maximise the space within them, creating a cabin that feels open, practical and surprisingly roomy. “I can’t wait to see how our customers embrace this bold and fun new EV – that is perfectly suited to urban environments.” At just 3796mm long and 1790mm wide, the Pixo is properly small, though its surprisingly spacious boot offers up 356L of space with the rear seats up, and 1221L with the seats folded.Its relatively short wheelbase (2492mm) and minimal overhangs allow the Pixo to achieve a 9.9m turning circle, suitable for its intended purpose as a Euro-centric city car.Clíodhna Lyons, Vice President of Product, Brand and Marketing Strategy for Nissan AMIEO said the Pixo is about “giving customers practical alternatives that help reduce the cost of every journey”."We believe the future of electric mobility isn't about building bigger vehicles with more technology, it's about building smarter vehicles that fit naturally into people's lives.”

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). 

BYD has shared design sketches and full renders of its upcoming second-generation Atto 1 pure-electric city hatch adding early visuals to specification and tech details filed with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).Releasing the images, BYD said the new car, to be marketed as the Great Seagull in China, is “Preserving the classic design while embracing new expression, the lines have been reshaped and the surface refreshed.”The renders position the new car as “dynamic and avant-garde” and the MIIT information shows it will be appreciably longer at 4205mm end-to-end (+425mm), 1810mm wide and 1570mm tall with a 2650mm wheelbase (+150mm).The larger footprint accommodates a five-seat layout (up from four-seat) and to effectively propel the bigger car, power from the single permanent magnet synchronous motor driving the front wheels steps up from 55kW to 95kW in China.The current Atto 1, on sale in Australia since late 2025, is offered in 65kW Essential and 115kW Premium form, and for the time being, at $19,990 drive-away, the Essential is the cheapest new electric car available locally.As with the model it replaces, the new Atto 1’s LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) ‘Blade’ drive battery will be sourced from BYD subsidiary FinDreams.For reference, in Australia the current Atto 1 Essential has a 30kWh battery for a claimed range of 220km and the Premium features a 43.2kWh pack for a more useful 310km between charges.The Australian version is more closely related to the Dolphin Surf sold in the UK and Europe, rather than the China market model.Tech on the newcomer includes an optional roof-mounted Lidar and multiple radars for advanced driver assistance features included in the brand’s ‘God's Eye-B’ ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) suite.Speaking at last month’s Chengdu Auto Show, BYD General Manager - Ocean Series sales division Zhang Zhuo confirmed the second-gen Atto 1 would be in Chinese showrooms before the end of 2026.CarsGuide has contacted BYD Australia for comment on the new Atto 1’s potential timing for launch in this market.

BYD Australia has continued to knock down prices for its most popular models.The Chinese giant has slashed the price of the Dolphin Essential electric hatch from $29,990, before on-road costs, to $28,888 (lucky for some) drive-away.Given those on-road costs (dealer delivery, stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance and number plate fees) will range between $1500 and $2000 on a roughly $30K new car, this price repositioning represents a saving of between $2600 and $3100 in line with individual state or territory charges.The catch is the new price applies to orders placed between September 15 and December 15, with cars needing to be delivered by December 31, 2026 to qualify.This move follows BYD earlier this month making its Atto 1 electric city car cheaper than any other new vehicle currently on sale in Australia, with a shift to $19,990, drive-away pricing (from $23,990, before on road costs).The five-seat, five-door Dolphin hatch is offered in Australia in two variants - Essential and Premium - the base grade powered by a 70kW/150Nm electric motor driving the front wheels and delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 12.3 seconds.    Its 44.9kWh LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery is good for a WLTP combined (urban/extra-urban) range of 340km with 60kW DC charging capacity onboard.5.0-inch digital instrument display12.8-inch (rotating) multimedia touchscreen Synthetic leather trimPower front seatsSix-speaker audio (with digital radio)Satellite navigationAndroid Auto/Apple CarPlayVoice AssistantLED exterior lightsClimate-control air-conditioning (single-zone)Keyless entry and startFull suite of active safety featuresThe top-spec Premium, still at $36,990, before on-road costs, boasts more power (180kW/310Nm), faster acceleration (0-100km/h in 7.0sec), a bigger battery (60.5kWh), greater range (427km WLTP) and faster charging (80kW).It also adds features like a panoramic glass roof, wireless charging, heated front seats, tinted glass and more.This pricing shift puts extra pressure on the Dolphin’s direct small hatch EV competitors, including the GAC Aion (from $31,990) and Leapmotor B05 (from $35,888), both before on-road costs. And stand-by for what will inevitably be more price discounts as new car challengers intent on capturing market share battle with legacy brands equally determined to defend their ground and grow sales.

BYD has made its electric car cheaper than any other vehicle on sale right now.The Chinese brand has slashed the price of its Atto 1 electric small hatchback to $19,990, drive-away. There is no end date to the offer at this point.BYD Australia’s Chief Operating Officer Stephen Collins said this would give more Australians a chance to access an electric car during an ongoing period of sky high fuel prices and a cost of living crisis."At a time when Australian families are carefully considering every household expense, we're committed to making vehicle ownership more attainable," said Collins."The BYD ATTO 1 at $19,990 drive-away demonstrates our commitment to delivering outstanding value without compromising on technology, safety or quality.”The deal only applies to the BYD Atto 1 Essential grade, which was previously priced at $23,990 before on-road costs.This means buyers are saving about $7000 off the full drive-away price.The Atto 1 is an urban-focused electric car, with a small 30kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a modest driving range of up to 220km.It uses a single electric motor to make 65kW and 175Nm to drive the front wheels.It is a small unit, measuring 3990mm long, 1720mm wide, 1590mm high and it has a wheelbase of 2500mm.That puts it in the same ballpark as the Toyota Yaris and Mazda2 hatchbacks.The current cheapest cars are the petrol-powered Kia Picanto starting from $19,190, before on-road costs, and the the MG3 hatchback is also priced from $19,990, drive-away, for a limited time.

Lepas is hardly a household name, but that is all about to change.The Chinese brand is the latest Chery sub-brand to arrive in Australia, joining Chery, Omodoa, Jaecoo and followed by Freelander, iCaur and Jetour.Lepas is going to fish where the fish are.It will soon be offering Australian customers electric and plug-in hybrid options in all the most popular SUV segments where 65 per cent of all new cars are sold.Both electric and plug-in hybrid passenger car sales are skyrocketing, showing it is giving Aussies more of what they want.The company will launch the Lepas L6 mid-size electric SUV this October, but then it will get very busy for the brand.The L4 compact electric SUV will follow in December, with plug-in hybrid versions of the L6 and L4 landing in March and June, respectively.Then the slightly larger L8 plug-in hybrid SUV will arrive towards the end of 2027, as well as the big L9 plug-in hybrid SUV.Lepas isn’t slowing down in 2028, with electric versions of the L8 and L9 due to arrive and a hybrid and electric version of the L2 small hatchback.At its heart the L6 uses a 65kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a climate electric driving range of up to 440km.The brand hasn’t confirmed maximum charging rate, but Lepas claims it can refill the battery from 30 to 80 per cent in about 22 minutes, which puts its DC charging max speed at 80kW.A single electric motor makes 160kW and 275Nm, which drives the front wheels.Lepas won’t conduct local suspension or handling tunes, instead it is relying on the European tune for Australia. This will likely mean a more engaging, but firmer and bumpier ride.It is packed with kit, including:8.88-inch LCD digital driver display13.2-inch LCD infotainment touchscreen Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto “Hello LEPAS” intelligent voice command Eight-speaker Sony premium sound system 50W wireless smartphone charging Heated and ventilated front seats Synthetic leather upholstery Panoramic sunroof with slide and tilt function and powered sunshadeColour selectable ambient lightingPowered tailgatePuddle lightsLepas SUVs will be packed with safety, and the company made a point of stating it had worked hard on its driver aids for them to work only when needed rather than sounding the alarm all the time.The L4 shares the same underpinnings as the L6, but with a smaller body.It is 4420mm long, 1817mm wide, 1629mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2700mm, which puts it firmly in the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona Electric category.It will use the same battery and single electric motor set-up as the bigger L6, but range is boosted to 450km due to the reduced weight of the L4.

MG is temporarily giving $2000 cash back on its MG4 Urban electric hatchback so it now starts under $30,000.Until September 30, the MG4 Urban line-up is priced as follows:MG4 Urban Essence 43: $29,990MG4 Urban Essence 54: $32,990All prices are drive-awayThis promotional drive-away pricing for the MG4 Urban Essence 43 makes it more affordable than the GAC Aion UT Premium and puts it on par with the entry-level BYD Dolphin Essential.However, it’s worth noting the Geely EX2 and BYD Atto 1 are both available for cheaper, but they offer less range.MG Motor Australia has also announced it will have a stall at the Everything Electric show in Sydney from September 18-20.If you place an order for an MG4 Urban you’ll also get a $500 charging card in addition to the cash back offer.Beyond this, if you put down a $1000 deposit at the show for an MG IM5 sedan or IM6 SUV, you’ll get access to a $5000 cashback. This adds the existing $3000 cash back offer with an additional $2000 Everything Electric cash back offer.This will price the MG IM models as follows:MG IM5 Premium: $55,990MG IM5 Platinum: $62,990MG IM5 Performance: $72,990MG IM6 Premium: $55,990MG IM6 Platinum: $62,990MG IM6 Performance: 72,990All prices are drive-awayThe MG4 Urban is the Chinese carmaker’s newest entry-level electric vehicle (EV) and it sits below the standard MG4.It launched locally earlier in 2026 as a more city- and budget-focused offering to compete against the likes of the BYD Dolphin, GAC Aion UT and Geely EX2, among others.All versions of the MG4 Urban are front-wheel drive, unlike the rear-wheel drive MG4, and there are two different battery packs available, a 43kW and a 54kWh unit. They offer up to 316km and 405km of WLTP-claimed electric range, respectively.Until the end of August a total of 2604 MG4 Urban examples were sold. Over this same time a total of 3838 BYD Atto 1 examples, 3068 BYD Dolphin examples, 1753 Geely EX2 examples and 572 GAC Aion UT examples were sold.

It has never been cheaper for buyers considering an EV in Australia. Increased demand and more efficient development processes have reduced the prices of electric cars in Australia significantly. Carmakers continue to battle it out to go cheaper than their rivals, with options now appearing below the $30,000 mark.Some affordable EVs are even cheaper than traditional petrol-powered budget examples. The BYD Atto 1 has maintained its title as the cheapest electric car in Australia.The compact SUV starts from $23,990, with top-spec models costing $27,990, both before on-road costs. Until the end of the year, the BYD Atto 1 Essential grade is just $19,990 drive-away, making it not just the cheapest EV but the cheapest car in Australia.The Atto 1’s single electric motor only produces 65kW and 175Nm as standard, while its 30kWh battery is good for more than 200km of driving range (WLTP). The newest member of the below $30,000 club is the Geely EX2, which has already surged towards the top of the sales charts in Australia. The rear-wheel drive EX2 starts from $26,490, with the range-topping variant priced from $30,990, both before on-road costs. The base variant has 60kW and 150Nm from a single electric motor, along with a 35kWh battery offering 252km.GAC will launch a short-range version of its Aion UT in late 2026 that is expected to be less than $30,000, as well. The Atto 1 and Geely EX2 use before on-road costs pricing, so buyers will have to spend an extra up to $5000 on registration and other costs to drive it out of the showroom. The MG4 Urban is the cheaper front-wheel drive sibling of the MG4, available with a sharp drive-away price of $31,990.Its 110kW and 250Nm as standard bests its cheaper competition, while its more than 316km of driving range is hard to look past at its price point. While GAC’s short-range Aion UT is not here yet, the current ‘Premium’ grade starts from $31,990 (drive-away). The Aion UT boasts an electric motor that makes 150kW and 210Nm, besting the MG4 Urban with a quoted riving range of more than 400km from its 60kWh battery.The GWM Ora 5 SUV is available from $33,990, drive-away, as a new cheaper replacement for the Ora hatch.The Ora 5 makes 150kW and 260Nm from its single electric motor.BYD’s affordable EVs continue down the list, with the Dolphin hatchback ($29,990) and the bigger Atto 2 small SUV ($31,990), both before on-road costs. Leapmotor’s B05 is the brand’s cheapest car on sale, and currently is available with a $35,990, drive-away price until 30 September 2026. The B05 is a smaller SUV compared to mid-sized Leapmotor’s B10 with its fully-electric variant kicking off from $38,990, drive-away, also until 30 September 2026. The Jaecoo J5's proportions are on the larger end of the small SUV scale, making it a compelling proposition at $36,990, drive-away. The J5 has had a strong start to life in Australia, and the best-selling small SUV for May 2026. 

Volkswagen appears to have a  monster hit on its hands, as buyers line-up to get their hands on its latest machine.The new Volkswagen ID.Polo electric hatchback has more than 30,000 pre-orders, according to AutoNews.The frantic rush of buyers trying to jump into a ID.Polo has overwhelmed the brands expectations, with customers now facing a 10 month wait.Volkswagen’s little electric car has just gone on sale in Europe, and it appears its success will mean any future Australian arrival could be pushed back to meet demand on the continent.The German brand’s new entry-level electric car will go head-to-head with the new wave of cut-price EVs from China, such as the MG4, BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora 5.It is priced from the equivalent of about $41,000 in Germany, so expect it to be more if it arrives Down Under.Volkswagen is offering three electric motor choices: 85kW, 99kW or 155kW. The German brand has also confirmed a 166kW GTI version, but it won’t launch until next year in Europe.Lower grade versions will use a 37kWh battery, offering a driving range of 329km (WLTP), while higher specifications get 454km (WLTP) of range from a 52kWh unit. Volkswagen has previously said the ID.Polo has a max charging rate of 105kW. The ID.Polo is spawning a range of electric cars including the Volkswagen ID.Cross little electric SUV, Skoda Epiq and Cupra Raval.AutoNews also reported the ID.Cross had received very strong interest ahead of its arrival in European showrooms later this year.Skoda’s version of the ID.Polo, the Epiq, also has more than 35,000 orders.“The Epiq is generating very strong customer interest. We have clearly struck a nerve,” a Skoda spokesperson told Autonews.Cupra’s version, called Raval, also has a long wait list, with reports the Raval and Epiq orders stretch into May of 2027.Volkswagen has been struggling recently as sales in China, and of its first round of global electric cars, failed to fire.It has also experienced huge issues with its CARIAD software department, which has been losing billions of dollars.Volkswagen’s board has recently approved to cut 50,000 jobs, close several factories, cut half of the group’s models and even possibly delete the Seat brand.

Latest sales data shows buyers now prefer cheap EVs to budget petrol hatchbacks in Australia.More affordable EV models have hit the Aussie market in the last year, with Chinese brands putting forward competitive propositions.Cheap petrol-powered hatchbacks the Mazda2 and Toyota Yaris used to be staples for first-car buyers, but it looks like that's starting to change.The electric-only BYD Atto 1 and Geely EX2 are affordable routes into the electric car market for buyers, and its showing on the sales charts in 2026.The petrol- and hybrid-powered MG3 is the best-selling light car in Australia this year, but it's attracting competition from electric Chinese rivals. The Geely EX2 has had a bumper start to life in Australia since it went on sale in late July 2026.It's approaching nearly 2000 examples sold in a little over a month, compared to the MG3’s roughly 5500 across the year so far.In August alone, the EX2 held nearly 38 per cent of the market share in the light car segment. It was close to doubling the MG3’s August total, while it was confidently ahead of the petrol-only Mazda2. Its success is in part due to the fulfilment of extensive pre-orders.Geely's Director of Product Planning and Marketing Andrew Tuitahi recently told CarsGuide small EVs like the EX2 were showing promising signs of reigniting interest in the light car segment.“So a lot of the compromises that you typically make if you were going to buy a b-segment or a light hatchback - things like drivetrain, power, performance, safety, style, you know, space - a lot of those things are solved with a battery electric platform," Tuitahi said.“So I think consumers are able to prioritise maybe some features by sacrificing a segment, but still getting that same space.”It’s not just EX2 that is shaking up the established affordable car segment. The BYD Atto 1 is still the cheapest electric car on sale in Australia, and owns nearly 20 per cent of the light car segment in 2026 so far. The Atto 1 and EX2’s rise has been at the expense of its petrol competition.The MG3’s August represented a more than 80 per cent increase on July, but it was still a way off the EX2. Its sales so far in 2026 are down nearly 11 per cent compared to August 2025. The Toyota Yaris hybrid has experienced a near 30 per cent decline year-to-date in AustraliaThe new wave of affordable EVs are also beating its petrol competitors on price. Buyers may have previously felt priced out by the extra money an EV cost, but the tides are turning.The Atto 1’s $23,990 price tag undercuts the Mazda2 ($27,290) and Toyota Yaris ($29,190), all before on-roads.In addition to fast and cheap EV production cycles from China, brands must contend with fines for petrol-powered models under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).Mazda increased the price of its entire range, including the Mazda2 earlier this year, while the Toyota Yaris became a hybrid-only model in 2024, ditching cheaper petrol variants. MG is currently offering the MG3 with a $19,990 drive-away deal, with it previously available from $21,990. If buyers want a hybrid variant of the MG3, it costs an extra roughly $8000, making it more expensive than the fully-electric Atto 1 and EX2.