Sedan News

The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts has issued a safety recall notice impacting 16,578 BMWs sold new in Australia from 2020 to 2023.It confirms that examples of the 2,3,4,5,7 Series (G12, G2x, G3x, G42) , X3 (G01) , X4 (G02), X5 (G05) and Z4 (G29) have been impacted and said, “Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.“If this occurs, the driver may be unable to start the engine, and in the worst case, the overheating can lead to a fire during vehicle operation,” the notice said. The department added, “A vehicle fire or the driver being unable to restart the engine could increase the risk of injury to vehicle occupants, and/or damage to property.”All grades of the nominated models are included, although for reference, close to 65,000 vehicles across those BMW model groups were sold in Australia during the recall period.The department says owners of affected vehicles will be contacted by BMW requesting they schedule an appointment with their preferred authorised BMW dealer for the free of charge starter motor replacement.Alternatively, BMW can be contacted on 1800 243 675 or via www.recall.bmw.com.au. 

A new hope emerges for once-favourite car body styles in Australia.

A new player has joined the all-electric passenger car game, with the Mazda 6e officially priced in Australia ahead of its impending launch. Now is a good time to look at how this new competitor shapes up to its primary rivals in the BYD Seal, Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3. All four of these cars take on a sedan-style body shape (although some have a hatch tailgate), all are built in China, and all created some fanfare when they arrived in Australia. The established three players have had a few years to settle in, while Mazda’s EV will need to hit the ground running as the first of the brand’s renewed electric push, and a major part of its strategy to reduce its emissions as one of the manufacturers most exposed to Australia's new emissions laws.Here is how the 6e compares to those it will need to take down if it is to be a success. The 6e, which is a platform-share with the China-market Deepal L07, has been priced competitively.It is virtually the same price as the BYD seal, while coming in at roughly $5000 cheaper than the Model 3 and more than $10000 cheaper than the Polestar 2. As you walk up the line-up for these cars the 6e’s up-spec model costs an additional $3000, which gets you leather and synthetic suede seats, a leather steering wheel, and a synthetic suede interior. The other trio’s pricing for higher trim models extends into the $60,000s, $70,000s and even $80,000 range for the Model 3, but with that comes much more gear, larger batteries and the addition of all-wheel drive. The Mazda is the longest out of all its competitors, being closer in size to a large sedan rather than a mid-sizer.When it comes to power, the 6e lines up pretty closely to the rest of the pack of entry-level rivals, but it has the least grunt out of all of them.The Mazda wins out on driving range, with its bigger battery offering 560km, which is more than the Tesla and significantly more than the Seal and Polestar 2, which have ranges in the 400km bracket.There is not much in it on the charging front, but the 6e’s 10-80 per cent changing time takes the title on official numbers. All four cars have single rear-mounted motors. Unlike the 6e, the Seal, Polestar 2 and Model 3 all have options further up the scale for all-wheel drive. The 6e boasts an impressive list of standard features, which includes a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital driver display, as well as synthetic leather seats, which are heated and ventilated in the front. The Seal’s touchscreen is bigger than the Mazda’s, and shares many of the same features, which in part explains the similar pricing of the pair. It does only have 18-inch wheels as standard like the Model 3 compared to the BYD Seal and Polestar 19-inches. If you’re keen to pump your tunes, the Mazda 6e’s has the biggest audio system out of its rivals, with its 14 speaker Sony system. Wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard on the 6e and the Seal, but the Polestar 2 only has a wired connection as standard, while the Model 3 does not have any such connectivity. Standard safety features for each car listed below:The Mazda 6e has not been crash tested yet, but its rivals have all achieved five-star ANCAP ratings.All models have the standard safety gear you would expect from modern cars, with a high number of airbags and advanced driving assistance systems.The Mazda 6e seems priced just about right to ensure buyers give it some serious consideration in the segment. In an age where driving range remains the key question of any EV, sitting at the top of the pile means it is a compelling proposition. It will have a fight on its hands to eat into the sales of competitors which have been around for much longer than it and boast similar specifications and trim. Time will tell whether the 6e will have the desired impact Mazda needs it to have as it paves the way for future EVs from the brand. 

Tesla is Australia’s most popular electric vehicle (EV) brand… but for how much longer?

The all-new plug-in hybrid Audi RS5 is the latest member of the new breed of near-guilt-free performance cars.Available as either a sedan or roomier Avant wagon, the RS5 delivers epic levels of power but blends its supercar-troubling acceleration with zero-emissions on your daily commute, thanks to an EV-only range of more than 80km.Locked in for an Australian debut in the second half of this year, CarsGuide travelled to Munich, on the eve of its global reveal, to discover its secrets and find out if the first-ever Audi RS plug-in hybrid has what it takes to overshadow the likes of the BMW M3 and the fellow electrified Mercedes-AMG C63.It's the ballistic Benz C63 (500kW/1000Nm) that wins the arms race for outright punch, with the Audi RS plug-in producing a lesser 470kW of power and a still-thumping 825Nm torque output, but the RS5 fights back to win enthusiasts' hearts because beneath its bonnet it eschews the C63's four-cylinder engine and gains the Audi-Porsche-developed twin-turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 that, alone, pumps out 375kW.Helping it muster the total power output, the combustion engine is combined with a 130kW electric motor, 25.9kWh lithium-ion battery, plus an eight-speed automatic and Audi Sport's next-generation 'quattro' all-wheel drive.The latter gains a new centre differential, plus a trick rear transaxle that incorporates yet another tiny 8kW e-motor that's used for torque vectoring.Off the line, thanks to all-wheel drive, the Audi RS5 launches from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and, if you tick the box for the optional Audi Sport pack, the sedan and wagon keep accelerating until they top out at 285km/h. The same pack also adds carbon ceramic brakes and larger 21-inch rims.The choice by Audi Sport to develop its first-ever plug-in hybrid powertrain had little to do with emissions, engineers claim, and say the added weight of the battery and e-motors was well worth gaining the trick 400-volt electrics.That said, the mid-size RS5 sedan now tips the scales at a portly 2355kg, while the wagon is a hefty 2370kg – 625kg more than the, admittedly smaller, pair of RS models they replace.We'll have to take their word for it, but thanks to the extra torque vectoring, a new front and rear axle designed by Audi RS, plus retuned steering and trick twin-valve dampers, the German car-maker is confident that when it comes to agility and driving pleasure you'll pick the RS5 over all its rivals.In the metal, we think quite a few owners might plump for the Audi for its styling alone as designers have left little on the table to ensure the new RS5 sedan and wagon look special.Featuring wider front and rear fenders that are 90mm wider than the standard A5, the RS5 features a wider 3D single-frame honeycomb grille and unique front and rear bumpers that incorporate advanced aerodynamics that culminate in a large oversized rear diffuser.So much has changed that just the bonnet, roof and rear tailgate, plus the front doors carry over, with the RS5 gaining muscular, almost cartoonish superhero proportions that guarantee you won't mistake it for the standard car, especially if you add the new 'Carbon Camouflage'. The no-doubt-pricey option throws in exposed forged carbon trim on the side skirts, door mirrors and parts of the front and rear bumpers for some extra Lamborghini-style kerb appeal.Inside, the changes aren't so dramatic, but you'll still be greeted by a pair of heavily bolstered massage sport seats and an RS flat-bottomed Nappa-leather-wrapped steering wheel, combined with lots of synthetic-suede-wrapped surfaces, colour-coordinated seat belts and tonnes of RS logos.Final changes include RS graphics for the digital dash, the 14.5-inch infotainment and 10.9-inch passenger display, that provide keen drivers with access to performance data like G-forces, temps and tyre pressures plus lap times.Of course, even without driving it, we know that the RS5 isn't perfect. Not only does the plug-in hybrid tech add weight, it sacrifices space in the rear boot and the RS4-replacing RS5 Avant can only offer up to 331 litres of space.The new battery, meanwhile, can't be DC fast-charged for some reason, which means an 11kW AC charge for a full refill takes 2.5 hours.Finally, all that tech and enhanced performance will be felt not only behind the wheel but in the pocket.While prices haven't been announced Down Under, in Germany the Audi RS5 sedan has been priced from €106,200 (A$178,100), while the Audi RS5 Avant wagon costs €107,850 (A$180,100). Those figures represent a huge 20 per cent price bump over the models they replace, suggesting similar price rises are inevitable when Audi Australia introduces the plug-in hybrid RS5 in the second half of this year.

Swedish electric carmaker Polestar is on the cusp of a major comeback, the brand’s executives say, with the launch of four new vehicles including a new variant of the popular Polestar 4 with wagon styling and a real back window.Polestar had a good 2025 with global sales up by 34 per cent for a total of 60,119 cars sold. But all is not well financially for Polestar, which still remains unprofitable as the cost of expansion, competition from Chinese carmakers and tariffs make bankruptcy a real and present threat.Polestar now appears to be pushing hard to escape that threat and make it to a profitable place with the launch of new cars including a new-gen Polestar 2, a Polestar 7 small SUV  and new lifted wagon variant of the Polestar 4.The Polestar 4 is the brand’s most popular model worldwide, and in a statement released recently the company says it will now be offered in a wagon-style variant. This correlates to the leaked spy shots posted in January on Chinese social media platform Weibo of a Polestar vehicle with lifted wagon styling.While the vehicle wore camouflage to disguise its shape it was clear it had a rear window, unlike the current Polestar 4 which has no rear window and uses only cameras for visibility.Chinese media is calling it the Polestar 4 Estate and given the wagon bodystyle is still a big seller in Europe, then this variant seems very much targeted towards capturing that market. Polestar says to expect this new variant of the Polestar to launch towards the end of 2026.“Polestar 4 coupé is our current best-seller," Polestar said in a staement."Already by the end of this year, we will launch a new variant of Polestar 4, based on the same great technology. With this car, Polestar will once again set new standards. Sweden is famous for its estate cars, and its SUVs are world-class. We are combining the space of an estate and the versatility of an SUV with the dynamic performance that is Polestar."Also coming in 2026 is the brand’s flagship Polestar 5 which launches in Australia this March. The large four-door grand tourer is a high-performance halo car packing 650kW and 1015Nm putting Porsche’s Taycan directly in its sights.“Polestar 5 is our brand halo car, bringing a new level of performance and luxury to the grand-tourer segment. With incredible handling and a lightweight bonded aluminium platform, the four-door GT has already received fantastic reviews, as part of its launch tour across Europe." the company said.Next will be a new-generation Polestar 2 and going by the teaser image released by the brand appears to be lower slung than the current  model which is slightly raised.“Polestar 2 is the foundation of our brand, with over 190,000 cars sold and an enthusiastic community of customers," Polestar said."Bringing the next generation of this iconic car in record speed, by the start of next year, is very exciting. The car that we became known for will play a key role of our future success."Then in 2028 Polestar says it will launch a model vital to its survival - the Polestar 7  small electric SUV that will join the hugely competitive segment for electric vehicles.“With Polestar 7 we are entering the largest EV segment in Europe, the compact SUV segment, which accounts for approximately one-third of total BEV volumes in 2025. We are convinced that we can offer customers a progressive performance-driven car for a very attractive price point, built in Europe," the brand said.

The Mazda 6e has just been priced in Australia, and will start from $49,990, before on-road costs.The all-electric sedan is due to hit Aussie roads in July of this year, as an important model for Mazda in Australia.It is priced in tight proximity to some of its key rivals such as the BYD Seal and the recently-launched Kia EV4.Both those cars have significantly more expensive high-spec models, with Mazda’s top-spec Atenza grade starting from $52,990.Mazda is offering a free upgrade to the Atenza grade for the first 300 customers to pre-order the GT variant.Both variants are powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor, which produces 190kW and 290Nm. Unlike some rivals, there is currently no all-wheel drive version of the 6e.The sedan has a 78kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, offering a driving range of 560km, according to the WLTP testing cycle.This means it has roughly 100km more WLTP range than the Kia EV4 and the BYD Seal.DC charging from 30 to 80 per cent takes 15 minutes for the 6e. The 6e is based on the Deepal L07 from Mazda's joint-venture partner, which is a Chinese-built model not on sale in Australia.On the inside, the 6e has a 10.2-inch digital driver display and 14.6-inch central touchscreen, with heated and ventilated front seats as standard.The GT variant can be optioned with a beige interior trim for an extra $1000.The 6e will be followed by the CX-6e SUV coming to Australia later in the year as an electric SUV.The CX-6e and the 6e will be Mazda's first electric models since the discontinued MX-30 in 2024, and the first Chinese-built Mazdas sold in Australia.2026 Mazda 6e pricing Australia2026 Mazda 6e electric motor and efficiency2026 Mazda 6e standard features19-inch alloy wheels14.6-inch central touchscreen10.2-inch digital driver displayKeyless entryTri-zone climate controlWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoHeated and ventilated front seatsAmbient lighting14-speaker Sony audio systemAtenza grade addsLeather and synthetic suede seatsTwo-tone leather steering wheelSynthetic suede dashboard and door trims 2026 Mazda 6e safetyThe Mazda 6e has not been crash tested by ANCAP. Standard safety features include:360-degree camera with see through viewBlind spot monitoringAuto emergency brakingVehicle exit alertLane departure warningLane keep assist2026 Mazda 6e dimensions The 6e forms an important part of Mazda's model strategy for dealing with Australia's new vehicle efficiency standards (NVES) which imposes increasingly tight C02 limits on each car brand's model range.Stay tuned later in the year when more information becomes available on the brand's CX-6e range which will no doubt sell in higher numbers.

Formula 1 yoke-style steering wheels in cars will be been banned in China after government testing found them not only more difficult to use but potentially more dangerous in accidents, according to a report.Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla and several other carmakers will have to revert to traditional style round steering steering wheels from 2027 in China, after it was found yoke steering wheels could present unnecessary hazards.Chinese publication Autohome reports that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has drawn up draft legislation banning the yoke steering wheels.According to the government findings, yoke steering wheels risk concentrating too much force on the driver in a collision compared to round steering wheels which diffuse the force over a larger area.Airbag deployment was also found to be potentially more hazardous on yoke-style steering wheels compared to rounder ones.Finally it was also seen that yoke-style steering wheels were more difficult to use in environments that required larger steering inputs such as urban areas with tight turns or manoeuvring in spaces requiring constant changes of direction such as parking.While yoke steering wheels in cars aren’t new, there has been a resurgence led by some brands such as Lexus in its RZ small SUV and Tesla in its Model S and X over the years to add a futuristic look and feel to their vehicle cabins. The upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQS will also be offered with a yoke -style wheel, too.Yoke steering wheels are used in Formula 1 due to their compact dimensions in cramped cockpits along with putting vehicle controls under the driver’s fingertips for instant reactions.The yoke steering wheel works perfectly in Formula 1 where steering is calibrated specifically for a track. On a public road, however, which presents a wide variety of steering inputs, the yoke steering wheels can be more challenging for a driver and may represent a safety risk.The Chinese ruling, which when passed will mandate all cars from next year to have circular steering wheels, could force the hand of other car makers to follow suit. And with Australia now seeing more and more Chinese brands or China-sourced vehicles coming to Australia it’s unlikely they’ll arrive with anything other than traditional circular steering wheels either.

Road rage is such an ugly part of driving, but the type of car you own could be a magnet for bullies. Having driven thousands of cars over 15 years of testing, here are three of the best cars I think will help you avoid the wrath of other drivers and three that might attract more hate when on the road.Your guess is as good as mine as to why whenever I drive a D-Max ute I get treated with so much respect despite probably doing things that’d get me honked at in other cars. Honestly, all utes command respect, patience and better treatment from other motorists, but maybe it’s the less glitzy and more down to earth rural appeal of the D-Max that makes it one of the best cars to drive if you want others to cut you a bit more slack.On the flip side its ute drivers I find to be the most aggressive out there — this is all anecdotal of course, but I’m sure there are many out there who will back me up. So perhaps a wariness of utes drivers and not a respect for hardworking tradies is why they’re treated better.Perhaps it's because police forces all over Australia use the Kia Sorento to chase baddies or it could be that this large SUV just looks tough. Whatever the reason, if you want other drivers to let you merge into their lane this is your car.The Sorento is large and pretty menacing looking from the front and back. But then so too are lots of SUVs, but what I think what wins over other drivers is the Kia badge. It's a brand that’s established itself at a grass roots level in Australian sport and community. It’s more aspirational than Toyota, but still not pretentious.I should point out that Toyota Klugers also command respect, so too do other large SUVs, like the Mazda CX-90 and the Ford Everest.  The Volkswagen Multivan looks like a toaster, only five metres long and two metres tall. And while the sheer size of it makes other road users think twice about cutting one off in traffic, it's more than that. I think it's actually connected to the iconic Kombi van and the good feelings that van conjures. You know we grow up excited to see Kombis as kids, which still hits us with a sense of “awww” even now as adults when we see a van with a VW badge. The good treatment isn’t restricted to Volkswagen Multivans, all vans are treated incredibly well despite many of them carrying out manoeuvres that defy logic, like double parking, spontaneous U-turns and driving slow while searching for an address. And that’s because we know most vans are delivery trucks on a mission and the bad driving is not down to incompetence … most of the time.I’ve picked the Porsche 911 mainly because it’s one of the cars I’ve received the worst treatment in continually but I’ve found this goes for any high-end sports car.Perhaps it’s the sight of an expensive sports car that brings out some jealousy in other drivers but I’ve never been tailgated more by other drivers than when in an expensive sports car. As for being let into traffic — that’s also a problem.This behaviour, like all road rage, is dangerous and does nothing more than reduce safety and cause stress, unnecessarily.The Suzuki Swift is great in many ways — just not how some people treat you when you’re driving it. This seems to be a problem with most small cars and I can’t help but think that there are some drivers who assume the person in the Swift is young and inexperienced. Yep there is definitely some kind of automotive pecking order out there on the road and I can be in a ute I’m testing and then move into a small car and suddenly be honked for not moving the instant a traffic light turns green.If other motorists are ‘punching down’ on young drivers then this is a huge concern that could put the inexperienced under too much pressure and lead to a life-threatening mistake.Car reviewers joke that the answer to, “what car should I buy?”, is always “Toyota Camry’ because the value for money, reliability and comfort equation is almost impossible to match. But when behind the wheel of a Camry I’ve found I’m treated in much the same way as a small car, with other drivers seemingly becoming impatient and wanting to overtake rather than sit behind me.I can only speculate as to the reason but perhaps other drivers might think Camry drivers are older and in less of a hurry, or maybe that the person behind the wheel is a rideshare driver that could stop suddenly to let a fare out.Whatever the reason, road ragers should beware that  Australia’s police forces use unmarked Camrys and so the next one you bully, could land you a ticket.   

Electric vehicles are so powerful now that they have more horsepower than Formula 1 racecars. Why do they have so much power? How is this even legal? And where do I sign up? High-powered cars used to either be the exotic with owners who had paid big dollars for big output or the affordable modified ones nurtured by enthusiasts handy with spanners. Both groups have copped their fair share of noise from both politicians, regulators and the community for possessing their overpowered beasts.In the past five years Australia has been inundated with electric cars with horsepower so huge that it makes the output of even the most exotic or modified car seem cute. Yet they haven’t been met with the same backlash received by their loud combustion cousins.You can probably blame Tesla for setting the power standard so high that it became the selling point for almost all electric vehicles. Tesla found the way to sell electric cars was to make them quick and sexy. If you paid more you could unlock software that made your Tesla faster — they named it Ludicrous mode and Plaid mode. So you could have a ridiculously fast car now without the super car price or the mechanical desire to do it yourself.Tesla’s Model 3 Performance has 461kW and a 0-100km/h time of 3.1 seconds. And it’s a regular car you’d walk past in a supermarket car park without even noticing.Other brands paid close attention and copied, and now family favourite brands have their own super powered EVs.Kia’s EV6 GT has 485kW and has a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds, Hyundai has the 478kW Ioniq 5 N and can reach 100km/h in 3.4 seconds. Newer brands are pushing those limits even further with the coming Polestar 5 four door sedan packing 650kW.And these aren’t even really considered high performance or exotic by EV standards.Just to put that in perspective the most powerful HSV GTS with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 made 430kW when Holden stopped manufacturing in Australia 10 years ago.If you want exotic or high performance in an EV then look no further than Porsche’s Cayenne Turbo Electric, a large luxury family SUV with 850kW. If that means nothing to you, then look at it this way, Formula 1 cars in the 2026 Championship produce 750kW.So why do electric cars have so much power? It’s easy for electric motors to produce enormous power and torque compared to petrol and diesel counterparts. In its simplest terms a motor consists of a magnetic field within a cylinder that contains a rotor, which when supplied with an electric current spins creating mechanical energy.You can place an electric motor on a car’s axle and the drive is direct and acceleration instantaneous because there’s no gearing required as revs increase. Think of an electric drill, you pull the trigger and its spinning instantly. Same with the motor in an electric car, and that’s why acceleration can be so rapid in even a garden variety model.This segues us to electric hypercars with outputs that are almost unfathomable. Yangwang is BYD’s high-performance luxury brand and its U9 has four electric motors each making 550kW, which gives the thing a 0-100km/h time of less than 2.4 seconds. That’s painfully quick, I mean it takes 2.4 seconds to read this sentence.And at 100km/h you are covering 28 metres per second — a basketball court a second.So how is this even legal? Well currently in Australia there are no restrictions on the power output of a vehicle, just restrictions on who can drive them, as in those on their P-plates. New drivers are restricted to vehicles that don’t exceed a power-to-weight ratio.And that raises a good point about power-to-weight ratios because EVs are heavy due to their dense batteries and that’s also another reason why the higher output is required. Still with how easy it is for a motor to make big power, overcoming the weight is easy.But that weight does cause problems when it comes to dynamic ability, and while many regular EVs have high outputs, their handling is affected. The car may be small, but it has the weight of a large SUV.So while I love the quick acceleration unless it’s a high performance EV such as the Cayenne it’s only going to be fun in a straight line and I’m here for it although that novelty wears off quicker than the new car smell.There are benefits to good acceleration that don’t involve showing off. Being able to move quickly and decisively can be good for intersections without traffic lights, merging on motorways and overtaking, all without breaking the speed limit of course. The all-wheel drive offered by dual motor EVs often mean excellent traction for even more stability.That said, being able to move quickly doesn't leave much time to make decisions such as a braking to avoid a collision with the car in front or stopping for a pedestrian that's stepped out onto the road.Until now the ever increasing power of EVs feels like it's gone unnoticed, but it's not hard to imagine a time in the future when regulators put limits on how much power an EV can make. And that, probably a very good thing.