Sedan News

Audi has released the pricing and specifications for its ballistic RS5 performance sedan and wagon in Australia as it gears up to arrive in showrooms in the second half of this year. It will start from $179,900 (before on-road costs), which is roughly $10,000 more than the previous generation of the car sold in Australia. There is also a wagon variant of the RS5, costing an extra $3000.The RS5 shapes up as a rival to other European performance mid-size passenger cars in the segment, such as the hybrid Mercedes-AMG C63S and the petrol-powered BMW M4.Audi’s example is cheaper than the Mercedes and the BMW, which have price tags above the $185K mark. It is $70,000 more than the smaller RS3 and $70,000 less than the flagship V8-powered RS6, but unlike its siblings, the RS5 has been given electrified power. The RS5 uses a plug-in hybrid set-up, which pairs a 2.9-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine with a powerful single electric motor. This combines to produce a total of 470kW and 825Nm, which is less than C63S, but more than the M4.It is capable of completing the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.6 seconds, courtesy of its all-wheel drive system. One of the other key upgrades on the RS5 is the addition of an electric motor incorporated into the rear transaxle to distribute torque efficiently. The 26kWh battery has an electric-only driving range of up to 78km, but it can only be charged via an AC adapter, taking 2 hours and 30 minutes to fully charge. 2026 Audi RS5 pricing Australia 2026 Audi RS5 engine and efficiency 2026 Audi RS5 standard features Other standard features include: Bang and Olufsen premium sound systemRed brake callipersAcoustic glazed front windowsPrivacy glassFlat-bottom steering wheelHeated, ventilated front seats with massageHeated rear outer seatsPanoramic glass roofHead-up displayTri-zone climate control 2026 Audi RS5 safetyThe 2026 Audi RS5 has not been crash tested. Standard safety features: Auto emergency brakingPedestrian detectionAdaptive cruise controlLane departure warningLane change assistRear cross alert360-degree cameraSpeed sign recognition 2026 Audi RS5 warranty and servicing The Audi RS5 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, along with an eight-year battery warranty. There is also a 12-year warranty bodywork corrosion perforation. The five-year warranty can be extended up to nine years when additional servicing and roadside assistance is purchased. A five-year servicing plan is available, with two-year extensions up to four years available after this.

Nissan has officially teased two new vehicles following the reveal of the new-generation X-Trail and Juke EV.These new vehicles are a new-generation Nissan Skyline sedan and Xterra body-on-frame Toyota Prado-smashing SUV. These models will be focused at the Japanese and North American markets, respectively. This therefore makes an Australian launch for both unclear.The Nissan Xterra has traditionally been an SUV version of Navara and Frontier utes.Despite the very brief teaser video, this new Xterra appears to be a different beast altogether. We only get a brief look at the grille which has ‘Nissan’ scripture and three slashes.Power will come from a V6 or V6 hybrid. The displacement, or exact power and torque figures haven't been detailed yet.Nissan has made a point of saying it’s reducing its model count and is strategically grouping model families together to reduce complexity and costs. This therefore opens the door for more variations of vehicles, meaning more body-on-frame vehicles based on the Xterra are likely.Similarly with the new-generation Skyline, it’s understood an Infiniti version will be offered in due course.According to the short teaser video, this new Skyline will have design touches that are inspired by the original model. This includes ‘Skyline’ badging on the rear three quarter panel, as well as quad circular tail-lights.It’s worth noting this new Skyline is unrelated to the GT-R and will likely remain a four-door sedan.The current-generation Skyline sedan hasn’t been offered locally as a Nissan model but it was as the plusher Infiniti Q50 from 2014 to 2020.Nissan has confirmed there is a new GT-R in the works but what form it will take and when it will launch is still up in the air.No further details on the new-gen Skyline have been confirmed yet, however it’s expected the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine from the current model will carry over.More information on both the new Skyline and Xterra, including when they will be fully revealed, will be announced in due course.

Mercedes-Benz has unveiled a substantially updated version of its pure-electric EQS sedan with a claimed WLTP range of up to 925 kilometres, 350kW charging capacity, steer-by-wire technology and supercomputer powered AI software.The German maker says the upgraded EQS consists of 25 per cent fresh components, including an 800-volt electric architecture, new in-house developed electric drive units, a two-speed transmission on the rear axle and larger batteries with revised cell chemistry.Mercedes said the new drive battery cells feature anodes in which silicon oxide is blended with graphite allowing more energy storage per kilogram compared with the previous-gen battery that used conventional graphite anodes.The maximum 925km range represents a 13 per cent increase over the superseded car, the new EQS’s higher charging capacity now able to add 320km of range in 10 minutes when connected to a suitably fast charger.At the same time a new AI-powered, Cloud-connected iteration of the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS) “integrates and controls every aspect of the vehicle.”This includes everything from the front seatbelt heating (up to 44°C) and ‘Surround Navigation’ to cloud-based ‘Airmatic’ damper regulation and even more accurate parking assist.The four-model range includes a new single-motor, entry-level EQS 400 (270kW/505Nm), followed by the single motor 450+ (300kW/505Nm) and the dual-motor, all-wheel drive 500 4Matic (350kW/750Nm) and 580 4Matic (430kW/800Nm) variants.Their new-generation drive units are claimed to be more compact, efficient and robust. The front unit in all-wheel drive models acts as a booster with an integrated disconnect unit switching it on or off as required.Zero to 100km/h acceleration is a rapid 6.2sec in the EQS 400, dropping to a supercar-like 4.1 seconds in the EQS 580 4Matic.Energy recuperation via regenerative braking is up to 385kW, which Mercedes said dramatically increases efficiency.From a design point-of-view, luxury car-spotters should look out for an illuminated three-pointed star on a revised nose including digital headlights (using micro-LEDs), bonnet ‘Powerdomes’ and daytime running lights incorporating star-shaped insignia.The rear light strip features helix elements and an ‘AMG style’ bumper has more pronounced diffuser ribs on the underside and chrome trim running across the width of the car.The EQS remains one of the most aero-efficient production cars ever made with a drag coefficient of 0.20.Inside, the Mercedes ‘MBUX’ user system runs through two 13.1-inch displays, or in upper models, a 12.3-inch driver display, 17.7-inch central display and 12.3-inch passenger display, managing a “high-end entertainment system” and the ‘MBUX Virtual Assistant’ can “conduct complex dialogues” with the car’s occupants.The system’s main ‘star avatar’ is supported by a second human-like avatar and a third, nicknamed ‘LittleBenz’, the latter inviting more “playful interaction.”Active crash-avoidance tech includes 10 external cameras, up to five radar sensors and 12 ultrasonic sensors.Arrival timing and model line-up for Australia is yet to be confirmed, but in Germany EQS cost-of-entry starts at €94,403 (~$156,800) for the 400, rising to €134,732 (~$223,800) for the EQS 580 4Matic.

Australia is facing a used-car market black hole.With the number of affordable new small-car options shrinking annually due to more-expensive SUVs, so too will be the number of affordable used small-car options.Unless there is a big uptick in new small-car production, stocks will continue to contract, putting significant upward pressure on used-car prices.We’re already seeing this affordability catastrophe unfold. And the numbers tell a sobering story.The great small-car cullSince 2016, Australia has gone from having over 40 new light and small car options under $30,000 (in today’s money), to just 10 right now – and falling. And even if you add the proliferation of cheap new small SUVs (mostly from China), that only adds another 10. That’s a 50 per cent drop right there.This means that there will be far fewer affordable used smaller cars to go around as we head towards the 2030s and beyond.Or, in other words, Australia will soon run very low on affordable, low-mileage second-hand small cars under 10 years old, adding substantially to the cost-of-living pressures for many people who cannot or won't buy new.Since 2020, we’re already seen Toyota, Ford and Honda drop their sub-$20,000 models, namely the (non-hybrid) Yaris, Fiesta and Jazz hatchbacks respectively, creating a void filled by new Chinese brands MG, GWM and BYD.In Ford’s case, its cheapest new passenger vehicle in 2026 is the Everest Ambiente 4WD SUV from $58,990 (before on-road costs), having also abandoned the Puma and Focus, as well as the larger Mondeo, Escape and Endura, since the start of this decade.Why the small-car cull? A long-term sales slide against SUVs, coupled with the massive investment required in electric vehicles (EVs) to meet coming legislated zero-emissions targets, stalled decades of on-going small-car development and evolution.Some industry analysts even believe that the middle of last decade was the era of “peak small-car”, as defined the highly-successful Volkswagen Mk7 Golf – a model widely considered superior to its 2020 Mk8 successor.It’s been reported that VW cancelled scores of new-model projects in the aftermath of 2015’s Dieselgate emissions-cheating scandal, including shelving an advanced redesign of the Golf in favour of today’s reskin, pivoting instead to EVs to help atone for the disaster.Others seem to have followed suit. In fact, if you look at today’s remaining small cars, most sit on architectures that date back to last decade.The Mazda 3’s debuted in 2013; the Peugeot 308 in 2014; Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic in 2016; the Hyundai i30 in 2017; Toyota Corolla in 2018; and Kia K4 in 2020.Defying depreciationIncredibly, some high-quality used small cars with a few years under their belts are holding their value to an almost comical degree, especially with fewer than 100,000km.A 2016 Mazda 2 auto from $16,990 when new is still worth at least $13,000 today – and some lower-mileage examples match the original price. Likewise, a 2018 Honda Civic VTi from $22,390 is still a $20,000-plus proposition.But nothing beats the Toyota hybrid phenomenon.A 2019 Corolla Hybrid that new started from $25,870 is likely to cost upwards of $24,000 today, with some even nudging $30,000 in the right colour and specification.And a 2021 Yaris SX hybrid from $27,020 new… is still very nearly that amount today at its lowest point, even with 70,000km on the clock, meaning owners could be making a profit after all these years. Great news for them. Bad news for used-car buyers today.Your cheap choicesThe only quality, reliable and economical used small cars currently priced in the $10,000 to $15,000 bracket are now mostly older (pre-2015), higher-mileage (150,000km-plus) or ex-repairable write-offs (including flood/hail damaged cars, since fixed). Do not risk buying the latter.Otherwise, Australian used small-car buyers must roll the dice on niche European brands with (albeit at-times unfounded) reputations for expensive maintenance costs, orphaned Holdens like the (ex-Opel) Astra or newer Chinese small cars with below-par safety and/or driving dynamics, like a pre-2024, previous-generation MG 3.Unfortunately, with spiking fuel prices, hybrids are completely out of the question under $15,000 unless it’s a 15-year-old-plus Toyota or Honda with moon-shot mileages and/or ex-ride-share taxis.Finding a cheap used SUV alternativeSo, it is logical to conclude that, while the number of new small car options is declining, there must be more small SUV choices, right?Not for budget buyers in the sub-$15,000 bracket, sadly.Quality, second-hand smaller SUVs and crossovers are also pricing themselves out of reach for lower-income groups and younger drivers seeking inexpensive yet reliable vehicles.Consider the case of a seven-year-old Mazda CX-3 or Suzuki Vitara 1.6 with reasonably-low mileage (under 100,000km).These current-shape models have been chosen as two of the better and more-reputable small SUVs on offer, due to their uncomplicated non-turbo engines and robust torque-converter automatics, instead of the usually problematic continuously variable transmission (CVT) or dual-clutch transmission (DCT) found in most alternatives.A 2019 CX-3 auto that cost $23,790 new (which is about $30,000 adjusted for inflation today) currently retails for between $20,000 and $25,000 depending on condition. Again, depreciation-defying.Likewise, a 2019 Vitara 1.6L 2WD that cost $24,490 new (about $32,500 in 2026 money) is still commanding between $19,000 and $25,000 today if well-maintained. We’re talking about seven-year-old models here.Little wonder consumers are forced into newer brands from China with long warranties and shiny touchscreens but unproven long-term reliability, resale and access to genuine spare parts/labour.The bottom line is that a generation of consumers seeking a cheap and economical used small car will be left wanting.At 18, Baby Boomers had their decade-old Datsun 1600s and Volkswagen Beetles; Gen X its Ford Lasers and Holden Geminis; and Millennials their Hyundai Excels and Mazda 323s to rely upon.What will next-gen used-car buyers be able to afford?

It was a day long expected, but it still hit with a bang.A Chinese car maker has out-sold almost every other car brand in Australia.BYD sold the third most vehicles in March, behind only the mighty Toyota and a surging Kia. That means a Chinese brand out-sold big names including Ford, Mazda, Hyundai and Mitsubishi.But BYD wasn’t the only Chinese brand in the top 10 either. In the first three months of 2026, BYD, GWM, Chery and MG are all firmly locked into the best-selling brands. Whatever your feelings on the influx of Chinese brands in recent years, it is clear Australian customers are buying them and they have cemented a place not only in the market, but at its upper echelons.The real question though, is can BYD sustain this success? Was March just a flash in the pan or was it the start of a genuine shake-up of the established order at the top of the sales charts?The initial sentiment around the Chinese industry was that it was flooding the market with cheap, small cars, and there was certainly a lot of truth to that. The MG3 and MG ZS were both big-sellers with small price tags, so it wasn’t surprising to see MG make an impact so early. But if you look at how BYD has found sales volume in Australia, especially since taking direct control of the local operation from original importers EV Direct, it is a very different story.BYD’s two biggest sellers in March were the Sealion 7 (1970 sales) and the Shark 6 (1314), neither could be accurately described as ‘cheap and cheerful’ small cars. Are they price competitive? Definitely, but neither is dramatically cheaper than their direct rivals, certainly not in the case of the Sealion 7.The Sealion 7 is hardly a budget-busting small car, it’s a mid-size, all-electric SUV that is priced from $54,990 (plus on-road costs). That’s competitive against its competitors, but not significantly enough to justify its sales volume alone. In other words, the Sealion 7 is one of the most popular mid-size SUVs in the country (electric or otherwise) because buyers are attracted to it for more than simply the price.The same goes for the Shark 6, which has managed to succeed seemingly in spite of its seemingly unorthodox take on a modern dual-cab. BYD made a brave choice to enter Australia’s ute market with a petrol-powered plug-in hybrid offering, but it may have been precisely the right ute at the right time.Buyers are seemingly happy to try something different and between the tax breaks and the rising cost of diesel, it’s not unsurprising that the Shark 6 has been a sales hit. So much so that it is firmly ensconced as the fourth most-popular 4x4 ute on a regular basis, behind only the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max.But does this mean BYD’s March success is sustainable? Well, certainly there are no indications that the Sealion 7 or Shark 6 will suffer a sales collapse (but stranger things have happened). While there is likely to be some ebb and flow in the sales charts this year and BYD may slip up and down the order, there are a number of indicators that the brand could sustain a top five, or even a top three, sales position long-term.And it could be thanks to the initial expectations of the Chinese market - cheap, small cars. BYD has only launched the new Atto 1 and Atto 2 hatchbacks in the final months of 2025, so they are still finding a market in Australia.But with the high cost of petrol leading to a spike in electric vehicle interest, the thought of a city-friendly small car that never requires a visit to the service station could become a popular choice for Australian drivers.Add to that the addition of the Sealion 5 and Sealion 8, which naturally sandwich the Sealions 6 and 7, as well as the talk of an expanding Shark 6 line-up and there is every chance BYD will have management at the likes of Ford, Mazda, Kia and even Toyota starting to feel concerned about the long-term outlook.

A tsunami of electric cars is headed our way.General Manager BYD Asia Pacific Mr Liu Xueliang said 30,000 BYD and Denza vehicles are on the way to our shores in May and June to feed rampaging sales.That’s more than half the vehicles BYD sold in 2025 and almost double what they have sold in the first three months of this year.The Chinese brand is looking to capitalise on the ongoing fuel crisis caused by the Iran war, which is driving Aussies in increasing numbers to buy an EV or plug-in hybrid — two vehicles types BYD has in big numbers.Liu said it was important that the company meets the growing demand and is able to get customers as soon as they place an order.If BYD manages to move those vehicles in the next few months it would have beat its sales for 2025, and it would be the second biggest selling brand in Australia and nipping at the heels of the previously-thought-untouchable Toyota.Mr Liu also said the company is aware fuel rationing might be happening in the future. It would be prioritising getting vehicles to essential workers such as doctors, firefighters and others in the coming months.BYD now has the model range to host those kind of sales figures with the brand launching seven new models in the past six months.These include the BYD Atto 1 and Atto 2 small electric cars alongside the plug-in hybrid Sealion 5 compact SUV, Sealion 8 seven-seat SUV, Seal 6 mid-size sedan and wagon and Denza B5 and B8 4WDs.Early signs of Aussies clambering for BYD and Denzas in 2026 was evident in the March sales figures.The Chinese automaker sold 7217 vehicles in the past month as Australians scrambled to get their hands on plug-in hybrids and electric cars as fuel prices soared.That is a mammoth one month total which beat Ford (7149), Mazda (7156) and Hyundai (6979). Only Toyota (16,574) and Kia (7320) did better than BYD.BYD sales increased by 50 per cent compared to March last year and are up 100 per cent for the year.For the full year, BYD's sales were already up 156 per cent by the end of 2025.

The new-generation Lexus ES sedan has been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its launch later this year.According to the Australian Government filing, only electric versions of the new 2026 Lexus ES have been approved for local sale thus far.Lexus has previously noted that the ES will initially launch in Australia with the ES500e flagship electric variant. It's powered by a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 252kW.However, the Japanese carmaker has confirmed both electric and hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered in Australia.The only other ES variant that has been approved for local sale thus far is the ES350e which is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor with 170kW of power.Hybrid versions of the ES will likely be approved for local sale at a later point, indicating that they may launch after the electric versions.Globally there are two hybrid versions of the ES, the ES300h and ES350h. They are powered by either a 2.0-litre hybrid or 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain, respectively. Both are offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.Little other information about the ES is confirmed in the local approval filing.It measures in at 5145mm long, 1920mm wide and 1560mm tall, with a 2950mm wheelbase. This makes it around 170mm longer than the outgoing model and slightly larger than a BMW 5 Series.The tare mass is 2180kg in the single-motor version and 2280kg for the dual-motor version. Gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 2635kg or 2735kg, respectively.Either 19- or 21-inch alloy wheels will be offered. At this stage no other specification details have been confirmed, but there is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.This eighth generation of the Lexus ES was previewed by the 2023 LF-ZC concept and features an angular design with a fastback silhouette.

Sales of petrol-powered cars are declining in the Australian new vehicle market and the popularity of electric propulsion is on a fuel price-driven tear, but there are some significant models bucking the EV transition trend.According to data from industry statistician VFacts and the Electric Vehicle Council, year-on-year sales of pure-electric vehicles were up 92.1 per cent at the end of the first quarter (34,382 vs 17,901 units) with EV uptake rising by 88.9 per cent in March compared to the same month last year (15,839 vs 8385 units).At the same time, sales of petrol-powered vehicles have decreased by 17.8 per cent YTD (101,147 vs 123,132) and 20.1 per cent for the month of March (34,694 vs 43,784).And it’s worth noting hybrid sales are in line with 2025 so far this year (46,952 vs 47,014), which may be explained by a supply shortage in the first quarter for Toyota’s top-selling RAV4. Plug-in hybrids are up 40.2 per cent (13,715 vs 19,230).But despite oil supply shortages caused by the current conflict in Iran sending the price of petrol through the roof, several conventionally-powered models have seen sales grow strongly so far this year.  Kia’s compact K4 has clearly built a strong following with the sedan arriving here early in 2025 and the hatch version joining it late in the year.From a modest launch base year-on-year sales are up no less than 240.8 per cent (2771 vs 813 units), the sleek 1.6- and 2.0-litre five-seater now standing as the Korean brand’s third-best seller so far in 2026.And Kia’s Seltos small SUV hit a purple patch in March with sales up 13.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2025 (849 vs 746).Mazda’s evergreen CX-5 medium SUV is up 12 per cent YTD (6247 vs 5538), likely winning over Toyota RAV4 prospects unwilling to wait the three to six months it currently takes to put the previous category-leader on your driveway.The CX-5 (6247 units) is now in a mid-size SUV cage fight with the Mitsubishi Outlander (6363 units) for category leadership.On the subject of Mazda, the long-serving fourth-generation version of the Japanese maker’s iconic MX-5 sports car has jumped 34.2 per cent so far this year (196 vs 146) with 90 sold in the month of March compared to just 34 last year (+164.7 per cent). And thumbing your nose at EVs via a roofless petrol-powered car must be a theme because the Mini Convertible is up 202 per cent YTD (103 vs 34 units).Then, despite Porsche taking a hit in sales overall so far in 2026, the latest iteration of its celebrated 911 is up a healthy 182.8 per cent (345 vs 122) YTD. What fuel price increase?

It is official, high fuel prices are driving Aussies to ditch the bowser.Polestar Australia is the latest brand to claim interest in its vehicles has skyrocketed in the past few weeks as the Iran war causes massive pain at the bowser.It is claimed test drive bookings of Polestar vehicles have tripled in the past fortnight, which foreshadows a huge sales boost for the Chinese owned Swedish brand.Polestar Australia Managing Director Scott Maynard likened the surge in interested buyers to peak sales periods.“The vulnerable state of our nation’s fuel security has been exposed, and won't magically improve when the current crisis ends. There is a clear sense of urgency from customers, which is driving strong order volumes,” said Maynard."Demand is strongest for Polestar 4 in Australia, but we have seen increased interest across our range. Supply of Polestar 4 remains strong in Australia, including some pre-configured vehicles available for fast delivery through our Spaces network. Limited stock of Polestar 2 is also available for fast delivery.”This fits into the backdrop of surging EV sales in Australia in the past month.More than 15,000 electric cars found a new home in March, which is double what was sold in March, 2025. Electric cars made up about 14 per cent of all new vehicle sales in the past month.Tesla’s Model Y led the pack with 2818 sales, followed by the BYD Sealion 7 (1970), Zeekr 7X (679), Tesla Model 3 (667) and Geely EX5 (606).The brand also delivered a carrot for those considering the switch.Polestar detailed new research that showed buyers could expect to slash their fuel bills by about $100 a month by making the switch.The research from a survey of more than 1000 Aussie drivers — about 80 per cent petrol/diesel/hybrid motorists and 20 per cent EV users — showed the average cost of charging an EV was about $60 a month compared to $150 for others.The research was conducted before the current fuel crisis, so the difference between the two would have increased enormously since then.“Electric vehicles were saving Australian drivers money even before the current fuel crisis,” said Maynard.“Even with the recent federal government cuts to the fuel excise, the availability and security of Australia’s fuel supply remain a critical focus. Our vulnerability has been exposed, and won't magically improve when the current conflict ends.”Polestar Chief Executive Officer Michael Lohsceller said electric cars have a more stable refilling price than others.“What used to be range anxiety is quickly becoming pump anxiety. People are moving away from unpredictable fuel costs to predictable electricity,” said Lohscheller.

BYD has confirmed pricing and specifications for its Seal 6 sedan and wagon pair.The new plug-in hybrid pair arrive in one grade each. The Seal 6 Sedan Essential is the price leader at $34,990 (before on-roads) with a smaller 10.08kWh battery, and the Seal 6 Touring Premium steps up to $39,990 before on-roads with a larger 19kWh battery pack.The sedan can travel 55km in EV mode, while the wagon can travel 100km in EV mode, both according to the generally more accurate WLTP standard.Both cars share the same plug-in hybrid powertrain, a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. Specs for this powertrain were not revealed, but pre-approval documents show the engine producing 70kW/120Nm with the electric motors producing either 120kW/210Nm or 160kW/260Nm. Total combined outputs are either 130kW or 163kW.According to Chinese specifications, the Camry-rivalling pair can charge at a maximum rate of 48kW on a fast DC charger for a sub-30-minute charge time, and are equipped with vehicle-to-load, allowing the battery to externally power devices.Combined driving range is expected to exceed 1300km for both variants according to preliminary figures.The sedan offers 550 litres of boot space, while the wagon offers up 670-litres.Standard equipment on both cars is set to include an 8.8-inch digital dash, a 12.8-inch central multimedia screen, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and over-the-air features.Other features available on the Seal 6 overseas include a wireless phone charger, interior ambient lighting, and full synthetic leather interior trim.Orders for the Seal 6 Sedan and Touring wagon begin on the 9th of April.The pair will go into battle against local rivals like the ever-popular and plugless hybrid-only Toyota Camry (from $39,990), the mild-hybrid Skoda Octavia (from $43,990), the combustion MG7 (from $44,990), placing the aggressive sub-$40,000 pricing in good stead amongst its rivals.It will also serve to bolster BYD’s seemingly ever-growing line-up, as a hybrid alternative to the existing Seal EV sedan (from $46,990).The growing line-up is a significant part of BYD’s strategy in Australia to rival Toyota in every category, which the brand’s executives told CarsGuide would be a key part of the brand’s ambition to clinch a top-three position in our market by the end of 2026.Denza Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland, who previously held senior roles in BYD before ascending to the head of its luxury arm, told CarsGuide in 2025: “Toyota has something like 95 per cent of the segments in Australia covered by at least one variant, and if we want to ever be number one we need to have vehicles available in those segments too.”Spurred on by meteoric fuel prices in recent weeks, BYD is already making good progress on its goal - more than doubling its sales year-on-year to the latest figures. It has now leapfrogged GWM to become Australia’s favourite Chinese automaker, and is ranking sixth in the Australian market so far in 2026 after finishing 2025 in eighth position.