SUV News

Renault is officially discontinuing its current Koleos mid-size SUV in Australia after 10 years of being on sale and there may not be an available direct replacement for a period.“The current-generation Renault Koleos is in run-out after a stellar run as one of Renault Australia's most popular models, with more than 21,000 examples sold,” said a Renault Australia spokesperson.“Now available from $36,990 drive-away with a $2000 cashback offer, all remaining inventory – complied to meet current motor vehicle regulations – is expected to be sold out by the end of this year.”The reason why the Koleos is being discontinued is due to it not meeting an Australian Design Rule (ADR) pertaining to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) performance, called ADR 98/00. It came into effect for all new vehicles produced from March 1, 2025.While the current Koleos does have AEB, it does not meet the specific requirements outlined by ADR 98/00.This means that Renault was able to stockpile at least 18 months worth of the Koleos stock before the ADR came into effect. Production of this South Korean-made model also ended in 2025.The Koleos is far from the only vehicle to be affected by the implementation of ADR 98/00. Other examples include the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Eclipse Cross, as well as the Suzuki Ignis and Mazda 6.With the axing of the current Koleos, this leaves Renault without a mid-side SUV that isn’t purely electric-powered in Australia for the time being.However, the French carmaker has many alternatives available in its global portfolio, though none have been locked in for an Australian launch yet.Examples include the South Korean-produced Grand Koleos and Filante, the Spanish-produced Austral, Espace and Rafael, as well as the Turkish-made Boreal.“As we have said before, Renault Australia is in the middle of a model revitalisation,” said Renault Australia Managing Director Glen Sealey earlier this month.“And while we won’t talk numbers or volume, we are well progressed with our long-term plan.“Renault has a vast catalogue of vehicles and we continually assess what is available to us and which ones best suit the needs – and price ranges – of Australian customers.“We’re not going to reveal all our future model plans today, but we can tell you there are another six new or refreshed models now due over the next two years.“And we have plenty to get through before then.”It’s understood that three of these six new Renault models are the Symbioz small SUV, Master E-Tech electric commercial van and the updated Megane E-Tech electric small SUV.At this stage the other three forthcoming Renault vehicles remain unclear and unconfirmed.

Mazda has subjected its CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 large SUVs to a range-wide shake-up in Australia.These cars form part of Mazda's large-platform family SUV range, with many now significantly more affordable than before.The CX-60 and CX-70 feature two-rows of seating, while the CX-80 and CX-90 are three-row SUVs.All are available with 3.3-litre turbo six-cylinder engines in either petrol or diesel. The CX-60 is also available with a smaller G25 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, while the CX-60 and CX-80 are available with a P50e plug-in hybrid drivetrainDiesel-powered examples used to incur a small hike on their petrol-powered siblings.Mazda has now introduced price parity between petrol and diesel models across all grades of its family SUVs.A petrol CX-60 will now start from $51,640, before on-road costs, which is $900 more than it cost before.The base diesel variant is also offered at that price, representing a $1100 decrease.Next up, the CX-70 now comes in at a more accessible price point. It starts from $73,020, equating to a more than $3000 drop for the petrol and more than a $5000 drop for the diesel. Mazda has introduced a base diesel CX-80 variant to the line-up that will start from $56,100.Its petrol sibling will be offered at the same price, resulting in a $400 increase.The petrol CX-90 is more than $3000 cheaper, starting from $66,100, while the diesel has come down by more than $5000. Mazda also lowered the price of its plug-in hybrid CX-60 and CX-80 SUVs, reducing the gap to its petrol- and diesel-only siblings.The CX-60 PHEV now starts from $56,640, coming down from $63,790. The CX-80 PHEV starts from $68,100, having previously started from $75,750.The cheapest CX-60, powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine, has dropped by more than $5000, now starting from $45,640.Mazda is currently facing the highest New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) fines out of any brand in Australia, due to its petrol- and diesel-heavy line-up.More affordable PHEV offerings could be key to staving off the impacts of more stringent emissions rules.CX-60 and CX-90 variants now come with front cross traffic brake and Cruising Traffic Support (CTS) with Driver Emergency Assist, to mirror the CX-70.The CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 large platform range have proved to be slow selling models for the usually high-volume Mazda, in what has been an overall slower sales year for the brand in Australia.2027 Mazda CX-60 pricing (before on-road costs)2027 Mazda CX-70 pricing (before on-road costs)2027 Mazda CX-80 pricing (before on-road costs)2027 Mazda CX-90 pricing (before on-road costs)

This is BYD’s latest budget-friendly EV destined for Aussie shores. The hugely popular Chinese brand has opened expressions of interest for its Atto 3 Evo electric mid-size SUV in Australia. The Atto 3 Evo is an updated version of the Atto 3 that is currently in Australian showrooms. There is no official news on when we might see the Atto 3 Evo, but the local branch has been contacted for comment to learn of any launch plans. It has identical dimensions to the standard Atto 3, so it will continue to battle in close proximity to Chinese rivals like the MG S5 ($41,990, drive-away until 31 July 2026) and Leapmotor B10 ($38,990, drive-away until 30 September 2026). It will also be a size-up competitor to the Hyundai Kona Electric ($46,990, drive-away until 30 September 2026) and Kia EV3 ($47,600, before on-road costs).The Atto 3 Evo is already on sale in the United Kingdom, and its specification shows a big change underneath.It ditches the current version's front-wheel drive layout and is available with a single rear-wheel drive motor producing 230kW and 380Nm, or dual motors producing 330kW and 560Nm and all-wheel drive. This represents a solid boost on the current front-wheel drive Atto 3 that only produces 150kW and 310Nm.The Atto 3 Evo can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and has a top speed of 200km/h.It boasts a 75kWh battery also representing a noticeable step up on the standard Atto 3. This increases driving range up to a maximum 510km, according to WLTP standards, which is nearly 100km more than its sibling.DC charging at 220kW from 10 to 80 per cent takes as little as 25 minutes. The Atto 3 Evo’s interior features a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital driver display, along with a wireless phone charger.It is available with synthetic leather seats. Front seats are electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated. Expect pricing information closer to launch, but it is likely to sit above the $39,990 (before on-road costs) price tag of the current base Atto 3. The Atto 3 Evo replaced the Atto 3 in the UK this year, so a similar move could be on the cards in Australia in the future.The Atto 3 was BYD's first model to go on sale in Australia back in the mid-2022, and it continues to be a steady seller in its budget-focused lineup.

Mercedes-Benz is preparing to stave off the impending onslaught of China's large luxury SUVs by updating its range in Australia. The brand has shuffled around its GLE and GLS model lineup Down Under, introducing new engine choices and pricing.The GLS is the German giants’ flagship three-row SUV that directly competes with the BMW X7 in the ultra-luxury high-riding space.It will soon have some serious, and much cheaper, Chinese competition in Australia.The GLS is facing an impending battle against electrified rivals such as the XPeng GX and highly-anticipated Zeekr 8X and 9X duo, among others coming in the next months. These cars boast powerful fully-electric and plug-in hybrid set-ups that will give the petrol- or diesel-powered GLS a run for its money. The GLS range now kicks off with a new petrol-powered 450 grade that starts from $181,900, before on-road costs. This makes it $7000 cheaper than its diesel-powered sibling that used to occupy the entry level position in the lineup.The GLS 450 has a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine, producing 280kW and 560Nm, representing more power but less torque than the diesel unit.The AMG 63 S high-performance grade has experienced a price hike of more than $6000, now starting from $313,900.The range-topping Maybach 680 has seen its price boosted by $5000, with a starting price of $424,900. Both variants receive a 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo petrol engine that pumps out 450kW and 850Nm.2027 Mercedes-Benz GLS pricing Australia (before on-road costs)The smaller GLE two-row SUV has also undergone a reshuffle in Australia as it continues to take on the BMW X5.The range kicks off with a new, more expensive 350d grade, replacing the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a more powerful 3.0-litre six-cylinder (210kW/650Nm) unit. It will cost nearly $6000 more than the outgoing 300d, starting from $142,300. Next up, the GLE 450 now costs $160,400, which is more than $3000 cheaper than it was before, but it will only be available with petrol power.The AMG 53 and V8-powered AMG 63 S have both increased in price by nearly $4000, with starting prices of $187,900 and $277,900, respectively. 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLE pricing Australia (before on-road costs)These cars show-off the luscious and supremely comfortable interiors you'd expect for their price points, including Mercedes-Benz new 'Superscreen' multimedia system, comprising of three connected 12.3-inch displays.Pre-orders have opened for the GLE and GLS models, with the AMG range and the Maybach GLS expected to arrive early next year.

China’s Geely has signed a joint venture with Ford to begin shared production at the American carmaker’s production facility in Spain.The Chinese carmaker has conditionally agreed to acquire a 34 per cent stake in Ford’s Almussafes production plant near Valencia, Spain for €221 million (~A$360 million), per a filing with the Hong Kong Exchange.This newly established joint venture will begin in the first half of 2027, pending regulatory approvals, and allow for renovations to boost annual production capacity to 500,000 vehicles.As it currently stands, this Spanish production facility only produces the Ford Kuga, which was previously offered in Australia as the Escape. Production of this mid-size SUV will continue.Beyond this, Ford has confirmed it will produce a new, European-focused “member of the global Bronco family” at the Spanish production facility in 2028.Little details are known about this new European-focused Bronco model, but previous reports have indicated it will be smaller than the full-sized model and potentially offer both electric and hybrid options.Geely also plans to begin production of two electric SUVs at the Spanish production facility in 2028.At this stage it’s unclear what these models will be as the only electric SUV the Chinese carmaker currently offers in Europe is the E5, which is called the EX5 in Australia.Lastly, a new “multi-energy family crossover” designed by Ford and jointly developed with Geely will launch in 2028.No details about this vehicle have been announced yet, but Ford says it will be engineered with its “signature capabilities and driving dynamics”.Geely over the past few years has been scaling its operations in markets outside of China, including in Australia. In the first half of 2026 it sold a total of 474,228 vehicles in overseas markets, which is up 158 per cent year-on-year.In Australia the Chinese carmarker sold a total of 10,970 vehicles in the first half of 2026, which is up 494.6 per cent year-on-year. It is now the 18th best-selling brand Down Under.Geely is far from the only Chinese carmaker that has been acquiring unused production capacity from legacy carmakers.Chery recently signed a non-binding agreement with Nissan to explore contract manufacturing at the Japanese carmaker’s production facility in Sunderland, UK.Stellantis, which owns brands like Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Ram, among others, decided earlier this year to share its manufacturing plants in Spain and France with its Chinese partners Leapmotor and Dongfend, respectively.

XPeng is going hard in Australia with its new factory-backed operations, but the brand has said it doesn’t see itself as a rival to BYD.Instead, the Chinese carmaker, which has been championing the use of so-called physical AI, positions itself a key rival to Tesla.“Globally now, of course, Tesla is one of the competitors [to XPeng],” said XPeng Head of International Development Alex Tang to CarsGuide.Both companies currently offer electrified vehicles with semi-autonomous driving capabilities in certain markets, plus they are both developing humanoid robots.Tesla already offers its Full-Self Driving (Supervised) technology in Australia and XPeng is planning to roll out its version, called VLA NGP 2.0, in 2027.Additionally, XPeng is planning to introduce its humanoid robot, called Iron, to its dealers and eventually make it available to other businesses during 2027.“So far we do have some markets that we outsell Tesla, frankly speaking, and some markets, of course, Tesla has more sales,” said Tang.“But at the end of the day, what we are trying to create is affordable technology for all.“Physical AI for all, is our slogan, but it’s also our mission that we want more customer access the brand to the latest technology.“So we are not only targeting at some niche market, but mainstream customers that can afford the best technology.”“Further speaking, we have some customers that come from the premium brands,” added Tang, specifically calling out Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.“We really don’t think BYD is our competitor, not only in China but globally because we do have different positioning,” said Tang.“Not only the brand, but also the products and the customers are always different.“We are really trying to lead the development of the AI car segments that supply the best technology from the global to the local customers.”As noted above, XPeng is now a factory-backed operation in Australia, having taken over from the previous distributor, True EV.There are still ongoing legal disputes however between XPeng and True EV and a trial is set to begin locally in October.Despite this, XPeng has confirmed it plans to launch five new or updated vehicles in Australia over the next six months.Including the updated G6 electric SUV and the X9 electric people mover, the Chinese carmaker will launch the L03 coupe SUV, G9L large SUV and L05 mid-size SUV.XPeng has also confirmed the GX flagship large SUV will be coming to Australia, however concrete launch timing is yet to be locked in.

A new adventure-focused SUV is now available in right-hand drive.The Jetour T1 from Chery's off-road sub-brand has gone on sale in Malaysia, a common stepping stone for Chinese brands on the way to Australia. The T1 is on the larger end of the mid-size SUV segment, measuring at 4705mm long, 1967mm wide, 1840mm high, with a wheelbase of 2800mm.It is dimensionally similar to the GWM Tank 300 affordable off-roader that has been a confident seller in Australia so far. The T1 could take on a similar mantra to the Subaru Forester as a boxy SUV for urban or all-terrain activities.This version of the T1 is equipped with either a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 125kW/270Nm or a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit, with 180kW/375Nm. It will be available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Both are paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It is a scaled down version of its bigger off-road-ready sibling that is powered by a hefty plug-in hybrid set-up. The smaller T1 also features an electrically upward swinging powered tailgate as opposed to a side-hinged one. Inside, there is a 12.8-inch central touchscreen and 10.3-inch digital driver display as standard, along with an eight-speaker audio system and 50W wireless phone charger. The AWD variant upgrades cloth seats to synthetic leather and adds a panoramic sunroof.It also introduces a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.3-inch digital driver display, as well as a premium Sony nine-speaker audio system. The T1 has officially launched in Malaysia, but it is unclear whether it will make its way to Australia in the future. Jetour is scheduled to launch in Australia next year as its own operation. It will not be directly connected to the Chery Group set-up like Omoda Jaecoo and the incoming Lepas sub-brand.Its Malaysia arrival confirms it will be available in right-hand drive, which improves its chances of a local launch, but its petrol-only set-up could attract emissions fines.The PHEV T1 could be a better fit for our market.Expect more details on the T1’s potential Australian future in the next few months as Jetour gears up to tackle the market Down Under. 

The Mitsubishi Pajero has got an official launch window, with the brand promising the model will make its global debut in the Japanese autumn, so between September and November this year.That sets the clock officially ticking for the hugely anticipated model's arrival, as its chief engineer vows "this project will be successful".That's the word from Takaaki Matsumoto, the new Pajero's Chief Vehicle Engineer, who has published a series of statements in the lead-up to the Pajero's launch.In them, he promises the new model will be "amazing", and has already silenced doubters inside the company."When it was decided to take on this heavy responsibility as the person in charge of development, it was a strange feeling of a mixture of expectations and anxiety," he says. "You can design a model that symbolises Mitsubishi Motors. There is no more rewarding a job than this. At the same time, can it create something that exceeds the weight of Pajero's history, the thoughts of employees in various positions, and above all, the expectations of fans who are eager to revive around the world? I still remember well that various emotions were intertwined."The most difficult thing for the development was that all the staff involved in the development shared 'what Pajero should be like' and put it into a specific plan. Since you call yourself Pajero, there is a performance that must be achieved."Where do I need to rebuild to do that? It is a (difficult) process to check them one by one and move forward step by step while absorbing the company's policies. At first, some staff members would have been hesitant."However, as the skeleton of the design was decided and it was dropped into the parts, I felt that the development team was making something amazing. And when I felt that the development team was full of confidence when I saw the first prototype car, I was also able to be convinced that this project will be successful."The chief engineer went on to describe the feeling he wanted the Pajero to deliver, promising a car that blends comfort with capability, and that allows anyone to tackle off-road tracks. "In the development of the new Pajero, we aimed to inherit and evolve the vulnerability and comfort that successive Pajeros have been about," he says."This is the embodiment of Pajero, which developed the 4WD, which was for working cars until now, as an all-round 4WD that anyone can run comfortably on any road. On top of that, we worked together to make a big jump up in how to make this Mitsubishi Motors' flagship."In order to shape the designer's commitment to the interior, we considered various construction methods with the design and production departments. And with the skills of craftsmen, we were able to embody an elaborate design that is difficult for mass-produced cars."I can confidently say that the new Pajero has been able to raise both static and dynamic quality to a very high level. If you open the door and get into the car, you should want to stay in this car forever, drive forever, and own it forever."It's a thought echoed by Mitsubishi's chief product specialist, Kunitoshi Itagaki, who says the new Pajero will be ready for adventure."A sense of high-quality quality, as a Mitsubishi Motors SUV, the driving performance and reliability that anyone can go anywhere with confidence, and the fact that all occupants can enjoy moving comfortably. Each of these leads to a sense of security that this car is fine, and it boosts the desire to go with adventure and challenge, just like the Pajero so far," he says.Finally, Norihiko Yoshimine, the Pajero program design director, promises that the Pajero blends history with evolution, and will pull the brand from now on. "I aimed not only to inherit Pajero's design philosophy, but also to evolve it to lead to the future," he says."Since the start of development, we have accumulated inheritance and innovation, and we were finally able to put it together into one package called the new Pajero."The new Pajero will definitely be the one who will pull Mitsubishi Motors from now on. We would like not only those who know the successive Pajero, but also the younger generation to experience the new Pajero."

Nissan has revealed a sharp price for its newest performance-tuned electric car.The Leaf Nismo just hit Japanese showrooms as a performance grade of the strong-selling Leaf small electric car.Nissan relaunched the Leaf in January as an SUV, marking a shift from its two previous hatchback generations.Nismo is Nissan’s performance arm tasked will adding sporty credentials to its cars.The Leaf Nismo shapes up as a size-up rival to the MG4 XPower hatch.It carries 6.6 million yen (or roughly $60,000) price tag in Japan, which is about a 33 per cent hike on the standard Leaf.While the Leaf Nismo has the same 160kW/355Nm single electric motor front-wheel drive set-up as up-spec Leaf variants, it receives plenty of other technical improvements.Its rethought suspension system introduces new springs, stabilises and select member bushes to provide greater rigidity and improved steering response.The car has beefed up shock absorbers to reduce body roll during hard cornering in conjunction with a specialist-tuned chassis.It rides on 19-inch alloy wheels, fitted with special Michelin tyres, aiding grip and control. The Leaf Nismo sits on the larger end of the small SUV scale, measuring up at 4415mm long, 1810mm wide, 1550mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2690mm.It weighs just under 2000kg.It also has up to 135mm of ground clearance. The Leaf Nismo’s is equipped with either a 52kWh or 75kWh battery, offering a driving range of more than 500km, according to WLTP standards.The new-generation Leaf is not currently in Nissan Australia's plans.The brand postponed its introduction after it failed to meet the business case.This means it is unlikely we will see the Leaf Nismo in Australia any time soon.However, with EVs forming more important parts of brands’ lineups, it is not entirely out of the question for a future launch.If it arrives in Australia it will likely be a touch pricier than the $60,000 equivalent Japanese starting point, coming in more expensive than the MG4 XPower.

If you can’t beat them, join them. Volkswagen has long resisted the urge to add conventional, Toyota-style hybrid power to its cars, but not anymore.The German maker is rapidly expanding its petrol-electric range, diversifying from the petrol, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric options currently available.Now it has revealed European prices for the VW Golf hatchback and T-Roc SUV hybrids, which would rival the popular Toyota Corolla and Corolla Cross.Prices start at €41,400 ($67,000) for the Golf and €44,470 ($72,000) for the T-Roc. Both models are only available in the top-spec R-Line specification, and represent about a €4000 ($6500) premium over the petrol models.Petrol R-Line versions cost about $50,000 before on-road costs in Australia, so a hybrid version could cost about $60,000 on the road in Australia. That would put it about $20,000 more than the cheapest equivalent Toyota hybrids.Volkswagen Australia has previously been unable to confirm if the hybrid Golf and T-Roc will arrive in Australia, but the company said it is always evaluating opportunities for our market.The hybrid Golf and T-Roc combine a tried-and-tested 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, two electric motors and a 1.6kWh battery.VW claims this set-up produces 125kW/309Nm, a jump of 15kW/59kW over the petrol Golf’s 110kW/250Nm max outputs.It also uses about 4.6-litres per 100km of fuel, which is slightly more than Toyota's claim.Hybrid options are becoming increasingly important to brands in Australia as purely petrol powered vehicles are starting to fall foul of Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).The NVES levels fines against carmakers for every gram of CO2 a sold vehicle emits over a certain threshold. This threshold gets lower every year until 2030.The fines can be offset by sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids.Purely petrol cars will soon become prohibitively expensive, with hybrids also attracting moderate fines in the coming years.The NVES is also putting Australia at the front of the queue for international brands to get low emissions or electric vehicles.Volkswagen Australia for years struggled to get its electric cars sold in Europe and other parts of the world, as our market wasn’t considered an emissions critical one that needed these vehicles. This is no longer the case.All this works in favour of Volkswagen bringing its latest hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles here.