SUV News

Zeekr will follow-up its popular 7X electric SUV with the just-revealed 8X large plug-in hybrid SUV.The 8X was just detailed in China ahead of its domestic launch, and speaking to CarsGuide, Zeekr Australia’s Managing Director Frank Li confirmed it would come to Australia next year.“We’ll have the 8X official launch event in April in China,” he said. “Three models will come across next year, 7GT, 9X and 8X, but we haven’t had the final date for which one will come first, or in which month or what quarter.The 8X will sit above the CarsGuide Car of the Year award-winning 7X mid-size electric SUV, but below the brand’s flagship 9X three-row large SUV. At over five-meters long it is still in the large SUV category despite being a five-seater, which puts it up against the Range Rover Sport, Audi Q8 and Lexus RX.It is closer in design and styling to the 9X and the 009 people mover, featuring a chrome grille and big alloy wheels, although has softer edges than the more boxy flagship 9X.The 8X will use a 205kW 2.0-litre petrol turbo plug-in hybrid set-up producing 660kW in dual-motor AWD form, or even up to 1030kW in tri-motor Performance form, which is plotted to have a 0-100km/h sprint time in the realm of 2.0 seconds, according to regulatory filings with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.It is equipped with either a 55.1kWh or a 70kWh battery offering a purely electric range of either 256km or 328km, and sports an 800-volt electrical system to allow for ultra-fast charging.On the performance front, the car will feature active anti-rollbars, dual-chamber air suspension, and adaptive damping, along with what appears from pre-release images to be a sport-oriented Michelin tyre package.The just-revealed-in-China interior also shows the 8X will carry across many of its interior features from the 9X as well, including two huge dash-spanning multimedia screens, a separate digital instrument cluster, and even a rear entertainment touchscreen for the second row.Elsewhere, the large luxury SUV features plaid interior leather, reclining outboard rear seats and at least the option of a roof-mounted screen and a panoramic sunroof.Zeekr will be looking to capitalise on momentum from its successful 7X launch, after a slow launch in Australia with the X small SUV and niche 009 electric luxury people mover.Despite only being on sale for a few months, the 7X managed to account for over 60 per cent of the Chinese luxury brand’s sales in 2025, a streak which is more than continuing in 2026. The brand also recently added the Black Edition specified based on "customer feedback" specifically for the Australian market.Expect to learn more about Zeekr’s roll-out plan for the remainder of 2026 and its new models plotted for 2027 and beyond shortly, as the company gears up for the Beijing Motor Show in April.

BYD is supersizing its luxury Denza plug-in hybrids.The Chinese brand isn’t resting on its laurels, and is already advancing some of its newest Denza branded models with some mega upgrades.In China the Denza N9 and N8L large plug-in hybrid SUVs are getting new batteries that would make most EVs jealous.The Range Rover rivalling models get a 40 per cent electric driving range boost thanks to a new circa-75kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery.BYD claims it pushes driving range up to 315km in the N9 and 320km in the N8L.That new battery is bigger than what is found in most EVs, and is about three to four times bigger than what is found in most plug-in hybrids.The extra battery capacity pushes the two SUV's weight above three tonnes. That extra weight will mean the bigger battery will be more inefficient as it has to move around the extra bulk.Other technical details have not been revealed, but it is likely to maintain the same set-up as the current version.The N9 uses a​​ 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to three electric motors, which pump out a combined 680kW and allow it to hit 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds. It takes aim at the European luxury establishment with top-notch items such as dual-chamber air suspension, rear-wheel steering, a refrigerated centre console box and a 17.3-inch screen which folds down from the roof to provide entertainment for the second and third row.The N9 is more road-focused compared to the Denza B5 and B8 premium off-roaders which have recently gone on sale in Australia.There is no word yet on whether the Denz N9 or N8L will come to Australia, but out of the two the N9 would be the most likely.BYD is aggressively expanding its line-up in Australia, including via its Denza high-end sub brand, which opens the door to the N9 coming Down Under.

Electric vehicle sales in Australia are booming, but not in the locations where you might expect them to be.There has been new insight into where Aussies are buying EVs in Australia from the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA).NALSPA’s data shows where EVs are being purchased using a novated lease and the Electric Car Discount (ECD).Range anxiety is often quoted as one of the major roadblocks to the uptake on EVs in Australia. This data suggests it might not play on people's minds to the extent previously thought.Many of the suburbs on the list are not immediately located in the city centres, but further out.The top two postcodes are both on the outskirts of Melbourne in Victoria, around 25-30km away from the CBD.Next up on the list are two postcodes from the west of Sydney, before a rural area in the ACT.The outskirt city theme continues down the list, with a postcode roughly 30km from Brisbane, Queensland, followed by another outer Melbourne postcode.Rounding out the list is a postcode in the greater Western Sydney area, along with NSW/ACT border town Queanbeyan and a postcode around 10km away from Canberra’s centre.This point outer metro residents searching for some respite from high fuel costs from their long commutes and they have access to roof top solar power.Top 10 postcodes for electric vehicles using novated leasing and EDCThe ECD waives the Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). The incentive applies to new battery-electric vehicles, up to a total cost of $89,332.NALSPA Chief Executive Officer Rohan Martin said the data demonstrates the importance of the ECD, especially to people living outside of the major cities. “Australians living in the outer suburbs often face longer commutes and are more likely to have access to rooftop solar and off-street parking so switching to EVs with the help of the FBT exemption is a smart cost-of-living and green choice for them, especially during the ongoing cost-of-living crunch,” Martin said. “We cannot increase EV uptake further, especially during this early adoption phase, without continued targeted demand-side incentives - that's the stark reality. The EV Discount is more than proving its worth but there is still much heavy lifting to be done.”This news comes after the federal government announced a statutory review in the EDC last year, with rumours the whole scheme could be pulled. Costs for the scheme have increased significantly beyond original forecasts, with it costing $1.35 billion last financial year. There is potential for these costs to blow out further as EVs become a more attractive option for buyers with petrol and diesel fuels soaring up in price, along with increasingly scarce availability.

China is dominating Australian new-car sales, but it’s also not alone, with a handful of legacy brands bucking the trend to somehow grow their sales in the face of BYD, Chery and GWM’s continued ascent.

The Mazda CX-30 is one of the Japanese carmaker’s most popular SUV models and it’s likely due to receive a major update or next-generation model in the next few years.Essentially a lifted version of the Mazda3 hatchback and sedan, the CX-30 was revealed back in 2019 and hasn’t received any major facelift or update since it launched.To help paint a picture of what this updated version of the CX-30 looks like, we have new digital renders from Thanos Pappas.Overall, the silhouette remains largely the same, but the biggest difference is the front fascia.Inspired by the likes of the new-generation CX-5, there’s an angrier and more angular front end with thin LED headlights and prominent bonnet bulges.There’s even an alternate version of the front end which is largely blanked out and reminiscent of the Vision X-Compact concept from the 2025 Japan Mobility Show.This latter option indicates what an electric or hybrid version of the CX-30 could look like.Mazda is currently developing its Skyactiv-Z in-house hybrid powertrain and the first vehicle it’ll feature in is the new CX-5 in 2027.It’s expected that versions of this Skyactiv-Z hybrid engine will eventually filter out to the rest of Mazda’s line-up of vehicles. This means the CX-30 will likely eventually end up with some form of hybrid engine.In fact, the CX-30 has previously already been offered with hybrid power, even in Australia, with the Skyactiv-X 24V mild hybrid on sale locally from 2020 to 2023, as well as the Skyactiv-G 12V mild hybrid that was briefly available.Both were discontinued locally due to slow sales and since then the only engine options have been 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines.Mazda is also increasing its line-up of electric vehicles (EVs) and it wouldn’t be surprising if an update to the CX-30 brings more widespread adoption of electric powertrains.An electric version of the CX-30 was previously offered in China and built by the joint venture company Changan Mazda. It was jacked up much higher than the regular CX-30 and featured a unique front bumper.It was powered by a 160kW front-mounted electric motor which was fed by a 61.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The claimed range was up to 450km, according to NEDC testing.The CX-30 EV has since been succeeded by the larger Mazda EZ-60, which is based on the same platform as the Deepal S07 that is sold in Australia.At this stage it’s unclear what other changes may happen with this eventual CX-30 update, however the new CX-5 may preview some things.Mazda has notably moved away from having a physical rotary dial on the centre console with the new CX-5 and is now focusing on a much larger central touchscreen multimedia system.For now we’ll just have to wait and see what Mazda has in store for the CX-30.

Is the ‘uncool’ people mover on the verge of a renaissance?New arrivals and rising sales suggest the once daggy family transport could become the new battleground in the Australian market.While large, seven-seat SUVs remain the preferred option for Australian families, people mover sales were up 9.2 per cent in 2025 and have started 2026 with a surge, a whopping 41.1 per cent jump on last year.While the Kia Carnival remains the undisputed champion of people movers, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of its market, there is a new wave of more premium rivals that are catering to a specific audience looking for spacious and luxurious travel.The Chinese brands are, unsurprisingly, leading this charge, as people movers are a much more popular choice in its native market. The likes of the Zeekr 009, LDV Mifa, GAC M8 PHEV and upcoming Denza D9 are all offering space and premium features for both family and business buyers.These add to the likes of the Lexus LM, which is available with an opulent four-seat layout, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class, giving buyers more choice.Meanwhile in the more family/fleet-orientated segment of the market, the Carnival competes against the Hyundai Staria, new Ford Tourneo and Volkswagen’s new-generation Multivan and Caddy.And, if that’s not enough, there are the all-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Mercedes-Benz EQV to expand the appeal of the people mover even further.So what makes people movers so popular, especially the Carnival?According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s head of product planning, it’s the simple fact they are bigger and more practical than a seven-seat SUV for families that need the space.“I think our dealers do a pretty good job of conveying that while there might be a high desirability of an SUV, because everyone has got one… but for most families a Carnival is a better proposition,” explains Rivero.“For a family, fundamentally a Carnival does a better job.”The combination of more interior space, especially in the third row and a practical boot, as well as the sliding rear doors, are the standout areas where a people mover has the edge over an SUV, says Rivero.“For the most part dealers are able to convey the benefits of the Carnival over an SUV, unless the buyer has a need for four-wheel drive,” he said. “It’s probably the marketing that has driven that SUV popularity.”Rivero added: “Those that discovered the benefits of a people mover, those who have a family, realise quickly how good it can be.”Speaking to CarsGuide in August 2025, Zeekr Australia boss Frank Li admitted he was surprised by the initial slow uptake for the 009 given its popularity in overseas markets but expressed confidence in its long-term prospects.“Before actually, we valued the Australian market very much as well, but you know previously we only had two models and that is quite a niche segment in Australia,” Li explained.“Even though 009 performance is very good – it’s brilliant in south east Asia, like Hong Kong, Malay Thailand, we’re dominating this segment in this market – but the Australian market is obviously not a traditional people mover market. We believe that slowly, slowly our customers will love 009, but that takes time.”The more premium end of the market is a growing space for these more luxurious people movers, and it’s a key reason why Denza (BYD’s luxury sub-brand) is going to launch the D9 in Australia.Paul Ellis, spokesperson for Denza, said the brand’s move into the market is less about attracting fleet buyers and instead a more corporate audience, smaller operators that do luxury transfers and upmarket hotels, as well as families looking for space and comfort.“They’re a niche product, but within that niche there is quite a lot of demand for them,” Ellis told CarsGuide.

Ford CEO Jim Farley has warned the legacy carmaker may axe its Australian engineering arm if the local government doesn’t come to the table and help equalise costs.While the Blue Oval hasn’t produced any cars in Australia since 2016, it has since still led the engineering development of vehicles like the Ranger ute and related Everest SUV.Ford currently has around 1500 engineers employed in Australia.“Australia has become ground zero for the global industry because your government dropped all the tariffs,” said Farley to Australian media, including CarsGuide.“It’s a completely open market and also pushing CO2 , arguably way beyond the customer requirements.“So it’s this cauldron of innovation and brutal competition, and to have engineers here – we’re the only ones left.“It's amazing to me that no one notices that Toyota has like 10 engineers in the country, and Ford has got thousands.“Do we get credit at the brand level? Probably not, but thank god they’re here because we wouldn’t have a Super Duty without them, and the global Ranger wouldn’t be number two to HiLux globally.“ needs to decide if they want to help us equalise the cost differential … because this is among the most expensive places to have engineers on the planet.”Another element is the Australian government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) could further strangle the future of Ford’s local engineering efforts.“What we’ve seen around the world with this kind of pressure on pure EVs is that ultimately all OEMs develop compliance vehicles," Farley said.“They’re not designed for customers. They’re designed for the OEM to be compliant and they’re subsidised by the OEMs and the customers have great choice.“That’s not a natural market and over time that winds up not being sustainable.“Something your government, or any government, has to be very sensitive to around the CO2 glide path. We want to reduce our CO2 footprint, but there’s a level that the customer can’t afford, and not all duty cycles can be electrified.”Farley noted one particular use case that electrified vehicles currently aren’t suited for is for heavy towing and that this happens frequently in Australia.“From my standpoint, those are the two policy issues that this country has to face. You want to prioritise mining and extraction of raw materials? Fine, but then you’re going to have to make some tough choices," Farley said.“Is the CO2 road map sustainable for customers? I think Australia may be on the wrong side of that now.“As well, you have to decide as a country, do you want to have a traditional engineering capability in your country?”“I think the government has to decide on that and it can’t sit on the sidelines and pretend that’s not a choice.“It’s a choice because that engineering can be done in a lot of other places … cheaper and faster.“The good thing is Ford is committed, but we’re not going to make bad choices.”As it currently stands, Ford does have a wealth of credits as reflected in the 2025 performance period for NVES.To be exact, it has 451,899 credits which it can either trade with other carmakers for profit or hoard to offset the results in coming years as the targets get stricter.A major reason for why Ford currently has NVES credits is because it, among a wealth of other brands, advocated for the implementation of two different target types – Type 1 and Type 2.Type 1 vehicles are regular passenger cars like sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs, whereas Type 2 vehicles include utes, vans, as well as body-on-frame four-wheel drive SUVs with a towing capacity of more than 3000kg.The latter has CO2 targets that aren’t as low but they still scale down as the years progress.Many of Ford’s best-selling vehicles, including the Ranger, Everest and Transit all fall into the Type 2 category.For context, in 2025 the CO2 emissions target for Type 1 vehicles was 141g/km and for Type 2 vehicles was 210g/km.It has since been reduced to 117g/km for Type 1 vehicles and 180g/km for Type 2 vehicles in 2026.It takes until 2028 for the CO2 emissions target for Type 2 vehicles to undercut the original 2025 CO2 emissions target for Type 1 vehicles.It's understood Ford is already making efforts to reduced its fleet CO2 footprint in Australia.The company has discontinued the 2.0-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo engine in the Ranger and Everest, instead relying more heavily on the single-turbo version in addition to the wealth of other powertrains offered, including V6s and a plug-in hybrid.The Blue Oval has also introduced more electrified Transit Custom offerings in Australia.Beyond the E-Transit Custom and E-Transit commercial vans though, the only other pure electric vehicle (EV) Ford Australia currently offers is the Mustang Mach-E mid-size SUV.

Nearly 35,000 examples of the current-generation Toyota Kluger are being recalled over an issue with the second seating row.According to the Federal Government’s vehicle recalls website, because of a design issue, the second-row seat recliner mechanism might not fully engage when adjusting the seat back. As a result, the seat back could move inadvertently.“In the event of an accident or hard braking, if the second-row seat recliner mechanism is not fully engaged and the seat back moves inadvertently, it could increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants,” the recall notice says.All up, 34,370 examples of the 2021 to 2023 Kluger are being called in for a fix and it covers all model grades - GX, GXL and Grande in petrol front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive and hybrid.Toyota will contact owners of impacted vehicles in writing and encourage them to make an appointment at their local dealer for a fix that will be free of charge.Despite its age, the Current Kluger is still a popular model for family buyers. Last year it was the third best selling monocoque-based large SUV in Australia, with 8098 sales. But it was beaten by the Subaru Outback (8384) and Kia Sorento (8745).

MG’s three-row QS has launched in plug-in hybrid form in the UK with the long-promised hybrid SUV taking one step closer to Australia.

Tesla Australia has confirmed the pricing and specifications of the upcoming Model Y L six-seat SUV ahead of its launch in the second quarter of 2026.The 2026 Tesla Model Y L is priced from $74,900 before on-road costs, which positions it between the five-seat Model Y's Premium Long Range AWD ($68,900 before on-road costs) and Performance ($89,400 before on-road costs) variants.While three-row versions of the Model Y have been offered in other markets, the Model Y L marks the first time it has been offered in Australia.It has a six-seat configuration with second-row captain’s chairs that are heated, ventilated and feature adjustable headrests and armrests. Even the third-row seats offer heating.Every second- and third-row seat has ISOFIX and top-tether child seat anchorage points, meaning you can install up to four child seats.The Model Y L has the same body shape as the regular Model Y from the B-pillar forwards, however the rear doors have been lengthened, as well as the rear three-quarter panel. There’s also a higher roof line to account for the third row of seating.It measures in at 4969mm long, 1668mm tall and 2129mm wide with a 3040mm wheelbase. This makes it 177mm longer and 44mm taller than the standard Model Y.Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 378kW and 590Nm.This is fed by a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery of an undisclosed capacity, however Tesla claims there’s 681km of range, according to WLTP testing. For context, the Model Y Premium Long Range AWD offers 600km of WLTP-claimed range.The high-voltage battery pack can be DC fast-charged at rates up to 250kW and it offers vehicle-to-load (V2L) at rates up to 3.3kW through the use of an adaptor that plugs into the charge port. This is the first time a Tesla vehicle has offered V2L in Australia.2026 Tesla Model Y Australian pricing:2026 Tesla Model Y L powertrain:2026 Tesla Model Y L dimensions2026 Tesla Model Y L standard equipment:19-inch alloy wheels with aero coversSix-seat configuration16.0-inch central touchscreen multimedia system8.0-inch second-row touchscreen50W driver’s side wireless charger30W front passenger’s side wireless charger19-speaker sound systemHeated and ventilated front- and second-row seatsHeated third-row seatsElectric folding third- and second-row seats2026 Tesla Model Y L safety:Tesla has confirmed the Model Y L retains the regular Model Y’s five-star ANCAP safety rating.There are nine airbags which cover all passengers, including those in the third row.2026 Tesla Model Y L warranty and servicing:The 2026 Tesla Model Y L is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 192,000km.Owners also receive five years of roadside assistance, including puncture repair and tyre replacement. Tesla will even offer you a loan vehicle if a repair isn’t possible.Tesla doesn’t enforce typical logbook servicing intervals for its vehicles.