SUV News

Cupra has officially axed the Ateca in Australia as production winds down globally.“We’ve sold out in Australia,” said Cupra Australia Head of Product Jeff Shafer to CarsGuide.“It's been, you know, a great car to have at launch. It was one of the original Cupra models globally.”Cupra Australia Director Jerome Figuiere noted that global production will finish over the northern hemisphere summer break, which runs from June to August.The Cupra Ateca is essentially a hotted-up version of the Seat Ateca, which dates all the way back to 2016. It shares its platform with the Skoda Karoq and Audi Q2, among others.This spicy small SUV was one of the Spanish carmaker’s first vehicles in Australia when it launched back in 2022. It formed as part of the launch line-up, being sold alongside the Formentor small SUV and Leon small hatchback.Initially the Ateca was only offered locally in a flagship VZx trim with its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 221kW and 400Nm.In 2024 a new, entry-level version called the V joined the local line-up. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder produces 140kW and 320Nm.Despite this, the Ateca has always been the brand’s slowest seller in Australia. Last year a total of 101 examples were sold, which was down 61.5 per cent year-on-year.For reference, Cupra sold a total of 1490 Formentors over the same time, which was up 17.8 per cent year-on-year.However, up until May this year, Cupra sold a total of 110 Ateca examples, which was up 124.5 per cent year-on-year. Part of this is likely due to runout deals.Over the same period though the Spanish brand sold 318 Formentor examples.Although Cupra may be axing one of its original and oldest models, the brand has already been introducing newer and larger SUV offerings.It launched the Tavascan mid-size electric SUV, which is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen ID.4 and ID.5, among others, as well as the Terramar mid-size SUV, which is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan, both in 2025.Additionally the Spanish carmaker is set to introduce the new Raval small electric hatchback in Australia during 2027.

We might just have seen the first car from an Australian-bound budget 4WD brand.iCaur is due to land in Australia in 2027 as yet another sub-brand under the Chery umbrella and it could debut with this boxy hybrid SUV.Range-extender (REEV) variants of the Jaecoo 6T have launched in the right-hand drive market of Thailand, which could be its final step before entering Australia.The SUV is called the iCaur 03 in most other markets, despite being sold under the Jaecoo banner in Thailand. The iCaur brand remains a developing situation in Australia, with all models still under consideration, but the availability of so many variants of the iCaur 03 now in right-hand drive bolsters its chances of being a shoo-in for Australia. We can expect more details on the incoming brand towards the end of the year. As a segment-bending small SUV, the iCaur 3 would be an off-road focused alternative to the Chery Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid or serve as a closer theoretical rival to the Renault Duster with its off-road aspirations. The iCaur 3 is currently available with (REEV) and all-electric set-ups, available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive.The REEV gets a 1.5-litre petrol engine responsible for charging the battery, along with an electric motor set-up to drive the wheels. The RWD produces 185kW/300Nm, while the 4WD produces 315kW/505Nm. Acceleration from 0-100km/h can be as fast as 5.5 seconds. Both cars are fitted with a 34kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. It offers a fully-electric driving range of up to 190km for the 2WD and 160km for the 4WD, according to more generous NEDC standards. Total driving range for the 2WD is 800km, while the 4WD has 750km, also according to NEDC. The EV also has 2WD and 4WD offerings, with single and dual electric motor set-ups.It has boxy proportions, with a separate horizontal and vertical rectangular headlight design, and is available in a standout yellow paint job. On the inside, it has a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 9.2-inch digital driver display.It also has wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.Stay tuned on more about iCaur with more information on the brand set to be revealed before the end of this year.

Hyundai’s new budget electric hatchback has been fully unveiled in Europe, as it gears up to tackle its Chinese rivals Down Under next year. The Ioniq 3 will be Korea’s answer to many of the budget favourites of the EV segment in Australia like the BYD Dolphin (from $29,990, before on-road costs) and MG4 (from $39,990 drive-away).It sizes up between the BYD Atto 1 compact SUV and the Dolphin hatch, measuring at 4155mm long, 1800mm wide, 1505mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2680mm. Expect the Ioniq 3 to be priced above its Chinese competition when it lands here in the first half of 2027. It will be built in Hyundai’s Turkiye factory, so it is likely to inherit hefty export costs and will potentially be pitched as a more premium choice in the EV hatchback space. It will provide the brand with another EV in Australia as it looks to overturn potential emissions fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).It will arguably serve as a replacement to the petrol-powered i30 hatch that was axed in Australia last year despite being one of the most successful vehicles in the segment.This is because it wasn’t financially viable to continue importing the hatch from Europe. The wider i30 range continues on in sedan form, sourced from South Korea.The Ioniq 3 will be powered by a single electric motor in two states of tune, producing either 99kW or 108kW both with 250Nm of torque.It is expected to be available with a 42kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery, providing 335km of range or a 61kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) unit with up to 500km, both according to estimated WLTP figures. A DC fast charger takes roughly half an hour to charge the car from 10 to 80 per cent, with vehicle-to-load capacity also standard on all models. The car’s interior features either a 12.9-inch or 14.6-inch central touchscreen, along with a narrow pop-out digital driver display. It will be available with either 16-, 17- or 18-inch wheels. We can expect more information on the Ioniq 3 later this year as it nears its launch in Europe. The brand had only previously revealed the sportier ‘N-Line’ variant of the Ioniq 3, with this more mainstream version now showing what the more price competitive version of the car will look like.Hyundai also recently revealed what could be this car's hybrid stablemate in the form of the next-generation Avante, known as the i30 sedan locally. It is expected to be hybrid-only by the time it arrives in Australia.

BMW believes there's no such thing as too much choice with its all-new fifth-generation BMW X5.Why else would it go ahead and develop no less than five different powertrains that include a mild-hybrid petrol and diesel, plug-in hybrid, all-electric and, from 2028, a hydrogen fuel-cell?On sale in Australia late this year, the new BMW X5 is the third member of the German brand's Neue Klasse family of next-generation vehicles, lining up alongside the mid-size iX3 and more recently unveiled i3.Like the electric mid-size SUV and sedan, it adopts the firm's latest design language that sees the large SUV embrace striking monolithic proportions, a bold front end with the Neue Klasse visor and a large pair of illuminated vertical kidney grilles.You won't miss it in a car park.If you don't dig the double X LED running lamps, BMW says you can dial them back to double strikes, while the lamps themselves neatly integrate the indicators and provide a clean, imposing look.Along its flanks, the simple surfacing and a lack of any jarring door handles reinforce the X5's imperious stance, while muscular arches and large wheels that range from 21 to 23-inches mean this isn’t an SUV for shrinking violets.Measuring in at 4994mm long, 2000mm wide and standing a towering 1742mm, with a substantial 3035mm wheelbase, some family owners might lament the loss of both the handy split tailgate and the option of a third row of seats, with both the X5 and iX5 strictly five-seaters.Grab the door winglets and the front doors swing open automatically, like they would in a 7 Series limo or a million-dollar Rolls-Royce.Inside, the luxurious Mercedes GLE or Audi Q7 rival picks up where the iX3 left off, boasting the same Panoramic Vision that features a digital strip display that stretches across the entire top half of the dash.Complementing the configurable strip is a large 3D head-up display and a massive 17.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that can be combined with a passenger screen.Helping compensate for the lack of physical controls is a multifunction steering wheel that provides haptic feedback when in use.All the in-car tech runs the car-maker's latest OS X software that now embed Amazon Alexa AI tech within its handy virtual assistant.As well as a striking design, the X5 features a blend of new high-grade leathers and a fresh choice of natural materials, that even include slate for the first time around the gear lever.Helping BMW's latest X5 offer a wide range of powertrains, the large SUV misses out on the brand's next-generation Neue Klasse platform that is reserved for EVs.Instead, the new SUV sits on an upgraded version of the current car's CLAR underpinnings.Even though it misses out on the more advanced architecture, the all-electric iX5 still comes with BMW's latest sixth-generation eDrive powertrain that uses cylindrical cells that have a 20 per cent higher energy content than before.Sharing the same 800-volt electrics as the BMW iX3, the bigger SUV boasts a class-leading 800km range. The German brand says its unbeatable distance between charges comes from efficiency gains, although we think the enormous 140kWh battery does most of the heavy lifting.Plug it in and the charging rate is said to exceed 450kW, with a 10 to 80 per cent charge set to take less than 25 minutes.Add a tow hook and the iX5 can haul up to 2700kg (braked) – not too far off the maximum 3300kg the PHEVs can tow.Impressive, but it's worth mentioning the EVs won't arrive until late 2027.If you can't wait until then or you're not ready for an all-electric revolution, BMW will offer a pair of mild-hybrid combustion engines that combine a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder with a 48-volt integrated starter-generator, plus an eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive.The X5 40 xDrive produces 294kW and 540Nm of torque, which is enough for a 0-100km/h dash of 5.4 seconds. The second turbo-diesel, the 230kW/670Nm X5 40d xDrive takes 6.2 seconds for the same sprint but can also average a more miserly 7L/100km (versus 8.6L/100km for the petrol).For Australians, the two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions might be a perfect compromise when they arrive in the second half of next year.Both the PHEVs blend an EV range of up to 100km with either 360kW (X5 50e xDrive) or 450kW for the X5 M60e XDrive that takes just 4.2 seconds to launch from 0-100km/h.Until the sportiest twin-turbo V8-powered X5 M arrives, the flagship PHEV and advanced iX5 60 xDrive remain the sportiest variants, with the latter dual motor EV pumping out 425kW and 805Nm of torque for a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.7 seconds.BMW will release full details of the iX5 Hydrogen later, which comes equipped with a third-generation fuel-cell that has been developed with help from Toyota.With plenty of praise already heaped on the BMW iX3, the German brand says its latest Neue Klasse SUV will blend best-in-class handling with high levels of comfort.Included in its dynamic repertoire is the same powerful Heart of Joy superbrain that seamlessly manages torque and all the chassis tech.Whichever you buy, all X5s come with a 50:50 weight distribution, air suspension and rear-wheel steer.A more sophisticated Adaptive Chassis height-adjustable suspension is also available, plus a further semi-active suspension that cancels out body roll for the most comfortable ride.Driver assist tech includes hands-free highway driving and a city assistant driverless mode that helps with working out who has right of way in unfamiliar cities.BMW Australia says it's too early for full details and pricing for the BMW X5 or iX5 but the new fifth-gen large SUV lands it is tipped to be priced from $150,000 plus on-road costs when sales begin at the end of this year.

Jeep is on the receiving end of a big push back into the European market with potential flow-on benefits for Australia.As part of the Stellantis group’s Fastlane 2030 strategy, which includes introduction of more than 60 new or redesigned vehicles globally by the end of the decade, Jeep says it is committed to expanding its European range to six models within that timeframe.There are 14 core brands under the Stellantis umbrella - Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. Stellantis has confirmed it will collaborate with its “historical partner” in China, Dongfeng to create a 51 per cent Stellantis-owned European joint-venture - Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA) - incorporating distribution, engineering, sourcing and capacity sharing.Among new models for other Stellantis subsidiaries, the Stellantis/Dongfeng JV will produce two small Jeeps underpinned by the ‘STLA One’ platform for sale in China and other regions.That regional focus in Europe will be supported by production at the Stellantis Rennes plant in Eastern France, with domestic examples and other exports covered by the existing Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën facility in Wuhan, China. Thanks to ever-tightening emissions standards in the eurozone, larger Jeeps like the Grand Cherokee SUV and Gladiator pick-up were dropped there in 2024, with the Wrangler departing last year to leave the Avenger compact electric SUV (Jeep’s best seller in Europe) and Compass internal-combustion and hybrid crossover as the only models offered.Speaking at a media roundtable last week, Stellantis Head of Jeep, Ram and Dodge Brands - Enlarged Europe Fabio Catone said, “Small SUVs have been Jeep’s strength in Europe since we launched the Renegade in 2014, and we will expand with two additional models that will be larger than the Avenger.” Catone confirmed that before the Euro manufacturing ramp-up begins, next year Jeep will launch the Mexican-built mid-size Recon EV SUV (just released in the USA) in Europe.It will be followed in 2028 by the first co-developed newcomer, a small plug-in hybrid SUV. Stellantis Head of Jeep Product Marketing - Enlarged Europe Fabio Carli said the two small SUVs will have multiple powertrains including full-hybrid four-wheel drive variants.Previous reports suggest the large Wagoneer S electric SUV won’t appear in Europe with the smaller, likely Hemi V8-powered, Scrambler ute (due to bow in North America in 2028) also a scratching thanks to its predictably high emissions.The new SUVs could prove a boon for Jeep in Australia with local sales currently confined to the Avenger, Gladiator and Wrangler (with the last examples of the long-discontinued Grand Cherokees currently trickling out of showrooms).Not only are year-on-year sales down a massive 66.2 percent to just 296 units to the end of May (and the same period in 2025 was in turn down 20.8 per cent on 2024), tightening New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) targets will continue to impact the brand’s internal-combustion models and overall profitability.Smaller electrified SUVs sourced out of China would surely release some NVES pressure and offer potential Jeep buyers cleaner, more affordable options. 

Audi has confirmed that it is working on cheaper and faster versions of its recently facelifted 2026 Audi Q4 e-tron, with new additions primed to arrive on sale within 12 months.According to Audi product planner Herman Verbeek, speaking to Carsguide, the upgraded all-electric compact SUV will be continually improved from its introduction in Australia late this year as part of plans to extend the model's lifespan into 2030.Originally, the Q4 e-tron was supposed to have been replaced around 2028 by an all-new model that will sit on the Volkswagen Group's Scalable Systems Platform (SSP), which has now been pushed back until early 2030 over software challenges within VW's in-house Cariad division.Verbeek said the first model to arrive is likely to be a more powerful version of the Q4 e-tron that has been designed to sit above the current 250kW quattro performance.The product boss didn't disclose how much power the flagship Q4 would produce, but said that the new model wouldn't be badged either an S Q4 e-tron or RS Q4 e-tron, as neither model would offer the "agility or driving dynamics worthy of an Audi Sport model".The extra power will come from existing hardware, with the newly released APP 350 (up to 170kW) and existing APP 550 motor (210kW) will both be wound up to produce more power, while the front-mounted asynchronous electric motor (ASM) will have total output boosted from 80kW to more than 110kW.More good news for those on the hunt for a more affordable take on the Q4 e-tron, Verbeek said his team were working on two new batteries that would replace the current car's nickel-manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, with today's entry 59kWh power pack set to be superseded by a new lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that will be shared with the new inbound A2 e-tron crossover that will be released later this year.The cheaper LFP battery, which is expected to bring a 30 per cent cost saving over NMC cells, was originally destined to arrive earlier in the Q4 but was pushed back as Audi waited for the more energy-dense chemistry being developed by the VW Group's partner. The reason for the delay was that Audi was keen for the entry Q4 e-tron to weigh less than 2000kg, as some European underground car parks have strict weight limits that forbid any cars heavier than two tonnes from entering.The same weight limit is also applied to automated stackers, car lifts, ramps and car turntables.Verbeek did not confirm when the new batteries would arrive, but the senior Audi boss did rule out upgrading the current car's 400-volt electrics to 800-volts over the huge cost."We can't do it, we'd need to change everything, the battery, motors, inverters, control units, even the air conditioner condenser."The Q4 e-tron's MEB platform means current charging rates are limited at between 160-185kW, a long way off the 320kW the latest similarly-sized all-electric Mercedes GLA will be capable of, with the Audi taking around 27 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up, around 5 minutes slower than rivals with the more powerful electrics.

It may have only been on sale in Australia for eight months but the BYD Atto 2 is already lining up for a mild facelift in parallel with comprehensive mechanical upgrade that will see  the small, pure-electric SUV switch from front- to rear-wheel drive.An overnight report from CarNewsChina has revealed partially-camouflaged pre-production examples spotted in China, with the biggest external clue to the powertrain change being inclusion of a new rear-mounted charge port.According to the report, Chinese domestic market Atto 2s (badged Yuan UP) will now be powered by 100kW and 120kW motors, down from the 130kW currently produced by Australian versions of the popular crossover. But higher outputs for export are likely, as per other BYD models.Chinese government filings show the car’s wheelbase has grown by 150mm (to 2770mm) with a significant increase in overall length (+355mm to 4665mm) and width (+65mm to 1895mm). Height is unchanged at 1675mm.And while the McPherson strut front suspension set-up remains, the rear switches from semi-independent torsion beam to a full multi-link arrangement.Externally, the car’s front bumper loses its coloured lower lip but a significant addition is a Lidar unit in the lower grille, expected to be offered as an option on the new version.BYD’s ‘DiPilot 300’ system is already available on the Dolphin and Seagull (Atto 1 in Australia) in China.But BYD’s game-changing ‘Flash Charge’ technology appears to be missing in action with Chinese versions of the updated Atto 2 to retain a conventional 400V platform, offering a choice of 42kWh and 52kWh first-generation ‘Blade’ LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery packs for claimed ranges of 410 and 505 km (CLTC), respectively.Aussie Atto 2s currently feature the larger LFP battery with a maximum DC charging rate of 82kW for a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 38 minutes. Flash charging enables a recharge at up to 1500kW, taking a compatible battery from zero to 97 per cent capacity in just nine minutes’ although it’s worth noting the most powerful chargers currently in Australia are 400kW. CarsGuide has contacted BYD Australia for comment on the updated Atto 2’s development and potential arrival in the local market.

The new Mitsubishi Pajero is coming in hot, with its Australian launch closing in.Details of the Japanese brand’s rough-and-tumble four-wheel drive are starting to surface ahead of the vehicle’s launch before the end of the year.Australia has already been confirmed as one of the first markets in the world to get the new Pajero, but now it has been revealed there will be four Pajeroes to choose from.Government homologation documents, which confirm a vehicle is approved for sale and often appear several months before models land in dealerships, show the Pajero will be available in GLX, GLS, Exceed and GSR trims.This will give the fifth-generation Pajero the firepower to take on the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.Mitsubishi is keeping information close to its chest, with all other details usually found in the approval documents missing.If we look at Mitsubishi's other models we can get an idea of what each grade may represent.The GLX and GLS will be workman like off-roaders, focusing on capability with less of the showy pampering of higher-end variants.Exceed versions will likely be the most luxe of the bunch with premium finishes throughout.  The GSR should be the toughest looking, with the latter potentially mirroring the Triton GSR with blacked-out styling and even increased 4WD capabilities.Mitsubishi hasn’t revealed what the Pajero will look like, but it has been spotted testing in Australia wearing beefy, blocky styling similar to the incoming Nissan Patrol.We do know it will be based on the current Mitsubishi Triton ute, which means it will use a rugged ladder frame that is also found underneath the LandCruiser and Patrol 4WDs.More recent Pajero generations have used a unibody structure, which is used in SUVs and passenger cars. This means it is often not as sturdy off-road, but is lighter, more fuel efficient and composed on the road than conventional ladder-framed 4WDs.Technical details haven’t been revealed, but it is odds on to use the same set-up as the Triton.This means a 2.4-litre bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, which makes 150kW and 470Nm. This is matched to a six-speed auto driving all four wheels.All or several grades are likely to be fitted with Mitsubishi’s Super Select 4WD-II tech, which brings selectable drive modes for different road surfaces and active yaw control. A rear differential lock is near certainty, too.Mitsubishi is also planning a range of Pajero models. There is no official word on what they might be yet, but speculation out of Japan points to a mini Pajero and possibly a shortened three-door version. Those models likely won't be seen in public until next decade.

BYD’s latest model is on the cusp of landing in Australia, and it could be one of the brand’s cheapest models sold to date. A plug-in hybrid variant BYD Atto 2 small SUV has been approved for Australian sale, joining the fully-electric model already available. There is no official news on price, but we can expect it to sit under the $31,990 (before on-road costs) starting price of the cheapest electric version. This would make it the cheapest plug-in hybrid in Australia, beating the BYD Sealion 5 and Chery Tiggo 7 SHS.The fully-electric Atto 2 continues to be one of the best-selling EVs in Australia since it launched late last year.This latest move will see the Atto 2 move into competition with some of the big players of the small SUV segment. Segment leaders, the Chery Tiggo 4 and Hyundai Kona adopt petrol and plug-less hybrid set-ups, giving this new Atto 2 a point of difference.It is similarly sized to those rivals, but has potential to be offered at a cheaper price point. The Atto 2 PHEV was spotted undergoing in Sydney in late May as it edges closer to showrooms. The car will be available with a choice of two 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor set-ups, producing 122kW or 156kW.This means the base Atto 2 EV boasts more power than its PHEV sibling (130kW), with the top-grade PHEV becoming the most powerful Atto 2 in the range.BYD Australia is yet to officially confirm the Atto 2 PHEV’s arrival Down Under, but it is rare for a car to be approved for sale, then fail to make it into showrooms. There are scarce other details on the car at this stage, with more information likely to be revealed closer to the car’s impending launch. In the United Kingdom, the Atto 2 PHEV has a total driving range of nearly 1000km, with an electric-only range of 89km from its 18kWh battery. Its interior features a 12.8-inch central touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital driver display.We can expect more official details on the Australian Atto 2 PHEV towards the end of this year. 

The latest CX-5 may never have happened.Mazda has confirmed that the CX-60 was originally planned to replace, rather than support, the company’s best-selling medium-sized SUV as we know it, as part of the brand’s global move upmarket that resulted in a wide range of larger and more-expensive alternatives stretching up to the CX-90 flagship.The disappointing critical reception and subsequent disappointing global sales performance of the CX-60 since its March, 2022 world premiere, appear to have prompted a pivot back to CX-5 development soon after, resulting in today’s third-generation KM-series model.“I like to admit the fact that we had a variety of discussions on this model,” according to Mazda Motor Corporation CX-5 Program Manager, Koichiro Yamaguchi, speaking via an interpreter.“There was an idea to replace (CX-5) with the CX-60 as the new generation (CX-5), and there were also some opinions about continuing the CX-5 model. But the conclusion was very simple, because the current CX-5 just kept setting well among our customers.“So, after we came to this conclusion, we just had to develop this new-generation CX-5 model that fits our customers’ needs and wants. And that’s how we planned and engineered this vehicle.”The Australian sales data would certainly support the decision to evolve the CX-5 series.Volumes for the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 are all down compared to the same time last year, by 1.4 per cent, 28 per cent, 30 per cent and 12.5 per cent respectively.In the CX-60’s case, this is despite the advent of a round of suspension improvements last year, designed to address criticisms over ride quality, as well as an entry-level four-cylinder petrol rear-drive Pure grade starting from $44,740 that’s within $5000 of the CX-5 base equivalent.Furthermore, Yamaguchi also disclosed that KM CX-5 development took just three years, which puts it commencing sometime after the CX-60’s global debut in early 2022.“It began three years ago,” he revealed.Not only does the latest CX-5’s late gestation explain the unusually long lifecycle of the outgoing KF series that launched in Australia in early 2017 (nearly doubling the original KE’s five-year time frame), it also explains the delay in getting the vital hybrid models to market, as they are not due to arrive here until 2028.And that's not even considering the naming convention that makes the KM an outlier with no easy fit between the US-market CX-50 and CX-60.Mazda Australia Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi believes that global demand deemed it essential that the series continue and evolve, even in unison with the larger SUVs in the brand’s line-up.“The market voice from Australia and many other regions is that CX 5 is a core product, and a core value proposition for the customer, and that must be honoured,” he added.“And this is going back many years, before the CX-60 was even launched.”While walking away from Mazda’s premium aspirations, Bhindi is adamant the multi-SUV approach was always part of the company’s strategy.“There was a reason for (the CX-5 to stay on sale), because we also wanted what the large-platform (CX-60 and CX-70 two-row SUVs and CX-80 and CX-90 three-row SUVs) offer for Australia, but also globally,” he said.“And to do that, the CX-5 had to extend a little bit longer. So, we've got both the things that was on our wish list: to have a CX 5 ongoing, and the large platform (SUVs) that provide that step up from CX-5.“Because, in the previous line-up, after CX 5, where does the customer go?They would only have the (now-discontinued) CX-8 and CX-9. But they are three-row SUVs, and not everybody needs a three-row car.“What we have now is a CX-60 and a CX-70, if you want two-row cars and performance and different dynamics.”