SUV News

Chery Australia has confirmed a full hybrid version of its compact C5 SUV will launch here in the middle of the year.This news follows confirmation the car will also be offered in the UK, marketed as the Omoda 5 SHS-H, from March this year.Powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine working in concert with a single electric motor the newcomer sends a combined 150kW to the front wheels through a ‘Dedicated Hybrid Transmission’ (DHT).The combination of a 1.83kWh battery and 51-litre fuel tank delivers a claimed driving range in excess of 1000km thanks to combined cycle (urban/extra-urban) fuel economy figure of 4.4L/100km (WLTP).Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration is a sharp 7.9 seconds and cosmetic changes include an all-new front grille and bumper and fresh alloy wheel designs.Local pricing and specification is yet to be confirmed but it will be offered in two grades in the UK - Knight and Noble — with pricing starting from the equivalent of around $50,800, drive-away, rising to $57,700 d/a. Expect it to be much cheaper in Australia due to reduced export cost thanks to our proximity to China, and the UK's historically high new car prices.The entry-level spec for that market includes 18-inch alloy wheels, full LED lighting, dual 12.3-inch digital displays, wireless  Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, intelligent voice control and a full suite of advanced driver assistance and safety systems.The flagship model adds a surround-view camera, eight-speaker Sony audio, ambient interior lighting, heated and ventilated front seats and more.The new hybrid variant will join the existing pure-combustion Chery C5 and pure-electric E5 to set up a three-pronged attack against the hotly contested small SUV segment.The new model will be competing with the Nissan Qashqai e-Power (from $47,165, BOC), Hyundai Kona Hybrid ($36,950) and Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid (from $37,440).

BYD has updated its tough looking SUV, the all-electric Fang Cheng Bao Titanium 3.The Titanium 3 is the more road-focused little brother to the capable Denza B5 and B8 4WDs, which have just launched in Australia.There is no word on if the Titanium 3 will come to Australia, but BYD and Denza — which draws in models from a range of BYD sub brands such as Fang Cheng Bao in Australia — have made clear they want to aggressively expand their line-ups and grow sales.The Titanium 3 is fully electric, where the B5 and B8 are plug-in hybrids.Despite only being revealed last year the Titanium 3 has been given a big power boost, with single motor versions making 240kW, a rise of 80kW.Dual motor, all-wheel drive examples now make 375kW and 510Nm, a jump of 65kW.Battery size is not yet known, but the outgoing versions used a circa-65kWh in single motor versions and a roughly 72kWh or 79kWh pack for all-wheel drive variants.Fang Cheng Bao claims every model had a driving range of about 500km, but this was calculated by the generous China Light-duty Test Cycle (CLTC) rather than the benchmark WLTP test cycle.One of the other big upgrades in China is the addition of Lidar technology. This tech is crucial for semi-autonomous driving, which is a must-have feature in China.The Titanium 3 is a mid-size SUV, with about the same proportions as a Toyota RAV4.It has tough exterior styling that gives it strong off-road appeal, but it isn’t nearly as capable as the B5 and B8 sold in Australia. Think of it more as an SUV with the ability to handle a dirt road.BYD has had huge success with its Fang Cheng Bao range in China. The larger Titanium 7 sold 50,000 units in just 80 days. BYD has debuted the Titanium 7 in Thailand at the Bangkok motor show, which bodes well for an Aussie arrival in the future as Thailand is also right-hand drive.BYD also builds some Aussie-bound vehicles in Thailand, which could expand to the Titanium 7.The Titanium 7 is much bigger than the 3 at almost five metres long.It also ditches full electric power for plug-in hybrid grunt. It uses a familiar set-up with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors. A 35.6 kWh battery pack provides up to 200km of electric driving range.

Mitsubishi will feature a special ‘Black’ edition model of its popular family SUV in Australia, starting from $47,990 (before on-road costs). This deal is only available on the Mitsubishi Outlander LS all-wheel drive part-time seven-seater variant, which usually starts from $46,540, so the Black edition is a $1450 price bump.As part of the exterior changes, the Black edition gets a wide range of blacked out features, such as roof rails, fog lamp bezels and side mirrors.There is also a two-tone black roof and black window surrounds.It rides on exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels. Official Mitsubishi black alloy wheels are only otherwise available in 20-inch, at a cost of $2883.On the inside, the car comes with microsuede seat trim with synthetic leather bolsters and door trims. The driver’s seat gets eight-way power adjustment and both front seats are heated.These interior changes have been pulled from the up-spec Aspire grade of the Outlander, which is one level above the LS, starting from $51,040 for the AWD variant. The LS limited edition Outlander will be powered by the same 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine found in other variants, which produces 135kW and 245Nm. The limited edition Outlander will be available in showrooms from next month, with an updated plug-in hybrid also on the way.As part of the announcement, Mitsubishi has also made entry-level, two-wheel drive ES grade with seven-seats available to private buyers, with a starting price of $42,540. It was previously only for fleet buyers.This makes it the cheapest seven-seat Outlander now available to buyers. Mitsubishi's family SUV recently copped a $750 price hike across the range, excluding the entry-level ES grade.The Outlander was one of the best-selling family SUVs in 2025, marginally missing out on a spot in the top five for the segment. 

MG’s luxury division, IM Motors, has revealed another ultra-luxury large SUV, which will join its range in the coming year.The LS8 is a large three-row SUV, which will sit above the IM6 that is currently sold in Australia, but below the flagship LS9 revealed in 2025.Information recently filed with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), we know the LS8 is more than five meters long, exactly two meters wide, and 1817mm tall with a 3060mm wheelbase.The LS8 will be a range-extender plug-in hybrid, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acting independently of electric motors on each axle. IM models currently sold in Australia are electric-only.The MIIT information shows IM is planning two massive battery sizes, either 52.1kWh or 65.9kWh, for an electric driving range between 268km and 335km according to the more lenient CLTC testing cycle.The new exterior pictures show a boxy large SUV design, which is distinct from the more curvy design language on the IM5 and IM6 sold in Australia.It shares many similarities to other upcoming luxury large SUVs from rival brands, like the Leapmotor D16 and Denza N9 from BYD’s luxury arm, suggesting strong demand for luxury hybrid SUVs in the Chinese domestic market.It features a contemporary light strip and Kia-style vertical LED fittings at each corner in the front, and a matching light strip across the rear. It has a raked roofiline with contrasting black panels in very similar style as popularised by cars like the Range Rover Sport and Velar.The interior is yet to be revealed, but is expected to mirror the designs seen in the LS9No Chinese brand has yet launched one of these luxury large hybrids in Australia.The closest option currently comes from BYD’s Denza, which offers the more off-road focused Denza B5 that is roughly Prado-sized, or the Denza B8 flagship that is more LandCruiser 300-sized.IM Motors has previously told CarsGuide that every new model developed by the luxury arm are aimed at global markets, so the LS8 and LS9 could very much be on the cards for an Australian launch.The brand’s previous CEO Peter Ciao said the company is planning a strong line-up for 2026, with IM Motors forming a part of that planning, so expect an expansion on the range soon.

The Freelander name will be revived in 2026 as Chery and Jaguar Land Rover re-shape their partnership, according to Car News China. It is expected the brand’s first car will be a large seven-seat SUV available with electric and range-extender set-ups. The Freelander has been confirmed for a launch in the Middle East in 2026, with no other regions outside of China officially confirmed at this stage. There is no news on whether the Freelander will wind up in Australia, but if it does, it would be another hybrid rival to the BYD Sealion 8, Chery Tiggo 8 and MG QS. This will be Chery Jaguar Land Rover partnership's first car sold outside of China. The news was revealed after Chery invited public tenders for a marketing agency to create the core visual assets, among other things for the launching Freelander.While bearing the Freelander name, it has been speculated that it will feature Chery’s Exeed brand’s EOX platform. This lends to the likelihood of the Freelander being available in electric and range-extender variants, as on Exeed Star Era ET, which uses the same platform. Freelander-branded cars have already been spotted in China during 2025 road tests of the vehicles. The car features a familiar Land Rover look, with a similar grille and light cluster along with sleek roof design. The Freelander name first started as a Land Rover model alongside other well-known examples such as the Discovery and the Defender. The Freelander project was officially announced in mid-2024 as an electric-only and China-exclusive model.It now looks like plans have changed with the Middle East confirmed for the Freelander brand. We could get our first look at the Freelander as early as April at the Beijing Auto Show. 

The all-new 2026 Volvo EX60 might be the classiest Tesla Model Y rival yet, and it is due in Australia later this year.The perfect antidote to both the Model Y anonymity and the unnecessary visual aggression dished up by German rivals, the EX60 and rough-road ready EX60 Cross Country's smooth styling should be a hit with buyers, and it is heartening to know that its beauty is more than skin deep.When the EX60 touches down late this year, the mid-size battery-powered SUV will initially be offered in just two powertrains. The P6 Electric comes with a single rear motor that produces 275kW of power and 480Nm and provides for a brisk 5.9 second 0-100km/h dash.Need all-wheel drive and the second P10 AWD Electric delivers with its dual motors boosting traction and producing 375kW and 710Nm of torque for a quicker 4.6 seconds 0-100km/h sprint.The P6 (620km) can travel 20km further than the longest-range Tesla Model Y on the WLTP test cycle with its 83kWh battery.The punchier P10 AWD can go further still (660km), thanks to its larger 95kWh battery.In earlier teases, ahead of the the EX60 reveal, the Swedish brand made headline news when it revealed its latest EV could cover up to 810km on a single charge but that car, the P12 AWD, won't rock up until the middle of 2027, at the earliest.Shame, because the P12 AWD is capable of driving further on a charge than both the BMW iX3 (805km) and the Tesla Model 3 Long Range (750km) that was rolled out in the middle of 2025.If you're a performance fan, the P12 AWD might be worth the wait. Combined with its bladder-busting long range is a pair of dual motors that produce a whopping 500kW and 790Nm of torque that sees 0-100km/h take just 3.9 seconds.It's a similar story for the EX60 Cross Country that has yet to be given a release date for Down Under but should land in 375kW P10 AWD power in either 2027 or 2028.Engineers say the EX60's low-drag body and weight-saving from Tesla-style mega castings and mounting the battery cells directly to the body saving valuable kilos have contributed to enhancing efficiency, which may be true but the secret behind the P12 AWD long-leggedness is the enormous 117kWh battery pack mounted between its axles.Charging is near top of the class thanks to Volvo's all-new SPA3 platform's 800-volt electrics, the P6 can be topped up at up to 320kW, while the all-wheel drive P10 and P12 ramp that rate up to an admirable 370kW with both the entry and mid-spec Volvo taking just 18 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent refill, while the P12 with its massive battery only takes a minute longer.The catch is few will be able to find a new breed of 450kW ultra-fast DC chargers Down Under but if you do, after ten minutes, you can add up to 340km of range. All models come with 22kW AC charging.Volvo says the rear-drive P6 can tow up to 2000kg (braked) while the pair of AWD versions can tug up to 2400kg.All EX60 models come with optimum double front suspension and a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension with or without adaptive dampers the EX60 Cross Country is the only version to get single-chamber air suspension that can hoist the ride to offer up to 234mm ground clearance.The bad news, despite its more adventurous styling that includes revised front and rear bumper, complete with bash-plates, plus extra black protective cladding all-round, the EX60 Cross Country can't wade any deeper (450mm) than the standard version, although the off-road driving modes are said to work better with the adjustable air springs.Within, designers claim they have strived to create a calming uncluttered place to spend time.Deduct points for a lack of physical buttons with only a crystal roller and skip back and forward controllers cited below the curved 15-inch infotainment systemThere's also no head-up display, but an 11.4-inch digital instrument cluster mounted high-up on the fabric-wrapped shelf-like dash.As well as mirroring the exterior's minimalist design the cabin doesn't let the side down for tech with it adopting a new powerful 'HuginCore' brain that runs powerful processors from NVIDIA and Qualcomm that can crunch high volumes of data quicker.With built-in Google and advanced AI present, Volvo says you can now have a natural conversation with your car. Owners will also get four years of unlimited data that keeps the car connected for free.The same tech runs the advanced autonomous driving aids but it's unlikely this generation will ever run Level 3 or Level 4-style hands and eyes off the road driverless tech, although a supervised hands-off Level 2+ tech will be rolled out during the EX60's lifespan.Space is generous both in the front and rear when it comes to leg- and headroom thanks to the decent 2970mm wheelbase. Volvo has ruled out a three-row seven-seat version, so the rear 523 litre luggage space will remain untouched.Under the bonnet is a 58-litre frunk that can stow the cables and a soft bag.Volvo is confident the latest EX60 will be judged as its safest creation yet when Euro NCAP and ANCAP safety body get their hands on it and the mid-sizer is the first car yet to get its pioneering multi-adaptive seat belts that uses camera and sensors within the car to judge your size and weight to adjust its tension and force to manage load in the event of an impact, reducing belt-related injuries.Despite preparing itself for limited supply initially from the EX60's factory in Gothenburg, Sweden, Volvo Australia is confident that its all-electric EX60 will overtake the current XC60 and fast become its best-selling model.The ancient nine-year-old XC60 that was updated last year, meanwhile, will live on with combustion and hybrid powertrains and receive a third refresh to ensure it can remain on sale beyond 2030 for those not ready to commit to an EV.Pricing for the 2026 Volvo EX60 will be released late this year, with the entry P6 expected to arrive with a price tag just below $100,000 (plus on-roads), with the P10 AWD tipped to cost around $110,000, with the Swedish mid-size SUV set to command a hefty premium over the  Tesla Model Y (from $63,400 plus on-roads) but should cost around $10,000 less than the equally all-new BMW iX3.

Many of the regular family SUV favourites have made the best-sellers list for 2025, at a time when more brands are joining the battle for sales. Hybrids have a significantly increased presence on the list, while traditional internal combustion options remain prevalent as well.These are the top five best-selling family cars heading into 2026. The Toyota RAV4 was the second-best selling car overall in 2025 and tops the family SUV list with nearly 52,000 sales, despite a more than 10 per cent drop year-on-year as a new-generation looms.With a starting price of $45,990, before on-road costs, the outgoing RAV4 is available exclusively as a hybrid, which starts from just under $60,000. The hybrid consists of a four-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and single electric motor, which produce a combined 143kW. The incoming new-generation RAV4 will remain hybrid only, even introducing a long-awaited plug-in hybrid.Ford’s Everest large SUV is next on this list with more than 26,000 sales in 2025, and a starting price of $59,490, before on-road costs. Based on the best-selling Ranger, the Everest currently features four-cylinder 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel and six-cylinder 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine choices. The 2.0-litre Everest produces 154kW and 500Nm, while the 3.0-litre has 184kW and 600Nm. The Everest range underwent a shake-up last year, with several variants being cut, and the announcement of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo engine will be phased out. Toyota makes another appearance in the list in third position, with its Prado, selling marginally less than the Ford Everest. The Prado is significantly bigger than the RAV4, and is only available with a four-cylinder 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine, producing 150kW and 500Nm. It remains one of only a few Toyota models, including the full-on four-wheel drive LandCruiser 300 Series, which do not yet have a hybrid set-up available. The Prado starts from $72,500 before on-road costs, rising to just under $100,000 for the top-spec model. The Hyundai Kona small SUV managed more than 22,000 sales in 2025, with its cheapest petrol variant starting from $32,950, before on-roads ranging up to $71,000 for the top-spec EV. The Kona currently comes with diverse petrol, hybrid and electric powertrains, with petrol and hybrid units vastly outnumbering electric in sales.The 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 110kW and 180Nm, while the 1.6-litre petrol hybrid produces a combined 104kW/265Nm.There are two electric versions of the Kona, producing 99kW/255Nm and 150kW/255Nm.The range also features a sporty 1.6-litre petrol turbo all-wheel drive variant, with 146kW and 265Nm.The Mazda CX-5 rounds out the top five, managing only a few less units than the Kona. The base CX-5 starts from $36,740, before on-roads, and comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, producing 115kW and 200Nm. There is also a 2.5-litre petrol engine, which produces 140kW/252Nm or an all-wheel drive only turbocharged version producing 170kW/420Nm, with the most expensive variant priced at $55,650. All variants have a six-speed traditional automatic transmission.Australia will get a long-awaited new-generation CX-5 in the middle of this year. A hybrid version of this new version will finally debut as far out as 2027.

Toyota is aiming to have its range of vehicles be at least 30 per cent built from recycled materials by 2030, as new EU regulations are expected to target more than just tailpipe emissions in the next decade.Toyota is focusing on recycled metals, such as re-forged steel used from crushed or deconstructed vehicles as part of an extensive ‘circular economy’ push and to reduce waste.A strategy document shows various initiatives Toyota will be undertaking, which includes up to 25 per cent recycled plastics used in new vehicles by 2030, a declaration on the content of recycled metals (including steel, aluminium and magnesium) for its vehicles by 2028, and future designs will be easier to deconstruct when they reach end of life.The brand flags 19 parts including catalytic converters, bumpers, EV batteries and motors to be designed to be easily removed from scrap vehicles and deconstructed future range of vehicles.Part of this push is to comply with existing and incoming European regulations on materials use and recycling for cars. Regulations around end-of-life products require 25 per cent of plastics used in cars to be from recycled materials, while battery regulations require “recycled usage rate” targets for key materials like lithium, cobalt, nickel and lead.In total, Toyota is “aiming to achieve a recycled material rate in its vehicles sold in Japan and Europe of 30 per cent or more by 2030”. The 30 per cent figure is not by number of parts but by total weight of the vehicle.The report notes there are easier gains to be made toward this goal in the recycling of steel in order to reduce new raw materials used, plastics, meanwhile, are much more difficult to process due to the differences in materials used, and volatile components within them which make them expensive to re-process into new materials.Thanks to this new initiative, Toyota’s Gosei plastics manufacturing subsidiary has developed materials with a 50 per cent recycled plastic content and performance equivalent to newly-made plastics, which it says is a world-first. Examples of this material being used are in the glovebox and grille-backing material in the new Euro-market Camry.Other new Toyotas using recycled plastics include the incoming new-generation RAV4 and the Crown Sport SUV.As the majority of Toyota models sold in Australia are built in Japan, we can expect at least some of its more popular vehicles the RAV4, Corolla, and Camry to be made of this 30 per cent-by-weight recycled materials.While the goals seem to apply at a global level for the brand, it is unclear at this stage whether the targets for vehicles built in Europe and Japan will also apply to vehicles built in Thailand, like the ever-popular HiLux ute.Other brands will have to have similar targets for materials recycling in order to continue to sell vehicles in Europe, with regulators also expected to come after other non-exhaust particulate matter, like tyre waste and brake dust.As a result, many manufacturers are experimenting with re-introducing drum brakes, which capture waste, or using brake systems that heavily rely on regenerative braking via electric motors with back-up friction brakes contained in the motor assembly (inboard brakes), rather than discs on the wheel hub.One of the leaders in the sustainability space, Polestar, issues a sustainability report claiming its new Polestar 4 has the lowest lifecycle emissions in its entire range, despite it wielding a massive 100kWh battery pack. The brand says this is largely due to advances made in using recycled aluminium and steel in the car’s frame, as well as renewable energy power used in its factory and by suppliers.Nissan is also aiming for a 30 per cent recycled material target, while BMW is aiming for a 50 per cent recycled material content by 2030.

Toyota’s Urban Cruiser Ebella budget electric SUV has just launched overseas, but don't expect to see it in Australia any time soon.The car is a product of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, which is a joint venture between Toyota and Indian engineering giant Kirloska Group, and it is an exclusive model for the Indian market. The Urban Cruiser is Toyota's first full electric car to launch in India.A version of the Indian-built Urban Cruiser also went on sale in Europe in 2025, but it remains out of reach for Australia.The Urban Cruiser is based on the Suzuki e-Vitara, which has been confirmed to launch in Australia in Q2 this year.The e-Vitara will be a rival for the likes of MG's popular ZS, Hyundai's Kona and the Kia EV3.The Urban Cruiser Ebella comes in three variants and has two electric motor choices, produce 106kW/189Nm and 128kW/189Nm, driving the front wheels.It will be offered with two lithium-iron phosphate battery pack choices.There is a 49kWh battery with a driving range of 440km and a 61kWh alternative, with a maximum driving range of 543km. The car has an overall chunky exterior design, blacked out wheel arches and roof pillars, riding on 18-inch alloy wheels.On the inside there is a 10.25-inch digital driver display and 10.1-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. It comes with ventilated front seats, sliding and reclining rear seats as well as a panoramic sunroof. Top-spec models have a 360-degree camera installed and advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. While the potential future of the Urban Cruiser in Australia is still unknown, the brand will bring across several new models this year. A touring version of its bZ4X SUV will launch in the second quarter of 2026, offering a driving range of more than 500km. Toyota will also introduce an electric variant for its popular HiLux ute in the first half of this year.

Kia's compact Niro electric and hybrid SUV has been discontinued in Australia, just as a new version breaks cover overseas.The brand already has diverse options in the compact SUV space, with the EV3 and soon-approaching Seltos hybrid offering a similar choice.The Niro EV’s comparatively high starting price at $66,590 (before on–road costs) saw it undercut by rivals like the Volvo EX30, starting from $59,990. Kia’s EV3 also starts at just $47,600. The Niro has received a new design, which is in line with many of Kia’s new models, such as the recently-unveiled EV2. It gets a sharper overall look with defined creases on the bodywork, along with a sloping roofline and rear spoiler.There are plenty of blacked out elements, including on the roof rails and on the lower door panels.The interior of the car has also been updated to feature thinner 12.3-inch digital driver and central touchscreen displays.It will continue to be available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric set-ups overseas, but more details will become available in March. Production on the electric Niro for Australia was halted in April 2025. Dealer stock of all Niro variants is expected to last until the end of March. The Niro is currently available in Australia with 1.6-litre hybrid (104kW/265Nm) or electric (150kW/395Nm) power set-ups. Kia will continue to bring across electric models in 2026 with its EV2 small SUV and EV4 sedan and hatchback on the list for Australia. Kia’s electric PV5 people mover and van will also be available on Aussie shores this year.