SUV News

Kia’s head of global product planning has fired a cheeky shot at rival brands, said he believes no brand is as well-prepared as Kia for the world’s unpredictable automotive market.Spencer Cho, Kia’s Senior Vice President and Head of the Global Business Planning Subdivision, said it’s impossible to know what the industry might look like in the future, but being prepared for as many possibilities as reasonable is the best answer.Speaking with Australian media at the launch of the new-generation 2026 Kia Seltos, Cho said that he thinks no one can know how global events will affect the industry.Trying to predict the events that might change the way brands need to operate is impossible, he said, but understanding what needs to be done to respond can’t be known until after the fact.“Let me put it this way. If I can say that I can expect everything… that's not possible,” Cho said.The US-Israel war in Iran and the effects it has had on global oil shipping is front-of-mind for Cho.“No one can expect this kind of war will happen, and also a couple years ago for Russia and Ukraine, no one can expect that kind of thing.”"But what we are doing is we carefully monitor the market demand or market changes. And development of product takes quite some time. We should create very sound product strategies, and we have to maintain those strategies in a consistent manner.”Rather than scrambling to respond to changes in the industry, Cho said Kia has built enough options to be able to react quickly in a ‘here’s one we prepared earlier’ manner.“Thankfully, we studied the EV transition quite earlier than any other brand. There are also some ups and downs, but the transition and the trend stays the same, just the differences are a little bit of this slow down. So speed might be the difference.”He says the key is not drastically changing for short-term gain, rather slightly adjusting without removing options for the future. Essentially, giving EVs a boost shouldn’t mean forgetting to continue ICE development, he said.“But we stay in the course to maintain the development of the planned EV models entering each global market, step by step. Yet we're still developing the all new ICE models as well as you see in the new Seltos. “So one of the key strengths we have is all the technologies, the diesel or gasoline or hybrid and plug-ins and EVs.”“So we have all the options in our hands. “Certain market ups and downs… hybrid is rising, we can provide hybrid models. If EV is coming, we can provide EVs. So thankfully, we have all the technologies in our hands, and we have the all the product lineup as well.”Cho took a cheeky swipe at rivals, too, rare for a senior executive. He said Kia’s strength globally is its range of cars available from the budget end, Picanto for example, through to hybrids, plug-ins, and more expensive performance cars or large electric SUVS.“So that's probably one of the strengths Kia has compared to other brands. I don't know whether you can name any other OEMs better than us in the case of the product line-up as of today.”

Vice President of Zeekr Group Mars Chen explained what the Chinese luxury brand’s ultimate objective is.Some of its Chinese rivals frequently cite the huge and lucrative US market as the ultimate aspiration, Zeekr’s goal is somehow both more subtle and loftier at the same time.“We are not a ‘real’ luxury brand yet, right?” Chen said. “We’re still only five years old.”“I think it’s to be the top premium choice, with or without a battery,” he said.“In the end, it’s if people don’t mention whether it’s an EV or it’s a hybrid. You need a nice, expensive, fancy car? Zeekr is a brand you absolutely must check. It’s one you cannot avoid.”Chen wasn’t so keen on factoring the US into Zeekr’s immediate plans for the future."With the US market, if you take out pick-ups, then the passenger car market is not that big. It is a big cake, but still, without that cake we’d like to make a very nice meal,” said Chen.Chen said the brand was discussing the potential of a ute or pick-up truck to add to Zeekr’s expanding range of headline-grabbing models.Interestingly one factor which the brand was considering is how tightly contested the segment was becoming, with seemingly every Chinese automaker scrabbling to release a “box-style” hybrid off-roader.Chen said a potential for a ute or US-style pick-up truck is just a discussion for now.“We want to re-define every single segment. Once we identify the segment, Zeekr will check how disruptive we can be if we enter. We have the curiosity to do it, but it’s not a concrete thing.”“If we cannot create enough differentiation, of course we won’t just follow or replicate ,” he said.Chen said Zeekr’s strategy is to focus on just a few consolidated models, rather than cars that are “customised just for one country. Even just China”.“If we want to be in that segment, we have to be a global brand.”Zeekr’s model range as it stands is limited to the X small SUV, 009 People Mover, 7X mid-size SUV, 007 and 7GT sedan and wagon pair, as well as the incoming 8X large SUV and 9X flagship.For the Australian market, the brand has shot from relative obscurity in its first year on the market to a front runner in the EV space, thanks to the arrival of its extremely competitive 7X mid-sizer.The model has gone on to become the fourth-best-selling electric vehicle in the country, racking up 973 units to the end of April, trailing only the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5 in that order.The 9X and 8X large SUVs which are set to follow in the next 12 months will shift the brand to plug-in hybrid territory and have already created quite some hype in the market, despite asking prices looking like they’ll start well and truly in premium territory.

Volkswagen sporty Cupra brand has confirmed its new Tindaya electric SUV concept will become a reality soon.There is no news yet on the mid-size SUV’s potential future in Australia, but it would give Cupra another EV in its increasingly electrified line-up Down Under.It would be direct competition for the BMW iX3 and the incoming Volvo EX60, which are launching later this year.Cupra Australia has been contacted to comment to see if the car will arrive in Australia. Production of the Tindaya was confirmed by Cupra Chief Executive Officer Markus Haupt in an overseas interview. “It looks fantastic - why should we not build the Tindaya?,” Markus Haupt told AutoCar. “We are indeed looking at our plans for when we could build the Tindaya, but it’s something I can promise: this car will see the streets in some years.”The car was first revealed as a sporty SUV concept in September 2025, showing off a sharply-creased body and standout sloping roofline. This latest information confirms the car will be built and put on sale, but technical details remain scarce. The car will ride on Volkswagen Group’s new EV-specific SSP platform, which will also form the basis of many of VW's future electric cars.It has previously been reported the Tindaya would be available in fully-electric and range-extender set-ups, offering substantial driving range.Haupt could not confirm the powertrains being considered, with it still being established, according to the CEO, but it will be something already available in the VW group. “But which powertrains will we have in the end? It’s a decision we have not taken now, and we want to stay flexible as long as possible, because when the car hits the streets, we need to ensure that it has the right powertrains for our markets, for our customers,” Haupt told AutoCar.The Tindaya concept measures up at 4.72m long, making it the biggest car in Cupra’s lineup, complimenting the smaller Tavascan electric mid-size SUV. It is likely to be the brand’s fourth fully-electric model on sale, after the budget-focused Raval arrives in Australia next year.

Mazda is gearing up to reveal a new-generation version of its popular CX-3 small SUV.The Mazda CX-3 has been one of the Japanese carmaker’s best-selling vehicles in Australia for years now, though it’s firmly reaching the end of its lifecycle.The current model dates all the way back to 2014 and is based on the same platform as the Mazda 2 hatchback and sedan.After 12 years and rumours of discontinuation, Mazda finally confirmed a new CX-3 is on the way soon. The following is a rundown of everything we know so far.When will it be revealed?Mazda has confirmed it will launch the new-generation CX-3 in 2027, initially in Thailand.This means it could be revealed before the end of 2026, though this is unclear.Where will it be produced?This new Mazda CX-3 will be produced in Thailand at the Auto Alliance production facility in Bangkok. It’s co-owned by Mazda and Ford.This production facility already produces the current CX-3, as well as the Mazda 2, for Australia among other Mazda and Ford models.At this stage it’s unclear where Mazda has plans to produce the new CX-3 in other countries around the world. The current CX-3 is also produced in Japan and Mexico.What will be under the bonnet?Mazda hasn’t confirmed exactly what will power the new CX-3 just yet, but it has previously said it’s planning to expand its hybrid offerings.Beyond the CX-50 Hybrid, which uses a Toyota-developed hybrid powertrain, the first in-house-developed hybrid will be the new CX-5. It’s expected the new CX-3 will receive a downsized version of this forthcoming Skyactiv-Z hybrid engine.It’s also likely that a pure petrol powertrain will be offered globally.What will it look like?At this stage Mazda hasn’t given us any official look at what the new CX-3 will look like in production guise yet.However, the Japanese carmaker revealed the Vision X-Compact concept last year at the Tokyo Motor Show and this will likely form as an indicator for the new CX-3’s design.When will it launch in Australia?At this stage Mazda hasn’t given a definitive date of when the new CX-3 will launch in Australia. Given it’s set to launch in Thailand in 2027, this could mean it’ll arrive as soon as next year.

Chery has just updated its Omoda 9 large SUV in China and it could be headed to Australia next. Omoda Jaecoo Chief Commercial Officer Roy Munoz told CarsGuide earlier this year to expect more activity on the Omoda front in Australia in 2026.This new Omoda 9 will not be a part of that push though, with the Omoda 7 expected to launch first, in the second half of this year. The updated Omoda 9 just revealed in China has not been confirmed for Australia, but if it does make its way here, it will be some time in 2027. There have been some minor updates for the new model, with tweaks to the exterior design representing an improvement drag coefficient, and subsequent fuel economy. Inside the cabin, Omoda claims there is a better air quality filter.The updated Omoda 9 is available in China with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, producing 192kW or 1.5-litre turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid set-up, producing 265kW.  The Chinese version now has a 20kWh battery, with an all-electric driving range of 120km, according to lenient CLTC standards. A DC fast charge from 30 to 80 per cent takes around 17 minutes. It is unclear what the new Omoda 9’s set-up choices might look like Down Under, but the current PHEV-only model has a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and three electric motor set-up, producing 395kW. It is equipped with a much larger 34kWh battery pack granting it up to 169km of EV range.The Australian model is only available with all-wheel drive, but from 2027 all models in China are no longer optional with AWD. Chery Australia has been contacted for comment to establish whether this will be the same deal in Australia. The current model starts in Australia from $61,990 (before on-road costs), but this latest example in China will cost up to the equivalent of roughly $30,000. The Omoda 9 is the Chery sub-brand's only model on sale in Australia at the moment, and is the most expensive car in Chery Group’s domestic line-up.It will continue to be a rival to the BYD Sealion 6 as well as the closely-related Chery Tiggo 9.

Australia has a new budget-friendly electric SUV to choose from.The MG S6 all-electric SUV will start from $49,990 (drive-away) for the rear-wheel drive variant, while the all-wheel drive variant will cost an extra $7000. Its main competition will be the best-selling Model Y, and the BYD Sealion 7, GAC Aion V and Geely EX5.MG’s new EV is more than $10,000 cheaper than the Model Y, but the EX5 and Aion V beat it on price, starting in the low $40,000s bracket. The RWD variant of the S6 has a single electric motor, producing 180kW, while the AWD has 266kW, which is less power than the Model Y.A 0-100km/h sprint can be as fast as 5.1 seconds for the AWD, while the RWD takes 7.3 seconds. The car’s 77kWh battery provides up to 530km of driving range, with DC charging from 10 to 80 per cent taking 38 minutes. Its interior features a 12.8-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver display, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard. The S6 also gets a 50W wireless phone charger, with a head-up display an additional option.Seats are finished in a vegan synthetic leather, with the front ones heated and ventilated, with rear outer seats also heated. The car is available in dealerships from today. 2026 MG S6 pricing Australia 2026 MG S6 electric motor and efficiency2026 MG S6 standard featuresOther standard features include: Heated and ventilated front seatsHeated rear outer seatsAmbient lighting 2026 MG S6 safety The MG S6 has not been crash tested in Australia. Standard safety features: Auto emergency brakingLane departure warningAdaptive cruise control360-degree cameraBlind spot detection 2026 MG S6 dimensions2026 MG S6 warranty and servicing The MG S6 is covered by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. This warranty can be extended to a 10-year/250,000-kilometre warranty when the vehicle is serviced on time at an MG dealer. 

Suzuki Australia is teasing a new, special edition version of the Jimny off-roader.The Japanese carmaker has opened a register your interest portal for the car on its local website, confirming it will be called the Jimny Rhino.This Australian-specific Jimny Rhino follows a number of special-edition Rhino versions in other markets, including Malaysia and South Africa, among others.They have all been versions equipped with a smattering of genuine accessories, plus some unique Rhino badging.At this stage Suzuki Australia hasn’t fully detailed what is unique about the Australian-specification Jimny Rhino.The teaser images show it features a unique decal on the side, as well as the genuine accessory wheels and mud flaps.It clearly shows it will be offered in the five-door XL body style. It’s unclear whether it will also be offered in three-door guise.This isn’t the first time that Suzuki has done a special-edition version of the current Jimny. It has previously launched Heritage Edition versions of both the Jimny three-door and Jimny XL.“The Jimny community in Australia is thriving so yes, news of any new Jimny is hugely exciting,” said Suzuki Australia General Manager – Automotive, Michael Pachota.The current-generation Suzuki Jimny first launched in Australia in 2019 in three-door guise and was joined by the Jimny XL five-door in 2023.An update for the Jimny three-door launched in Australia earlier this year, now mirroring what’s on offer in the Jimny XL.There’s now an updated autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, as well as front and rear parking sensors across the line-up.Pricing for the 2026 Suzuki Jimny line-up currently starts at $31,990 before on-roads for the Lite three-door manual and extends to $37,490 before on-roads for the XL five-door automatic.

A new Mitsubishi Pajero is on the horizon and many versions will likely be offered throughout its lifecycle.The standard version is expected to feature a 2.4-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo engine that’s shared with the current Triton ute.Hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) power options are expected to join the range later in its lifecycle.Mitsubishi has a storied history with its Ralliart sub-brand, which has previously created high-performance versions of its cars and still has a presence in motorsport.The Pajero was previously offered with an Evolution homologation special in the late 1990s, so there has been a high-performance version of this car historically.This could therefore point to the new Pajero potentially receiving a high-performance Ralliart version down the track.Mitsubishi Australia told CarsGuide in 2025 it is looking to bring back the Ralliart brand Down Under, but didn't say what vehicle would be used.“We are working closely with MMC (Mitsubishi Motors Corporation) on opportunities to utilise the brand in the Australian market,” said Mitsubishi Australia's GM of product strategy and PR Bruce Hampel.“We want to do it right, if we are going to do it.“It is a very valuable brand for MMC, and they are very cautious around utilising the brand on the right products with the right execution.“We are in ongoing discussions with them at this point in terms of the potential opportunities in the future to create a product that would be suitable, and earn the right, to the Ralliart branding,” said Hampel at the time.A toughened-up Pajero wouldn't be alone. Nissan offers a Pro-4X version of its Patrol, there’s a GR Sport version of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, plus Ford offers a Tremor version of the Everest.Not all of the aforementioned vehicles produce more power than the standard version but most feature more off-road features and capability.Even if Mitsubishi doesn’t create a Ralliart version of the new Pajero globally, it could potentially lean on Australian engineering, like it did with the current Triton.The Japanese carmaker will soon launch the Triton Raider, which was developed in partnership with Australian engineering and manufacturing firm, Premcar.It features a revised suspension and damper package, plus a range of other standard-fit accessories to make it more confidence-inspiring to drive on- and off-road.As previously reported, Mitsubishi has confirmed it will reveal its new large, off-road SUV soon and it will launch in Australia before the end of 2026.Previously reports have indicated that it will be called the Pajero and be based on the current Triton ute, marking a major change in strategy.The Pajero has historically been its own vehicle, but the Pajero Sport (formerly known as the Challenger) has always been based on the Triton.Mitsubishi axed the Pajero Sport in Australia in 2025 due to it not meeting the new Australian Design Rule (ADR) standard which stipulated specific requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems.It’s worth noting that Mitsubishi still has existing dealer stock of the Pajero Sport.

Volkswagen Australia says it doesn’t fear newcomer Chinese brands, detailing the ways it believes its vehicles are superior while highlighting a slew of new models that it says will supercharge its sales in our market.That’s the word from the brand’s Head of Passenger Cars in Australia, Piergiorgio Minto, who says that while VW might not be able to compete directly on price with some newcomer brands, he believes his cars drive better than rival vehicles, and offer an elevated level of engineering.It’s one of three reasons he laid out that he says will continue to draw people to the Volkswagen brand.“I still believe that Volkswagen has a big advantage in drivability. Our cars are definitely superior there. So there is a different kind of engineering behind it,” he says.“And I believe that we also have some other subjects that are less linked to the product. Heritage is something that we have and we need to leverage that.“And last but not least, historically we have been present (in Australia) a long time, we have a very solid dealer network out there that is offering a strong service and is always there whenever a customer needs something.“These three propositions are quite unique. And they're still valid for the market.”The brand says its these three pillars that will spark a sales revival, suggesting it was a “perfect storm” of product renewals, rather than increased competition, that has seen sales fall over the past 18 months.“From a product perspective, you've got to remember that the biggest players involved for us — Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace — ran out last year, and T-Roc is running out this year,” says Arjun Nidigallu, Volkswagen Australia Head of Product.“So, our biggest volumes, it's just a perfect storm in terms of product changes and timings, which is why we don't feel like we're behind the eight ball."The new Tiguan plug-in hybrid, or e-Hybrid in VW parlance, has just launched in Australia, along with the spiritual successor to the Tiguan Allspace, the Tayron e-Hybrid, giving the brand a full complement across those SUV lineups. It will be joined by the second-generation T Roc — hugely important to the brand's sales numbers — which will offer more space, more tech and a new mild-hybrid powertrain.“It was part of the plan and now we're gearing up back this year towards having a full line up, and then with the T-Roc coming back next year, we'll be back in those numbers that we've seen in the past,” says Nidigallu.

Denza is a premium sub-brand of BYD and the Denza B5 is best thought of as the BYD Shark 6’s posher, tougher cousin.Where the Shark 6 is a thoroughly competent all-wheel drive ute, well suited to tackling light to moderate off-roading, the B5 is a 4WD wagon with a low-range gear-set on the rear axle and diff locks front and rear.Those stark mechanical differences, as well as a sharply-calibrated off-road traction control system, set the two apart in terms of efficacy in off-road scenarios.But that doesn’t mean the Shark 6 is woeful off-road – it’s not – it’s simply that the B5 is much better.As mentioned, the Denza B5 is a luxury 4WD wagon with 16 drive modes, a low-range gear-set, and twin lockers.The B5 shares the same DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) body-on-frame platform as the Shark 6 and the same 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system paired with dual electric motors, but the B5 is more powerful (425kW/760Nm) compared to the Shark 6 (321kW/650Nm). Note: The updated Shark 6 will have a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and dual electric motors, claimed to deliver total outputs of 350kW and 700Nm.Those aforementioned mechanical differences – low-range gearing and diff locks (front and rear) on the B5 – make a world of difference when it comes to off-roading and that’s where the B5 has it well and truly over the Shark 6.The Shark 6 doesn’t have 4WD, high- or low-range gearing, or diff-locks. It doesn’t even have a driveshaft connecting the rear wheels.Core differences between the Denza B5 and the BYD Shark 6?The Shark is essentially an all-wheel drive SUV whose off-road performance hinges on electronic traction control. It does not have low- or high-range 4WD and it does not have any locking differentials.It has a single-speed reduction gear/dedicated hybrid transmission (which enables electric-only driving and hybrid operation, switching between modes based on throttle demand and battery level).It also has an all-wheel drive system (split between the front and rear) and Drive modes include Eco, Normal and Sport) and Terrain modes include Sand, Snow, Mud and Mountain.In theory, single-speed reduction gears and off-road traction control systems should be able to somewhat replicate the efficacy of high- and low-range 4WD systems in light to moderate off-roading. In the real world that’s often not the case at all. A single-speed reduction gear approach in a 4WD is mechanically constrained in how much it can do and off-road traction control systems can be slow to act, clunky in application, and not up to the challenges asked of it.But the Shark 6 is effective off-road, as long as it’s driven within the parameters of its capabilities: light to moderate off-road conditions — that is, well-maintained dirt tracks in dry weather; do not take on any ‘4WD/high ground clearance only' tracks, prolonged sand-driving or rock-crawling.The Denza B5 Leopard has a low-range gear-set on its rear axle, and front and rear diff locks. It also has electronic torque vectoring at the front, and well-calibrated off-road traction control.This plug-in hybrid optimises a combination of driver-assist technology – including 16 drive modes with many of those designed for off-road scenarios – and with nicely dialled-in off-road traction control and mechanical diff locks on-board it is formidable in most off-road situations.In action, all of those modes adjust vehicle systems, throttle, and engine output to give the driver the best chance possible of getting safely through every off-road challenge.The Denza is better suited to challenging 4WDing than the Shark 6.Significant flaws in the first-phase Shark 6’s adventure potential include its lack of 4WD gearing and diff locks, and its below-par 2500kg towing capacity.The updated Shark 6 should be getting, at the least, a suspension upgrade and a full-blown software update — that delivers an off-road traction control system capable of replicating as closely as possible the workings of low-range gearing and diff locks.Alas, it’s not getting those things.However, it will get a gutsier 2.0-litre engine (with outputs of 350kW/700Nm, compared to the current 1.5-litre engine, with outputs of 321kW/650Nm) and a towing upgrade to 3500kg.So, that’s something.The Shark 6 was the best-selling PHEV in 2025, and it continues to sell well. Its core market is likely those who don’t want a hard-core 4WD but rather a vehicle that, as standard, is very effective in light to moderate off-roading and works as a comfortable (for a ute) daily driver.And, if that’s the case, it excels.And it can be easily improved.If you already own a BYD Shark 6 and you want to improve its off-road performance, replace the standard tyres – Continental CrossContact All Terrain (265/65R18) – with a set of more aggressive all-terrains. Hey, bloody presto! You’ve instantly made this light-duty AWD better.Ultimately, the Denza B5 is the better option if challenging off-road adventures are your goal – it’s premium-plush, sure, but it’s also capable of much more in the dirt than the BYD Shark 6.The extra cash you’ll spend buying a B5 ($74,990*, excluding on-road costs, for the base-spec variant) rather than a Shark ($57,990*, excluding on-road costs) equates to greater peace of mind if you’re heading out bush or along a (legally drivable) beach. (* Price correct at time of writing.)