Wagon News

It’s 60 years since Nissan of Japan set up shop in Australia, initially assembling the Pininfarina-penned 410 Bluebird in Sydney. A huge success, that came after third-party distributor, and key figure in the creation of Holden, Lawrence Hartnett, started importing Datsun 310 Bluebirds here from 1959. The popular 510 Bluebird (badged 1600 here) really hit big from 1968, and was joined by the pretty B10 Sunny (or 1000) soon after. The following years were Datsun’s halcyon days, with the 810 Bluebird (180B from 1972, when manufacturing moved to Melbourne) and B210 Sunny (120Y from 1974) helping Datsun beat Toyota in Australia. But fierce competition, including from Mazda, Honda and later Mitsubishi, and some poor product choices dragged Nissan down, with only a few bright spots into the ‘80s. By 1992, Nissan ended local manufacturing, leading to further ups and downs that, if nothing else, prove how supremely resilient the brand is. Today it is the only carmaker still with an Australian manufacturing presence here, albeit as a supplier of original equipment mechanical parts exported to other factories globally. Never underestimate Nissan. To celebrate its 60 anniversary, here are the best and worst models that Nissan officially sold in Australia. These are the Datsuns and Nissans that were the best in their class, pushed boundaries out for the betterment of automotive kind, or are/were critically acclaimed. They needn’t have commercially succeeded to be on this list. And if you’re reading this from outside of Australia, sadly we never officially saw the S13 Silvia, R34 Skyline GT-R, Primera or any of the Pike cars like the influential Be-1 or S Cargo in Australia. The 12 Skyline since 1957, the V36 from 2007 was the last of the analogue models, before fly-by-wire electronics ruined its successor. Combining Nissan’s thunderous V6, sat behind the front axle for a front mid-engined rear-drive layout dubbed the FM platform, with an elegant 2+2-seater body, created Japan’s true BMW 3 Series alternative in the opulent Infiniti G37 – the sole version we saw in Australia. A short-lived masterpiece. Seven years before Ford stepped up with the Australian designed and engineered T6 Ranger of 2011, the third-gen Navara, the D40, created the blueprint of the modern mid-sized ute. Modern and car-like inside and out, the D40 drove, steered and rode far better than any previous body-on-frame ute, while still providing the rugged solidity required from a workhorse. The fact that this series lived on essentially unchanged until 2021 in North America as the Frontier is proof of how ahead of its time the D40 was. Teased for half a decade before finally breaking cover in 2002, the 350Z was the much-anticipated back-to-basics two-seater grand touring coupe in the style of the original Datsun 240Z, and it did not disappoint. This was a blunt, boisterous and bombastic American-style hairy chested muscle car on one hand, and – thanks to Nissan’s ubiquitous FM platform – an involving and rewarding sports car on the other. A true modern classic. The first modern electric vehicle – and history’s best-selling EV until swiftly overtaken by the Tesla Model 3 – the original Leaf was proof of concept, in a soft, dorky and easy package. High prices and cheap petrol meant only a few hundred made it to Australia, and battery degradation has tarnished the model’s reputation ever since. But the Leaf was a true Ford Model T moment. It started the EV revolution. It’s just a pity Nissan could not capitalise on such momentum, though today’s Ariya is a fine electric SUV. Nissan’s innovative e-Power EV-first petrol range-extender powertrain had been a success in other models elsewhere prior to the current X-Trail launching with it in Australia back in 2022, so we’re late to the party. In dual-motor all-wheel drive "e4orce" guise, this handsome largish mid-sized family SUV transforms into a frugal yet fast grand tourer, bringing sophistication and refinement, in an electrified package with no range anxiety issues. Along with the related Qashqai e-Power, today’s electrified X-Trail is the perfect middle ground between hybrid and EV. This year’s fabulous Honda Prelude hybrid is a stunning revival of the genre. We’d love Nissan to do the same. Its last effort, the stunning S15 200SX, capped off six generations of wildly differing rear-drive 2+2 sporty coupes, melding sensual design and thrilling performance, at an attainable price. Highly collectable nowadays. The Micra started life as a timid city car way back in 1982, but then blossomed into a bold, Euro-focused supermini for its second outing a decade later, blending advanced engineering with daring, original design. In an era where Nissan seemed hellbent on taking over the world, this version helped it succeed, becoming the first Japanese car to win European Car of the Year, and remained a class leader for most of its production run. However, sourced from the UK for Australia, the K11 Micra was too expensive to succeed here, but people who know ‘em love ‘em. Such a brilliant little baby. It seems amazing that Nissan in Japan allowed its Skyline sports sedan to be manufactured in Australia as a rival to the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore, but that’s exactly what the boxy seventh iteration became. While we missed out on the high-performance versions of Nissan’s feted RB30 series engines, including the turbo version that helped make Holden’s unrelated VL Commodore an instant legend, the Skyline brought a mix of performance, refinement and class lacking from its local rivals. Plus, fun fact, the wagon was designed and engineered in Australia. But the four-cylinder R31, badged Pintara, wasn't so feted. The fourth-gen Patrol pretty much ushered in the modern big 4x4, with its chunky proportions, independent coil-spring suspension that allowed for more car-like driving dynamics, and civilised interior. The GQ was a rude wake-up call for arch rival Toyota. Better still, none of that progress diminished the nameplate’s hard-won reputation for toughness and capability. The gentrification of the 4WD but still with a punk attitude, for many fans, no Patrol is more beloved today than the GQ. Small hatchbacks were big business the moment the original Volkswagen Golf popularised the concept in the mid 1970s, with Nissan trying but not-quite-succeeding with two generations of Pulsar from 1980 (N11) and 1983 (N12) respectively. But third time’s the charm, it seems, with the N13 benefitting from a larger and stronger architecture, pleasing Euro design and a pair of gutsy powertrains, shared with the Holden Camira. The Holden connection came about as part of the government’s move to make Australian vehicle manufacturing more efficient, under the controversial "Button Plan". This was one of its few commercial successes, and helped make the N13 Pulsar – along with its Holden LD Astra twin – a uniquely Australianised small car. Meanwhile, the N13’s replacement stepped up big time in technology and sophistication, gaining a European feel and look, thanks to Saab-esque styling. But while these elevated the Pulsar to a new benchmark for small cars in Australia, the N14 failed to save Nissan manufacturing from ceasing locally in late 1992. An elegant, understated twin-turbo all-wheel drive powerhouse developed primarily for Group A motorsport, the R32 GT-R of the early 1990s was Nissan in full flight, developed during Japan’s bubble economy, to beat Porsche and others at their own game. An instant legend, nearly 44,000 GT-Rs were built, but only 100 came to a recession-ravaged Australia in 1991. Whichever badge you know Datsun’s first superstar by – Fairlady Z, 240Z, 260Z or (not for Australia) 280Z – the S30 series killed off the ruling British two-seater roadster market worldwide, defined by the MGB, Triumph TR6 and Austin Healey, in one fell swoop. But it meant much more than that. Desirable to drive and drop-dead gorgeous to behold, the original Z was the first mainstream Japanese car to really rise above being merely cheap and economical. It became the world’s best-selling sports car, until the Mazda MX-5 came along two decades later. Japanese cars were already popular before the 510 Bluebird/1600 arrived in Australia in early 1968, but the Datsun became that country’s first great mainstream family car. Along with being well made, low priced and highly equipped, the boxy rear-drive sedan brought an exhilarating change to its class, with sophisticated engineering matching the crisp styling and willing performance. A glittering career in motorsport quickly followed. So good was the 1600 that, from a critical and commercial perspective, every subsequent Nissan family car has lived in its shadow. While the R32 GT-R was inspired by the seminal Audi Quattro and Porsche 959 of the 1980s, the R35 from 2008 was its own supercar phenomenon. An incredible technological powerhouse, with forceful performance topping off outstanding dynamic capabilities, it looked and went like nothing before or since. The GT-R seemed to inhabit its own, timeless, eccentric orbit. Given the sheer mediocrity of most other Nissans sold alongside it on the showroom floor, it’s as if all of the company’s finest resources were poured directly into this one transcendental car. A towering achievement. Nissan’s answer to the Toyota Crown was meant to be a dignified and conservative luxury sedan. But the third-gen series from 1975 reflected its American influences by being an over-styled and under-performing barge. Garish and tasteless, it struggled to find an audience in Australia. Two years late and with dated styling and coarse engine choices, the second Pintara was based on the 11-gen Bluebird, which had switched to front-drive by then. It wasn’t bad, just terminally dull – though the glassy five-door liftback version was unique to Australia and briefly exported to Japan as the Bluebird Aussie. Under the Button Plan, there was also a Ford Corsair version. Both were massive flops, with their failure contributing to Nissan’s manufacturing shutdown in 1992. As a follow up to the phenomenal 1600, the 180B oozed early ‘70s chic, and sold up a storm, but lacked its predecessor’s style and verve. Yet the 200B of 1977 was worse, with a vocal drivetrain, dreary handling and a cramped, dated interior. Nissan even swapped out the sedan’s independent rear suspension for a more basic set-up. Buyers abandoned Datsun in droves, many buying the Chrysler Sigma instead. Marketed as the spiritual successor to the much-missed 1600, the Stanza looked only vaguely similar. But it was anything but to drive, with inferior engineering negatively impacting performance, dynamics and refinement. Creaky and outclassed, the Stanza as sold in Australia was crude and uncomfortably noisy, at a time when Honda was showing the way with the original Accord that seemed infinitely superior. Everything about the K13 Micra-based Almera sedan felt cheap, from its nasty plastics and coarse driveability to the bloated styling and fixed rear backrest that wouldn’t even fold to allow embarrassed passengers to escape into the oversized caboose of a boot. Ugly and shamefully awful. How did Nissan's global boss, Carlos Ghosn, allow such garbage to happen?

BYD has smashed through a sales milestone. The brand said it has made more than 50 per cent of its total revenue from export markets, rather than from its domestic sales in the Chinese market. This is due to BYD’s efforts in the last several years growing both its exports and its overseas manufacturing efforts in order to escape a stagnant Chinese new car market, which has contracted after a long period of explosive growth. The brand’s sales in China declined by 12 per cent, but it grew its exports by a whopping 137 per cent, to well over half a million units, according to BYD’s third quarter numbers for 2026. The Chinese market has reached a level of saturation and stagnation after several years of a bruising price war, which many competitors have pointed the finger at BYD’s aggressive domestic pricing strategy, overseas markets have become a crucial battleground for their future growth aspirations. Profit margins on vehicles sold in Australia, Europe and South America are exponentially higher than cars sold domestically in China. This is part of the reason sticker prices in the Chinese market are significantly lower than those we see in other markets. Price tags for the Australian vehicles generally attract a 15 - 20 per cent premium over the equivalent spec offered in China. Part of this will be down to right-hand drive conversion costs, and higher compliance costs for vehicles to meet Australia’s notoriously strict design standards and high bar for a maximum five-star ANCAP score. One analyst, as quoted in Nikkei Asia’s analysis of BYD’s latest sales numbers, said the company earns “roughly 10 times more profit per vehicle abroad than in China”. A part of this is vehicles sold in developed markets like Australia are offered in higher trim levels than they are in the Chinese domestic market, although the slew of larger, more expensive 4WDs and growth of luxury sub-brands like BYD’s Denza or Geely’s Zeekr are also massively helping to buff profit margins. GWM proclaims that it has doubled its average sale price in the last seven years in Australia as it has introduced pricier, better-featured vehicles, both from its Haval SUV brand and its Tank off-road brand further up the price scale. “The year-on-year increase in volume has also come with new cars at more expensive price points. If we can do that at the same time as showing customers value no matter the price then we’re on the right track." the brand’s Executive General Manager of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver told CarsGuide recently. GWM is set to introduce its dedicated luxury arm Wey into Australia before the end of 2026. While Chinese brands continue to dominate the sales charts in Australia, where the barrier to entry is significantly lower, automakers like BYD, Geely, and Chery are facing tariffs in Europe and the USA as those jurisdictions move to protect their own domestic automaking capabilities. This is putting a cap on their respective ambitions, but each brand is also moving to diversify and acquire manufacturing capacity not only across Europe, but also in other strategic markets like South Korea and closer to home in South East Asia. Legacy automakers are feeling the crunch. Domestically this means household names like Subaru and Nissan dropping out of the race to be a top-10 automaker by sales, but internationally it means a massive squeeze in profit margins, big expenditure in research and development, and a large reduction in market share. This has resulted in many large international brands like Volkswagen and Nissan resorting to closing factories or cutting jobs by the thousands, with some brands needing to embrace Chinese joint-venture partnerships more closely to build more competitive models for export. Nissan, for example, shut down its historic Oppama factory in Japan as part of its Re:Nissan business overhaul, as it looks to reduce its capacity by a million units. As of the end of September 2026, the top-10 rankings in Australia are: Toyota (152,944 units) BYD (76614 units) Ford (61104 units) Kia (60800 units) Mazda (58865 units) Hyundai (56009 units) GWM (44959 units) Tesla (41705 units) Chery (38022 units) MG (36832 units)

The fastest charging car to hit Australian shores is going to take a little longer to roll into dealerships. The Denza Z9 GT four-door electric grand tourer was planned to go on sale before the end of 2026, but that has pushed into either late quarter one or early quarter two next year. The news comes as the wild performance EV has been spotted testing on Australian roads. According to a Denza Australia representative, the company did not want to rush the rollout of its flagship performance model. That’s the reason the car was spotted in Melbourne’s south-east suburbs - not far from parent company BYD’s Australian HQ - and the north west last week. The spokesperson confirmed that there’s more than one example of the Z9 GT undergoing “fine tuning” to make sure it’s suitable for Australian road conditions before customer deliveries start. “We have teams of local engineers constantly evaluating and fine-tuning both software and hardware items on a range of BYD and Denza vehicles as part of our commitment to offer vehicles that are great to drive on our roads,” they said. Denza Australia has not revealed pricing for the Z9 GT yet, but CarsGuide believes it will be the first Denza model in Australia to breach the $100,000 mark. There aren’t many rivals but similar offerings include the Polestar 5 (from $171,100), Porsche Taycan (from $181,200) and Audi e-tron GT (from $209,900), although the Denza won’t cost anywhere near as much as those electric grand tourers. Standard gear isn’t yet confirmed but expect goodies like air suspension, Nappa leather upholstery, massaging and ventilated seats, a 50-inch augmented reality head-up display, premium stereo system, built-in fridge and 128-colour ambient lighting. The Z9 GT is notable for a number of reasons. The main one is that it introduces BYD’s new blade battery 2.0 technology, as well as its ‘Flash’ charging. This gives the 122.5kWh battery 1500kW DC charging, meaning it can technically fill the battery from 10 to 97 per cent in just nine minutes. Australia's current fastest charger can dish out 400kW. Denza has previously confirmed the Z9 GT has an EV driving range of 1036km, but that is to the far more generous Chinese CLTC protocol. That should dip to a still impressive 820km when it’s rated to the more real-world WLTP standard. Three electric motors combine for a whopping 850kW, allowing for a blistering 0-100km/h sprint time of just 2.7 seconds. The game-changing Flash charging network is expected to be small at first, focusing mostly on metropolitan areas. Some of these will be at Denza dealerships. Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland has previously told CarsGuide that the idea is to install a big enough central battery to deliver the charge, so that vehicles are not drawing off the grid. "It’s something we think can be a real game-changer to the industry, when someone can go for 400 or 500kms in the same time you would fill up at a bowser. They're doing the testing in China to understand the impact on the grid, but they want to back it with a battery, so you’re not drawing off the grid."

Wagons are back on the agenda. Mercedes-Benz has just priced its CLA 200 Shooting Brake in Australia as the latest wagon to hit the local market.  The petrol variant starts from $70,800, while the electric variant starts from $72,990, both before on-road costs.  The petrol-powered wagon model is $4300 more expensive than its coupe sibling ($66,500), while the EV is only $790 extra ($72,200) on the coupe variant.  The CLA 200 Shooting Brake is substantially cheaper than the BMW i5 Touring that starts from $219,900. Australian buyers are getting a new suite of wagon choices, with the Audi A6 Allroad ($127,900) and Zeekr 7GT arriving Down Under soon. The new CLA wagon is on sale already and will hit Aussie showrooms in January 2027.  The petrol-powered CLA uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, boosted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to produce 120kW and 250Nm.  It is front-wheel drive only, with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.  The fully-electric CLA 200 is powered by a single rear-mounted electric motor that produces 165kW and 335Nm.  These figures match those on the equivalent coupe variants of the cars. It features less power than the incoming and much-hyped Zeekr 7GT that will have up to 500kW and 710Nm in its highest trim level.  The CLA 200 EV is equipped with a 60kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, offering a driving range of 511km, according to WLTP standards.  Its 800-volt platform means it can DC fast charge at up to 320kW, and from 10 to 80 per cent in roughly 20 minutes.  Inside, the CLA 200 has a 14.0-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver display that run on the brand’s latest operating system.  The multimedia display integrates both Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini to enhance voice control functionality.  The cabin also features a wireless phone charger as standard.  Buyers can option for an additional 14.0-inch passenger display to complete the ‘superscreen’ layout across the dashboard as part of the ‘Premium’ package. The package adds a head-up display and premium Burmester sound system as well.  Elsewhere in the cabin, the seats are wrapped in Mercedes-Benz’s ‘Artico’ synthetic leather, with the front ones heated.  The car comes as standard with a panoramic glass roof, but an optional e-shade ($1600) allows you to toggle the transparency of the glass. 

Audi Australia has confirmed local pricing and specification details for the German maker’s much-anticipated, fifth-generation Audi A6 Allroad, with headline news including availability of ‘electrified’ turbo-diesel and petrol hybrid models as well as a scheduled arrival in the first half of 2027. The A6 Allroad e-hybrid quattro ($127,900, before on-road costs) is an all-wheel drive, plug-in hybrid combining a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and an electric motor integrated into its seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission for overall outputs of 270kW/500Nm. Its 20.7kWh (usable) battery is good for a combined cycle electric-only range of up to 87km (and an electric top speed of 140km/h) with 11kW AC charging capacity enabling a 0-100 per cent top-up in 2.5 hours. As its name implies, the A6 Allroad TDI quattro ($137,900, BOC) is also all-wheel drive, this time a mild-hybrid powered by a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine supported by a belt-driven alternator/starter/generator and electrically-powered compressor for outputs of 220kW/580Nm. In launching the new-from-the-ground-up Allroad Audi said this is “more than $10,000 in additional standard equipment compared with its predecessor”, the standard equipment list for both variants including: S line interior Nappa leather sport front seats Leather sport steering wheel Matt brushed shift paddles Aluminium inlays Stainless steel pedals Black headlining Electrically-adjustable front seats (heated/ventilated/massage) Four-zone climate control Dynamic ambient lighting Panoramic glass roof (with switchable transparency) 11.9-inch ‘virtual cockpit’ instrument display 14.5-inch OLED multimedia display 10.9-inch front passenger display Head-up display  Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto  Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System (16-speaker/685 watts) Matrix LED headlights OLED tail-lights 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels (e-hybrid 21-inch) Equipment for home and public AC charging And standard safety includes: Adaptive cruise control Active lane assist Autonomous emergency braking Front cross-traffic assist Front and rear turn assist Side assist Rear cross-traffic assist Lane departure warning  360-degree camera view Park assist plus Speed sign recognition Front dash camera Nine airbags (including front centre bag) Tyre pressure monitoring. The new Allroad is 84mm wider than the previous model with adaptive air suspension offering a height adjustment range of 55 millimetres.  In dynamic mode, the Allroad lowers 20 millimetres “to support stability and handling” and offroad and offroad+ modes raise the suspension by 15 millimetres “with revised damping and traction control characteristics designed to improve capability on uneven or low-grip surfaces.” An additional 35mm lift is available at speeds up to 35 km/h for even more extreme terrain. Standard all-wheel steering sees the rear wheels turn up to five degrees in the opposite direction to the fronts at slow speeds reducing the turning circle by almost a metre to 11.4 metres.  At higher speeds, the rear wheels can turn up to two degrees in the same direction as the fronts for added stability. Introducing the new Allroad Audi Australia A6 Product Manager Peter Strudwicke said, “The Audi A6 Allroad has always occupied a distinctive position in our portfolio, combining the practicality of an Avant (wagon) with the confidence and capability of quattro all-wheel drive.” “The introduction of the e-hybrid is significant for our market. Together with the advanced V6 TDI, it gives customers two compelling interpretations of the Allroad, while delivering the performance and refinement they expect from Audi,” he said. 2026 Audi A6 Allroad option pricing:

Avatr has confirmed that the 07L electric vehicle (EV) will not be the only new model that the brand is preparing for Australia next year. The large-sized SUV rival to the popular Zeekr 7X will also be joined by the 06T mid-sized wagon, and that’s set to launch several months after the 07L’s second quarter arrival, probably towards the end of 2027. While no pricing or specification details have yet to be revealed, both models will feature an elevated level of technology and features expected by buyers in Australia. The Avatr 06T is the wagon – or shooting brake – version of the 06 four-door mid-sized luxury sedan released in China last year. Already sprung in Australia and exposed on various social media platforms, the five-door model mirrors its fastback counterpart by offering EV and range-extender EV hybrid powertrains. In the EV models, the base model features a rear-mounted electric motor with rear-wheel drive, while more money buys all-wheel drive, courtesy of two additional motors (two on the back axle, one over the front axle). In China, the most powerful of these makes 712kW of power and 996Nm of torque, for a 0-100km/h sprint time of under 2.8 seconds. Just as impressively, if range is your thing, Avatr claims the most efficient is capable of averaging a staggering 741km, though that is using the more-lenient CLTC, not WLTP, methodology. According to Changan Automobile Australia Head of Brand and Marketing, Andrew Haurissa, both the 06T wagon and closely related 07L SUV will position the Chinese brand directly against premium and luxury offerings. Along with Zeekr (part of Geely), these include Denza (part of BYD), Wey (part of GWM), IM (part of MG), Tesla and others, like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. “Definitely in the premium segment to begin with (is our goal),” Haurissa said. “So, the Germans (definitely)… and we’re coming in as an emotive luxury proposition for Avatr. “I would like to think (it will sit higher than Zeekr… but) the public will decide. The kit itself is there. It has all the pedigree to compete.” Expect the 07L (pronounced Zero Seven L – and L is for long wheelbase) to mirror the 06T by offering single-motor rear-wheel drive and tri-motor all-wheel drive guises, as a laser-focused alternative to the 7X. Looking beyond next year, Avatr is set to offer up to five different models in Australia by the end of 2028, though what they are remain a tightly guarded secret. “The indication we’re getting right now, is that… a lot of the products coming out of Avatr moving forward will be a new generation. Because Avatr has been around for five years now," said Haurissa. “We’re planning four to five models. There’s a lot in the pipeline that needs to be decided. For right-hand-drive (RHD) markets, it needs to be decided cohesively with other RHD markets, similarly to the other Chinese brands coming in. Along with the Nevo mainstream brand that is also coming next year, Changan is aiming to launch with up to 50 dealers around Australia, with around 10 of these dedicated Avatr outlets in line with luxury consumer expectations.

If you love the looks of the stunning BMW i3 but aren't quite ready for an EV, the German brand has got you covered with its all-new BMW 3 Series. To the untrained eye, the petrol-powered 3 Series will look identical to the sharp-suited mid-size battery-powered sedan when it rocks up early next year priced from $83,900 for petrol-powered version and $96,900 for the all-electric i3. Once again created to rival the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A5, it's only side by side that you begin to spot the huge differences between the i3 and 3 Series. The first is the eighth-generation 3 Series has a longer snout, needed to home a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine that powers the flagship M350 and the inbound M3 that arrives later. The combustion BMW sedan also has a shorter wheelbase and slimmer sill, as there's no need to house a chunky battery pack between the axles. A set of taller four doors completes the changes. Beneath the skin, the new-gen 3 Series is based on the previous model's platform (G20) but grows in every dimension, with it measuring 4765mm (+52mm) long, 1850mm wide (+23mm) and standing 1455mm (+7mm) tall, with a 2860mm (+9mm) wheelbase for a bit more room inside. Space in the second row is still at a premium, but without a battery pack the floor is lower for more space for feet, and the boot is also bigger than the EV with up to 450 litres (+30L) available. Inside, if anything, the 3 Series remains as impressive as the outside, with the BMW gaining the same Neue Klasse cabin design as the i3 and iX3 SUV, which sees the full-width, configurable Panoramic Vision screen stretch from pillar to pillar, replacing a conventional instrument panel. The cabin also combines both a generous, tilted 17.9-inch infotainment system and a huge 3D head-up display, the driver relies on a multifunction steering wheel that features physical buttons to help operate the tech. If you're wondering, the ugly tiller, with its 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock spokes, can be replaced by a more conventional M steering wheel. Bathing the cabin in light are an expansive panoramic roof and large glass windows, which add a light and airy feel to a cabin with an impressive mix of high-quality materials. All the tech runs an Android-based BMW X operating system that introduces an AI-powered Amazon Alexa voice assistant that is capable of a natural conversation. In Australia, just two variants will initially be offered – a rear-wheel drive 320 with 155kW and 330Nm of torque, for a 0-100km/h dash of 7.4 seconds, while the flagship all-wheel drive M350 xDrive punches out 326kW of power and 540Nm of torque. Looking like a proper BMW M product, the flagship version gets M Performance upgrades that see an aero kit added, bigger black 20-inch alloy wheels and a yellow daytime light signature that reminds you of the recent BMW M5 CS muscle car. Off the line, with all-wheel drive the quickest M350 takes just 4.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint. For the first time, as well as looking like the M3, the M350 gets something called Drift Moment that switches it to rear-wheel drive to allow the driver to provoke lurid slides (hopefully on track). BMW engineers are confident the i3 and 3 Series will raise the bar for both driver enjoyment and handling, but without compromising long-distance comfort. That explains why, as well as adaptive suspension, the German brand has rolled out its latest Level 2 semi-autonomous cruise control that provides hands-free highway driving up to 130km/h. The same tech is promised to be rolled out to work in urban environments at much lower speeds before the end of next year. Available in up to 11 colours, BMW Australia says it will release pricing and full specifications of the 2027 BMW 3 Series in a few days’ time. When it lands, expect the base 320 to ride on either 18- or 19-inch rims and come with 8-way adjustable heated and ventilated seats, get an electric tailgate and come with adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keep assist. Pay more for the M350 and you'll bag 20-inch alloy wheels, a premium sound system and the sportier BMW M styling kit inside and out. When it launches next year, the 2027 BMW 3 Series will go head to head with the equally fresh soon to launch next-generation Mercedes C-Class and the Audi A5 ($79,900-$89,900) which was introduced in 2025. Shortly after its debut, the German car-maker will reveal both a plug-in hybrid version with a long EV range, and the eagerly-awaited M3 that will be offered with both petrol and all-electric powertrains, with the latter expected to produce more than 750kW from a state-of-the-art quad-motors.

Australia is about to receive a wave of new EVs before the end of 2026. EV sales are surging in Australia as brands beef-up their line-ups to provide further choice. Here is a look at some of the best models still to arrive this year. GAC will launch an ultra-affordable variant of its Aion UT electric hatchback before the end of 2026. This Standard Range variant is priced similar to the popular Geely EX2 that starts from $26,490 (before on-road costs). It should start at less than $30,000 drive-away when it gets here, given the current variant on sale starts from $31,990 (drive-away). It’s equipped with a 44kWh battery instead of a 60kWh unit, offering a driving range of 320km, compared to 430km, according to WLTP standards. GAC hasn’t confirmed performance output yet, but in China its front-mounted electric motor produces 100kW and 145Nm, which is less than the 150kW/210Nm available now. Kia will introduce its first fully-electric people mover, the PV5 Passenger, to the Australian market in 2026. The PV5 Passenger is the people mover variant of the PV5 Cargo already on sale Down Under.  Its performance matches the PV5 Cargo, with a single electric motor making 120kW/250Nm and its 71.2kWh battery expected to offer around 416km of range (WLTP). Kia hasn’t provided a more specific launch date than Q4 2026, but it’s likely to be closer to December. The Korean brand hasn’t revealed pricing yet either, but Cargo starts from $55,990 (before on-road costs), so buyers can expect the more expensive Passenger variant to sit between $60,000 to $70,000. The much-anticipated Zeekr 7GT wagon is due to land in Australian showrooms in Q4 2026. The fully-electric Euro-styled wagon will target a similar reception to its 7X mid-size SUV sibling that has taken the Aussie market by storm so far.  The 7GT is available in a rear-wheel drive configuration, making 310kW/440Nm, as well as an all-wheel drive variant, with 475kW/710Nm.  We still don’t know how much it will cost, but it could sit around the $55,000 mark, coming in cheaper than the 7X SUV. XPeng is looking to make the most of its new factory-backed operation Down Under. The brand will launch its L03 electric mid-size SUV in December 2026, priced from $41,900 (before on-road costs).  This means it’s cheaper than the Tesla Model Y ($58,900) and the Zeekr 7X ($57,900), while matching the Geely EX5’s starting price ($41,900).  The L03 comes as standard with a single electric motor, producing 163kW/280Nm, and a 445km driving range from its 58kWh battery.  There will also be a hybrid range-extender variant of the car that uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine to charge the battery and a single electric motor, making 178kW/280Nm. An updated Chery E5 small SUV will hit Aussie showrooms in late 2026. The E5’s budget-friendly status pits it against the BYD Atto 3 ($41,990) and Jaecoo J5 ($36,990, drive-away).  It offers the same performance as its outgoing model, with 155kW and 288Nm, while its 59kWh battery offers 430km of WLTP driving range.  It now has a larger 15.6-inch central touchscreen display and an auto-dimming mirror. The EX60 is the fully-electric counterpart to the XC60 - Volvo’s best-selling car of all time. The mid-size SUV will start from $86,900, and will tackle the BMW iX3 ($89,990) in the increasingly competitive electric SUV segments.  The RWD variant produces 275kW/480Nm, while the AWD makes 375kW/710Nm.  Performance increases up to 500kW and 680Nm on the more expensive P12 variant due in 2027.  Its initial variants will be equipped with either an 83kWh battery offering 610km or a 95kWh unit offering 660km of range, according to WLTP standards. GWM is about to launch a new hatchback variant of its Ora 5 EV in Australia.  The Ora 5 hatch will rival the BYD Dolphin and MG4 Urban in the affordable EV space.  It’s expected to have the same single motor found in the SUV variant, making 150kW/260Nm.  GWM has confirmed it has a 58kWh battery with a 435km driving range (WLTP). 

Zeekr has announced monthly sales figures for August, announcing that it has more than doubled its global sales footprint year-on-year. Up a massive 100.4 per cent year-on-year, Zeekr reports it has delivered 251,000 vehicles, with monthly sales volume for August coming to 36,981 units. The growing luxury arm of Geely, Zeekr says it has now cumulatively sold nearly 900,000 units worldwide since its inception in 2021. This is an important milestone for Geely, as the higher pricing and margin of Zeekr vehicles is dragging up the brand’s average sale price in an environment where China’s automakers are seeking better profits after a bruising price war in the domestic market. The average sale price for a Zeekr vehicle is reportedly 370,000 RMB (A$77,090) and is an important factor in dragging the average sale price up for the entire Geely Group. Highlights for the year so far shared by Zeekr include over 200,000 global orders for the 7X mid-size SUV, and the Zeekr 9X large SUV becoming the best-selling SUV above the A$100,000 mark in China. In addition, the 009 people mover is now the best-selling luxury electric people mover in several markets, while the 7GT, soon to go on sale in Australia, is moving over 10,000 units a month globally. Zeekr has experienced explosive growth in Australia over the course of 2026, led primarily by its 7X, which until the end of July has clocked 7424 registrations. This has made it one of the best-selling electric cars in the country, ranking only behind more mainstream offerings like the BYD Sealion 7, Geely EX5 and Tesla Model Y. Zeekr will no doubt be expecting a bumper year in 2027, as well, as it adds the 7GT electric station wagon to the range as a new rival to the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3 before the end of the year, with the 8X large SUV and 9X flagship, both as plug-in hybrids, also set to join the line-up in 2027. For Geely’s part, it has also experienced massive growth in Australia, moving over 14,000 units so far in 2026, despite only having a two-model range. The keenly-priced EX2 hatchback has just joined its range, with the Emgrand sedan and possibly the Monjaro upper mid-sizer set to join the range next year as hybrid options. The company has big global aspirations to double its export sales in 2027. Doing so in Australia would put the brand in the same stead as other Chinese success stories like BYD, Chery and GWM. But Geely’s Australian CEO Alex Gu told CarsGuide earlier this year that the company would continue its measured approach in Australia, despite its early success. “Success isn’t just the volume booming,” he said, “success is also customer satisfaction and dealer satisfaction.” “We’ve only launched two models and for example other brands have launched 10 models. “Of course, they have been in the marke longer, but even with two models you can see we only try to bring ‘star’ models into each segment. “From my perspective, 1000 a month is a milestone for a new model, especially in mainstream segments.” He said the company’s ultimate target was to be a global top-five player, and that in export markets like Australia the goal was to be “the number one Chinese brand.” From there it was a matter of challenging “the global top three.” Stay tuned for more on Zeekr’s new model roll out, as well as more on Geely’s plans for 2027.

Volvo is reportedly working on a next-generation version of its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology and it’s understood it will be applied to a series of vehicles. While it’s virtually guaranteed that this new Volvo PHEV system will make its way into a number of SUVs, new information indicates that it may power a successor to the S60 sedan. Tentatively dubbed the S70, a heavily camouflaged prototype has been spied in China. It’s understood to be based on the Lynk & Co 10. Official details are few and far between for now, but it’s understood it could be revealed before the end of 2026 and may initially be for the Chinese market, like the XC70 SUV. Based on this, digital artist Sugar Design has whipped up some renders of this forthcoming PHEV sedan. The digital renders of the forthcoming, so-called Volvo S70 show it has some design similarities with the XC70 PHEV SUV. There’s a faux front grille, large diamond-cut alloy wheels, flush door handles, as well as an elliptical tail-light design. Another notable design point is the LiDAR mounted on the roof which indicates that the car may have some level of semi-autonomous driving capabilities. No renders of the interior have been made yet, however a spied prototype showed it will have a central roller and button cluster like the new XC70, EX60 and ES90. At this stage we’ve only seen a sedan version of this forthcoming Volvo, however Sugar Design has mocked up what a wagon counterpart would look like. Tentatively dubbed the V70, it looks virtually identical to the S70 renders, but has a longer roofline, as well as a more upright tailgate and tail-lights that look more like the XC70. It’s unclear whether Volvo actually intends to produce a wagon version of the forthcoming S70. If it does, it could be a successor to the V60 which was axed during 2025. No official details about what may power the Volvo S70 and V70 have been confirmed yet, however PHEV power is likely. Given reports have indicated that the Lynk & Co 10 may form the basis of these cars, this potentially points to what may be on offer. The Lynk & Co 10 is powered by a PHEV set-up combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors. Total system output is 390kW. The electric motors are fed by either an 18.4kWh or 38.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, allowing up to 100km or 192km of CLTC claimed electric range, respectively. It’s understood that the forthcoming Volvo S70 sedan could be revealed before the end of 2026. Like the Volvo XC70, it’s expected the S70 will likely be aimed primarily at the Chinese market where sedans are still popular. However, export markets may be on the cards. While the S70 seems closer to production reality, it’s unclear whether Volvo actually plans to produce a wagon counterpart. No spied prototypes have been caught yet. If Volvo does plan to launch a new electrified sedan and wagon, the pair would form as successors to the S60 and V60.