Nissan Note Reviews

Nissan was an electric car pioneer, but you probably have never heard of, or seen, its latest EV.The Nissan Ariya had a rocky start, after being blocked from sale in Australia for several years due to it not meeting Australian Design Rules for a rear middle child seat anchor point.Nissan Australia wanted the federal government to bend the rules. It didn't, and eventually the factory implemented the change and it was cleared for sale here.This means Australia doesn’t get a new model but one that has been on sale overseas since 2022.Now that it's here we’ve got the chance to test the range-topping Evolve over the next three months to see how it fares in the real world.The Ariya arrives in Australia as a four-tiered range with the choice of two battery sizes and front or all-wheel drive.It is priced similar to rivals such as the Kia EV5 and Tesla Model Y.Prices start at $55,840, before on-road costs, for the Engage grade and jump $4000 to the Advance variant.Both are fitted with a 63kWh battery that powers a single motor, which sends 160kW/300Nm to the front wheels and delivers a driving range of up to 385km.The $63,840 Advance+ and $71,840 Evolve AWD variants use a bigger 87kWh battery, with the Evolve adding a second motor for all-wheel drive.The single motor in the Advance+ makes 178kW/300Nm and the dual-motor all-wheel drive ups the ante to 320kW/600Nm.That extra grunt drops the claimed driving range from 504km in the Advance+ to 487km in the Evolve.All grades have a max charge rate of 130kW when connected to a DC fast charger, which will fill the battery from 10-80 per cent in 35 minutes in small battery versions and 40 minutes for the larger battery variants.The AC charging limit for the 63kWh battery versions is 7.4kW, which will top the car’s cells up from 10-80 per cent in nine hours. This jumps to 22kW in the 87kWh versions — which is an optional extra in the Advance+ and standard in the Evolve — and drops the 10-100 per cent charge time to four and a half hours.The DC charging times are fairly middle of the pack and are about the same as the Kia EV5, but behind the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4.Our Evolve AWD is packed with kit, along with a plush and well sorted interior fitout.Passengers are greeted by blue Nappa leather wrapped seats that are heated and ventilated up front with the heating function extending to the rear window seats.The driver’s seat is 12-way power-adjustable and the front passenger’s is eight-way moveable.There are high-end items such as blue suede on the dashboard, door trims and front centre arm rest.A huge panoramic sunroof lets the light in, and crucially has a proper headliner cover to block the summer heat.Dual 12.3-inch digital screens dominate the dashboard, with one controlling the multimedia functions and the other the driver’s instruments. The driver’s display isn’t as customisable or high-tech as some newer EVs.A head-up display complements the screens and projects vital information onto the windscreen in front of the driver such as travelling speed and the prevailing speed limit.It rides on 20-inch wheels — a jump up from the 19-inch units on other grades — with aerodynamic wheel covers.There is LED lighting front and back and a two-tone paintwork, with our test vehicle finished in copper with a black roof.The Ariya has the typical modern electric SUV look, which resembles an egg or computer mouse, a style that promotes aerodynamics over good looks.The Ariya is a mid-size SUV, about the same size as a Toyota RAV4. It feels larger inside thanks to its flat rear floor and wheels pushed to all four corners, which helps liberate cabin space.The boot is on the smaller side for a mid-size SUV, holding just 408 litres in our Evolve. This is about 60 litres less than the other variants due to the extra space needed for the second motor.As with nearly every electric car there is no spare tyre, just a fiddly tyre repair kit.Initial impressions from our first month on the road put the Ariya in the middle of the pack in terms of dynamics, but its range is sub-par.After about 500km of driving we are probably looking at 380 to 400km on a single charge in the real world, which is not ideal and well behind rivals, especially considering the size of the battery. We are regularly seeing energy usage of more than 21kWh per 100km.On the road it is a sweet machine with well-weighted and direct steering and there is excellent pedal feel, which combine to deliver confident motoring.I’m a big fan of the single pedal drive mode, too, which ups the regenerative braking to boost energy fed back into the battery and reduces the need to use the brake pedal with the driver just lifting off the accelerator to start slowing down.The suspension struggles at times to control the Evolve’s more than 2200kg kerb weight. The two-wheel drive big battery version weighs about 150kg less and that makes a big difference.It’s not overly fast despite its ample outputs, but this is a family SUV not a red hot performance car, so I think its acceleration is just where it should be — peppy but not extreme.One thing that needs to be mentioned is Nissan's 10-year conditional warranty. If you service your Ariya at a Nissan dealer you'll be covered by an industry-leading 10 year/300,000km guarantee. That's built-in value that is hard to beat.There is also cost-effective servicing, with logbook maintenance required every 20,000km or 12 months costing $299 for each of the first five workshop visits.Next month we’ll dive into more of the Ariya’s practicality and expand on the drive experience after more time behind the wheel.2026 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD Acquired: December 2025Distance travelled this month: 471kmOdometer: 6214kmAverage energy consumption this month: 21.4kWh/100km

Chinese giant Dongfeng, which has joint-venture projects with Nissan and Honda, has announced it is entering late-stage trials for a new solid state battery, which it predicts will be in a production car by 2027.The brand says its new battery will grant electric cars a range of 1000 kilometres, and has established a limited production line for its new technology.Solid state batteries are still seen as the holy grail of electric car technology, promising to unlock massive driving range thanks to higher energy density, ultra-fast charging times, the ability to deal with temperature extremes and a safer, longer service life.The brand’s latest testing was for batteries with a 350Wh/kg density (current battery technology ranges from 180 - 300Wh/kg) in extreme cold, and the brand claims its testing sees the batteries maintain 72 per cent of their energy capacity at temperatures as high as 170 degrees celsius.Its next round of testing will see the batteries subjected to real-world conditions in the far north of China in temperatures as low as -40 degrees.The brand is aiming energy densities as high as 500Wh/kg, which would make them twice as dense as some EV batteries currently on the market. It also showcased an ultra fast charging 1200-volt electric platform concept, which is said to add 2.5km of range when charging every second.This will require a 2MW charger, which is unbelievable in Australia but much closer to reality in the Chinese domestic market where 1MW chargers already exist.Currently the fastest EV chargers in Australia are around 350kW, and even these are limited by high costs to install and rely on the local power grid being able to support such outputs.Dongfeng plans to put these new solid-state batteries in pre-production cars before the end of 2026, with a production run expected by 2027.The batteries are likely to debut in a vehicle from Dongfeng’s Yipai brand (styled eπ). The passenger sedans from the brand share their Tianyan platform with the Nissan N7, which has shot to relative popularity for the brand in its Chinese home market.Nissan also partners with Dongfeng to make the NX8 large SUV and the much-hyped Frontier Pro dual-cab plug-in hybrid ute, which many see as Nissan’s potential answer to the BYD Shark 6.Dongfeng is not the only brand that claims to be close to cracking the solid state battery code. MG is fitting semi-solid state batteries in its IM luxury cars and even its upcoming re-worked MG4. The brand has said the tech isn’t set for an Australian launch imminently, as it was still a work in progress for markets outside of China.China-based CATL is the world's biggest electric car battery maker and only expects to have small scale production of solid state batteries in 2027. It told Chinese media late in 2025 that large scale production is still as far away as 2030.Even Toyota is working on solid state, which it says will solve a lot of electric car problems in “a single stroke”. The Japanese giant has cast doubt on whether the technology will eventuate in the way we expect, with the brand’s Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima saying “development is always unpredictable. Franky, there’s no telling if it will work out or not”.Toyota’s aim was to have solid state technology in cars by 2027, while its rivals over in Europe have also been making progress, with prototypes being tested in some vehicles in the BMW and Mercedes-Benz line-ups.

The mainstream mid-size SUV segment is one of the most hotly contested in the Australian market, as the prevailing family car of choice for so many.We’re truly spoilt for choice, with options available at many price points, and with the choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric, as well as from both old favourite brands and new challengers.While this has generally been a boon for buyers, it has also made this congested segment more difficult to shop in than ever before, so as part of our ongoing 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards, we’ve distilled a top-10 shortlist of our highest-rated Medium SUVs starting under $60K.Our top three and winner will be announced on February 6, but you can see the alphabetically ordered shortlist below.The Cupra Terramar serves as the Spanish brand’s take on the Volkswagen Tiguan formula - a true mid-size SUV, although it offers a truly sporty take over the Tiguan’s more wide appeal.Priced from $53,990, it’s a surprising value player considering its sporty look and feel, although if you want the full performance on offer, you’ll have to spend north of the $70K mark to get the spicy VZ version.Still Cupra continues to impress us with its edgy designs and impressive driving dynamics compared to its other Volkswagen Group relations.Perhaps a candidate for the most improved model on sale in Australia, the new GWM Haval H6 moves up in the world from simply a value player to a more impressive mainstream offering.Packed with standard kit and tweaked across the board when it comes to drivability and tuning, this Chinese rival takes more direct aim at the segment-leading Toyota RAV4 than ever before.Available as a 2.0-litre turbo as well as a 1.5-litre hybrid in plugless or plug-in form, it also covers the gamut of powertrain options Aussie buyers are looking for.While the sharply-priced Lux is impressive value, the plugless hybrids are the pick of the range with their trim fuel efficiency and smooth electrified transmission.One of the original nameplates which kicked-off the mid-size SUV segment altogether, the CR-V continues to this day to be a stellar offering in the segment, with Honda as always doing an impressive job of moving with the times.The CR-V is also one of the better value options in Honda’s current range, priced much closer to its rivals than the HR-V or ZR-V which sit below it.Again, the pick of the range is the e:HEV hybrid, although you’ll have to fork out for the pleasure with the hybrid powertrain still only sitting atop the mid-sizer’s range, priced at $59,900 drive-away.While it exudes quality like other Honda models, it also isn’t as efficient as some of its rivals, and doesn’t offer a plug-in or all-wheel drive in its hybrid form.Another impressive car from Honda, the ZR-V is a right-sized SUV to fill the increasingly large gap between the ever-growing CR-V and the still diminutive HR-V below.Again sporting the same Honda characteristics of great build quality, sharp driving dynamics and a practical interior space, with a smaller overall footprint than some of its rivals the ZR-V should be on any buyers shortlist.However, while it is marginally more affordable than its CR-V sibling, the ZR-V suffers from the same problem of only offering the sleek and efficient hybrid system on only its top-spec LX variant, eliminating savings from its fuel sipping powertrain via a much higher starting price ($54,900 before on-roads).Hyundai’s current-generation Tucson now has a few years behind it, but continues to be a strong seller thanks to gradual updates and price tweaks which keeps it high on the consideration list alongside its Kia Sportage sister vehicle and the segment-leading Toyota RAV4.Now strongest-selling as a fuel-sipping hybrid, the Tucson continues to be offered in a range of variants at many different price-points, with both front- and all-wheel drive options.The latest major updates synced the mid-sizer up with the rest of Hyundai’s range in offering a new interior design approach with fresh software, and even an array of buttons and dials for climate and volume controls we always like to see.Nissan has been embattled by rivals in recent years, but its ever-improving X-Trail continues to deserve a look-in as possibly the brand’s most competitive current offering.Spacious, modern, offered with up to seven seats, and with an innovative electric-first e-Power hybrid option, the X-Trail has a lot to offer buyers as a rival specifically to the RAV4 or Honda CR-V.Plus, it gets ergonomic fundamentals right, as well as a good level of refinement and a solid array of well-calibrated safety kit to keep newcomers at bay.Czech brand Skoda, as always, flies under the radar, and the Elroq is certainly worth your consideration thanks to a myriad of factors, not least of which is its surprisingly sharp starting price of (now) $49,990 drive-away. Did we mention it’s fully electric?On top of that, the Elroq is right-sized, with a modest but well-utilised footprint, which is laden with the brand’s clever touches like plenty of storage areas, an umbrella hidden in the door, and plenty of storage organisation options in the boot.The Elroq rides on Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform and is offered with either a long-range 85kWh battery, and now a standard-range 60kWh option. All versions are rear-wheel drive, keeping them efficient, with the longer-range one said to travel up to 529km on the WLTP cycle.The Enyaq is the Elroq’s larger sibling in Skoda’s two-pronged mid-size electric SUV range, offering a sportier look and feel.Recently updated to wear the brand’s latest and more futuristic design language, the Enyaq also inherits a lot of the same brilliant packaging as its smaller sibling. It also offers the same battery variants, which are still relatively long range considering their capacities, with the smaller version travelling 410km on the WLTP cycle, and the larger one travelling up to 548km.Not as affordable as the Elroq, but still good value in the segment, the Enyaq has a lot of the right ingredients to tempt buyers away from other popular offerings in this electric space like the Tesla Model Y or Kia EV5.To be clear here, the RAV4 being considered for our Car of the Year is the current generation, as the next-gen model hadn’t arrived in time for consideration.As dated as this top-seller may be though, it’s remained a top-seller for a reason, namely that it’s well laid out, comfortable, versatile and backed by Toyota’s ever-sturdy reputation.Its quality finish and ever smooth hybrid drive are still some of the best on the market, emulated by many to varying degrees of success.The RAV4 still bests them all in the sales charts though, and some may even argue the styling of this outgoing car is more appealing than the new one, which will also bring with it a long-awaited plug-in hybrid.Zeekr’s long-awaited third model has proven to be its most hyped. The Zeekr 7X is a fully electric premium SUV at the price of a high-end mainstream combustion or hybrid one.Despite its keen price-tag, this is still an impressively specified vehicle, with plenty of high-end features, a big battery with long driving range, and dynamics on par with much more expensive rivals.It also impresses on the design front, with Zeekr’s studio in Sweden next door to those of Polestar and Volvo making the Chinese newcomer feel like much more than a first attempt.

While utes and family SUVs dominate the top ranks of the sales charts, small, affordable cars remain extremely important to anyone who doesn’t need so much car.That’s why it’s one of the key categories we’re paying attention to in the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year (COTY) awards, in this case specifically those models with entry prices below $50,000.Rather than just hatchbacks and small sedans, we’re including small SUVs in the category given the dwindling number of hatches on sale, and consumer tendencies to opt for a small SUV, even as a first car.Based on review data from our team of journalists, our shortlist of 10 finalists below (in alphabetical order) is a broad group with some interesting variety in their offerings.And, as you’ll notice, the cars eligible for the award don’t necessarily have to be new as of this year - they just need to be on-sale as of January 1, 2026, with a variant under the $50K mark.This category's winner and two runners-up will be announced on February 6, 2026. The Hyundai i30 has been a favourite for years, with its current-generation hatch nearing a decade old. From first cars to fleet cars and hire cars and even sports cars, the offering is broad.But there’s a recent development that judges have strongly considered, and that’s the discontinuation of the standard i30 hatchback in Australia. The well-liked but less popular sedan and the spicy N versions in both hatch and sedan have all been enough to secure the i30 a place amongst the finalists, though.We’re fans of the i30 Sedan, formerly the Elantra, for its packaging and its efficiency in its hybrid form, and the N version has been widely regarded as one of the best-value hot hatches in the world. With pricing from $29,250 before on-roads and the hybrid only $4000 more expensive, the i30 Sedan offers up decent value for money. Even the N only just sits over the $50K mark with its $52,000 starting price. Extremely strong points for the judges to consider.Well-loved by the CarsGuide team, the Kia EV3 is as good as we wish the larger and better-selling EV5 was. But Kia’s small electric SUV faces strong competition from cheaper entrants from China that offer strong showroom presence.Starting from $47,600 before on-roads, the EV3’s line-up stretches to a hefty $63,950, but most agree the base model is the smartest buy as well as the nicest to drive. Key points that have drawn judges to the EV3 are its cute (but not tacky) styling, its clever packaging, and the useful but not extravagant features.It’s one of the more expensive competitors in our finalists, and it’s being outsold by rivals quite convincingly, but the CarsGuide COTY doesn’t reward showroom figures. Game on.Like the i30 earlier in this list, the Mazda3 is a veteran of the new small car market, with its current generation having been unveiled in 2018.Once seen as pricey compared to rivals, the Mazda3 is now a rather budget-friendly option as cheaper cars have disappeared over the years - and its sleek styling has held up nicely to boot.Starting from $31,310 before on-roads, the Mazda3 has gradually changed with the times, having been through a couple of tech and line-up changes. The hatch and sedan both offer up a competitive front-row environment and engaging dynamics, and despite its age is still one of the best-selling small cars alongside the i30, both trailing the ever-popular Toyota Corolla.Judges have always noted its small boot and lacklustre rear seat, but the former still beats the Corolla and there aren’t many truly spacious second rows in hatches. Is standing out where it matters enough for the judges?Furthering the mix of old and new in the finalists for the category, the MG S5 EV has found favour with judges for backing up its excellent first impressions.Newcomers in the field of budget small SUVs have tended to disappoint, especially dynamically, but the CarsGuide team was impressed by not only how the MG S5 fares compared to the brand’s earlier efforts, but also how it performs even without comparing it to other MGs.Available from $40,490 drive-away and costing just $47,990 for its top-spec variant, its extremely competitive price and solid list of features bolster an already strong offering.Scoring highly in every category across CarsGuide’s review format, the MG S5 EV shouldn’t be considered an underdog in the COTY fight. Mini, even with its less traditional models, is near-universally loved. So it should be little surprise that one of its new models sits in this list.The Countryman is now available in both petrol and electric, though its starting price is a hefty $49,990 before on-roads for the base Countryman Core. That means it just sneaks into this COTY category, even if getting into its EV version starts from $64,990.Still, Minis are rarely on shopping lists for their value offering, and the Countryman offers impressive tech and features, plus dynamic driving and of course that fun Mini styling.In a category where value and convenience are key, it’ll be a hard sell, but the current Countryman is essentially a BMW for less money, and arguably more interesting. Take that into consideration, and things are looking up.It’s been a big couple of years for the Qashqai, with Nissan’s small SUV scoring a big facelift quite quickly after its current third generation showed up. In early 2026, the Qashqai will go hybrid-only and start from $45,640 before on-roads with its front-wheel-drive-only, 140kW e-Power hybrid the only option. But its petrol offerings fell within the bounds of the COTY judging timeline, and so are also part of the consideration.Attractive styling, smooth power delivery and handling, and a now up-to-date interior with practical features all contribute to a convincing package, but the imminent loss of its petrol-only models will mean the Qashqai is set to become around $10,000 more expensive than before at its base level.Nissan’s extremely competitive ownership offering (the warranty is 10 years and 300,000km if you service with Nissan, five-year/unlimited kilometres otherwise) makes the Qashqai even more tempting. Ticking a lot of boxes there.Stylish, niche, quirky… French. The Peugeot 308 in its current generation leans in hard to all of these things, not least because it’s only available in a single, high-spec hybrid variant for $48,990 before on-roads.It’s gorgeous inside, outside, and to drive, but it’s cursed with limited commercial and perceived value appeal - only 88 were sold in 2025.The 308’s features list is strong enough to rival much more expensive alternatives, and its strongest points in terms of dynamics are most likely to appeal specifically to driving enthusiasts.There’s a lot to like about the Pug 308, it’s just that most people forget it exists. A CarsGuide COTY trophy in the cabinet would surely help with the latter issue…Toyota’s baby icon has gone through some changes lately. In the last few years, we’ve seen it grow up from the simple, affordable ‘first-car’ option it once was to be a simple, much less affordable option. Oh, and now there’s a version of it that’s basically a rally car for the road.A Yaris used to be something you could reasonably buy new as a teenager if you were thrifty, now it’s a $28,990 (before on-roads) option at its entry level thanks to its increased level of safety kit and having gone hybrid-only,Fortunately, it’s still an excellent light car, and even though it’s outsold by all its rivals it still does exactly what a city car should do - getting you around efficiently and with no fuss.In terms of how it snagged a spot in the finals for this category, it helps that the GR Yaris hot hatch is one of the two best drivers’ cars Toyota currently builds.Getting into a German SUV doesn’t have to be an expensive operation, and the $34,990 starting price (before on-roads) for the VW T-Cross is proof. Even the top-spec R-Line comes in at $41,490, and the features list is healthy.To boot, the T-Cross is fun to drive, and judges enjoy its practicality inside, plus the sharp styling outside.While not as efficient as some in its class, nor as cheap to own in terms of servicing, the T-Cross offers a step-up from rivals in the class that are seen as practical budget offerings.Still, its last update was in 2024, so it’ll have some work to do to convince judges it’s still up to date.Alphabetically, and probably in terms of public familiarity, the last to make the shortlist is the Zeekr X, a small electric SUV designed in Sweden but built in China.Cousin to the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1, the Zeekr X has good pedigree and the performance to back it up.Liked by judges for its value, bold style and on-road performance, the Zeekr X is one of the bigger unknown quantities in this COTY category.A recent price cut makes it a $49,900 offering before on-roads, meaning it only just slips into the sub-$50K contest, but with its list of features it should prove a compelling contender. 

A new hybrid hot hatch concept has just been revealed in Japan.Nissan has unveiled a new fiesty hybrid hatchback called the Aura Nismo RS concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon.With the car still only a concept, Nissan has said it is still exploring the potential of bringing it to market as a production car.Nismo is Nissan's performance branch, derived from its motorsport endeavours.The car is based on one of Nissan’s hybrid hatches found overseas, and also has the same power set-up found on the X-Trail Nismo — a performance version of the popular mid-size SUV.It  has been pitched as an “Agile Electric City Racer” concept, using Nissan’s e-Power hybrid set-up, which differs from the conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies.Its dual electric motors are powered by a 2.1kWh battery, which is charged by a 1.5-litre petrol engine.The engine produces 106kW and 250Nm, but it has no role in powering the wheels and acts purely as a generator to fill the battery, with the front and rear mounted electric motors driving the wheels exclusively.The front motor produces 150kW and 330Nm, while the rear motor produces 100kW and 195Nm.It drives using Nissan’s specialist all-wheel drive system.In addition to these performance upgrades, the RS has undergone some big physical changes in comparison to the original Aura Nismo to give it increased track and race capabilities.The RS is 145mm wider, with its beefed up fenders.The overall ride height has been dropped by 20mm, designed to improve handling in hard cornering.It comes in 142mm longer, taking its total length to 4262mm, and weighs 100kg more at about 1500kg.The brakes have also been beefed up, with new large opposed-piston calipers.Its exterior design features sleek bodywork, appearing in a dark grey, with roof-mounted spoiler and a standout red front splitter.Red elements surround the base of the car, contrasting the paint work.The car has plenty of blacked out elements, including the front grille and roof, while RS badging shows on the doors.Despite its different power set-up, its hot hatch status sees it as a potential rival for Hyundai’s i30 N and Toyota GR Corolla.

Nissan has previewed an update to its Z sports car at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon ahead of its launch in Japan around the middle of 2026.A lot of the stylistic cues of this updated Nissan Z have been inspired by the original S30-generation of the Nissan Fairlady Z, known as the Datsun 240Z and 260Z in Australia.This includes the new Unryu Green exterior paint colour which is inspired by the original Grand Prix Green paint from the Fairlady Z, plus the machine-finished alloy wheel design.Highlighting this update is a revised front bumper which now features a body-colour bar across the grille and a ‘Z’ front badge replacing the standard Nissan badge.Other subtle changes to the front bumper add 30mm to the overall vehicle length, while they are also claimed to reduce front lift by 3.3 per cent and drag by 1.0 per cent.Under the skin there are larger pistons for the shock absorbers which are claimed to improve comfort and stability.It’s worth noting no changes have been made to the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine which continues to produce 298kW and 475Nm, and is mated to either a six-speed manual or nine-speed automatic transmission.Inside the changes are minimal. Nissan has introduced a new tan upholstery colourway on the seats, as well as the lower portion of the dash and door cards.In addition to this updated Nissan Z, the Japanese carmaker revealed a manual version of the Z Nismo at this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. To date it has only been offered with the nine-speed automatic transmission.The Z Nismo manual gets a unique engine torque profile aimed to improve the throttle response, as well as a short-throw six-speed manual gear shifter.At this stage it’s unclear if or when this updated Nissan Z or the Z Nismo manual will be coming to Australia. We’ve reached out to Nissan and will update this story once we hear back.

The Nissan D27 Navara has been one of 2025’s most hotly-anticipated new-model unveilings.Out in the first quarter of this year, it was meant to signal a rebirth for a series that has been in the doldrums since the previous generation launched in Australia in 2014.Instead, and despite a two-year-plus gap between it and the Mitsubishi MV Triton donor ute – which was new from-the-ground-up barring its 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine – the level of change outside, inside and under the bonnet has been criticised as not enough by some people who were expecting unique sheetmetal, interior and powertrains.Essentially a Mitsubishi with a new face, it transpired that only the headlights, bumper, grille and tail-light lenses differ, raising questions about why Nissan took so long to bring the D27 to market.According to Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania) Region Vice President Marketing & Mobility, Arnaud Charpentier, the company wanted to ensure that the Navara’s driving experience meets Australian consumer expectations as a priority, given the (undisclosed) budget constraints they had to work within.“We started a bit after (the Triton’s Australian release) …and all those tests took us 12 months,” he said. “We probably could have launched the car before, but we wanted this local tuning made here by the region, for the region.“We had to adapt the timing for, of course, not only the tuning of the suspension, but the design took us also a bit of time to reinject the Nissan DNA onto the car.”So, was the Mitsubishi chassis set-up so bad that it put the project back nearly two years?According to Nissan Oceania Managing Director, Andrew Humberstone, there was nothing fundamentally wrong with the Triton’s suspension tune – other than it was not aligned with what a Nissan’s one should be.“It wasn't so much what the suspension was on the donor car at all,” he explained – very carefully. “It was more around, what are the needs of the car, and how do we differentiate ourselves.“It was more around listening to customers… when I first joined the Oceania team (April, 2024), I did a road show and visited the dealer network… and it was really evident to me that Australianness was a really key component. That was really important to the Australian consumer.”According to Premcar boss, Bernie Quinn, whose Melbourne-based team is responsible for the Navara’s suspension tuning and behaviour, over half a decade’s experience working on the previous version starting with the original Warrior informed what the latest version should be like.“You're getting a Navara is what I’d say first,” he said. “(The D27) has a very unique character that's been evolved from, certainly from my point of view, since my company's involvement with the Navara started with the N-Trek Warrior back in 2019, it's really evolved from that basis.“I think we really hit the nail on the head of understanding what the Australian customer does with their pick-up truck.”Quinn was quick to add that the Triton fundamentals provided a very sound base on which to differentiate it from Navara.“There are two different types of springs - the three leaf-spring and four-leaf springs, and, along with the front springs, and they carry over (from Triton), but all four dampers have changed on all variants,” he revealed.“The dampers themselves are Australian-made… they’re a bigger damper with more capability, they've got the internal rebound spring, which is sort of a newish technology, which gives us more flexibility in the tuning base to maintain comfort, but also maintain control.”Given the budget and time parameters that Premcar were working within, Quinn is confident that more than enough has changed to make the Navara feel like a Nissan ute should.“Critical to achieving that DNA, that Navara DNA, as I like to look at, was changing the dampers.“(But) it was not necessary to change other things, like springs and bump stops and suspension geometry. The (Mitsubishi) architecture is actually really, really good – long travel front suspension, a really nice setup in the rear as well, in terms of roll centres, all those sorts of things; they were pretty much where we'd like them to be.“So, it didn't necessitate, thank God, large changes to the architecture, because it's quite good. But we saw a lot of benefit from changing the dampers and going to a much larger diameter damper, internal rebound spring on the front damper.“Really, it's brought that missing Navara DNA, maybe even a little bit of Warrior DNA, into the car.”

The Australian new car market is going through one of its biggest changes to date.A wave of budget-focused Chinese brands has washed over the market in the past two years, eating away into the sales of many established carmakers.The emergence of new technologies such as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles will change the cars we drive forever.Despite that, some things have stayed the same. Diesel-powered utes and 4WDs are the dominant force in Aussie motoring, but new models are snapping at their heels.Here are the best selling 100 vehicles in Australia during the past year.

Nissan has confirmed price and specs for its updated and now hybrid-only Qashqai range for 2026.Not only has the 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine been dumped from the range, but the hybrid has been made more affordable with a new entry-level variant, the ST-L e-Power which starts from $45,640 before on-roads.However, the discontinuation of the previous entry-level combustion car has made the entry-point to the Qashqai range now over $10,000 more expensive than before.Nissan’s e-Power system flips the hybrid formula on its head, with only the electric motor driving the wheels, and the 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine acting only as a generator.2026 Nissan Qashqai pricingThe Qashqai range now starts from the ST-L e-Power and tops out with the N-Design e-Power. See the refreshed pricing structure (with pricing before-on-roads) for the now-four-variant range below.2026 Nissan Qashqai powertrain and efficiencyThe hybrid-only Nissan Qashqai range is front-wheel drive only, and features the latest version of the e-Power set-up which is more fuel and emissions efficient than the previous version. In addition, it is also capable of a 10kW boost when in the Sport driving mode.2026 Nissan Qashqai standard featuresWhile the price has increased significantly for the entry-point to the Qashqai range, standard equipment inclusions have also scored a boost.Standard on all versions of the 2026 Qashqai are:18-inch alloy wheels12.3-inch multimedia touchscreenWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoOver-the-air connectivityWireless phone charging360-degree parking cameraKeyless entry with push-start ignitionDual-zone climate controlLED headlightsHigher grades score synthetic leather seats and larger alloy wheel designs among other upgrades. 2026 Nissan Qashqai safetyThe full safety suite is present on even the base versions of the new Qashqai, bar lane keep assist and blind spot monitoring which is only available on the Ti grade and above. The surround parking camera feature is now standard across the range.The 2026 Qashqai should carry over its maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating it was awarded in 2021, which is due to expire in December 2027. The ANCAP rating applies to both the hybrid variants and the outgoing combustion variants.2026 Nissan Qashqai warranty and servicingThe Qashqai is covered by the brand’s 10-year/300,000km warranty which is conditional on servicing inside the brand’s dealer network. Otherwise the warranty reverts to the brand’s previous five-year/unlimited warranty.Service pricing is yet to be confirmed for model year 26 versions of the Qashqai, but the outgoing car is covered by a fixed-price servicing regime, which is set at $399 per yearly visit.2026 Nissan Qashqai dimensionsThe new version of the Qashqai will maintain the same dimensions as the outgoing version, see these in the table below2026 versions of the Nissan Qashqai are due to hit dealerships in March.

We’ve already looked at the most important cars coming in 2026, but what about the ones that may not be big sellers but will generate a lot of excitement?Well, there’s plenty of those to choose from (because there’s no shortage of new models to choose from in the jam-packed Australian new car market anyway), but we’ve narrowed it down to the five most notable examples. These may not be the most popular newcomers, but they are the new offerings that make the biggest statement about the brand’s intent. Toyota RAV4 PHEVToyota was adamant for over a decade that its conventional hybrid system was all it needed to keep buyers happy. But with plug-in hybrid sales more than doubling in 2025 it has finally decided that the time is right to join the party.The RAV4 PHEV won’t land until later in the year, months after the rest of the range goes on sale, but it will bring with it a new flagship GR Sport variant. This will be powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid powertrain that will make 227kW and be capable of driving up to 100km on electric power alone.There will also be a single-motor, front-wheel drive option, on the more affordable mid-spec XSE trim line, which should ensure the PHEV has appeal to a reasonable amount of the market.The biggest challenge for Toyota will be ensuring the RAV4 PHEV is price-competitive against its Chinese rivals, such as the BYD Sealion 6 (from $42,990), GWM Haval H6 (from $44,990) and MG HS (from $49,690).Mazda 6e Will it be second time’s a charm for Mazda with electric cars? And, perhaps even more curiously, is there still a market for the sedan?Local management has made no secret that its first electric offering, the MX-30, was a niche player that had limited appeal at its size and price. But that’s not the case for the 6e, which is a very different proposition on every level and therefore holds great potential - for better or worse - for the brand.For starters, the 6e is the product of Mazda’s partnership with Chinese carmaker Changan, makers of Deepal. That has allowed Mazda to confirm a starting price of “less than $55,000” for the 6e, which is pretty competitive for a mid-size sedan, regardless of powertrain. However, both electric cars and mid-size sedans are still niche propositions, so the combination of both makes for a significant challenge for Mazda to overcome. If the price and specification levels are appealing, perhaps the Mazda badge can help lure buyers away from a Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal, but even if it does that successfully the 6e will likely be a modest seller.But what makes it so exciting is the potential it has to define Mazda’s future. If it does well, Mazda will likely continue to explore more EV options. But if it doesn’t, the brand will need to pivot and focus on its PHEV powertrains for the foreseeable future.Hyundai Palisade XRT ProHaving enjoyed huge success with its sporty ‘N’ brand, Hyundai is trying to expand its portfolio into the off-road space with ‘XRT’. We’ve already seen accessories packs for the Santa Fe, but in 2026 the brand will take the next step and offer the Palisade XRT Pro as a specific trim grade.While the Santa Fe XRT package was style focused, the Palisade XRT Pro takes everything a step further. There’s a unique grille and lower bumper that incorporates twin, chassis-mounted tow hooks, as well as new side skirts and rear bumper, all of which improves its approach, breakover and departure angles.There is a new XRT Pro-exclusive rear electronic limited-slip differential for better off-road capability as well as downhill brake control and new terrain modes for mud, sand and snow, plus 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres. But Hyundai has stopped short of modifying the suspension, so it is unlikely to convince true off-roaders to make the switch.But it shows Hyundai is serious about making XRT Pro another element of its arsenal and we’ve seen there is scope for more XRT and XRT Pro models in the future, assuming the Palisade makes an impact.Denza B5 and B8 Perhaps the biggest problem Hyundai faces competing with the LandCruiser and Everest is actually these two new arrivals. Denza, a spin-off from BYD, is also aiming to become an alternative to the current large SUV kings.The Prado-sized B5 and LandCruiser rivaling B8 are both powered by potent plug-in hybrid powertrains while still being capable of towing up to 3000kg and 3500kg, respectively.As evidenced by the success of the BYD Shark 6, Australians are open-minded about plug-in hybrid utes, so it makes sense for Denza to see if the same is true for the rugged SUV market.With the entire range all priced below $100,000, and the B5 kicking off from a highly-competitive $74,990, Denza has positioned itself well to try and attract Aussie adventures to its new offerings.Nissan PatrolIt’s been a long, long time coming but the Patrol is inching closer to Australia. It’s still not 100 per cent locked in for a 2026 showroom arrival, but it’s still the most exciting new model for Nissan in a long time.After a difficult 2025 thanks to the company's financial troubles, Nissan Australia could do with a positive boost this year. The new Patrol drops the old V8 and replaces it with a twin-turbo V6 that makes even more performance, a very healthy 317kW/700Nm.It may not be Nissan’s biggest seller, but the new Patrol will be a big and, more importantly, positive addition to the line-up which makes it very exciting.