Nissan Serena Reviews

Nissan's fifth-generation Navara is essentially a thinly disguised Mitsubishi Triton but does it have enough differentiation from its donor to stand alone as a genuine rival?

Nissan’s new mighty 4WD is a step closer to Australia.The Japanese brand revealed production of the current Nissan Y62 Patrol will cease in August, with the Aussie-tuned Premcar versions wrapping up soon after.This draws to a close the Patrol’s V8 era, with the Y62’s 5.6-litre eight-cylinder petrol unit to be replaced by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol making 317kW and 700Nm, or 19kW and 140Nm more than before.“The Patrol has been a constant presence in Australian motoring, and the Y62 has played a defining role in that legacy. Its 5.6-litre V8 is part of what has made this generation so beloved by enthusiasts, families and adventurers alike,” said Nissan Oceania Managing Director Steve Milette. “As we look ahead to the all-new to Australia Y63 later this year, the run-out of the Y62 represents a genuine ‘last chance’ moment for Australians who want to add a new V8 Patrol to their garage.”The move to a twin-turbo unit follows the Toyota LandCruiser, which ditched its V8 diesel for a twin-turbo V6 unit when it switched from 200 to 300 Series several years ago.The last V8 Nissan Patrol is likely to draw similar levels of demand to the final LandCruiser 200 Series models, where buyers were quickly on-selling for huge profits.The Y63 Patrol is built on a new platform and is bigger in almost every way. It is now 5205mm long (+35mm), 2030mm wide (+35mm), though the 1955m height remains unchanged.It’s also bigger in the third row, thanks to the rear section and boot being 30 per cent wider than in the Y62.It’s got some hi-tech suspension too, with the new Intelligent Dynamic Suspension system complete with air suspension that can give you another 7cm of lift. This also helps improve approach and departure angles when tackling properly tough terrain.The Y63 Patrol has already been on sale in left-hand-drive markets such as the US and Middle East for some time, but Australia is claimed to be one of the first right-hand-drive countries to get the new model when it arrives late this year.The Y63 Patrol will face a new breed of enemies when it lands.The scope of the large 4WD market has grown beyond the LandCruiser 300 Series to include the Denza B8 plug-in hybrid and incoming models such as the GWM Tank 700 plug-in hybrid and Geely Battleship 700.

Nissan has launched a new small SUV in Japan that has previously been off limits and it could make its way to Australia.The Nissan Kicks is now being produced in right-hand drive in Japan for the domestic market. It’s also produced in Mexico and Brazil for North and South America, respectively.Given Japan is a right-hand drive market, this theoretically makes an Australian launch for the Kicks a step easier.There’s even more merit as the related Juke small SUV has been discontinued in Australia.Additionally, the new-generation, all-electric Juke is European-focused and not coming to Australia.This makes Nissan’s smallest model in Australia the Qashqai, which is now only offered with an e-Power hybrid powertrain.The most affordable Nissan model now locally is the entry-level X-Trail ST 2WD at $38,140 before on-road costs.“Nissan Australia continuously evaluates vehicles from across our global portfolio for the Australian market; however, we have no announcements to make regarding future product plans at this time,” said a Nissan Australia spokesperson.In Japan the Kicks features a new, third-generation e-Power hybrid powertrain, like the Qashqai. It’s available in either single-motor front-wheel drive or dual-motor all-wheel drive forms.All versions have a 1.4-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that acts purely as a generator to top up the battery pack.This second-generation version of the Kicks is much more upmarket than the previous version and features more American-like design cues.Inside there are dual 12.3-inch screens that are integrated into a singular housing and run on Google Built-in.Standard safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, as well as a surround-view camera.

Japan is getting serious about car battery recycling. The Japanese government has drafted a report outlining a policy that would require carmakers to collect used electric vehicle batteries, according to AutoNews.Ministries will "consider policy solutions and timing for the establishment of a recycling system” for EV batteries.Battery recycling initiatives have gathered steam globally in recent years as e-waste becomes a bigger consideration. There will be more EV batteries degrading and becoming unusable as the numbers of EVs on the road increases.Car batteries are often only covered by eight-year warranties, leaving questions to what happens to them after this time.Batteries cannot be recycled in the conventional way because they often contain toxic chemicals, requiring an extensive process to disassemble them safely.Opportunities for recycling car batteries have increased significantly as carmakers and governments seek solutions to the issue. There is already a voluntary scheme in Japan, where up to 22 carmakers participate in collecting used EV batteries, including Toyota and BYD.AutoNews said roughly 13,000 batteries were recovered through the initiative in the 2024 financial year.Japan will use battery recycling initiatives to move away from heavy reliance on rare resource imports.Japan isn't the only place where battery recycling is being pushed.There are increasingly stringent European Union regulations that set recycling mandates for all companies.Under the EU Battery Regulation, there are stricter year-on-year recycling targets. In 2030, 70 per cent of lithium-based batteries must be recycled. Lithium batteries are commonly used in electric cars, so Europe’s rules are designed to directly target the car battery issue. EV batteries and the materials in them can be used for other purposes and are capable of forming part of home set-ups or powering alliances and tools.In Australia, Nissan is using nine NMC batteries from its first generation Leaf small car to power elements of its Victorian part manufacturing plant.Importantly these batteries have not undergone an extensive refurbishment process, meaning their repurposing is cheaper than conventional recycling choices. NMC batteries are more likely to be the target of recycling initiatives than lithium-based alternatives because they contain more rare and expensive metals. 

Nissan is going all in on studying the Chinese car industry textbook.The Japanese juggernaut has admitted China’s cars are setting the standard for development and it needs to learn from them.It’s no secret Chinese carmakers are taking over globally, including Australia.BYD, Chery, GWM and MG all find themselves inside the top 10 best-selling brands for 2026 Down Under. Models such as the Chery Tiggo 4 and Jaecoo J5 small SUVs, as well as the BYD Shark 6 ute, have shot up the sales charts over the past 18 months. China-sourced cars recently overtook Japan as the biggest sellers in the Australian market, in what was a watershed moment for the car industry. Cheap prices and fast product development have seen one of Japan’s biggest names open up the Chinese carmaker textbook.Nissan hopes taking a closer look at how China operates in the car industry will cultivate significantly improved development times and better leveraging of artificial intelligence. "China is as of now setting the industry standards of the future in terms of technology, in terms of cost competitiveness and in terms of development time," Nissan President Ivan Espinosa told Nikkei Asia. Espinosa also said the brand’s next steps were "to learn from China and export know-how from China”.Chinese manufacturers have cornered the market when it comes to affordable and quickly-developed new cars.In an economic environment where cost of living is so high, cheap cars have become increasingly more desirable. The technological innovation on these models has left China’s car industry in an even stronger position compared to legacy brands. BYD’s Shark 6 is an example of this innovation. It fitted a plug-in hybrid set-up to a ute in a segment dominated by diesel, with the rest of the pack now attempting to replicate it. The Shark 6 also integrates the high-voltage battery into the chassis as opposed to fitting it somewhere where it would take up cabin or storage space - another example of innovative thinking. Nissan already has a joint-venture partnership with Dongfeng and produces the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute, expected to come to Australia soon as the Navara Pro.There is a range of other China-developed Nissan EVs that are expected to be on the cards for Australia.Reports also suggest Nissan will invite Chery to build cars in its Wearside, England factory as it downsizes manufacturing activities.It’s not just Nissan asking for help from China.Mazda has partnered with Changan, which also builds Deepal vehicles sold in Australia.Mazda is using the Chinese brand's electric car platforms for its coming 6e and CX-6e sedan and SUV.

Some of Australia’s most famous car brands are starting to come under significant sales pressure as Chinese brands win over local customers.According to the latest sales data that covers until the end of May, the biggest movers up the sales charts are the Chinese brands. BYD is up 120 per cent, Chery is up 84 per cent, GWM is up 23 per cent and Geely is up a remarkable 629 per cent.But given the Australian market typically remains at the 1.1-1.2 million mark in any given year, for those brands to experience sales growth, other car makers are taking a hit. And the brands that have suffered noticeable sales declines so far in 2026 are some of the biggest names.Nissan - down 32.8%The Japanese brand has slipped outside the top 10 sellers and it’s hard to pinpoint a particular reason. Nissan is down across its entire line-up, with even its stalwart X-Trail taking a 15.3 per cent sales hit in the first five months of the year.It certainly hasn’t helped that the company has dropped once-popular models, the Juke and Pathfinder, but both were already struggling to find an audience.The arrival of the new Navara may help to pick things up in the second half of the year, while the long-anticipated new-generation Patrol cannot come soon enough. The brand is also pinning a bounce back on a range of new hybrid ‘e-Power’ models due in the near-future to revitalise its line-up. Mitsubishi - down 26.4%In many respects this is an unsurprising result given Mitsubishi culled much of its line-up in 2025, dropping the Pajero Sport and Eclipse Cross, while also changing over to a new-generation ASX.The problem is that aside from the Triton ute, every other model in the current range is in sales decline so far this year. The ASX was the brand’s key model for years, offering an affordable small SUV option to many buyers. But the new, Renault-based ASX is simply failing to have the same results, likely because affordable, small SUVs are a key area of success for the Chinese brands.Mitsubishi has sold just 695 ASX in the first five months of the year, while BYD has sold 2919 Atto 2, Jaecoo has moved 4017 J5 and Chery has found 11,309 buyers - so it’s clear what has hurt the Japanese brands sales.The good news for Mitsubishi is that one of its most beloved models is making a return. An all-new Pajero is set to go on sale by the end of the year and could be a much-needed boost for the brand.Subaru - down 22.1%It was always going to be a tricky period for Subaru, with its two most popular models (Forester and Outback) being replaced within a 12 month period. However, the Forester has been on sale for nearly a year, so the 8.4 per cent sales decline in 2026 is concerning, while the Outback has been met with mixed reviews for its radically different styling.While there is no quantifiable evidence that Subaru is losing buyers to the Chinese brands, looking at the Forester’s mid-size SUV segment it’s clear that Australian buyers have been won over by what the newer brands are offering. The Forester sits behind the BYD Sealion 7 and GWM Haval H6, while the Chery Tiggo Pro 7 and Geely EX5 are closing in. Add to that the arrival of a new Toyota RAV4 and the continued popularity of the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage and it makes for a tough challenge for the Forester.Outback sales are off to a relatively slow start, despite the introduction of the more rugged Wilderness variant, but the competition in the large SUV segment is not easy either, with a diverse group that includes the Toyota Prado, Hyundai Santa Fe and BYD Sealion 8.Subaru will be hoping its new all-electric Uncharted and Trailseeker can make an impact and capitalise on the current demand for EVs, while there is a chance both Forester and Outback sales could pick-up in the second half of the year.Suzuki - down 22.0%The key problem for Suzuki is its legacy is also built on offering affordable small models, so the arrival of so many Chinese brands offering similar (or better) products for similar (or less) money has made life hard for the brand.Sales are down across the board, with even its stalwart Jimny taking a 12 per cent hit in the first five months of the year. The arrival of the new Fronx has helped add new sales, but with so much decline it hasn’t helped the brand’s ultimate sales numbers.Suzuki is hoping that the Jimny Rhino, a new special edition of its beloved compact off-roader can help boost interest. But it will need more than that to reverse its current sales situation, which will be difficult as the competition is only going to get more intense.Volkswagen - down 17.0%It has been a mixed performance for the German brand so far in 2026. Overall sales are down and there have been big drops for some key models, but there has also been some important sales growth.The bad news is the Amarok ute has dropped more than 33 per cent, while its core SUV line-up has also been hit, with the T-Roc down 55.9 per cent, the T-Cross down 49 per cent and the Tiguan down 13 per cent.The good news is the brand is getting some traction with its electric offerings and its updated commercial vehicle line-up. Sales of the ID.4 are up over 455 per cent (only 171 sales behind the Tiguan), the ID.5 is also more popular as is the ID.Buzz van. The new Crafter (up 277%), new Transporter (up 78.1%) and the ID.Buzz Cargo (up 33.7%) are all enjoying a successful start to the year.But VW will need to get the Tiguan and Tayron really firing in the second half of the year - which is possible with the arrival of new hybrid options) if they don’t want to finish in its current position.

Mitsubishi has thrown the covers off its next fully electric model, marking the return of the Eclipse name, again.The new model for 2027, now called the Eclipse Sportback, is a re-badged and partially re-styled Nissan Leaf as part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance.While it shares its overall design with the new-generation Leaf, it features a more dramatic front bumper, a new ‘grille’ design, a tweaked rear bumper, Mitsubishi badgework, and bespoke wheel designs. The interior is yet to be revealed.It will likely share the bulk of its specifications with the new-generation Leaf, including a 160kW/355Nm electric motor, either a 75kWh or 52kWh battery pack, and a driving range that is claimed to exceed up to 600km.The new Mitsubishi Eclipse Sportback appears to be a North American market exclusive for now, and the brand says it forms part of its ‘Momentum 2030’ strategy to expand its footprint in the USA with new electrified models.It is not the only model sold under the Eclipse name, with the brand also offering a re-badged version of the Renault Megane E-Tech dubbed the Eclipse Cross exclusively for the European market.The Eclipse nameplate was originally a two-door sports coupe manufactured for the North American market across four generations from the 1990s to the early 2010s, the Eclipse name was re-booted for a small SUV dubbed the Eclipse Cross in 2017 and launched in Australia in 2018.The model ran until 2025 when it was discontinued locally because its ageing chassis and on-board safety tech no longer complied with Australian Design Rules.It is likely Australia will never see the new Eclipse Sportback, as Mitsubishi has had to make more strategic decisions for Australia where it faces tough competition from aggressive Chinese newcomers. The brand has confirmed Australia will instead receive a new yet to be named fully electric model, which Mitsubishi is developing based on a car from Taiwan’s Foxtron brand.The brand recently confirmed it is on-track to see this fully electric crossover model launch in Australia before the end of the year. It will need to be aggressively priced in order to help the brand bring down its potential penalties under Australia’s recently-implemented New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).Nissan has pulled back on its plan to launch the Leaf in Australia, saying it will be more competitive on the hybrid front, rather than trying to compete with aggressive rivals in the price-sensitive and highly competitive electric small SUV space.It is not the only Mitsubishi alliance model unlikely for an Australian launch. The brand also offers the Renault Symbioz-based new-generation Grandis as a mid-size SUV.Mitsubishi's XForce hybrid small SUV and XPander MPV from South East Asia have been ruled out for Australia as they prove uneconomical to upgrade to comply with Australia’s stringent safety requirements.

Audi RS5: Ready to enter the German ‘Big Three’ performance octagon with the BMW M4 and Mercedes-AMG C63S, the new Audi RS5, offered as a sedan and ‘Avant’ wagon, is a plug-in hybrid combining a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine with a powerful single electric motor for outputs of 470kW/825Nm. Pricing is already confirmed from $179,900, before on-road costs. Read moreBentley Bentayga Speed: Swapping out the British brand’s epic (but emissions constrained) 6.0L W12 for a fearsome 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 has made this luxurious SUV even faster and louder. How about 478kW/850Nm and $525,000, before on-road costs, when it arrives here in the next couple of months?Read moreBMW iX3: Arriving in early July, BMW’s much-anticipated 'Neue Klasse' iX3 is an ultra-modern mid-size five-door SUV with a pure-electric powertrain initially launching with one model, the 345kW/645Nm 50 xDrive (109,900, before on-road costs). The 235kW/500Nm iX3 40 ($89,900, BOC), which slips under the Luxury Car Tax threshold, will follow in Q4.  Read moreBMW M2 xDrive: New compact muscle coupe variant picks up all-wheel drive to put the 353kW/600Nm produced by its 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder on the ground. Zero to 100km/h in 3.7sec with cost-of-entry at $172,900, before on-road costs when it arrives in Q4.Read moreBYD Atto 3 Evo: Prior to the all-new next-gen Atto 3 likely hitting Aussie showrooms sometime in 2027, the Evo version of the current model gives it rear-wheel drive. There’s also an all-wheel-drive flagship with 330kW available. Likely local touchdown in Q3.Read moreChery KP31: And you thought there wasn’t room for another ute in the Aussie market. The subject of a local naming contest (Orca is looking likely, as it tops BYD Shark) the Chery ‘KP31’ is scheduled for a Q4 launch, featuring a ladder chassis and a segment-first 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and electric motor hybrid powertrain. A petrol-electric hybrid will arrive in 2027.Read moreCupra VZ5: Fire-breathing mid-size SUV variant powered by an Audi RS3-sourced 2.5-litre turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine sending 287kW/480Nm to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto transmission. Zero to 100km/h comes up in 4.2 seconds – 0.7 seconds quicker than the 228kW VZx, making it one of the fastest combustion-powered SUVs out there. Read moreDeepal S05: The Deepal S05 small-medium SUV joins the S07 mid-size SUV, likely offered in range-extender hybrid and/or pure-electric form. ADR compliance is locked in and pre-orders are open on the brand’s Aussie website.Read moreFerrari 849 Testarossa: Okay, the shopping list - milk, bread, eggs and a $932,648 Ferrari 849 Testarossa. Not for everyone, then. But what a car! Zero to 100km/h in 2.3sec courtesy of a twin-turbo V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain sending 611kW/842Nm to all four wheels. Coupe in Q4, with the roofless Spider arring in early ‘27.  Read moreGeely EX2: Set to arrive in the third quarter, this budget-focused electric compact SUV could start under $30K, before on-road costs. It has a single motor driving the rear wheels and two battery sizes are offered in China, providing 310km or 410km of range, respectively. Read moreGenesis GV60 Magma: Part of the upcoming next-gen GV60 line-up, the Magma is a performance-focused pure-electric powerhouse SUV riding on the same ‘E-GMP’ platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Dual electric motors for 478kW/790Nm, 0-200km/h in 10.9sec and maximum velocity of 264km/h. Arrives in July.Read moreGWM Wey G9: The Wey G9 (name yet to be confirmed for Australia) is a luxury plug-in hybrid people mover scheduled for Q4 with the V9X PHEV SUV spilling over into 2027. Its chunky 44.2 kWh battery provides a claimed pure-electric driving range of up to 170 km with a combined range of more than 1000km. Read moreHonda Super One: Super by name, super by nature, this pure-electric ‘kei’ car is guaranteed to put a smile on your face with a likely Aussie starting price around $35,000. A front-mounted electric motor produces 70kW/162Nm and Honda claims up to 274km of range.  Read moreHyundai Palisade XRT Pro: A tough looking Toyota LandCruiser rival with twin, chassis-mounted tow hooks as well as more ground clearance for useful approach, departure and breakover angles. Add a 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. Read moreIsuzu D-Max EV: One of the most popular utes in the county could get a pure-electric option powered by front- and rear-mounted electric motors, producing 140kW, with front motor torque at 108Nm and rear motor torque at 217Nm for a maximum 325Nm and full-time 4WD. A 67kWh battery offers a driving range of 263km (WLTP). No launch confirmation yet, but Isuzu Ute Australia says “it will continue to monitor local needs and evaluate the reception of BEVs”. Read moreJeep Compass: Potentially a Q4 arrival, the new Compass rides on the same ‘STLA Medium’ platform as Stellantis stablemates such as the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008. It will join the smaller Avenger in Jeep’s electrified line-up. There should be a choice of 106kW 48V eHybrid and 145kW plug-in hybrid powertrains, both likely based on the 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine carried over from the current-generation. Read moreKGM Musso Q300: Dual-cab only, powered by a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 150kW/441Nm mated to a six-speed torque-converter auto transmission with 4WD and a locking rear differential. Coil- or leaf-spring rear suspension options with a payload of 500kg for the former and 700kg for the latter. Features a 12.3-inch digital dash and matching multimedia touchscreen.   Read moreKia Seltos: Coming in Q4, We’re expecting a front-wheel drive version with outputs to be approximately 113kW/265Nm, plus an all-wheel drive with 131kW, though its rear wheels will be powered by an electric motor and not mechanically connected to the front wheels. The all-new Seltos should start around $30K, before on-road costs. A specific Australian suspension tune is already in the works.  Read moreLeapmotor B05: Lobbing in Q4, the Leapmotor B05 is a five-door, electric, rear-wheel drive, hot-ish hatch with 180kW/320Nm in the flagship Ultra variant. A choice of 56.2kWh or 67.1kWh battery, delivers a range of 500km or 600km (CLTC) and we’d be shocked if it wasn't among the cheapest warmed-over hatch offerings in the local market.   Read moreLexus ES: Electric versions of the striking all-new Lexus ES have been approved for Australian sale, the dual-motor, all-wheel drive ES500e flagship producing 252kW. The ES350e is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor delivering 170kW. However, the brand has confirmed hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered locally.  Read moreMazda CX-6e: Set to challenge the Tesla Model Y on price, the Mazda CX-6e is likely to land with a starting price around $54K. A 78kWh battery delivers a 450km (WLTP) range, the rear-mounted 190kW/290Nm electric motor drives the rear wheels and 0-100km/h comes up in 7.9sec. Its 195kW DC charging capacity is good for a 10-80 per cent top-up in under 25 minutes.Read moreMercedes-Benz GLB: Launch line-up of the pure-electric small SUV will be single-motor rear-wheel drive (200kW/335Nm) GLB250+ or dual-motor all-wheel drive (260kW/515Nm) GLB350. Its 800-volt architecture allows an ultra-rapid DC charging rate of up to 320kW. Three hybrid powertrains will be added later in front- or all-wheel drive all using a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt assistance. Read moreMG QS PHEV: Launched in plug-in hybrid form in the UK with an Aussie introduction likely this year. Plug-in hybrid uses a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor for around 220kW combined. A 24.7kWh battery pack grants it a WLTP-certified electric range of 100km.Read moreMitsubishi Pajero: One of the year’s most significant arrivals comes with the return of the Mitsubishi Pajero, with sights set on the upcoming Y63 Nissan Patrol and current Toyota LandCruiser 300. Most likely powertrain is an updated version of the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel powering the current Triton range (150kW/470Nm). Looking like a Q4 launch.Read moreNissan Patrol: Nissan Australia has confirmed orders for the new ‘Y63’ Patrol will “open in coming months” with vehicles on the ground at the end of the year or very early next. Its 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol engine is derived from GT-R’s and produces 317kW/700Nm, dwarfing the 298kW/560Nm outputs of the soon-to-be-defunct V8 of the Y62 Patrol. Read moreOmoda 4: New entry-level model for the brand with edgy, angular looks and a choice of internal-combustion, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure-electric power in the domestic Chinese market. Riding on Chery’s ‘T1X’ platform, the Omoda 4 is a likely Toyota Corolla Cross competitor.Read morePolestar 5: Headed our way in Q3, the 5.1m long ultra-slippery (Cd 0.24) Polestar 5 offers the performance, comfort and touring ability of the Porsche Taycan and its Audi e-tron GT sibling at an appreciably lower price. Two versions coming, both powered by dual motors - the Dual Motor (550kW/812Nm) at $171,100 and the Performance (650kW/1015Nm) at $193,100 (both before on-road costs).Read morePorsche Cayenne Electric: Dropping in Q3, as the name implies, this is a pure-electric beast with even the entry-grade (of three) Cayenne Electric ($167,800, before on-road costs) featuring dual motors, all-wheel drive and producing 325kW. The flagship Turbo accelerates from 0-100km/h in hypercar-equalling 2.5sec thanks to its stonking 850kW/1500Nm outputs.  Read moreRenault Symbioz: On course for a July touchdown, the Symbioz is a Hyundai Kona and Toyota Corolla Cross rival with an entry-level mild-hybrid 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine powertrain producing 104kW/245Nm. A 1.8L full-hybrid boosts that to 116kW/265Nm. Pricing starts from $36,990. Read moreSmart #5: It’s been a long time in the offing but the Smart #5 plug-in hybrid SUV is a likely Aussie arrival in the second half of the year. It offers up to 252km of pure-electric range and up to 320kW of total power from its 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine and three-speed hybrid transaxle motor powertrain. Claimed fuel economy is as low as 4.4L/100km (when its battery is depleted). Read moreToyota RAV4 PHEV: Another significant new entry. FWD variants of the RAV4 PHEV will be powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and front-mounted electric motor, producing 201kW. AWD variants add a rear-mounted motor, increasing power to 227kW. Pricing will start from $58,840, before on-road costs, making it roughly $15K more expensive than the car's base standard hybrid variant ($45,990).  Read moreVolkswagen T-Roc: Sleeker looking and bigger, with a more premium vibe, VW’s small SUV also features new powertrains. A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid in two states of tune (85kW and 110kW) for FWD versions and a more powerful 2.0L mild-hybrid arriving later. A T-Roc R is confirmed to follow, too.  Read moreXPeng G9: As the legal cage fight between previous XPeng importer True EV and the XPeng factory continues, the priority is getting G6s back into showrooms. But the luxury G9 electric SUV is a possible addition. Rear- or all-wheel drive with two battery options, a driving range of up to 680km and loads of included features for an estimated starting price in the region of $70K.Read moreZeekr 8X: Upper mid-sized, plug-in hybrid luxury SUV to sit above the mid-size fully electric 7X and below the flagship three-row 9X. Pairs a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine (205kW/410Nm) with dual electric motors for a combined 660kW/935Nm and a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds. A 55kWh or 70kWh battery pack with a 900-volt architecture allows ultra-fast charging and either a 320km or 410km EV driving range. Probable starting price in the $80K band.Read moreZeekr 9X: Ultra-luxury, upper-large, three-row SUV offering a dual- or tri-motor plug-in hybrid system, backed by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a massive battery pack. The result is either 660kW/935Nm of combined power for the two lower variants, or 1030kW/1410Nm for the top-spec car, as well as between 300 and 380km of fully electric driving range. Standard equipment and features are suitably extensive. Expect a starting price just over $100K.Read more

Although the original Nissan X-Trail was one of the first mid-sized SUVs to really gain popularity and set the tone for what was to come, by the time the third-generation X-Trail arrived in 2014, it was a bit of a me-too product. Code named the T32 model, the third-gen X-Trail was offered as a five or seven-seater, in either front or all-wheel drive and with a choice of two petrol four-cylinder engines. Those consisted of a 2.0-litre with 106kW and a 2.5-litre with 126kW.Both engines were available in five-seat form, but if you wanted seven seats or all-wheel drive, you needed to stump up for the bigger engine. At that point, you went from the 2.0-litre’s six-speed manual transmission to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).There was also a turbo-diesel X-Trail with 96kW and a choice of either front or all-wheel drive. The diesel was strictly a five-seater. The specification was a bit confusing, too, because the front-drive turbo-diesel X-Trail used a CVT while the all-wheel-drive diesel got a six-speed manual exclusively.The all-wheel-drive platform did not have a second set of lower ratios, and, in fact, worked as a front-wheel drive for most of the time. When the computer detected any slip, power would be sent to the rear axle, although for slippery surfaces, the driver could lock the vehicle into all-wheel drive at speeds up to 40km/h.Thousands of Australians would agree that the X-Trail is a good thing with decent dynamics and good packaging. The boxy body means it’s quite big inside, although the seven-seat variant is pretty tight on space in the third row. For smaller kids, this mightn’t make much difference, but teenagers are not going to be happy in the X-Trail’s third row. The front seats, however, are very good.Some of the interior plastics are clearly built down to a price, and hard usage (such as that meted out by young families) can leave the interior looking pretty tatty in short order.In driving terms, the X-Trail is decently refined although there is a bit of road noise to contend with. The turbo-diesel can feel a bit lethargic off idle, and the bigger petrol engine is the superior unit in the line-up.Overall, though, any fall-off in the X-Trail’s popularity over the years is almost certainly down to increased competition from other makes rather than any perceived problem with the X-Trail formula.Fundamentally, the X-Trail T32 is a solid and dependable car. But there’s one major flaw that many newish cars also suffer from. It doesn’t affect manual-transmission examples of the X-Trail, but those fitted with the CVT have an inbuilt fault, it seems.Indeed, the main reliability issue associated with the X-Trail is the CVT as fitted to 2.5-litre petrol versions as well as the front-drive variant of the turbo-diesel.Beyond that, the engines don’t seem to give trouble and since the vehicle is not an off-roader, you shouldn’t be faced with trashed examples.Let’s talk CVTs. In the Nissan’s case, the problem manifests as a vehicle that is slow to select Reverse or Drive, as well as showing signs of juddering or shuddering at low speeds and a light throttle.The cause is a bit harder to define, but Nissan dealers were removing the CVT’s cover and looking inside the unit to determine whether the steel drive belts had been slipping and showing signs of wear. If wear was detected, the best fix was a new CVT, but sometimes replacement of the unit’s valve body (which controls the CVT’s behaviour) was deemed sufficient.But we’ve also heard that some dealers were also flushing the CVT’s cooler, suggesting that the belt wear may have involved the belts shedding small metallic particles and contaminating the cooler. If that’s the case, it’s also conceivable that those same metallic particles could enter and cause damage to other parts of the CVT.Either way, you need to know for absolute certain that any CVT X-Trail you’re looking at has a full and complete service history.This version of the X-Trail has been almost free of safety recalls, but there are a couple to check for.The first was for cars built in 2014 that could have had a fuel pressure sensor that was not properly attached to the fuel system. If the sensor loosened over time, it could potentially cause a fuel leak under the bonnet.The second recall was for a batch of gas struts on the tailgate of X-Trails built between 2014 and 2016. A lack of the correct rust-proofing on these struts meant they could fail and would not support the weight of the tailgate when it was opened.A Nissan dealer will be able to check the VIN of your car and tell you whether it was affected and if it has been fixed or not. For more information, check out https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/.Apart from that couple of recalls on early cars, there’s not much to separate one year’s production from another’s. With that in mind, buy on condition and kilometres travelled rather than a specific build date. And make sure any prospect has that all-important intact and complete service history.Nissan’s engines have long been considered pretty tough customers and able to go the distance. But that doesn’t change the cloud hanging over the CVT in many X-Trails. So, the best one to buy is an X-Trail with fewer, rather than more, kilometres.You do see high-milage examples for sale with upwards of 300,000km on board, but they’re the exception rather than the rule. That said, that’s probably because even the earliest T32 X-Trail is still only 12 years old, rather than any refusal to clock up more kilometres. Even so, finding a car with closer to 160,000km showing is probably the better bet.As with many second-hand cars, the price difference between the base-model and the flasher versions largely disappears over time. So, buying the up-spec variant now won’t cost much extra, but will get you better standard equipment levels and, potentially, safety. With that in mind, aim for the Ti version which had lane departure and lane-keeping assistance that lesser versions didn’t get until later in life.Very early T32s with 250,000km showing can be had for as little as $6000 to $8000. We reckon, however, that there’s a smaller risk in paying closer to high-teens for a 2016 or 2017 all-wheel-drive version with about 120,000km on the odometer.Nissan has a dealer network of 180 making it the fifth largest network in the country. Both regional and urban centres are pretty well served by that network, too. There’s also an army of independent workshops that specialise in Nissans, largely thanks to the great reputation the brand has forged in motorsport.Bricks and mortar parts stores and online sellers ensure that spare parts and replacement items are easy to source.It’s hard to know precisely how many T32 X-Trails Nissan sold in Australia over its eight-year model run. But it’s a fact that Nissan sold almost 18,000 of the things in the T32’s first full year on sale (2015). You still see plenty getting around as daily transport, too, so even though the competition got tougher as the years passed, the Nissan was still on a lot of people’s short lists. That’s why there are literally hundreds for sale second-hand today.

Nissan's answer to the BYD Shark 6 has just taken a big step towards an Australian launch, with the Navara Pro PHEV taking the first step on its export journey from China.Revealed in China as the Nissan Frontier Pro, the brand's first plug-in hybrid ute has been renamed the Navara Pro and revealed in the Phillipines, part of Nissan's "From China" export strategy that will lean on China, rather than Japan or Thailand, as an export hub.The Navara Pro is otherwise the same as the Frontier Pro, with the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a transmission-mounted electric motor producing a potent 320kW and 800Nm combined. The EV-only range is around 100kms WLTP.“As a lead market, China plays a dual role for Nissan, both as a strong market in its own right and a critical source of global competitiveness. This unveiling signal the beginning of our ‘From China’ export strategy, and I am pleased to see these vehicles reaching customers beyond China for the first time," says Guillaume Cartier, Nissan’s chief performance officer."The models demonstrate strong product competitiveness and represent an important step in strengthening our global portfolio and responding more quickly to diverse customer needs. We are excited to bring them to customers in the Philippines as we continue to accelerate this momentum across markets.”CarsGuide understands that, in markets where Navara has nameplate recognition, the Frontier Pro will be renamed as it has been in the Phillipines. And that would include Australia, where the Navara Pro would go head-to-head with the BYD Shark 6.And that could be happening sooner rather than later – and even this year – with reports pointing the project having sign-off in Australia, and moving faster than the original 2027 launch expectation suggested.