Renault Master E-Tech Reviews

Renault is officially discontinuing its current Koleos mid-size SUV in Australia after 10 years of being on sale and there may not be an available direct replacement for a period.“The current-generation Renault Koleos is in run-out after a stellar run as one of Renault Australia's most popular models, with more than 21,000 examples sold,” said a Renault Australia spokesperson.“Now available from $36,990 drive-away with a $2000 cashback offer, all remaining inventory – complied to meet current motor vehicle regulations – is expected to be sold out by the end of this year.”The reason why the Koleos is being discontinued is due to it not meeting an Australian Design Rule (ADR) pertaining to autonomous emergency braking (AEB) performance, called ADR 98/00. It came into effect for all new vehicles produced from March 1, 2025.While the current Koleos does have AEB, it does not meet the specific requirements outlined by ADR 98/00.This means that Renault was able to stockpile at least 18 months worth of the Koleos stock before the ADR came into effect. Production of this South Korean-made model also ended in 2025.The Koleos is far from the only vehicle to be affected by the implementation of ADR 98/00. Other examples include the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Eclipse Cross, as well as the Suzuki Ignis and Mazda 6.With the axing of the current Koleos, this leaves Renault without a mid-side SUV that isn’t purely electric-powered in Australia for the time being.However, the French carmaker has many alternatives available in its global portfolio, though none have been locked in for an Australian launch yet.Examples include the South Korean-produced Grand Koleos and Filante, the Spanish-produced Austral, Espace and Rafael, as well as the Turkish-made Boreal.“As we have said before, Renault Australia is in the middle of a model revitalisation,” said Renault Australia Managing Director Glen Sealey earlier this month.“And while we won’t talk numbers or volume, we are well progressed with our long-term plan.“Renault has a vast catalogue of vehicles and we continually assess what is available to us and which ones best suit the needs – and price ranges – of Australian customers.“We’re not going to reveal all our future model plans today, but we can tell you there are another six new or refreshed models now due over the next two years.“And we have plenty to get through before then.”It’s understood that three of these six new Renault models are the Symbioz small SUV, Master E-Tech electric commercial van and the updated Megane E-Tech electric small SUV.At this stage the other three forthcoming Renault vehicles remain unclear and unconfirmed.

One of the most keenly anticipated dual-cab utes, the Renault Niagara, will not come to Australia – at least, not any time in the near future.This is despite distributor Ateco Automotive initially expressing strong interest several years go in importing the likely successor to the Renault/Dacia Oroch (which is what the Niagara seems to be), as well as the previous Nissan D23 Navara-based Alaskan that eventually went out of production last year.According to Renault Australia General Manager Glen Sealey unexpected hurdles have hurt the business case for all utes, including the Niagara, for our market.“If you'd asked me five years ago if I would like a pick-up, or ute, I would have said yes,” he told CarsGuide. “But, today, that's a very crowded, tough market (that) we'd be entering.“I think it's pretty grubby market, to be honest, at the moment. That pick-up 4x4 segment today starts at $35,000 drive-away for a fairly well-specified pick-up 4WD ute. And that's a hard market to compete in.”With Chinese brands (including LDV that Ateco also distributes, ironically for Renault) entering the bottom end of the ute segment last decade with models like the Great Wall (now GWM) Stead, the chances of a new, premium competitor like the Alaskan succeeding was deemed too great a risk by the time Ateco took over Renault distribution here after Nissan Australia relinquished it in 2021.This is especially true when you consider that the Alaskan was only available from Europe despite being of Japanese heritage.“You’re never going to get (competitive pricing against the Chinese brands) out of the supply sourcing that they we are utilising, which for the Alaskan, came out of Spain,” he elaborated.“So, I think (Renault HQ) realised that, and certainly for us to participate in that market, it would have to be a very sharp, aggressive product, because that is a sharp, aggressive segment today.”In the coming Niagara’s case, insufficient right-hand-drive sales volume forecasts, along with its expensive sourcing from Argentina, have knocked it out of contention for Australia.Unveiled in 2023 in concept guise, the Niagara will be unveiled in final production form in early September. It will again be a monocoque car-based pick-up, but is set to be larger and far-more technically advanced, with much higher safety standards, to better take on rivals like the highly-successful Ford Maverick.It is likely the successor to the ageing, car-derived monocoque ute spin-off of the previous-generation Romanian Dacia Duster, known as the Oroch, which never had sufficient safety to ever be seriously considered for Australia.And what about other utes made in Asia by the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance?The Mitsubishi Triton-based D27 Navara is off the table as well, despite its more-cost-effective Thai sourcing, and so is the completely unrelated Navara Pro plug-in hybrid ute from China co-developed with Nissan-Dongfeng.“Today, (a Triton-based ute) not an option for us,” Sealey revealed… “and we’re not getting the Dongfeng.”

You’ve no doubt heard the term ‘design by committee’, which is another way of describing what happens when too many people have too much input in a creative project, and so the end result has had any unique or interesting features beaten right out of it.Well, I have another term for your lexicon. And that is ‘design by France’. And that, it seems, is the complete opposite, where just one person says ‘I think our family focused electric SUV should look like a muscular hot hatch. Throw those 20-inch alloys on it, too. Oh, and I want so many stalks behind the steering wheel that it feels like the driver is lost in a corn field.”Case in point? The Renault Scenic E-Tech Esprit Alpine (even the name is faintly ridiculous). On paper, none of the above would make much sense. But in an electrified world awash with same-same design (take amorphous blob, apply wheels), the Renault is a breath of fresh air.The matt grey paint and black roof of our test car (+$1300) surely helps, but the Esprit Alpine looks good/different, and its tough, muscular design only further grew on me.Inside, the good/different continues with Renault making some clever material choices, including the couch-like fabric (which turned out to be kenaf, a plant fibre) stretching across the dashboard and up the A-pillars. It gives the cabin a warm, modern and more environmentally conscious feel than the usual slabs of black plastic or synthetic leather.Less immediately positive is the congregation of stalks behind the steering wheel, with the gear selector, windscreen wiper stalk and separate media-control unit all clustered together. Add to that one of the flappy paddles that controls the regen braking and it's a busy place behind the wheel.Truthfully, it’s fine and fairly intuitive once you know where everything is, but it is confusing at first.In more good news, Renault hasn’t buried everything behind the vertical 12.0-inch central screen and horizontal 12.3-inch digital driver display (all angled toward the driver), either. There are physical air-con controls, steering-wheel buttons and mercifully the ability to adjust your wing mirrors from the driver's window panel.The tech generally works well, too. Wireless Apple CarPlay was flawless on test, and there’s a wireless phone charger that holds your phone in place, which is rarer than you might think. There’s also a deep storage area under the centre console, more space under the armrest and twin USB-C ports up front, though the single cupholder reminds you this is still a fairly compact-feeling vehicle in places.The front of the cabin can feel a little tight in terms of width and not all of the materials are winners. Some of the door plastics feel cheap, and that is even more obvious in the back seat, where the door trims and some of the other plastics don't feel overly premium.But space in the back is impressive. Sitting behind my own 175cm driving position, I had enough knee room to properly stretch out and the flat floor means the middle-seat passenger isn’t forced to straddle a transmission tunnel.There are two ISOFIX points, rear air vents, twin USB-C ports and a very clever fold-down centre armrest with cupholders and some extra storage built in.The boot isn’t huge in length, but it is deep and tall, and will swallow a total of 545 litres with the rear seats in place, or 1670 with them folded flat. A bit like the rest of the 4470mm-long, 1864mm-wide and 1565mm-high Scenic, then, in that none of it feels massive, but it does feel cleverly packaged.The nuts and bolts are positive, too. While lesser Scenic models get 125kW and 280Nm, this flagship model ups that to 160kW and 300Nm, produced via a front-mounted electric motor that delivers a sprint to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.It gets the biggest battery, too, an 87kWh lithium-ion unit that delivers an impressive WLTP range of 625km. Charging is 11kW AC, or 150kW DC, the latter below average in a world of faster-charging EVs.On the road, the Scenic is a more complicated thing. It has all the ingredients that should make it one of my favourite driving cars. The steering is quite natural feeling, there's a firmness to the suspension that doesn't disconnect you from the road below and the acceleration is perky enough without being brutal.But it's the way those ingredients are put together that takes more getting used to than I expected. It feels as though the sensitivity has been dialled right up to the point where it can feel overly reactive to inputs, and as the brake pedal doesn't always feel linear in its application, it can end up feeling a bit jerky on the road.It just takes some getting used to with your inputs to smooth out the drive experience, and I should point out that my test was exclusively in greater Sydney, and the Scenic feels like a car that would really shine on flowing roads out of town.Still, it feels a cut above plenty of newcomer EVs from behind the wheel. There is a connection to what's going on beneath the tyres that's missing from some newer brands and there's very little in the way of motion sickness-inducing body roll from the Scenic's chassis.And perhaps best of all, I covered plenty of kilometres and all sorts of road conditions, and the active safety systems remained mostly quiet, calm and blissfully quiet throughout.Downsides? The reversing camera is poor. It has a weird fisheye effect that makes judging your surroundings harder than it should be, to the point where you end up relying on mirrors and old-fashioned shoulder checks instead.At five years or 100,000km, the warranty is way off the pace, too.And it isn't challenger-brand cheap. My car is $65,990, before on road costs, and before you add the $1300 in paint and roof. That’s real money. The longer-range Tesla Model Y is $68,900 MSRP. But the mid-tier Kia EV5 Earth is $64,990, and adds a second motor and AWD. That said, though, there is a cheaper Renault, still with the long-range battery, that starts below $60k. Still, what price a little joie de vivre?

The big van (3.5-tonne) segment has been stale, made up of competent but older choices. But Renault is changing this with its latest Master. Now in its fourth generation since 1980, the van stalwart lifts the entire class into the 2020s with fresh styling, a completely reengineered platform, new interior and plenty of safety tech upgrades. With lots of awards already won, it's been keenly awaited.

BYD tried to buy a share of Renault in a dramatic shot at a foothold in Europe, according to a new report in French media outlet Les Echos.According to the publication, BYD sought not just a joint production or factory deal, as Chery has secured in some locations with Renault’s partner Nissan, but actual ownership in the French giant as a shareholder.The deal didn’t work out under former CEO Luca de Meo, who was famous for guiding a re-structure of the previously dysfunctional Renault Nissan Alliance.According to several outlets, this was because Renault had already entered into an agreement with Geely to save its ailing Korean factory (formerly the Renault Samsung Motors factory), which now produces both Renaults and Polestars for Asian markets.Geely and Renault also co-own Horse Powertrain with Saudi Aramco, a spin-off of both company’s combustion engine divisions, which builds both engines and hybrid transmissions for future models both inside those two companies and for sale to other manufacturers outside of them.When BYD had a second crack at a Renault deal, it was turned down with involvement from French president Emmanuel Macron, with the government controlling 30 per cent of Renault voting shares and fiercely protective over its manufacturing footprint on the continent.The key benefit for BYD in this deal was obviously a way to avoid a tough tariff structure for Chinese built cars in Europe, while Renault would have access to its signature affordable Blade batteries, which it already sells to other manufacturers Tesla, KGM and Hyundai Group.Renault’s rejection of a BYD ownership stake won’t be a fatal blow for the Chinese giant in Europe. BYD already has a factory in Hungary and is seeking to establish a second base, with many analysts believing it will be in Spain and possible locations also including France and Germany.BYD needs such a foothold as it seeks new global opportunities off the back of a shrinking new car market in China over the course of 2026, and major profitability issues for even some of the biggest groups after a bruising domestic price war.

A new affordable European 4WD has just been revealed.Renault-owned Dacia has announced it will launch an off-road capable model called the Striker and it is expected to go on sale in Europe later this year.The Toyota RAV4-sized SUV will come with an affordable price tag of under 25,000 euros (about $41,000).This pits it against the much-anticipated Toyota FJ LandCruiser that went on sale in Japan recently.It is unclear whether the Striker will make its way to Australia.It will be launched in the United Kingdom, meaning it is available in right-hand drive so that could smooth an arrival path. Dacia models are rebadged under the Renault name in Australia, so expect it to be called the Renault Striker if it gets here.Renault Australia has been contacted for comment to see if the Striker will launch in Australia. It will be available with two separate mild hybrid set-ups for two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants. The 2WD variants are powered by a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 81kW, along with an electric motor, producing 37kW, and a high-voltage starter-generator.This set-up is paired with a 1.4kWh battery.The 4WD combines a front-mounted 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine, producing 103kW and 230Nm with a rear-mounted electric motor, producing 23kW and 87Nm.The pair combine to produce a total 110kW and 230Nm, and are complimented by a smaller 48-volt battery.  Dacia said this 4WD hybrid set-up can drive on just electric power for 60 per cent of driving time in and around cities.At 4620mm long, the Striker measures up closely to the FJ LandCruiser, but it is much shorter at 1530mm, enabling a sleek coupe-like design.Dacia has made the Striker an eager off-roader.It has 200mm of ground clearance and five different driving modes catering for surfaces like snow, mud, sand and general off-roading. The car gets 17-inch steel wheels as standard that are upgraded to alloys further up the range.On the inside, there is a 10.1-inch central touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital driver display.Higher grades of the Striker swap to 18-inch alloy wheels, while adding a panoramic sunroof and a 10-inch digital driver display.Dacia’s Striker move is driven by the brand's desire to increase sales in the SUV space.The brand unveiled its Bridger concept earlier this year, which is also a smaller SUV. It will initially target the Indian market.

Renault has introduced an updated version of its pure-electric Megane E-Tech SUV with the aim of delivering “more character, dynamism and technology”.Launched globally in 2022, the Megane EV didn’t hit the local market until early 2024, so while it may feel early for an upgrade of the first-generation model, this is in fact a mid-life facelift.While the 160kW/300Nm synchronous motor is unchanged (as is the car’s 7.6sec 0-100km/h time) the updated Megane is 20 mm taller, in part to accommodate a bigger 67kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery (up from 60kWh), with a WLTP range of up to 500km (up from 454km).DC fast-charging speed has also increased to 165kW (+35kW) with a 15-80 per cent charge claimed to now take 24 minutes, down from 30min.The previous base 7.4kW AC charge capacity (as specified in Australia) has been boosted to 11kW, with a 22kW bidirectional charger (enabling vehicle-to-load discharge) optional in Europe.Springs and dampers have been retuned in light of the larger battery and the steering has been recalibrated to “deliver a more direct response and greater precision at the wheel, for a more natural feel”.Cosmetic changes include a redesigned front end with only the headlights untouched. A more prominent body-coloured bumper section sits between new light graphics in the form of eight diamond-shaped elements in a chequerboard pattern (replacing previous side intakes). The gloss black grille also incorporates a diamond pattern and repositioned brand logo while at the rear the tail-lights remain full-width but have been given a 3D treatment with no covering lens.Inside, on the entry Techno trim, the dash is trimmed in a textured TEP (Thermo-Expandable Polyolefin) material with trim elements on the doors and dash in wood or a grey patterned finish.The top-spec Esprit Alpine picks up new Spectral Grey door panel trim and LED adaptive mood lighting.In terms of tech, the updated Megane E-Tech now features the openR link system with Google built-in.A dual-screen layout combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12-inch multimedia screen in a single seamless display.The system includes Google Assistant for voice control of the main in-car functions and Google Maps for navigation.Renault has also claimed early-adopter status in introducing a wireless charger meeting the Qi2 standard (Magsafe on iPhone) for new-gen smartphones, using a magnetic ring to deliver maximum charging power without overheating.Introducing the updated Scenic, Chief Growth Officer & CEO Renault Brand Fabrice Cambolive said, ”As more and more customers turn to electric vehicles our priority is to make this transition simple and attractive. The new Megane E-Tech electric is fully in line with this dynamic.“The introduction of a new LFP battery plays a key role in this evolution, improving range and charging performance,” he said.CarsGuide contacted Renault Australia for comment on the updated Scenic E-Tech's potential for local launch and a spokesperson told us, "The Renault Megane E-Tech facelift is due in Australian showrooms in the first half of 2027. Prices and specifications will be announced closer to showroom arrivals."

A new affordable and super compact electric car has been named ahead of its official reveal, and this one is from Europe rather than China.Dacia has announced its upcoming fully electric compact car will inherit the ‘Spring’ name from its predecessor, which at some stages was the most affordable brand new electric car sold in Europe.Dubbed the ‘New Spring’, as it will be sold for a period of time alongside the outgoing car, the 2027 car will be a ground-up development based on the upcoming Renault Twingo.Expected to wear Dacia’s current angular styling language as opposed to the revived ‘90s aesthetic of the new Twingo from Renault, the Spring is said to keep the spirit of its predecessor.“New Spring keeps the essentials: a 100 per cent electric powertrain, four real seats, and a proper boot Dacia continues to pursue a clear ambition to pave the way for electric mobility that is accessible to all,” said the brand.The current low-cost car is built in China, but the new car will be built in Slovenia alongside the Twingo as parent company Renault looks to avoid tough new tariff structures imposed on Chinese-built vehicles in the EU.Renault has said it is targeting the equivalent of a sub-$30,000 price for the Twingo, but the Dacia model is expected to cost even less.The outgoing Spring was a success in Europe, selling over 200,000 units according to the brand. As recently as 2024 it was made available in right-hand drive to cater to the UK market.It is powered by either a 52kW/137Nm or 72kW/137Nm motor driving the front wheels, mated to a 24.3kWh battery allowing a 225km range according to the WLTP combined cycle.At just 3701mm long, it is even smaller than the most compact electric car sold in Australia, the BYD Atto 1, which measures 3990mm long. Its boot measures 308 litres, which Dacia says is class-leading.The Atto 1 starts from just $23,990 (before on-roads) in Australia, which makes it the most affordable new electric car on sale in Australia. It is also strictly a four-seat offering, and the entry-level version can travel 220km on a full charge, using a 65kW electric motor.The Duster is the only Dacia model on sale in Australia, and it is re-badged and sold as a Renault. The brand’s Australian operation, has said in the past the door is open to more re-badged Dacia models in the future.Ultra compact cars struggle to be sold in Australia as they often fall afoul of either our tough Australian Design Rules or the requirements for a five-star ANCAP safety rating.Mitsubishi trialled its eK X electric city car in Australia several years ago, but ultimately decided it wouldn’t be viable with the built-in-Japan model attracting higher prices than Chinese rivals, and it would have worn a safety rating of three stars or less.

Renault has unveiled a surprise new model, a military tactical vehicle developed in collaboration with French defence firm Thales.Underneath, the ‘4 Troop’ is actually a 2026 Renault Rafale plug-in hybrid SUV that uses its vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability to power a drone operation system.The unlikely military tool is fitted with equipment for data processing and operation of both unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, though imagery would suggest the drones are primarily the kind you’d see photographers and videographers use.“It provides land forces with a fully functional mobile command centre that can be configured to match the exact requirements of land forces missions and provide effective mission capabilities thanks to Thales's Combat Digital Platform,” Renault says.The announcement for the 4 Troop reads more like a sales pitch at potential investors or buyers and operators than a detailed specification run-down, though that is often the case with any automotive partnership with a defence or security firm.Renault spruiks the all-wheel drive system and hybrid drivetrain as a combination suited for differing terrains and efficient operation, with the option for a combustion engine if needed.The auto giant (which is part-owned by the French government) also published images of soldiers with a Master van using what appears to be similar drone operation hardware.The reveal comes alongside an announcement from Renault and Thales that the automaker will begin building as many as 1000 combat drones (not the kind you’d see photographers and videographers use).The rather more confronting announcement from Renault on this deal uses phrases like “mission-configurable warhead” and “requirements of the wartime economy”.While it’s not unusual for auto brands to assist in building military equipment (Mitsubishi famously built planes in WWII, and Ferdinand Porsche designed tanks, for example), the joint statements from Renault and Thales are certainly at odds with the French carmaker’s usual recent announcements about reviving classic models as EVs and developing new in-car tech.

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