SUV Reviews

The Kia EV3 Earth is the mid-spec variant in the EV3 line-up, but for its price and features it comes with it’s probably the best pick for anyone looking for a premium small SUV.At $58,600 before on-roads, the Earth is available with just one battery and drivetrain option - an 81.4kWh battery allowing for a driving range of 563km under WLTP testing. The EV3 is two-wheel drive only - with a single motor at the front wheels putting out 150kW and 283Nm for all versions of the car. The EV3 charges (with a 350kW DC fast charger) as quickly as 31 minutes.While the EV3 comes standard with features like dusk-sensing LED headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and partial LED tail-lights, two 12.3-inch screens (one a touchscreen for multimedia) and a 5.0-inch touchscreen for climate controls plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker sound system, a wireless phone charger and USB-C ports in both the front and rear rows, a 12-volt outlet in the front and a household-style power outlet in the second row.The Earth adds onto that 19-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather seats with heating and ventilation, the driver’s side being 10-way electrically adjustable, a heated steering wheel, an electro-chromatic (or glare-dimming) mirror and a power tailgate.There’s no ANCAP score just yet, but plenty of safety equipment is standard across the range including seven airbags (one in the front-centre), smart cruise control, forward collision avoidance, lane-keep, rear occupant alert, multi-collision braking, blind-spot and rear-cross traffic alert, driver attention warning and a tyre pressure monitor.The EV3 doesn’t have a surround-view camera, but it does have front and rear sensors and a rear parking camera.Kia’s seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty applies to the EV3, and Kia offers prepaid plans of three ($674), five ($1285) or seven years ($1897) when it comes to servicing.

The 2025 Kia EV5 is a new mid-size SUV from the South Korean car brand. It's not a Sportage replacement, but instead a fully electric alternative that has the best-selling Tesla Model Y in its proverbial sights. As we find out in this long-term review, the EV5 has a lot going for it, including sharp drive-away pricing and a long list of standard equipment.

The Kia EV3 Air is both the cheapest EV the South Korean brand offers, but also one of the most impressive.It comes in two versions, Standard and Long Range, from $47,600 before on-road costs to $53,315 respectively. The main difference between the two is, as you’d expect, battery size and driving range.The 58.3kWh unit for the Air Standard Range allows for a decent 436km, but the  81.4kWh battery in the Long Range brings an impressive driving range of 604km under WLTP testing.The EV3 is two-wheel drive only - with a single motor at the front wheels putting out 150kW and 283Nm for all versions of the car.The EV3 charges (with a 350kW DC fast charger) as quickly as 29 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent in Standard Range, or 31 minutes in Long Range.Both versions of the Air boast the same extensive list of standard features, including 17-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing LED headlights, daytime running lights (DRLs) and partial LED tail-lights, two 12.3-inch screens (one a touchscreen for multimedia) and a 5.0-inch touchscreen for climate controls plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a six-speaker sound system.The EV3 also has a wireless phone charger and USB-C ports in both the front and rear rows, a 12-volt outlet in the front and a household-style power outlet in the second row.There’s no ANCAP score just yet, but plenty of safety equipment is standard across the range including seven airbags (one in the front-centre), smart cruise control, forward collision avoidance, lane-keep, rear occupant alert, multi-collision braking, blind-spot and rear-cross traffic alert, driver attention warning and a tyre pressure monitor.The EV3 doesn’t have a surround-view camera, but it does have front and rear sensors and a rear parking camera.Kia’s seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty applies to the EV3, and Kia offers prepaid plans of three ($674), five ($1285) or seven years ($1897) when it comes to servicing.

The Qashqai has had a mid-life facelift which includes a reshuffled line-up and a new flagship hybrid variant, but is it a winning combination?

MG continues to firm up its position as a mainstream player in the Aussie new-car market. The ZS small five-seat SUV has proved a hit with local buyers and a more urgent Essence Turbo variant has been added to the line-up. James Cleary spent time with it to determine if it should be on your new car short list.

Available in two grades from launch, the intriguing Cupra Tavascan comes in base Endurance and a sporty VZ flagship.

Isuzu's MU-X range has undergone a much-anticipated update and it includes the introduction of a new variant: the new top-of-the-range X-Terrain.The X-Terrain is a seven-seat 4WD wagon and - as part of this new MU-X range - it has an updated chassis, a tweaked suspension set-up, some new safety tech and a recalibrated rough terrain mode (Isuzu's boosted off-road traction control system).

The Cupra Tavascan is available in two grades for Australia – the aptly named Endurance and racier VZ flagship.

Jaecoo is the latest new-car brand to arrive in Australia and it has big ambitions. Its all-new J7 SUV has arrived to take on the Toyota RAV4, BYD Sealion 6 and other popular models in the booming mid-size SUV segment. But as we found out, this newest offering has plenty of potential thanks to its efficient powertrain, eye-catching styling and head-turning value.

With the Cupra Tavascan, the fledgling VW Group brand really steps up as a Tesla Model Y alternative. Designed in Spain, underpinned by German engineering and sourced from China for sharper pricing, the medium-sized EV SUV promises standout styling, sporty dynamics and stirring performance, within a comfortable and sophisticated family friendly package. Does it deliver? The answer may shock you.