SUV Reviews

We've passed the mid-point of our three-month stint with Renault's pure-electric Megane and in this second instalment Senior Journalist Tom White hits the freeway and carves some corners.

You might be feeling overwhelmed by all the new electric brands coming into Australia right now, but if there's one you should take note of it's Zeekr and its X small electric SUV - it impressed us.

The all-new 2025 Lexus GX line-up is here and the off-road hero of the range is the Overtrail.This big luxury 4WD wagon is based on the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series platform, has a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, off-road driver modes, a locking rear diff and, on paper at least, it seems like the ultimate adventure machine.But is it as good in the rough stuff as it's hyped up to be?

After a slight delay in its launch to ensure its local tuning was on point, the Kia EV5 has hit the market strongly with sharp pricing and an even sharper features list. But is it enough to topple the market-leading Tesla Model Y?

The most popular model in the Cupra stable gets another plug-in hybrid variant but this time with the snazzy features of its top petrol grade. Is it a model we need?

The Subaru Outback has long been a fan favourite and now it welcomes a special-edition AWD Sport Touring XT model grade to its line-up but is this new model necessary?

The Macan Turbo is a true EV monster. We’re talking 430kW (470kW with launch control), 1130Nm and a sprint to 100km/h that’s as fast as a Carrera Cup race car – just 3.3 seconds.It’s twin-motor, all-wheel drive and offers the kind of brutal acceleration that gives you a little facelift every time you step on the accelerator.The cost is a not-insignificant $184,400, but because it’s the performance model, you get performance kit as standard, like the 'Porsche Electric Sport Sound', the 'Sport Chrono Package' and a performance-focused 'Sport+' drive mode.Every Macan is fitted with a big 100kWh lithium-ion battery, which helps deliver a 616km claimed driving range, while its 800V architecture is set up for 270kW DC high-speed charging, which will take 21min to go from 10 to 80 per cent. It will also accept 11kW AC charging, which should take 10 hours to go from empty to full.

The 4S is probably the performance sweet spot in the Macan Electric range, with its dual-motor set-up generating 330kW (380kW with launch control activated) and 820Nm, and a blistering sprint of just 4.1 seconds. That’s not as powerful or as fast as the Macan Turbo, but it sounds like plenty to us - plus it’s substantially cheaper. You’ll be parting with $149,300, and for that you’ll get the same 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster, and a second 10.9-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as the lesser models, as well 20-inch alloys and the 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' (PASM) system as standard, but you’ll also find LED matrix headlights, a better Bose stereo, a panoramic roof and four-zone climate control.Every Macan is fitted with a big 100kWh lithium-ion battery, and rides on a 800v architecture, and in the case of the 4S, you can expect a claimed 619km driving range.But there is a downside. While the cheaper Macan’s boot opens to reveal 540 litres, that number drops to 480 litres in the 4S or Turbo.

The Macan 4 ($134,400) is the second rung on Porsche’s new electric SUV ladder, and is also the cheapest way into a dual-motor, AWD version, with a second electric motor upping the grunt to 285kW (300kW with the launch function) and 650Nm — enough to complete the sprint to a brisk 5.2 seconds.Apart from the second motor, it largely mirrors the spec of the entry-level, and rear-wheel-drive, Macan, meaning a 12.6-inch digital instrument cluster, and a second 10.9-inch central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Outside, there are 20-inch alloys, while inside you’ll find synthetic-leather seats that are heated up front, and Australian cars get things like the clever 'Porsche Active Suspension Management' (PASM) system as standard.Every Macan is fitted with a big 100kWh lithium-ion battery, which in the 4 means a claimed 624km driving range.When it comes time to recharge, the Macan rides on an 800V architecture, and is set up for 270kW DC high-speed charging, which will take 21min to go from 10 to 80 per cent. It will also accept 11kW AC charging, which should take 10 hours to go from empty to full.

The 2025 Volvo EX30 small SUV is the Swedish brand's new entry-level electric car. We're living with its Twin Motor Performance Ultra flagship for three months to find out if it's a relative bargain. So far, it's presented a very steep learning curve that might turn some would-be buyers off.