SUV Reviews

The Honda ZR-V Hybrid was previously only offered in a single, range-topping grade, however the Japanese carmaker has introduced a number of cheaper hybrid trims. Check out how the most affordable hybrid fares on Australian soil.

The Mazda CX-5 Akera is flagship model grade in the newly redesigned and enlarged version of the Japanese brand’s global best seller.Priced from $54,990 before on-road costs, the Akera builds on the GT SP’s equipment stash of adaptive LED headlights, a 360-degree monitor with under-car view, leather trim, a powered front passenger seat, heated rear outboard seats, 12-speaker Bose audio, ambient lighting, glossier trim and 19-inch alloys with a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, vented front seats, gesture-activated powered tailgate, personalised driver-settings memory, paddle shifters and more.Also standard are heated front seats, a powered driver’s seat with memory, a head-up display, heated windscreen, heated steering wheel, 10.25-inch instrumentation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a smartphone charger, heated/folding exterior mirrors, a powered tailgate and unique 19-inch alloys.There is plenty of safety too, including advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane support systems, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.Under the bonnet is Mazda’s long-lived G25 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine. If you use regular petrol it makes 132kW of power and 242Nm of torque, but those numbers are bumped up by 6kW and 15Nm to 138kW and 257Nm respectively if using 95 RON-plus premium petrol.As with all CX-5s, drive is sent to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission and part-time AWD system that, in Sport mode, distributes torque more evenly for more grip. There is also an Off-Road mode for gravel, sand or snow situations.The Akera’s combined average fuel consumption number is 7.4 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 173g/km. This engine is tuned to operate on 91 RON standard unleaded petrol.From 2028 the Mazda will gain its first strong hybrid, to better take on the Toyota RAV4 hybrid and Nissan X-Trail e-Power.

The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD is the entry-level version of this electric SUV line-up in Australia.It’s now priced from $63,990, before on-road costs, following a $4000 price cut it received before its arrival.This entry-level model sets the Trailseeker apart from the related Toyota bZ4X Touring which is only offered in a single, flagship trim level locally.The pricing is also competitive against many rivals including the Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4 and Zeekr 7X. There are cheaper rivals but they typically don’t offer all-wheel drive.Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up with a healthy total system output of 280kW. This is enough to send it from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds, making it the fastest production Subaru model ever offered in Australia.The electric motors are fed by a 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack sourced from CATL. Claimed range for this entry-level model is 533km, according to WLTP testing.Standard equipment includes LED headlights, a hands-free power tailgate, 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, 14.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless chargers, a digital rear-view mirror and synthetic leather upholstery.The Subaru Trailseeker received a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP on the related, European-spec E-Outback and Toyota bZ4X in 2025.The entire line-up receives the full safety suite, which is great peace of mind. Highlights include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, driver attention monitoring, front and rear parking sensors as well as a surround-view camera.Like all Subarus, the Trailseeker is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is getting rather lacklustre for a mainstream brand now.The warranty coverage for the high-voltage battery is eight years or 160,000km, which is standard across many brands.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The first five services are capped and total $984.18, averaging out to around $197 per service.

The Mazda CX-5 GT SP is the sporty spice in the mid-sized SUV range from Japan, with racier trim to go with higher equipment levels, a bigger body, roomier interior and larger cargo area.Kicking off from $51,990 before on-road costs, the GT SP does not gain any more performance over its siblings, but it does include little luxuries like adaptive LED headlights, specific grade lighting, a 360-degree monitor with under-car view, leather trim, a powered front passenger seat, heated rear outboard seats, a 12-speaker Bose audio upgrade, ambient lighting, rear USB ports, glossier trim and 19-inch alloys.These come on top of items like dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a powered driver’s seat with memory, a head-up display, heated windscreen, heated steering wheel, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch instrumentation cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a smartphone charger, heated/folding exterior mirrors, parking sensors all round, a powered tailgate and 19-inch alloys.The GT SP does not scrimp on safety either, with advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane support systems, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and more.Keep in mind that while the GT SP features the same G25 132kW/242Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, those numbers rise to 138kW and 257Nm respectively with premium unleaded petrol.Drive is distributed to all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission and part-time AWD system that, in Sport mode, distributes torque more evenly for more grip.As with all CX-5s with the G25 powertrain, the combined average fuel consumption figure is 7.4 litres per 100km, for a carbon-dioxide emissions rating of 173g/km on the ADR 81/02 cycle. The engine is tuned to operate on 91 RON standard unleaded petrol.From 2028 the Mazda will gain its first strong hybrid, to better take on the Toyota RAV4 hybrid and Nissan X-Trail e-Power.It is a shame that the old G35 2.5-litre turbo engine is not offered in the GT SP.

Subaru's newest EV in Australia is its fastest production model yet locally and with more than a sprinkling of all-terrain wagon looks, it's essentially an electric Outback. But how does the Trailseeker fare in the real world?

The Mazda CX-5 Touring is the mid-spec version of the third generation of the series, and presents a compelling premium value proposition that should prove popular with consumers.Priced from $47,490 before on-road costs, the Touring is well specified, with AWD, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, artificial leather/suede trim, powered driver’s seat with memory, a head-up display, heated windscreen, rear-seat air vents, a reverse camera, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch instrumentation cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a smartphone charger, heated/folding exterior mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry/start, a powered tailgate, heated steering wheel, roof rails and 19-inch alloys.It also comes with a long list of standard safety equipment, including advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane support systems, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and more.Like all KM-series CX-5s, the Touring is larger, roomier and heavier, and so is fitted with Mazda’s G25 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, rather than the smaller G20 powertrain.It delivers 132kW of power and 242Nm of torque. It drives all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission and part-time AWD system.Want more performance? Try using the premium unleaded petrol pump next time you fill, since power rises to 138kW and torque to 257Nm.The Touring returns 7.4 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 173g/km, on the ADR 81/02 cycle, and can run on 91 RON standard unleaded petrol.A new hybrid model is coming from 2028 for those who demand lower fuel consumption.Along with the G20 engine, the G35 2.5-litre turbo-petrol and D22 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder units have been discontinued.

Volkswagen has done something unusual and added a new model name to its line-up. Called the Volkswagen Tayron, it’s the spiritual successor to VV’s Tiguan Allspace with three rows of seas in a relatively standard mid-size package.For a three-row German SUV, the Tayron seems like good value. At $60,390, before on-road costs, its relative premium feel and decent list of features are good showroom fodder for the new VW model.It sits relatively middle of the pack for the Tayron, the 110TSI Life is less powerful and lacks some features, but the eHybrid plug-ins and more powerful 195TSI R-Line can be as much as $15,000 more expensive.Take a look at the Toyota Kluger or Hyundai Santa Fe if you’re considering a more established, proven rival.Back to the Tayron 150TSI Elegance, which like much of the range has VW’s '4Motion' all-wheel drive system which can be reassuring in bad weather.As the name suggests, its power output of 150kW comes from a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine, as does 320Nm of torque, which VW claims results in a 0-100km/h time of 7.4 seconds.Power and torque is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, a drivetrain layout only the ‘150’ variants in the Tayron line-up have.Volkswagen says the Tayron, which needs its 58-litre fuel tank filled with 95RON minimum, drinks 7.7L/100km. That’s decent for a non-hybrid SUV capable of hauling a family around, but it’s a fair bit thirstier than rivals like the Kluger or Santa Fe (both 5.6L/100km). In terms of creature comforts, the Elegance comes with a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome trim outside and wood accent inside, tinted privacy glass, a 10.25-inch driver display and 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen, three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated outboard seats in the second row, auto LED headlights with cornering lighting and interior coloured mood lighting.The Tayron 150 TSI Elegance can also be had with a 'Sound and Vision Pack' for $4200 that upgrades the multimedia touchscreen to a larger 15-inch version while also adding a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display and matrix LED lights with dynamic lighting.While the list of features is healthy, the interior doesn’t feel extravagant, instead keeping the layout relatively simple and, likely to the disappointment of some, hiding much of the car’s functionality in the touchscreen.There is, mercifully, a constant menu bar for the key climate controls, but the only physical control in the Tayron’s central stack is the trio of the engine start button, electric handbrake switch, and the dial for either volume or drive mode, two settings that change with a push.Having to go through the screen is usually a bit of a pain when you’re on the move, but VW’s system is decently simple, even allowing you to swipe down and easily access important functions while using phone mirroring - Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both wireless by the way.Its interior is otherwise well considered, though the driving position feels a little high to me, but the seat itself is comfortable.The second row can also be moved and adjusted for better comfort or space, depending on how kind you want to be to any third-row occupants, while the third row has enough space for an average adult to sit in comfortably, likely for a bit longer than you’d expect.Under the boot floor - where there’s either 345 litres, 850L, or 1905L depending on whether there’s one, two or three rows of seats up - the Tayron also has a space-saver spare wheel which is becoming a rarity today. Well done, VW.Like the space-savvy interior packaging, the Tayron’s on-road performance also deserves its bouquets. The three-row SUV isn’t enormous, but handles better than you might expect from something you could cart all six members of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard around in.On highways and smoother roads, it’s decently quiet and is easy to settle into a nice rhythm with, while on twisty roads only particularly rough surfaces will unsettle it.Surefootedness comes with the very slight trade-off in terms of suspension softness, but it isn’t uncomfortable and doesn’t let big bumps in the road upset the cabin ambience much.The engine could be slightly more powerful for some situations, overtaking for example, but it’s about right for most day-to-day driving and it’s probably not worth spending too much more on a more powerful variant unless a hybrid’s efficiency appeals.On test, the Tayron returned a 7.9L/100km consumption figure, but given a fair chunk of that was dynamic testing, Volkswagen’s claimed number is probably a bit conservative and it wouldn’t be surprising if frugal owners managed to beat it.The transmission, despite still having some minor dual-clutch fumbles at low speeds, is good at keeping the engine where it needs to be in the rev-range and there are paddles to make that even smoother for dynamic driving.A maximum five-star ANCAP rating accompanies the Tayron, as well as nine airbags and a decent suite of safety kit that doesn’t interfere with your driving, a welcome change from many new cars.VW’s five-year warranty is getting on the shorter side as many brands extend theirs, but it’s not unusual for a Euro brand. 

Honda has launched the refreshed CR-V with more than half of its line-up sporting a hybrid powertrain. Is it a step in the right direction for Honda to keep up with its hybrid-focused competitors?

The Mazda CX-5 Evolve is the second least-expensive third-generation version of the KM-series mid-sized SUV.

The Mazda CX-5 Pure is the least expensive version of the third-generation mid-sized SUV from Japan.Kicking off from $39,990 before on-road costs, it is more than $3000 more expensive than the previous CX-5 Maxx front-wheel drive it replaces, but sweetens the deal with a larger and significantly roomier body, bigger engine, all-wheel drive (AWD), improved safety and more comfortable suspension.The Pure AWD comes standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch electronic instrumentation cluster, wired only Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera, cloth trim, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloy wheels with a space-saver spare wheel.On the safety front it features a host of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front as well as rear cross-traffic alert, lane support systems, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and more.However, compared to the old CX-5 Maxx, the Pure loses a wireless phone charger, wireless connection for the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto system and a head-up display.The Pure swaps out the old Maxx’s G20 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and front-wheel drive for the larger G25 2.5-litre engine/AWD combination. That makes 132kW of power and 242Nm of torque, and drives all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.If you put in premium petrol (95 RON or above), those outputs jump to 138kW and 257Nm respectively.Though it weighs at least 60kg more than the previous CX-5 AWD equivalent, the Pure boasts an identical ADR 81/02 combined average fuel consumption figure of 7.4 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 173g/km. It can run on standard 91 RON unleaded petrol.Want better economy? You’ll have to wait, since a new-generation strong hybrid system is slated for the CX-5 from 2028. As with the rest of the KM-series range, the Pure offers no other powertrain options, meaning the D22 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and G35 turbo-petrol engine alternatives are no more.