Spotlight

An all-electric working week with unlimited weekend adventures? That’s the magic of a plug-in hybrid powertrain. And thanks to brands like Mercedes-Benz, this advanced technology can take you further than ever before.

When a family or tradie buys a ute like JAC's T9, they put it through its paces. But there's no tougher test — and no more demanding customer — than a fleet buyer.Businesses like green energy giant Goldwind keep their vehicles constantly on the move, where reliability, safety, and fuel efficiency aren't just important — they're absolutely vital. Time is money, every dollar counts, and that's why when Goldwind was looking to upgrade its hard-working dual-cab fleet, the JAC T9 was the only option that met all their needs."The JAC team made the process incredibly easy, truly living up to their 'easy to work with' reputation," a Goldwind spokesman said. "The JAC T9's recognition by ANCAP as Australia's safest ute was a significant advantage for our safety-focused company. Its impressive fuel efficiency also boosts our bottom line.""The T9's appealing exterior and interior technology are very impressive and will be a huge hit with our drivers. We're excited to collaborate with JAC Motors and have the T9 utes on our project sites."'Easy' perfectly sums up the JAC experience in Australia, with the T9 taking the guesswork out of choosing your next ute — whether you're a fleet buyer or private customer.Thanks to JAC's invaluable 60 years of experience building tough trucks for global markets, the T9 offers everything a business and its drivers could want. You won't find any stripped-back entry-level offering here. Both T9 models are priced competitively and arrive with 4WD as standard along with powerful LED lights and a rear axle electronic differential lock.The JAC T9’s powertrain exemplifies the company’s commitment to fuss-free motoring, built on durability and affordability. The T9’s tough turbodiesel engine is paired with the exceptional ZF 8-speed automatic transmission — also a transmission of choice for luxury vehicles and sports cars — ensuring this powertrain operates at optimal performance and fuel efficiency.Combine this with the JAC T9’s highly respected Borg-Warner four-wheel-drive system and you’ve got a dual-cab 4X4 Ute that stays surefooted and secure across a variety of terrains. Not only does this impressively credentialled mechanical package have the muscle to get the tough jobs done, it’s one of the most economical available, requiring just 7.6L/100km (NEDC combined). This equates to potential savings of up to $545 a year compared to another popular Australian ute (based on an annual average of 15,300km and $1.85/L). Imagine the savings if you’re managing a fleet of JAC T9s!Both the T9’s Oasis and Haven variants can comfortably tow the family caravan, trailer or boat, and accommodate a payload up to 1,045kg. The T9’s wide tray is designed to fit a full-size Australian pallet, too, and is fully lined to protect your T9 from bumps and scratches.The same no-need-for-an-options-list approach extends to the cabin, where both models feature leather trim, a crystal-clear 10.4-inch central touchscreen for smartphone mirroring, and a cooled (and heated) centre console to keep drinks or snacks at the right temperature.Stepping up to the Haven model adds features like heated front seats, privacy glass, and — unusually for this class — a 360-degree camera so you can park with certainty in tight situations. In short, the T9 is a ute where you don't feel like you're missing out, regardless of which model you choose.The T9 is undeniably Australia's most value-packed ute and the country's safest. ANCAP awarded the dual-cab a full five-star rating, with the T9 producing the best aggregate scores of any ute yet tested across all four of the organisation's testing protocols.Famed for its "uncomplicated" approach to choosing and owning your ute, JAC's fleet strategy is predictably streamlined. This is the brand that pioneered a true no-surprises ownership offering, bundling a seven-year, bumper-to-bumper unlimited kilometre warranty with access to JAC’s Ute-for-Ute warranty loan program should your T9 be off the road due to warranty repair. Owners know they're covered, and that JAC’s got their back.You also receive seven years of capped-price servicing and seven years of roadside assistance — regardless of kilometres driven — as part of the brand's JARA (JAC All Roads Assurance), which is included with every ute, and is fully transferable with the vehicle.This represents true product confidence, stemming from JAC's 60-year history of building tough trucks that work as hard as their owners across global markets.The JAC T9 range starts from just $45,670 drive-away in Victoria. For other states, check Safety, intelligence, and incredible value — exactly what you need to drive your business forward.

I’ve just spent a week with the Hyundai INSTER, and I think it might just be one of the best, and smartest, city-friendly EVs ever made.High praise, I know. But it’s true. Because this INSTER doesn’t just look good — it’s super smart, super practical, and would be the perfect EV for so many people.The EVeryone EV, then. Stick around and I’ll show you what’s so… INSTER-esting… about it.And that will also be the last bad pun, I promise.CITY LIVINGSo what is it that makes the INSTER so special? Well, it’s no one thing, but lots of them combined, and the first becomes obvious the first time you visit your local shopping centre’s carpark.Mine is the Tramsheds in Rozelle, in Sydney, and parking here can occasionally be challenging, mostly because it gets pretty busy on the weekends.But there is no parking challenge too daunting for the INSTER. Its city-car dimensions make it super manoeuvrable, and incredibly easy to squeeze into any space. And that’s before you mention the dedicated EV charging spaces so many shopping centres have on offer now.But while the INSTER shines on the way into the shops, it shines even brighter on the way out. You honestly won’t believe the space in the backseat, and so when you fold them down, you have got an acreage of room to get whatever it is you bought home.INNER SPACEThe INSTER’s cabin isn’t just a funky and fresh take on new-car interior — every possible thing that can be thought of to maximise the space in here has been done. Your driving controls — you know, Drive, Reverse, Park — are now by the steering wheel, and the cupholders are integrated into the awesome bench-style front seat, both of which free up room in the middle of the cabin for extra storage, and wireless phone charging.There are two big screens — one for infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the other for your driving information, like range and speed and all that important stuff — and there’s even paddles behind the steering wheel which allow you to dial up or down the regenerative braking while on the fly.Plus, it gets Hyundai’s Bluelink, which means you can remotely lock or unlock your car, or preset the cabin temperature, from your phone — perfect for hot days or cold nights. And, because of Over-the-Air updates, Hyundai can remotely update your INSTER with new and improved software without you having to visit the dealership.And things get even smarter in the backseat.ALL FOUR YOUThe legroom on offer for backseat riders in the INSTER is honestly so impressive for a car in this size category — better than SUVs a size or two bigger than this, even — and it gets even better, because not only are the backseats comfortable, they also recline, meaning you can really stretch out and relax.And because it’s a four-seater, it means there’s only ever two passengers in the back, so there’s never a shortage of space.In the INSTER, both backseats fold completely flat, so there’s heaps of storage on offer. And in the INSTER Cross, you can fold the front seats flat too, turning the INSTER into the world’s coolest moving van.CHARGING UPThe INSTER comes with one of two batteries — a 42kWh or 49kWh lithium-ion battery — and that means between 293kms or 360kms on a single charge. That’s more than enough to get me through the working week and into the weekend, and I found myself charging once over the week.And when it does come time to plug in, you can either use a fast charger, which can take you from 10 to 80 percent full in just 30 minutes*, or you can do what I usually do and just plug in at home using a regular household power point or a wallbox. Both are slower than a public charger, of course, but the idea is that you just plug in whenever you’re home and your INSTER is good to go.POWERING TOMORROWIf you’re used to smaller cars being noisy and a bit harsh, then you’re in for a treat with the INSTER. There’s no engine or traditional gearbox here, just a small but mighty electric motor up front delivering 71.1kW and 147Nm, or 84.5kW and 147Nm, and that really is ample in a car this size.Because it’s electric, the power arrives the moment you touch the accelerator, giving you properly perky acceleration away from the traffic lights or to overtake.  And, again, because it’s electric, it’s silky smooth and so quiet. There’s no harshness or anything like that. It’s just easy progress.Also, because the INSTER is an SUV, and has a nice, high driving position, the vision is great from the driver’s seat. It never feels like you’re driving a small car, until it comes time to park it.It really is a treat to drive, this INSTER. And really the perfect everyday EV.MAKING THE ELECTRIC LEAPOf course, the benefit of buying the Hyundai INSTER, or any Hyundai EV for that matter, is that it comes standard with everything the Hyundai brand has come to mean in Australia. That means 160 service locations, a trained and trusted dealer network, an 8 year/160,000km warranty on battery (whichever comes first), a lifetime service plan so you know exactly what your maintenance will cost forever, the list goes on and on.But more than even all of that, the INSTER is smart, cool and super practical. See what I mean about the EVeryone EV?

The SANTA FE isn't just a new family friendly SUV for Hyundai in Australia, it's also the genesis of a new and bold design language for the brand - one that fuses style with substance, and flair with functionality, and which is guaranteed to turn heads. No Hyundai has ever looked like this.So, has the brand achieved instant icon status with the new SANTA FE? CarsGuide Spotlight delves deep to find out.

There's a reason the LDV Deliver 9 was Australia's best selling Large van in 2022

Your van is so much more than just a vehicle. It's your office, your meeting room, your holding yard and, on those really busy days, even your dining room. So it's little wonder you're looking for a van that stands out from the pack.Happily, we've found one for you. Because the LDV G10+ really is your perfect business partner.

There are very few places in the world that can match the Australian outback for bone-rattling, suspension-stressing toughness. But the deserts of Saudi Arabia, where the iconic Dakar Rally is held each year, would give it a solid, sandy shake.

Buying a car is a serious undertaking and you want to make sure you've got it right. Check out our top 10 tips for buying a used car... and don't forget to consider the warranty question.

Weight has always been the enemy of vehicle performance and efficiency.No-one knew this better than visionary French engineer Ettore Bugatti, who in the early 1900s, while still in his early 20s, was stripping weight out as his rivals were adding it. It was the motor racing equivalent of David and Goliath, Bugatti's hulking adversaries sneering at the tiny French voiture.

A person who has recently had solar panels installed at their house is someone you should avoid at social gatherings. Indeed, they should probably be forced to wear a warning sign of some kind, or at least a t-shirt that says "I'm about to bore you silly by showing you the app on my phone that shows how much I'm saving on my power bills, RIGHT NOW!"