Adventure

Denza is a premium sub-brand of BYD and the Denza B5 is best thought of as the BYD Shark 6’s posher, tougher cousin.Where the Shark 6 is a thoroughly competent all-wheel drive ute, well suited to tackling light to moderate off-roading, the B5 is a 4WD wagon with a low-range gear-set on the rear axle and diff locks front and rear.Those stark mechanical differences, as well as a sharply-calibrated off-road traction control system, set the two apart in terms of efficacy in off-road scenarios.But that doesn’t mean the Shark 6 is woeful off-road – it’s not – it’s simply that the B5 is much better.As mentioned, the Denza B5 is a luxury 4WD wagon with 16 drive modes, a low-range gear-set, and twin lockers.The B5 shares the same DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) body-on-frame platform as the Shark 6 and the same 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system paired with dual electric motors, but the B5 is more powerful (425kW/760Nm) compared to the Shark 6 (321kW/650Nm). Note: The updated Shark 6 will have a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine and dual electric motors, claimed to deliver total outputs of 350kW and 700Nm.Those aforementioned mechanical differences – low-range gearing and diff locks (front and rear) on the B5 – make a world of difference when it comes to off-roading and that’s where the B5 has it well and truly over the Shark 6.The Shark 6 doesn’t have 4WD, high- or low-range gearing, or diff-locks. It doesn’t even have a driveshaft connecting the rear wheels.Core differences between the Denza B5 and the BYD Shark 6?The Shark is essentially an all-wheel drive SUV whose off-road performance hinges on electronic traction control. It does not have low- or high-range 4WD and it does not have any locking differentials.It has a single-speed reduction gear/dedicated hybrid transmission (which enables electric-only driving and hybrid operation, switching between modes based on throttle demand and battery level).It also has an all-wheel drive system (split between the front and rear) and Drive modes include Eco, Normal and Sport) and Terrain modes include Sand, Snow, Mud and Mountain.In theory, single-speed reduction gears and off-road traction control systems should be able to somewhat replicate the efficacy of high- and low-range 4WD systems in light to moderate off-roading. In the real world that’s often not the case at all. A single-speed reduction gear approach in a 4WD is mechanically constrained in how much it can do and off-road traction control systems can be slow to act, clunky in application, and not up to the challenges asked of it.But the Shark 6 is effective off-road, as long as it’s driven within the parameters of its capabilities: light to moderate off-road conditions — that is, well-maintained dirt tracks in dry weather; do not take on any ‘4WD/high ground clearance only' tracks, prolonged sand-driving or rock-crawling.The Denza B5 Leopard has a low-range gear-set on its rear axle, and front and rear diff locks. It also has electronic torque vectoring at the front, and well-calibrated off-road traction control.This plug-in hybrid optimises a combination of driver-assist technology – including 16 drive modes with many of those designed for off-road scenarios – and with nicely dialled-in off-road traction control and mechanical diff locks on-board it is formidable in most off-road situations.In action, all of those modes adjust vehicle systems, throttle, and engine output to give the driver the best chance possible of getting safely through every off-road challenge.The Denza is better suited to challenging 4WDing than the Shark 6.Significant flaws in the first-phase Shark 6’s adventure potential include its lack of 4WD gearing and diff locks, and its below-par 2500kg towing capacity.The updated Shark 6 should be getting, at the least, a suspension upgrade and a full-blown software update — that delivers an off-road traction control system capable of replicating as closely as possible the workings of low-range gearing and diff locks.Alas, it’s not getting those things.However, it will get a gutsier 2.0-litre engine (with outputs of 350kW/700Nm, compared to the current 1.5-litre engine, with outputs of 321kW/650Nm) and a towing upgrade to 3500kg.So, that’s something.The Shark 6 was the best-selling PHEV in 2025, and it continues to sell well. Its core market is likely those who don’t want a hard-core 4WD but rather a vehicle that, as standard, is very effective in light to moderate off-roading and works as a comfortable (for a ute) daily driver.And, if that’s the case, it excels.And it can be easily improved.If you already own a BYD Shark 6 and you want to improve its off-road performance, replace the standard tyres – Continental CrossContact All Terrain (265/65R18) – with a set of more aggressive all-terrains. Hey, bloody presto! You’ve instantly made this light-duty AWD better.Ultimately, the Denza B5 is the better option if challenging off-road adventures are your goal – it’s premium-plush, sure, but it’s also capable of much more in the dirt than the BYD Shark 6.The extra cash you’ll spend buying a B5 ($74,990*, excluding on-road costs, for the base-spec variant) rather than a Shark ($57,990*, excluding on-road costs) equates to greater peace of mind if you’re heading out bush or along a (legally drivable) beach. (* Price correct at time of writing.)

KGM has detailed updates for its Torres and Actyon SUVs in South Korea.The 2027 KGM Torres with the regular 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine now comes with an eight-speed Aisin-sourced torque-converter automatic transmission, instead of a six-speed Aisin unit.The all-wheel drive petrol version now also receives off-road terrain modes in addition to the existing drive modes.The Torres is still also offered with hybrid and electric powertrain options.There are revised front and rear fascias, as well as new exterior paint colours and interior colourways.Inside, the Torres looks much more like the Actyon now. It receives a two-spoke, hexagonal steering wheel, as well as an updated screen set-up for the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia system.A number of key criticisms have also been addressed.There’s now wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a bigger gear selector, a physical switchgear cluster for the dual-zone climate control, as well as dual wireless chargers.It’s worth noting that the KGM Actyon also picks up the aforementioned updates, as well as the eight-speed automatic transmission.We’ve reached out to KGM Australia to see when we can expect these updated Torres and Actyon models will arrive Down Under. We’ll update this story once we hear back.KGM, which was previously known as SsangYong, launched the Torres in Australia in 2024 and was followed by the related and slightly larger Actyon in 2025.The South Korean carmaker has since launched hybrid and electric versions of the Torres, as well as a hybrid version of the Actyon.In the first four months of 2026 KGM has sold a total of 74 Torres examples and 80 Actyon examples. This is down considerably over top-selling rivals like the Toyota RAV4 (7571 sales), Hyundai Tucson (6842 sales) and Kia Sportage (5743 sales).

Ram’s big US pick-up truck is muscling up, with a new V8-powered series revealed.It is dubbed the Ram 1500 Rumble Bee, and will be available in four different grades.Headlining the muscle truck range is the SRT super ute, which uses the most powerful V8 ever installed in a production pick-up truck.Under the bonnet of the 1500 Rumble Bee SRT is a 6.2-litre supercharged Hemi V8 that pumps out 579kW/922Nm.That helps it hit 60 miles an hour (96km/h) in just 3.4 seconds.And it could make its war Down Under in the future, according to Ram Trucks Australia boss Jeff Barber."We are super excited about the new Ram 1500 Rumble Bee unveiled in the US overnight.  Ram Trucks has an amazing catalogue of vehicles and, as always, we seriously consider all model variants," he said.The Rumble Bee range is firming as a hot commodity in the US, which could put a pin in a local launch in the near future.After the headline grabbing SRT there are three more accessible models.The range starts with the standard Rumble Bee, which uses a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 that makes 295kW/556Nm. Then comes the Rumble Bee 392 that packs 350kW/617Nm of grunt thanks to its 6.4-litre Hemi V8. The Rumble Bee 392 Track Pack variant that hosts an array of performance upgrades is next up.The entry-level version is due at the end of the year in the US, with the 392 and SRT versions landing in 2027.The Rumble Bee series isn’t just about V8 grunt, it also packs plenty of standard equipment across the range.There are big screens throughout, luxury features such as power-adjustable bucket seats wrapped in a range of materials, Harman and Kardon stereo and smartphone connectivity, among plenty of others.Don't expect the Rumble Bee to be cheap if it lands in Oz. Big grunt costs big bucks these days, due to the federal government's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which fines high-polluting vehicles due.The complicated remanufacturing process that converts the vehicles from left to right-hand drive, doesn't help either.

Toyota has just unveiled a game-changing upgrade to its HiLux ute, which puts the Ford Ranger Super Duty in its sights. A factory-fitted GVM upgrade priced from $4000 will now be available on some HiLux models.It will boost payload by 372kg to 435kg, increasing the ute's maximum possible payload to roughly 1525kg. While the Ranger Super Duty maintains a superior payload of 1982kg, this upgrade brings Toyota's best-selling ute into closer competition.The towing capacity remains at 3500kg, while the Super Duty can handle 4500kg.This upgrade will only be available on select 4x4 grades of the HiLux, which are the WorkMate double cab-chassis, WorkMate double-cab pick-up, SR Extra cab-chassis, SR double cab-chassis, SR double-cab pick-up and SR5 double-cab pick-up.This means the minimum starting price for a GVM-upgraded HiLux is $56,490 (before on-road costs), substantially cheaper than the Super Duty at $80,000-plus. Longer monotube rear shock absorbers are fitted as part of the Hilux's GVM upgrade, increasing ride height by up to 10mm.GVM upgrades also usually involve beefing up other suspension elements to support greater load-bearing capacity. Axle capacities for the upgrades have increased by 100kg on the front and 280kg on the rear, giving the ute greater sturdiness. These modified HiLux models will maintain Toyota's five-year manufacturer warranty after the upgrades have been carried out, unlike some aftermarket alternatives. The GVM upgrade uses genuine Toyota parts, as opposed to external ones, such as on the Ford Ranger with 4WD brand ARB. The brand said the tune has been developed by the local Toyota Australia branch. Existing HiLux models and those which are already on order will not be eligible for the warranty-backed upgrade, with it being a factory-installed option.These HiLux models will still have the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine producing 150kW and 500Nm. The upgrade will be available from August of this year.

Ford has announced a plan it hopes will win back European buyers by launching five new “rally bred” small cars before the end of the decade.In an ambitious attempt to regain the large share of Europe’s market it once had, Ford is playing the performance card hoping its historic connections to motorsport and adventure will appeal to buyers.“Ford has more than a century of racing heritage particularly in the world of rally, Europe’s native racing format,” the announcement said. “Combining that off-road DNA with on-road performance, Ford will create rally-bred vehicles tailored to Europe.” The announcement launches a new campaign centred around the slogan 'Ready Set Ford' and promises to bring new models in areas that Ford believes are its strengths, those being 'Build, Thrill and Adventure', according to the brand.All this is happening as Chinese brands such as BYD flood the market with electric and plug-in hybrid cars.Ford’s announcement is high on slogans and promises it’s low on details, although five new models have been confirmed including a baby Bronco off-road SUV to be built in Spain in 2028.The baby Bronco will be a 'multi energy' model according to Ford’s statement, suggesting it will be offered in several variants, possibly hybrid and fully electric.Also revealed in Ford’s announcement was the coming of a new fully-electric small SUV described as having “rally bred design language and drive dynamics in an urban-friendly package”.Two more sporty multi-energy models will also be launched - so called 'rally-bred' SUVs or crossovers. These will join and complete Ford’s new European passenger car line-up by 2029.The new models could see the revival of the Fiesta and Focus nameplates. Both models were axed within the past five years as Ford redirected its energy to SUVs.Ford’s ambitious strategy is designed to combat the current threat from new rivals the company faces in Europe. Small affordable electric and hybrid cars from Chinese carmakers are rapidly growing in popularity and Ford has seen its share in the European market dwindle from about nine per cent to less than four per cent.Will Australia see any of these new Ford models? It’s possible given some will be produced in right-hand drive for the UK.Ford may also need to review its skeletal offering in Australia, given the local downturn in the off-road ute market that it relies on heavily for sales.

Looks can be deceiving. The all-new iCaur V27 might appear to be a distant relative of the Mercedes G-wagen but beneath its rugged, good looks lurks a large SUV that's happier on-road than extreme overlanding out in the bush.On sale in Australia from February next year, the iCaur V27 will be the first of a full range of models that will also include a still-to-be-released smaller mid-size V25 and, later on in 2028 or 2029 the baby Suzuki Jimny-rivalling V23 should rock up.Proving to be a hit worldwide, in little more than two years the baby V23 has gone on to sell 160,000 and Chery hopes its huge popularity will translate over in Australia.Measuring in at 5045mm long, 1976mm wide and 1894mm tall, the V27 shares a footprint with the GWM Tank 500 and is a little bigger than the Denza B5 (4888mm long, 1970mm wide and 1920mm tall).It's the latter, that one exec from iCaur told CarsGuide is the real rival it is targeting Down Under.Which is a bit odd as on paper at least, the iCaur V27 isn't a real match.Not only is the V27 based on a more car-like monocoque, it lacks height-adjustable air suspension which means ground clearance is limited to a paltry 224mm. Both the approach (24-deg) and departure (23deg) angles are also severely lacking compared to the Denza's 39 degrees.iCaur says its V27 can wade water depths up to 600mm, a little off the 790mm the Denza B5 can traverse.Available with only a range-extender hybrid powertrain, in some markets a 185kW rear-wheel-drive version will be an option but in Australia we think we'll just get the all-wheel-drive V27.Unlike a typical plug-in hybrid, the small 1.5-litre four-cylinder combustion engine only acts a generator when the 34.3kWh battery is depleted. Combined with a pair of electric motors driving each axle, total power is 335kW, while torque is around 505Nm for a quick 0-100km/h dash of 5.9 seconds.That's more than a second adrift of the more powerful Denza B5 that can also tow 3000kg, compared to the 1600kg the V27 can haul.With a full charge, iCaur says the V27 can cover up to 150km on EV power alone on the NEDC test cycle, while a 60-litre tank extends the total range to around 995km.Usefully, the battery is capable of DC charging up to 60kW, although a 20-80 per cent top-up still takes around 30 minutes.Vehicle-to-load charging or powering of domestic appliances is also available at up to 6kW.Naturally, the chunky exterior styling is reflected within, with a stepped dashboard, large rotary dial and proper physical controls. Like other Chery brands, the driver gets a pillar-box slim 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, but taking pride of place is a freestanding 15.4-inch infotainment that's runs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor.Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.Like the smaller V23, there are toggle auxiliary switches on the roof ready for accessories like an additional light bar.Dual wireless chargers are also present, as well as 50 different storage compartments, and a large 715-litre boot that includes a hidden 40-litre compartment for valuables.Perhaps disappointingly, considering its size, a third row of seats isn't even an option but handily if you drop the second row you open up a cavernous near-two-metre-long load area with up to 1818 litres of space.It's hard not to like the twin-pane panoramic roof, plus the generous head- and legroom in the second row. Overall, the V27 impresses in and out.Giving us a limited chance to experience the iCaur V27 behind the wheel, we tested the large SUV over a muddy and slimy obstacle course with a car shod with grippier all-terrain tyres.As soon as we eased the V27 off the line, the first iCaur destined for Australia instantly impresses, mainly because of the nature of its powertrain as it feels just like an EV, as only the electric motors drive all four wheels.That means there is instant torque, with plenty of power off the line. Over the lumps and bumps the magnetic adaptive dampers did a good job of providing a decent ride.Driving only in a mud-friendly off-road mode (there's are eight other driving modes available), traction was remarkable thanks to its locking electronic rear differential, although grippier tyres probably did most of the heavy lifting.We weren't allowed to try the tank turn feature, nor even permitted to escape the facility and drive on public roads, so our first positive impressions should be taken with a healthy pinch of salt, but precise steering and those car-like underpinnings, proper multi-link rear suspension and the smooth, punchy powertrains bode well for Australians.If you tow heavy loads or go further off-road, the Denza B5, Land Rover Defender or default Toyota Prado will all prove a better bet, with the V27 only able to haul 1600kg (braked). For reference the B5 can tug 3000kg.There is no word on how iCaur will kit-out its flagship SUV locally, but expect a power tailgate, LED front and rear headlamps, electric-fold mirrors, a trick multi-colour ambient lighting and six-way adjust heated and ventilated synthetic seats to all be standard.With seven airbags, a 540-degree surround camera, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, front and rear collision alert and blind-spot warning, plus an advanced adaptive cruise control, iCaur has designed its V27 to achieve full marks in future Euro NCAP and ANCAP testing.iCaur has been timed to land just a few months after fellow Chery-owned Lepas will rock up in Australia. Even though there has been no official confirmation, we'd be amazed if the 4x4 brand didn't match the eight-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty Jaecoo models come with, even though it will be sold via a different dealer network.Locally, the V27 is priced from just 200,000 Chinese yuan (A$40,000), but it's not known what the range will kick off from. The insider told CarsGuide that its V27 will be positioned lower than the Denza B5 ($74,990-$79,990), with the prediction it could trouble small mid-size SUVs with a price tag of around $65,000 plus on-roads.

Kia has sharpened the pencil on its slow selling Tasman ute.The Korean brand has knocked thousands off the price of most grades in the range until June 30, with some sharp drive-away deals.So far the Tasman has only mustered about 1600 sales, which is a long way behind its yearly 20,000 target. The segment leading Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux that have sold about 15,800 and 13,500 so far this year, respectively.There are some big deals to be had on top-tier Tasman versions.The range-topping Tasman X-Pro 4WD dual cab is now priced from $64,990 drive-away, which is more than $10,000 off the previous $74,990 (before on-road costs) price tag.The X-Line 4WD dual-cab variant is also more than $10,000 cheaper at $59,990. Similar big discounts apply to the mid-tier SX+ 4WD dual-cab.Entry-level S and SX 4WD dual-cabs also get some meaningful discounts that drop the price to $49,990 and $51,990, respectively.Kia has also wiped thousands off the price of hard working single cab chassis variants for ABN holders.The base S grade now starts at $39,990 drive-away for the two-wheel drive S with an alloy tray included. If you want 4WD it'll cost you $45,990. Both deals represent several thousands off the non promotional price.The Tasman is powered by a 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine that makes 154kW and 440Nm.All versions can tow 3500kg and most can carry a one tonne payload.Kia Australia boss Damien Meredith told CarsGuide it needed to do more to boost sales and it had several ways to do that, which now appears to be sharp deals.The Tasman ute has been critically acclaimed for how it performs its duties, but Meredith said there were several issues holding back the new ute.“I think once you’re inside it, it's fantastic,” said Meredith. “I think you know the exterior of the car is very polarising. Some people love it, some people don’t. And that’s had an effect.“I think you’ve got to be upfront and honest that the competition that’s out there is quite dramatic. “When we were planning this six years ago, the competition wasn’t as great as what it is right now.“So did we plan correctly? We planned as well as we possibly could, but the competition is hot, and there’s a polarising look to the vehicle.“We’ve fallen short. We know the facts.“The fact of the matter is we’ve got to make Tasman a better success in Australia than it is at its current level,” said Meredith.2026 Kia Tasman deals 

Iconic off-road brand Jeep may have been thrown a lifeline to be rescued from its current struggles in the form of Chinese carmaker Dongfeng with which it will build future models.Jeep’s parent company Stellantis has signed a new agreement which will see the joint venture currently known as Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA) produce two Peugeot models and two Jeeps.The A$1.7 billion agreement will not only allow Stellantis to be more competitive locally in China with the models made at Dongfeng Wuhan plant but will also see these models exported globally.Speaking at the Financial Times Future of the Car Summit last week Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said the partnership with Dongfeng was part of the company’s new strategy for the future. "Stellantis has been growing this last year, creating a clear view of being attractive for long-term partnerships to many players," he said."We are attractive because we are strong in many regions, we are attractive because of our scale, and mostly because we have unbelievably strong brands, so our level of appeal is big."We understand that by working with a set of partners to build a roadmap of technological improvement, supply chain improvement and maybe capacity utilisation. These are really good topics to work together and create benefits."Stellantis already has an existing separate agreement with Dongfeng and has produced the Peugeot 4008 and 5008 in China. The new joint venture will see Dongfeng’s Concept 6 and Concept 8 both shown at the recent Beijing motor show underpin two new Peugeot models.As for the two Jeep models both are expected to be 'new energy' (plug-in) vehicles but the platforms underpinning them is currently unknown. Filosa is expected to reveal more on this at an investor conference this week in the United States.Dongfeng currently has a large array of off-road models in its portfolio from the Rich 7 dual cab ute to the hardcore MHero SUV. The company also displayed what it calls the "first new energy all terrain extreme off-road concept vehicle - the MHero M-Hunter" at the Beijing motor show. It’s a model which may fit Jeep’s go-anywhere ethos well if it was to be chosen as the basis for a new model.Production of the new Jeep and Peugeot models will begin at the Wuhan factory in 2027.It could be the shot in the arm Jeep and Peugeot needs both globally and in Australia.Year to date sales of Jeep vehicles in Australia have reached just 249, a 65 per cent drop over the same period in 2025.Peugeot’s performance locally has been somewhat better but still underwhelming with 320 units registered year to date representing a 32.3 per cent decline compared to 2025.Stellantis will be looking to the new joint venture to give what are well known brands the technological innovation needed to compete in an auto landscape which is appearing to swing to Chinese dominance.  

Fuel prices are coming back down slightly at time of writing, but this whole Middle East conflict has been a massive wake-up call for all of us.Australia is as vulnerable as any country to changes in fuel supply and/or prices.But you can reduce your 4WD's fuel consumption – and thus cut your fuel costs – by better managing your driving style and your 4WD.Fuel consumption depends on many factors – including individual driving style, the conditions, the load – but there are myriad ways you can at least reduce your vehicle’s fuel consumption so that you’re ultimately forking out less at the service station.Improving fuel consumption boils down to reducing the stress on your vehicle’s engine: the less stress and strain on your engine, the better it will perform and therefore the less fuel it will use.Here are some tips to slash your fuel bills – and most of it is common sense, really.Read on.The lighter a vehicle is, generally speaking, the less fuel it should use.A whole lot of extra weight onboard your 4WD – whether that be people, gear, pets or a load of job-site tools and materials you’re actually not using on any given day – places far greater demands on the vehicle than if it was unladen, and that excess weight will result in increased fuel usage.If you use your 4WD as a daily driver or if you rarely go out bush in it any more, do away with the bullbar, winch, roof-top tent, tray canopy (if it’s easy enough to get on and off), heavy-duty spare-wheel carrier, MaxTrax (be honest: you’ve never used them), long-handled shovel etc. Delete anything and everything that adds extra bulk to your vehicle, for now at least.All of that gear adds extra weight to your vehicle and thus increases fuel consumption. Again, this is all common sense stuff.On bitumen, recommended tyre pressures on a 4WD will generally be from around 30 psi (pounds per square inch) and up but always check the tyre placard on your vehicle to make sure.Always check tyre pressure when your tyres are cold (i.e. the vehicle hasn't been driven for about three hours) and only use a tyre-pressure gauge from a reputable company, such as ARB or Ironman 4x4, to get an accurate reading to make sure you're running at recommended pressure.If your tyres are under-inflated, rolling resistance increases and so too does your 4WD’s fuel use, simple as that.For reference, Michelin’s in-house tyre experts have described rolling resistance as “the resistance experienced by your car tyre as it rolls over a surface. The main causes of this resistance are tyre deformation, wing drag, and friction with the ground. The higher the rolling resistance is, the more energy to overcome it is needed.“A 30 per cent increase in rolling resistance generates between 3 and 5% of fuel overconsumption.”Rolling resistance is decreased when a tyre’s pressure is increased.No specific PSI tyre pressure figure can be applied every time to every vehicle on every different type of terrain or in every different driving scenario. Your optimum tyre pressure will change according to the vehicle, the load onboard, the terrain your vehicle is traversing, the time of day, the amount of time you've been driving on those tyres on that day, the size and type of tyres you're using and myriad other variables.However, there are various approximate tyre-pressure ranges that work best on different terrain and if you operate within those parameters, you will be able to drive off-road sensibly and safely.Note: If you want to know how to deflate and inflate your tyres, read this yarn.Another thing to think about is unsprung weight (tyres) and rolling resistance. If you’re driving around on big heavy Mud Terrain tyres, then of course your fuel use is going to suffer, so it’s time to throw on a set of road-friendly SUV tyres or mild all-terrain tyres.Worth noting is the fact that larger wheel sizes generally decrease fuel economy due to increased the weight and rolling resistance. Steel wheels are heavier than alloys so swap those out for the time being if you want to further decrease your fuel consumption.Drive with supreme patience and consideration.This is easy to accomplish: simply delete your heavy right foot.No more hard acceleration, no stomping on the brakes – drive smoothly and safely.Unless you’re urgently delivering a heart in an esky to an awaiting transplant patient at a hospital, there’s no need to drive like your pants are on fire.As I tell my kids about driving: just imagine your job is to make sure that everyone on the road at the same time as you arrives at their destination safely – no matter how determined they appear to not want to arrive at all.As mentioned earlier, improving fuel consumption boils down to reducing the stress on your vehicle’s engine, and one of the ways to achieve this is to ensure that your vehicle is well maintained, in terms of all components, fluids, filters etc.The better your 4WD is running, the less fuel it should use.When you head out, bunch the things you have to do for the day together, so you’re doing one trip, instead a series of shorter trips, with the extra driving, stop-starting, parking etc involved in those. Common sense? Of course it is.A hybrid vehicle – one with a traditional fuel source (petrol or diesel) and electric power – is a cheaper alternative to an EV and it yields better fuel economy and less environmental impact than a standard petrol or diesel engine vehicle.Hybrids, right now, offer the best of all possible worlds; currently there are still simply so many variables involved with using an EV as your vehicle of choice in Australia – range anxiety, long distances, lack of charging stations, the actual time it takes to charge – that, outside of the city, it doesn’t make as much sense as a daily driver as a hybrid does.Hybrid powertrains are claimed to improve fuel efficiency, boost torque, improve responsiveness and overall output.Is it time you consider something like a BYD Shark 6? Yep, join the queue.

The ute market has peaked in Australia, and some new and established workhorses could struggle.Kia Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith said the ute market appears to have peaked, with a flat result in quarter one this year showing growth will be tough to find.That spells bad news for the Kia Tasman, which was launched last year with a sales target of 20,000 per year. It is on track to sell less than 5000 in 2026, which is a a far cry from the segment-leading Ford Ranger and strong-selling Toyota HiLux and BYD Shark 6.Meredith said “of course” they were concerned about the Tasman’s performance.When quizzed if the Tasman would be here in three years if sales didn’t improve, he simply said: “I believe so”.The Tasman ute has been critically acclaimed for how it performs its duties, but Meredith said there were several issues holding back the new ute.“I think once you’re inside it, it's fantastic,” said Meredith. “I think you know the exterior of the car is very polarising. Some people love it, some people don’t. And that’s had an effect.“I think you’ve got to be upfront and honest that the competition that’s out there is quite dramatic. “When we were planning this six years ago, the competition wasn’t as great as what it is right now.“So did we plan correctly? We planned as well as we possibly could, but the competition is hot, and there’s a polarising look to the vehicle,” he said.Kia is currently the third best-selling car brand in the nation this year, but it acknowledges it needs to do more to get the Tasman in more hands.“We’ve fallen short. We know the facts,” said Meredith.“What’s happening in the world over the last 35-40 days hasn’t helped. But we can’t use that, we can’t use anything as an excuse.“The fact of the matter is we’ve got to make Tasman a better success in Australia than it is at its current level,” said.A facelift to give the Tasman more conventional styling is still at more than a year or two away, according to CarsGuide’s previous reports, but there are other levers the brand can use.Kia is a volume seller, so some sharp discounts might be on offer for the dual-cab ute in the coming months to help stimulate demand and attract fleet buyers.Kia’s headquarters has been canvassing Australian owners on how to improve the product.The Korean brand also revealed plans for a plug-in hybrid dual-cab ute for the US market, which could be a possible replacement for the slow-selling Tasman.Meredith said they have their hand up for all types of powertrains in the brand’s global armoury."We're open to everything, but first and foremost we've got to make what we've got a success."