Adventure

The Land Rover Defender will gain more V8 options for the 2026 model year (MY26) as the British firm moves to rejuvenate the much-loved off-roader with design and tech updates.

Mahindra has announced that the next-generation Pik-Up is being prepared for an all-out assault on the lucrative Australian ute market. Dubbed Project Z121 and based on the Global Pik Up concept revealed in 2023, the all-new dual-cab one-tonne utility is pencilled in for an Australian launch sometime later next year, following a production debut in its native India later on this year.

Renault Duster locked in for an imminent Australian launch

The Premcar-boosted Nissan Patrol Warrior was an impressive 4WD wagon from its first appearance a few years back.Well, now the entire 2025 Patrol range - including the Ti-based Warrior - has undergone an update.Sure, the changes don't yield any performance gains and they are cabin-based but they do include a new bigger touchscreen multimedia system, wireless charging and an off-road monitor.

It's big, brash and in your face but is the gargantuan GMC Yukon Denali worth your consideration? General Motors Specialty Vehicles is banking on it. Packing a 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine, eight seats and a big features list, this top-shelf US 4WD has a price tag just under $175,000, making it a lot more expensive than most wannabe rivals in Australia. The Denali is here whether you like it or not.

Mahindra has confirmed that the long-awaited Thar will not be sold in Australia in its current form. The rugged, body-on-frame wagon was expected to arrive sometime this year in traditional three-door and extended-body five-door wagon guises.

BYD's premium Denza brand is about to hit Australia, and this is likely to be the first model to wear the Denza badge. The Fangchengbao 5, or Denza B5, is a plug-in hybrid off-road five-seat SUV and it's coming to take on the Toyota Prado, Land Rover Defender and more.

BYD is on an absolute tear, revealing new models at break-neck speed. The latest vehicle is from its FangChengBao (FCB) range, which will be branded Denza in Australia.

The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Hybrid has been confirmed for Australia, with a 2026 launch locked in.Details revealed on United Arab Emirates spec vehicles, show the fitment of hybrid tech to the model's twin-turbo petrol V6 engine would make it one of the most powerful vehicles in Australia, with total system output a sizeable 340kW and 790Nm.Those numbers far outshine the outputs on offer from Australia's diesel LandCruiser, with its 3.3L twin-turbo V6 producing 227kW and 700Nm.According to Toyota in the UAE, the new model boasts "powerful performance, legendary capability, and reimagined efficiency to conquer what’s next."That engine remains paired with a 10-speed automatic, with Toyota in the UAE promising fuel use of 10.9L/100km. In the UAE, the LandCruiser Hybrid is offered both as a regular VXR model, but also as a GR Sport."For generations, the LandCruiser has mastered every terrain. Now, the legend has evolved to lead a new era," the brand said in a statement."Introducing the New Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid - boasting powerful performance, legendary capability, and reimagined efficiency to conquer what’s next."Under the hood, a 3.5L Twin-Turbo V6 Hybrid Engine delivers 457 horsepower and 790 Nm of torque. Inside, a cabin crafted for comfort and control surrounds you with advanced technology and refined detail."Toyota has also moved to quell fears that electrification will impact capability, saying in a statement:"The LandCruiser HEV’s hybrid system has been designed with true off-road reliability in mind. Even in the unlikely event of hybrid unit failure, the vehicle can continue operating solely on the combustion engine, ensuring peace of mind in remote areas. The hybrid battery area has been specially waterproofed to maintain the LandCruiser’s famed fording ability, allowing it to tackle rivers and water obstacles with confidence. Additionally, the vehicle also offers a third-row seat and cargo layout specifically optimised for the addition of the HEV system, ensuring no compromise in versatility or interior space."A hybrid LandCruiser has been of part of Toyota Australia's strategy to electrify its model lineup by 2030."There are no plans to announce today, but we have a goal and that is to reduce our carbon footprint by 90 per cent on 2010 levels. So, to achieve those types of results globally, we have to play a role, and of course at some point over the next decade all our models, well maybe not all, but the majority will have some form of electrification," Toyota Australia's Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley, told CarsGuide previously.But the company executive has long-vowed that capability and dependability will remain at the core of the LandCruiser story, no matter what is powering it.“What I would say to our loyal LandCruiser owners is one thing they can be sure of whatever we do with LandCruiser in the future is we will make sure that car is every bit as capable and lives up to the legend that is LandCruiser in the future regardless of powertrain,” he said.“We will move as we have to move, but we will never bring a LandCruiser to market that is not capable of doing the things that people want it to do – because LandCruiser is an icon. One thing we’ve learnt is don’t mess with the LandCruiser.”

Chery has detailed its first ‘global’ ute offering, the Rely 08 in China which seems destined for export markets like Australia.