Adventure

Mahindra isn’t going to be left out of the 4WD craze overtaking the globe, as it taps into its tough off-road heritage for a new Jimny-rivalling small off-roader. Design images Mahindra has filed with the Indian Patent Office preview a compact boxy 4WD frame, with all the hallmarks of something more capable than your average small SUV. Following in the footsteps of the Jimny, this new Mahindra model has short overhangs, a high ground clearance, an upright stance, and even a rear-mounted spare wheel and roof ladder accessory. It is expected to be less than four meters in total length, placing it firmly in small car territory. The design patent and recent sightings in the wild preview a production version of the Vision S concept, which Mahindra showed in August 2025 as part of its 2027 vision project. The patents adhere very closely to the design cues of the concept, suggesting the production car will be very true to the original look previewed in 2025, complete with the accessories the show car appeared with at the time. The car has also been spotted multiple times testing in India in the past few weeks, in closer-to-production guise, complete with proper wing mirrors. Images from spotted vehicles also show off a more tech-y interior than the Jimny, with large screens and a more modern design direction complete with fresh switchgear for the brand. Interestingly the spotted cars maintain a manual transmission (still popular in the Indian market), making it clear that it will continue to be offered with a more traditional combustion drivetrain, rather than a full hybrid system which generally requires a bespoke automatic transmission, or as a fully electric model. Inside, the small 4WD is expected to debut with Mahindra’s next-generation software suite, and it is also expected to launch with at least some of the modern active safety equipment it would need to pass the requirements for an Australian launch. Small cars like the Jimny, and other ultra compact combustion vehicles, tend to be limited in how well they can score in the local ANCAP testing regime. It is unclear whether this, or Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) emissions regulations, will put the brakes on the production Vision S for our market. As to what may power this boxy off-roader, Mahindra’s current engine family includes a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged unit in the more mainstream XUV 3XO, which is paired to a six-speed traditional automatic transmission. Producing 82kW/200Nm, it would be a suitable unit to challenge the Jimny. What we do know is Mahindra is on the cusp of a model range expansion for the Australian market, and has confirmed its upcoming Lifestyler dual-cab ute as a successor to its rugged Pik Up, which had a small but loyal following in Australia. The Lifestyler is expressly designed to be a mainstream rival to the likes of the Toyota HiLux and Mitsubishi Triton and is expected to use the related Scorpio SUV’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine. To offset these emissions-producing products, Mahindra is also expected to introduce its XEV 9e electric mid-size SUV before the end of 2026. The new model has already been spotted testing in Australia ahead of its arrival. As with the rest of Mahindra’s range, expect all models in this new product offensive to be competitively priced. While it may not be as headline-grabbing or as popular as Chinese competitors like Chery or GWM, Mahindra has enjoyed relative success since re-booting itself with cars like the XUV700, XUV3X0, and Scorpio 4WD. Expect to learn more about Mahindra’s new model plans for Australia before the end of 2026.

Isuzu has revealed a new bi-turbo-diesel engine in Thailand that features in both the D-Max ute and MU-X SUV. This 2.2-litre four-cylinder bi-turbo-diesel engine produces 150kW and 500Nm which is 10kW and 50Nm more than the current 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel that’s available in Australia. It also produces 30kW and 100Nm more than the standard single-turbo 2.2-litre diesel engine that’s also offered in Australia and replaced the 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel in 2025. Isuzu claims this 2.2-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine is five per cent faster in the 0-100km/h sprint and eight per cent more fuel efficient than the 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel under highway conditions. At this stage Isuzu Ute Australia has said this new 2.2-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine isn’t for Australia, but this may change in the future. “The newly announced 2.2L Bi-Turbo engine is currently specific to the Thai market,” said an Isuzu Ute Australia spokesperson. “Isuzu Ute Australia continually considers future product opportunities based on local customer needs, market conditions and regulatory requirements; however, we have no announcements to make regarding this powertrain for Australia at this time.” Isuzu only introduced the single-turbo version of the 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel in 2025, but this new bi-turbo version may replace the ageing 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel and it’s not only more powerful, but claimed to be more fuel efficient. Last year, Isuzu Ute Australia received credits with the Australian Government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), however it’s unclear whether it’ll do the same in 2026. Isuzu currently only sells diesel-powered vehicles in Australia with no electrification whatsoever. The company recently shelved plans to introduce the D-Max EV and has not announced any intentions to bring the mild-hybrid engine options available in other markets. In 2026 the CO2 emissions target for Type 2 vehicles, which includes both the D-Max and MU-X, under the NVES is 180g/km. This is set to reduce to 150g/km in 2027. The D-Max 3.0-litre is claimed to emit 204g/km, whereas the 2.2-litre single-turbo is claimed to emit 188g/km, both according to combined cycle testing. These are both above the 2026 threshold and will attract fines of $1200 and $192, respectively, for each vehicle imported. The brand has previously said it's looking to trade NVES credits with other manufacturers and attempt to share the extra cost between dealers, without increasing the asking price of its diesel-powered D-Max and MU-X.

Toyota in Japan has announced an official retro headlight kit for its Prado 4WD, via its Kinto factory upgrade arm. Not yet offered in Australia, Toyota Japan’s Kinto parts service offers an array of official aftermarket gear, and the latest allows Prado owners to swap the more modern square headlights as offered on Australian-market models for the retro-look round ones offered in other markets across the world. The kit costs ¥204,600 (AU$1856 at the time of writing), and is able to be applied to VX spec cars built from 2024 onward. Toyota says the round headlight kit “evokes the origins of the Land Cruiser” marque, and the kit includes installation and official Toyota warranty. While several grille designs are available on the Prado in the Australian market dependent on trim level, as well as a list of officially backed accessories like bullbars and bashplates, the round headlights have never been offered in Australia.  The USA makes the retro look available on some trim levels. Other upgrades for the Prado available through Toyota’s Kinto Factory aftermarket store include new themes for the digital instrument cluster (priced at ¥19,800 - AU$180), LED lighting for the tailgate, an improved app-based security system and a retrofit wireless charging pad. The Kinto Factory vehicle upgrade service is available on a wide range of Toyota vehicles in Japan, with services ranging from re-conditioning engine parts for the Toyota 86 to replacing worn steering wheels and even upgrading USB hubs to Type C. It is part of a wider-ranging push by Toyota to increase its income stream from existing owners. The Japanese giant wants to increase its post-sale income stream by up to 40 per cent by 2030.  Primarily, it seems, this will be generated by software upgrades and features in its latest-generation products, more than it will be from hardware accessories as is offered through Kinto Factory in Japan. The brand has earmarked over-the-air optional software features as a major source of future income stream, following in the footsteps of brands like VW, which has announced similar projects for its software division, or Tesla, which is currently generating income through optional software features like its controversial full self-driving feature. Toyota’s new CEO, Kenta Kon, has also detailed an array of cost-cutting measures which the company will apply to its new vehicles in order to cut down the time it takes for each model to reach its breakeven point for profitability. These measures will focus on areas like making door handles, headrests, wing mirrors and interior materials more standardised across models in order to reduce the company’s parts catalogue. Toyota also plans to increase the amount of recycled materials used in its cars to up to 30 per cent, and invest in modern gigacasting techniques for next-generation vehicles which have cut down costs for brands like Tesla. Toyota Australia has been contacted for comment on the brand’s range of official aftermarket parts for the Prado in Australia, and whether it is looking to expand on its accessory catalogue further in the future.

In a rare move, Toyota Australia is discounting its ever-popular HiLux ute, specifically via a $4000 ‘deposit bonus’ offer on new and demonstrator versions of the mid-range SR5 model. Unsurprisingly, there are several conditions applied, the primary one being that to qualify, the vehicle must be purchased through Toyota Finance, with a minimum $10,000 in the deal. Next, the offer applies to SR5s built between August 2025 up to December 2026 and excludes the dual-motor battery electric version. Private buyers as well as Toyota Bronze and Silver fleet customers are eligible, but a purchase connected to Toyota Finance Lease Products means the bonus is a no-go. And once you clear those hurdles, the vehicle must be ordered with finance applications received between 01/09/2026 and 31/12/2026 and settled by 28/02/2027. The 4x4-only HiLux SR5 line-up is currently listed from $69,901, drive-away (in NSW) for the Double-Cab Pick-Up, with the Double-Cab Cab-Chassis, featuring 48V ‘V-Active’ mild-hybrid power, topping the line-up at $73,952, drive-away. The HiLux was the fourth best selling vehicle in the country in September this year (4455 units), down 11.7 per cent on the same month in 2025 and more than 600 sales behind the market-leading Ford Ranger ute (5062 units). But Toyota Australia is pushing towards a big finish for the year, with increased supply of key models set to boost fourth quarter sales. Toyota Australia Vice President Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas said increased vehicle stock secured earlier in the year was continuing to flow through to customer deliveries. “In June, we announced we had secured additional arrivals of some of our most popular models. “Our customers continue to demand a broad range of vehicles that meet their needs and with our increased supply, we are targeting a very strong, record fourth quarter sales for 2026,” he said.

Chery’s International User Summit in its home city of Wuhu, China, has resulted in many surprises thanks to its many, many sub-brands, but the Chery brand’s own reveal night proved one of the more surprising. Beyond the AI-generated videos shown to attendees and the Chery-owning families who had been flown in to chat on stage in front of the crowd talkshow-style, the brand revealed two new models - an allegedly all-new 2027 Chery Tiggo 7 mid-size SUV, and a rugged version dubbed X7. As sure as we are it’s raised a few eyebrows at BMW HQ, the Chery Tiggo X7 also raised eyebrows in the theatre chosen as the venue for the event - it looks more like a (smaller) budget rival to the Toyota Prado or Land Rover Defender than the Toyota RAV4 it normally aims for. Little tangible information about tech or spec was given in the presentation, and the X7 currently has only a ‘coming soon’ page on the brand’s international website, but the model is apparently intended for a global audience, which means Australia should be on the cards given our importance to the brand. Chances are it will be available with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid drivetrain, and with the brand’s renewed interiors all seeming to get an upward move in terms of premium vibes, the new Tiggo 7 and X7 could easily cost a little more than the current hybrid model’s near $30,000 starting point before on-roads. Alongside the X7, the new Tiggo 7 was dubbed ‘all new’ but looks remarkably similar to the car it’s set to replace. Noticeable changes include tweaks to the front-end where the panels flank the now-recognisable Tiggo grille, a new LED headlight signature, and a new lower-lip shape. Inside, the interior step-up includes more premium features like massage seats and footrests, though an exhaustive list of changes hasn’t been published at the time of writing. It’s also unclear what exactly will power the Tiggo 7 (or its X7 sibling), given Chery’s move towards electrification. The current Tiggo 7 is available with a non-hybrid turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine or with a plug-in hybrid variant, also using a 1.5-litre turbo engine but with an electric motor drawing from an 18.3kWh battery. It’s unclear if petrol-only will remain an option for the cut-price RAV4 rival, but given Chery’s currently testing a new hybrid system with a 5kWh battery, it’s possible the end of Chery’s petrol-era is in sight.

Mitsubishi has worked wonders with one of its oldest engine families in the all-new Pajero, with the brand's "newly developed" diesel donk tracing its history back to 2015 and the Triton ute, which launched as the 4N15 engine. In that model, the 2.4-litre single-turbodiesel produced a then-impressive 133kW and 430Nm, but when the new Triton arrived in 2023, the engine code became 4N16, and two-stage turbocharging was added, upping outputs to 150kW and 470Nm. And now, in Pajero guise, the brand has returned to single turbocharging, though still managing to increase maximum torque to 480Nm. It's a decade-plus run for one of the brand's most well-known engine families, and it seems history will soon repeat with the Triton almost certain to adopt Pajero power from its next update. "It's a new generation of the 4N16, and the main thing is to be able to comply with Euro 6D regulations. And then also, the other reason that happened is to be able to pair that engine with the 8-speed transmission," says Rob Pinedo, Pajero Product Manager, who also confirms the same core engine has now powered two generations of Triton and one of Pajero. Asked whether the facelifted Triton would feature the same engine, Mr Pinedo replied: "That may happen". "There's going to be a point in time where every car you sell, every new car you sell, then has to comply with Euro 6D," he says. If that engine sounds like the one old-fashioned part of the Pajero story, it shouldn't. After a brief off-road drive we felt the combination of a smooth eight-speed transmission, what must be a ton of insulation and sound-deadening, and the light bump in torque makes the Pajero's engine feel far fresher and more smooth than even the dual-stage turbo equivalent in the Triton. It's a big moment for Mitsubishi in Australia. The brand hasn't had much to crow about in the past few years, but the return of the Pajero nameplate is a significant moment. "I've been working for Mitsubishi for 35 years, and I'm very much a Mitsubishi person," says Shunichi Kihara, Mitsubishi Australia CEO.  "Therefore, to see the return of this iconic name in our lineup is super, super exciting. And the product itself is also very encouraging. We believe that Pajero has a lot of strengths and features and character, so having this iconic name with that level of product competitiveness is a very, very exciting moment."

Ford will upsize the V6 engine the regular Ranger receives in the USA, though it won't be coming to Australia. As reported by Autoblog, the standard, non-Raptor version of the Ford Ranger will be gaining a larger and more powerful 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine. This will reportedly replace the 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6 petrol engine that’s optional on certain Ranger grades in the USA. A Ford Australia spokesperson has confirmed the core Ranger line-up will remain diesel-only in Australia, excluding the Ranger Hybrid and Ranger Raptor. The US-specification Ford Ranger is produced domestically, whereas the Australian-specification models are produced in Thailand. In the US this standard Ford Ranger with the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine will be paired exclusively with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. This mirrors the Ranger Raptor. The exact power and torque figures haven’t been confirmed yet. It’s unclear whether they will remain unchanged from the Ranger Raptor, or if the engine will be detuned. For reference, the 3.0-litre EcoBoost V6 engine produces 292kW and 583Nm in the Ranger Raptor. The standard 2.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine is set to continue in the US, especially in the entry-level XLT trim. No turbo-diesel or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain is offered in the US, like it is in Australia. In the US the Ford Ranger receives a few other specification changes for the new model year. These include blue badging instead of black, updated alloy wheel options, revised front and rear fascias, new exterior paint colours, the availability of a power-sliding rear window and tweaks to the off-road-oriented FX4 package. It’s unclear whether any of these changes will inform future updates for Australian-specification Ranger. Some of the aesthetic changes may eventually come. The Ford Ranger has been Australia’s best-selling car for the last three consecutive years and it appears to be on track to achieve this again in 2026. A total of 37,858 have been sold until the end of September this year, which is narrowly ahead of the Toyota HiLux (36,616).

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and Chery have confirmed the global plans for their joint-venture, the Freelander 8. The 2027 Freelander 8 has now been shown to international media in the global-market spec that will first make its way to the UAE, then to Australia and New Zealand, before it heads to Europe and the UK. The British-derived and Chinese-built model draws on the heritage of the original off-roading SUV from Land Rover, but is being developed and built in China with input from JLR. While not fundamentally different in many ways, the left-hand-drive (LHD) global specification features a 2.0-litre twin-turbo petrol engine paired with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system instead of the 1.5-litre engine range-extender EV drivetrain in China. With specifications for right-hand markets yet to be confirmed, Australian details for the Freelander, including its price, will be confirmed closer to its launch date. Given the timing laid out by Freelander International CEO Lucia Mao, Australia should expect details of the model sometime ahead of its Australian launch, which will follow the UAE’s Q1 2027 launch. The Freelander 8’s LHD global drivetrain boasts a 460kW/662Nm output that allows the large SUV to hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds. Clearly speed isn’t the goal, but the 110km electric-only driving range and its 886km total driving range with a fully charged battery and fuel tank (under CLTC testing) join what the brand calls a ‘world-first’ intelligent off-road system in a luxury adventure vehicle. Compatriot rivals like BYD and Geely have also used similar terms for describing their tech-forward off-road systems before. Its 34.12kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes or less according to Freelander, though again these specifications apply to the UAE with Australian details to be confirmed. Head of Freelander for Australia and New Zealand Kym Mellow spoke to international guests at the reveal of the global Freelander 8 in Wuhu, Chery’s home city in China. His short speech detailed two potential customers he spoke with about Freelander 8 who were looking for a more tech-forward off-roader. “They don’t want to give anything up,” Mellow said, “they want to keep the design and the capability they love and add the intelligence and comfort they’ve been missing.” The tech in the Freelander 8 is certainly a statement, with a huge 1.2-metre long 46.3-inch 8K LED screen and a 15.6-inch centre display in the front, as well as a 17.3-inch optional entertainment screen for rear passengers. Zero-gravity seat options, the choice of a five-seat or plush six-seat layout and the use of Nappa leather and real wood aim to make the cabin feel a step above other compatriot premium brands.

A new brand is edging closer to Aussie buyers.  Two models from Chery sub-brand Jetour have just been approved for sale Down Under.  The brand’s T1 mid-size and T2 large SUVs look likely to be Jetour’s first models to hit showrooms from 2027.  The pair will provide competition for two of the most fiercely contested SUV segments, tackling everything from the Toyota RAV4 to the GWM Tank 300. The T1 and T2 will be the newest affordable SUVs to hit the Aussie market.  The T1 is a size up on the hugely popular RAV4, with dimensions of 4700mm long, 1967mm wide, 1840mm tall and a 2800mm wheelbase.  It will be available with standard petrol and plug-in hybrid set-ups.  The petrol-powered model uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, producing 180kW paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.  Jetour has opted against selling the 125kW/270Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine variant available in other markets.  Plug-in hybrid grades are fitted with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that makes 255kW in front-wheel-drive guise and 430kW in the all-wheel drive.  Other details remain scarce at this stage, but buyers can expect more information ahead of their anticipated launch in 2027.  The T2 is 4827mm long, giving it similar proportions to the BYD Sealion 6 and the Kia Sorento, but it’s more adventure-focused than those rivals.  It will be a more direct boxy hybrid competitor to the larger BYD Ti7 that is strongly linked with an Australian arrival, with ‘Ti7’ already trademarked.  It will be a different rival to the strong-selling GWM Tank 300 as well. It uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 105kW and three electric motors, boosting power to 445kW. The car also has an electric 4WD system, giving increased off-roading potential, even if it rides on a car-based monocoque chassis. Approval documents don’t show the battery size in the T2, and it’s unclear whether it will receive the recently updated choices available. The T2 has just been updated in China with 27kWh and 45kWh battery options, offering driving ranges of 140km or 251km, calculated under generous CLTC standards. The previous generation T2 has 18kWh, 27kWh and 43kWh units, with an electric-only driving range of up to 161km (WLTP).   Jetour will launch in Australia in 2027, but the brand will reveal further details ahead of its arrival.  Buyers can expect these models to be available from an affordable price point, given the T1 starts from 110,000 yuan (about $A15,000) and the T2 from 140,000 yuan (A$29,000).  They are likely to be 20-to-30 per cent more expensive in Australia to account for import costs and other related taxes. 

Nissan’s new local boss has outlined the direction the brand will take in the face of increasingly strict emissions regulations and changing market forces. Nissan’s Managing Director for Oceania Steve Milette says the first priority for new models won’t be to simply meet emissions targets, but to provide products that customers are asking for. The brand has just confirmed it will launch the (already expected) Nissan Navara Pro PHEV ute in 2027, there’s also a new-generation Nissan X-Trail on the way for 2027. The pressure is on for Nissan to sell more efficient cars to customers, too, as it reached the second-highest place for NVES (New Vehicle Emissions Standard) fines in 2025, an amount totalling $10,763,050. CarsGuide asked if there’s a path out of the NVES challenges facing the brand and if a refresh of the brand’s line-up is on the cards as part of that. “In terms of product introductions, yeah, yeah, for sure,” Milette told CarsGuide. “We have a pipeline, a robust pipeline.” “We can't talk about the details of those products, but all I can say is, it's going to be positive for us because the product resonates with the needs of Australians, and especially from a diversity of powertrain.  “Not just the vehicles themselves and the segments they play in, but the diversity of powertrains.” With the new X-Trail and the Navara Pro, Nissan isn’t confirming a move into any new (or previously served) segments, meaning passenger cars may still not be part of Nissan's plan. “There's some dominant segments: medium SUV, obviously. The utility market, the ute market, is huge. And traditionally, we've been, you know, we've been pretty strong at the SUV segments in general, like from smaller to to Patrol size,” Milette said. “And so I think for us, you can expect that we're going to be introducing products in the big segments that really are aligned with our history in terms of what we stand for, like very capable SUVs, very capable four by fours, innovative in terms of powertrains.  “That's where we're going.” This could point to the Nissan Terrano plug-in hybrid 4WD, and several electric and range-extender or plug-in hybrid SUVs from China, such as the NX7 and NX8. This would give Nissan an answer to the Denza B5 4WD and Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid. Nissan’s new addition to the X-Trail line-up, a more efficient front-wheel drive version of the e-Power hybrid system, could be considered a move in the right direction for its daunting NVES fines, but Milette says that wasn’t the primary reason for it. “Two-wheel-drive e-Power is a positive contributor to NVES, but its main purpose is to meet a need of the market,” Milette told CarsGuide. “I mean, 25 per cent of the sales in Australia so far this year are hybrid. Half of those are two-wheel drive, so we've only participated in half of that.  “So I think from a consumer preference, now we're in all of that segment.” “But from an NVES perspective, I think the north star is that as a brand we become self-sufficient… the portfolio that balances the negatives with the positives, if you will.” If Nissan sells more low-emission hybrids and electric cars, it will reduce the total amount of fines brought on by its ‘dirtier’ models like its Navara ute and its petrol SUVs. For reference, its second place ($10,763,050) in the 2025 list of brand fines saw it behind Mazda’s whopping $25,425,850 but well ahead of Subaru's $6,981,750. “But until we get there, we're well aware that we'll have to trade for credits, and there are published numbers. Like you saw, it was a public number in 2025.  “All I can say is that that's not the real cost.” Brands that find themselves with credits (likely through selling mostly EVs) rather than fines can agree to sell those credits to brands that have racked up fines, though Milette didn’t specify where those credits would come from. “For us, it's ‘what does the consumer want?’ We have a very powerful brand in Patrol as an example. If consumers want to buy Patrols, and they do, we're going to sell them Patrols. “No matter what the NVES impact there might be.”