Adventure

The Denza B8 introduces a luxury plug-in hybrid to the upper-large SUV segment but does it make enough of a splash to stand out against its heavy-hitting rivals?

If you were considering a new American ute from one of the brands doing factory-backed conversions here in Australia, you might be about to save yourself some money.This is the new Ram 1500 Express Black Edition, and the brand reckons it’s so affordable people might even consider it over a top-end mid-size ute.If you’re in the market for a proper big ute and you want to spend less than $110,000 before on-roads, this is your only factory-backed option. But not by much, in fact it sneaks in by just $50.The Ford F-150 XLT is $5000 more expensive before you jump twenty grand to the Chevy Silverado.But there is a decent list of features given you’re still paying six-figures for what would be a work ute in the US.There’s LED headlights and fog lights, 20-inch wheels, spray-in bed liner for the tub, and the ‘Power Bulge’ sports bonnet.Inside, an 8.4-inch touchscreen is smaller than you get in the rest of the line-up, as is the 7.0-inch driver display. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a six-speaker sound system keep entertainment covered, and there’s cloth seats, unlike other variants.An electric rear window, damped tailgate, remote start, and a decent set of safety kit including collision alert, auto emergency braking (AEB), rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keep aid ensure the 1500 Express feels current decade.No prizes for guessing what colour a lot of the trim on the Black Edition is. The grille, the badges, the exhaust tips, the wheel covers, even the body paint.You can get the Express Black Edition in red, white, or blue - very American - as well as grey, silver, and of course black.It doesn’t look much like a base model from the outside, especially with the aforementioned ‘Power Bulge’ bonnet. But a little giveaway is the plastic covers on the 20-inch alloys, which are actually alloy wheels but the covers are there for the looks.Another giveaway is the cloth trim inside. That and the smaller screens are pretty noticeable compared to other variants of the Ram 1500.That’s not to say it looks ‘cheap’, especially when I couldn’t reach the passenger door from the driver’s seat even if I wanted to.The central storage bin and additional trays for storage means it's less cupholder and more ‘mealholder’. It really is an interior so spacious the European mind could not comprehend.Even if the screens aren’t as big as other variants, the tech is straightforward and phone mirroring means not having to mess around if you prefer your own apps and settings. The more basic driver display is probably preferable for people who don't want big screens everywhere.Also, the more old-school, manually adjustable seats are comfortable and finding a seating position is easy. The cloth itself is also preferable to leather when it gets hot.The rear seats are similarly very comfortable and there’s no shortage of space, plus if you need more room than the tub will afford you there’s the option of folding up the rear seats for some interior space.At the back, there’s even a little kick-down step for easier access to the tub if you need to reach the tie-down points or grab something out without climbing in.The Ram 1500 also retains its 4.5-tonne towing capacity with the Hurricane engine as long as you use a 70mm towball, and the engine itself feels like it’s certainly up to the task.It’s a 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six unit that makes 313kW and 635Nm, sent through its eight-speed torque converter auto to the rears, or all four wheels if you engage the part-time 4WD.It comes with a fuel consumption claim of 10.7L/100km from Ram, and on our short test loop we averaged 12L according to the computer.The new engine is also more powerful and torquier than the 5.7-litre V8 it replaces (291kW/556Nm) and, while there is just something ‘correct’ about the sound of the Hemi V8 as you put your foot down in previous 1500s, the six is no slouch.There's little lag from its turbochargers and the eight-speed gets to work quickly making the most of its ratios, while the power and torque on tap is enough to grant 100km/h in what feels like about six seconds.In terms of steering and cornering, the Ram 1500 doesn't quite feel its size and weight, and holds relatively flat around bends for something at 2.5 tonnes.There's no massive dead spot in its steering, and while it's relatively light it doesn't entirely lack feel or accuracy.Even its brakes do a pretty good job of pulling the giant ute up if you find yourself needing to avoid disaster.On that, it’s got six airbags for passengers but it’s also worth noting that, as a light-commercial vehicle, the 1500’s ANCAP rating is ‘gold’ rather than a star rating, denoting 70 per cent performance. When it comes to safety, ANCAP ranks it higher than the Toyota Tundra and Chevrolet Silverado.There’s a three-year, 100,000km warranty but no capped-price servicing, with intervals every 12 months or 12,000km. It’s not only a bit behind the industry standard there, but also rivals like the Ford F-150 and the Tundra that beat it with five-year warranties.

China’s GWM has revealed more details and imagery of its updated Tank 300 for the domestic market.As reported by Car News China, a highlight of this update is a longer wheelbase that was previewed by the Tank 300 Hooke Edition prototype that was revealed at the 2025 Shanghai motor show.The location of the front axle has been moved forwards, plus the front overhang has been trimmed, improving the approach angle.According to Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filings, this updated Tank 300 measures in at 4886mm long, 1984mm wide and 1927mm tall, with a 3010mm wheelbase.This makes it 126mm longer, 54mm wider and 24mm taller than the current model.Unlike the Hooke Edition prototype, which had a solid front axle, it’s understood the production version of this updated Tank 300 retains a front double wishbone and a rear multi-link suspension set-up.Another major change is the powertrain options. In addition to the Hi-4T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option that retains a mechanical four-wheel drive system, a new Hi-4Z PHEV option, which is more electric-centric, is being introduced with this update.Full details haven’t been confirmed yet, but GWM claims it has a 60kWh battery allowing up to 200km electric range, according to an undisclosed testing cycle.For reference, the current Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV has a 37.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers up to 115km of electric range, according to NEDC testing.It’s understood this new Tank 300 Hi4-Z PHEV will share a lot of its componentry with the Tank 400 Hi-4Z PHEV.It has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors with a total system output of 635kW and 1195Nm, along with a 60kWh battery pack offering up to 200km of electric range.It’s expected the rest of the current powertrains will carry over. These include a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, as well as a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol.In Australia only the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engines are offered, in addition to the Hi4-T PHEV powertrain.A change the imagery reveals is an altered front fascia. There’s a new grille with Tank lettering, as well as more pronounced recovery points, though it’s unclear if they’re functional.A LiDAR pod can be seen on the roof, indicating that semi-autonomous driving technology may be coming.We're yet to see any imagery of the interior, so it's unclear if there have been any changes.It’s understood this updated Tank 300 will be going on sale in China on July 6 and it’s unclear if or when it will be available to export markets, including Australia.

We might just have seen the first car from an Australian-bound budget 4WD brand.iCaur is due to land in Australia in 2027 as yet another sub-brand under the Chery umbrella and it could debut with this boxy hybrid SUV.Range-extender (REEV) variants of the Jaecoo 6T have launched in the right-hand drive market of Thailand, which could be its final step before entering Australia.The SUV is called the iCaur 03 in most other markets, despite being sold under the Jaecoo banner in Thailand. The iCaur brand remains a developing situation in Australia, with all models still under consideration, but the availability of so many variants of the iCaur 03 now in right-hand drive bolsters its chances of being a shoo-in for Australia. We can expect more details on the incoming brand towards the end of the year. As a segment-bending small SUV, the iCaur 3 would be an off-road focused alternative to the Chery Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid or serve as a closer theoretical rival to the Renault Duster with its off-road aspirations. The iCaur 3 is currently available with (REEV) and all-electric set-ups, available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive.The REEV gets a 1.5-litre petrol engine responsible for charging the battery, along with an electric motor set-up to drive the wheels. The RWD produces 185kW/300Nm, while the 4WD produces 315kW/505Nm. Acceleration from 0-100km/h can be as fast as 5.5 seconds. Both cars are fitted with a 34kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery. It offers a fully-electric driving range of up to 190km for the 2WD and 160km for the 4WD, according to more generous NEDC standards. Total driving range for the 2WD is 800km, while the 4WD has 750km, also according to NEDC. The EV also has 2WD and 4WD offerings, with single and dual electric motor set-ups.It has boxy proportions, with a separate horizontal and vertical rectangular headlight design, and is available in a standout yellow paint job. On the inside, it has a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 9.2-inch digital driver display.It also has wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.Stay tuned on more about iCaur with more information on the brand set to be revealed before the end of this year.

Jeep is on the receiving end of a big push back into the European market with potential flow-on benefits for Australia.As part of the Stellantis group’s Fastlane 2030 strategy, which includes introduction of more than 60 new or redesigned vehicles globally by the end of the decade, Jeep says it is committed to expanding its European range to six models within that timeframe.There are 14 core brands under the Stellantis umbrella - Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroën, Dodge, DS Automobiles, Fiat, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram and Vauxhall. Stellantis has confirmed it will collaborate with its “historical partner” in China, Dongfeng to create a 51 per cent Stellantis-owned European joint-venture - Dongfeng Peugeot Citroen Automobile (DPCA) - incorporating distribution, engineering, sourcing and capacity sharing.Among new models for other Stellantis subsidiaries, the Stellantis/Dongfeng JV will produce two small Jeeps underpinned by the ‘STLA One’ platform for sale in China and other regions.That regional focus in Europe will be supported by production at the Stellantis Rennes plant in Eastern France, with domestic examples and other exports covered by the existing Dongfeng Peugeot Citroën facility in Wuhan, China. Thanks to ever-tightening emissions standards in the eurozone, larger Jeeps like the Grand Cherokee SUV and Gladiator pick-up were dropped there in 2024, with the Wrangler departing last year to leave the Avenger compact electric SUV (Jeep’s best seller in Europe) and Compass internal-combustion and hybrid crossover as the only models offered.Speaking at a media roundtable last week, Stellantis Head of Jeep, Ram and Dodge Brands - Enlarged Europe Fabio Catone said, “Small SUVs have been Jeep’s strength in Europe since we launched the Renegade in 2014, and we will expand with two additional models that will be larger than the Avenger.” Catone confirmed that before the Euro manufacturing ramp-up begins, next year Jeep will launch the Mexican-built mid-size Recon EV SUV (just released in the USA) in Europe.It will be followed in 2028 by the first co-developed newcomer, a small plug-in hybrid SUV. Stellantis Head of Jeep Product Marketing - Enlarged Europe Fabio Carli said the two small SUVs will have multiple powertrains including full-hybrid four-wheel drive variants.Previous reports suggest the large Wagoneer S electric SUV won’t appear in Europe with the smaller, likely Hemi V8-powered, Scrambler ute (due to bow in North America in 2028) also a scratching thanks to its predictably high emissions.The new SUVs could prove a boon for Jeep in Australia with local sales currently confined to the Avenger, Gladiator and Wrangler (with the last examples of the long-discontinued Grand Cherokees currently trickling out of showrooms).Not only are year-on-year sales down a massive 66.2 percent to just 296 units to the end of May (and the same period in 2025 was in turn down 20.8 per cent on 2024), tightening New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) targets will continue to impact the brand’s internal-combustion models and overall profitability.Smaller electrified SUVs sourced out of China would surely release some NVES pressure and offer potential Jeep buyers cleaner, more affordable options. 

Chery sub-brand Jetour has detailed its Chinese F700 ute, which is a spin-off from the Stockman diesel-hybrid due to launch in Australia.Sporting tough and angular styling a little different from the rounded-headlight look of the incoming Chery ute, the Jetour F700 shares the same newly-developed and hybrid-first platform and underpinnings.Unlike the Stockman, which will launch with a diesel hybrid powertrain specifically designed to set it apart in the Australian market, the F700 will use a 2.0-litre petrol plug-in set-up instead.The F700’s 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine produces 155kW/340Nm and is expected to follow in the footsteps of the G700 SUV that came before it. This means maximum combined power could be as high as 665kW/1135Nm.This could preview the future petrol plug-in hybrid version of the Stockman, which is due to launch in Australia in 2027.The space between the front and rear axles will be taken up by an Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which maximises EV range over mechanical capability. The related G700 SUV has an electronic front and rear differential, with a software-simulated centre differential.If the F700 follows in the footsteps of the G700, it will use a 34.1kWh battery pack. In the G700 this grants it a 150km EV-only driving range and a 1400km combined driving range according to the CTLC standard. Jetour confirmed via its social media that the F700 will have a 1300km driving range and a combined fuel consumption of 1.39L/100km.While it appears the F700 will also use independent coil-sprung rear suspension instead of a solid rear axle, data filings with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information technology confirm it will have a towing capacity of 3500kg.The new ute’s interior hasn't been fully revealed, but one teaser image shows a far more tech-heavy cabin than the Stockman. It features a large 15.6-inch central screen, and a second dash-topping panel which extends the entire length of the vehicle, acting as both an information screen and a digital instrument cluster.We know it will have wheel sizes of either 18- or 20-inches and an 800-volt electrical platform, which supports ultra-fast charging with confirmation of a V2L system.Jetour is expected to launch in Australia in 2027, although its range of boxy off-roaders will be distributed separately from its Chery parent company, which includes the Omoda, Jaecoo, and Lepas sub-brands.It will directly compete with GWM’s Tank and Cannon brands, with its products also squaring off against BYD’s smash-hit Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute and the related Denza B5 SUV.Stay tuned for more on Jetour as the brand gears up for an Australian launch. It has been hiring staff locally for some months.

First there was the Toyota LandCruiser 300, now there’s the Geely Galaxy Cruiser 700 - a large off-road plug-in hybrid SUV from the Chinese giant that could monster its old school rivals with leading edge tech, comfort and all-out grunt - oh, and it has an amphibious mode, too.We saw the Galaxy Cruiser 700 (sometimes called the Battleship 700) in concept form in 2025 at the Shanghai motor show and now the hybrid LandCruiser rival has had its final design, which doesn't stray far from the previous concepts, revealed in new images.It will launch domestically this year and it could be on its way to Australia in 2027.Big, boxy and with more than a hint of Land Rover Defender about it, the Galaxy Cruiser 700’s dimensions are almost identical to the LandCruiser 300 at 4893mm long, 2028mm wide and 1957mm tall.The big difference is in the wheelbase with the The Galaxy Cruiser almost 100mm longer at 2930mm - how this affects the vehicle’s all important breakover angle is yet to be seen.The Galaxy Cruiser 700 does have an impressive 300mm of ground clearance, a wading depth of 800mm and an amphibious mode allowing it to float.A plug-in hybrid powertrain will produce a colossal combined 830kW and feature two motors on the rear axle and one on the front.The Galaxy Cruiser 700 is also likely to feature Geely’s latest self-driving tech allowing it to pilot itself autonomously on urban roads and motorways. CarsGuide has asked Geely Australia if the vehicle is being considered for a local launch and will update this story if more details come to light.If the large SUV does come to Australia, it will likely be sold as the Geely Cruiser 700. The Galaxy badge is only used in China to denote a separate sub-brand of Geely.Geely is currently experiencing a boom in popularity in Australia with its affordable electric and hybrid vehicles. The brand sold 2636 vehicles in May this year, an increase of 416 per cent on the same month last year. Year to date sales for the brand in Australia have already reached 6440 units, exceeding its total 2025 result of 5010 sales.Geely’s fully electric EX5 mid-sized SUV has been one of the brand’s hits with 1814 sales in May. It has become one of the top-selling electric cars in the country in 2026.The brand currently has only one other model on sale - the related Starray EM-i, a plug-in hybrid that’s selling well too, with 822 sales for May.A smaller EX2 hatchback to rival the BYD Atto 1 will arrive later this year.

The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker AWD Touring is the flagship version of this electric SUV line-up in Australia.It’s now priced from $69,990, before on-road costs, following a $4000 price cut it received before its arrival.This flagship version is priced identically to the related Toyota bZ4X Touring which is only offered in a single, range-topping trim.It’s still priced competitively against many rivals like the Skoda Enyaq, Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4 and Zeekr 7X. There are cheaper rivals out there 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 488km, according to WLTP testing, which is notably less than the entry-level model due to its larger 20-inch alloy wheels.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, 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, dual wireless chargers, a digital rear-view mirror as well as blue and black leather-appointed 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.

An affordable 4WD has been given some special edition flair in Australia. Suzuki has confirmed the Jimny Rhino will launch Down Under as a special version of the XL five-door small off-roader.It will start from $44,990 (before on-road costs), which makes it $4000 more than the current range-topping five-door variant. The news comes after the brand opened an expressions of interest portal for the car last month.The Jimny Rhino features “Kinetic Yellow” exterior paint work, which is usually a $1345 option for the three-door variants of the car.The exterior look features painted black and grey stripes along the sides with an image of a rhino on the front doors.The roof is painted in a shiny black colour, giving a two-tone effect. The Jimny Rhino rides on 15-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, with a different design to other Jimny models. Satin silver panels and air vent surrounds continue the new design elements inside the cabin. There are black leather-wrapped door handles with yellow stitching and a ‘Rhino' logo.Customisable interior footwell lighting has eight different colours, including Kinetic Yellow.The Jimny Rhino further receives an upgraded premium Pioneer sound system.The car also comes with a range of accessories, such as a large portable speaker and metal presentation box for the key. It will continue to be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 75kW and 130Nm. The Jimny Rhino will be available with a manual and automatic transmissions like the rest of the Jimny range. The Jimny is Suzuki’s best-selling model in Australia, offering a cheap and compact off-roading alternative to the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol.It lines up as a rival to the also budget-oriented GWM Tank 300, starting from $47,990 (drive-away). Suzuki’s Aussie special edition Jimny mirrors the brand's other global markets in introducing Rhino versions of its models. Order books for the Jimny Rhino are now open, with deliveries beginning on the 1st of July.  

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.