Best electric cars

Australian new car buyers are searching for the answer to the extraordinarily high fuel prices, and they may have found the answer. 

Blame Jurassic Park.Ever since Steven Spielberg’s iconic dinosaur movie hit the big screen, everyone has been afraid of Raptors. And not just the dinosaurs, because despite it being more than seven years since Ford launched the Ranger Raptor, nobody has been brave enough to take it on.But there is an obvious brand that should. BYD needs to build its own apex predator — the BYD ‘Great White’ Shark 6.As we continue our summer series looking at the missing pieces from several big name brands, today we’re talking a look at BYD, because the Chinese brand has enjoyed significant growth in recent years and is looking for an even bigger 2026 with the arrival of the Atto 1, Atto 2, Sealion 5 and Sealion 8.There has also been a lot of talk about expanding the Shark 6 line-up, but so far only a ‘more premium’ version and some stripped out variants to appeal to fleet buyers. The brand has, like every other brand that makes utes, deliberately avoided specifically mentioning any direct rival to the Ranger Raptor.With good reason, the Raptor has become a new benchmark in the ute market - not only in terms of performance, both on and off-road, but also the money buyers are willing to spend on a ute.It is both a great concept and a well-executed one, with the second-generation Raptor a leap forward from the already-impressive original.So why should BYD be the first to truly take it on head-to-head? Because it already has the foundations for a proper performance ute. The plug-in hybrid powertrain already makes 321kW of power and 650Nm of torque, which is more than the 291kW/583Nm offered up by the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine in the Ranger Raptor.Of course, engine performance is only a part of the Raptor’s success, with the real difference maker being the incredibly effective suspension set-up. Ford has decades of off-road desert racing experience to draw on, but BYD clearly has plenty of resources. The fact the company created the Shark 6, and hit the mark so accurately it is already regularly amongst the best-selling utes each month, is proof of that.Make no mistake, I’m not suggesting this would be easy, but it would give BYD a true hero model that would have an impact on the overall brand perception and that will trickle down the entire range, all the way down to the Atto 1.Plus, Great White Shark is such a perfect name it would be a shame to waste it.

Best new cars coming to Australia in 2026

The electric car onslaught will continue in 2026 with the announcement of more than 20 new models in Australia.

BYD Australia has confirmed pricing and specifications for two of its smallest electric cars (EVs), and the entry prices are a shock.The 2026 BYD Atto 1 will start from a staggeringly low $23,990 before on-road costs, putting it amongst the likes of the Chery Tiggo 4, Hyundai Venue and Suzuki Swift in terms of pricing.It’s to be joined by the larger Atto 2, which will start from $31,990 before on-roads, still putting it on the competitive side of electric car pricing.BYD says both have undergone Australia-specific testing for suspension tuning and driver assist systems (ADAS).Built on the brand’s e-Platform 3.0 the two models feature different battery sizes and drivetrains, with two variants each consisting of different features and ranges.Both will arrive in showrooms for sale over the Australian summer, starting in December.2026 BYD Atto 1 standard features10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen7.0-inch driver displayDigital radioFour-speaker sound systemApple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless and USB)4G connectivity and Over-The-Air (OTA) software updatesUSB ports (Type A and Type C)Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming12V socketKeyless entry and startSplit folding rear seats (50:50)Tyre repair kitPremium adds:Wireless phone chargingAuto LED headlightsPower adjustable heated front seatFour-way steering adjustTinted privacy glassRetractable mirrorsSurround-view parking camera2026 BYD Atto 2 standard features10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen8.8-inch driver displayDigital radioFour-speaker sound systemApple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless and USB)4G connectivity and Over-The-Air (OTA) software updatesUSB ports (Type A and Type C)Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming12V socketKeyless entry and startSplit folding rear seats (50:50)Tyre repair kitPremium adds:12.8-inch multimedia touchscreenWireless phone chargingEight-speaker sound systemAuto LED headlightsPanoramic sunroofRoof racksPower adjustable heated front seatFour-way steering adjustTinted privacy glassRetractable mirrorsSurround-view parking cameraParking sensors

Subaru’s first electric car has been updated for 2026 as it struggles to find buyers in an increasingly competitive EV market.The 2026 Subaru Solterra, which shares the majority of its make-up with the Toyota bZ4X, comes with more power and range, as well as other tech updates.Importantly, it’s also the recipient of a significant price drop, despite the increased capability. It now starts from $63,990 before on-roads, which represents a $6000 price cut over the pre-update car.The higher-grade Solterra Touring now starts from $69,990 before on-roads, where it was previously a $76,990 ask - that’s a $7000 drop.It’s also significantly more powerful, with its total power output now 252kW as opposed to the 160kW its dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system used to offer.With a larger 74.7kWh battery, its WLTP-tested driving range is also up from 414km to 566km in the base model, or 517km in the Touring. Slightly more weight and bigger wheels (20-inch compared to the base’s 18-inch wheels) likely contribute to the shorter range.The Solterra has also been visually redesigned, with new bumpers, headlights, a new ‘grille’ shape, and new wheel designs giving it a significantly different look.Subaru is likely hoping offering more for a lower price will boost the Solterra’s sales somewhat. The electric car has sold just 142 units in 2025 so far, while the near-identical Toyota bZ4X is on 797.Solterra AWD:Dual Mode X-Mode with Grip Control Function18-inch alloy wheelsAutomatic, self-levelling LED headlightsLED tail-lightsPower mirrorsPuddle lampsPowered tailgate with new kick-sensorRoof railsNew synthetic leather seat trimHeated, eight-way power-adjustable front seatsHeated leather steering wheelDual-zone climate control14-inch multimedia touchscreen7.0-inch driver displayWireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlayDual wireless phone chargersUSB-C portsSix-speaker sound systemSolterra AWD Touring adds:20-inch alloy wheelsAuto-dipping door mirrorsPanoramic sunroofVentilated front seatsVehicle-to-load (V2L) 220V/1500W power outlet10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system *new features in bold2026 Subaru Solterra optional features Touring only - $1500Two-tone exterior paintNatural leather accented seat trim in blue and black theme2026 Subaru Solterra coloursAltitude Black Mica (NEW)Cosmic White PearlDark Blue Mica*Elemental Red Pearl*Smoked Carbon*Harbour Mist Grey Pearl**$660 cost-optional paintSRS airbags – dual front, dual front side, dual curtain and front seat centre plus new driver’s knee airbags3-point ELR rear seat belts Subaru Safety Sense featuring: Dynamic Radar Cruise ControlEmergency Driving Stop SystemEmergency Steering AssistLane Departure AlertLane Tracing AssistLow-speed Acceleration SuppressionPre-Collision SystemRoad Sign AssistSpeed Limiter Subaru Vision Assist featuring: Adaptive High-Beam SystemBlind Sport Monitor (BSM)Front Parking SensorsFront View MonitorPanoramic 360 Degree View MonitorParking Support BrakeRear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)Rear parking sensorsSafe Exit AssistMulti-Terrain Monitor Driver Monitoring System – featuring: Distraction warningDrowsiness warning Subaru offers a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with 12 months of roadside assist. Electric car batteries are covered for eight years or 160,000km, whichever comes first.Servicing is every 12-months or 15,000km, and Subaru offers capped price servicing with costs able to be confirmed at Subaru’s website.

After years of on and off when it comes to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) drivetrains, Mercedes-Benz Australia seems to have finally committed. The GLC350e SUV, a plug-in version of the brand’s biggest seller, is here to prove it, so we're taking a test drive.

Tesla may soon lose its best-selling EV crown to BYD.

Alfa's new entry-level model draws from the MiTo and Giulietta lineage and injects trendy crossover SUV cues with Jeep and Peugeot DNA. It's just arrived on Australian soil so it's time to see how it holds up.

Solid-state batteries might actually be closer than we think.New research from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and published in international academic journal Advanced Materials, shows a huge leap forward in the game-changing technology.Solid-state batteries are often touted as the silver bullet to mass electric car adoption and essential for battery powered utes, 4WDs and sports cars to become a reality.They are more energy dense, which means you can use smaller battery packs to deliver longer driving ranges, which helps reduce weight and boost efficiency. Solid state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid or gel found in current electric car batteries. This allows for rapid transfer of power between the cathode and anode.Solid-state cells are also less prone to fire, making them safer than conventional batteries.The Chinese researchers have managed to develop a new material that greatly improves the energy flow and stability of the batteries.The research said the new material improved the energy density by 86 per cent compared to conventional batteries.The paper does state that this new construction is still in the development stage and hasn’t been shown to work in mass production yet.Some of the carmakers working on solid-state batteries include: BMW, Chery, GWM, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Nissan, Toyota and VW.BMW and Mercedes-Benz have fitted the batteries to prototype vehicles, the others have not publicly confirmed any tests.Battery manufacturers and carmakers have had trouble developing the futuristic batteries at scale due to their complex nature.Hyundai Group's head of global product planning, Spencer Cho, told US publication Automotive News that the technology is more complex than many realise.“I don’t think we can commercialise these batteries before 2030,” said Cho.“There is a lot of uncertainty about the progress of solid-state batteries,” he said.It echoes similar comments made to CarsGuide last year by one of Audi’s senior drivetrain engineers, who said the technology wasn’t likely to be feasible for ‘everyday’ cars in the foreseeable future due to the minuscule manufacturing margins of error required.Toyota Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima also cast doubt on the tech earlier this year, too.“...development is always unpredictable. Frankly, there’s no telling if it will work out or not,” said Nakajima."I always take encouragement from Chairman Toyoda’s reminder that, ‘It’s okay to fail’.”Many carmakers claimed solid-state batteries would be in cars by 2025 or there abouts. It appears the science is harder than many thought, but the breakthrough cells are inching closer to a reality.