Car News
Xiaomi’s Range Rover rival priced
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By Tom White · 08 Sep 2026
Xiaomi has put a price-tag on its flagship large three-row hybrid SUV in China, after an extended teaser campaign.The Xiaomi SkyNomad N90 Max is priced at the equivalent of A$56,000 in its home market. The top-spec camper version, the Explorer Edition, priced at the equivalent of A$62,000.It comes shortly after Xiaomi’s new SkyNomad division also announced pricing for the slightly smaller two-row N70, which comes in at a slightly more affordable price-point of around A$55,000.If the SkyNomad range were ever to reach Australia, this would indicate pricing in the late-$60k or early $70k bracket once the roughly 20 per cent additional cost is added by the time Chinese vehicles hit Australian shores.Xiaomi racked up 10,000 orders for the N70 and N90 in just four minutes when they went on sale in China, according to the brand.The N90 buys into the mega SUV trend taking over the Chinese new car market. The hybrid flagship measures in at 5285mm long 1998mm wide and 1825mm tall, with an enormous interior-space maxing wheelbase of 3080mm.The N90 offers a six-seat interior layout, with front seats which are able to turn 180 degrees to face the rear. The second row captain’s charis and third row can also fold fully flat to facilitate a bed set-up.Both the N70 and N90 are range-extender plug-in hybrids, equipped with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine (112kW) and dual electric motors on each axle, producing 210kW at the front and 100kW at the rear. Xiaomi says it can sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds despite its imposing size.Under the floor is an EV-sized 76kWh battery pack, which offers up to 464km of pure electric driving range according to the more lenient CLTC measuring protocol. Maximum combined range is said to be 1705km, and fuel consumption once the battery is drained is rated at 6.3L/100km.The single N90 Max variant is also equipped with air suspension and continuously variable shock absorbers. For off-road ability it has several traction control modes for various surface conditions. Its approach and departure angles of 17.7 degrees and 18.8 degrees don’t come close to the current wave of boxy off-roaders from many rival brands, like the GWM Tank 500 or incoming GAC Yue 7. It has a good wading depth of 750mm with the air intake integrated into the bonnet.Aside from its interesting interior layout with a rail system for the middle row and rotating front seats, the N90 Max also features Nappa leather interior trim, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a 16.1-inch multimedia touchscreen, and a 20-inch holographic head-up display.There is also a nine-litre refrigerated compartment in the centre console, rear touchscreen control panel and a table fitting for the centre console. The Explorer Edition also scores a built-in pop-up roof tent, a 30-inch entertainment screen, a vanity cabinet built into the C-Pillar and underfloor heating with air conditioning ventilation for the roof tent section.Boot space measures 577-litres even with the third row deployed, or 1831L with it folded down.From the outside the N90 is available in seven colour choices, with three different 21-inch wheels.The N90 and its N70 relation take Xiaomi’s automotive arm in a new direction, opposite to the sleek performance of its smaller electric cars, the SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV. It is also a notably distinct direction from many rival brands, which have leaned more into the luxury SUV angle.In China at least, its primary rivals will include the XPeng GX, BYD Great Tang, and perhaps to a lesser degree, the Geely M9. It is at a lower price point than the more luxurious and performance-oriented Zeekr 8X/9X pair.With 10,000 orders in just four minutes, it seems the SkyNomad range will compound the brand’s production issues. While Xiaomi has had enormous success despite being limited to just China for the time being, delivering over 800,000 units so far, it has also attracted massive wait lists, sometimes measured in the hundreds of thousands of units.With new factory capacity coming online this year though, the company has managed to reduce its wait time from over a year to about 10 weeks for an SU7.According to Chinese media, wait times on SkyNomad orders at present are just one to five weeks with the brand building up stock to pre-empt a large initial order bank.In other recent Xiaomi news, the company has finally announced its plan to launch in markets outside of China, signing deals with dealer groups for a German launch in 2027.This gives the much-hyped brand a big step towards a more global footprint, although it remains to be seen whether this will include right-hand drive for markets like the UK and Australia.
Sales stumble for Ford Everest and Ranger
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By Tim Gibson · 07 Sep 2026
Ford’s two biggest names in Australia suffered huge sales declines in August 2026. The Ford Ranger sold just 2440 examples across two-wheel and four-wheel drive variants, equating to a more than 50 per cent drop compared to August 2025. This exacerbates an already challenging year for Australia's best-selling vehicle in 2025. It has sold 32,796 units so far in 2026 compared to 37,183 in 2025 - a near 12 per cent overall drop.Ford said it's a blip on the radar.The Blue Oval was forced to recall almost 14,000 Ranger examples built between November 2025 and July 2026 last month due to a potentially fault airbag.The brand held back deliveries of some of its vehicles to have the issue rectified, contributing to lower figures in August.A spokesperson for Ford Australia said its sales result in August heavily impacted by the temporary delivery and demonstration hold placed on some Ranger dual-cab variants as part of the airbag recall."The hold prevented Ranger Double Cab vehicles in dealer stock from being delivered during August," they said."As a result, Ford’s reported monthly volume was approximately 30% lower than anticipated for the month."The August figure primarily reflects the delayed timing of Ranger deliveries rather than a material change in customer demand."Ford’s Everest large SUV also had a tough August 2026, and was down almost 25 per cent compared to July 2026. Everest has had an even more steep decline on year-to-date data, with a more than 14 per cent drop up to August 2026.The Ranger has been a staple of the best-selling car charts over the past few years, consistently winning out in a tight wrestling match with the Toyota HiLux. August 2026 marked one of few occasions where the HiLux outsold the Ranger - and it has done so by some margin. The HiLux more than doubled the Ranger’s sales in August, registering 4833 units, having also toppled the Blue Oval’s ute in June, but by a smaller gap. Diesel ute sales are expected to only slow from here, so the Ranger will face a serious challenge to reclaim its place at the top of the charts in Australia. Increasingly stringent emissions regulations and the ongoing fuel price increases are having a material impact on the future of diesel utes in Australia, like the Ranger.The BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid was one of the only utes to experience a meaningful upturn in sales last month, with a near 10 per cent increase. Electrified utes like the Shark 6 have been eating into the sales of established diesel competition like the Ranger since it went on sale in late 2024. Ford sells a PHEV variant of its Ranger in Australia, and the local brand has been contacted to see how many units it sells compared to its diesel sibling. As emissions regulations continue to squeeze big CO2-emitting vehicles like the diesel Ranger out of the market, more hybrid and electric utes have entered the fray. New options include:KGM’s Musso is available as a fully-electric uteToyota offers an electric variant of the HiLux, mainly to fleet buyersGWM's Cannon Alpha is offered with a PHEV set-upJAC recently introduced its Hunter PHEV ute that will rival the BYD Shark 6The pair are soon to be joined by the Stockman diesel PHEV from CheryIt's not just Ranger that is facing more tough competition in Australia.The Everest must contend with a raft of new Chinese competition, including the GWM Tank 500 available in conventional hybrid, PHEV and diesel forms.
EV battery crisis on the horizon
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By Tim Gibson · 07 Sep 2026
Aussie EV owners could soon be facing a battery crisis.The world’s biggest battery maker CATL has warned shortened vehicle-development and validation cycles are leading to wide-scale electric car battery failures, according to reports. CATL Chairman Robert Zeng said China’s battery defect tolerances are too lenient for high-volume Chinese EV production. Chinese carmakers have launched more than 600 new vehicle models this year already, equating to almost three new EVs every day.Potentially rushed development processes could spell trouble for EV buyers down the line. CATL is calling for defect tolerances to only allow for up to 1000 defective cells for every one billion cells manufactured.Defective electric car batteries don't just stop a car from driving, but they can also give rise to other safety issues.The Chinese GAC Aion S was involved in a “banana battery” swelling issue in mid-2026, impacting 213,000 lithium-iron-phosphate examples, where batteries were physically bending. Australian GAC Aion vehicles use a different battery.This led to cell leakage, insulation faults and power system shutdowns while driving. Supplier CALB was forced to implement extensive quality reforms and inspection measures as a result of the controversy.It doesn’t take much for an EV battery to stop working, according to Zeng, who said packs are only as reliable as the weakest component. Just one defective cell can be detrimental to the performance and safety of the whole pack. There was a high-profile compensation claim from Geely subsidiary Viridi in early 2026, where it sued battery maker Sunwoda for 2.31 billion yuan for defective cells supplied from 2021 to 2023The pair eventually settled for 608 million yuan. EV battery reforms are on the agenda in Australia. A recent report from the Australian Automotive Dealer Network (AADA) called for serious changes to rules around EV battery replacements.The report warned of a “wave of litigation" when EV batteries need replacement outside of the warranty period because their cost could exceed the vehicle’s remaining value. One particular dealer said Chinese-built cars are “not holding their charge” or are “blowing up on fire”.It puts forward that manufacturers should be required to define acceptable battery thresholds or disclose the expected degrading of a unit. If a battery holds at least 70 per cent of its charge after eight years, it would be considered to be performing at an acceptable level, for example.
Nissan's new rugged SUV spotted
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By Jack Quick · 07 Sep 2026
A camouflaged prototype of what appears to be the production Nissan Terrano SUV has been spied ahead of its imminent reveal.The images were posted to Instagram by nissanarabian and show the white-painted production-specification prototype with varying levels of camouflage.What is clear is the Nissan badge on the front grille and the Terrano badging on the tailgate, clearly marking it as the production version of the new Nissan Terrano.Virtually all of the vehicle’s boxy SUV looks and design cues have carried over from the Terrano PHEV concept that was revealed in China earlier this year.One particular photo that shows under the bonnet indicates this Terrano features a combustion engine, indicating it’ll likely have a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) set-up, like the concept.It’s understood the Terrano will share a lot of components and its body-on-frame platform with the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro dual-cab ute.The PHEV set-up in the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro marries together a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor with total system outputs of 300kW and 800Nm. Depending on the battery pack, it can offer up to 135km of electric range, according to the lenient CLTC test cycle.It’s unclear whether any other powertrain options will be available in the Terrano. For reference, the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro is also offered with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol and 2.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.Beyond the boxy SUV exterior of the new Nissan Terrano, a photo of the vehicle’s interior can be seen.There is a large central touchscreen multimedia system, as well as the digital instrument cluster.There also seems to be a series of physical buttons on the centre console and the steering wheel.This version of the Terrano has what looks like a high-spec brown-and-black interior colourway. Other colours are also expected.While the Terrano nameplate has a long history with Nissan, this new version has been developed and will be manufactured in China with the Dongfeng Nissan joint venture.Many of these Dongfeng Nissan vehicles, like the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro ute, NX8 SUV and N7 sedan, have been developed with the Chinese market in mind. However, Nissan is currently ramping up the export of these Chinese-made models.At this stage Nissan hasn’t confirmed which of its Dongfeng Nissan models will be coming to Australia, however vehicles like the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro and NX8 have been earmarked.Nissan has confirmed the new Terrano is “intended for selected global markets”, however it’s unclear whether Australia is on the list. If it does come to Australia it will slot under the Y63 Patrol and be a more rugged successor to the US-made Pathfinder.
Safety truth of Australia's favourite cars
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By Tim Gibson · 07 Sep 2026
This is the real danger of utes and SUVs.For the longest time, sedans were the dominant player of the car market and held the majority of sales.Over the past 15 years though, the SUV revolution has been in full swing across the world, taking over from those sedans and hatches that previously dominated the sales charts.SUVs have higher bonnets than regular cars, making it more difficult for drivers to see over the top of, and presenting more deadly consequences for pedestrians when they get hit.When a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle with a lower bonnet, they often roll onto the top of the car.But, on vehicles with raised bonnets like SUVs and utes, pedestrians go under the vehicle, according to research conducted by The New York Times.SUVs and utes are by far the most popular cars in Australia, and research like this is not going ignored.Put simply: Bonnets are getting taller, increasing the danger to pedestrians.The study found that since 2009, the number of pedestrian deaths each year in collisions with vehciles has increased by an enormous 75 per cent. Between 200 and 400 pedestrians a year would have been spared if vehicles had stayed the same height, according to findings from the study.This is despite significant increases in on-board safety systems and software, with safety groups now placing significant emphasis on preventing accidents and not just how cars perform for occupants in crashes with other vehicles or stationary objects.As the top 10 best-selling cars in Australia are all either SUVs or utes, and this is something the local car safety watchdog is paying attention to. The Australasian New Car Assessment Programme (ANCAP) weighed in on the dangers of large pick-ups last year.“Larger vehicles pose a bigger threat to other road users than passenger cars,” ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said. “The best way to reduce the potential risk of fatalities and serious injuries from large vehicles is to make sure they do the best possible job at avoiding a crash.“There is community concern over the size of pickups when they are driving in suburban streets, around schools, and in built-up areas.”A spokesperson for ANCAP told CarsGuide the organisation would consider bonnet heights more closely as part of its safety comparison testing in the future.Transport for NSW have been contacted for comment on bonnet height and their impact on pedestrian safety, but has yet to provide a response.
Australia already has enough utes thanks
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By Stephen Ottley · 06 Sep 2026
It has become the great debate in the car industry - have we reached peak ute?Put simply, has the ute market hit its sales limit in terms of volume or can new models and variants attract new buyers to the segment? The answer to these questions is crucial to the future success or failure of some of Australia's most successful new vehicles, as well as highly anticipated newcomers.Looking at the data, it seems like there is a limit on just how many utes Australians are willing and able to buy. In 2025 the ute segment grew only 2.7 per cent over 2024, despite 12 new entrants from several new brands - including Kia, BYD, MG, Foton and GWM.Things have not improved in the first eight months of 2026, sales of utes remain down, especially in the 4x4 segment which has recorded an 13.6 per cent drop.This ‘peak ute’ debate began in January 2025 thanks to comments from then-Toyota Australia boss, Sean Hanley, who admitted he wasn’t confident that more utes arriving would equal more sales overall.“I’m not necessarily sharing a view that it's going to grow astronomically because of the new entrants,” he said. “It may, I could be wrong, but it’ll be interesting to watch.“Looking towards the future, we already know that the number of ute models available to Australian buyers will expand rapidly.“They’ll be competing for an overall ute market that is likely to remain steady, which suggests that the average sales per model will come down as a result.”However, Hanley’s comments have naturally created some push back across the industry, and Volkswagen is the latest brand to weigh in on the debate. Michael Cenci, Volkswagen Australia Product Manager for the Amarok, suggested that Toyota’s perspective on the ute market is driven out of concern for how the latest generation HiLux will perform, as it is an updated, rather than all-new model.Cenci was talking at the introduction of the new Amarok W600, the locally developed special edition of the German brand’s ute built in partnership with Walkinshaw Automotive Group.Positioned as a ‘driver’s car’ rather than an off-road-focused ute like the Ford Ranger Raptor, Mitsubishi Triton Raider and Nissan Navara Warrior, Cenci believes it gives the brand a chance to find clear space in the segment.“ It's a tricky question,” Cenci admitted. “I personally think that wasn't said from a position of strength. I think since that comment was made, there's been so much innovation in the segment, and so many new players, that I don't think you can honestly say that peak ute was reached three, four years ago, however long it was."There's always something new. There's always new avenues to explore. We're exploring one right now. We've created a zig instead of a zag, as you said. We're doing stuff that no one else is doing and that's what innovation in the space is all about. So I don't think we've reached peak ute.“In terms of sales numbers, and as you spoke about before, cutting the pie thinner and thinner. Maybe that's one perspective to look at it, but I don't think that was the intention of the comment. I think the comment was more to do with the actual vehicle offering itself. And I don't believe that's true, no.”Cenci is seemingly referring to the success of newer models like the BYD Shark 6, a plug-in hybrid ute from a Chinese brand with no history in the segment which has still managed to become a sales force. This could be interpreted as an opportunity for other brands to broaden their appeal by offering newer, more efficient powertrain choices than the traditional turbo-diesel engine.But it also explains Volkswagen’s attitude towards the Amarok, specifically the W600, which is designed to be deliberately different from its would-be competitors. “That's the exciting part of the automotive industry,” added Annette Moelhoff, Volkswagen Australia Senior Communications Manager. “It's ever-evolving, ever-changing. I don't think there is such a thing as peak because there's always fresh new ideas and innovative approaches like we've taken with the W600.”
Vehicle-to-grid in Australia explained
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By Tim Gibson · 05 Sep 2026
EVs are more than just cars in Australia.They can charge devices, power houses and even earn their owners money, as Australia's energy grid undergoes a once-in-a-generation transformation.Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) is the final step to fully unlock this potential for electric cars Down Under.V2G is a type of bi-directional charging, a technology that comprises vehicle-to-load (V2L), vehicle-to-home (V2H) and V2G.It allows an electric car to use its battery to send its power back into the energy grid, rather than just power external devices, or charge home batteries.V2G allows owners to charge up their EVs at cheaper times and sell it back to the electricity grid at more expensive times.Rooftop solar, of which Australia has some of the highest uptake in the world, can also be used to charge an EV effectively for free and transfer the stored electricity to the grid for pure profit, especially when an abundance of sunlight has home battery systems fully charged.V2G is not far away in Australia, but there remains roadblocks to its full-scale uptake. Many car manufacturer warranties do not support V2G use as they do not cover battery damage caused by third-party set-ups.Rapidly transferring energy on incompatible vehicles can cause substantial wear on the battery and cause other safety issues. There is also debate about which safety protocols V2G should abide by in Australia as the tech faces regulatory hurdles.The latest ISO 15118-20 protocol is deemed safer than the original ISO 15118-2 for example, but it will need longer to be fully implemented in Australia.Manufacturers are starting to alter their warranties and are undergoing extensive trials for the technology with electricity providers. We are likely to see a full-scale uptake of V2G in Australia within the next couple of years, as regulatory approvals and car warranties catch up, but there is still work to do to make them safer and more efficient. Hyundai and Kia are expected to prepare major announcements for the tech within the next few months.Some models already on sale with V2G capability may be able to use the technology via a software, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but it is unclear exactly which models will be eligible.The federal government has shown a keen interest in V2G as part of its energy policy and has recently committed substantial investment towards establishing a network through the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) which currently helps to fund other EV technologies like public DC fast chargers.
Toyota’s forbidden smash hit updated
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By Tim Gibson · 04 Sep 2026
Toyota has updated its smash-hit Crown hybrid in Japan. The Crown is one of the best-selling cars in Japan outside of the dominant Kei car segment. The Crown name cover a versatile line-up, available as a crossover, SUV, sedan and estate. It has launched as a crossover, with sport and sedan variants joining later in September followed by the estate towards the end of 2026. The Crown Crossover is generally bigger than the Camry and is positioned as a premium choice in the market.Crossover variants start from around 5.2 million yen, which is about $46,000, while the sedan starts from 6.2 million yen, the equivalent of less than $60,000. Crossover variants now receive red-coloured brake callipers, a dimpled leather gear shifter and a dimpled leather steering wheel.The steering wheel is heated and has touch-sensing functionality, and now features new paddle shifters. The sedan’s interior now has the option of a 13.2-inch OLED rear-seat display and 10-speaker premium sound system. Sport SUV variants have an updated interior trim that features new grey ditching and black switch surrounds for a slick feel inside. The Crown's interior also features a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen. The Toyota Crown is available with two conventional hybrid set-ups and a plug-in hybrid one in Japan.Hybrid set-ups for the Crossover include a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motor set-up, producing 254kW and 460Nm in all-wheel drive, as well as a 2.5-litre petrol electric motor unit, making 172kW and 221Nm in front-wheel drive. Toyota also offers a plug-in hybrid set-up in the Crown SUV spin-off that pairs a 2.5-litre petrol engine with two electric motors to offer a total system output of 225kW. Plenty of Toyota Crown examples are brought into Australia via grey importers, but its popularity has not been enough for the Japanese brand to consider offering it officially. Its luxury-pitched position would see it fall into direct competition with Lexus in Australia - Toyota’s own premium brand.The company's executives have previously poured cold water on the idea of the Crown range launching locally. "It's a beautiful car but it gets back to what's suitable for our market,” former Toyota Australia Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Sean Hanley told CarsGuide in late 2023. “We'd love to have everything, but it rationalises down to what services our customers better, and the commercial realities, too.”Sedans and to a degree station wagons are making a small comeback in Australia, with many Chinese automakers looking to exploit an increasingly ignored part of the market.New options coming soon for the mid-size wagon and sedan space include the Mazda 6e and Geely Emgrand, while Zeekr is set to offer its sporty electric 7GT wagon before the end of the year.BYD has already made an impact in the segment with its Seal 6 plug-in hybrid, while the Tesla Model 3 is largely credited with keeping interest in the bodystyle alive for many years, albeit in fully electric form.Whether these shifts in the market could make Toyota think twice about the Crown’s future Down Under remains to be seen.
Top areas for EV uptake might surprise you
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By Jack Quick · 04 Sep 2026
Electric vehicle (EV) sales are skyrocketing now in Australia largely thanks to novated leasing arrangements, and new data about the areas where the highest uptake is might surprise you.As it currently stands, EVs priced under the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold ($91,661) that are purchased under a novated leasing agreement are exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT).This type of leasing agreements use pre-tax earnings to pay for the vehicle payments, plus things like insurance, servicing, tyres and charging costs are typically bundled into the pre-tax payments. This brings down your overall taxable income.New analysis from the National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA) has revealed which postcodes in the first half of 2026 had the highest EV uptake with an eligible FBT-exempt novated lease.The overall top postcode with the highest EV uptake for eligible FBT-exempt novated leases in the first half of 2026 is Tarneit in Victoria, followed by Werribee, which is a neighbouring suburb in Melbourne’s west.The third highest suburb is Kellyville, NSW, followed by Marsden Park, NSW and Coombs, ACT.Here is a breakdown of the top 10 postcodes:Many of the listed suburbs with the highest EV uptake for eligible FBT-exempt novated leases in the first half of 2026 are notably on the outer edges of major cities like Melbourne or Sydney.Many are also predominantly working-class suburbs, or ones that are having a growth with new housing developments.In these suburbs, many residents will be facing long commutes to work, leaving residents more exposed to the cost of rising fuel prices and seeking more cost-effective alternatives.The following is breakdown per state:VictoriaNew South WalesQueenslandWhile plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) under the LCT threshold are no longer exempt from FBT when purchased through a novated lease agreement, EVs continue to be for now.However, this is set to end on all electric cars by March 2029.EVs priced more than $75,000, but below the LCT threshold, will no longer be eligible from April 2027. Instead they will have to pay 75 per cent of the FBT from that date.“The new rules will encourage manufacturers to offer more affordable and cheaper to run EVs in the Australian market,” said Treasurer of Australia Jim Chalmers and Energy Minister Chris Bowen via The Guardian in May 2026.“The current new vehicle efficiency standards have seen a dramatic increase in the availability of affordable EV models, so now is the right time to focus the FBT exemption on these cars.“We will continue to provide support for families who choose to switch to EVs as we transition to a permanent 25% discount on FBT for these cars.”
Study says common new car feature useless
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By Laura Berry · 04 Sep 2026
Passenger media screens aren’t appealing to most car owners, a recent report into new and emerging car technology has revealed.Screens in cars are the current big thing, and quite literally, too, with media displays growing larger. The Cadillac Optiq SUV for example has a 33-inch horizontal display. But we’re now in the era of front passenger displays, as well.Often found in more premium vehicles the dashboard integrated screen allows the front passenger to see and control media, sat nav and other functions including watching movies in some cases. Porsche’s Taycan features a passenger media display in a cockpit full of screens.A multitude of screens may look impressive but in reality owners of vehicles that had them found the technology unappealing according to a new report by United States automotive analysts JD Power. The JD Power 2026 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study reported that many owners of vehicles with passenger screens didn’t use them. “More than one-third (35 per cent) of owners industrywide who have a passenger screen say they have never tried to use it, while just six per cent say they use it every time they drive.” It was also found that vehicles with passenger media screens experienced more instances of technical problems.The study found the technology owners placed the most value in was often the kind that was integrated so well into the functions of the vehicle that it was barely perceptible other than making the driving experience better. JD Power Director of Customer Success Doron Hikry said, “The technology customers value most is often the technology they barely notice because it simply works.”“Smart ignition and smart climate control make everyday driving easier without demanding the driver’s attention, while more automation and additional screens don’t necessarily translate into a better experience. “For automakers, the opportunity is to prioritise technology that makes driving simpler, not more complicated. The features that solve real problems without adding effort or stress for the driver are the ones resonating most with customers,” he said.CarsGuide’s own reviewers have found similar results with proximity unlocking and smart ignition high on our lists of great technology. Low on our lists? Controls that were once accessed with physical dials and buttons being replaced by screens. We’re talking about climate control and sound system volume, especially.Regulators are keeping an eye on some of these features, with EuroNCAP and ANCAP considering expanding on physical control requirements in the future.A host of other frustrating features in many new cars like electronic doorhandles were recently banned by Chinese regulators, with the changes expected to flow through for cars sourced from China in our market.