Cars

Mini's JCW is synonymous for making hardcore versions of the brand's small cars, but does the new Cooper Convertible fare with the hardcore treatment?

Toyota says its new RAV4 Hybrid – and its plug-in hybrid sibling – will be Australia's best-selling vehicle, out-selling the new Mazda CX-5, the Ford Ranger, and all other comers.

A former family favourite has landed with an electric revamp.Renault has announced pricing and specifications for its revived Scenic, which re-joins the Aussie market as an all-electric SUV. The five-seat SUV will start from $55,990, before on-road costs.The car will have several all-electric rivals when it lands in Australia, but it's been competitively priced compared to some alternatives.It will directly rival BYD’s Sealion 7, which starts from $54,990, before on-road costs and the Zeekr 7X, starting from $57,900.  In terms of dimensions, it's more inline with smaller fare like the MG S5 small electric SUV.This tight pricing comes off the back of the brand shaving $10,000 off the price of its Megane E-Tech only months after Renault launched it in Australia last year. Car warranty: five-year/100,000km - Battery warranty: eight-year/160,000km.The Scenic E-Tech's single electric motor in the entry-level variant transfers 125kW and 280Nm to the front wheels and can shift the car from 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds. The more powerful motor available in up-spec models trims that standard sprint time to 7.9 seconds, producing 160kW and 300Nm. The car has three optional paint choices which are metallic ($800), two-tone ($1000), and matt ($1200), which is exclusive to the range-topping variant. The last Renault to wear the Scenic badge left the market about 15 years ago, but it was a small, five-seater boxy MPV. Deliveries on the new Scenic E-Tech will begin later this year or early next year, with the top-of-the range Esprit Alpine launching before other model variants. Six-speaker sound systemApple CarPlay and Android AutoWireless phone charger12.3-inch digital driver’s display12-inch central displayAuto-folding door mirrorsAuto-dimming rear-view mirrorPower tailgateHeated steering wheelHeated front seatsCloth upholstery19-inch alloy wheelsEsprit Alpine EV87 getsInfrared windscreenMetal pedal coversSynthetic leather and cloth seat trim with Alpine stitchingMemory seatingMassaging driver’s seat9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system20-inch alloy wheelsAlpine badgingFacial recognition for seat and mirror settingsThe new Renault Scenic E-Tech has not been crash tested yet. 2026 Renault Scenic E-Tech safety features: Blind spot assist360-degree cameraAdaptive cruise controlSpeed sign recognitionRear cross-traffic alertFront, side and rear parking sensors

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

The Ford Transit Custom Trail is priced at $61,990, putting it below the electrified Transit Customs but above most of the diesel-powered range. In target-market terms it’s also somewhere between the two camps, and broadens the Transit Custom’s appeal by offering a blank canvas for a camper or mobile-home conversion.To achieve that, it uses the long-wheelbase Transit Custom platform and teams that with the conventional turbo-diesel, front-wheel-drive layout. The major difference is that the Trail rides about 30mm higher on revised springs and All-Terrain tyres, features underbody protection and, crucially, offers all-wheel drive for more go-anywhere ability.The cabin reverts to a two-seat layout (rather than the optional three-position bench) and the vehicle’s delivery van’s roots mean it’s practical and logical with lots of storage areas, charge points and easy access.The rear section is the real opportunity for personalisation, and its pretty easy to see how the large, long space could be turned into rolling accommodation. The only real limits are the owner’s imagination and the sub-2.1 metre overall height that keeps the Transit Custom underground car-park-friendly.Six airbags including front, side and side curtain are standard and the Transit Custom Trail also boasts the latest driver aids including auto emergency braking (AEB), lane-keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, a 180-degree rear camera system and on-board tyre pressure monitoring.Servicing is every 12 months or 30,000km and the Transit Custom is covered by Ford’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty as well as eight years/150,000 on the PHEV battery. Capped-price servicing is also offered.

One brand sticks with 'no replacement for displacement' philosophy.

GAC to launch with feature-packed small SUV

Has two months in the Skoda Kodiaq Sportline changed the Berry family's mind about this seven-seat SUV?

Hyundai appears to have listened to feedback and tweaked the design of its polarising Santa Fe seven-seat SUV, according to new spy footage of the yet-to-be-revealed update.The news comes via the Korean Car Blog website and the Woopa TV YouTuber who recorded footage of the upcoming Santa Fe testing and parked. While the new Santa Fe shown here is wrapped in padding to camouflage the new design, the small open areas that allow headlights and tail-lights to shine through reveal some big differences.The biggest news seems to be that the controversial horizontal low-sitting tail-lights have been redesigned to be vertically orientated, skirting the edges of the vehicle's tailgate running upwards.At the front it also appears the headlights and daytime running lights have also been restyled. Gone are the H-shaped LED DRLs and in their place appears to be horizontal and vertical strips similar to what's seen on Kia models such as the EV9. The headlights are now rectangular and sit lower, just above the top of the bumper.For now those are the main expected changes we can see to the updated Hyundai Santa Fe.The fifth-generation Santa Fe arrived in Australia in early 2024 and caused controversy with a completely new look that was more boxy, angular and upright then any previous model. Despite the divided views the Santa Fe has sold well in Australia with year-to-date sales (until the end of October) of 5370. That said, the seven-seat Hyundai is still lagging behind Kia's ageing Sorento which recorded 7588 in the same period.CarsGuide has reached out to Hyundai Australia to confirm local timing for the update.When the updated Santa Fe does arrive it will likely retain the current powerplants, including a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol variant and a hybrid version which combines a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor. Both variants are offered with front and all-wheel drive.A new plug-in hybrid, which is currently available in other markets, may also be added to the Australian line-up when the updated Santa Fe arrives.

One brand has set its sights on making a serious dent in the Aussie car market.China's BYD is aiming to sell 1.6 million vehicles outside its domestic market in 2026, according to Reuters, and Australia will be integral to achieving this. The news comes from a report in global banking outlet Citi. BYD already sells an extensive and diverse range of vehicles in Australia, with more still in the works.Its all-electric Dolphin small hatchback is the currently the brand’s cheapest offering, starting from $29,990, before on-road costs, however this will likely soon change with the introduction of the smaller Atto 1.Beyond its sprawling electric vehicle (EV) line-up, the company also has a strong selection of plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, including the Sealion 6 SUV, and the increasingly popular Shark 6 ute, which alone boasts more than 15,000 sales so far in 2025. Reuters claims that BYD has built at least eight mega factories in China in the last five years, but has been expanding this to overseas locations such as Hungary, Turkey and Brazil. By the end of 2025, the brand plans to begin production of some of its Dolphin hatchbacks in Hungary.All BYD models currently offered in Australia are produced in China, for reference.With the Chinese car market becoming increasingly segmented thanks to brands like Geely and Leapmotor, BYD faces a tough sell domestically.It is looking to overseas markets to tap into potential new sales, pursuing a top-three place in the Australian new car market by the end of 2026. BYD’s desired sales increase would represent a substantial shift from its sales figures outside of China in 2025, which are expected to sit at around one million. Its sales in Europe, North America and South East Asia account for one-third of the company's total sales.BYD is not immune from the fierce competition of its domestic market in Australia, with other Chinese manufacturers targeting the segment as well. Brands such as Chery and GWM have plenty of options for buyers particularly in the sought-after family SUV category, and MG has a similarly affordable and enticing vehicle line-up.