Electric Cars

As far as ‘compact’ SUVs are concerned, the MY26 Skoda Elroq is arguably in the Goldilocks zone.It is on the large side for a small SUV, and on the small side for a mid-size SUV, making it perfect for a city dweller like myself.Which is why the fully electric Elroq has been a great car for me to long-term test in this three-part review. More on that later.If you missed the first instalment covering the entry-level MY26 Select 60’s pricing and specification details, check out the link above.As promised, this second look will focus on the Elroq’s design and practicality, while the upcoming third and final part will be headlined by my full driving impressions and overall verdict.Let’s get cracking!Starting with design, the Elroq’s exterior is arguably unremarkable, but I like it all the same.Up front, Skoda’s new tech-desk face is in full force, with a black panel taking the place of what would have been a grille in an internal-combustion model.Flanking it are sharp LED daytime running lights, which are separate to the low and high beams below.I particularly like the heavily creased bonnet with its SKODA lettering, and the chunky front bumper, which has a well-executed black plastic element that flows through to the wheel-arch and door cladding around the side.The Elroq has a particularly strong character line with real doorhandles below – yes, they are an increasing rarity these days.And then there are the Select 60’s 19-inch 'Proteus' alloy wheels, which I initially thought were quite plain in design, but I now reckon look decent.At the rear the Elroq has unmistakably Skoda tail-lights and in case you still do not pick it, there’s even more SKODA lettering in between.I quite like how upright the tailgate is as you know that means good things for boot, but more on that in a moment.The bumper is quite plasticky, but even with light paintwork like my test vehicle’s Timiano Green, I do not think it looks bad in this instance.That said, the chunky tailgate spoiler looks noticeably cheap with its plastic finish, but we are talking about a base model after all.Inside, the Select 60 features the Elroq’s Loft interior theme, which means it is covered in a denim-like cloth upholstery with synthetic leather accents.We are talking about seats, armrests and even door and dashboard inserts here, so there is no missing the divisive material. I don’t mind it, but some of my passengers had strong opinions against it.The leather-trimmed, two-spoke steering wheel feels very premium in hand and is enhanced by its physical controls for key functions, which are welcome because they are another increasing rarity these days.There is also a row of physical buttons below the 12.9-inch touchscreen multimedia system, but sadly none of them are dedicated to temperature or fan-speed controls.There is a CLIMA button that opens the touchscreen’s climate-control menu, but it is only useful if you want to change the airflow direction as the temperature and fan-speed controls are permanently in the bottom row of the multimedia system’s shortcuts.The multimedia system is easy enough to use once you get your head around it, but the reality is most drivers will instantly take advantage of its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support and use smartphone mirroring instead.It is also nice to see physical air-vent controls as they too have come under threat recently as some brands irrationally try to move them to the touchscreen.Criticisms? Well, it is rather dark inside the Elroq, with only the light headliner trying to brighten things up.The touch panel for the volume controls is also annoying to use, but at least the driver still has access to a dedicated scroll wheel on the steering wheel.And then there is the 5.0-inch digital instrument cluster, which feels comically small these days, although it does still contain all of the key driver information.When it comes to practicality, the Elroq punches well above its weight.At 4488mm long (with a 2765mm wheelbase), 1884mm wide and 1625mm tall, the Elroq is not a large car by definition, but its well-packaged EV platform helps it to pretend to be one.The Elroq’s boot has a cargo capacity of 470L, which is large for a small SUV.Better yet, stow the 60/40 split-fold second row via the manual release latches, accessible via the boot itself, and luggage space increases to a cavernous 1580L, all with no load lip to contend with.There is also underfloor storage, which is large enough the Elroq’s onboard charging cables and tyre repair kit, which should be replaced by a spare wheel.The floor mat is double-sided, giving owners the choice between carpet or rubber, which may come in use if you regularly transport wet gear.If you are likely to have boxes or similar cargo in tow, the Elroq also has two box holders with Velcro, which can be adjusted as you see fit.You also get four bag hooks, a 12V power outlet, a storage net and a cargo strap, which is among the four side cubbies in the boot. Nice.Sadly, there is no frunk in the MY26 Elroq on test here, but the MY27 version does come with one, which will be perfect for storing the charging cables.In the second row, there are two ISOFIX anchors and three top-tether points for child-seats, and removable storage at the rear of the centre console which features air vents and two USB-C ports.Map pockets are affixed to the front seat backrests and even feature bonus pouches for small devices, while the rear door bins can accommodate one regular bottle each.There is also the obligatory fold-down armrest with two cupholders, but they need to be manually deployed, which I do not mind as they are not always in use when you want to rest your inner arm.Behind my 184cm driving positioning, I have oodles of legroom, a couple of inches of headroom and enough toe room to keep myself happy.That said, width is limited here, so while you can technically seat three adults abreast on the rear bench, I would only recommend doing so on short trips.Up front, centre-console amenities include two cupholders that are a little too European for my liking, meaning they can only swallow small bottles, even with their divider removed.Ahead of them is a wireless smartphone charger, while behind is a long but narrow open cubby, and a central bin that is deep but thin, featuring two removable bins and a lid that ratchets into your preferred position.Underneath this entire assembly is a second, open storage tier, which can be used for stowing small bags and the like.The front door bins can take two regular bottles each, while the glove box is half-width but tall enough to still be useful.What is missing? A sunglasses holder and not much else, that is how well occupants are taken care of here.In my second month with the MY26 Elroq Select 60, my average energy consumption was 16.1kWh/100km over 1000km of driving, which included a fairly even mix of highway and city trips.This equates to a real-world driving range of 366km based on the MY26 Select 60’s useable battery capacity of 59kWh, which is just 29km short of its claim.As I said in the first part of this long-term review, I would personally pay at least $10K extra for the larger-battery version of the MY26 Elroq, which has a 529km claim and, therefore, greater peace of mind for long-distance drivers.And with that we have reached the end of this second instalment.I will see you for the third and final part next month, when I will reveal my driving impressions and deliver an overall verdict.

BYD is prepping a ground-breaking new battery technology. The brand will begin small-scale trials of its solid-state battery next year and use camouflaged vehicles in road testing, according to reports out of China. Solid-state is viewed as the holy grail of electric car batteries, promising an EV driving range of more than 1000km.Solid-state batteries have a much greater energy density than conventional batteries, meaning they can offer more range in a smaller and lighter unit.They replace liquid electricity conductors inside the batteries with ones made of solid materials.BYD’s liquid-based Blade 2.0 battery has a driving range of more than 1000km, but carries significant weight - more than 600kg in some models.Solid-state batteries can achieve the same level of driving range but weigh much less.They are also supposed to be less of a fire risk than liquid-based alternatives. Solid-state batteries use a solid energy transfer mechanism instead of a liquid one.BYD has filed seven patents using 'double electrolytes'.The patents combine fast and unstable conductors with slow and stable ones to create a smooth and efficient energy transfer.The brand has not provided any further details on the battery at this stage, having first made the announcement of its solid-state intentions earlier this year.BYD said its battery would have an improved commercial viability, with an easier manufacturing process and faster charging. Solid-state batteries are still in their infancy, with with doubts over whether they are viable on a commercial scale. Development is expensive and slow, but Chinese carmakers are showing the most progress so far. Chery’s Exeed luxury sub-brand is expected to launch its ES8 shooting brake with a solid-state battery offering 1000km of range late this year.Experts contend solid-state batteries are a long way away from entering production. The world’s largest battery manufacturer CATL said mass-market adoption of the technology remains “years away” as well.Major North American manufacturer General Motors is highly skeptical and not pursuing the technology, while other brands are still in the early trial phase.

The much-anticipated new-generation Kia Seltos small SUV is one step closer to Aussie buyers, with it now approved for sale Down Under. The car’s homologation filing to the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts confirmed key details ahead of its arrival later this year.Seltos is one of Kia’s most popular names and is the brand’s fourth best-selling model on sale in Australia in 2026.The Seltos shapes up similarly to the Hyundai Kona Hybrid and ($36,950) and Toyota Corolla Cross ($37,440). It will also pose a new challenge to the best-selling Chery Tiggo 4, with hybrid variants starting from $29,990.Kia has officially kept Australian details close to its chest, but now some crucial details have been exposed in new government filings.We now know the hybrid-only Seltos will be available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive layouts.Both are powered by a 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine and electric motor set-up, making either 118kW or 169kW, which is more power than South Korean examples.This will be Kia's first Seltos model to feature a hybrid set-up in Australia.Kia has provided no indication the overseas petrol models of the new Seltos will ever make their way to Australia.Measuring 4430mm long, 1830mm wide, 1600mm high and with a wheelbase of 2690mm, it is a similar size to its rivals the Kona and the Corolla Cross. The sunroof and power mirrors will be optional extras for the car.The Seltos has been officially slated for a Q4 2026 release, with CarsGuide previously reporting October as a more specific time frame. The base petrol grade Seltos is available in South Korea from around 25 million won, or roughly $25,000, with the hybrid closer to the equivalent of $30,000.Kia models incur a price hike on South Korean equivalents, meaning the more expensive hybrid Seltos is likely start in the mid-$30,000s range.

Ford has officially named its new mid-size electric ute ahead of an imminent reveal.Dubbed the Ford Fathom, the US carmaker claims the name is purposely meant to stand out from the crowd and it aligns with the type of buyer it’s targeting with this vehicle.The name is a big step away from Ranchero, which was pegged for a revival in previous reports. Ford claims it did explore this name, but it did not fit the new electric ute.Pre-orders for the Fathom are set to open in the US in early 2027 and at this stage it’s unclear if right-hand drive production is on the cards, but there is a strong hint it will come Down Under.The Ford Fathom is the first vehicle to be built on the US carmaker’s new Universal EV platform. It’s a modular architecture and a series of new vehicles will be based on it.Ford has confirmed the Fathom will have a starting price of US$28,350 (~A$40,330), before on-road costs, with the standard-range battery in the US. This confirms Ford is planning to offer multiple battery configurations.The Fathom’s starting price is also virtually identical to the Maverick hybrid ute in the US.The US carmaker has also confirmed all versions of the Fathom will come with the following:Five seatsVehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilityCargo bedFrunkLarge central touchscreenApple Maps integrationApple CarPlay and Android AutoBlueCruise semi-autonomous driving capabilityAt this stage Ford hasn’t officially revealed the exterior or interior design of the Fathom, but a number of camouflaged prototypes have been captured.It showed the Fathom is notably smaller than the Ranger and more on par with the Maverick for size.There’s a boxy silhouette with slab sides and a stubby glasshouse area.No official details regarding the tub dimensions, payload, towing capacity, battery capacities, range, power or torque have been confirmed yet.At this stage Ford hasn’t confirmed whether the Fathom will be produced in right-hand drive.The US carmaker has previously confirmed however that its Universal EV platform is capable of right-hand drive.Ford has reserved the Fathom name in Australia to use on "motor vehicles, namely, gasoline and electric automobiles, pick-up trucks, vans, sport utility vehicles and their structural parts", according to the trademark filing. This sounds like the just confirmed Fathom and leaves the door open to an arrival in the future.As it currently stands Ford doesn’t offer any electric ute in Australia. The now-defunct F-150 Lightning was never officially offered through local Ford dealers, though some were imported and remanufactured to right-hand drive by third parties.The Ranger is by far Ford’s best-selling vehicle in Australia and it has been the best-seller Down Under overall for three consecutive years. It is now offered in a sprawling number of versions, including the Super Duty and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), but no fully electric offering is available.If the Ford Fathom does come to Australia it will form as a rival to the KGM Musso EV, which is also built on a monocoque platform, rather than a tougher body-on-frame architecture, like the Ranger.

In a world of monstrously big SUVs and terrifyingly giant utes, there still exists the super large saloons for those who prefer to maintain a powerful presence with class and sophistication. We're talking limos - not the party kind - we mean the luxurious transport for business executives or those who prefer to be driven rather than drive.We've put together the top 5 largest cars currently sold in AustraliaLength: 5139mm Width: 2241mm Height: 1464mmA Lotus was not on my list of possible big-car candidates, but here we are with the fully electric 5139mm long Emeya four-door lift back. The Emeya is the first of its kind from a brand that forged its iconic reputation by building tiny sportscars in a shed. Things have changed and Lotus is now owned by Chinese manufacturer Geely, and the Emeya is built in China. While not the longest car here, the Emeya is actually the widest with its wing mirrors out. Despite its enormous exterior dimensions the Emeya isn’t particularly voluminous on the inside, but there are four seats and a 509-litre boot. Dual motors make 450kW and 710Nm, 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds. The starting price is $190K.Length: 5139mm Width: 1900mm Height: 1450mmSecretly loving that a Toyota, sorry Lexus, quietly slipped into this top 5 elite party. At 5235mm end-to-end the LS isn’t small, and nor is it short on luxury.Lexus positions itself as a Benz or BMW on a budget, but with a starting price of $200,000 the LS isn’t all that cheap. The value is outstanding, however, compared to the others here, and while rolling up in a Lexus to meet business executives at the airport doesn’t have the same impact as a BMW 7 Series, but as a car girl, I honestly think the LS is more opulent.Powered by a V6 hybrid the LS is without a doubt the most reliable and cheapest to maintain limo here.Length: 5391mm Width: 1950mm Height: 1544mmBMW’s 7 Series is seriously imposing, a cliff face on wheels, with its gigantic grille and its sheer vertical drop, but it’s not just all front - this beast is 5.39m end to end. As a reference the Australian design rules state a car park space must be 5.4m long and 2.4m wide. So it’ll fit… just.   Updated for 2026/27 with BMW’s next-gen Neue Klasse design the 7 Series looks even more menacing and futuristic, while the interior is sporty and hi-tech with screens everywhere. As for powertrains you can burn fossil fuel with a 3.0-litre inline 294kW/580Nm six-cylinder engine on offer but the electric i7’s enormously powerful and torquey motors (making up to 400kW and 745Nm) and seamlessly brutal ability to get out of its own way suits the big BMW limo better.  The 7 Series starts at a list price of $272,900.Length: 5469mm  Width: 2109mm  Height: 1510mmThe Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is a super luxury version of the S-Class and it’s even longer than one too. A regular S-Class long wheelbase is 5289mm end to end while the Maybach version stretched 180mm at 5469mm in length.While more or less the same car as the S-Class the Maybach offers more legroom, more decadence and more engine - with a V12 offered on the higher grades.The Maybach is also more expensive - almost double the price of an S-Class LWB at about $630,000Length: 5982mm, width: 2154mm Height: 1656mmOf course the biggest car sold in Australia is a Rolls-Royce and it’s not just the Phantom Extended, it’s also the Ghost Extended at 5715mm and the Spectre Series II at 5453mm. But if we had included them, then the top 5 biggest cars would have all been Rollers.So we’ve gone for the largest Rolls-Royce car, the Phantom Extended, which at 5982mm is more a train than a car and 220mm longer than the standard wheelbase Phantom.While there are only four seats in a Phantom Extended they are the size of lounge chairs in a sumptuous hotel lobby and legroom is, well you can literally lie down back there because the seats become beds.In Australia the Phantom Extended starts at more than $1.1m but as with most Rolls-Royce’s the customers will want to personalise it with bespoke touches taking the final price much higher. 

We’re more than halfway through 2026 and I can definitively say that this year's new cars are the ugliest to date.Sure you can argue the plastic fantastic cars of the late 1990s and early 2000s, or the asthmatic land yachts from the mid-to-late 1970s looked the worst, but so far this year what carmakers have been revealing is an assault to the eyes.Suspect number one is the Ferrari Luce.The Italian carmaker’s recent car design has been rather indistinguishable from model to model. For example, if you told me to tell you the difference between a 849 Testarossa and 12Cilindri and Amalfi, I’d really struggle. I say this as a die-hard car fan.But the Luce marked a jagged change in direction for Ferrari. It was designed by creative collection LoveFrom, which was founded by former Apple exec Sir Jony Ive.I’ll admit the interior of the Luce is stunning and the blending of digital and analogue elements is ingenious, but the exterior is a bloated mess. It’s made even worse with the fact it has a Ferrari badge on it.The Luce would make so much more sense with any other badge attached to it.This is just the tip of the iceberg. Five days before the Luce was revealed, Mercedes-AMG revealed its all-new AMG GT 4-Door.Mercedes did receive some negative press regarding the AMG GT 4-Door’s design, it was arguably saved by the reveal of the Luce as the news cycle and people’s attention shifted very quickly.Its design deserved to be roasted more. Like the Luce, the new AMG GT 4-Door is all-electric and it looks just as horrific. The Mercedes is much more flashy and tacky, though.I’ll admit that the overall silhouette is slick and low-sprung, like a performance car should, but the front grille and lighting signatures are a hot mess.Then inside, if you take the Mercedes-Benz badge away, the AMG GT 4-Door doesn't have anything distinguishing it specifically as a Mercedes model.Sure you could argue that the circular air vents or the screen set-up is a Mercedes design trait, but there is more to design language than this.Lastly there’s the new Nissan Juke, which is all-electric and a European-focused model, meaning it’s not coming to Australia.The Juke has always had a polarising design, but this new-generation takes it to the next level.There are so many creases and lines on the outside that it looks like the car has been pre-crashed or perhaps hasn’t fully rendered yet.I will admit that with certain colour combinations the new Juke does look cool, but the lighting, especially the tail lights look silly. They’re mounted so low and are too large.While the new Juke stands out too much, there are a plethora of gargantuan Chinese SUVs with range-extender (REEV) powertrains that are indistinguishable from each other. They’re all large blobs on wheels with ginormous grilles.Examples that have been revealed so far in 2026 include the IM LS9 Hyper, Wey V9X, XPeng GX and the Zeekr 8X. Many more will likely pop up before the end of the year.Although there have been some shockingly bad-looking cars revealed this year, there are still some diamonds in the rough. 2026 also seems to be the revival of the wagon.Some highlights include the new Audi RS5, which is available in liftback and wagon, as well as the new A6 allroad, which has some of the best and most exaggerated rear wheel arches that I’ve seen on a production car for a long time.The new Dacia Striker is a beautiful-looking car that has just the right amount of wagon and crossover SUV design elements. It’s segment-busting in the same way as the Peugeot 408 and previous-generation Subaru Outback are.It’s worth noting once again that 2026 is only halfway through and there is still another six months to go. There’s still time to turn things around in terms of new car design, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

Geely has powered up the sales chart in July, making the top 10 best-selling brands for the month.The Chinese brand launched in Australia in March 2025, and has approached the local market with a more methodical approach than its competitors. It has only introduced three models so far, contrasting BYD that already has more than 10 models on sale since its distribution takeover in July 2025.Despite this relatively small footprint, Geely captured 3.6 per cent of total new car sales in July.Geely has grown by more than 500 per cent in the first seven months of the year, compared to the same period in 2025.  Geely's success has largely been driven by the EX5 electric mid-size SUV that managed 2034 registrations last month - its best month yet. The Toyota RAV4-sized EX5 is Geely’s best-selling car on sale in Australia, with nearly 9000 sales so far this year.Starting from $41,990 (before on-road costs), it continues to outsell the smaller BYD Atto 3 ($39,990) and eat into the sales of petrol rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 ($39,990).There are limited other fully-electric rivals with similar dimensions to the EX5, potentially giving it an edge in showrooms. It’s not just the EX5 selling well for Geely, with its smaller EX2 sibling registering 474 examples in its first few weeks on sale.The brand only introduced its new hatch with a sharp $26,490 price tag in late July, making it one of the cheapest electric cars on the market. The EX2, which is the most popular car in China, even managed to shift more units than the BYD Dolphin ($29,990) in July.The Starray Em-i plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV is Geely’s other model on sale in Australia, also enjoying a strong sales return, with 1177 units finding new homes last month.It poses as a direct threat to the BYD Sealion 6 ($42,990) and the recently-launched Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid ($59,515), but is noticeably cheaper at $37,490. Geely will continue to introduce new models at its own pace, with potential for some activity before the end of the year.  The brand is expected to launch a mid-size and a large SUV in the first half of 2027, followed by the Emgrand plug-in hybrid sedan later on in the year. The Galaxy Cruiser large rugged 4WD is also expected to land Down Under before the end of next year. 

Carmakers are looking to save costs and the environment, which means they will be using more recycled materials in their vehicles.This is being further reinforced by new European Union regulations, which require a minimum amount of recycled plastics used in cars and key battery materials such as lithium, cobalt and nickel, among others.This means more and more carmakers will be diving into the skip bin to grab crucial materials to put into your next car.The German giant is the latest to tout its recycling handiwork, reducing CO2 emissions from production of its new X5 SUV by using second-hand materials and renewable energy.A big part of this is electric arc furnace steel (EAF), which sounds absolutely badass, and it is. It effectively uses electric currents to melt scrap metal into new liquid steel that can be reshaped into car parts.BMW uses recycled materials in a range of components such as wheel rims, rear axle supports and brake calipers. The doors consist of 35 per cent reused materials and the headliner is made of 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles.In the electric iX5 60 XDrive, about a third of its weight, or 940kg, is made up of recycled materials.BMW has reduced the materials it sends to landfills by 88 per cent in the past 20 years.Toyota is aiming to have its range of vehicles be at least 30 per cent built from recycled materials by 2030.The brand flags 19 parts including catalytic converters, bumpers, EV batteries and motors to be designed to be easily removed from scrap vehicles and deconstructed future range of vehicles.Toyota’s Gosei plastics manufacturing subsidiary has developed materials with a 50 per cent recycled plastic content and performance equivalent to newly-made plastics, which it says is a world-first. Examples of this material being used are in the glove box and grille-backing material in the new Euro-market Camry.Other new Toyotas using recycled plastics include the incoming new-generation RAV4 and the Crown Sport SUV.

GAC launched in Australia late last year, but the brand’s local progress has largely been kept under wraps.Its July sales results appeared in the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' VFacts sales data for the first time.GAC shifted 1008 units between its four models in Australia.A spokesperson for GAC Australia told CarsGuide the brand is making steady progress in Australia.“We are satisfied with our progress since launching in the Australian market,” they said.“Our strategy has focused on building a strong foundation through the expansion of our dealer network and the establishment of the GAC brand locally.“We are confident that our activities and product initiatives during the second half of the year will further strengthen our sales performance.”GAC said in November it was aiming for a spot in the top 10 best-selling brands in Australia by the end of 2028.Here is how it has fared so far.The budget-focused GAC Emzoom is the brand’s best-selling model, with 422 units in July. The Emzoom is a petrol-powered small SUV and is the cheapest GAC available, offered in a single variant starting from $25,590, before on-road costs.It tackles the increasingly important budget SUV segment, competing with the Chery Tiggo 4 ($23,990) and MG ZS ($22,990).It still has plenty of work to do to catch up to those two rivals that feature at the top of the segment's standings.The Emzoom’s success could pose an emissions rules challenge for GAC, leaving the brand exposed to fines. The Aion V electric mid-size SUV is GAC’s second-best selling model in Australia, with 373 sales in July.Starting from $42,990, it has a similar price tag to the Geely EX5 ($41,990), but has not experienced the same surging sales.The Aion UT budget-focused electric hatch is the slowest seller of GAC's car-based vehicles, achieving 148 units sold in July. GAC Aion UT is priced from $31,990 (drive-away) until September 2026, but managed less than half the sales of segment-leading BYD Dolphin ($29,990, before on-road costs).The Aion UT is an important model for GAC, with the budget EV space proving popular in light of high fuel prices and stringent emissions rules. The M8 plug-in hybrid people-mover has unsurprisingly shifted the fewest examples for GAC at 65. The luxury-pitched MPV, starting from $76,590, has a limited buyer base in a segment dominated by the diesel- and hybrid-powered Kia Carnival ($56,540). It has outsold electric competitors the Denza D9 ($95,990) and Zeekr 009 ($115,990), representing a cheaper electrified alternative in the people mover space. GAC hinted at new products coming in the second half of the year, with the brand likely to make announcements in the coming weeks. It has already confirmed a cheaper Aion UT variant is on the way to better rival the BYD Dolphin and incoming Geely EX2 ($26,490). We expect this to be priced below the $30,000 mark when it gets here in late 2026.GAC aims to have more than 10 models on sale in Australia by 2030, so it could introduce as many as four new cars next year.There are two large electric SUVs due in the next 12 months, but confirmed details on them remain scarce.The luxury-pitched Aion Hyptec HT could potentially be one of these models as it is GAC's only fully-electric large SUV on sale.An even bigger, potentially three-row, SUV is expected to also arrive next year. GAC is planning to introduce a hybrid or electric ute before the end of the decade.

The  BMW iX3 50 xDrive is the for-now flagship of the new iX3 range, combining ridiculous range with proper driving fun.The 50 xDrive is $109,900 MSRP, and for that you get a massive battery, lots of range and plenty of dual-motor punch, and a long list of standard features – including the headline-grabbing Panoramic Vision, which swaps the traditional driver screen for a vast display that stretches the entire width of the cabin.Its massive 108.7kWh net NMC battery delivers a maximum driving range of 805km, which is frankly ridiculous. To get it, you need to engage Efficiency Max, which dulls the drive experience, but that is an impressive number all the same. Engage the sportier settings and the figure drops to more like 650km-plus. Its twin-motor AWD set-up delivers a total 345kW and 645Nm, which is a lot. And because there is no traditional transmission to step through, and because all that oomph arrives at once, it feels plenty punchy. BMW says the sprint to 100km/h takes 4.9 seconds, and we believe them. Top speed is a claimed 210km/h.