Electric Cars

We’ve hit peak ute and the only way is down as Aussies abandon the diesel-guzzling workhorses.

The 2026 Mini Aceman could be the perfect Mini - not too big and not too small - and with a fully electric powertrain. But what's it like at urban duties?

Chinese carmaker BYD is making history as it rockets its way up the Australian sales charts that could see it finish in second place by the end of the year.Year-to-date BYD has sold 25,243 vehicles in Australia. Perennial top five seller Hyundai has recorded 25,103 so far, while Ford, the second-best selling brand in Australia last year, has managed 25,920.What’s so impressive is not just how many cars BYD selling, but the speed of its conquest of our market. This time last year BYD had sold 11,974 cars and somehow in the space of a year the brand has pushed past nearly every other carmaker in the country and looks to be headed to finishing second in 2026.The brands that still stand in BYD’s way are Kia with (27,080 cars sold so far in 2026), Mazda (27,526) and of course Toyota (59,675).Toyota is like the final big boss of the Aussie car game and BYD is one hundred per cent not going to beat it this year or possibly ever. It would be fun to entertain the idea that BYD could beat Toyota at some point in the future, but the only way that could happen is if Toyota tripped so badly in the sales race it couldn’t get back up again.We have seen huge brands rise and fall. Holden was once Australia’s top selling brand and today… well, it doesn’t exist.So Toyota’s is a lock for top spot this year, and the reality of BYD taking the silver medal is a very real possibility.That would send shock waves through the industry and mark the end of time for established brands such as Ford, which relies almost entirely on one model — the Ranger ute — to keep it on top.Ford would be anxious and brands such as Mazda, Kia and Hyundai would be feeling the heat, too.   Monthly sales for BYD show just how quickly the brand is striding ahead. In April BYD sold 7702 cars in Australia. Kia sold 6450, Hyundai 6002, Ford 5748 and Mazda 5636.Toyota, by the way, sold 15,185 cars in April.Are we living in unusual times? Interesting times, but not unusual. It seems that every 10 to 15 years a new big force arrives. Kia and Hyundai were the previous big force. Now it’s the Chinese brands' turn, and they're currently elbowing each other out the way to get to the front while the old guard scratches its head wondering what just happened. The catalyst for change has been the switch to electric cars and with Toyota, Ford, Mazda, Nissan and Mitsubishi hardly having an EV between them, Chinese brands have swooped in to offer what people want.BYD, Chery, MG, GWM, Geely and Zeekr are offering outstanding and affordable electric cars and hybrids from hatches and sedans to SUVs and utes.MG and GWM were first on the scene, and both have become a part of Australia’s automotive landscape.BYD has won over Aussies even quicker.Four years ago almost nobody in Australia had heard of BYD, or Build Your Dreams as it was known then. As motoring journalists we were aware of the new brand from China, but hardly saw it as an immediate threat to the likes of MG, which had already won over Aussies with models such as the MG ZS. Nope, in 2022 BYD appeared to be just another Chinese brand hoping to ride the wave of interest in EVs that had taken off in Australia.The popularity of BYD models such as the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute, Atto 3 small electric SUV and Sealion 7 electric SUV have been central to the brand’s success. Crucial to the brand’s continued rise is bolstering its line-up with a multitude of other models, such as the Atto 1 electric hatchback, Atto 2 electric small SUV, Sealion 5 compact plug-in hybrid SUV, Sealion 6 mid-size plug-in hybrid SUV and Sealion 8 seven-seat plug-in hybrid SUV.BYD could just make it to second spot this year, but how long it can stay there is another story. Hyundai or Kia could make a comeback, but what is looking even more likely is a challenge from a fellow Chinese brand such as Chery. Chery only has five models but sold 4322 cars in April, and this year it will launch its diesel hybrid ute to rival the BYD Shark 6 and that could add an extra 1000 sales a month. Then again the ute market appears to be headed into troubled waters - again, another story for another day.For now it’s BYD time in the sun and while that might not mean being number one, number two would do.

Actions speak louder than words and the fact Chery has lined up a QQ3 at one of its proving grounds a stone's throw from its Wuhu HQ suggests the small hatch will be announced for our market shortly.Priced in China from the equivalent of just $A14,000, in Australia we think the QQ3 will cost the same as a BYD Atto 1 ($23,990 plus on-road costs), which is remarkable as the much-bigger Chery offers the space of a Toyota Corolla, plus a far longer range, compared to other cheap EVs.Throw in pleasing rear-wheel drive handling, brisk acceleration and class-leading in-car tech and the new Chery QQ3 has all the makings of a big hit. That's if Chery Australia chooses to import it.As it pours with rain, the poor all-electric hatch has already suffered at the hands of other journos, with multiple cone strikes having already made their mark, but the odd minor dent here and there doesn't take the shine off one of Chery's most appealing designs so far.Paying homage to the first-generation Chery QQ, that was little more than a rip-off of the pint-sized Daewoo Matiz, the new curvy QQ3 gains oval-shaped LED lamps, smooth door handles, a floating roof and slanted C-pillars.Measuring in at 4195mm long, 1811mm wide and standing 1569mm tall, the QQ3 has a relatively long 2700mm wheelbase for plenty of space within.For reference, that's 95mm shorter, 41mm wider and 1mm shorter than the BYD Dolphin, with the same wheelbase.Boot space is 375 litres, with a useful 70-litre frunk tucked up under the bonnet. Inside, there's also said to be a further 38 storage areas dotted around the light and spacious cabin, including a 35-litre compartment under the rear seats.Six exterior hues are available with further optional finishes for the roof, the youthful exterior is reflected within and the entry model Chery's cabin surprisingly comes with some advanced big car kit, despite its low price.Headline equipment includes an 8.8-inch instrument cluster and a huge 15.6-inch central multimedia screen which runs a punchy Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip for faster, smoother reactions.The tech includes an AI-powered voice assistant and standard Apple CarPlay. As an added bonus, our car also came with ventilated and heated front seats and vehicle-to-load charging (V2L), with the latter able to top up domestic appliances like laptops or e-bikes.In China, two powertrains are available – one with 58kW and 90Nm of torque and another with 90kW and 115Nm of torque.Battery options include a 29.48kWh and a 41.28kWh powerpack, with even the baby powerpack delivering 310km of range. The bigger battery, meanwhile, sees the QQ3 drive up to 420km, but both of those figures are on the more lenient Chinese CLTC test cycle, so expect a big drop off when evaluated using the more stringent WLTP testing.Plug into a DC fast charger and Chery says the QQ3 takes 16.5 minutes for a 30-to-80 per cent top up, with no claim for the more common 10-to-80 per cent charge.Further big car tech includes an optional adaptive cruise that follows the navigation, lane-keep assist, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, plus auto parking and 360-degree surround view.We didn't get to experience either, as we only had an extremely limited time behind the wheel, but can report that off the line the 90kW version offers plenty of performance, while a tight and twisty course reveals the rear-drive QQ3 offers enough agility to be fun on a country road.Grip levels and braking performance were impressive, considering the wet conditions.

Has Hyundai turned its 'ugly duckling' into a beautiful swan? The all-new Hyundai Ioniq 6 N gives the brand's polarising electric sedan a high-powered makeover. Featuring supercar levels of performance and a raft of groundbreaking technology, the Ioniq 6 N is a technical masterpiece. But is it an exciting and engaging performance car to drive? We test it on road and track to find out.

Safety ratings have been handed out for the hotly-anticipated Tesla Model Y L, BYD Seal 6 and other EVs, with a surprise for one family SUV.This latest batch of results were assessed using the Australasian New Car Assessment Program's (ANCAP) outdated 2023-2025 testing criteria, with the revamped 2026 criteria still to be officially brought in.The new testing protocols will have a greater focus on accident prevention, emphasising safe driving and crash avoidance, while crash protection remains an important factor.These vehicles are now able to hold a five star rating for six years."We can expect to see ratings assessed under 2023 to 2025 criteria for some time as they enter the Australian and New Zealand markets," ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said in a statement to CarsGuide. "The first vehicles rated against the new 2026 criteria are expected later this year.”The incoming six-seat Tesla Model Y L SUV has been awarded a five-star rating, which is based on the rating of the standard Model Y. The Model Y L is Tesla’s first three-row car on sale, with deliveries starting last week. ANCAP said there were additional tests undertaken on the car to ensure results were applicable to the Model Y L.While achieving a protection rating of 91 per cent for Adult Occupant, ANCAP noted there were difficulties in correctly installing child restraints. This resulted in an 11 per cent decrease to 84 per cent for Child Occupant protection compared to the standard Model Y.The incoming BYD Seal 6 also received a five-star rating, with the car arriving imminently in the Australia as a plug-in hybrid sedan or wagon. The Seal 6 received an overall adult protection rating of 92 per cent, with maximum points for side impact and oblique pole tests, with good protection generally offered on the frontal offset test.Elsewhere Child Occupant protection was at 90 per cent, while Vulnerable User Protection was 84 per cent. MG’s new MG4 Urban budget EV has also picked up a five-star rating, courtesy of protection ratings of 87 per cent for Adult Occupant and 86 per cent for Child Occupant.The MG4 was marked down for marginal protection of the driver’s legs due to upward pedal movement.The Skoda Octavia was also awarded five stars, following reassessment of vehicles built from July 2025.

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed details of its newest model, the stylish CLA four-door, coming to Australia with petrol-hybrid and electric variants.The five-strong line-up of the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA will arrive through May and June, with a starting price of $66,500 before on-roads for the most affordable of the three hybrid variants.The small sedan brings with it two fully electric variants for the first time, as well as a next-gen version of the brand’s in-car operating system, over-the-air updates, a ‘Superscreen’ for the multimedia interface AI-powered voice control.The CLA180, CLA200, and CLA220 all run a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s assisted by an electric motor integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It draws power from a 1.3kWh lithium-ion battery and can power the car alone when less than 20kW is needed.The CLA220 is a 4Matic model, so the drivetrain powers all four wheels, while the CLA180 and CLA200 are front-wheel drive.In the two electric variants, the CLA200 Electric is rear-wheel drive with a WLTP range of 470km, while the CLA350 4Matic Electric is AWD with a 663km range.The EVs can be charged at up to 320kW thanks to new-generation 800-volt EV architecture. The CLA200 Electric’s battery is 58kWh while the CLA350 4Matic Electric's is 85kWh.Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to specify the full list of which features will be available with which variants, but standard across the range are things like panoramic sunroofs, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting and facial recognition.The models above base-level also score AMG design features and trim interior parts, while optional Premium Package features include a head-up display, adaptive LED headlights, Burmester surround sound and illuminated door sills.2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA pricing Australia2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA drivetrain and efficiency

The price of Polestar’s premium, pure-electric Polestar 3 SUV has already been reduced in Australia this year, but the Swedish EV specialist’s global CEO Michael Lohscheller has indicated cost-of-entry will fall further thanks to a manufacturing switch from China to the USA.An updated version of the 3 arrived in here in March, boasting an 800-volt architecture, which Polestar claims has improved charge times by more than 25 per cent.And with a revised price of $116,700 (all prices before on-road costs) the ‘base’ Rear motor version represents a reduction of $1720 (-1.5 per cent) compared to the previous model.At $131,100 the mid-level Dual motor also dropped $1600 (-1.2 per cent), while the flagship Performance increased nearly $2280 (+1.6 per cent) to $146,700.But when asked by CarsGuide whether the change in Polestar 3 production for Australia from Chengdu, China to Ridgeville, South Carolina in the USA would make the car more expensive for local buyers Michael Lohscheller’s response was clear.“No. The other way around, because we had two production sites (for Polestar 3) and now we consolidate to one in the US. “So that lowers costs. It’s beneficial and very good news for us,” he said.And while acknowledging Polestar remains “in a loss-making situation” overall, Lohscheller added that, “Going forward I want to make Polestar more approachable also with cars which start at lower prices where you can then have access and you can walk up.“When Polestar was set up it was maybe a bit too high and too niche and maybe also a bit too expensive.“I want to make sure people can afford a Polestar 2 or Polestar 7 to come into the brand. So, instead of starting at €50,000 (~$80,000), maybe we start at €40,000 (~$65,000).“And that doesn’t mean we will not be premium anymore, but you have better entry into the brand,” he said.

BMW’s performance M3 sedan is expected to achieve close on price parity between its electric and petrol variants.Electric vehicles generally still carry a hefty premium compared to internal combustion and hybrid models, but it looks like that could be all about to change.A report in UK publication AutoCar states the new electric M3 will be priced similarly to the petrol version of the car, following an interview with BMW’s sales director Sylvia Neubauer."The good news is that from a pricing perspective, they are in the same ballpark,” Neubauer told AutoCar.There is no news yet on what the price of the new M3 will be, but it is expected to exceed the current near $160K price tag in Europe, which will be closer to $200K in Australia.The electric M3 will offer 745kW from a quad electric motor set-up, which is significantly more than any M3 model currently on the market.It is even more powerful than the full-blooded 4.4-litre plug-in hybrid turbocharged V8 found in the bigger M5.It will be based on the recently-announced i3, getting a newly-designed platform from the brand’s ‘Neue Klasse’ revamp.The new petrol M3 will be a continuation of the current generation, utilising the same platform, but getting a new design under ‘Neue Klasse’.There are no details yet on the new generation M3’s future in Australia, but it can be speculated it might arrive later on in 2027, following its European launch. We should learn more about the new M3 in the fourth quarter of this year.Right now in Australia, the manual variant of the M3 starts from $169,100 (before on-road costs), with prices rising up to $253,900.There are several M3 variants currently on sale in Australia, which all use a 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine, producing up to 405kW and 650Nm.

BYD’s big bet is about to pay off.The Chinese electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid maker has 30,000 vehicles on the way to Australia in the next two months, and it looks like it will arrive just in time to feed its booming demand.BYD sold 7702 vehicles in April, which was only beaten by the dominant Toyota (15,185).The Chinese brand leapfrogged Kia to improve on its third place finish in March. BYD sales are up more than 110 per cent compared to the first fourth months of 2026 and are up 140 per cent compared to April the past year.Its Sealion 7 electric mid-size family SUV was the best-selling EV in the nation, with 1780 sales beating the Tesla Model Y (1225). BYD experienced sales growth across all its models in April.Kia took third place in April with 6450 sales, followed by Hyundai (6002), Ford (5748) and Mazda (5636).These were followed by a trio of Chinese brands: GWM (4717), Chery (4322) and MG (3678).Toyota has finally knocked the Ford Ranger off its perch with the new RAV4 taking pole position in April.The hybrid RAV4 registered 3729 sales, followed by the Ford Ranger (3661) and Toyota HiLux (2835) utes.Chery’s cut-price Tiggo 4 small SUV continued its strong performance with 2379 registrations, which was good enough for fourth spot. Followed closely by the Isuzu D-Max (2195), Hyundai Kona (2158), Toyota Prado (1870) and the BYD Sealion 7.Long-time favourites such as the Toyota Corolla, Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander have fallen out of the top 10 sales list.The Federal Government just announced its Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for electric cars will be extended to March 2029, but will now mostly benefit vehicles under $75,000.This move will likely see BYD, Kia, Geely, Tesla and Zeekr continue to dominate electric car sales for years to come.The head of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Tony Weber said the increased supply of EVs since the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has helped stimulate demand in tandem with the FBT exemption “There are around 110 EV models available to Australians, and the supply of EVs continues to increase. The Electric Car Discount has provided important stimulus to the market, and its continuation will support the growth of EVs,” said Weber.Australians bought 15,459 electric cars in April, beating the March result and accounting for more than 16 per cent of all the 94,049 vehicles sold in the past month.Sales of hybrids and plug-in hybrids were also significantly higher, with plug-in hybrids almost tripling registrations compared to April 2026.Top 10 vehicles April 2026 Top 10 car brands April 2026