Electric Cars

Two months into my three-month media loan of the 2026 Kia EV3 GT-Line Long Range and the little electric SUV has become part of the family.It fits perfectly in my cramped carport, and looks good there to boot. And, importantly, my partner is a fan.But is it a match made in heaven? There’s definitely a lot to like about the EV3, but in this instalment I deep dive into practicality, design and more. If you’re keen to learn more about pricing, spec and what the EV3 is missing, check out my first instalment.Kia’s current design language made its debut with the large and in-charge EV9 a few years back. That filtered down to all the other EVs and even to internal combustion models like the K4 and facelifted models like the Sportage.But I think the EV3 is the most successful example of that design philosophy to date. I mean, it looks like a Transformer! What more could you want?It’s a blocky SUV but with some curves, specifically on the EV3’s nose. But that duality works and never contradicts itself.Beyond the beautifully boxy silhouette, other winning design elements include the sharply shaped, blacked-out wheel arches and other chunky black elements like the roof rails, mirror caps, lower front and rear bumpers, pillars and the extended C-pillar. The black 19-inch GT-Line alloy wheels add to the vibe.The Volvo-esque tail-lights help frame the tailgate beautifully and the side view of the rear third of the EV3 is my favourite angle. That’s where the Transformer vibe is at its most pronounced.The headlights are in keeping with many current Kia models and look great. If you look closely you should count 12 tiny square LED elements on each side. And those lights are exceptional at night. But more on that in next month’s instalment.The EV3’s dimensions are 4310mm long, 1850mm wide and 1570mm tall (GT-Line is 10mm longer and taller than other grades) with a 2680mm wheelbase.It looks short in terms of length and tall in terms of height, but a quick look at rivals shows it’s exactly as long as a BYD Atto 2, but 20mm wider and 105mm shorter.That wheelbase isn’t as long as a Zeekr X (2750mm), but it’s got more space between the wheel arches than the Atto 2.While the exterior is something to behold, interior design is well executed without moving the game forward.Kia’s twin integrated screens dominate the dash which includes a mix of textured hard plastic, fabric, brushed aluminium panels and an ambient light bar.Two-tone interior and seat trim (light grey and mid-dark grey) brightens up the cabin and the two-tone steering wheel looks super cool.But how does it all function?Living with the EV3 every day for more than two months now, it’s clear this little car has some big ticks in the practicality column, but there are also some quirks and, frankly, some poor choices.Let’s start up front. Getting into the EV3 is the first quirk. The proximity key is temperamental. It constantly locks and unlocks the car if you hover near the vehicle. Just when you think it’s open, nope! Locked. It seems only French carmakers Renault and Peugeot know how to successfully operate this tech.Also, it has pop-out exterior front door handles, presumably for better aerodynamics. They’re the sort of handles where the rear arm pops out. Regardless of whether you’re left or right-handed, it feels awkward grabbing the handle, but more so if you have something in your dominant hand and you need to use the other one. A regular flush door handle you can put your hand under would suffice.Once in the driver’s seat it’s not hard to find your perfect driving position. The 10-way power-adjustable front seats help here. The seats are another quirk because they are not uncomfortable by any means, quite the opposite. But the back rest has a rounded shape, rather than traditional side bolsters and it makes for an odd sensation. But the base is comfy and supportive. I prefer nice cloth or synthetic suede to real or fake leather seats, but the Kia has the latter and it does the job.The height of the EV3 ensures ample headroom up front and there’s decent space across, although you might bump elbows with your passenger because of the central armrest.There’s more than enough legroom up front, but my knee regularly bumps the steering wheel-mounted gear selector stalk when I get in the car and occasionally when driving. If it were a little higher up it wouldn’t be an issue. I appreciate carmakers moving gear shifters from the console to make room for other things so I’m not mad at the stalk location.The only buttons are auto parking and auto hold on the centre armrest/table. There’s also a volume wheel on the centre stack, thankfully.While the air con is controlled via an always-on screen between the multimedia and driver display, you can change the mode, temperature and fan speed via toggles underneath. They feel nice to touch.Under the 12.3-inch multimedia screen you’ll find haptic buttons for nav, home and search. You can also do this via the touchscreen but it’s nice to have the option of a button.Kia’s head-up display is bright and clear and while the main driver display has a lot of information, it’s also clear and doesn’t overwhelm.Kia’s multimedia set-up is pretty solid. It consists of large tiles and sub menus and you can touch and swipe to your heart’s content. The EV3 includes connected services via 'Kia Connect' (in-car and app), so you can check the weather, your calendar, voice memos and EV data all through the screen. It’s a clever, high-tech car but, again, the tech never overwhelms.There’s a pair of USB-C ports under the dash and a wireless charging pad that is excellent for two reasons. It has a rubberised mat so your phone stays in place even when cornering, and the charger actually charges your phone. So many in-car chargers just heat up your phone and barely add charge, but this one does what it says on the tin. Thank God!Storage is a mixed bag in the EV3. The door bins will fit smaller, narrower bottles only. The base is actually huge but the door armrests impede it. The EV3 has a medium-sized glove box.I’d like to tell you about the EV3’s central storage bin between the drive and passenger, but there isn’t one. Well, not in the GT-Line anyway. Air and Earth grades get a conventional storage bin under the front central arm rest, but Kia’s product planners opted for a small pull-out table instead.It’s a pointless inclusion. I have only once used this function when I was running late for my mother’s birthday and had to write in a card on the run. Aside from that, it’s pretty useless. I’d much rather a covered storage compartment because currently the only secure storage space is the glove box. Under the armrest/console/table is a large open space with plenty of room for small bags. That space includes two cupholders that open up if you require even more space. But the cupholders are quite low and far from the driver and passenger’s reach. These would've been better placed higher on the central console.One thing I can’t fault is the overall feeling of quality to the cabin materials. It feels like a well built, robust cabin.Moving to the rear seats, you’ll find ample headroom, but toe room under the front seats is limited. Knee room behind my 184cm driving position is just okay. The front seat backs are made from quite hard plastic so you wouldn’t want the seat to be too far back.Amenities back there include map pockets, a USB-C port on the back of both front seats, knee-level air vents, a small nook on the back of the console and a fold-down arm rest with shallow cupholders.There’s no chunky transmission tunnel because it’s an EV.Rear seats are flat but reasonably comfortable and the chunky head rests are adjustable.Earth and GT-Line grades get a standard power tailgate, which is always welcome and the boot comes with a light and side nooks.Kia says the EV3 can swallow 460 litres of cargo with all seats in place and it’s a sizeable space, especially given the compact dimensions of the car.I love the two-level boot floor. You can place the removable floor at the same level as the tailgate lip, making for ample secure under-floor storage, or place it lower for larger items. Very clever.A front trunk can stow 25 litres which is enough for a charge cable. The bonnet has gas struts, too, which I always appreciate.Sadly the EV3 only comes with a tyre repair kit and not even a temporary spare wheel. Not uncommon for EVs, but Australians deserve better.I clocked up just under 1000km of driving in the past month and the trip computer says it was a more efficient few weeks than my first instalment. It showed 16kWh/100km, which is a tick under Kia’s claim of 16.2kWh. Not a bad result.Factoring in usable battery capacity and my efficiency figures, the real-world range this month was about 488km.That’s it for my second instalment of the 2026 Kia EV3 GT-Line long-term review. Keep an eye out for my final instalment in a few weeks and an accompanying video wrapping up my time with the car and outlining everything I like and don’t like about this appealing little EV. Acquired: February 2026Distance travelled this month: 968kmOdometer: 6931kmAverage energy consumption this month: 16kWh/100km

China’s car industry may already have peaked, according to the boss of one of its biggest brands.Nio Chief Executive Officer William Li said the Chinese auto industry has moved past its “golden era”, according to Reuters.Electric vehicle sales in the country slumped 38 per cent in April, to a still astounding 443,000, which is the fourth straight month of sales declined in the world’s largest EV market.This is because of several issues.Li said car ownership in China had hit 370 million, which means it is no longer a growth market and instead the domestic market is considered “saturated”.Nio is known for its battery swap technology, but only has a small foothold outside of China, and is more at risk than others to poor domestic performance.Subsidies for EVs have also been reduced and a weak domestic economy are also to blame, according to Autonews.For BYD and Geely, two of China’s largest carmakers, net profit dropped by more than US$600m (A$840m).Tough home market conditions are likely to benefit global markets as Chinese brands push more models aggressively to boost total sales and keep factories in China humming. This could result in lower prices and more appealing vehicles sooner.Another benefit to markets of stagnating sales growth in China is the introduction of more widespread fast charging technology.Charging is the new battleground for electric car dollars in China.“Slow charging speeds, poor charging performance at low temperatures and anxiety about energy replenishment have remained the final hurdles in popularising electrified vehicles,” said BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu earlier this year.The company has begun rolling out its Flash charging network in China, which is capable of delivering speeds of up to 1500kW.BYD will have similar charging stations in Australia later this year.BYD is also rolling out vehicles capable of using these ultra fast chargers, though only the Denza Z9 electric sports car will be able to use their full capabilities in Oz this year.Solid state batteries are also destined to be another advanced selling point for electric cars in the next few years.Multiple Chinese brands are working on fitting the advanced power packs to their vehicles. These solid state cells are the holy grail of electric car batteries because they are more energy dense, which allows them to store more energy in smaller batteries. This will make electric 4WDs, utes and sports cars a reality by making EVs lighter. The batteries are also less prone to fire.

Yet another about face on a new electric vehicle program has come courtesy of Toyota’s decision to discontinue development of the Lexus LF-ZC sedan.Unveiling the LF-ZC Concept in 2023 Lexus positioned it as “a symbol of Lexus' electrification journey, characterized by its sleek proportions, low center of gravity, spacious cabin, and an emotionally charged design that seamlessly blends functionality and aesthetics.”But three years later the automotive world has changed thanks to a slower than expected market uptake of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) globally and ongoing consumer preference for hybrid and pure-combustion models.At the same time, a combination of political factors including high US import tariffs and President Donald Trump's elimination of tax incentives for EV purchases, as well as the European Union’s revision of its ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035 have also thrown a big spanner in the EV development works.Global players including Ford, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Volvo, VW, and most recently Subaru, have also shelved multiple EV model programs. Volume Lexus LF-ZC production was scheduled to begin late this year at Toyota’s Tahara plant south-east of Nagoya, using large section ‘gigacasting’ techniques to split the vehicle’s alloy body into front, centre and rear sections for reduced complexity and cost as well as lighter weight and increased rigidity.Recently postponed to mid-2027, Nikkei Asia has reported Lexus will now discontinue development, to “instead focus on developing SUVs and other vehicles amid a global slump in EV sales.” Despite the cancellation Toyota and Lexus will continue research and development into gigacasting and battery technology as the LF-ZC was set to feature “advanced high-performance batteries made with a prismatic structure engineered to achieve approximately twice the range of conventional BEVs through improved aerodynamic integration and weight reduction.” A “compact powertrain” also helped deliver an ultra-low Cd (Coefficient of drag) value of approximately 0.20 for the car.

Cupra has revealed it is secretly developing an all-wheel drive version of its Cupra Raval that bags a pioneering quad-motor all-electric powertrain, which will produce epic power that blows Tesla out of the water.Primed to be twinned with a white-hot Volkswagen ID. Polo R, the new Cupra Raval Racing will be the quickest and most powerful hot hatch of all time, with Volkswagen's Spanish performance brand leading its development.Cupra's global product boss Toni Gallego told CarsGuide his brand was pushing ahead to develop the four in-hub motor concept that made its debut on the VW ID. Cross, which is key to unlocking near supercar levels of performance.Expected to be capable of producing around 100kW, despite weighing around 39kg apiece, the state-of-the-art in-hub motors will see the Raval Racing come with at least 300kW.Combined with an uprated battery pack, the 4.1m-long Raval Racing should be able to rocket from 0-100km/h in less than 3.0 seconds – much quicker than the 3.8 seconds a BYD Seal Performance or Audi RS 3 takes, and even quicker than the 3.1 seconds a Tesla Model 3 Performance can achieve.As well quick in a straight line, according to the senior Cupra exec the in-hub units, which package their own power inverter, offers unbeatable torque vectoring and by being able to manage how much force is applied to each wheel on a millisecond-by-millisecond basis can neutralise any understeer or oversteer.Brake regeneration will also be class-leading with the Raval Racing able to claw back more energy than any of its rivals, boosting efficiency and real-world range.Traction will be unbeatable over all road surfaces and conditions, while packaging the motors within the wheels means the Raval's large 441-litre boot carries over unchanged.Aside from adding unsprung weight the biggest disadvantage of the new tech is cost, says Gallego."We requested four-wheel drive from the beginning, but it requires a huge investment."It's crazy. I cannot say the final figures, but the good thing is we can manage the production mix across our four plants to balance out the high development costs."The latter is a reference to both the Volkswagen ID. Polo R and potentially faster versions of the VW ID. Cross SUV sharing the same in-hub high-tech quad-motors. Later on, less powerful all-wheel drive VW Group models could also come with a detuned version of the same powertrain.Gallego was careful not to reveal an exact power figure for the mules already undergoing testing, nor did he provide a timeline for when the faster Raval Racing and ID. Polo R will arrive, but it's thought the pair of fast all-electric hot hatches should land in 2028."Some figures cannot be communicated right now. It is a concept and we are exploring how the performance works. It's a massive investment from the technical centre."According to Gallego, work has not finished on the core Raval as feedback from media and potential owners have requested some changes that will see both virtual gearshifts and a higher 190km/h top speed (up from 175km/h) rolled out via over-the-air updates once the Cupra small hatch is launched.

It’s hard to think of a person more connected and invested in the Ferrari brand than Luca di Montezemolo, but even the man who led the company from 1991 to 2014 and was Enzo Ferrari’s personal assistant in the early 1970s can’t abide the Prancing Horse’s new all-electric model.Having viewed the Ferrari Luce’s unveiling at this week’s Confindustria public assembly in Rome, Montezemolo told Italian outlet askanews, “If I were to say what I think, I would be hurting Ferrari. “It risks destroying a legend, and I'm deeply sorry. “I hope they at least remove the prancing horse from that car."It is definitely a car that at least the Chinese won't copy," he said.One of Italy’s most high-profile business and sporting personalities, Montezemolo went from the world of Ferrari, including close management of its Formula 1 efforts, to become Chairman of Alitalia and now sits on the board of McLaren Group.And Montezemolo is not alone in fearing Ferrari’s iconic status may be eroded thanks to the Luce.Speaking on X, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister (and Transport Minister) Matteo Salvini commented on Montezemolo’s views.“Electric, incredibly expensive (€550,000!), and aesthetically speaking, it speaks for itself... “It looks anything but a Prancing Horse car. “And this is supposed to be "innovation"? “I wonder what Enzo Ferrari would say…," he said.Former iPhone designer Jony Ive, who was commissioned by Ferrari to develop the Luce through his LoveFrom consultancy, has seemingly raised the hackles of Ferrari Tifosi around the globe.CarsGuide’s own coverage of the newcomer’s arrival has drawn fierce commentary on social media with feedback like, “Obviously, the designers are not car enthusiasts. Fire the CEO! Better yet, fire them all.  As well as, “One million??? For that Roomba???? Enzo is spinning in his grave!”  And perhaps most cuttingly, “The Ferrari design that became a global laughingstock.” It’s also worth noting Ferrari’s share price plummeted more than six per cent from €309.20 on the morning of the Luce’s launch to €290.00 by the evening’s close and currently sits at €283.75.

Bentley's Frank-Steffan Walliser has added his voice to a growing number of disgruntled carmaker CEOs counting the huge cost of a global mismanagement of the transition to EV power."If you add it all up, all the profit corrections we have seen over the last year, the misassumptions made, the misjudgement about the tipping point to full EV, it has cost the global automotive industry €100 billion (A$162b)."You could have made a lot of e-fuel to reduce CO2 with that," said the former Porsche chief engineer.Walliser and his former colleagues in Stuttgart lobbied institutions like the European Commission hard when it was drafting the original EU emission targets to include synthetic fuels that led to the most aggressive electrification plans, with some success, but despite that, the Bentley boss says the move to EVs remains inevitable."In the long term everything will be electric, is what I expect and we stay committed to the CO2 reduction", but the damage has already been done with billions now being written off as EV programs – even from the likes of Porsche – are now being cancelled, postponed, or reconfigured drastically to finally take into consideration what actual customers want."We have to look at the customer's choice. It's all about choice and not to limit the choice artificially."Walliser knows only too well from working on the front line in a small car-maker that had to write down an astonishing €3.9 billion (A$6.4b) as part of Porsche's EV retreat but, despite that, is confident it's time for Bentley to roll out its first electric car."On our short to midterm strategy it's clear hybrid is right, but we will balance portfolio by offering a fully electric car. What I'm very happy about is 20-25 per cent of the market is already electric. And we see a movement, and all our luxury competitors will soon have an electric car on offer. It would be a mistake to not offer one", said Walliser.Another mistake would be to abandon those who still demand petrol power too, says the Bentley boss, declaring that so long as there is demand and the small British car-maker can keep homologating them, V8s will remain part of the Bentley offering.

Believe it or don’t we’re almost halfway through the year and that calls for a round up of the cars that have stood out to us in 2026.So, we’ve asked our fellow test pilots around the CarsGuide office which new car has impressed them the most so far. Here’s our half-year top 5, in no particular order.Honda PreludeHonda’s reborn Prelude sports car is a reminder of the magic this iconic Japanese company can perform at a time when new Chinese brands are drawing our eyes away.A rival to the Toyota GR 86, Nissan Z and Mazda MX-5 the Prelude arrived in May with a hybrid powertrain and a drive-away price of $65,000.Based on the Honda Civic, the Prelude has a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine and an electric motor. Combined output is 149kW.CarsGuide contributor Byron Mathioudakis attended the Australian launch.“Firstly, the performance on offer goes far beyond the sum of its published numbers," he said."Secondly, the fluency of the chassis to communicate with the road and driver makes this a true enthusiast’s car. And thirdly, this leaves us wanting more."Long after the sensual lines are out of sight, your mind’s eye keeps looking back, yearning to return to the driver’s seat. All for $65K drive-away, folks."BMW M2 CSBMW’s new M2 CS arrived in May this year loudly announcing that angry performance petrol cars were still well and truly a thing - and a beautiful thing, too.The Competition Sport version of the mighty little M2 takes that little beast's straight-six turbo and squeezes out more grunt - 390kW and 650Nm.The M2 CS has been one of Senior Journalist Chris Thompson’s favourite finds of 2026 so far.“Small enough to still feel like a nimble sports car but it won't bite your hand too hard," Thompson said."Plenty of power and a healthy torque band, but enough compliance in the chassis/suspension that it doesn't feel entirely like driving a race car. Looks fully siq in Velvet Blue Metallic with Gold Bronze wheels."Denza B5BYD’s luxury brand Denza brought its Toyota Prado rival to Australia this year starting at a list price of just less than $75K.Production Editor Jack Quick drove this large super hybrid SUV at its Aussie launch and had this to say:“It rights the BYD Shark 6’s wrongs in terms of off-road capability and has undeniable value with the amount of high-end touches it has. Plus it’s ridiculously fast. However, it’s not perfect as it’s very heavy and has a busy ride.” Kia EV4 GT-LineKia’s fully electric EV4 sedan arrived in Australia in January looking slipperier than an eel.There’s a single motor making 150kW and 283Nm driving the front wheels and you can have it in three grades with the starting list price being $49,990.Deputy Editor James Cleary drove the EV4 and nominated it as one of the cars that impressed him this year."Polarising contemporary Kia exterior design... but I like it,” he said.  “Snappy, user-friendly interior. Strong performance and useful range. A $65K price tag for this flagship is in line with BYD Seal but $10K steeper than comparable Mazda 6e.” BYD Shark 6The BYD Shark 6 was awarded CarsGuide's Best Ute of 2026 and now it has returned with a more powerful engine (a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four cylinder) in the Performance grade.The new and improved plug-in hybrid ute addressed what was lacking in an otherwise outstanding vehicle - towing ability. Braked towing capacity has increased from 2500kg to 3500kg in the Performance.Dual motors (one at the front and one at the rear) combined with the petrol e engine make an impressive 350kW and 700Nm. Carsguide contributor Stephen Ottley was at the launch and said:“For grey nomads and others who have previously ruled it out, the BYD Shark 6 might suddenly be back on more shortlists.”

Vice President of Zeekr Group Mars Chen explained what the Chinese luxury brand’s ultimate objective is.Some of its Chinese rivals frequently cite the huge and lucrative US market as the ultimate aspiration, Zeekr’s goal is somehow both more subtle and loftier at the same time.“We are not a ‘real’ luxury brand yet, right?” Chen said. “We’re still only five years old.”“I think it’s to be the top premium choice, with or without a battery,” he said.“In the end, it’s if people don’t mention whether it’s an EV or it’s a hybrid. You need a nice, expensive, fancy car? Zeekr is a brand you absolutely must check. It’s one you cannot avoid.”Chen wasn’t so keen on factoring the US into Zeekr’s immediate plans for the future."With the US market, if you take out pick-ups, then the passenger car market is not that big. It is a big cake, but still, without that cake we’d like to make a very nice meal,” said Chen.Chen said the brand was discussing the potential of a ute or pick-up truck to add to Zeekr’s expanding range of headline-grabbing models.Interestingly one factor which the brand was considering is how tightly contested the segment was becoming, with seemingly every Chinese automaker scrabbling to release a “box-style” hybrid off-roader.Chen said a potential for a ute or US-style pick-up truck is just a discussion for now.“We want to re-define every single segment. Once we identify the segment, Zeekr will check how disruptive we can be if we enter. We have the curiosity to do it, but it’s not a concrete thing.”“If we cannot create enough differentiation, of course we won’t just follow or replicate ,” he said.Chen said Zeekr’s strategy is to focus on just a few consolidated models, rather than cars that are “customised just for one country. Even just China”.“If we want to be in that segment, we have to be a global brand.”Zeekr’s model range as it stands is limited to the X small SUV, 009 People Mover, 7X mid-size SUV, 007 and 7GT sedan and wagon pair, as well as the incoming 8X large SUV and 9X flagship.For the Australian market, the brand has shot from relative obscurity in its first year on the market to a front runner in the EV space, thanks to the arrival of its extremely competitive 7X mid-sizer.The model has gone on to become the fourth-best-selling electric vehicle in the country, racking up 973 units to the end of April, trailing only the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Geely EX5 in that order.The 9X and 8X large SUVs which are set to follow in the next 12 months will shift the brand to plug-in hybrid territory and have already created quite some hype in the market, despite asking prices looking like they’ll start well and truly in premium territory.

Australia is about to get a new budget electric van early, with pricing and specifications for the LDV eDeliver 5 just revealed. The mid-size van will start with an introductory drive-away deal for ABN buyers from $47,990 for the short-wheel base variant, making it the cheapest electric van on sale from LDV.It will be available until 31 July 2026 while stocks last.ABN pricing for the long-wheel base will start from $52,990 (drive-away), while the high roof will be an extra $2000. It offers a competitive deal compared to other electric rivals in the segment such as the ID. Buzz Cargo.This pricing also comes in cheaper than some of the eDeliver 5’s diesel rivals like the Ford Transit Custom and the Toyota HiAce.It is powered by a single electric motor, producing 120kW and 240Nm, with its 64kWh battery offering a driving range of up to 335km (WLTP), depending on the variant. DC charging from 20 to 80 per cent takes 36 minutes, with the van also supporting vehicle-to-load capacity up to 6.6kW, enabling the charging and powering of tools. It has a payload of up to 1265kg, as well as dual sliding side doors and rear barn doors. Cargo volume can be as much as 8.7m³ for the high roof long-wheel base.The car’s interior has a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital driver display, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. LDV Australia said stock for the van will be initially limited due to the expedited launch of the van, but deliveries are still expected to get under way from July 2026. The brand said it brought forward plans to release the eDeliver 5 in Australia because high fuel prices were driving demand for electric alternatives.Expressions of interesting on the van are up and running from today.2027 LDV eDeliver 5 pricing Australia2027 LDV eDeliver 5 electric motor and efficiency2027 LDV eDeliver 5 standard features include12.3-inch central touchscreen7.0-inch digital driver displayApple CarPlay and Android AutoTwin sliding doorsRear barn doors2027 LDV eDeliver 5 safety LDV Australia has been contacted to find out the safety features available on the eDeliver 5.2027 LDV eDeliver 5 dimensions Cargo capacitiesSWB low roof: 6.6m³LWB low roof: 7.5m³LWB high roof: 8.7m³2027 LDV eDeliver 5 warrantyThe eDeliver 5 comes with a five-year/160,000-kilometre manufacturers warranty and an eight-year/250,000-kilometre battery warranty. 

Good things come to those who wait.Six years since Cupra showed off its first concept for the Cupra Raval, we've finally had our first chance to climb behind the wheel of the small Mini Cooper SE-rivalling all-electric hatch ahead of Australian sales kicking off in the second half of next year.The first of four new small EVs that includes the Volkswagen ID. Polo, ID. Cross SUV, plus the Skoda Epiq, it was left to VW's Spanish brand to lead all four cars' development, and it really shows with the Raval.By far the sportiest of the quadruplet, the Raval features Cupra's familiar angular styling, which includes a sharpened shark nose.Ramming home its hot hatch intentions, are large wheels and a hard-to-miss rear spoiler and oversized diffuser that could have been lifted off a racer but actually slash drag to boost efficiency.Measuring in at 4046mm long, 1784mm wide and standing at 1518mm with a 2600mm wheelbase, the Raval is surprisingly spacious within – even in the second row where a large adult can sit behind another large adult with just enough leg- and headroom. The boot is impressive too, at a large 441 litres.Unlocking space has been the choice of using the VW Group's new 'MEB+' platform that neatly packages the single front motor, transmission, inverter and power electronics under the front bonnet, carving out more room for people.Ensuring it has the dynamic edge over rivals and its platform mates, the Cupra Raval, has a 10mm wider front and rear track for higher levels of grip mid-corner.All models also sit 15mm lower to the ground than an ID. Polo for less body roll. Other unexpected differences are that the Raval boasts uprated front wheel carriers, plus a stability control system that can be completely switched off for track use.In its native Europe, the Raval is offered with either a small 37kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery or a, still-modest, 52kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) power pack.With the littlest battery the Raval can travel up to 300km on a charge and is combined with either an 85kW or 99kW front motor.In Australia, it's been suggested buyers will only get the larger 52kWh power pack that can see the Mini rival drive up to 440km on the WLTP test cycle, with a choice of either a 155kW or 166kW e-motor.When it comes to charging speed, the bigger battery can only be topped up at a peak rate of 105kW but despite that a 10-80 per cent charge still takes between 23 and 24 minutes, which is reasonable for a small EV within its class.Behind the wheel, the sporty angular looks are reflected within, especially in the range-topping VZ that comes with the option of grippier Cup bucket sport seats that clamp you in position.Featuring, a 12.9-inch multimedia set-up that comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ahead of the driver is a sporty steering wheel with proper buttons and a clear 10.5-inch digital dash.What's missing are shortcuts for the touchscreen, although the multimedia is quick to react and has clear graphics.Highlights of the Cupra cabin include a 3D-knitted upholstery that uses 100 per cent recycled material. There's also a sporty steering wheel and cool new ambient lighting tech that projects patterns, colours and animations along the door cards.Bringing you back down to earth are the hard plastic door pulls that feel built to a price, but still don't detract from the fun.Developed under the mantra that Cupra was building a small EV you'd actually want to drive, at the top of the Raval tree is the VZ hot hatch that essentially will share much with the inbound VW ID. Polo GTI.Ensuring it can narrow the gap between it and more conventional petrol-powered hot hatchbacks, the VZ gets the high-output 166kW e-motor, adaptive dampers, an electronic-locking differential and large 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in sticky tyres that, alone, slash the range from 440km to around 388km.All Ravals come with the variable ratio 'progressive' steering rack and a special 'ESC Sport' program, plus the ability to switch it off altogether.Off the line, the VZ offers plenty of performance with 0-100km/h taking around 6.8 seconds – just a tenth off Mini's claim for the Cooper SE.Top speed is 175km/h which apparently isn't enough for the Europeans, with a software patch on the way to raise the limit to a more palatable 190km/h later.Around town, most will prefer the Raval in either 'Comfort' or the more efficient 'Range' setting that softens the ride and is available with three levels of brake regeneration, plus a neat adaptive regen feature which monitors vehicles ahead and adjust the Raval's stops to suit.Cycle through to 'Performance' mode and the steering weights up to some something that feels more natural, while the damping forces increase for better body control, but at the expense of the ride – which we have concerns over.The largest 19-inch wheels might be a bit much on our roads, but engineers say the 17- and 18-inch wheels also fit the fastest model and improve ride quality.Escape the city and push on and the Raval is a lot of fun. There's lots of grip, commendable agility and decent cross-country pace.On track, if you push on you'll feel the electronically-controlled differential working hard for its living, pulling you out of corners with a gentle tugging of the wheel – just like a proper petrol hot hatch would.The Raval doesn't feel quite as lithe as you'd hope and after all it does weigh around 1600kg for the heaviest version but the engagement it offers up is impressive for an EV.What's missing is virtual gearshifts, like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but they might be offered later as part of an over-the-air update or option. The little Cupra also comes with a synthetic sci-fi dystopian soundtrack in its sportiest 'Cupra' mode, plus a pair of configurable modes.One final issue we had with our first car, is the Raval's fancy new 'one-box' e-braking system which squeezes in the brake servo and anti-skid tech into one module served up inconsistent reactions in extreme circumstances. Our second car was much better but we look forward to further testing on more familiar roads.Since Australians aren't great fans of ill-equipped cars, Cupra Australia wisely thinks it might skip the entry and V1 trims, preferring to focus on the mid-spec V2 and flagship VZ.When it lands, expect the Raval V2 to come with a 155kW e-motor, 19-inch alloy wheels, electric folding door mirrors, LED headlamps, a 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system, a wireless phone charger, vehicle-to-load (V2L) power, two front and two rear USB-C sockets, ambient light projection, dual-zone climate control, a heated and wrapped multi-function steering wheel and heated sport seats.When it comes to safety, there are seven airbags as standard, adaptive cruise, lane-keeping, front and rear cross-traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) that detects pedestrians and cyclists.Choose the VZ and, as well as the extra chassis hardware and extra power, you get different 19-inch alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights, 3D LED rear lighting, the Cup bucket seats, a 360-degree camera view and a more sophisticated adaptive cruise control.Like every other Cupra model, the new Raval will come with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, with a further eight-year/160,000km protection for the high-voltage batteries.We expect the smallest Cupra Raval to come with a capped-price servicing package, with service intervals primed to be every 24 months or 30,000km.As for pricing, Cupra Australia says it's too early for any indicative costs for the Raval but admits it will command a big premium over similar-sized Chinese rivals, like the Geely EX2.That said, early intel suggests the flagship Raval VZ could be priced from $50,000, plus on-road costs, which would mean it will still be cheaper than the less practical three-door Mini Cooper SE ($58,990, plus on-roads) and the much quicker MG4 XPower ($55,990).