Electric Cars

The Cupra Raval has been created to be the small electric car you'll actually love to drive when it arrives in Australia in 2027.The first of four battery-powered small cars developed by the Volkswagen Group, the pint-sized Cupra Raval shares its MEB+ platform with the Volkswagen ID. Polo, ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq, with all four to be manufactured in plants in Spain.Built to battle the Mini Cooper Electric and Renault 5 EV available in Europe and coming Chinese small EVs such as the Geely EX2 and Nio Firefly, Cupra has priced the unashamedly sporty Raval from €26,000 (A$43,400), which means it will command a big five-figure premium over some of the cheapest Chinese EVs Down Under.The Spanish brand hopes you'll think it will be a price worth paying, with the small EV adopting features and levels of personalisation normally associated with more expensive premium offerings. Most will be attracted by the baby Cupra's striking looks, which were previewed by the 2021 UrbanRebel concept.Matching the show car's muscular proportions, the small Cupra's trademark shark nose front end, along with hidden door handles, front air curtains, active grille shutters and a rear spoiler and diffuser, all bless the Raval with best-in-class aerodynamics.Measuring in at 4046mm long, 1784mm wide and 1518mm tall with a 2600mm wheelbase, despite its small footprint, space is impressive within, with rear adults able to squeeze themselves behind the driver in the second row although the 430-litre boot is only average for a highly competitive segment.Behind the wheel, Cupra says the Raval will drive like nothing else in the segment and, to ensure it has the edge over the pair of Volkswagen and Skoda stablemates, the Raval comes with the firm's 'progressive' variable ratio steering, special wheel carriers, front and rear brake discs, and a wider front axle, for a sharper, grippier drive more akin to a hot hatch.Driving the front wheels is the choice of either an 85kW or 98kW e-motor that is combined with a modest 37kWh battery for a 300km range.Faster versions bag 155kW and a larger 52kWh battery that boosts the range to 400km, while the most powerful 166kW motor is reserved for the sportiest Raval VZ that gets large 19-inch alloy wheels electronic limited-slip differential and adaptive dampers and is claimed to launch from 0-100km/h in less than seven seconds.The sportiest suspension set-up sees the Raval sit 15mm lower, with a further 10mm wider front and rear track, while the adaptive dampers sharpen up handling further.New tech includes a brake-by-wire e-brake system that is said to herald improved feel and enhanced regeneration when slowing.If that doesn't sound sporty enough, an insider told Carsguide that the MEB+ has been engineered to swap out its rear torsion beam suspension for a multi-link set-up that makes room for a second motor, adding extra power and all-wheel drive.Expect the more powerful Raval to pump out more than 250kW and share its dual-motor powertrain with the rumoured ID. Polo R, which means it should sprint from 0-100km/h in less than five seconds.Relying on 400-volt electrics means charging speeds for the 37kWh power pack is limited to 90kW, with a 10 to 80 per cent top-up taking 27 minutes. The bigger battery, meanwhile, accepts a 130kW charge for a brisker 23-minute 10-80 per cent refill.Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is available allowing you to power small domestic appliances on the move.The first Cupra to come with an Android-powered operating system, the Raval combines a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a larger 12.9-inch infotainment that launches with apps for YouTube, Spotify and other streaming services.As standard, the Raval comes with seven speakers, with the option of a more powerful 475W 12-speaker premium Sennheiser sound system.Elsewhere equipment levels are high. All models come with a 15W wireless phone charger and high-speed USB-C chargers, including in the rear, that top up at up to 90W.Dual-zone climate control, trick ambient lighting, remote park assist, rear traffic alert, 360-degree surround view and loads of standard safety kit, that includes seven airbags, adaptive seatbelts and interior cameras monitoring driver fatigue, should ensure a full five-star ANCAP rating.New safety tech includes a pre-crash function, that prepares the car for impact by closing windows and sunroof while activating hazard warning lights and tensioning the front seatbelts will also be offered for the first time.There's even onboard tech that can detect if you confuse the accelerator with the brake pedal at low speed and prevent a nasty impact.More big car tech includes adaptive cruise that works without painted roads, that slow the cars for speed bumps and even detects traffic lights.Available in seven exterior colours, including matte finishes, as well as a new iridescent paint finish, along with the option of a black or grey roof and up to eight different alloy wheel choices, Cupra says the Raval will get levels of personalisation well beyond any of its rivals.Lowering insurance costs is an ECU and data recorder that can estimate the severity of damage and make a workshop call to streamline the repair process, while deformable elements in the front and rear bumpers lower the cost of repair.Confirmed for an arrival in Australia, full timings and specification of the Cupra Raval we'll get will be locked in closer to its expected 2027 introduction in our market.

The new-generation Lexus ES sedan has been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its launch later this year.According to the Australian Government filing, only electric versions of the new 2026 Lexus ES have been approved for local sale thus far.Lexus has previously noted that the ES will initially launch in Australia with the ES500e flagship electric variant. It's powered by a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 252kW.However, the Japanese carmaker has confirmed both electric and hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered in Australia.The only other ES variant that has been approved for local sale thus far is the ES350e which is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor with 170kW of power.Hybrid versions of the ES will likely be approved for local sale at a later point, indicating that they may launch after the electric versions.Globally there are two hybrid versions of the ES, the ES300h and ES350h. They are powered by either a 2.0-litre hybrid or 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain, respectively. Both are offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.Little other information about the ES is confirmed in the local approval filing.It measures in at 5145mm long, 1920mm wide and 1560mm tall, with a 2950mm wheelbase. This makes it around 170mm longer than the outgoing model and slightly larger than a BMW 5 Series.The tare mass is 2180kg in the single-motor version and 2280kg for the dual-motor version. Gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 2635kg or 2735kg, respectively.Either 19- or 21-inch alloy wheels will be offered. At this stage no other specification details have been confirmed, but there is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.This eighth generation of the Lexus ES was previewed by the 2023 LF-ZC concept and features an angular design with a fastback silhouette.

It’s monstrously powerful, staggeringly quick and charges in less than 10 minutes - it’s the Denza Z9 GT electric wagon and it’s been officially confirmed for Australia.BYD’s luxury division Denza says its Z9 GT will make its local debut at the 2026 Melbourne motor show this weekend with deliveries commencing towards the end of the year. “Australia is a market that demands performance without compromise, and the Z9 GT has been engineered to meet or exceed expectations,” said Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland.“The Denza Z9GT proves that electrification can deliver not just efficiency, but exhilarating performance, extraordinary safety and genuine long-distance usability."Pricing and full specifications have yet to be announced for Australia, but Denza has confirmed that our Z9 GT will be the first from the brand to use the new “blade battery 2.0 technology” and “Flash ultra charging”. This tech gives the battery 1500kW DC charging capability to fill from 10-97 per cent in nine minutes. Australia's current fastest charger can dish out 400kW.Denza Australia also confirmed the Z9 GT will have a range of 1036km (CLTC) and that means the local variant will have the large 122.5kWh battery. Expect about 20 per cent less in the real world.Three motors power the Z9 GT and produce a combined 850kW for a staggering 0-100km/h time of just 2.7 seconds.The Z9 GT will also have air suspension providing what is expected to be a comfortable and luxurious ride.The Z9 GT has a decadent cabin with Nappa leather upholstery massaging and ventilated seats, a 50-inch augmented reality head-up display, premium stereo system, built-in fridge and 128 colour ambient lighting. So how much will the Z9 GT cost?  That will be revealed closer to the models on-sale date but it is expected to be a lot less than the Porsche Taycan’s $181,000 starting price.The Denza B8 large plug-in hybrid SUV is the most expensive model currently of the brand with a list price of $97,990. The Z9 GT could extend beyond the $100,000 mark in Australia for the highest specification.BYD launched its luxury sub-brand Denza in Australia in early 2026 and led its arrival with the B5 and B8 hybrid SUVs. The brand's first fully electric vehicle to come to Australia is D9 people mover with the Z9 GT becoming the fourth model to launch in the brand’s local expansion.

Kia has revealed pricing for its upcoming next-generation tradie van, the PV5.Starting at $55,990 before on-road costs for its single launch Cargo S Long Range variant, the PV5 is more affordable than all of its key rivals, setting the new price-to-beat for the electric tradie van segment.Equipped with a 71.2kWh NMC battery pack, the PV5 has a WLTP-certified range of 416km. Kia is yet to lock in any more local specifications for the van, with further details to be revealed imminently at the Melbourne Motor Show.However, from equivalent European spec, we can see this single motor front-wheel drive version with the 71.2kWh battery is powered by a 120kW/250Nm electric motor.It has a torsion-beam rear suspension and 16-inch alloy wheels (or 16-inch steel wheels), and LED lighting on the outside, with a 7.5-inch digital dash and 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the inside.Overseas versions with the long range battery are also equipped with a vehicle-to-load function, both with a three-pin port inside and via the external charging port for powering devices from the van’s battery, as well as the full active safety suite and over-the-air update functionality.Charging from 10 - 80 per cent is completed in less than 30 minutes, according to equivalent UK versions, thanks to a peak charging speed of 150kW, with 11kW AC charging delivering a 10 - 100 per cent charge in six hours, 30 minutes.UK market versions have the PV5 Cargo wielding a 4420 litre load space, which can accommodate two Euro-sized pallets with a 790kg payload. The tailgate features barn doors and a 419mm rear step height for easy loading. Built-in LED illumination, protective trims, mounting points and track rails can be optionally added.Expect to learn more about the PV5 imminently, but it is set to make a splash in the segment. At $55,990, it becomes the most affordable fully electric van, unseating the previous price-leading Peugeot e-Partner Pro LWB and Renault Kangoo E-Tech SWB, both of which start at $61,990 and are a full size down.The more size-equivalent LDV eDeliver 7 SWB starts from $69,463 (drive-away), while the most affordable Volkswagen ID.Buzz Cargo starts from $69,990. The next port-of-call in the segment is the Farizon SuperVan SWB which moves into the $70k-plus category.The PV5 will debut Kia’s new range of electric commercial vehicles to Australia, which will also eventually see the addition of the larger PV7, as the brand looks to capitalise on its low-emissions advantage over its key rivals and even its Hyundai sister brand.

GWM Australia has officially confirmed a larger version of its Ora will land in Australia this year, with a first showing at the Melbourne Motor Show this weekend.The 2026 GWM Ora 5, an SUV version of the electric car that hasn’t quite set the sales charts alight, is what the brand refers to as the “next phase” of its electrification in Australia.It went on sale in Thailand, also a right-hand drive market, last month, with prices starting at the equivalent of about $31,000. This puts it head-to-head with the BYD Atto 2.The Ora 5 is also available as a hybrid overseas.While the car on display and earmarked for Australia is being referred to as an “all-electric small SUV” by GWM Australia at the moment, it’s not clear if there are plans to bring its hybrid version here.“HEV represents a new addition to the ORA range expanding beyond its existing BEV offering,” a GWM spokesperson said. “At this stage, the only information we can share is that all options remain under investigation for the ANZ region.”Features like a panoramic glass roof, power tailgate, 18-inch alloys and LED headlights are standard for the Ora 5, while a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is the unit helping power the hybrid version.Claimed range for the EV is “up to” 430km tested under WLTP methods, which means it could be a realistic 400km+ EV range.The GWM Ora 5’s reveal at the Melbourne Motor Show will feature alongside displays of the plug-in hybrid versions of the Tank 500, new Tank 300, Cannon Alpha, Haval H6 and the Haval H6GT.

Built in China in partnership with Changan, the CX-6e joins the 6e sedan as part of a renewed EV push for Mazda Australia, which needs to get its emissions footprint down to comply with tougher regulations.The brand is giving the CX-6e its best shot at success with keen starting prices. The base GT grade starts at $53,990 (before on-road costs), making it one of the most affordable new electric mid-size SUVs from a mainstream brand.It is more affordable than the Kia EV5, Nissan Ariya and Tesla Model Y, but remains pricier than the Leapmotor C10, Geely EX5 and GAC Aion V.Deliveries for this new Mazda SUV will start in September.2026 Mazda CX-6e priceMazda’s new CX-6e from launch will only be separated by two different trim levels sharing the same battery and powertrain.2026 Mazda CX-6e powertrain and efficiencyLike its Mazda 6e sedan sibling, which has already launched in Australia, both launch variants use the same motor and battery combination.The CX-6e is rear-wheel drive only for now, equipped with a 190kW/290Nm electric motor.It is powered by a 78kWh LFP battery pack, which grants it a WLTP-rated driving range of 484km. Efficiency is yet to be revealed, but expect it to be marginally more than the lower-riding 6e sedan’s 15.9kWh/100km.Charging is completed in around 24 minutes (from 10 - 80 per cent) thanks to a peak 194kW charging speed, while the slower AC charging peaks at 11kW for a 0 - 100 per cent charge in eight hours.2026 Mazda CX-6e standard featuresSee the array of standard features below, with only a few luxury items separating the top-spec Azami from the base GT at the time of launch. Interestingly, the CX-6e gets a different interior treatment from the 6e, with an enormous multimedia screen spanning both front seats, and a large holographic head-up display replacing a standard digital instrument cluster.2026 Mazda CX-6e optional featuresThere are no significant optional features in the CX-6e range, with only the ‘Warm Beige’ alternate interior trim being offered as a $1000 option available on both the GT and Azami.2026 Mazda CX-6e coloursThere are seven colour options available for the CX-6e, including the brand’s signature Soul Red and an all-new colour not available on the related 6e sedan, Nightfall Violet Mica.Otherwise the standard colour palette includes machine grey metallic, aero grey metallic, airstream blue metallic, crystal white pearl mica, and jet black mica.In the case of the 6e, only the back, white, aero grey and crystal blue shades are no-cost, with the rest of the colour options able to be chosen at $595. Crystal blue is not available on the CX-6e.2026 Mazda CX-6e safetyThe entire array of active safety equipment is standard on the CX-6e range, including auto emergency braking with vulnerable road user detection and intersection braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, driver monitoring and radar cruise control.These join front and rear parking sensors, as well as the 360-degree parking suite.The CX-6e is yet to be rated by ANCAP.2026 Mazda CX-6e warranty and servicingExpect the CX-6e to be covered by Mazda’s standard five year and unlimited kilometre warranty with five years of roadside assist.The CX-6e can now be ordered, with the brand also replicating its strategy of offering pre-order customers a free spec upgrade to the Azami level at the price of the GT.This scheme has been expanded from 300 units for the 6e (which sold-out in two weeks) to 1000 units for the CX-6e.

Volvo has a history of making boxy, unexciting sedans - the ES90 does not follow that path. This all-new electric sedan (or liftback, technically) is the SUV alternative for those willing to think outside the box. We drive the new-for-2026 ES90 to tell you about its performance, range, value, design and practicality.

Electric vehicle sales are booming in a way they never have before in Australia. Buyer options have increased significantly in 2026, with more affordable choices also appearing more regularly. There were 15839 electric vehicle sales for March in 2026, up from 8385 compared to this time last year, representing a near 89 per cent year-on-year growth. Established SUV players such as the Tesla Model Y lead the way with 2818 sales, along with the BYD Sealion 7 (1970). There are also some new competitors climbing up the sales charts, such as the Zeekr 7X performance SUV, which managed 679 registrations for March, having launched late last year.The Tesla Model 3 sedan (667) continues to be present among the top sellers despite its prolonged downturn.The SUV trend continues as Geely’s EX5 (606) and the Kia EV5 (587) are next on the list, before BYD’s presence resumes with the Atto 2 small SUV (572). Another new EV making an early impression is the Jaecoo J5, which launched at the start of this year and achieved 569 sales last month. The BYD Atto 1 (488) and Atto 2 (466) also make the list along with the Kia EV3 (461). Hatchbacks are proving popular amongst EV buyers as well. The MG4 (451) remains among the strongest selling EVs, as does the BYD Dolphin (373). The Toyota bZ4X is also experiencing an upturn to 447 sales for March and BYD is represented again with its Seal sedan (337) to round out the top 15. Top selling electric cars Australia March 2026

BYD Chairman and Executive Director Wang Chuan-fu has said competition in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) industry “has reached a fever pitch” and is entering a “brutal knockout stage”.Speaking at the company’s 2025 Annual Results Announcement in Shenzhen, China, Mr Wang said, “In 2025, as the global landscape evolved at an accelerated pace, the century-long transformation of the global automotive industry entered a critical phase."“We also recognise that competition in the NEV industry has reached a fever pitch, and is undergoing a brutal knockout stage,” he said.The Chinese giant is widely perceived as the instigator of an intense price war in the domestic new car market, designed to apply pressure to newer, more vulnerable players.It’s worth noting XPeng Founder and Chairman He Xiaopeng is on the record with a prediction that the squeeze play to eliminate smaller EV makers “could last up to five years and leave just five survivors” from the 100-plus brands currently active in China.But BYD’s aggressive strategy has impacted its own results with year-on-year sales down 7.8 per cent to 3.55 million vehicles.As a consequence, net profit also fell ¥33 billion (~$6.8 billion) in the financial year to December 31, 2025 and the company’s net profit margin shrank to 4.1 per cent compared to 5.2 per cent in 2024.And a clue to the risky nature of the brand’s brutal discounting tactics is that fall in profit arriving in parallel with a 3.5 per cent increase in revenue to ¥804 billion (~$166 billion).For reference, China’s total automobile production and sales in 2025 reached a staggering 34.53 million and 34.40 million units, representing year-on-year increases of 10.4 per cent and 9.4 per cent, respectively.NEV production and sales hit 16.626 million and 16.49 million units, surging 29 per cent and 28.2 per cent year-on-year.With high tariffs effectively putting the US market off limits for now, Mr Wang noted the company’s growing export presence elsewhere with BYD now represented in 119 countries across Latin America, The Middle East, UK, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.He also pointed to completion of a US$5.6 billion (~A$7.9 billion) round of revenue raising “attracting participation from top-tier global long-term investors, sovereign wealth funds and strategic investors from the Middle East.”And in terms of product research and development across BYD and its Fangchengbao, Denza and Yangwang sub-brands, Mr Wang referenced the Group’s ‘Technology Dream Team’ comprising over 120,000 engineers with recent innovations including the ‘Super e-Platform’, claimed to be “the world’s first mass-produced, full-domain 1000V high-voltage architecture for passenger vehicles”.He also highlighted 'DiSus’, the Group’s proprietary intelligent body control system for NEVs and the second-generation ‘Blade’ battery including ‘Flash Charging Technology’ taking five minutes to charge from 10-70 per cent, nine minutes from 10-97 per cent at normal temperature and 12 minutes to charge from 20-97 per cent at -30 degrees C. The latter is claimed to set a new global record for the fastest charging speed in mass-produced EVs, in the process “overcoming the global challenges of ‘slow charging’ and ‘difficult low-temperature charging’ that have characterised the first half of the electrification race.”

Chery Australia has introduced a sharp drive-away deal for its E5 electric compact SUV, while discontinuing the previous entry level variant.The E5 will now start from $37,990 (drive-away), coming in a single variant called the Ultimate, which used to top the range, meaning the base Urban grade is no longer available. Despite the entry level grade being cut from the range, the new price represents a substantial saving on previous $40,990 before on-road cost pricing for the range-topping variant.The new E5 drive-away deal will be available until the end of the financial year. The deal means the E5 is now more affordable than many of its rivals, including the BYD Atto 3 and the Geely EX5, with the latter recently experiencing a small price bump. The E5 now comes as standard with all off the model’s premium features such as a sunroof and synthetic leather upholstery along with heated front and rear seats.Other upgrades on the Ultimate include a heated synthetic leather steering wheel, ambient lighting and a 50W wireless phone charger as well as a premium sound system.It is powered by a single electric motor, which produces 155kW and 288Nm, along with a 68kWh battery offering a driving range of 430km. DC charging on the E5 from 30-80 per cent takes less than half an hour. Chery pulled a similar pricing move with its luxury sub-brand Jaecoo on the J7 SUV, which was offered with a cheap drive-away price until the end of February, following the base variant being cut.The brand has had a bumper start to 2026 climbing into the top 10 selling brands for March 2026, led by the success of the Tiggo 4 compact SUV.Chery will launch several new models in Australia in the coming months, including the much-anticipated diesel plug-in hybrid ute codenamed the KP31.