Family Cars

You have to feel for the good folks at Toyota. The executive team spends years downplaying EVs for Australia – suggesting they’re not the right fit for most Australians, are too expensive, and can’t do all the things ICE engines can do – and then they have to go and bloody launch one.I was at the launch of the bZ4X in 2024, the brand’s first-ever EV, and so was on hand to see the spectacular verbal gymnastics on display.One of the brand’s then-most senior executives had described EVs as “impractical”, suggested that “hybrids can have a greater impact than full electrification”, and – if you go back as far as 2019 – said he had no plans to launch EVs in Australia at all."I always get concerned when pure electric vehicles turn up at fairly big prices, and people instantly think people will buy them and they'll take off," Toyota’s then VP of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley told me back then."But if there's one thing I've learned on the hybrid journey it's that they have to be affordable. I get frustrated when people say electrification isn't being taken up in Australia as quickly as it should be. Well, who is going to buy these small cars for $50,000?"And then here we were, launching the bZ4X — the brand's big push into the EV space — which started at a cool $66,000.And yes, there was other stuff holding the Toyota back. It was probably too expensive, it didn’t travel far enough on a single charge, and it arrived at a time when Chinese EVs were turning up offering more for less, increasing competition in our market seemingly daily.But surely at least part of its sluggish sales performance (in 2025 the brand shifted 1041 examples, compared to the Tesla Model Y’s 22,239 sales) is down to the fact that Toyota had spent so long telling its customers to ignore EVs, right before trying to sell them one?The good news for Toyota is that the tide is now slowly turning. This new and improved bZ4X is finding new buyers, with the brand already doubling its 2025 total over the first seven months of 2026. The brand is investing in advertising to increase awareness, and its EV fleet is growing.The Touring (or wagon) version of the bZ4X has already arrived, and the electric CH-R will arrive next year, too. Also here, but less relevant, is the Toyota HiLux BEV, which is aimed fairly squarely at mining companies, but you can in fact buy one if you really want to.“The (new) bZ4X is, from a value point of view, compared to the previous one, you can see that sort of step up. And the bZ was doing really well even before the sort of fuel crisis spike of demand,” Toyota’s new VP of sales and marketing, John Pappas, told me at the launch of the Touring.“Now what we're seeing is, we just launched bZ4X Touring, we're already seeing that the normal increased run rate of the bZ with the Touring has literally doubled the run rate of the family.“So that's a really good step for us, right? Now, into the future, yes we've got the Hilux BEV as well, but next year we're bringing the C-HR in a BEV in the middle of 2027.”Toyota has another ace up its sleeve, too. There is no other brand, and certainly no newcomer, that can offer the depth of coverage Toyota does from a dealership perspective. Trust is important when you’re dropping big money on a new car, and Toyota has a ton of it.Don’t rule Toyota out of the EV game yet. It has a heap of work to do to chase down its rivals in the space, but the brand appears to be at last beginning to take that challenge seriously.If you’ve read any of my long-term dispatches on the bZ4X you’ll know that I think it has the goods to take on Tesla and BYD in the electric SUV space.Now Toyota just has to convince its customers that it cares about EVs in the same way it cares about hybrids.

The days of China playing catch-up with the rest of the automotive world are over. Some of the oldest brands in the car industry are now able to learn from Chinese brands, as they look to become more competitive on price and with the latest generation of electric vehicles.One of the companies at the centre of this new dynamic is Stellantis, the multinational group that combines Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Peugeot, Citroen, Maserati, Jeep, Opel and more under the one umbrella. Since 2023, Stellantis has had a stake in Chinese brand Leapmotor and has begun selling its vehicles in global markets - including Australia.The initial offering, the C10 SUV, was met with less-than-glowing reviews and since then the two sides of the joint-venture have begun to work more closely together.Stellantis is teaching Leapmotor how to build cars more appealing to European and Australian customers, but Leapmotor is also able to teach its own lessons, too.That’s according to Francesco Giacalone, Leapmotor International Head of Product and Marketing, who said the information and learnings flow both ways between Europe and China.“ For what concern Leapmotor, what we are seeing is that there are, in this moment, more and more interactions in terms of vehicle customisation,” Giacalone said.“So there are Stellantis teams of chassis, dynamic performance that are constantly visiting Leapmotor to help to improve the Leapmotor products for the overseas markets."They are as a Stellantis team acquiring experience about how Leapmotor develop the products and in concrete terms, helping Leapmotor to be more efficient and fit to the customer in overseas markets."At the same time, they are learning component by component what can be picked from Leapmotor as let's say low-hanging fruits or a bit more complex to integrate in the Stellantis architecture.”The launch of the more European-focused B05 hatchback and the new B03X compact SUV are signs of the European and Chinese sides of the business working together to shape a more globally friendly offering. The B05 is due to arrive in Australian showrooms before the end of 2026. Pricing has already been announced, with the all-electric hatchback set to start from $35,990 drive-away for the base car, while the long-range variant will start at $39,990 drive-away.That means it won’t be the cheapest EV on sale in its segment, the GWM Ora 5 starts at just $33,990 drive-away, but it does feature a 160kW/240Nm electric motor, rear-wheel drive layout and the tuning was largely done in Europe with the help of Stellantis - combining the best of both sides of the partnership.While Giacalone didn’t reveal exactly what cars Leapmotor has planned for the Australian market, he did hint at offering cars tailored to our tastes, and even indicated a ute is under investigation.So expect more examples of affordable, European-tuned but Chinese-built cars, like the B05 and B03X to become increasingly common in the coming years.

The MG U9 Explore Pro is the top-shelf variant in MG’s ute line-up. It has plenty of onboard features, as well as a variety of drive modes and – most importantly if you’re a keen off-roader – it has front and rear diff locks as standard. But, how does this MG ute perform off-road? 

Could Mitsubishi's new Pajero spawn a lust-worthy three-door version. We certainly hope so, with the internet producing 'Shorty' renders that have us drooling.We know that Mitsubishi has plans for the Pajero family to grow beyond the Triton-based 4WD that will launch in Australia soon.In fact, the brand says that: “In addition to the "Pajero" to be launched this year as a model that embodies the DNA of Mitsubishi Motors-ness, we will introduce additional new models going forward as part of the 'Pajero' series.”Could one of those models be a smaller, three-door variant, like this hopeful render that has appeared on AutoEvolution?International media certainly thinks so, with sites like Japan's BestCar confirming a smaller variant is coming.It would be one of three Pajero models, including the one we've seen, a smaller mid-size SUV offering, and a third LandCruiser FJ -style 4WD, according to reports.For now, the new Pajero looms, and will arrive in Australia sporting a 150kW/480Nm 2.4-litre turbocharged diesel engine — a version of the Triton's well-known donk.Unlike the Triton, though, the Pajero's power is fed through an eight-speed automatic, which should help with both fuel use and refinement.It also has a wider track and more advanced suspension than its ute sibling, too.It arrives in three grades – the GLS with five or seven seats, the Exceed and the flagship GSR – with pricing spanning $68,490 to $84,990.“For four generations, the Pajero has defined Mitsubishi. It has stood out for its capability, comfort and sheer dependability, showcasing the best Mitsubishi has to offer,” says Mitsubishi CEO, Shunichi Kihara.“The All-New Pajero takes the Pajero backstory and modernises it. It maintains its flagship position in the global Mitsubishi hierarchy, combining Pajero’s core attributes and applying it in a way that defines modern ‘Mitsubishiness’.

The true successor to the Ford Falcon is finally coming, with a new name, fresh body styles and the right powertrain for our times, and it should be huge.This isn’t speculation or hyperbole either, but the facts behind an upcoming entire family of electric vehicles (EVs) recently announced by Ford’s global CEO, Jim Farley.With the first model badged Fathom, they represent a return to brand values at a most critical time in the company’s 123-year history.While not yet announced for Australia, the Fathom name has already been trademarked in this country, while its architecture has been engineered for right-hand-drive, auguring well for an eventual local launch.Starting from around $A40,000 in the US when orders commence early next year, the Fathom will initially launch as a four-door, five-seater mid-sized dual-cab EV of monocoque construction.Despite what the styling implies, this is not a ladder-frame pick-up, but an integrated ute around the size of the existing and highly successful Maverick, which is sadly unavailable in Australia.The Fathom is expected to eventually be part of a wider family of EVs that will likely include an SUV spin-off.In other words, Ford is devising a range of models that sit at the heart of the global new-vehicle market.Van and possibly passenger-car and crossover versions are also set to arrive in time.These are all possible due to some smart thinking behind what Ford calls the Universal EV Platform (UEP).New from the ground up, this is a modular architecture designed and engineered to be as flexible as possible.A key component of the UEP’s flat, skateboard framework is an integrated lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery module to provide extra strength and packaging efficiency.Other details, including range and specifications, will be released at a later date.Created to keep costs down, UEP is a direct response to the dramatically increased competition from China, as well as from South Korea, Japan and Europe.China in particular has rewritten the rules on hybrid and EV affordability, so Fathom is part of Ford’s wider fightback strategy.And not for the first time since 1903, either.Have no doubts. Philosophically, Fathom is a modern Falcon in all but name.The Fathom is a textbook return to everything the Falcon was and represented when Ford unveiled it in America in September, 1959.Back then, the company was struggling amid recession and the financial fallout of the multi-billion-dollar Edsel premium brand disaster.These were happening against the backdrop of booming sales for smaller and cheaper European (and later Japanese) models, like the Volkswagen Beetle and Renault Dauphine – something that none of the major American carmakers foresaw nor had adequate responses for.Described as a “compact”, it’s mad to think the Falcon was Ford’s direct answer to the Beetle, but until then, the Blue Oval’s smallest US offerings were still massive, like the 1959 ‘Tank’ Fairlane.With demand far outstripping forecasts, in one fell swoop, the original Falcon turned Ford around, outselling all before it.And let’s not forget – the Falcon also spawned the phenomenon that was the original Mustang.After all these years, Ford is hoping that magic Falcon lightning will strike again with Fathom. And, in the latter 2020s, it makes sense for that to be dual-cab ute. Going where the buyers are.The first Falcon was released in Australia in September, 1960, starting a 56-year battle against Holden, finally toppling it from number one for the first time in 1982.Before utes and SUVs ruled, sedans and wagons were on top, something the also-modular Falcon provided, along with ute and panel van alternatives.Fast forward to today, and Ford is profitable in North America but struggling in Europe, China and elsewhere, including in Australia.The least expensive new Ford passenger vehicle is the Everest Active 4WD from $58,990 before on-road costs.That’s why the Falcon handbook has been dusted off and modernised to better-suit consumer tastes, as the 2027 Fathom.Ford is returning to its roots by going back to basics.Here’s why the Fathom would be relevant for Ford Australia.We might be a ute and SUV-loving nation, but our appetite for EVs is now amongst the strongest in the world per-capita, so the timing couldn’t be more crucial.Especially as Ford is facing massive fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) because its carbon pollution-heavy internal combustion engine-powered T6 II Ranger ute and its Everest diesel SUV spin-off account for around 90 per cent of total brand sales volumes.Plus, it will be increasingly difficult for Ranger and Everest sales to sustain the same cadence as before, coming under pressure from newer and mainly hybridised competition pouring into Australia.Of course, Ford will continue to evolve the T6 II models, and it’s believed that body-on-frame replacements – likely from China – are in the pipeline as the end of the decade nears.

The Renault Symbioz is a new, small SUV from the French brand. We drove at its Aussie launch this year, but this is the first time we’ve lived with it for a week and I almost feel sorry for the thing.You see, the Symbioz was sparkling clean, fresh from being built in Valladolid, Spain before landing in the middle of a battlefield of Aussie suburbia with a four-year-old who immediately smudged chocolate in the seat and an 11-year old with more appointments and commitments than a prime minister.The Symbioz that I tested for family friendliness is the entry-grade Techno with the mild hybrid system.It was a long week. Here’s how it went...The Renault Symbioz model range is small in Australia consisting of only two grades. We tested the entry-level Techno mild hybrid, although you can get a full hybrid.The list price of the Symbioz Techno mild hybrid is $36,990 before on-road costs, which is a lot more expensive than some Chinese rivals like the Jaecoo J5 or a Chery Tiggo 4, and a smidge more than the Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Cross or Mazda CX-30. It is, however, more affordable than the hybrid-only Nissan Qashqai.The Symbioz Techno is worth the extra money even if the value isn’t as good as a Chinese SUV, because the difference is higher quality fit and finish and a more enjoyable car to drive.Standard features on the Techno include 18-inch alloy wheels, proximity unlocking, push-button start, a 10.4-inch media screen and 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, climate control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus Google Automated services.The seats are a synthetic fabric and that means chocolate wipes straight off, thankfully.Our test car is fitted with the optional electronic glass roof which turns from transparent to opaque thanks to a dispersed polymer liquid crystal film between the sheets of glass. The beauty of this is that there's no need for a sunshade that could reduce head room. Check out my video here to see it work.Yes, while value isn’t one of the Renault Symbioz’s strengths it does have a lot of compelling attributes.Four attributes stand out as the strengths: the design, quality feel, practicality and the way it drives.I truly believe that the Symbioz is the best-looking small SUV for the price right now. I love the rear design especially with the razor-sharp tail-lights, but the entire vehicle is superbly styled and looks far more expensive than the price tag.The same goes for the interior and not just the design, but the feel of the fabrics and materials, switches and the steering wheel. Many SUVs try to aim for a stylish look, but few achieve the feel. This also goes for the thoughtful layout of this cabin that places everything within reach and where it should be.The practicality of the Symbioz is also outstanding. As a mum to two kids that insist on bringing everything everywhere, a small SUV (it’s 4.4m long) is generally too small for us. But the excellent storage, occupant space and boot, which expands from 460L-592L because the rear row is on rails, has me rethinking that rule. If you’re a family in an urban setting but need all the storage and room that kids and adults require, then seriously consider the Symbioz.The materials are also easy to clean and feel hard wearing, too.Finally, the way the Symbioz drives is so engaging. Yes the 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine has a bit of the dreaded turbo lag and yes the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission can be a little clunky.In a world of fully electric cars with seamless stop and go, this engine and transmission feels a bit antiquated, but the Symbioz is still so enjoyable to pilot in an old-school way.As much as I love EVs for urban duties like the daycare drop off, grocery shopping and after-school sports dashes, I’d missed how fun these little runs can be in something with great handling and steering and a grunty little engine.Well, as mentioned the price is a bit steep, but you’re getting a nicer car for the money than many rivals.Also the warranty is only five-years/unlimited kilometres, which is falling behind many mainstream brands. Servicing is required every 30,000km or 12 months. You can buy a five-year service package for $2700 which is about $540 a visit and that’s expensive compared to a few rivals.And then there’s the fuel consumption. The mild hybrid isn’t as fuel efficient as the full hybrid and because I drove it like a rally queen, I used an average of 10.5L/100km over about 150km of driving.The official fuel consumption is 6.4L/100km but personally I don’t think they were flying this small SUV to school and pre-school to Scouts to Kung Fu to birthday parties and tutoring all with just 15 minutes to get to all of these places. With more moderate urban driving, a lower figure is certainly achievable.Finally, the Symbioz has not been rated by ANCAP, but its Continental equivalent, EuroNCAP only gave it four-out-of-five stars for safety. This was partly because it lacks a front centre airbag and front knee airbags, as well as average occupant protection for the driver.

The Porsche Cayenne S Electric is the middle member of the initial three-tier line-up that has launched in Australia in 2026.Priced from $193,000 for the SUV and $194,500 for the Coupe, the Cayenne S Electric is only just over $8000 more than its petrol alternative. For that money you get:21-inch alloy wheelsMatrix LED headlightsIlluminated ‘Porsche’ lettering on the bootlidPanoramic glass roofFour-zone climate controlEight-way adjustable sports seatsBose surround sound audio system with 14 speakersThis new electric version has the same basic silhouette of the previous Cayenne, but the details give it a distinctive look, this new model is longer and lower than the internal combustion versions. The details of the design also give it a sharper, more modern look too. The same is true of the interior, with a modern design that keeps the Cayenne Electric contemporary, but also practical and loaded with all the technology modern buyers expect.The Cayenne S has a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain that makes 400kW (490kW on Overboost) and 1080Nm and has a 0-100km/h time of a very rapid 3.8 seconds.Range for the Cayenne S is rated at 571km, thanks to its 106kWh battery, which is the most of the range.As for safety, the Cayenne Electric is as well equipped as you should expect a car at this price to be. There are all the features that have become the norm, including speed limit warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, etc.But it’s not the fact that it has all the safety features that’s impressive, it’s the level of calibration, with very good integration.

My 2016 Foton Tunland has a slight ticking noise at revs from the rear of the engine.

My 2017 Kia Carnival is out of warranty can I still claim any diagnostic repairs?

My 2009 Nissan X-Trail is going forward only, and won’t move in Reverse