Family Cars

Toyota is about to change up its hybrid plans with confirmation that it will begin producing range-extender hybrid electric vehicles (REEV), but it may not be for the reason you think.Starting in the first quarter of 2027, Toyota will start building extended-range hybrids for the first time. The vehicles will be produced in China with Toyota predicting it will build 200,000 next year before increasing to 400,000 units in 2028.The move to build range-extender hybrids signals a significant shift for Toyota. The reasons behind the plan don't have much to do with Australia, but we could benefit from it.A range-extender hybrid uses a small petrol engine to charge the battery which powers electric motors. Basically, it's an electric vehicle with an onboard petrol generator.The main hybrid system Toyota uses is a series-parallel hybrid with a petrol engine and electric motor, both capable of driving the wheels independently of each other or together.The Toyota RAV4, Camry, Kluger and Corolla Cross all use a series-parallel hybrid systemToyota also makes plug-in hybrids, but in smaller numbers.So, here’s the kicker. Toyota is making range-extender hybrids so it can better compete against rival carmakers in China.China is going through a tumultuous time with fiercely competitive EV pricing as petrol cars fall out of favour. Hybrids, especially REEVs, are being pushed by China’s government as a way to diffuse the EV price war and allay concerns about available charging infrastructure. The incentives for buying range extenders are also designed to promote the take-up of these vehicles.REEVs are excellent for fuel economy and Nissan uses similar technology in models such as the X-Trail and Qashqai, but will it come to a Toyota RAV4 soon? The answer is no, not unless it has to in order to compete with REEV rivals in Australia.Toyota has so much invested in its series-parallel hybrid systems and such huge market dominance that it’s difficult to see how another hybrid will offer any kind of return on the effort to launch it.If fuel prices continue to fluctuate, Toyota could well change its tune.There are currently a limited number of REEVs available in Australia and this includes the Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai, Leapmotor's C10 and B10 REEV and the freshly launched Forthing 5.Hyundai is expected to launch a REEV variant of the Santa Fe SUV next year.

Geely has revealed the heavily updated 2026 EX5 ahead of its global launch.The EX5, which is already one of the best-selling electric mid-size SUVs in Australia, is set for a deeper upgrade than a typical facelift, moving from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive.It also comes with a huge power upgrade, with the current 160kW front-mounted motor being replaced by a 245kW unit on the rear. It also comes with an upgrade to the car’s max speed from 175km/h to 201km/h.The car has also grown in dimensions slightly, now 4636mm long, 1920mm wide and 1670mm tall, making it both taller and wider than the outgoing car.The brand also says the EX5 will make the switch to the latest generation version of Geely’s LFP ‘Aegis’ battery pack. Details are yet to be revealed, but given the company said it will enable the new SUV to charge in just 10 minutes, it suggests an upgrade to an 800-volt architecture.Certainly, it will be an upgrade from the EX5’s current max charging speed of 100kW, which results in a charge time of more than 30 minutes.It is also expected to boost range from the current car’s 410km WLTP from the modest 60.22kWh unit.In addition, with the space above the front axle freed up, the EX5 is set to get an under-bonnet storage area frunk for the first time.Exterior styling has received some tweaks, while maintaining the overall vibe. The front bumper has been redesigned to add a three-dimensional effect, while the rear lower bumper and tailgate-mounted spoiler have also been tweaked.One of the most noticeable changes are the new alloy wheels (available in either 18- or 19-inch designs).The interior has also been tweaked. The new car replaces the odd squircle steering wheel with a new round design also seen in the upcoming Monjaro EM-i, as well as a crystal-look multifunction control dial to replace the current plastic-look unit.There also appears to be re-designed seat trim, new two-tone colour schemes, and ambient lighting throughout.The car appears to maintain the same 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 15.4-inch multimedia touchscreen as before, as well as the flip-open storage tray and wireless phone charging bay.More details on the new EX5 are expected to be confirmed imminently for the Chinese market, with the brand focusing on its global aspirations.Geely Australia representatives told CarsGuide there was nothing to share yet on the future of the EX5 locally, although added there was more up the brand’s sleeve for the latter half of 2027.This is on top of the company doubling its model range in Australia in the next year. It has confirmed the Emgrand sedan and Monjaro mid-sizer are set to arrive in the first half, and they will be joined by the flagship Battleship 700 hybrid off-roader before the end of 2027.Stay tuned for more on Geely’s rapid range expansion soon as the brand solidifies its top-10 aspirations in the Australian market.

GWM says diesel has a huge role to play in Australia’s future, citing the 'incredible amount' of its customers demanding diesel in the ute and SUV space.The comments came at the launch of the brand’s new 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine, which made its Australian — and global — debut in the Tank 500 and Cannon Alpha this week.The engine in question is the brand's new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, producing 170kW and an impressive 620Nm. The brand also says that it is one of the few diesel offerings in the market that doesn't require AdBlue.It marks a rare launch of an all-new diesel engine in a market in which EV and PHEV uptake is only increasing.GWM offers a range of electrified options, but says diesel still has a key role to play for many of its customers.“While the industry is celebrating the equal split between petrol, diesel, ICE and EV, in the ute segment, and in the body-on-frame segment where Tank plays, 75 per cent is still diesel," says John Kett, GWM Australia and New Zealand Chief Operating Officer."Now I know it'll drop, but in that core space there's still an incredible amount of diesel customer base out there. Based on either geography, or how they use it, or their budget, they still want to do it, they still want to drive diesel. And we believe we'll have a technical advantage over many of those brands that have owned that segment for a long time."We know that there's still customers there, even though it's almost a sin to talk about, they're still buying."GWM will soon have one of the most powerful large SUVs in Australia, with the brand at last confirming its newly developed V8 engine will launch in our market next year.The brand stopped short of confirming which model the engine would be fitted to, but it is almost certain to be the Tank 700, which has already been earmarked for V8 power globally.GWM hasn't confirmed full technical details, yet, but it will be a 4.0-litre V8, which is a popular size and used by high-performance brands such as Mercedes-AMG, Aston Martin and more.GWM's GM of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver said GWM is offering a wide variety of choice to Australians and it is paying dividends, so a V8-powered hero car makes sense."Now, are we going to sell V8s in volume in this country? No. Would we love to have it as a halo car? Absolutely. There's a high- and a low-performance potentially coming, so yes, the V8 could go into a Tank, but it could also potentially go into a hypercar as well," said Maciver.

A new adventure-focused brand is one step closer to Australia.The Jetour T2 plug-in hybrid SUV has just been priced in Malaysia, a right-hand drive market, ahead of the Jetour brand’s impending Australian arrival.It shapes up closer to the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year overall winner, the Hyundai Santa Fe and the incoming Ford Bronco Basecamp.The T2 is a size up on mid-size SUVs, including the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.It starts from 162,800 ringgits (about $56,000), which is more expensive than the petrol variant of the car.The T2 PHEV is powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 100kW/220Nm and two electric motors making 165kW/390Nm.The set-up’s combined to produce a total system output of 265kW and 610Nm.It has four separate driving modes and can drive on EV-only or hybrid power.The PHEV is only available with front-wheel drive, meaning it doesn’t have an AWD option like the petrol variant.It is equipped with a BYD Blade 18.4kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, offering more than 100km of EV-only driving range and a total range of 1200km, according to the more generous NEDC.It is capable of DC charging from 30 to 80 per cent in 27 minutes.The PHEV set-up in the T2 means it can power devices at up to 3.3kW using its vehicle-to-load system.Inside, there is a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital driver display, with a 50W wireless phone charger also standard.The car comes with a 12-speaker Sony audio system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.From the outside, the car has a boxy look and shows off full-length roof racks.Its headlight design is split up into four quarters, with a vertical front grille design.Jetour is Chery’s adventure-focused sub-brand, but it will operate separately to Chery Group in the Aussie market when it launches in Australia in 2027. The T2’s right-hand drive status provides an indication it could be one of its first models to go on sale Down Under.Jetour recently launched its T1 SUV in Malaysia, a smaller sibling to the T2 but it is a petrol-only model and would incur penalties under Australian emissions rules. Buyers can expect more details on Jetour, and the T2’s future later in 2026. 

Land Rover has revealed its toughest vehicles yet.The company has unveiled three new versions of its Wolf Series for the UK Ministry of Defence.The three versions of the 2026 Land Rover Defender include a Tactical Mobility Vehicle (TMV), Mono‑Tactical Mobility Vehicle (M‑TMV) and a Utility Vehicle (UV) according to JLR (Jaguar Land Rover).They’re all built on the Defender’s platform, and were shown off at the brand’s Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire last week.The news that JLR and Stellantis are working on a ute model, possibly to be badged as a Defender, coincides with the Wolf Series II reveal.The Land Rover Wolf name has been used since the mid-1990s for Defender-based military vehicles built by the British brand for use in service all over the world.After “more than 62,000 tests” the Defender Wolf Series II vehicles are the first to be badged as such in the current generation of Defender.The intention of the showcase is for JLR’s newly minted Defender Defence Division to compete for the UK Ministry of Defence’s Light Mobility Vehicle tender, as well as for the brand to offer the Wolf Series II for sale to NATO defence organisations.As a vehicle intended for Military service, JLR hasn’t published the exact specifications of the Defender Wolf Series II.What has been published is that the new trio is built on the brand’s “purpose‑engineered D7x architecture” and uses British-made engines. They’re likely modified versions of a JLR diesel engine.Defender Managing Director Patrick McGillycuddy said about as much as the brand is likely to divulge about the vehicles.“Defender Wolf Series II is exceptionally robust and versatile,” McGillycuddy said.“Its D7x monocoque construction enables us to adapt the platform to the wide range of roles and operational requirements demanded by military organisations.“It is a modern successor to the world‑famous Defender Wolf and Land Rovers that have served the British Armed Forces for more than 70 years. “Designed and engineered in Britain, with an engine built in Wolverhampton, Defender Wolf Series II also delivers sovereign capability.”

Subaru has done what no other carmaker has and fixed one of the biggest problems facing electric car owners in the process. Subaru has revealed a new accessory that will allow you to fit a spare tyre under the floor.The majority of electric cars currently come with a tyre repair kit, which is fiddly to use and worthless on serious punctures, resulting in customers usually needing a tow.Subaru has revealed a new accessory for the Trailseeker electric SUV.The genuine spare tyre accessory kit will fit a space saver spare underneath the boot floor, maintaining the low floor height without taking away the standard cargo space.Subaru said it can be fitted to new orders or existing vehicles and is priced at $1145.No other carmaker has a similar accessory.Boss of Inchcape, Subaru’s Australian importer, Blair Read said the new accessory will help Australians use their vehicles as they really want to."What we're hearing from customers is that Trailseeker offers something genuinely different."They love the idea of an EV that still feels ready for a weekend away, a road trip or an adventure beyond the city limits,” said Read.The Trailseeker is a big five-seat SUV, and is related to the Toyota bZ4X Touring.Being a Subaru it lives up to its outdoorsy theme, with all-wheel drive grip thanks to two electric motors combining for 280kW and 537Nm.It has Subaru’s X-Mode that improves grip in various road surfaces and inclines and declines.It also has 211mm of ground clearance to help it hop over the rough stuff.The Trailseeker is priced from $63,990, before on-road costs, and rises to $69,990 for the Touring grade.At its heart is a circa-75kWh battery that delivers 533km of driving range in the base version and 488km in the Touring.There is plenty of standard kit included, such as heated, power adjustable synthetic leather-wrapped seats, a heated steering wheel, power tailgate, 14-inch multimedia screen and plenty of safety tech.When it comes to electric cars that come with a spare tyre the list is a short one.The Chery E5 is the only EV that comes with a full-size spare.GWM’s new Ora 5 comes with a space-saver spare, as does the Hyundai Kona Electric.Toyota has fitted a full-size spare tyre to its HiLux BEV ute.There are a number of commercial electric vans that have a full-size spare, including several Farizon vans, Ford E-Transit, LDV eDeliver 5 and 7 and the Mercedes-Benz eSprinter and eVito.

Aussie buyers have a new electric SUV to choose from in Australia.The Smart #5 is a mid-size SUV from a Geely and Mercedes-Benz joint venture in China.It will start from $58,900, so it’s identically priced to the Tesla Model Y ($58,900) and $1000 more expensive than the Zeekr 7X ($57,900), all before on-road costs.Its more expensive than its #1 hatch ($54,900) and #3 coupe siblings ($57,900).The ‘Premium+’ variant of the #5 starts from $63,900, while the range-topping all-wheel drive Brabus edition is available from $73,900.Deliveries for the Smart #5 begin in November 2026 and will be distributed through LSH Auto's dealer network that have showrooms in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.The brand has not officially revealed performance output figures for Australia yet, but in the UK its standard single electric motor provides up to 267kW and 373Nm to the rear wheels.The AWD Brabus adds an additional motor, increasing performance to 475kW and 710Nm.This dual motor set-up means the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Smart Australia has confirmed the car is equipped with a 100kWh battery, offering a driving range of 590km, according to WLTP standards.Riding on an 800-volt platform, it is capable of DC fast charging from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 18 minutes. The platform also offers vehicle-to-load capabilities, enabling devices and tools to be powered directly from the car. The #5 has a well thought out suspension system that includes a front double-wishbone and rear five-link set-up for comfort and versatility.Smart said the car has been styled by Mercedes-Benz’s global design team, featuring boxy external proportions, and is dimensionally a size-up on the Toyota RAV4 hybrid.The #5 is fitted with plenty of technology as standard, including a single 13.0-inch OLED central display and smaller digital driver display.Up-spec variants add a 13.0-inch passenger display and a premium 20-speaker audio system.The car also features an automatic three-way camping layout for added adventuring potential.

If at first you don't succeed... Porsche is trying again with turning a popular SUV electric. But after the disappointment of the Macan, will the brand have better luck with its bigger Cayenne. We test drive the new Porsche Cayenne Electric on-road, off-road, through sand dunes and even down an airstrip to put it to the ultimate test.

Chery’s Lepas brand is preparing a car that is unlike anything else.Chery Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris said the incoming L2 “is on a different planet” to the current crop of small electric cars.Harris said the L2, which is due in Australia in 2028, is totally different to the BYD Atto 1 and Geely EX2 that are currently lighting up the sales charts.“This L2 is absolutely nothing like those cars, not even a little bit. Not even a distant relative,” said Harris.“It’s a hatchback, not a small SUV. It's not like a little micro BEV, it's more Corolla size.It is really handsome, very sporty. It is on a different planet to those other cars.”Details are scarce, with Harris saying it could be available as a hybrid or electric car.“At the moment it's a little bit being decided, and we will probably make a firm decision closer to the time."Just given how much the market changes at the moment, and who knows what events will happen over the next 12 months and how it might change the powertrain interests of consumers,” he said.Being a small hatchback, it could borrow tech from some of Chery's arsenal of smaller EVs such as the Jaecoo J5 EV or Chery E5.That means it could use a single electric motor to make 155kW and 288Nm and a circa 60kWh battery to deliver a driving range of more than 400km.A lot can change in two years, especially at brands that move as fast at Chery, so the ned product might be completely different.Harris said the design is about 99 per cent locked in, even though it hasn’t been revealed yet.Harris said it has a real sports-luxury look to it, which makes it unlike anything else in that segment.Harris would bring it here in a heartbeat if he could, but it’ll have to wait.“The most exciting for me, and I guess it's more of a personal taste and preference, is L2. I think the design really speaks to me, it has a real sports design look about it.“I think hatchback is super interesting. I don’t think there are a lot of compelling options in the market at the moment, particularly for BEV. So if I could click my fingers and launch the next one tomorrow it would be the L2 every day of the week.”Before the L2 arrives, Lepas will launch the L6 electric and plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV, L4 electric compact SUV, L8 and L9 plug-in hybrid large SUVs.

“Wow, is that a Bentley?”Our week with Hyundai Motor Group luxury brand Genesis’ GV60 provided its fair share of surprises.Yet the fact that onlookers mistook it for one of Britain’s (via Volkswagen Group) finest wasn’t actually one of them, given the blatant similarity with the badging and cross-hatch grille.Recently facelifted with a substantially lower starting price, the new base GV60 Series II enters a busier class of small electric SUVs from when the original launched in 2021.How does it play out today? Kicking off from $88,300 (all prices are before on-road costs), the GV60 Advanced rear-wheel drive (2WD) is now the most affordable new Genesis in Australia.But it remains a bit more expensive than most direct and more popular premium small electric SUV rivals, despite enduring a dramatic power cut from 234kW to 168kW.This includes the BMW iX1 AWD (from $77,900), as well as the substantially cheaper Mini Countryman SE, Renault Megane E-Tech, Volvo EX40 and Zeekr 7X.The Advanced claps back in a number of ways, however.For starters, it’s one of the few electric SUVs in this class (along with the Renault and Zeekr) using a dedicated EV architecture (E-GMP), instead of sharing a platform with an internal combustion engine (ICE) sibling. This cuts compromise and pays dividends for efficiency.Secondly, the GV60 features 800-volt electrification rather than almost every other rivals’ 400V system, substantially speeding up charging. This is a remarkably sophisticated machine.And, thirdly, convenience items abound, with walk to/away central locking, heated front and rear outboard and vented electric front seating, a toasty steering wheel and powered tailgate.Other GV60 features include:A (bigger) battery at 84kWh offering 561km of WLTP rangeA (significantly larger) widescreen display at 27 inchesA heat-pump heater with driver-only zoning to help rangeMulti-level single-pedal drive using regenerative braking via paddle shiftersVehicle to Load (V2L) external appliance poweringFive years free servicingBackup Light Guide – a reverse-gear light projection on to the gutter to help avoid alloy wheel rashThe consensus is the Advanced neither looks nor feels like an entry-level proposition. Expensive, but worth it. The facelifted GV60 remains an attractive, rounded compact SUV/crossover with a sporty premium hatch look.For 2026 it ushers in redesigned lighting elements, reprofiled bumpers, more body coloured trim, revised alloy wheels and a new underbody cover for improved aero efficiency.But the GV60 has always lived in the shadow of its somehow more glamourous E-GMP siblings, the elegant Hyundai Ioniq 5 and racy Kia EV6. Particularly as they cost significantly less.At least Genesis has been able to meet brand expectations inside. The GV60 seems more compact inside than other electric SUVs in its class, and even against the Ioniq 5 and EV6.However, the new elongated touchscreen with its improved graphics (whilst retaining button access functionality), sumptuous front seats, lovely steering wheel and quality materials do elevate it.Again, there’s nothing base about the Advanced.Genesis also provides plenty of surprise and delight items, like that anti-gravel-rash kerb illuminator, drawer-style glovebox, tunnel storage under the centre console, strange swivelling gear-lever ball and secret storage thanks to a compartmentalised boot floor.Cargo capacity is limited by the coupe-like styling, so can’t match a BMW iX1, though with 432 litres VDA (expandable to 1460L), it is far better than, say, a Mazda3 or Toyota Corolla.However, the lack of a spare wheel is a disappointment. Under the bonnet is 53L of additional ‘frunk’ storage, so that’s also helpful.That’s because the 168kW/350Nm electric motor is on the rear axle, driving the rear wheels. This layout gives the Genesis an unexpected athleticism, which in turn makes it fun to drive fast.Acceleration is still very brisk despite the power downgrade, and in Sport throttle response is downright rapid, while the smooth power delivery is matched by the linear, controlled steering, that provides a decent degree of feedback. In the wet it’s easy to momentarily break rear-wheel traction.And while the suspension possesses a sporty edge, the Advanced’s ride quality is also supple enough when comfort is a priority. The E-GMP’s chassis sophistication really shines through. If you’re a driving enthusiast, the small premium you pay for a GV60 is worth it for the dynamic flair delivered. Being an E-GMP EV, the efficiency’s not too bad at all, especially considering how much we enjoyed the Advanced out on our rural road drive. Our average was 15.8kWh/100km (indicated), and were on track to achieve about 485km range from the big 84kWh battery. The WLTP range is 561km. More sedate commuting would see that improve markedly. Scoring a five-star ANCAP rating in 2022, the GV60’s update saw the addition of a broader amount of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) tech – namely improved lane-support capabilities.Along with autonomous emergency braking (AEB), the Advanced includes 10 airbag, surround-view cameras, safe-exit assist and what Genesis calls Full Micro Lens Array LED headlights for better nighttime illumination.Still on security, Genesis offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty (130,000km for fleet buyers) with roadside assistance, trailing Kia and Hyundai’s seven-year guarantee. Why not all for one and one for all?On the other hand, servicing is free for the first five years.