Green Cars

Japan’s carmakers are finding ways to fight back against the growing might of Chinese auto brands.Outside of Toyota most Japanese carmakers are not big enough, or rich enough, to balloon out to the size of some of the new Chinese powerhouses.Relatively small manufacturers such as Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru don’t have the resources to overhaul their collective ranges and invest in electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid technology all at once.Instead they are borrowing from others. Subaru joined forces with Toyota to build EVs, Mazda with China’s Changan and Mitsubishi with Taiwan's Foxtron, the latter is part of the company that builds iPhones.They now have the tech but predicting demand for electric cars is proving difficult for all manufacturers.Mazda and Subaru have found the solution.Mazda is developing a new way of producing cars that would allow one production line to make internal-combustion engined vehicles, hybrids and electric vehicles depending on demand.Subaru is also working on flexible production lines to help it make the most of its modest production resources, without having to build new factories or re-tool old ones.This would help the pair adjust to lulls in EV demand without having to mothball production lines, which has impacted other major makers such as Ford and Volkswagen.Subaru Managing Executive Officer Ikuo Watanabe told US outlet Autonews it would be able to adapt to changes in tariffs of exchange rate fluctuations to shuffle production between factories around the world.“Demand trends are uncertain and we cannot predict which powertrain, battery-electric, hybrid or internal combustion engine, will sell well and when,” Watanabe said. “Making an investment decision on one specific technology poses the greatest risk.”Mazda has pushed back its own in-house developed electric cars until 2029, with it instead relying on Changan’s production to deliver its reskinned EVs. Hybrid versions of its CX-5 SUV won’t arrive in the US until late 2027 before rolling out to other markets, including Australia.But it already has a plan in place to build all its different powered vehicles on the same line when they are available towards the end of the decade.Former Toyota boss and now head of Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Koji Sato recently called for the country’s carmakers to join forces or risk oblivion, according to Autonews.“Unless things change, we will not survive,” Sato said. He is calling for all brands to have uniform parts to help reduce costs and complexity across the industry.Japan’s automakers believe this will help them tackle China’s scale and speed.

The all-new Renault Symbioz small SUV range begins with a mild hybrid variant in the Techno trim, priced from $36,990, before on-road costs. The Techno mild hybrid comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, auto headlights, a wireless smartphone charger, heated steering wheel, automatic climate control and 10.25-inch digital driver display plus a 10.4-inch central multimedia touchscreen connected to a six-speaker sound system. Not only does it have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included, but also Google Automotive Services, which means it can act like an extension of your Android smartphone in many respects.Renault’s designers have created a surprisingly spacious and well-considered interior for such a small SUV. Up the front there are plenty of small item storage spaces. There is a small ledge ahead of the stubby gear selector, with the wireless charging pad hidden underneath it. There are two cupholders and a small lidded console box as well, plus small door pockets.In terms of space for people, up front the seats are comfortable and roomy, while in the rear the back of the driver and passenger seats have been heavily sculpted out to create a good amount of kneeroom.The rear seat slides to provide a trade-off between boot space and rear occupant space, so it does have an impressively large cargo capacity if you don’t need to take passengers.The mild hybrid Symbioz is powered by a 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and makes 104kW of power and 245Nm of torque.The mild hybrid has a fuel economy rating of 6.4L/100km, which provides a theoretical driving range of more than 750km thanks to its 48L fuel tank.In terms of safety, the Symbioz Techno has a good level of active driver assistant systems that are better calibrated than many small SUV rivals. However, the Symbioz has not been rated by ANCAP and has a four-star crash test score from Euro NCAP. The Symbioz Techno mild hybrid is covered by Renault’s standard five years/100,000km warranty. The company offers ‘Assured Servicing Pricing’ which covers the first five years or 150,000km, whichever comes first, and the total cost for the period is $2695.

As more manufacturers chase buyers looking for an accessible entry into EV ownership, the challenge is no longer simply getting the price down. It's finding an electric car that doesn't make too many compromises along the way. That's what the updated MG4 Essence 64 is promising. But does it deliver?

Toyota is in danger of being overtaken by BYD.By retreating upmarket, it also risks losing the loyalty of a generation of buyers, especially younger ones, destroying the bedrock of the brand’s success in Australia.Toyota is still the world leader and dominant force in Australia, but that could all fall apart if it gets complacent.Yes, Toyota has been number one every year since 2003, and remains the richest car company in the world after Tesla.But BYD and other Chinese brands like Chery are cutting its lunch.Toyota’s year-to-date (YTD) sales have tumbled 20 per cent, from 142,700 to 115,550 units, while market share has shrunken from 20 per cent to 16.3 per cent.In contrast, BYD’s YTD sales have jumped, from 28,000 to nearly 61,000 units while share has expanded from 3.9 per cent to 8.5 per cent.Toyota assumed its premium, hybrid-heavy strategy would prevail.But BYD’s cheaper electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEV) are both more affordable and available, while Chery, MG and others clean up in the sub-$30,000 drive-away classes that Toyota abandoned in 2024. Coincidence?Reportedly sitting on a $A96.5 billion war chest, Toyota can shore up customer loyalty by once again offering more-affordable vehicles that Australians want.Playing the long game, not the wrong game, the Japanese brand’s models already have the reputation for reliability, durability and quality required to remain number one.We understand. Today’s Yaris from $29,190 before on-road costs is measurably superior to its 2019 predecessor. But that’s a moot point for buyers who cannot stretch another $10,000-plus to own one.Here, then, are the Toyotas we reckon Australia needs right now.Although it is an all-new model in a segment Toyota has not bothered with for decades, the LandCruiser FJ is anything but ‘all-new’ underneath.Derived from the IMV architecture that is already two decades old beneath the HiLux, this compact SUV is a Thai-built body-on-frame, off-road-ready 4x4 with the Suzuki Jimny in its crosshairs.Surely that makes the LandCruiser FJ a natural for Australia?Well… no. The biggest drawback seems to be the equally ancient 2TR-FE I4 2.7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that Toyota had to drop from the latest HiLux range due to non-compliance with our increasingly tough emissions.There is speculation galore about a hybrid alternative happening sometime in the future, and – if true – then that’s what we would expect a locally bound LandCruiser FJ to be powered by.It seems unfathomable Toyota would create an SUV with classic FJ40 retro design cues, yet not engineer a powertrain suitable for LandCruiser-obsessed Australia.As a BYD Atto 2 beater, this hybrid is a no-brainer.Japan’s second best-selling vehicle YTD after the Yaris/Yaris Cross duo on which it is based upon, Sienta is a portmanteau of siete, Spanish for ‘seven’, and ‘entertain’.And there-in lays this Toyota’s appeal.Essentially a Yaris MPV that majors on packaging, it features sliding doors and space for up to seven (hence the name), with the optional third-row seating ingeniously dropping underneath the middle bench for an instant big cavity.Along with Sienta’s eye-catching Fiat Panda-esque design and capable Yaris underpinnings, it is little wonder both hipsters and artificial-hip buyers alike have fallen for the tall-boy Toyota’s charms.Finally, a growing army of ex-Japan used imports here is further proof of concept.Developed and built by Toyota sub-brand Daihatsu (which markets it as Rocky – a tiny but tough off-roader in the style of the Suzuki Jimny), the Raize would slip in as an entry-level high-riding crossover.At round four metres long, this chunky, high-riding, monocoque-bodied urban crossover employs a unique, lower-cost architecture to help keep prices down in the South East Asian region, without scrimping on safety tech.This would make it ideal as a sub-$30,000 light SUV targeting the likes of the BYD Atto 1, Hyundai Venue and Mahindra XUV 3XO.Engine options include a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol or 1.2-litre hybrid version.A podium seller in Japan this year, the Raize is another used import from appearing on Australian roads, and it’s not difficult to see why.The original Prius of 2001 was a toe-in-the-water exercise in Australia. Its 2003 and 2009 successors proved to be successful brand builders as hybrid pioneers.But the 2016 redesign was so insectoid in appearance that buyers were repelled en-masse, despite being the first of the vastly-improved TNGA-platform Toyotas available here.That’s why the company passed on the fifth iteration locally, but what subsequently surfaced remains one of the most beautiful modern hatchbacks of this decade.Nowadays, with the dramatic uptake of PHEV as well as hybrid vehicles, Toyota admits it is gunning for the Prius’ return as a result, but it may take a while yet.Great design is timeless and, even from $40,000 as a BYD Seal 6 PHEV rival, the latest Prius would attract plenty of non-traditional Toyota buyers.It seems inevitable that a Grand Kluger will eventually appear in Australia, but when is the big question.Built in the USA as the Grand Highlander, this is a larger and longer take on the existing Kluger/Highlander model that it has essentially usurped.Born to battle the ultra-successful Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade in North America, the grandest of Toyota’s on-road SUVs is a far-roomier – and prettier – big family hauler as a consequence.It is also soon to be joined by an unrelated, all-electric SUV taking over the regular Highlander name and production line – a decision that was clearly made before the current, anti-EV US administration came into power.This mean the days of the current Kluger as we know it in Australia seem to be numbered, with no hybrid replacement in sight – except for a right-hand drive version of the Grand Highlander.The perfect foil for the BYD Sealion 8 PHEV!

Kia's all-new PV5 Cargo van brings sophisticated design and long driving range at an enticing price to Australia's expanding full-electric commercial van fleet, but is it a practical alternative to traditional diesel rivals?

Audi has dropped the price and beefed up the standard kit for its enticing new compact electric SUVThe Audi Q4 e-tron line-up has been tweaked with the addition of a 150kW entry model, updated interior design, tech enhancements and additional equipment.The new entry-grade Q4 e-tron is offered in traditional SUV wagon and swoopy Sportback form from $71,650, before on-road costs.That's more than $13,000 cheaper than the previous base model.All-wheel drive examples are now up to $24,000 cheaper, starting at $81,650.Crucially for buyers that means all Q4s now slip under the Fringe Benefits Tax exemption threshold, so they are even more enticing when sourced through a novated lease. Buyers will pay no Luxury Car Tax either, with the previous all-wheel drive versions slugged 33 cents per dollar over $90,000.Powered by a single electric motor sending 150kW/350Nm to the rear wheels it carries a 63kWh battery that supports DC fast charging of up to 160kW, delivering a 10 to 80 per cent in what Audi said is “as little as 27 minutes.”19-inch Aero Black alloy wheelsMatrix LED headlightsDigital DRLs (daytime running lights)Heated, auto-dimming and folding exterior mirrorsKeyless entry and startPower tailgate (with gesture control)Alloy roof rails (SUV only)Contrasting paint finish in blackBody colour wing mirror housingsLeather-trimmed steering wheel (with regen paddles)Leather-appointed upholsteryPower-adjustable, heated front seatsThree-zone climate controlAmbient lighting12.8-inch multimedia touchscreen11.9-inch digital driver displayEight-speaker audio (plus subwoofer)Digital radioApple CarPlay / Android AutoThree new exterior colours - Tambora Grey, Plasma Blue and Sage Green - have been added to the Q4 e-tron palette, joining the existing Pebble Grey, Mythos Black and Glacier White, while the interior features brushed aluminium inlays and door sill trims (illuminated at the front) and cooled inductive charging pads for mobile devices..Adaptive cruise controlSide assist (with exit warning and rear cross-traffic assist)Front cross-traffic assistSwerve and turn assistFront emergency brake assistTraffic sign recognition360-degree camera viewAt the same time the all-wheel drive Audi Q4 e-tron quattro features new electric motors claimed to deliver greater range and torque.Overall power output rises to 250kW with peak torque of 134Nm from the front motor and 545Nm at the rear, for claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in 5.4 seconds.A larger 82kWh battery can now accept 185kW fast charging (up from 175 kW) for the same 27 minute 10 to 80 per cent charge claim as the single motor version. Claimed range is 494km for the SUV and 509km for the Sportback.S line exterior package (new bumpers, body colour grille with black mask and matt silver aluminium inlays)20-inch Audi Sport wheelsLeather appointed Sport front seatsBlack headliningStainless steel pedal coversAudi drive selectAugmented reality head-up displayA 12-inch passenger side screen is optional, giving the co-pilot access to navigation, media and entertainment functions. The new Q4 e-tron and Q4 e-tron quattro models are scheduled to hit local showrooms in the first half of 2027 and if you place an order for one of these new models before the end of 2026 Audi is including a six-year/90,000km service plan to sweeten the deal.Announcing the upgraded Q4 e-tron range Audi Australia Director Jeff Mannering said, “These new models see compelling pricing designed to provide customers with an unmatched offering in the premium segment, while still allowing them to take advantage of government EV incentives.”

Renault is back with an all-new contender in the highly-competitive small SUV market. The Symbioz brings European style and a polished driving experience, along with hybrid powertrains. But we review it to see if it has what it takes to compete against a diverse array of rivals from Chery, Hyundai, Mazda and more.

The Geely EX2 Inspire is the top-spec version of Geely’s entry into the small EV market, competing with the likes of the BYD Atto 1, GAC Aion UT and MG4.Starting from $30,990, before on-road costs, the Inspire is $4500 pricier than the base Complete but gains plenty of features. Standard on the EX2 regardless are: Auto LED headlights and tail-lightsPowered seat adjustment14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen 8.8-inch driver displayWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoUSB-A and USB-C portsFour-speaker sound systemDigital radioGeely connected servicesKeyless entry and startLED interior lightingFeatures added when you upgrade to the Inspire are: Coloured ambient interior lightingWireless phone chargingPower tailgateHeated front seats and steering wheelDecorative metallic trim Contrast black roofRain-sensing wipersIt’s 4135mm long, 1805mm wide and 1580mm tall, with a 2645mm wheelbase. There’s a segment-defying 450L of luggage space between the 375L boot and 75 under-bonnet storage or ‘frunk’.Upgraded from the Complete in terms of its drivetrain, the EX2 Inspire is powered by a 85kW/150Nm motor, mounted at the rear axle. Geely claims it is able accelerate from 0-100km/h in 11.5 seconds and it’s limited to 130km/h.A 47kW battery provides power, while the EX2 Inspire uses a claimed 15.5kWh/100km, which results in a driving range of 345km according to Geely. DC Charging is 80kW, while AC is just 6.2kW.Geely says it was designed with current ANCAP testing protocols in mind and expects a maximum five-star rating later this year, though this is yet to be determined. Regardless, the list of standard safety features in the 2026 EX2 includes:Seven airbagsOccupant sensor and reminderSurround-view camera Rear parking sensorsHigh-beam assistPedestrian alert (low speed)Traction and stability controlHill-descent controlAdaptive cruise controlFront- and rear-cross traffic alertFront and rear collision warningBlind-spot monitoring Driver monitoringEmergency lane-keepLane-change assistTraffic sign detectionGeely offers a seven-year, unlimited km warranty on the EX2, with eight years' coverage for the high-voltage battery.Roadside assistance for seven years is standard and the option to buy up to seven years' of prepaid servicing at $1642 also provides peace-of-mind, the latter saving you $410 compared to the $2052 it costs paying per service. Intervals are every 12 months or 20,000km.

Xiaomi has revealed more details of its SkyNomad N70 ahead of its Chinese launch, and has detailed export plans as Chinese pre-orders exceed expectations.The N70 is the smaller of two SkyNomad large SUV models from Xiaomi, the tech brand became an automotive sensation thanks to its Porsche-challenging SU7 sedan and YU7 SUV.The new SkyNomad pair serve as the brand’s entrants into the large luxury plug-in hybrid market, which is currently taking the Chinese market by storm. The N70 is a five-seater, while the N90 is a six-seater.Both have flexible seating arrangements, with the middle or, in the case of the N70, front seats able to turn 180-degrees and face the rear creating a living space in the interior, giving the SkyNomad range a point of difference compared to many of their rivals.The new interior images show the fully swivelling front seats in the N70, which combine with a centre console, which transforms into a table, both move on a rail-based system on the interior.The SkyNomad N70 also scores the same dash treatment as the larger N90, with a trendy two-spoke steering wheel and plush materials, although the large centrally-mounted multimedia touchscreen and digital instrument cluster are noticeably restrained compared to the dash-spanning screens of many of this car’s rivals.That having been said, there is a noticeable lack of physical buttons for core functions, with the climate controls clearly screen-based.The N70 is also not as large as its Zeekr 8X rival, measuring in at less than five meters long, with total dimensions at 4690mm long, 1998mm wide and 1765mm tall, making it larger than a traditional mid-size SUV, but not as large as many of the five-meter plus SUVs trendy in China.On the pricing front, it is also more affordable than some rivals, with the N70 Max launch variant announced by the brand to start from the equivalent of A$55,000 (suggesting a retail price if it were to ever arrive in Australia of around $66,000 once the usual 20 per cent cost increase for Chinese cars is added). Xiaomi Auto Vice President Li Xiaoshuang said via the brand’s social media channels that the cars will hit the market in China as soon as September.Both the N70 and N90 are range-extender plug-in hybrids powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a large battery pack. The N70 Max has an EV-sized 76kWh unit, which grants it a pure electric range of 505km according to the more lenient Chinese measuring standards.Xiaomi says this is the longest electric driving range of any range-extended hybrid model. Combined range, with use of the engine, is said to be 1461km, with fuel consumption quoted at 6.1L/100km once the battery is at its reserve level.Xiaomi’s car division has remained a China-exclusive phenomenon, in large part thanks to its success which has seen orders in the hundreds of thousands of units across its growing model range, significantly exceeding its factory capacity. Wait times in China for new orders are still well in excess of a year, yet this hasn’t stopped the company from announcing it is targeting Europe as its first export market as soon as 2027. It has already launched a research and development centre in Munich, Germany ahead of the expected market debut, which is reportedly staffed by many ex-BMW engineers and led by an ex-BMW executive Rudolph Dittrich.As for Australia, a Xiaomi debut in our market is likely to be held back by right-hand drive engineering on top of the brand’s currently limited production capacity. That having been said, our market has proven to be an extremely attractive target for Chinese brands, as it offers relatively high profit margins with a low barrier to entry thanks to the lack of tariff structures and a market accepting of new challenger brands.Companies like Chery, BYD, and Geely have all earmarked Australia as an ideal testing ground for new models ahead of launches elsewhere in the world, while other brands, like Nio, have chosen a Euro-first approach.Xiaomi’s SkyNomad models are set to be finally revealed to the Chinese public at the Chengdu Auto Show from the 21st to the 30th of August.

Buyers are about to get an exciting new ute from Ford. The Blue Oval is developing a ute model to add to its hugely popular Ford Bronco line-up, according to a report in AutoNews.The Bronco pick-up is due to launch in North America before 2030, and will join the likely Australian-bound Bronco hybrid coming next year.The Bronco has been a significant sales success in North America as a cheap off-roading rival to the Jeep Wrangler.This latest move from Ford will see the lifestyle off-roader take on the hotly-contested ute segment. Ford is looking to expand on the success of the Bronco name in North America by exporting it to global markets and introducing new variants.The Blue Oval has pivoted its focus away from EVs following substantial losses in the past year, and is now seeking different avenues. It suffered from extensive devaluation of its EV business due to low demand and high development costs, among other things.There is a monocoque, likely plug-in hybrid compact SUV Bronco being built in Spain for European buyers. A different Chinese-built electric and range-extender large SUV Bronco is earmarked for an Australian release in 2027.These variants differ from the Bronco and Bronco Sport off-roaders only available in North America.There is no official news on the Bronco ute’s future in Australia as details light-on at this stage. The ute will initially be built in the United States, meaning it will only come in left-hand drive for now, and future export plans have not been confirmed.Australia doesn't get the current North American Bronco because it's built in left-hand drive and its emissions-heavy turbo-petrol engines would incur fines under our regulations.Australia will instead receive the Bronco ‘New Energy’ range-extender hybrid and electric mid-size SUV in 2027, highlighting Ford’s interest in the name here. Any Bronco ute’s Australian launch likely hinges on whether its set-up will have hybrid power and will be built in right-hand drive.A spokesperson for Ford Australia said the brand would not comment on future production speculation.