hatchback

The BMW Australia range has been subjected to a significant pricing increase for the second time in 2023, with only a few variants managing to escape the bump.With some models’ pricing increased by as much as $9000, the pricing adjustments have been applied to almost every model except for the non-M 4 Series, which had its pricing adjusted quite recently, as well as the brand’s electric SUV iX models.Also excluded from the pricing adjustments are the updated BMW X5 and X6 SUVs, which had new prices confirmed in February this year to reflect a change in specification.At the time, the increased pricing for the X5 and X6 range was bumped up by $8000 over the old model (to start from $134,900 before on-roads for the X5 xDrive30d). Electrification and tech updates are the main changes for the new 2023 models.The only model in this round of pricing updates to have a feature or specification change is the X7 xDrive40d which gains a light-up 'glowing' kidney grille.In January, BMW Australia adjusted pricing across the range by thousands of dollars for each model, with some up by as much as $11,500, though models that had increased prices were also subject to updates like the addition of head-up displays in some variants or heated steering wheels in M models.A spokesperson for BMW Australia told CarsGuide the adjustments still aim to ensure competitive pricing for its customers.“BMW constantly reviews its pricing structure throughout the year, taking into consideration a number of different factors,” they said.“However, we always aim to ensure our products remain appropriately positioned and represent a competitive pricing proposition in the market for our customers.”A full list of pricing updates can be found below.2023 BMW 1 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 2 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 3 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 4 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 5 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 7 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW 8 Series pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X1 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X2 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X3 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X4 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X5 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X6 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW X7 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW Z4 pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW iX pricing before on-road costs2023 BMW XM pricing before on-road costs

Cupra says Australia's warm welcome to the brand has allowed to to secure additional supply of its headline-grabbing electric hatchback.

Honda says it will continue to offer traditional family-orientated passenger cars like the iconic Civic small car and Accord midsized sedan for the foreseeable future, even though the coming ZR-V midsized SUV is set to become the brand’s local bestseller.

When you’re buying a car there are numerous factors to take into account but perhaps the most important question you have to ask yourself before buying your new or second-hand vehicle is: how long is it?

The details of the Hyundai Kona Electric have been confirmed for Australia, with the all-electric SUV to deliver more than 480kms in driving range when it arrives Down Under towards the end of 2023.The Kona Electric range has expanded in this new-generation model, with the EV to be initially offered in two trim levels, with an N Line version to in 2024."The Kona is going to have an N Line version, and we'll start with the electric," says Hyundai USA boss, Jose Muñoz. "We're going to have different versions, and we've started from the beginning with the EV."Also new are the brace of battery sizes, with 48.6kWh and 64.8Kh available, with the latter expected to deliver a WLTP driving range in excess of 480kms on the WLTP cycle. Battery sizes in the outgoing model were 39.2kWh and 64.0kWh.The new Kona Electric is also bigger in every way than the model it replaces, with the new version 145mm longer, 25mm wider and 20mm taller, all while riding on a wheelbase that’s been increased by 60mm.Those gains are all about producing more space for passengers and their stuff, with rear leg room boosted by 77mm, and cargo space increased by 33 litres (with the rear seats in place), and a more signifiant 144 litres when the back seats are folded flat.The cabin tech has been upgraded too, with every model equipped with dual 12.3-inch panoramic display screens, thoroughly modernising the cabin experience and addressing one of the more old-school-feeling features of the outgoing model.The Kona EV will initially arrive in Australia in two trim levels, with Standard Range and Extended Range models to launch. An N Line version will touch down soon after, while a full-blown N model remains unconfirmed across the entire Kona and Kona Electric range.The Standard Range delivers 99kW and 255Nm, and should travel around 380kms on a single charge. The Extended Range version ups the power to 150kW and 255Nm, and should travel in excess of 480kms on a charge.We don’t know the full equipment list for Australia yet, but LED headlights and taillights, the dual screen system and dual-zone climate control will arrive as standard, as will the ability to download over the air updates. New safety equipment includes an in-car camera monitoring the driver’s attention level and a centre airbag.Hyundai is yet to confirm Australian pricing details, but we would expect the Kona Electric to start higher than the model it replaces, which started at $57,438 for the Elite, and $60,938 for the Highlander.

Manual gearboxes are being killed off by the soulless, unromantic savages who want a car with an automatic transmission. Which is nearly everybody. So, the car manufacturers are making hardly any manual cars now. But for the few beacons of hope trying to save this rare animal from extinction we’ve made a list of new cars still with manuals that are for sale in Australia. But for how much longer?

With the ageing MG3 likely to vanish and the Suzuki Ignis’ future up in the air, Kia is set to take the high ground by offering the lowest-priced new car in Australia with the next Picanto.

This week we are publishing our top 5 list of Cherries - those cars known to be reliable and generally free from manufacturing and engineering faults.

There’s a new ‘car of the people’ coming from the brand that arguably started the whole thing, as Volkswagen has unveiled a new model it promises will have the space of a Golf, the affordability of a Polo, and the electric driving range to be useable for everyday use.

MG has detailed specs for its incoming MG4 hatch, which debuts new tech, styling, and features for MG in Australia.