Hybrid cars

Nissan is getting serious about hybrid power. The Japanese brand announced it will invest heavily in its hybrid tech as part of a new United States-focused approach, according to a report in Automotive News. Nissan will ditch its plug-in hybrid plans as part of this new approach to focus on developing a V6 hybrid engine and 'e-Power' range-extender hybrids instead. The brand said it wants to make hybrid its main powertrain in the US, and it will add new e-Power range-extender variants and an all-new V6 hybrid to achieve this. The new V6 hybrid engine will be used on mid-size and large SUVs, as well as utes. It’s expected the set-up will first be used on the revised Nissan Xterra SUV that is primarily sold in North America. It is unclear what this set-up will look like, but it's likely to feature the upcoming generation of the Frontier ute and the Pathfinder SUV. Australia is not expected to receive any of these vehicles, because they predominantly target the US and the current generation models are not sold here. The Pathfinder was sold here briefly but was discontinued earlier this year.Nissan’s ‘e-Power’ system uses range-extender technology by employing a small battery, charged by the petrol engine, to power the wheels.It's currently used on some Qashqai and X-Trail SUV examples sold in Australia, but Nissan’s Kicks compact SUV is also available with it in other markets. The Kicks is under consideration for Australia, with Nissan also eager to introduce the Kick's e-Power variant in the US. The Kicks’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder conventional petrol engine would incur fines under Australian emissions regulations, but this new e-Power grade isn't expected to. This is part of Nissan’s plans to pivot away from PHEVs due to wavering demand from buyers. Nissan has discontinued its PHEV-powered Rogue SUV in the US - a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - and will now sell an e-Power variant instead. “The volume of plug-in hybrid in the US has collapsed down to almost zero,” Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier told Automotive News.  “It's not a strategic model for us. It was more a bridge to e-Power hybrid. So production is stopped.”Nissan’s will shift towards manufacturing in the US to side-step hefty tariffs and minimise transglobal distribution costs. Nissan views the US as a crucial market to its success.“Building where you sell eliminates many risks — tariffs, currency swings and supply chain issues,” Meunier said. “For our most important market, maximising US production is critical.”This approach will see Nissan’s Tennessee manufacturing plant reach full capacity, shifting 600,000 units annually, compared to its current 400,000. 

Hybrid power is now mainstream for Aussie buyers.  It's an important choice for buyers transitioning from petrol- and diesel-powered cars to full EVs.Hybrid-powered cars are also important for brands as they seeks alternatives to internal combustion cars that incur fines under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).There are broad categories of hybrid cars in Australia, and each one has its own benefits for buyers.Here's a look at what hybrids are available, and which one might suit you best.Mild hybrid power is the first stage of electrification for cars.Mild hybrid cars can't drive on EV power alone, because they only use a small, low-voltage battery (usually) 48-volt, with a less than 1kWh capacity.The electric motor usual powers certain electrical features and the starter motor.They don't need to be charged, but they also don't offer noticeably better fuel efficiency than standard petrol- and diesel-powered cars.The popular Toyota HiLux ute is available with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, while Suzuki and Renault offer mild hybrid set-ups on some of their models.Conventional hybrid, plug-less hybrid or self-charging hybrid cars are popular in Australia.The engine works seamlessly with a bigger electric motor to maximise fuel efficiency.A conventional hybrid usually runs on electric-only power at low speeds or for short distances when cruising at higher speeds. The engine will kick in at higher speeds or when more power is needed, blending petrol and electric power.This makes fuels efficiency in urban environments or star-stop traffic better than what a petrol- or diesel-powered car would achieve.The battery in a conventional hybrid is charged by the engine and from regenerative braking, meaning the car doesn't need to be plugged in.The conventional hybrid car's battery is smaller than those in plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars, and still requires a petrol engine to run.Toyota provides conventional hybrid set-ups on the vast majority of its Australian line-up, including its RAV4 SUV and Camry sedan.Other popular brands Kia, Hyundai and others also have affordable conventional hybrid variants on its popular models.Plug-in hybrids or PHEVs take hybrid power to the next level because they are equipped with a much larger battery and a more powerful electric motor set-up.PHEVs have a long electric-only driving range, with some capable of exceeding 200km, before the engine is needed to drive the wheels. Most new PHEVs have an EV range of at least 100km.This means daily commuters will rarely have to fill-up on fuel if they charge the battery every night.PHEVs also boast significant combined driving range as they have a regular sized fuel tank to power the engine, resulting in ranges of north of 1000km before the fuel tank and battery are depleted.Carmakers often claim PHEVs drink less than 2.0L/100km of fuel, but that requires owners to constantly charge their batteries and never let it deplete.Once the battery is depleted fuel use will skyrocket, as the small engine has to move around a heavy vehicle weighed down by the battery and electric motors.PHEVs suit a buyer with access to charging facilities, who also want outstanding fuel efficiency.Bigger Chinese vehicles usually employ PHEV set-ups, including the BYD Shark 6 ute and incoming Zeekr 8X and 9X.Range-extender hybrids, also known as Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REEV) or Extended-Range Electric vehicle (EREV), are gaining popularity globally.They are feature similar hardware to PHEVs, but work in a different way.The engine in a REEV's is used as a generator for charging the battery, and the wheels are driven by the electric motor, or motors, only.REEV's have an EV-sized battery that can also be plugged in to charge, giving these cars a driving range comfortably exceeding 1000km.Leapmotor's B10 and C10 SUVs use REEV set-ups in Australia, but the incoming Forthing Taikon 5 and the XPeng L03 will also employ the set-up when they hit showrooms.Nissan’s ‘e-Power’ hybrid system in the X-Trail and Qashqai SUVs employ REEV tech on a smaller scale, using the engine to power a small battery that powers the wheels, but this battery cannot be plugged in to charge.

Australia is about to get one of the hottest new vehicles from China.Geely has confirmed the Battleship 700 — name still pending — will come to Australia in the second half of 2027.And if its initial success in China is an indication Geely will have a smash hit on its hands in Australia. Chinese buyers have hit fever pitch with 43,900 pre-sale orders received in the first hour after the order books opened.Aimed at everything from the new Mitsubishi Pajero to the Denza B8 and Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, it is a big beast, measuring 5085mm long, 1999mm wide, 1895mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2900mm.Australia will get the most powerful version, which uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine and three electric motors, delivering total outputs of 830kW and all-wheel-drive grip.The Battleship 700 gets a 47kWh battery pack, which is claimed to deliver an electric driving range of up to 170km.It is built on a new ladder-frame architecture, which will give it proper off-road ability. It has adjustable-height air suspension, off-road specific modes, an 800mm wading depth and a rear differential lock.It also has lots of hi-tech features including a ‘crab turn’ mode to rotate on the spot and it can self-park.It has a panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital dash, 15.6-inch multimedia touchscreen, a fridge/heater under the centre console, standard synthetic leather interior trim and up to 23 speakers for the sound system.The Battleship 700 in 2.0-litre tri-motor form starts from the equivalent of around $A56,500 in China, stretching to $A81,460 for the top-spec ‘Land Yacht’ version.Chinese vehicles usually cost about 20 per cent more in Australia than in China, so expect it to cost in the range of $A70,000-$100,000, depending on the specification Geely brings Down Under.The Denza B8 starts at about $91,000 (before on-road costs) and the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser start from just under six-figures.

If you’re an EV buyer in 2026, you need to know about this. The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) has revealed the state of play for electric and plug-in hybrid cars in Australia in 2026. This is the 10th year of the ‘State of EVs’ report as more buyers bought EVs than ever before Down Under. The report analysed the 2025-26 financial year, and how buyer trends and infrastructure, among other things, have changed in that time. It called for several policy reforms, including targeted equity-based policy to assist economically-disadvantaged Aussies reap the benefits of EV driving.Australia’s charging landscape is diverse, it is also complex and fragmented and needs major investment, according to the report. In June 2026, there were 4268 public charging locations, which is 235 per cent more than June 2025There were 11,602 public charge points in June 2026, up 175 per cent compared to June 2025The EVC said there needs to be more research into how owners charge EVs and where they need them most. “Australia still needs substantial public charging investment, but the task is not as simple as just installing more fast chargers,” the report reads.  “Most charging happens where vehicles already park—at homes, apartment buildings, workplaces, destinations, kerbsides and depots.”The report calls for a nationally-coordinated charging roadmap and scaled infrastructure deployment.This news comes after NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury told CarsGuide in December 2025 Australia’s charging infrastructure was lagging behind. “We’re nowhere near. We’ve got nowhere near enough public charging,” NRMA spokesperson Khoury said. “There are lots of areas that don’t have energy that comes from outside the energy grid so you’ve got to create energy sources at those locations.”The EVC is calling for the government to implement a range of new rules in Australia. It wants a targeted equity-based policy to help all Australians use EVs and take advantage of the cost savings with EV adoption.The report states that EVs have lower running costs than petrol- and diesel-powered cars, with less maintenance, seeing a typical driver saving roughly $3000 per year. The EVC said this figure did not include the substantial increases to fuel prices in 2026, with savings calculated today even higher. It said the federal government needs to implement an updated New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) for cars sold beyond 2029 to align with 2035 emissions reduction targets. NVES is a set of emissions rules that imposes fines on cars sold that emit high levels of CO2 into the atmosphere. Developing a car takes a brand several years to complete, meaning carmakers need to know the rules these models will need to follow.It also said there should be a national road-user charge that does not deter EV uptake.This would differ from the current system proposed by the New South Wales government from 2027 that the EVC said would slow EV sales.The New South Wales government wants a road user charge to make up for lost fuel excise revenue and ensure all road users contribute to maintenance. The EVC found a fully-electric or PHEV car was bought every 100 seconds on average in the first half of 2026, with one in four new car sales using an electric powertrain.The report reads cost-of-living pressures, soaring fuel prices and greater EV choice has contributed to a sharp increase in electric car uptake in 2026. Fully-electric and PHEV sales accounted for 25.8 per cent of new car sales up to June 2026, increasing from 12.1 per cent up to June 2025There are 196 combined full EV and PHEV models on sale, compared to 153 models in 2025There were 157,957 electric and PHEV sales in H1 2026, up 177 per cent from H1 2025Australia’s EV uptake is now in line with the global average, according to the International Energy Agency“So, at a time when fuel prices are fluctuating and cost-of-living continues to bite, it’s no surprise that EVs have become a popular choice,” the report states. “As of June 2026, drivers have never had a greater choice of EVs in Australia.”Australia recently got its new cheapest electric car in the BYD Atto 1 that is being offered from $19,990 (drive-away) until December, 15 2026.

The BYD Shark 6 has rapidly built an ever-growing fanbase in Australia. A new top-shelf variant of the Chinese-built plug-in hybrid electric ute – with more power and torque than before as well as 3500kg towing capacity and improved off-road capability – is here. The Performance has outputs totalling 350kW (up 29kW from the standard Shark 6) and 700Nm (up 50Nm) but is it actually better off-road?

Toyota is already growing its popular RAV4 range as demand surges for plug-in hybrid tech.The Japanese giant has confirmed a new GXL two-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid (PHEV) grade will arrive next year to sit below the XSE 2WD in the soon to be four-tier line-up.Toyota’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations John Pappas said the company was striving to expand its low emissions vehicle options in Australia to best suit customer needs“The mid-range GXL grade has long been a popular model in the RAV4 line-up and now with the addition of the PHEV powertrain option, it adds even more customer appeal,” Pappas said.All-wheel-drive versions of the RAV4 PHEV will get upgraded off-road ability, with the addition of new drive modes. Rock/Dirt and Mud/Sand will replace the Trail/Snow mode front the fourth quarter of this year.Toyota hasn’t confirmed prices yet for the GXL 2WD grade, but it will sit below the base XSE 2WD that starts at $58,840 (before on-road costs).A XSE costs about $7000 more than the GXL in the conventional hybrid RAV4, so by that logic the new GXL PHEV could start at about $52,000.2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV pricingAll RAV4 PHEVs use a 2.5-litre petrol engine that is paired with either one or two electric motors for front- or all-wheel drive.Front-wheel-drive versions make a combined 207kW and all-wheel-drive grades up the ante with 227kW.Fuel use is a claimed 0.7L/100km, but owners will need to be militant in keeping the circa-23kWh battery at a high level of charge to keep it operating in EV mode. The RAV4 PHEV has a claimed electric driving range of up to 121km in the 2WD grades and 113km in the heavier and more powerful AWD versions.The GXL comes standard with:Full LED lights18-inch alloy wheels8-way powered driver's seatSynthetic leather instrument panel and upper door trimLeather-accented steering wheel and gearshift knobSmart entry and startDual-zone climate controlAutomatic rain-sensing windscreen wipers12.3-inch digital instrument cluster10.5-inch touchscreen display with new-generation multimedia systemWireless phone charger2026 Toyota RAV4 PHEV specifications

BYD's new affordable SUV has fallen short of a five-star safety score in Australia.The BYD Sealion 5 plug-in hybrid SUV failed to achieve the maximum star rating under the Australiasian New Car Assessment Program's (ANCAP) protocols.ANCAP only awarded the Sealion 5 three stars, making it the first BYD model not to reach the five-star standard from the safety watchdog in Australia. ANCAP Chief Executive Officer Carla Hoorweg said BYD has been proactive in bringing models forward for ANCAP testing, but opted not to with the Sealion 5. “However, the Sealion 5 was a model the brand hadn’t actively pursued for testing, and was subsequently selected by ANCAP to ensure consumers have a clear picture of its safety performance," Hoorweg said.The Sealion 5 hit Aussie showrooms at the start of 2026 as a smaller and more affordable alternative to the Sealion 6 to rival the Toyota RAV4. ANCAP described the Sealion 5’s crash protection as “respectable”.It achieved a 79 per cent Crash Protection rating, but ANCAP noted increased risk for the driver’s chest and lower legs, as well as the front passenger’s neck. New ‘Virtual’ and ‘Sled’ predictive digital tests indicated reduced protection for larger occupants and at higher test severity. The watchdog said the Sealion 5’s inability to detect the stature of occupants in the front seats as well as phone use or intervention for an unresponsive driver marked it down. It also said central touchscreen control of the headlights and the climate control fan “did not meet its requirements.” The Sealion 5’s speed sign recognition software “was not sufficiently accurate to earn full points”, and emergency lane keep assist did not intervene in road-edge scenarios.ANCAP stated the Sealion 5 does not have low-speed pedal-misapplication, which suppresses the engine when the accelerator is accidentally pressed with a pedestrian ahead. The Sealion 5 launched in Australia this year, but it was already on sale overseas for several years and was designed to meet that standard.A spokesperson for BYD Australia said the brand would not make any retrospective safety updates to the Sealion 5."ANCAP introduced an updated testing regime in 2026, with a strengthened assessment criteria compared to the 2023-2025 protocols, which were applicable to the Sealion 5 at the time of its global introduction," they said."The current score reflects this new standard, not any change in BYD's commitment to safety."The Sealion 5 is one of the first vehicles to be tested under ANCAP's updated protocols, after ANCAP confirmed to CarsGuide in May 2026 the first vehicles rated under the new criteria were expected later in 2026.Toyota got caught out earlier this year by the changing standards after its new RAV4 was delayed from the initial 2025 launch.It wasn't crash tested this year, but it promised to update the vehicle to the 2026 standards and the vehicle will be tested once the changes were implemented.BYD’s incoming M9 plug-in hybrid people mover received a five-star rating from ANCAP, as the new Kia Carnival rival prepares to hit showrooms in late 2026. The M9's driver monitoring system headlined the M9's 75 per cent Safe Driving rating, performing well in detecting common forms of distraction. The people mover’s adaptive cruise control also performed well in detecting and responding to other vehicles and road users. ANCAP said the M9’s post-crash features and capability “are of a high standard”, which is why it received a 100 per cent score for that category. 

Jaecoo has re-affirmed the potential for it to join Australia’s crowded ute market, but says electrification is the only direction the currently diesel-dominated segment is headed in.Omoda Jaecoo Cheif Commercial Officer Roy Munoz said thanks to the brand’s access to Chery Group platforms and technologies a ute was absolutely “on the table".“I’m always interested and open to what would resonate with the Australian market,” said Munoz.He added there was no way the potential new ute would have a purely combustion drivetrain in the current market.“There would have to be some sort of new energy component. Chery already has released [diesel hybrid] so we’d probably follow along those same lines."Munoz agreed the success of the BYD Shark 6 proved there was a taste for hybrids in the ute space, particularly for tradies.“Obviously the other benefit to having that electrification technology in the ute segment is vehicle-to-load capability.“That gives tradies the ability to run their entire business effectively off the ute, power their tools and charge their equipment when they are on the move.”He alluded to the idea that there may have to be some significant differences, design or otherwise, for it to stand apart from its Chery sibling.“We’d have to obviously create a point of differentiation for the Jaecoo and align it with the Jaecoo brand,” he saidThese add to other comments made to CarsGuide recently where Munoz said “there’s always room for another option for the Australian market”.As to what that might look like, we already have had a first look at a Stockman spin-off in the form of the Jetour F700, which launched in China recently.A spin-off of the previous G700 large SUV, the F700 rides on similar underpinnings to the Stockman. Instead of the Stockman’s 2.5-litre turbo diesel set-up, the F700 uses a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder.It also forgoes a solid linkage to the rear axle, with a front transmission-mounted electric motor and independent rear axle electric motor producing a combined 665kW/1135Nm, according to Chinese specs.Its relatively large 34.1kWh battery grants it a 150km fully electric driving range, according to the more lenient CLTC testing procedure.For off-road capability it features front and rear differential locks, as well as a large selection of software-based drive modes.For the kind of tradie support Munoz mentioned, the F700 can output vehicle-to-load at up to 6.6kW, and features full-size household power outlets in the tray.As for design differences from the Stockman, the F700 shows a completely different take on the interior design, with a 35.4-inch panoramic driver display running the length of the dashboard to complement the 15.6-inch central multimedia touchscreen.It also trades away the Stockman’s round retro-influenced light signatures for something more squared-off, and has a blockier profile and grille to match.The only potential issue? Jetour itself has been confirmed for Australia.This also adventure-focused brand under the Chery umbrella won’t be distributed by the current factory-backed Chery operation like Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas and iCaur, but will be a completely separate entity.Its range of boxy SUVs, plus its theoretical access to ladder-frame vehicles like the G700 and F700 threaten to eat Jaecoo’s lunch.It’s something Munoz is aware of.“We treat it as though we would treat any other rival in the market anyway.“So, respect to our competitors, but we’re also keeping a close eye on them and what they can do.”“Competition is inevitable, I think the customer is benefitting in the end, and it’s up to each brand to find a way to differentiate itself and make itself appealing in the segment it defines or plays in.”

GWM will almost double its model count in Australia next year, with the brand confirming 16 models will be on sale by the end of 2027, surpassing the 14 currently offered by core rival BYD.The brand currently offered nine models – the Jolion, H6, H6GT and H7 under the Haval brand, the Tank 300 and 500, the Cannon and Cannon Alpha, and the all-electric Ora 5 – but than number is set to boom next year with the arrival of new models and powertrains.The move is in response to a Australia's highly competitive marketplace, with a slew of new brands fighting for sales.The answer, says GWM, is to launch early and launch often as it competes for customer attention."I think that's the only response to the marketplace you can deliver is new product, new interest, get people's attention," says GWM Australia COO John Kett."There are some great performance vehicles in our 3.0-litre diesel, plug-in hybrid vehicles that we're launching, and a couple of EVs."Also confirmed is the arrival of the brand's new V8 engine, which will arrive next year, most likely in the Tank 700 SUV."(We) will tell you after Christmas which car it is, because we can't announce them all now," Kett said.First to arrive will be the Haval Jolion Maxi (sometimes called Max), a bigger version of the Jolion that steps into mid-size SUV territory. It is expected to be powered by the choice of a 164kW/482Nm petrol hybrid, a 238kW/528Nm plug-in hybrid, or a 150kW/260Nm electric powertrain.Also coming soon is the Ora Touring, featuring a longer, wagon-like body shape for the brand's electric model."We're hoping by the end of the year, we'll have the Jolion Maxi and the Ora Touring," Kett says."I think for us it allows us to be who we are. We're going to launch an incredible 3.0-litre diesel, and simultaneously some EVs in the middle, and some plug-in hybrids."A hybrid and plug-in hybrid version of the Haval H7 is also coming in October, and the ute portfolio continues to grow, with the Cannon Hi4-T having just been launched/"We'll end up with a portfolio by Q4 next year that we think is about 16 products," Kett says. "These aren't just silhouette cars in a portfolio, they're happening."

Changan is the next monster-sized car brand to launch in Australia, and going by the blockbuster 35,000 orders in 24 hours its Nevo Q06 large SUV received in China - we’ll probably be buying this XPeng G6 rival in big numbers here soon, too.Changan has all-but confirmed its launch in Australia, with the massive carmaker undergoing a hiring spree for staff locally.There is no word on a local line-up yet, but as we’ve seen in the past the best way to see what’s coming here is to watch what’s launching in China.In this case it's the Changan Nevo Q06, which had already seen 35,000 orders within 24 hours of its launch on September 23.China has a massive car market, but even so 35,000 orders for the Changan Nevo Q06 is enormous. The previous car to do similar colossal figures was the BYD Song with 37,216 when it launched in March this year.The 35,000 orders were all for the dual-motor rear-wheel drive Nevo Q06, which starts at 139,900 Yuan or about A$30,000.If it comes to Australia the price tag could be similar to the XPeng G6 and Deepal S07 at about $50,000.The Nevo Q06 is large at 4837mm in length, and has five seats with a big 782 litre rear boot and 196 litre front boot on the battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant.There’s actually five different BEVs on offer and one hybrid range extender variant.The big order number was for the rear-wheel drive BEV version, which has two electric motors making a combined 330kW and packs a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 seconds.Two battery capacities are offered for the BEVs: 66kW or 80kW. Driving range is from 602-700km (CLTC) depending on the battery and variant.The range extender variant uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a 28.39kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.If the Nevo Q06 looks familiar then it may be because it was designed under the guidance of former Volkswagen head of design Klaus Zyciora, now Changan’s Vice President.One of Zyciora’s final projects with Volkswagen was the design of the ID.4 and ID.5. You don’t have to look too hard to see some styling similarities between them and the Nevo Q06, from the frontal design to the tailgate treatment complete with familiar LED lighting.Changan will be the next big Chinese car brand to come to Australia, with the carmaker expecting to officially announce its presence before the end of the year with launches expected to take place in 2027.Changan is already here in many ways with its sub-brand Deepal already selling vehicles and the company also provides the platforms for the Mazda 6e sedan and CX-6e SUV.When Changan does open for business it’ll likely lead with the E06 small SUV, which is already sold in the UK.The Nevo Q05 is also under consideration for right-hand drive markets, including Malaysia, which are often a stepping stone to landing here.The company also makes and sells utes and the hybrid Hunter K50 is currently sold in South Africa.