Industry news

This potential BYD model could be the brand's next big hit in Oz.

Ford has made big changes with its popular Ranger ute for 2026 and it’s expected Volkswagen will soon make similar changes with the related Amarok.

Despite a huge onslaught of fresh competition in the Australian ute market, November new car registration figures show established players continue to lead the category by a healthy margin.

Aussies SUV shoppers will be spoiled for choice in 2026.Kia is the latest carmaker to confirm a new version of one its most popular models, with the new-generation Seltos breaking cover ahead of its Australian arrival late next year.The new Seltos ushers in a lot of changes to beef up its arsenal to battle newcomers such as the MG ZS, Chery Tiggo 4 and old favourites including the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Kona from sister brand Hyundai.Kia’s compact SUV will come with hybrid power for the first time. The brand hasn’t revealed any details of the hybrid set-up, but it is believed to mirror the one found in the Kona.That likely means a 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine matched with an electric motor and small battery. This set-up produces a combined 104kW and 265Nm in the Kona and is paired with a six-speed dual-clutch auto that drives the front wheels. Fuel use should be sub-4.0L/100km, too.This will be joined by two petrol engines.The first is a familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder non-turbo motor found in the current Seltos (minus 1kW), which now makes 110kW and 179Nm. It will likely be matched to a CVT auto.Next up is a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine. This is available in two tunes making either 132kW/265Nm or 142kW/265Nm. It is likely Australia will use the second option paired with an eight-speed auto, which is currently used in the Seltos albeit with 4kW more.Kia Australia hasn’t confirmed the Seltos line-up for Down Under yet, but it is likely to offer the two petrol options and hybrid from its Q4 launch.It will be available in front- or all-wheel drive layouts, with the AWD versions swapping out a rear torsion beam set-up for a more refined multi-link suspension at the back.Currently Kia fits the turbo motor to AWD versions and the non-turbo engine to FWD examples, this strategy is expected to carry-over to the new generation. No word yet on if the hybrid will be available in FWD or AWD layouts, but Hyundai only sells the Kona Hybrid in FWD.The Seltos will also benefit from a local ride and handling tune, which it said will take place at the start of next year.The company also claimed to have improved sound deadening to improve the driving experience.Kia has stretched the Seltos. It is now 45mm longer than before and with a 60mm longer wheelbase. The longer wheelbase — or distance between front and rear axles — typically determines how much interior space a car has. The spacious cabin has also been enhanced with a column-mounted shift-by-wire gear selector, which leaves the centre console free for other uses.The Seltos is also claimed to have class-leading boot space, with 536L of storage, according to Kia.A new design maintains the Seltos’ boxy physique but new lighting signatures front and back add some modern touches to its appeal. There is the option of 16-, 17-, 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels.Kia has also confirmed a new X-Line trim, which will feature more rugged styling compared to the more glitzy GT-Line.High-end models will benefit from plenty of large screens inside and a head-up display that projects vital information, such as travelling speed and safety warnings, onto the windscreen in front of the driver.Kia has fitted plenty of advanced safety tech to the new Seltos, with all bases covered.Kia will produce the Seltos in China, India and South Korea, with Australian-delivered vehicles built in Korea.

Ford Fiesta could return.

An updated version of an iconic hot hatch could be in the works.

A legendary sports car’s rebirth is in full swing. A federal government intellectual property filing has revealed Toyota’s legendary MR2 could make a return to Australia, after the Japanese company trademarked the name ‘MR2’ Down Under. The news comes after the brand filed the trademark ‘GR MR2’ in the Japan Patent Office’s information platform last week. The Aussie filing fuels speculation of the return of a coupe sports car from Toyota bearing one of its iconic nameplates, with rumours of it being either the Celica or the MR2. Last year, Toyota Australia lodged a trademark for the Celica name down under, which brought about expectations of it being the revived Toyota coupe rumoured. This recent trademark request pushes the MR2 name to the front of the line as the feisty coupe to make its return to Australia, not Celica. The MR2’s previous existence spanned more than three decades, with production ending in 2007. It was famed for its sports car pedigree, with a sleek two-door design. Being mid-engined and rear-wheel drive, it offered potential for some performance and racing capabilities on a budget, compared to the big hitters of the sports car industry.While Toyota has not revealed any technical details, it looks like the MR2 will receive a modern upgrade upon its return, with some of the brand’s finest hybrid tech. It could be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor set-up, producing 370kW and 550Nm, with an all-wheel drive system. Another federal government IP filing shows an application for ‘GR MR-S’ to be trademarked by the brand in Australia. This opens the door to a second option. The future sports car could wear the GR MR-S badge, as the old MR2 was called MR-S in Japan.Or it could be a more potent version of the MR2 and fall under a potential new Gazoo Racing (GR) sub brand. Toyota's recently revealed V8-powered GR GT hinted at the formation of a new high-performance brand to rival Hyundai's N, and the MR2 could be a potent new weapon in its arsenal.It could also be Toyota is merely cornering off potential claims to its iconic nameplates as its revived sports car develops. It is unknown when we could expect the return of this two-door sports car from Toyota, but it is still in its infancy, with a rumoured launch in 2028. 

Like all batteries, those in EVs degrade over time, and eventually are unable to hold the driving range necessary to make them useful in the vehicle.

Nissan's new best seller is not what you might expect.

We just got a closer look at a revamped compact SUV. Kia has released an official teaser video for its new-generation Seltos. The video runs for 27 seconds, so we do not get a comprehensive look at the new Seltos, but do get some key details. In the absence of full body shots of the car, the video focuses on specific elements of the exterior design. The car in the photos is an all-wheel drive version of the Seltos, bearing the ‘4X’ badging on the back. It gets a boxy overall design, and it is similar to what is found on the brand’s all-electric EV3 small SUV, and in keeping with the just-unveiled Telluride three-row SUV. It features a curious light design, with a light strip that runs along the length of the boot. Other elements include a rear spoiler, alluding to a sleek design, and hidden door handles.It is anticipated the new-generation Seltos will get a hybrid power set-up for the first time ever. This hybrid is likely to have the same 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor found in its sister car, the Hyundai Kona, producing a combined 104kW and 265Nm. It has not been confirmed where the new Australian Seltos will be built, with Kia capable of producing the car in either India or South Korea.It is likely that the Aussie version will continue to be built in South Korea to share the K3 platform also found on the Kona. The Seltos is currently available in Australia exclusively with a petrol engine. A hybrid set-up would bring it into line with much of Kia’s range, which has undergone a sustained hybrid shift. The brand recently unveiled a more comprehensive range of HEVs and PHEVs for its larger Sorento, with a now 20-strong variant lineup for the SUV. The Seltos is still battling to recapture its status as a strong seller in the Aussie market’s busy small SUV category. It sits behind many of its rivals, selling less than 9000 units so far in 2025. It trails its sister car the Kona, with MG’s ZS and the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro among other better sellers. Its rumoured starting price in its native South Korean market is roughly 20 million won, which is around $21,000, but it will endure a bit of a tax-related price hike when it hits Australia. The new-generation Seltos will be officially unveiled tomorrow, with an Australian launch date in the second half of 2026.