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Another competitor is about to enter the competitive Aussie SUV market. Chinese brand GAC (Guangzhou Automobile Group) has applied to sell a mid-size SUV, the EMZOOM, a Department of Infrastructure filing confirms. This is the third addition to GAC's launching range in Australia, with a starting price is still to be confirmed. Details are scarce, but we know it’s powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that produces 125kW, driven by a seven-speed auto to the front wheels.This is the same engine as the popular GS3 EMZOOM that is on sale in South East Asia, so from this, the Australian variant will likely complete the 0-100km/h sprint in roughly eight seconds. The EMZOOM is listed as a five-seater SUV, with dimensions of 4410mm in length, 1850mm in width, 1600mm in height and a 2650mm wheelbase.This means it will face fierce competition from big sellers such as Chery Tiggo 4, MG ZS and Kia Seltos.The car features a sporty look with a coupe-style design and sharp lines on the body panels. It will have 18-inch wheels, coming as standard with a sunroof and semi-autonomous tech. The EMZOOM is the latest in a now three-strong Aussie lineup promised by GAC that includes the M8 people mover and Aion V SUV. The M8 is GAC’s luxury seven-seater people mover that comes as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which is a point of difference with alternatives in Australia. The 2.0-litre turbo PHEV set-up produces a combined 174kW and 660Nm and shifts the car from 0-100km/h in 8.8 seconds. The Aion V is a mid-size SUV option soon to be offered in Australia by GAC, but it is fully electric. The Thai variant of the Aion V has a single-motor that produces 150kW and 240Nm, while offering a generously claimed NEDC range of 602km.The Aion V will be a direct competitor to BYD’s all-electric Sealion 7. The Sealion 7 has been a raging success in the SUV market, fending off other electric options and also eating into ICE market share.GAC’s launch plans in Australia were scheduled for mid-2025, but it's rumoured it will still launch before the end of the year. 

Polestar Australia has confirmed pricing and specification for an upgraded 2026 model year version of its mid-size pure-electric Polestar 4 SUV.Headline news is no change to the manufacturer’s list price despite a key design tweak for both models in the local range with the cost of selected options also reduced.In a win for greater ease of use and reduced driver distraction, touch-sensitive steering wheel controls have been replaced by more conventional buttons, while the option pack structure has been massaged with pricing for the Bridge of Weir leather trim and electrochromic glass roof options reduced.At the same time an illuminated front Polestar logo, high-level interior illumination and net pockets in the boot have been moved to the 'Plus Pack' (see below).As the name implies, the entry-level Polestar 4 Long Range Single motor is powered by a single (rear-mounted) permanent magnet electric motor sending 200kW/343Nm to the rear wheels while the Long Range Dual motor pushes 400kW/686Nm to all four wheels. Claimed 0-100km/h acceleration times are 7.1 and 3.8 seconds, respectively.With energy consumption between 7.8-18.4kWh/100km, WLTP range for the single-motor is 620km. That drops to a still impressive 590km in the high-performance dual-motor version which consumes 19.0-21.7kWh/100km. The Polestar 4 is capable of charging its 100kW lithium-ion battery at up to 200kW DC, taking on a 10-80 per cent fill in 30 minutes. Braked trailer towing capacity is 1500kg for the single motor version and 2000kg for the dual motor.20-inch alloy wheelsActive LED headlightsRain-sensing wipers‘Bio-attributed’ fabric trimEight-way electrically adjustable driver seat (with memory)Six-way electrically adjustable passenger seatHeated front seatsAmbient interior lightingDual-zone climate controlPower tailgate10.2-inch driver display14.7-inch head up display15.4-inch central multimedia display8.9-inch digital rear-view mirrorEight-speaker audio (with digital radio)Wireless Apple CarPlayPlus Pack: Harman Kardon 1320W premium sound system, head-up display, zinc deco, ‘Star knit’ illuminated deco, illuminated front Polestar logo, pixel LED headlights with ‘Adaptive High Beam’, hands-free power tailgate, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, rear control screen, 12-way powered sport seats with mechanical cushion extension easy entry/exit driver’s seat, power reclining rear seats, heated steering wheel and rear seats, tri-zone climate control, PM2.5 air filtration, 22kW AC charging - $8000Pro Pack: 21-inch ‘Pro’ alloy wheels, ‘Swedish Gold’ valve caps, striped seatbelts - $2500Performance Pack: 22-inch ‘Performance’ wheels, ‘Polestar Engineered’ chassis tuning, Brembo brakes, ‘Swedish Gold’ accents (available on Dual motor with Plus pack) - $7200Electric retractable towbar - $3310Electrochromic glass roof - $2200Body-coloured lower claddings - $1400Privacy glass on rear side windows - $700Nappa upgrade: Bridge of Weir leather, ventilated front seats (with massage), Harman Kardon headrest speakers in front seats, rear comfort headrests, brushed textile headlining - $6100 (Zinc) / $5700 (Charcoal) - requires Plus PackSnow (white)Magnesium (cool grey)Electron (silver)Storm (dark grey)Space (black)The Polestar 4 scored a maximum five-star ANCAP score from assessment in 2024. It’s Adult Occupant Protection score is 92 per cent, Child Occupant Protection score is 87 per cent, Vulnerable Road User protection score is 81 per cent and its Safety Assist Score is 79 per cent.Four short range camerasRear-view HD cameraTwo forward-facing HD camerasFour side-view HD camerasUndersteer Control LogicTrailer Stability AssistAdaptive Cruise ControlAEB (vehicle / cyclist / pedestrian detection)Advanced Collision AvoidanceForward Collision WarningLane Keeping AidLane Departure WarningOncoming Lane MitigationDriver Alert ControlRear Collision Warning and MitigationCross Traffic Alert with brake supportRoad Sign InformationBlind Spot Information with steer assistExit assistPost-impact brakingTyre pressure monitoringWhiplash Injury Protection System (WIPS)Seven airbagsISOFIX mountings (rear seats)The Polestar 4 is covered by a five-year, unlimited km warranty (with roadside assistance included). The traction battery is covered for eight years, 160,000km and there’s also a 12-year corrosion warranty. Onboard diagnostics will notify the driver if and when service is necessary, although Polestar says “Generally (the) Polestar 4 doesn't need to be serviced for up to two years or 30,000km”.The Polestar 4 is 4840mm long, 2067mm wide (mirrors folded) and 1534mm tall with a 2999mm wheelbase. Boot volume is 526 litres with the rear seat upright, expanding to 1536L with it folded down. There’s also a 15L ‘frunk’ in the nose.

More rumoured details have been revealed about Toyota’s FJ LandCruiser. Japanese newspaper Chukei News, from Toyota's hometown Nagoya, is now reporting the mini four-wheel drive will be built in Thailand and will be introduced to the Japanese market next year.According to Japanese magazine Best Car, the FJ will start from 4 million Yen (about $40,000) when it goes on sale in Japan. The FJ LandCruiser would sit at the smaller end of Toyota’s SUV/4WD range, under the RAV4, featuring an angular, boxy shape.With rumoured dimensions of roughly 4500mm long, 1830mm wide and 1850mm tall, it would sit in close proximity to the Corolla Cross or Hyundai’s Kona SUV.Several engine options have been floated, including the 2.0-litre petrol engine available in the South-East Asian exclusive HiLux Champ. At this stage the larger four-cylinder 2.7-litre petrol engine seems likely according to reports.The FJ LandCruiser is rumoured to inherit more of its 250 counterpart’s gear, such as the robust limited-slip-differential system. This coupled with a 210mm ground clearance would give it ample off-road capabilities to rival similar market alternatives.To contrast, it won’t be built on the sturdy TNGA chassis underpinning the recent Prado and LandCruiser 300 Series, but the IMV-O version found on the HiLux Champ. This chassis set-up could be problematic in bringing the LandCruiser FJ across to Australia. If it follows a ute-to-SUV chassis transfer, as seen with Ford’s Ranger ute and Everest SUV, it probably won’t meet local design and safety regulations. With a reported early 2026 release date in Japan, it remains unclear whether this smaller LandCruiser will be offered in Australia, especially given potential approval issues. However, Australia is one of the countries Toyota has registered the ‘LandCruiser FJ’ trademark in.Adding to the speculation, Toyota has submitted a patent to the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), which includes an image of a potential production version for the FJ. This was originally filed in January 2024 before being published in March 2025.The LandCruiser has proven a popular choice for Aussie buyers, with its wagon variant selling more than 1100 examples up to September 2025 - holding nearly 70 per cent of the large SUV market, excluding luxury options.

Hyundai Australia has reached into the depths of its financial pockets to reduce the price of selected models across its portfolio of pure-electric models by between seven and 38 per cent.In place for the fourth quarter of this year, the new drive-away prices apply nationally to specific versions of the Kona Electric small SUV, Ioniq 5 medium SUV, Inster city hatch and Ioniq 6 sedan.The catalyst for the clean out is shifting cars currently on the ground in Australia, including stocks of 2023 model year examples of certain models, while new orders are also included on others.A single Kona Electric model, the Standard Range, has been reduced by 15 per cent, the Ioniq 5 Standard Range is down 13 per cent and three versions of the Inster light hatch have been discounted by between seven and eight per cent.For all of the above, offers apply to existing stock or new orders delivered before December 31, 2025 with no restriction on model year.But the jaw-dropping repositioning is reserved for 2023 model year examples of the Ioniq 6 sedan, reduced by between 35 and a whopping 38 per cent. Specifically, 115 cars celebrating their second birthday in stock in Australia.The entry-level Ioniq 6 Dynamic is a single-motor, rear-wheel drive sedan with 168kW/350Nm, a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery and a 614km WLTP range. The MY23 version's price has been reduced by more than $27,000 to $49,990, drive-away.The mid-grade Techniq is a dual-motor, all-wheel drive which ups power to 239kW/605Nm while range from the same 77.4kWh battery is limited to 519km. The ask here is $54,990, drive-away, which is a 38 per cent reduction on the standard D/A price.Then the flagship Epiq adds a higher standard specification to the dual-motor powertrain with no less than $34K lopped off the D/A pricing for a MY23 example. Asked whether the reductions may continue into the new year a Hyundai Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide there are “no plans to continue into 2026 at this stage”.

Dacia thinks it has cracked the code for what makes a car popular with its little Hipster EV concept, but that’s up to you.The Hipster EV is just a concept, but Dacia reckons the blocky little EV will appeal not just because of its cute looks, but due to its simplicity and affordability in the way cult classics such as the Citroen 2CV and Land Rover Defender.Speaking to British motoring publication Autocar, Dacia’s chief designer David Durand said popular people’s cars all have the same ingredients — basic design and a low price — and the Hipster will, too.“All those popular cars were super appreciated and they were not expensive,” Durand told Autocar.“They were super popular; you had a lot on the streets. So for us, it's an example that we should be able to reproduce this mindset, and in these situations, essentials become super cool.”And by essential Durand is referring to the very basics needed by modern standards in cars. In the case of the Hipster the vehicle has been stripped of what Dacia considers unnecessary in order to reduce weight and cost.Sliding glass windows have been used instead of power operated ones, exterior door handles are just fabric straps and inside there isn’t a large screen or media system — just a mount for your phone if you need sat nav or music — bluetooth speakers can be optioned. Other options include cupholders, armrests and there’s no key — just an app on your phone to lock and unlock the car and start it. Dacia’s Director of Product Performance Patrice Levy-Bentold told Autocar that companies need to consider the ‘less is more’ approach especially when it comes to electric vehicles. “We cannot continue with this 'always more' trend, which is why we have to propose a completely different approach, to disrupt again with the vision of what we should bring, and Hipster concept is exactly this," said Levy-Bentold."Let's just go back to the essentials: what do we really need on a daily basis?""In daily driving, you don't need a 1.5- or two-tonne car with an 80kWh battery capable of doing 0-100kph in four seconds. You don't need this.”Details of the Hipster’s battery capacity have yet to be announced, nor have many other technical specifications such as motors or output. We do know the dimensions which reveal the concept to be three metres long, 1.55m wide and 1.53m tall. We also know the Hipster is a four seater with a 70 litre boot but with the rear row folded opens up to 500 litres.Dacia is a Romanian car maker and part of the Renault-Nissan alliance. While Dacia as a brand isn’t available in Australia its models are rebadged as Renaults with the latest being the Duster SUV, which arrived here in July, 2025.

Diesel engines are far from over, with a big new 3.0-litre unit is destined for one of Australia’s emerging range of utes and SUVs. To make its global debut in Australia sometime in the middle of next year, this internal combustion engine with no electrification assistance will arrive in an in-line four-cylinder turbo-diesel configuration that promises to be one of the most efficient of its type available anywhere in the world.

Kia’s new modular van is confirmed for Australia, with the PV5 electric passenger and commercial van to land in mid-2026.Designed on a new dedicated electric platform that will see other models follow, the 2026 Kia PV5 can be configured in many ways across passenger and commercial purposes, with features like a removable front passenger seat, stain-resistant interior materials and a walk-through configuration between the driver and cargo section on some versions.The PV5 sits between small and medium vans in terms of its size, bigger than a Volkswagen Caddy but smaller than a Toyota HiAce or Ford Transit Custom.Due in Australia in Q2 or Q3, 2026, the PV5 will be shown at Mobility Live in Sydney on October 15th and 16th this year.Kia Australia is yet to commence local suspension tuning and will confirm Australian specifications and pricing for the PV5 “in due course”.Kia in its global communications confirmed the PV5 will boast a range up to 416km and feature 30-minute 10-80 per cent fast-charging capability, with ‘up to 16 variants’ able to be configured for multiple purposes.Global specs show the PV5 being 4695mm long, 1895mm wide and 1923mm tall with an antenna, plus a 2995mm wheelbase.Outputs come in at 120kW and 250Nm, with battery sizes either 43.3 kWh, 51.5 kWh or 71.2 kWh. Passenger, Cargo and Chassis Cab body styles mean the PV5 can be anything from a personal transport, courier get-around, or even mobile base for a business.Kia worked with businesses like DHL Korea, Korea Post, healthcare provider GeoYoung and Milwaukee power tools to implement features and capabilities that would make the PV5 useful across a range of applications.It can also be used for leisure as a transport shuttle or camping van, and the PV5 has vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability to help in numerous situations.As well as the Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S) platform it rides on reducing production and development costs, Kia looked at further ways to reduce costs and make the PV5 more durable, including LED headlamps integrated into the front bumper, as well as panels like wheel arches or bumpers being divided into sections for easy replacement.

Electric cars have come a long way in a short time, and China’s EV market has shown us just how far they’ve come.China is the world’s largest electric vehicle market — and the source of the majority of Australia’s EVs — and the latest data shows a remarkable stat.According to the China Passenger Car Association, the average driving range of an electric car on sale in China is 528km.That’s an increase of about 25 per cent in half a decade, according to the data.Those driving ranges are calculated via the more lenient China Light-duty Test Cycle (CLTC), rather than the benchmark WLTP used in Europe and Australia.The data still shows that electric car driving range has improved by about a quarter in a short time.In Australia the default range for a new EV is generally around 500km, dispelling the range anxiety myth.New EVs from China and sold in Australia, such as the Zeekr 7X have a driving range from between 480km and 615km, and Tesla has just launched a new Chinese-built Model 3 RWD Long Range with up to 750km of range.Deepal’s new E07 ute-SUV mash-up has a driving range of up to 550km and Kia’s China-sourced EV5 can be driven up to 555km, depending on the variant.There are even more on the way if China is a guide, with the data showing more than 30 EVs on sale there with a driving range of more than 600km and 26 more with a range of more than 500km.500km is the new expectation for buyers in Australia and manufacturers have responded with a wave of new models at or exceeding the range, with Chinese brands or China-sourced vehicles leading the charge.The massive jump in electric driving range isn’t reserved to EVs. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs).EREVs use a petrol engine purely as a generator to charge the battery, with the wheels driven only by electric motors. PHEVs use a combination of a petrol engine and electric motors fed by a battery to drive the wheels.In China a PHEV with 100km of driving range is the new expectation with the majority boasting an EV-only driving limit of more than the century mark.EREVs are even more, with the vast majority claiming an electric-only driving range of more than 150km.This kind of performance hasn’t been fully realised in Australia where PHEVs and to a lesser extent EREVs are starting to gain traction.Several new options from Chinese brands, such as BYD, Chery and MG are pushing the boundaries of the new tech.Chery’s new Tiggo 9 Super Hybrid has a driving range of up to 170km in Australia.What is even more astounding is China is doing it at a lower cost than rival makers, which is helping to boost the technology Down Under.

The rapid rise and increasing threat of Chinese automakers did not accelerate BMW’s development of its next-generation Neue Klasse vehicle architecture, according to a key executive.The German giant acknowledges the increasing presence of China in the global new-car market, but the advanced vehicle architecture was well under way by the time Chinese brands like BYD experienced growth in Europe.BMW Board Member for Development, Joachim Post, talked up BMW’s reputation for innovation in the face of a rising China.“At that time, I believe China was not the main reason to do that. We are coming from innovation, from technology, to say what is coming up for the future, what could be feasible, how we can be successful. Because we are BMW. We stand for innovation, for features, for functions,” he said.“The second point is, for sure, we have seen that technology development, especially in China, go a fast speed. And to be successful also in that market, technology integration is very important. It's a competitive market. And there are some cars from China coming up which are good cars, which, let's say, it is good that we have made a decision to be on the technology jump and to be prepared for that.“And let me say I won't be in a situation like others, to be not prepared in that matter for the whole fleet like some others are.”China is BMW’s largest market by volume with total sales equalling between 20 and 30 per cent of the Group’s total sales spending on the year. It is a bigger market than the US and Germany.Post denied that Chinese carmakers presented an existential threat to BMW, and compared the country’s rise to that of Korean brands decades earlier.“Looking a lot of years ago in Europe, where the Korean brands came to Europe, same discussion. And finally, to be competitive in the market, to have attractive product, attractive features, functions… and have heritage on a brand is important, and we will see what's coming up.“The Chinese are going abroad, especially Asia. They will also come to Europe. But to be honest, they also have to earn money for the future. And when you look at what's going on in the Chinese market, not all of them are really earning money. And they have a reality when they come to Europe… and we will see what's coming.”At the same iX3 reveal event, BMW Board Member for Production, Milan Nedeljkovic, highlighted the differences in cost between manufacturing in China compared with Europe.“It has four or five relevant factors, which make economic difference between Europe and China. One, of course, is the cost level of salaries and people in fact, but more significant is even the price of energy. So how much do we pay for energy and secure price levels for long-term investment in salaries?“Secondly, it's access to raw materials and to refined raw materials. It's not about the mining. It's about refining. And China has significant capacities in refining raw materials. So to bring these raw materials back to Europe is rather ineffective, instead of getting it manufactured in China and having to finish it. So there are some advantages, which China has, and you can see it in the competitiveness of China when it comes to electric mobility in the pricing.“Nevertheless, at the same time, there are investments in Europe, also from Chinese companies and others, which show that if you want to be successful in the market, you must be in the market. It's not about import/export. It's about being part of the ecosystem of a region. That's why we have our footprint worldwide, and that's why all the other global players have a diverse manufacturing system to cover the main regions.”BMW Group has four main factories in China with its domestic partner, Brilliance, and one of the facilities - Dadong - was the company’s most production plant in 2023.

GWM has confirmed a new variant for its Tank 500 large SUV that adds plug-in hybrid power into the mix.The 2026 GWM Tank 500 Hi4-T Plug-in Hybrid is the second model to join the brand’s Australian line-up with GWM’s Hi4-T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology after the Cannon Alpha PHEV ute.Just one grade of the Tank 500 PHEV is available from launch, the Ultra, with a temporary drive-away price offering of $77,990, a $2000 discount on its usual $79,990 drive-away price.It brings with it a claimed 120km of electric range, or total 950km of range with the engine in play on the NEDC cycle.14.6-inch multimedia touchscreenAndroid Auto and Apple CarPlayHead-up displayNappa leather interiorPanoramic sunroofHeated and ventilated electrically adjustable front seats with massage functionDual-zone climate controlVehicle to Load (V2L)USB-C ports12-speaker sound systemParking AssistAdaptive cruise controlSurround-view cameraExterior colours:Marble White (no cost)Onyx Silver ($595)Crystal Black ($595)Dune Gold ($595)Interior leather colours:BlackBlue and cream (only with Marble White and Crystal Black exterior)GWM has a seven-year/unlimited kilometre warranty that covers the Tank 500. The brand also has seven years of roadside assist and seven years capped-price servicing.