Off road

Still don’t reckon diesel is on the chopping block in Australia? Well strap in, because another nail in its coffin has just arrived in the shape of the JAC Hunter PHEV. And with it comes a like-for-like comparison. See, the Hunter shares its underpinnings with the diesel-powered T9 ute, giving the brand’s customers a choice – take the new petrol-electric version, or stick with the cheaper diesel. And having driven both, the people in the latter camp should be able to be counted on one hand. It’s not that the Hunter feels like the best ute in its segment, it’s more that the combination of petrol power and electric propulsion massively improves the drive experience compared to the one with a diesel donk. But more on that in a moment. For now, let’s dig deeper into the details. The Hunter has been JAC’s long-promised volume play, and while we test drove this one in Australia, it’s not actually the ute that will be launching here wearing a sub-$50k price tag later this year. For perspective, the cheapest BYD Shark 6 ute, the Premium, is $57,900, while the Ford Ranger PHEV Stormtrak is currently around $73k drive-away. So the Hunter is sharp. JAC has also commendably joined the localised-ride-and-handling community (like GWM, and Kia and Hyundai before it), recruiting former Holden chassis engineer Michael Barber to fine-tune the Hunter for our conditions. We’re talking more than a nip and tuck here. Barber says he went through 50 damper rebuilds to get the Hunter where he wanted, which was a ute that feels tighter, more responsive to inputs and more confidence inspiring than the JAC products to have come before it. The catch is that, while the work is reportedly done, it hasn’t entirely made its way to the vehicles we’ve tested. Some changes are present (notably a focus on noise, vibration and harshness and the fitment of better acoustic glass), but not all of them. And the brand says the cars that eventually go on sale here will drive very differently to these ones. What we can tell you, though, is a bit more about the powertrain, and how it works. The PHEV system here pairs a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with twin electric motors (one at each axle) to produce a total 360kW. It doesn’t feel like that much power, to be honest, though the progress is smooth and definitely doesn’t feel underpowered once underway. It is a slow-ish getaway from a standing start, though – we were recording (very unofficial) runs to 100km/h of around 8.5 seconds. Part of the slower-than-expected take-off, I think, is that the different power sources all kick in at different times. The on-screen display suggests the rear motor starts first, which is then joined by the front motor, and then – at around 30km/h – the petrol engine kicks in, adding a noticeable boost in performance.  Again, it does not feel underpowered, and the power delivery provides a constant urge when everything is humming along altogether. And it’s infinitely smoother and more predictable than the diesel-powered alternative. The other focus for JAC has been proper work-ready performance. The Hunter will tow 3.5 tonnes no matter the battery state (I think because the software won’t let it fall below 20 per cent charge), combined with a 915kg payload, front and rear diff locks and five pre-programmed off-road modes. Clearly JAC is taking the demands of the Aussie market seriously. On board is a V2L connection, while a 31.2kWh LFP battery (with 45kW DC fast charging) delivers an all-electric driving range of around 100kms, and contributes to the total driving range (so with a full battery and a full tank) of more than 1000kms on the NEDC cycle. Our brief preview test included what I would describe as moderate off-road challenges, including a couple of deep gullies and some pretty steep dirt climbs, and the Hunter did it all easily enough that it felt like it had plenty more to give. Interestingly, it’s also very quiet off-road – I had to check whether the petrol engine was running a couple of times, and it was. On the road, the Hunter feels a marked improvement over the diesel T9, even if it doesn't feel as spritely under foot as some of its plug-in rivals. The transition from electric power to petrol power feels subtle and unobtrusive, and the steering is good for the segment, too – though even on my very brief trip I was desperate to turn off the overzealous driver attention monitor, which loved a happy beep and bong. It also has that kind of jittery ride quality a lot of unladen utes have, but it's impossible to pass judgement on that stuff yet, as we haven't driven the finished product.  On price and spec alone, the Hunter looks as though it will draw plenty in for a look. And if Mr Barber can deliver an Aussie masterclass in ride and handling, it should attract plenty more. But for that we'll have to wait and see.

Holidays at home have never looked better from a global crisis point of view. But increasing fuel prices threaten to put the brakes on that, as well, especially when diesel is up to a dollar a litre more than petrol. Enter the GWM Tank 300 plug-in hybrid. It promises a performance-to-running costs ratio that will really take some beating. And the sticker price is pretty sharp, too.

Toyota has just released the pricing for its new 2027 hybrid LandCruiser four-wheel drive, and it will be the most powerful variant yet. It will start from $156,060 (before on-road costs) for the GR Sport grade and $156,810 (before on-road costs) for the Sahara ZX. This means a hybrid LandCruiser costs around $9000 more than the highest grade of the diesel-only model. It is a significant step up in price on the recently-announced Denza B8 plug-in hybrid off-roader, which starts from under $100K.  Toyota's hybrid LandCruiser announcement is also an early warning shot to the returning Mitsubishi Pajero, which we will learn more about before the end of the year. The LandCruiser hybrid will be powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine along with a single electric motor. The hybrid system has been adapted from the Tundra full-size pick-up, which itself offered some serious power and torque. The addition of an electrified boost to the LandCruiser has seen substantial improvements in power, now producing 341kW and 790Nm, up from 227kW and 700Nm.  These new figures boost the car’s power beyond that of the soon-to-be phased out V8-powered Nissan Patrol.  Toyota said this hybrid transition for the LandCruiser was designed to improve performance as opposed to efficiency like on other models such as the Camry sedan and RAV4 SUV. On the inside, there are leather-accented seats, with the front and outward rear ones heated and ventilated.  Elsewhere, the car gets a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a 14-speaker premium JBL audio system. The GR Sport grade comes with front and rear lockable differentials as well as electronically-controlled suspension for increased rugged off-roading capabilities. Sahara ZX models have a rear limited-slip differential, for added poise on the road.  The car’s new hybrid set-up allows for a rear auxiliary power socket, which is capable of powering small appliances. The new LandCruiser hybrid will arrive in showrooms in the middle of this year. 2027 Toyota LandCruiser 300 hybrid pricing    

The Suzuki Jimny is back with a tech refresh and minor update after a production pause. The line-up now has an updated AEB system as well as adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, and front and rear parking sensors. The base-spec Jimny Lite also gets a new 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of this latest line-up refresh. Is the Zook worth your cash?

Jeep has debuted an updated version of one of its newest models at a Brazilian festival. This refreshed 2026 Jeep Avenger is the official car of this year's Todo Mundo no Rio music festival, which has historically played host to millions of attendees and artists like Madonna and Lady Gaga. A highlight of this update is a reinterpretation of the brand's iconic seven-slot grille. It's now illuminated, following an increasing trend for brands to highlight their trademark design features. The Avenger also scores new X-shaped tail-lights as past of a “modern look aligned with the brand's new global design”. New wheel arches and bumpers are said to “reinforce the feeling of being in a Jeep, as well as excellent approach, departure, and ground clearance angles”. New paint options, two-tone combinations, roof racks, and a new 18-inch wheel design are also part of the update. So far, Jeep hasn’t confirmed any technical or mechanical changes to the model. It’s unclear if it retains the same setups in its petrol front-wheel drive, hybrid all-wheel drive, or electric front-wheel drive versions. In Australia, the Avenger is available only as an EV with a 115kW front-drive setup and 390km of range and competes with the BYD Atto 2 and coming Geely EX2. The current version is priced from $40,000 drive-away. Expect more information about the Avenger update to come later this year.

Mitsubishi is close to bringing back its legendary four-wheel drive. The Japanese brand has confirmed its new large off-roader  — likely called Pajero — will be revealed this year, with an Australian launch also tipped for 2026. The latest mail from Japan’s Best Car magazine, which is known for its well-placed sources in the Japanese car industry, reveals the new Pajero will have a three-grade line-up. It is likely the Pajero will borrow the same model grade names from the Triton, which it shares its underpinnings with. This means the base and mid-tier versions are likely to be the GLX and either GLS or GSR. Best Car believes the range-topper will take on the Exceed name in a throwback to past generations of Pajero. Mitsubishi hasn’t confirmed any details about the Pajero, including its name, except that the big rig will debut this year. Camouflaged versions have been spotted testing in Australia, including by CarsGuide earlier this year in Western Victoria. Mitsubishi's President Keisuke Kishiura told US outlet Automotive News, "the Pajero is a cross-country SUV that combines fully-fledged off-road capability with the ease of handling and comfort of a passenger car". “We plan to launch the new cross-country SUV within the year.” It is believed to be based on the Triton platform, which means a proper ladder frame that would give it genuine off-road ability. It'll need some fancy adaptable suspension to give it proper on-road manners compared to the Triton. Expect it to use a version of 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine, but it could make more than the 150kW and 470Nm in the Australian-specification Triton. The camouflaged vehicles give us a clue at what the new Pajero will look like, with big blocky styling similar to the new Nissan Patrol. There appears to be a large grille with vertical tiered headlights and bonnet bulges. There is no tailgate-mounted spare wheel, which could be added later or it is likely located beneath the vehicle.

GWM says it is bowing to public pressure by putting the Tank 400 back on the table for consideration in Australia. The larger, chunkier and more aggressive version of the popular Tank 300 had been sidelined for Australia since making its debut at the 2021 Shanghai Auto before hitting global markets as a 2023 model, but consistent requests have led to the rethink. We understand that a $60,000-to-$70,000 price tag is the target, thanks to premium positioning, and it's likely to include GWM’s new efficiency-focused Hi4-Z plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) system. That powertrain in 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol guise paired with a rear-mounted electric motor and 59kWh battery can offer a claimed EV-only range of 200km and more than 1000km combined in some related GWM models. There is also the more 4x4-orientated Hi4-T PHEV, with extra driven differentials and other off-road-biased tech, giving the 400 a wide breadth of capability. The brand’s vaunted new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel hybrid system is also expected to feature at some point, as the Hi4 hybrid grades, though nothing has been announced. However, the Tank 400 you see in these pictures will not be the version Australians might be able to buy, given a major makeover is in the pipeline for sometime next year, meaning that we won’t likely see the SUV before 2028 at the earliest. “We’re definitely considering the 400 now,” according to a GWM spokesperson, speaking to CarsGuide at the China Auto Show in Beijing last week, adding that the company will gauge Australian consumer reaction to the media coverage from the event. “We’ll see how our dealers and customers react to it.” To that end, journalists were invited to sample the current model under extremely heavy and very limited supervision at GWM’s new proving ground in Hebei near the company’s headquarters in Baoding. So, what is the 400 and how does it fit into the Tank hierarchy? Based on the body-on-frame platform as found underneath the Tank 300 and 500, as well as their respective Cannon and Cannon Alpha ute counterparts, the 400 is most closely aligned with the 300. However, it is more than 100mm longer in body and wheelbase, as well as 30mm wider overall. Consequently, the five-seater body is considerably larger in those dimensions as well, bringing a big increase in passenger space as well as cargo capacity compared to the donor 4WD. If given the green light, GWM hopes to pitch the 400 against other premium 4WDs with some off-road capability, like the Denza B5 and Land Rover Defender.

Where do I get a clutch kit for a 2.5 litre ZX Auto Grand Tiger?

Denza, BYD's premium sub-brand, has brought its plush B5 PHEV to Australia. The top-spec B5 Leopard is a luxury body-on-frame 4WD wagon with five seats, 16 drive modes, a low-range gear-set on the rear axle, and front and rear diff locks. It has a packed standard features list, a premium-style interior, about 100km of electric-only driving range, and real off-road adventure potential.

More than a quarter of a century since the Land Rover Freelander was pensioned off, the SUV nameplate has returned with the Freelander 8, a rugged SUV developed by both Chery and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The first of six SUVs to be launched in the next five years as part of the Anglo-Sino partnership, the new Freelander 8 has already been confirmed for right-hand-drive markets, opening the door to Australian sales. Sold under the new Freelander sub-brand, Freelander 8 sales will initially begin in China as soon as late this year, before export sales kick off later. Created to be an all-electric mid-to-large six-seat SUV rival for the Toyota Kluger, the Freelander 8 comes with powerful 800-volt electrics for ultra-fast DC charging. Later on, the Freelander 8 will adopt both a range-extender hybrid (REEV), as well as the plug-in hybrids more commonly found in Europe. Freelander has confirmed that the REEV will bag CATL's latest Freevoy battery, which is capable of 6C charging, that translates into rapid DC peak charging speeds of 360kW. Ensuring it is as capable as any other Land Rover, the Freelander 8 features an electronic limited-slip differential, which is combined with a virtual central locking differential, plus a height-adjustable dual-chamber air suspension. Following on from the well-received Freelander Concept 97, the 8 borrows plenty visual cues from both the old Freelander and current Defender. While the Freelander 8 was styled by the British 4x4 brand, plenty of its advanced new tech has been sourced from its Chinese partner, including its curved screen that stretches from pillar-to-pillar. A large central floating infotainment is present, as well as a limited number of physical switches and a large rotary dial. Coming with a 2+2+2 seating configuration, the second row gets a pair of zero-gravity seats for a limo-like level of comfort. Fresh tech includes extra-bright 8000-pixel projection headlamps, and Huawei's latest-gen 896-LiDAR that helps the Freelander SUV support the tech giant's new Qiankun ADS 4.1 driver assistance system, which provides Level 2+ driverless tech. The same advanced autonomous driving aids are also thought to help boost the Freelander 8's capability off-road, offering up to nine terrain modes. When it lands in Europe, the Freelander 8 has been engineered to achieve the full five stars for protection in EuroNCAP crash tests, which bodes well for a decent showing in future evaluations by ANCAP. Built at a Chery-Land Rover plant in Changshu, close to Shanghai, the Freelander does without both Chery or Land Rover badging and will operate as an independent brand that is completely separate from Chery, Exeed, Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas, Luxeed or the iCaur (iCar). It's not yet known, when launched in markets like Europe or Australia, if the Freelander will be rebadged and sold through Land Rover dealers.