Off road

Although the Ford Ranger is currently the best-selling vehicle in Australia for two years running, there's no denying BYD has had a lot of success with the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute. It’s even more of a big deal when Ford CEO Jim Farley comes to Australia to test it out, along with other key rivals to see how they stack up against the Ranger. “They’re totally different animals,” said Farley to Australian media, including CarsGuide, when asked how the Ranger compares to the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV. “The [BYD] Shark is a ute, but if you put 500kg in the back, it’s not a Ranger, it’s not a HiLux. “But for someone who doesn’t do that every day and they want electrification, you know, it’s a pretty competitive product. “I have no idea how they make money. “The Great Wall is a very competitive product and I’ve talked to a lot of customers of both and those customers are very educated. “Yet again, [BYD and GWM] haven’t been doing it like our Ranger or the HiLux for decades, so they don’t have all the chassis and all the towing payload and all the experience. “So they’re coming at it with a huge deficit, but it’s a good, solid, competitive product. “I mean I much prefer the Ranger for real work. It’s no competition, but not everyone in buys a Ranger to do the kind of work that we design it for. “There’s a lot of different kinds of customers here.” The BYD Shark 6 ute is by far the best-selling PHEV ute currently in Australia. In 2025 a total of 18,073 examples were sold, making it BYD’s best-selling vehicle for the year, while also outselling a number of diesel-powered rivals like the Mazda BT-50, Nissan Navara and Volkswagen Amarok. While it has a body-on-frame chassis, the Shark 6 has an electric-heavy PHEV powertrain layout with no driveshaft down the middle of the vehicle and no locking differentials. It also has a slightly reduced braked trailer towing capacity of 2500kg. GWM has had success to a lesser extent with the Cannon Alpha PHEV in Australia, but due to how its PHEV drivetrain is configured, it allows for a mechanical four-wheel drive system plus a higher 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity. It’s worth noting the Ford Ranger PHEV also has a similar PHEV layout as the Cannon Alpha PHEV and similarly allows for a segment-meeting 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity and a mechanical four-wheel drive system. Ford doesn’t publicly disclose sales figures that split out Ranger PHEV sales from the wider Ranger family, which now also includes the beefy Ranger Super Duty. It’s therefore unclear how popular the Ranger PHEV has been in Australia to date. On paper, where the Ranger PHEV is let down over the Shark 6 and Cannon Alpha PHEV is pure-electric range. It only offers up to 49km of electric range, whereas the Shark 6 offers 100km and the Cannon Alpha PHEV offers 115km, all according to NEDC testing. Another notable disadvantage for the Ranger PHEV over the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV is pricing. The Ranger PHEV currently starts at $71,990, before on-road costs, for the XLT and extends to $79,990, BOC, for the Wildtrak. The Shark 6 on the other hand is currently offered in one trim level, priced at $57,900, drive-away. The Cannon Alpha PHEV starts at $51,490, drive-away, and extends to $58,490, drive-away, thanks to a pricing offer that’s set to end at the end of March.

If we know anything about BYD’s rollout in Australia, it’s that nothing stays the same for long. And so it’s unsurprising that the rumours that a new and tougher BYD Shark 6 will launch this year are gathering real steam. Those rumours solidified when BYD lodged Australian government documentation detailing the introduction of a new powertrain for the Shark 6, despite the current version being less than 18 months old in Australia. So CarsGuide has put on its detective cap to bring you everything we know so far about the Chinese ute that promises to now be just as tough as a Ranger, and to offer more tech than a HiLux. Why is this happening? We’re only guessing, but one of the criticisms the BYD Shark 6 faced when it first launched in Australia was its failure to hit some of the non-negotiables for dual-cab utes in Australia — towing and true off-road ability. While the fact the Shark 6 lags its traditional rivals hasn’t impacted sales one iota, it’s entirely possible those criticisms reached important ears. Add to that the fact that Denza has now arrived in Australia, and its B8 model addresses each of those concerns, with its 3.5-tonne towing and proper off-road equipment. In short, the blueprint for a new BYD Shark 6 had arrived. What will be the 2027 BYD Shark 6 platform and powertrain? We have more than a hint on this. In fact, we suspect the answer is already here in the shape of the B8. Government documents suggest the new Shark 6 model will adopt the B8’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine – something the company's executives have been hinting at since 2025 – along with twin electric motors to improve the grunt and massively improve the capability. The Shark 6's homologation documents reveal that the new 2.0-litre engine will produce 180kW before the electric motors are taken into account, compared to the current model's 135kW 1.5-litre turbo. Also worth pointing out that total system power on the Denza B8 is 425kW and 760Nm, but the Shark 6 won't reach that level. Its lodged documents confirm the petrol engine will be joined by a 200kW front electric motor and 150kW rear electric motor for a combined total output of 345kW. Will it be able to tow? Yep, that’s really the core focus of this upgrade. The bigger engine unlocks a true 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, and 750kg unbraked. That puts it on-par with the diesel dual-cab heavyweights of Australia. Will it improve its off-road ability? That’s a big maybe. If BYD is raiding the Denza product portfolio — and it is — then the B8 has a whole bunch of other kit, like front and rear diff locks, a digitised low range and infinite Terrain Modes. Both the B5 and the B8 have climbed the infamous Beer O'Clock Hill (a challenge the current Shark 6 couldn't rise to), so borrowing from the Denza grab bag of off-road goodies will be a huge step in the right direction. When will it arrive? BYD is yet to comment publicly on the arrival of a 2.0-litre BYD Shark 6, but the government filings suggest the launch is now approaching. We'd estimate an arrival in the second half of 2026, or in early 2027.

After an extended teaser campaign, GWM has fully detailed its Tank 700 Hi4-Z off-roader in its Chinese home market. The new version of GWM’s aggressively styled off-roader is notable for its new hybrid system, which is distinct from the Hi4-T system previously sold on existing versions of the Tank 700. A 2.0-litre turbo-petrol version of it is currently used by GWM in the Cannon Alpha in Australia.  The Hi4-T system has an electric motor in the gearbox, and sends drive to the wheels via traditional mechanical links, theoretically maintaining hardcore off-road capability but limiting the available space for a battery. Instead, the new Hi4-Z system used in the new Tank 700 is closer in its design to BYD’s plug-in hybrid system used on the Denza B5, in that it replaces a mechanical link to the rear axle with an independent rear electric motor, using the space between the frame rails for a larger battery. As a result, the Tank 700 Hi4-Z has a massive 59kWh battery pack, which grants it a WLTC-rated electric driving range of 190km. This is boosted by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine providing 185kW, maintaining a mechanical connection only to the front wheels. Interestingly, the new Tank 700 also scores an overhauled interior compared to the Hi4-T V6 version, featuring a larger multimedia screen, a new two-tone colour scheme and a redesigned centre console with fresh toggle-style switchgear, sinking cupholder designs and more buttons than before. It also features a drop-down entertainment screen for rear passengers, and aggressive new styling highlights, like a (fake) bonnet scoop and a rear spoiler. In China the 700 Hi4-Z is also available in a new array of colour schemes and features a LiDAR housing on top of its windscreen. While this new 2.0-litre turbocharged Hi4-Z option adds yet another appealing feature to the Tank 700 range, GWM’s Australian division has hinted in the past that it is more likely our market will receive the next-generation version of the Tank 700. This is because the versions which exist now don’t quite have the right features the brand is looking for in its Australian range. CarsGuide understands the 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo Hi4-T version won’t be made available in a right-hand-drive configuration, and this Hi4-Z version isn’t as sought after by the Australian division due to its compromised towing and off-road capabilities. The Hi4-Z version is only capable of towing 2500kg, while the Cannon Alpha Hi4-T already sold here is certified to tow up to the industry standard 3500kg. Regardless, GWM’s Australian division has shown interest in bringing the Tank 700 in as a range-topping offering at some point in the future, importing left-hand-drive examples to be tested locally in 2025, and hinting that a future version could be offered with the brand’s upcoming 4.0-litre V8 in a plug-in hybrid set-up. However, the brand has also warned it wouldn’t be a bargain offering either, estimating starting prices well in excess of $100,000. At 5105mm long, 2061mm wide and 1985mm tall, the chunky modern-military-style 4x4 is more Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series or Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen rival than the sub-five-metre Denza B5 and Toyota Prado. The Tank 700 Hi4-Z is part of a new model blitz by GWM as it continues to fight for market share in China and across the world. The brand has also recently unveiled plans to build its Ora 5 electric crossover in both right-hand-drive and in hybrid form, and has also recently unveiled its Wey V9X luxury flagship SUV. Locally, the brand has plans to expand on its offering of Ora models to better compete in the EV space, as well as launch the Wey brand in the second half of 2026. Stay tuned for more on GWM’s local plans as the brand aims to hold its hard-fought top-ten position in Australia this year, against an aggressive BYD and Chery.  

The 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty dual cab chassis is heavier, wider and more robust than a regular Ranger. It’s also packed with features, retains off-road capability and it has a heap of potential as a towing and off-roading platform. The Super Duty is a purpose-built ute with a 130-litre fuel tank, 4.5 tonne towing capacity, 4.5 tonne gross vehicle mass and 8.0-tonne gross combined mass.

A plug-in hybrid ute from Toyota might be in the works as the brand looks to expand its electrified ute line-up. According to a report by CarBuzz, Toyota has recently filed two patents of a plug-in hybrid ute in the United States. They were first filed in Japan in 2022, and the report suggests the PHEV idea is still on the cards for future development. One of the key details exposed by the patents is that the battery pack will be stored under the tub, which is the same as on the Ford Ranger plug-in hybrid.  This differs from the set-up on the BYD Shark 6, which has the batteries integrated into the chassis. The patents show batteries underneath the rear seats as well as under the tray for bigger ute models.  Beyond these patents, there are no further details on which models would receive a PHEV set-up or when it might come to fruition. Toyota has already been taking big steps to electrify its range, including its ute models in Australia. Toyota will bring in a fully electric version of its HiLux this year, which will be a first from the Japanese brand.  It has faced criticism for the electric HiLux’s driving range of 240km (WLTP) and its lower towing capacity compared to diesel-only rivals. Toyota claims this model will be targeted at fleets and mining companies rather than private buyers. A hybrid-only V6 Tundra full-size pick-up is also available Down Under. A PHEV HiLux might give Toyota the best of both worlds, and the capacity lean into the success of other brands that have introduced the powertrain. The BYD Shark 6 is the most notable example of this, having achieved a bumper year of sales since its Australia launch. It could ensure Toyota's ute has strong towing and load carrying capacity, while adding electrification. A potential route for Toyota could be a plug-in hybrid diesel engine for its HiLux ute, similar to what Chinese brand Chery is launching in Australia this year.  It might also solve the increasingly prevalent issue of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which will soon impact the diesel HiLux. 

Two months into 2026, traditional new car sales leader Toyota is 25 per cent down on the same period last year with a total of 27,916 units shifted to the end of February compared to 37,256 in 2025. So, what gives? RAV4 registrations have fallen off a cliff, with 2025’s top seller no less than 73.8 per cent behind its prior year result (2480 units vs 9481). After a sub-par January, the HiLux has mounted something of a fightback but is still close to 10 per cent behind year-on-year in critical 4WD form (5315 units vs 5893). And the new-generation Prado is down a whopping 52 per cent YOY (2665 units vs 5570). After 23 consecutive years as the top-selling brand in the local new car market are cracks starting to appear at the top of the Toyota sales mountain?   Is the endless wave of new challenger brands entering the local market starting to impact that seemingly impenetrable 20 per cent share figure Toyota has held with a vice-like grip for so long? Well, probably not. A Toyota Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide the brand is still aiming for a 200,000-plus unit result for 2026, which would equate to, you guessed it… 20 per cent market share. First, the RAV4 had a big December 2025 and with the current model in run-out mode it’s doing just that… running out, according to Toyota, “very cleanly”.  And with the sixth-gen version coming in March, Toyota makes no bones about the fact that supply is unlikely to come back to full strength (and possibly more) until the end of that month or even early April.  As we’ve previously reported, based on the model's usual sales figures, it's safe to assume an order bank close to, if not more than, 10,000 units for the new RAV4 Hybrid. Then, the HiLux shortfall relates to not all variants of the new ninth-generation ute being available yet. So it’s a similar story here, with a “healthy” bank of orders being progressively filled over the next couple of months. And the fifth-generation LandCruiser Prado has been in high demand since it arrived here in late 2024 and we’re assured the current shortfall is down to boat arrival timing issues, which presumes March numbers will be higher, as orders are "strong." Of course, published monthly registration data means there’s nowhere to hide when it comes to new vehicle sales. So, we’ll see if the good ship Toyota, still by far the dominant new car player, gets back on course beyond the first quarter of the year.  

The third-generation Toyota Kluger was an extremely popular large SUV during its time in showrooms thanks to its space and safety. And these days, it's a great used-car buy.

Ford is still investigating the possibility of creating an ultimate Raptor for the road. Speaking to Australian media, including CarsGuide, Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley said a production version of the Raptor T1+ Dakar racer is being studied. “I don’t want to go into it too much, other than say, Kumar and the team really under that the invisible line between off-road and on-road supercars is blurring and with partially electric powertrains and digitally controlled damping and torque vectoring, you can now imagine a digitally enabled super vehicle that on-road and off-road is equally capable. “What the silhouette looks like all the details … we’ll continue to look at, but if there’s a company in the world that would break the rules and do something like that, I think it should be Ford.” This follows commentary from Farley in August last year where he discussed the potential of a 1000hp supercar that he sees eventually competing in the Dakar Rally. Ford currently competes in the Dakar Rally with the Raptor T1+ which is a purpose-built off-road racer. It’s powered by a 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, has 37-inch off-road tyres, as well as 400mm of ground clearance. Previous reports indicated that Ford is plotting a Mustang Raptor that could sit at the top of the Raptor line-up, above the Bronco Raptor, Ranger Raptor and F-150 Raptor R. It’s unclear if the Mustang will be used as a base for this potential off-road supercar, though Ford did recently create the high-performance Mustang GTD to rival the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. In the aforementioned interview with Bloomberg in August 2025, Farley noted this potential off-road supercar, if it’s actually produced, will be different to vehicles like the Porsche 911 Dakar and Lamborghini Huracan Sterrato. “The on-road performance hierarchy is very simple to see and the very top is over-served in my opinion, but no one’s ever done off-road supercar,” said Mr Farley. “Let’s see how long it would last on the Baja 500 course.” It’s now been years since rumours of an ultimate Raptor supercar being produced, so for now we still need to wait and see whether it will actually eventuate.

LDV’s Chinese domestic division, known as Maxus, has revealed a deeply upgraded version of its budget-oriented T60 ute. The new version of the T60 appears to be a deep facelift, maintaining the same chassis and core components, but introducing a completely re-styled front and rear, with a tougher and more contemporary overall vibe. Interestingly, the old 2.0-litre twin-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine, which was notable for being one of the most powerful in its class with 160kW/500Nm, has been replaced by the brand’s new 2.5-litre single-turbo diesel which is found in the new larger Terron 9 dual-cab. This engine produces 163kW/520Nm and, at least in the case of the Terron 9, is mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission with a four-wheel-drive system and low-range transfer case. It is offered with two cargo box sizes, either 1485mm or 1800mm long. Interestingly, the old-style T60 also continues in China as a budget-oriented workhorse option, featuring a 2.0-litre single-turbo diesel engine producing 100kW/350Nm, with upgrades to this model for 2026 including a re-ratioed rear axle. It features a six-speed manual also mated to a 4x4 system with an auto-locking rear differential. While the T60 Max continues to be offered in Australia, its sales dropped significantly in 2025, with the once-popular budget option finishing 31.8 per cent down for the year with 4301 units sold. While it received several important upgrades in 2024, it is facing tough competition from the likes of the GWM Cannon, JAC’s new T9, and defending segment stalwart, the KGM Musso. LDV’s local importer, Ateco, intends to continue selling the T60 for now alongside the new Terron 9, but it's unclear if it will introduce further updates like this one. The importer has been approached for comment. Australia’s ute segment is being shaken up by aggressive new offerings from China. This doesn’t just include the aforementioned budget players, but also the overdue introduction of electrification technology to the space. BYD’s Shark 6 plug-in hybrid has made a significant impact on the stale segment, luring buyers looking for something with lower fuel consumption. It managed an incredible 18,073 sales in 2025, more than the Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, or Mazda BT-50 in a massive warning sign for traditional players. Now more brands are turning their focus to their segment to defend their position. GWM has introduced its plug-in hybrid Cannon Alpha, while Nissan is looking into the possibility of offering its China-built Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid as a potential low-emissions option to sell alongside its recently-launched Triton-based new-generation Navara. Meanwhile, both Toyota and Isuzu are pitching fully electric versions of their current strong-selling dual cabs in the HiLux and D-Max respectively.

At a little more than $50,000, drive-away (nationwide), with twin lockers, a snorkel, underbody protection and Cooper Discoverer AT3 all-terrain tyres, GWM's off-road-focussed top-spec Cannon variant, the XSR, now has a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine rather than the previous-gen’s 2.0L powerplant. Does this new engine make any difference to the XSR’s off-road performance?