Off road

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?

The 2026 Denza B8 7S is the entry-level version of the line-up and offers seven seats, as the name suggests.Priced at $91,000 before on-road costs, this notably just undercuts the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold. It’s also cheaper than the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, among other premium rivals like the Land Rover Defender, Lexus LX and Mercedes-Benz GLS.As a base there are 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, soft-close doors, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 18-speaker Devialet sound system, tri-zone climate control, leather upholstery, plus heated and ventilated seats in the first and second row.Total system outputs are a meaty 425kW and 760Nm. They need to be as the B8 has a kerb weight of 3.3 tonnes. Despite this, Denza claims it can still do the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.8 seconds.Feeding the dual electric motors is a 36.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery. Denza claims it allows for an electric range of 115km, according to NEDC testing.Additionally, there’s a 91L fuel tank. Denza claims this allows the B8 to have a total range of 1040km, according to NEDC testing.The Denza B8 received a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted on the related B5 in 2025.There are 14 airbags which notably includes coverage for the third row, plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera.The Denza B8 is covered by a six-year, 150,000km warranty, whereas the battery pack is covered by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty. There’s also three years of roadside assistance.The first five years of servicing totals $3762, which averages out to just over $750 per service.

Previewed at last year’s Melbourne Motor Show, the JAC Hunter hybrid ute is closing in on local launch with an extensive local engineering evaluation program.