Plug-in hybrid

For those of you who are looking to buy a new car but aren’t looking at an EV yet, we’ve put together a list of our top-five popular cars that run on the cheapest kind of petrol.Yep, there’s a lot of pressure right now to buy an electric car and avoid high petrol prices.But if you’re not ready for an EV and want to stick to petrol, there’s a way to still save money: buying a car which doesn’t need more expensive premium fuel.Premium fuel such as 95 RON or 98 RON is always more expensive than 91 RON, but with petrol prices so high right now any saving is good.At the time of writing, 91 RON was averaging 200c/litre, while 98 RON was 223c/litre. Filling up a 60L tank with 91 RON is currently $120 while 98 RON will set you back $133.80. So currently there’s about a $14 difference between 91 RON and 98 RON for an average-sized fuel tank. If you’re filling up once a week, that’s about $730 a year.For all we know, prices could go up more and depending on the situation and where our fuel is sourced from, so the gap between higher- and lower-grade fuels could expand.Yes, there’s 95 RON, but that is still more expensive than 91 RON.So, we’ve handpicked five of Australia's best-selling cars that don’t need premium unleaded and instead can run on a minimum of 91 RON. Hyundai’s Kona is a small SUV that comes in three variants – a pure petrol, a series-parallel hybrid and a fully electric. You’ll be happy to know both the pure petrol and hybrid petrol cars only need 91 RON.Fuel efficiency in the hybrid is excellent at 3.9L/100km over a combination of different driving conditions.The hybrid is offered across the entire range, which is great to see.The entry price into the Kona range is $33,700 plus on-road costs.GWM’s Haval Jolion is another small SUV, which is a little larger than the Hyundai Kona, but it also comes in pure petrol and series-parallel hybrid, both of which needing just 91 RON.The hybrid's combined fuel consumption is 5.1L/100km.It’s fantastic to see that the hybrid is offered right across the Jolion range.The entry grade in the Jolion range costs $26,990 drive-away.One of the original mid-size SUVs, the Nissan X-Trail in this latest generation is a superb family car that is offered in petrol and series hybrid variants.Now the pure petrol versions need only 91 RON. Nissan says the hybrids need a minimum of 91 RON, but 95 RON is recommended.Of course, you should follow the manufacturers advice here to ensure your X-Trail lives a long and happy life, but it’s good to know that 91 RON will do if you’re in a pickle.The other good news is that you really don’t need to step up to the more expensive hybrid to save fuel.The hybrid is fuel efficient at 6.0L/100km, but the regular petrol will use 6.1-6.5L/100km depending on the grade.  The entry grade of the Nissan X-Trail range lists for $38,140 plus on-road costs.The Mitsubishi Outlander is another mid-size SUV icon and comes in two variants – a pure petrol and a plug-in series-parallel hybrid (PHEV).Nissan says both the pure petrol version and PHEV need only 91 RON, which is a nice surprise.Fuel consumption in the PHEV is outrageously good at 1.5L/100km in combined driving conditions, but seriously you’ll have to charge it regularly to get this – and I mean every day.The combined consumption of the regular pure petrol Outlander ranges from 7.5-8.1L/100km depending on the grade.The entry grade in the Outlander range starts at a list price of $39,990 plus on-road costs.Chery’s little Tiggo 4 SUV is the smallest car in our selection (about a match-stick shorter than the Kona) and comes in both pure petrol and series-parallel hybrid form.The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, however, isn’t as fuel efficient as you might think in this not-so-big SUV. The combined fuel consumption according to Chery is 7.4L/100km. But the hybrid variant is much better with 5.4L/100km .The entry price into the Tiggo 4 range is $23,990 drive-away. 

The results of the fuel crisis are starting to show as sales of electrified vehicles in Australia have officially overtaken petrol and diesel vehicles, respectively.In March 2026 a total of 42,007 electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and hybrids were sold, according to sales data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC).A total of 34,694 new petrol vehicles and 28,364 new diesel vehicles were sold over the same period.Electrified vehicles accounted for 38.6 per cent of total new vehicle sales in March 2026, whereas petrol and diesel new vehicles accounted for 31.9 per cent and 26.1 per cent, respectively.This isn’t the first time this has happened. It occurred initially in the month of December 2025, marking a significant shift in how electrified vehicles have become the norm.At this stage it’s unclear if this trend will continue, but sales for EVs are up 114.4 per cent year-to-date, PHEVs are up 40.3 per cent year-to-date and hybrids down 0.1 per cent year-to-date.The arrival of the new hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 this month is likely to further boost electrified vehicle sales, though.Sales of petrol vehicles are down 17.9 per cent year-to-date and diesel vehicles are down 4.8 per cent year-to-date.Virtually every carmaker is bringing in more electrified vehicle options in order to negate potential fines imposed by the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).In terms of year-to-date sales, electrified vehicles are still only just lagging behind petrol vehicle sales. A total of 100,564 electrified new vehicles and 101,147 petrol new vehicles were sold until the end of March 2026.This is well above the 79,766 diesel new vehicles sold year-to-date.Once April new vehicle sales figures are released this could be the tipping point for electrified vehicles. For now, watch this space.

BYD has revealed two new flagship models at this year’s Beijing motor show.These are the 2026 BYD Sealion 08 SUV and Seal 08 sedan which shouldn’t be confused with the existing Sealion 8 and Seal sedan as they’re completely different vehicles.As reported by AutoHome, the Sealion 08 is available with either two- or three-rows of seating and measures in at 5115mm long, which is 100mm longer than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series.It’s understood it will be offered with both pure electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. The former will feature BYD’s second-generation version of its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery technology and offer up to 900km of range, according to CLTC testing.Other expected highlights include air suspension and a rear-wheel steering system.The Seal 08 on the other hand is a large sedan that measures in at 5150mm long, 1999mm wide and 1505mm tall, with a 3030mm wheelbase. This makes it larger than a BMW 5 Series sedan.Similarly to the Sealion 08, both EV and PHEV powertrains are on offer. The former also receives a second-generation LFP Blade battery and operates on an 800V electrical architecture, allowing flash charging.The all-wheel drive version is reported to offer over 480kW and have a 0-100km/h sprint time of less than 5.0 seconds.The PHEV version of the Seal 08 on the other hand has a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW with an 200kW electric motor. No total system output has been detailed yet.The electric motor is fed by a 45.36kWh LFP battery pack and will offer over 400km of claimed electric range, according to lenient CLTC testing.Like the Sealion 08, the Seal 08 will offer a rear-wheel steering system that is aimed to reduce the turning circle at low speeds, but increase stability at higher speeds.At this stage it’s unclear whether the 2026 BYD Sealion 08 and Seal 08 will be offered in markets outside of China, or if right-hand drive versions are in the works.BYD only recently launched the Sealion 8 PHEV three-row SUV, as well as the Seal 06 PHEV sedan and wagon in Australia.

China is coming for some of the world’s best off-roaders.GAC, which just launched in Australia, has whipped the covers off its new Yue 7 four-wheel drive.The 4WD was previously teased with the codenamed T75 prototype.It is a plug-in hybrid, which puts it on a collision course with new arrivals such as BYD’s Denza B5, as well as conventional diesel-powered favourites such as the Toyota Prado.Its styling resembles several well known 4WDs, with shades of Land Rover’s Defender, the new Toyota Prado and some newer Chinese options just as the Chery iCaur V27 and Jetour T2.It has a blocky, masculine style with chunky all-terrain tyres, a tailgate-mounted spare tyre as well as roof racks and other off-road accessories.Pixel-like headlights give off strong Hyundai Santa Fe vibes and flared wheel arches add to its muscular appearance.It also shows roof-mounted lidar hardware, which points to advanced safety and self driving features.Only the exterior was showcased at the show, with full details to be revealed closer to its third quarter launch.It is expected to use the same plug-in hybrid set-up as the E8 people mover, which combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor to make 274kW and 630Nm. This is matched to a circa-25kWh battery that can deliver an electric driving range of about 100km.It is believed this 4WD will spawn a ute, which would come to Australia.The ute is due in 2027 and the company’s local CEO Kevin Shu previously said it was likely we’d learn more about it at the Beijing show.

Jaecoo’s J5 small SUV has been a revelation for the brand since it hit the Australian market at the start of this year, flying up to be the brand’s best-selling car in its line-up.In just three months since its official launch, the electric version of the J5 has sold 1153 units.These figures have made it the eighth best-selling EV in the country for March, outselling the likes of the BYD Atto 1, Australia's cheapest EV on sale.The J5 has been subject to a staggered launch by Jaecoo, with the EV launching first, followed by the petrol variant due to hit showrooms in the coming weeks. There is also a plug-less hybrid version of the car expected to launch in the third quarter of this year. The introduction of a fully electric version of a car followed by a petrol variant is an unusual pathway in Australia. It seems to have worked a treat for Jaecoo, given the J5 EV's sales success.The plot thickens further now with the petrol J5 launching at a time when soaring fuel prices have boosted electric sales and pushed down petrol ones.Roughly 70 per cent of all orders for Chery vehicles currently are for electric and plug-in hybrid models.This means now might not be the best time to introduce a petrol model in a market favouring electric alternatives.According to Omoda Jaecoo Chief Commercial Officer Roy Munoz, the staggered launch of the J5 range was not by design.“It has exceeded my expectations and it is not lost on me that it is fuelled by the current economic crisis,” Munoz said. “I wish I could say that we planned everything. “It just happened to be that the EV was ready for our market first.”Munoz said there is still space in the market for petrol models, especially as they have a cheaper starting price than EVs generally. The petrol J5 is roughly $10,000 cheaper than the electric version at current drive-away pricing. “Electrification and new energy is definitely growing, but we can’t ignore the fact petrol is still probably the largest segment,” Munoz said. “There are a lot of customers who might not be ready for an EV.“We find that there is still a huge opportunity for petrol, which is why we’re very glad we are releasing this at this time.”Jaecoo plans to add a plug-less hybrid version of the J5 before the end of the year, which will complete the model’s line-up.There are no immediate plans to add a long-range version of the J5 EV to boost its current 402km WLTP driving range. The brand's attentions will turn to Omoda in the second half of this year.

Chery has revealed an update for its flagship Tiggo 9 large SUV in China ahead of the Beijing auto show.It’s worth noting that this Chinese-spec version of the Chery Tiggo 9 is equivalent to the Jaecoo J8, which is sold in Australia.Despite sharing the same name, the Australian-specification Chery Tiggo 9 is sold in China as the Chery Tiggo 9X. The two cars are based on the same architecture and share a lot of components, though have different styling.This Chery-badged update for the Tiggo 9 is likely is a precursor to a Jaecoo-badged update for the J8. However, this is yet to be confirmed.The major change with this update is a revised exterior and interior design. On the outside there’s a new grille insert with vertical slots, plus a new LED headlight signature and a full-width rear light bar.Inside the cabin is now dominated by a giant 30-inch central touchscreen, which spills over into the front passenger space. It’s powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8255 chip.Other highlights include interior ambient lighting, interior fragrance system and so-called Queen’s co-pilot 2.0 front passenger seat that reclines back and a leg rest.Five- and seven-seat configurations continue to be offered.At this stage Chery has only detailed the updated version of this Tiggo 9 with a carryover 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine. It’s understood the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version with the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine will follow at a later date.The Jaecoo J8 launched in Australia last year and is currently only offered with the aforementioned 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and in five-seat configurations. Globally a PHEV and seven-seat versions are offered.With the Australian-specification Chery Tiggo 9, it also launched last year and is only offered with PHEV power and seven seats as standard. A new, front-wheel-drive Elite version has been introduced to complement the flagship all-wheel-drive Ultimate trim.

BYD has confirmed domestic pricing and specification details for its updated Sealion 05 compact crossover-style SUV prior to the electrified newcomer’s public debut at this week’s Beijing motor show. Offered in plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and pure-electric (BEV) form, the Sealion 05 measures just over 4.6 metres long (165 mm longer than the BYD Atto 3), close to 1.9m wide and around 1.6m tall.The DM-i PHEV version combines a 74kW 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine with a single 120kW synchronous permanent magnet electric motor and two battery options - 26.6kWh and 34.3kWh - delivering (CLTC) EV-only ranges of 220km and 305km, respectively.The DM-i’s claimed fuel consumption on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle is 3.1L/100km, the car’s 65-litre fuel tank facilitating an overall range in excess of 2100km (CLTC).Alternately, the pure-electric Sealion 05 EV is available with two motor options; the first being a rear-mounted 200kW unit powered by a 57.6kWh LFP battery delivering a CLTC range of 540km.A higher output version of the motor is fitted to upper grades, sending 240kW to the rear wheels with a 68.6kWh battery good for a 630km range.BYD’s new ‘flash charging’ tech is onboard, generating a 10 to 97 percent top-up in just nine minutes.Standard feature highlights include a built-in fridge and an 8.8-inch instrument cluster joined by a 12.8-inch central media screen on lower grades and a 15.6-inch ‘floating’ display on premium variants. All versions of the car feature seven airbags with ‘DiPilot 100’ ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems) tech at a minimum with optional Lidar-based ‘DiPilot 300’ adding ‘Navigate On Autopilot’ (NOA) functionality as well as ‘DiSus-C’ semi-active suspension with continuous damping control.Boot space on the DM-i hybrid is a generous 650 litres with all seats upright, that number shrinking to 600 litres on the EV, although the latter features a 10-litre front boot.Five versions of the Sealion 05 DM-i are available in the Chinese domestic market, ranging from ¥97,900 (~$20,000) for the entry-level 220 Starter to ¥127,900 (~$26,100) for the 305 Smart Navigator.And three Sealion 05 EV grades range between the 540 Navigator at ¥119,900 (~$24,500) and 630 Smart Navigator flagship at ¥145,900 (~$29,800).  CarsGuide contacted BYD Australia for comment on the Sealion 05’s potential for sale in the local market and a spokesperson said, "We do not have visibility of that vehicle on our product radar."

GWM has unveiled its upgraded Haval H6 GT plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV in Australia.It will start from $52,990 (drive-away), which is $1000 less than the outgoing H6 GT, and $2000 more than the most expensive regular H6.The H6 is a rival for several other Chinese PHEV alternatives, such as the MG HS and the Chery Tiggo 7, but the GT’s sportier posturing sees it line up closely to the BYD Sealion 6.Another of the car’s rivals is the Jaecoo 7, which is Chery’s premium sub-brand, and also comes as a plug-in hybrid.It will also be a new competitor for the incoming Toyota RAV4 PHEV due to arrive in showrooms later in the year.It comes in cheaper than the base all-wheel-drive variant of the Sealion 6 after adding on-road costs, while the front-wheel-drive J7 is priced from $43,990 (drive-away).The AWD H6 GT continues to be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and electric motor set-up, producing 321kW and 642Nm. This represents a boost in power compared to standard H6 PHEV models, but it is pumping out less torque in contrast.The new set-up means the car can shift from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than the outgoing model.It has a 35kWh battery, offering an electric-only driving range of 183km, according to more generous NEDC standards. Total driving range sits at nearly 1200km, with fuel consumption of 0.6L/100km, both those numbers have also been calculated using NEDC.Upgrades continue inside, with the 14.6-inch central touchscreen utilising a new snappier operating system. There is also now a wireless phone charger, with the car now featuring the same re-designed interior from the recently-upgraded H6.The H6 has proven to be a popular choice in the mid-size SUV segment, with its petrol and hybrid options outselling the likes of the Chery Tiggo 7 and PHEV-exclusive BYD Sealion 6.

Nissan is still on the road to financial recovery and it’s looking for ways to strategically beef up its model line-up, especially as emission regulations crunch, without adding more complexity and cost.The Japanese carmaker already has a long-standing relationship with Dongfeng to produce Nissan models for the Chinese market.Highlight models include the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute, N7 large battery electric (EV) sedan, N6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan, as well as the recently launched NX8 EV and range-extender (REEV) SUV among others.As a result, Nissan is looking to export these Chinese-produced vehicles to a number of markets and Australia could very soon be on the menu. For our market the Frontier Pro and N7 have been earmarked, followed by the NX8.Nothing is confirmed, but we got the chance to drive the Chinese-specification Nissan N6, N7 and NX8 on a closed test track in Japan.First let’s discuss the NX8, which is the newest of the bunch. While it’s offered with EV and REEV (Range Extender Electric Vehicle) powertrains in China, we were only able to sample the former.It’s powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 250kW and 310Nm that’s fed by an 81kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. It’s worth noting a smaller 73kWh battery pack is also offered.Claimed range in the model tested is up to 630km, according to lenient CLTC testing. The battery operates on an 800V electrical architecture, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent charge in only 12 minutes.While the NX8 is around the same size as the Pathfinder, which has been axed locally, it only offers five seats. This means there’s plenty of space inside including a sizable boot.A main focus of this large SUV is tech. There is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that is complimented by a dual 15.6-inch touchscreens – one in the centre and another for the front passenger.There’s also plenty of flashy bling on the outside, highlighted mainly by the bold lighting signatures that are dynamic and can change. It’s a cool touch but I doubt this would be offered in Australia.While it was hard to get a proper read on the NX8’s driving dynamics on our one-lap test drive, it’s clear this car is aimed at China. It has an isolated cabin feel with soft suspension and light steering.However, Nissan claims this car is focused on offering dynamics and with 250kW/310Nm it has enough punch to get along at a decent pace.Next up is the N7, which was the first model to be based on the so-called 'Tianyan' architecture. Compared to the NX8, however, the N7 is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 200kW and 305Nm.This is fed by a 73kWh LFP battery that allows for a claimed range of 625km, according to lenient CLTC testing. A smaller 58kWh LFP battery and less-powerful motor combination is also offered in China.Like the NX8, the N7 has a clean design with flashy tech inside and out. It’s clearly identifiable as Chinese due to the ultra-minimal look and lack of physical switchgear.Driving this electric sedan it similarly feels isolated inside the cabin and even on middle undulations requires a number of body movements to settle. If the N7 does come to Australia it will likely require some form of suspension re-tune to handle our rougher roads.Lastly there’s the N6 PHEV sedan which is arguably the ugly duckling of the trio. It’s the most affordable model of the trio in China. Its starting price is ¥94,900 (~A$19,400) – and it looks like it from the outside.While the N7 and NX8 have at least some form of edge and presence in terms of design, the N6’s silhouette is rather plain with no defined character. One element that adds to this is the small wheels not filling the wheel arches properly. It cheapens the look.From a driving perspective, the N6’s focus is efficiency. It features a PHEV powertrain marrying together a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor that’s fed by a 21.1kWh LFP battery.Nissan claims this allows for up to 180km of electric range and once you run out of charge you’ll achieve 2.79L/100km, both according to lenient CLTC. We’ll have to wait and see whether these figures are accurate in the real world.The majority of driving in the N6 is done by the electric motor, however from around 50-60km/h in hybrid mode, the petrol engine turns on the assist. While you can’t feel it turn on, its presence can be heard in the cabin.Like the N7 and NX8, the driving experience in the N6 is floaty and distinctly Chinese-feeling. It’s made worse as the skinny Linglong tyres screech easily in the bends.While Nissan hasn’t officially confirmed any of these Chinese-made models for Australia just yet, they can’t come soon enough.The Japanese carmaker currently only offers one EV in Australia, the Ariya mid-size SUV. It has indefinitely delayed the introduction of the new-generation Leaf small electric SUV and there are no plans to launch the new, European-focused Juke EV.This leaves Nissan stuck between a rock and a hard place as the brand is already facing fines of over $10 million thanks to the Australian government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which penalises carmakers for selling vehicles producing emissions in excess of CO2 targets which become stricter every year.Hopefully Nissan can make a decision on whether to introduce at least some of these EV or PHEV models soon as many legacy carmakers are ramping up their EV and PHEV offerings Down Under to reduce their fleet CO2 emissions.If these Chinese-made Nissans do launch locally, pricing will be a key factor as many Chinese brands are highly competitive in this space.For now, however, watch this space.

GWM’s Haval SUV division has officially named its new boxy flagship off-road SUV ahead of its public debut at next week's Beijing Motor Show.Now called the GWM Haval H10, more details have come to light about the model thanks to its filing with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.These details confirm the H10 will be available with two plug-in hybrid powertrains based on either a 1.5-litre or 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine. EV driving range sits at around 180km on the more lenient CLTC cycle.In addition, the H10 will be available in two lengths; 5138mm long for the five-seat version or 5299mm long for a three-row six-seater, with additional space added to the very rear of the SUV’s body rather than an increase in wheelbase.Some off-road specs have also appeared, with the boxy off-roader having an approach angle of 24 degrees and departure angle of 30 degrees for the five-seater version.This new large SUV will ride on the brand’s new 'GWM One' platform, which also underpins the incoming Wey V9X luxury SUV and the as-yet-unseen Tank 900 to round out the company’s three main passenger car brands.While trim-by-trim specs are yet to be revealed, expect this new SUV to use an 800-volt battery architecture for ultra-rapid chargingWhile the H10 may look like a stark departure from the Haval SUVs available in Australia, it builds on the blocky appearance of other models offered in China like the H5 mid-sizer, H9 large SUV and Raptor off-roader.GWM’s local division has said the Haval brand is aimed more at the passenger car side of the market, with some models, like the Raptor or H9 likely having too much crossover with the Tank range to make sense locally.This could mean the H10 may never see Australian shores, with more likely GWM One candidates being the V9X as a luxury flagship, or the Tank 900 as the brand’s most aspirational and capable off-roader.Expect to learn more about GWM’s future new model plans for the Australian market after the Beijing Motor Show before the end of April.For now, we know the brand is planning the launch of its luxury Wey arm later in 2026, and will launch the Ora 5 small SUV to bolster its electrified offerings.The brand has also suggested its incoming 4.0-litre V8 hybrid powertrain would be the perfect fit for towing and off-roading in Australia, but the launch product for it is yet to be determined.The Haval H10 arrives to help GWM defend its reputation as one of China’s favourite off-road brands.It is facing intense competition in this boxy hybrid 4x4 space from the likes of the Denza B5 and B8, Chery with its Jetour range and upcoming diesel hybrid ute as well as new offerings from Geely and GAC which have been teased in recent weeks.