Plug-in hybrid

Nissan's next joint-venture car could be the big SUV it needs.

Double-size hybrid Smart can travel nearly 2000km on a single tank of fuel and a full battery.

BYD is aware of the after-sales issues facing its buyers, but promises a multitude of fixes are in process to address the problem.

Europe's latest family hybrid has arrived.

Meet what could be BYD's next move - a large five-seater SUV with off-road capabilities.

Remember the humble family station wagon? Audi has just launched a plug-in hybrid version of its A5 Avant in Australia. It has introduced it in the liftback body style too with up to 100km of electric range.

Hyundai has reportedly started preparations for production of its forthcoming Santa Fe range-extender electric vehicle (REEV).As reported by ETNews, the South Korean carmaker currently plans to complete development of the new vehicle’s combustion engine and engine control unit (ECU) by the first half of 2026.It’s reported that mass production of the Santa Fe REEV will commence towards the end of 2026 at the company’s forthcoming Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America facility.The US will be the target initially due to the success of the Santa Fe in that market, with global sales expected for 2027.At this stage it’s unclear whether Hyundai plans to offer the Santa Fe REEV in Australia. It’s currently offered with either turbo-petrol or hybrid powertrains.No details about the Santa Fe REEV’s powertrain have been confirmed yet, but it’s believed to offer double the driving range of the Ioniq 6 (up to 614km of range). This theoretically means a total driving range of 1200km could be on offer.Like other REEVs, it’s understood the primary driving force will come from either one or two electric motors, with a petrol engine acting purely as a generator to top up the battery pack.REEVs are becoming increasingly popular in the Chinese market and while the Holden Volt and BMW i3 REx were among the first REEVs to ever be offered in Australia, there’s now the Leapmotor C10 REEV.It’s understood Genesis is also working on REEV technology and is planning to launch a GV70 REEV in the near future. The brands could be sharing the development work.In addition to this new REEV powertrain for the Santa Fe, it’s expected there’s an imminent facelift due which will address some of the complaints about its exterior design.This could include a redesign of the horizontal low-sitting tail-lights. A recently spied prototype showed what appeared to be vertically oriented units, skirting the edges of the vehicle’s tailgate.New LED headlights and daytime running lights were shown too, ditching the current model's H-shaped look.The updated Santa Fe will likely also introduce the company’s new Pleos Connect infotainment software which is more software-defined than current operating systems and will offer over-the-air updates, among other things.More prototypes of the updated Santa Fe, potentially with the new REEV powertrain, will likely be spied ahead of its expected reveal next year.

BYD is phasing out one of its key features that sets it apart from the crowd.

New Chinese brand GAC says it has a secret weapon to crack the competitive Australian market, saying it has learnt from Toyota and will launch with vehicle quality that matches that of the Japanese giant.

The Toyota Prius dramatically left the Australian new car market in 2022 after 21 years on sale, however it could soon be making a return.