Plug-in hybrid

A new automotive battleground is forming, with brands such as BYD, Zeekr, Leapmotor and now even Volkswagen joining the fray.All are developing, or about to launch, mega petrol-electric SUVs in China that put US supersized family haulers to shame.Volkswagen has confirmed its new ID.Era 9X extra-large SUV for China, which is developed with its partner SAIC that also owns MG.It is pitched as a rival to the Zeekr 9X, Leapmotor D16, BYD Tang 9 and IM LS9, which all deliver luxurious interiors, premium looks and huge batteries than deliver massive EV driving range rangeThe ID.Era 9X is a monster, measuring 5207mm long, 1997mm wide and 1810mm tall, which would dwarf the Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser.It also has a wheelbase — the distance between the front and rear axles — of more than three metres. This means it will have an absolutely cavernous interior with acres of space in all three rows.The ID.Era 9X uses an extended range hybrid set-up, which pairs a petrol engine and electric motors with a sizable battery.The petrol engine is used purely as a generator for the battery, with the wheels being driven by the electric motors only.This is unlike a plug-in hybrid, which has the same elements, but it can be driven by electric, petrol or blended power.The ID.Era 9X is available in three different set-ups.The first is a single 220kW rear motor paired with a roughly 51kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers 267km of electric range.Next grade up uses a more sophisticated and larger circa-65kWh Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery that delivers a 340km EV driving range.Range-topping examples use the same NMC battery but add dual-motor power, which ups power to 380kW and reduces EV driving range to 321km.All driving ranges are calculated via the WLTC test regime, which is more lenient than the benchmark Worldwide Harmonised Light-Duty Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) more commonly used in Australia.

GWM has teased its upcoming V9X luxury large SUV as Chinese carmakers lay the gauntlet down in the hotly contested market segment.GWM’s offering is a big deal for the usually 4x4-focused brand, as it debuts a new platform and will serve as the flagship of the company’s luxury Wey arm.So far, GWM has shown official camouflage pictures of the vehicle, but the new silhouette images tease the car’s light profile and boxy Range Rover-esque roofline which suggest a new design direction for GWM’s future products.The flagship V9X is a plug-in hybrid measuring over 5.3 metres long, and will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with at least dual electric motors. GWM is claiming a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.4 seconds, and an EV-mode driving range of up to 363km, although this will be to the more lenient CLTC measuring cycle.The new GWM 'One' platform set to underpin the V9X is also designed to support multiple powertrain options - whether it’s plugless hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fully electric, or even hydrogen, and will have an 800-volt electrical architecture to support powerful electric motors and ultra-fast charging.GWM has even earmarked the possibility of a diesel hybrid, in the same vein as Chery’s upcoming P3X ute which will also explore rare diesel hybrid tech, which could be a good fit for the Australian market.The Chinese giant also says it will be able to keep costs relatively low for products developed on the One platform thanks to high parts commonality and lower assembly cost.The luxury five-plus-metre-long SUV space is becoming intensely fought over in China, although only BYD’s rugged Denza B8 is currently the only option in Australia.BYD is also plotting a new flagship dubbed the Tang 9 in China, which it has had to delay due to its rivals beating it to market with impressive offerings.The Wey V9X will need to do battle with the upcoming Zeekr 8X and 9X flagship plug-ins, while SAIC’s IM brand which is sold under the MG banner in Australia is plotting similar LS8 and LS9 large SUVs. Even Leapmotor has its eyes on this space, with its soon-to-launch D16 flagship.GWM’s Wey luxury sub-brand is already locked in for an Australian launch, with the Wey 80 people mover arriving in 2026, opening the door for the V9X and other plug-in hybrid SUVs from the marque.It could be bad news for mainstream brands which currently offer three-row large SUVs, like Hyundai with its Palisade, Nissan with its Pathfinder and Mazda with its CX-90, which have thus far remained largely unchallenged by lower-cost Chinese players.The luxury V9X is also not GWM’s only iron in the fire. The brand is also working on a new flagship to top its Tank range of off-roaders, which is rumored to use the company’s brand-new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine in a plug-in hybrid layout.Expect to learn more about GWM’s future plans, globally and locally after the Beijing Motor Show this April, which is incidentally also the launch window for the V9X in China.

China’s GWM has detailed pricing for the new plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of its Tank 300 body-on-frame SUV ahead of it arriving at local dealers from March 2026.The 2026 GWM Tank 300 Hi4-T line-up starts at $55,990 drive-away for the entry-level Lux trim and extends to $59,990 drive-away for the top-spec Ultra trim.GWM claims this is a “limited-time special launch offer” and after February 28 pricing will rise $2000 if the offer isn’t extended.For now however the Lux PHEV is priced the exact same as the Ultra Hybrid, and the Ultra PHEV is the new flagship trim in the entire Tank 300 line-up.Powering the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an 120kW electric motor integrated into the nine-speed automatic transmission, bringing total system outputs to 300kW and 750Nm. This is 45kW and 102Nm more than the existing Tank 300 Hybrid.For context, the Nissan Patrol with its 5.6-litre V8 engine produces 2kW and 190Nm less than the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV.A key part of the electric motor being integrated into the automatic transmission is it allows for the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV to retain a mechanical four-wheel drive system with a low-range transfer case. There’s also both front and rear locking differentials, as well as a number of off-road terrain settings.Like the rest of the Tank 300 line-up, the PHEV versions have a 3000kg braked towing capacity. It’s unclear what the payload capacity is just yet.Additionally GWM claims the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV can do up to 115km of electric range, according to lenient NEDC testing, thanks to its 37.1kWh battery pack.It’s capable of being fast-charged at rates up to 50kW, allowing for a 30 to 80 per cent charge in 24 minutes.There’s also vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability at rates up to 6kW, allowing you to power external devices and appliances.Full specifications are set to be detailed close to the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV’s local launch.The addition of this new PHEV powertrain brings the number of engines the Tank 300 is now offered in to a total of four: a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, 2.4-litre turbo-diesel, 2.0-litre hybrid and a 2.0-litre PHEV.It’s unclear how long GWM will continue to offer all four of these powertrains in the Tank 300. When it launched the PHEV option in the Cannon Alpha dual-cab ute it discontinued the hybrid powertrain.Historically the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engine has been the best-selling powertrain in the Tank 300. It’s unclear how this will change with the introduction of the PHEV.“With the Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV, we’re continuing to expand our cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology providing genuine off-road strength, all at a highly competitive price point,” said GWM Australia and New Zealand COO John Kett. “As demonstrated across our other PHEV variants, we remain committed to delivering vehicles where customers can benefit from strong EV-only range, fast charging, V2L and true mechanical 4×4 capability.“As the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards (NVES) are likely to change the Australian automotive landscape like never before, GWM stands ready to deliver more technology for less.”

Volvo is reportedly looking to make a new flagship SUV to sit above the XC90 and EX90 due to rising demand for such vehicles in the US and China.As reported by Autocar, Volvo CEO Håkan Samuelsson said “bigger SUVs are something we’re looking into”, however the company has “still not made any decision on going there”.“Especially in China and the US, the real three-row SUV is a growing segment and an interesting segment, but so far we have the 90 which covers the three-row,” said Samuelsson.Samuelsson didn’t mention any specific details on what form this new flagship SUV could take, though he did note that the customers in the US and China “probably at least for the next few years would be more interested in a hybrid” and that US production would be likely to minimise tariffs on US vehicle sales.Volvo already has a production facility in South Carolina and currently builds the EX90, along with the related Polestar 3 there.It’s reported this new flagship Volvo SUV could use the Zeekr 9X as a base. Zeekr is another brand that falls under the Geely umbrella and the company is known for sharing its tech between brands.Measuring in at 5.24-metres long, the Zeekr 9X is longer than the circa-5.0-metre Volvo EX90 and XC90. It also has a more overt luxurious focus.The 9X is based on Geely’s SEA-R platform, which is a version of the SEA platform but for large plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or range-extender (REEV) vehicles. It’s set to form the base of the forthcoming Lotus For Me, which is a REEV version of the Eletre SUV.Power in the Zeekr 9X comes from 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine along with three electric motors for a humongous total system output of 1030kW and a claimed 0-100km/h sprint of 3.1 seconds.Depending on the variant there are two battery packs available, a 55.1kWh unit which offers up to 235km of range, or a 70kWh unit which offers up to 302km of range, both according to lenient CLTC testing. It’s unclear whether this type of vehicle will ever come to fruition, nor what name it will receive. Previous reports have indicated it could potentially be called the EX100.In mid-2025 digital artist, Sugar Design, mocked up what this new flagship Volvo SUV could look like with current Volvo exterior design language.This includes the iconic ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights and a full-width rear tail-light set-up with Volvo script written out on the tailgate.

Rumours are circling about BYD’s next-generation plug-in hybrid technology that could blow the competition out of the water.Chinese motoring media are reporting the set-up will be called DM-i 6.0, but there is no official word from BYD yet.This new plug-in hybrid set-up is believed to deliver an all-electric driving range of up to 300km, according to the more generous China Light-duty Test Cycle (CLTC).That is a jump of about 50 per cent on BYD’s longest legged plug-in hybrids that it claims can travel about 200km.That kind of range pushes plug-in hybrids closer to full EV capability. Most other plug-in hybrids struggle to hit the 100km mark for full EV driving.A new version of BYD’s Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery is the key to this huge boost.This new battery is rumoured to be a new version of a “semi-solid state” battery, which is nothing like a solid state battery.It differs from regular batteries, which have a gel or liquid electrolyte, by adding a few floating chunks into the mix.The result is slightly improved energy density, but still a long way off what is promised for solid-state batteries.Hyper fast charging is expected thanks to the addition of 900-Volt electrical architecture, which could result in charging speeds exceeding 400kW.A more powerful electric motor is expected  and improvements to the petrol engine are believed to make it more fuel efficient and reduce emissions.BYD is rapidly expanding its range of plug-in hybrids in Australia.In the past 12 months the company has launched the Shark 6 ute to complement its Sealion 6 mid-size SUV.These two will be joined by the Sealion 8 large SUV, Sealion 5 compact SUV and a new Seal 6 sedan and wagon that have been approved for sale in Australia.BYD’s premium sub-brand Denza is adding the off-road focused B5 and B8 plug-in hybrids to take on the Toyota Prado and LandCruiser this year, too.

Only a few years ago a budget-focused new car story like this would have well and truly dipped under the magical $20,000 threshold.But, the sad news is there’s just a single new car option left standing in the Aussie market wearing a five figure price tag that starts with a one.And that’s the entry-grade Kia Picanto Sport with a five-speed manual gearbox at $19,190, before on-road costs. Tick the box for the four-speed automatic transmission and all of a sudden you’re at $20,790, BOC.So, we’ve raised the new car budget bar to $25,000 and looked at the five most popular models with an entry-price under $25K from 2025 full-year sales.1) Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - From $23,990, before on-road costsTalk about an impressive entrance. Chery lobbed a hand grenade into the budget end of the small SUV segment in late 2024, with the Tiggo 4 Pro’s first full year sales exceeding 20,000 units in 2025.Two versions of the compact five-seater are offered locally, the Urban and Ultimate, each available in pure-combustion and petrol-electric hybrid form.2) MG MG3 - From $21,990, drive-awayWith competition from new challenger brands intensifying and the MG model line-up growing, the MG3 dipped in terms of year-on-year sales but still did enough to grab second spot under $25K with more than 8000 examples finding a new home.Three grades are offered here - Vibe, Excite & Essence - pure-petrol in all three with the option of hybrid in the upper two.  3) Hyundai Venue - From 23,000, before on-road costsNow a veteran of the ‘light’ SUV category the city-sized Venue remains a strong seller in Hyundai’s small car portfolio.In fact, sales were up a solid 14.1 per cent in 2025 to 7927. The range starts with the entry-grade at $23K, before on-road costs, with the Active and Elite above it. 4) Kia Picanto - From $19,190, before on-road costsA popular choice among city dwellers, the diminutive Picanto also ticked up in total year-on-year sales for 2025 to 7166.Sadly for micro car Verstappen wannabes the 1.0L turbo GT is a thing of the past, but the top-tier GT-Line Picanto brings some of its racy personality to the party. 5) Suzuki Swift Hybrid - From 24,490, drive-awayThe fourth-generation Swift has taken mild-hybrid form with its 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine featuring an enhanced starter/generator/electric motor picking up some of the slack in terms of powering the stop-start system and adding 60Nm of torque.Sales were down in 2025 to 3446, but there were still enough buyers to land the latest version of the city car icon in fifth spot.   Australian Top 5 sellers under $25,000:  

After numerous sightings in pre-production camouflage, Zeekr has released official images of its 8X large five- and six-seat SUV.As its name implies, the newcomer is designed to fill the gap between the brand’s 7X pure-electric mid-size SUV and 9X plug-in hybrid large SUV.And although its powertrain specification is yet to be confirmed, application information previously lodged with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) points to the likely adoption of its 9X sibling’s plug-in hybrid set-up.That combination connects a 205kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with either two electric motors (660kW) or a full-fat triple-motor configuration (1030kW).Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion battery packs with capacities of 55.1kWh and 70kWh are expected to deliver pure-EV ranges of between 256km and 328km (WLTC) varying by model, with 6C ultra-fast charging capability onboard.Underpinned by Zeekr’s new ‘SEA-S’ modular platform, the 8X measures more than five metres end-to-end and like the even larger 9X it appears to be inspired by the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, featuring a prominent chrome-finished waterfall-style grille and bright bumper insert with C-shape headlight and DRL units either side.But this time around there’s some added athleticism with a sloping roofline, strong curves and character lines along the car’s flanks and big rims ranging from 20- up to 22-inch diameter with tyre sizes of 255/55x20, 255/50x21 and 275/40x22.A prominent Lidar housing sits at the top of the front windscreen and a striking two-tier ‘Ultra-Red’ LED tail-light treatment dominates the rear end.Expected features include auto-extending side steps and a power-retractable tow hitch, the 8X able to tow a 2.0-tonne braked trailer.The 8X is scheduled for on-sale in the domestic Chinese market in the first half of this year and on the prospect of local availability, a Zeekr Australia spokesperson told CarsGuide, “At this stage, we don't have confirmed plans or timing to share on a potential introduction to the Australian market.”That’s not a no, so stay tuned!

BYD has updated its tough looking SUV, the all-electric Fang Cheng Bao Titanium 3.The Titanium 3 is the more road-focused little brother to the capable Denza B5 and B8 4WDs, which have just launched in Australia.There is no word on if the Titanium 3 will come to Australia, but BYD and Denza — which draws in models from a range of BYD sub brands such as Fang Cheng Bao in Australia — have made clear they want to aggressively expand their line-ups and grow sales.The Titanium 3 is fully electric, where the B5 and B8 are plug-in hybrids.Despite only being revealed last year the Titanium 3 has been given a big power boost, with single motor versions making 240kW, a rise of 80kW.Dual motor, all-wheel drive examples now make 375kW and 510Nm, a jump of 65kW.Battery size is not yet known, but the outgoing versions used a circa-65kWh in single motor versions and a roughly 72kWh or 79kWh pack for all-wheel drive variants.Fang Cheng Bao claims every model had a driving range of about 500km, but this was calculated by the generous China Light-duty Test Cycle (CLTC) rather than the benchmark WLTP test cycle.One of the other big upgrades in China is the addition of Lidar technology. This tech is crucial for semi-autonomous driving, which is a must-have feature in China.The Titanium 3 is a mid-size SUV, with about the same proportions as a Toyota RAV4.It has tough exterior styling that gives it strong off-road appeal, but it isn’t nearly as capable as the B5 and B8 sold in Australia. Think of it more as an SUV with the ability to handle a dirt road.BYD has had huge success with its Fang Cheng Bao range in China. The larger Titanium 7 sold 50,000 units in just 80 days. BYD has debuted the Titanium 7 in Thailand at the Bangkok motor show, which bodes well for an Aussie arrival in the future as Thailand is also right-hand drive.BYD also builds some Aussie-bound vehicles in Thailand, which could expand to the Titanium 7.The Titanium 7 is much bigger than the 3 at almost five metres long.It also ditches full electric power for plug-in hybrid grunt. It uses a familiar set-up with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and two electric motors. A 35.6 kWh battery pack provides up to 200km of electric driving range.

MG’s luxury division, IM Motors, has revealed another ultra-luxury large SUV, which will join its range in the coming year.The LS8 is a large three-row SUV, which will sit above the IM6 that is currently sold in Australia, but below the flagship LS9 revealed in 2025.Information recently filed with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), we know the LS8 is more than five meters long, exactly two meters wide, and 1817mm tall with a 3060mm wheelbase.The LS8 will be a range-extender plug-in hybrid, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine acting independently of electric motors on each axle. IM models currently sold in Australia are electric-only.The MIIT information shows IM is planning two massive battery sizes, either 52.1kWh or 65.9kWh, for an electric driving range between 268km and 335km according to the more lenient CLTC testing cycle.The new exterior pictures show a boxy large SUV design, which is distinct from the more curvy design language on the IM5 and IM6 sold in Australia.It shares many similarities to other upcoming luxury large SUVs from rival brands, like the Leapmotor D16 and Denza N9 from BYD’s luxury arm, suggesting strong demand for luxury hybrid SUVs in the Chinese domestic market.It features a contemporary light strip and Kia-style vertical LED fittings at each corner in the front, and a matching light strip across the rear. It has a raked roofiline with contrasting black panels in very similar style as popularised by cars like the Range Rover Sport and Velar.The interior is yet to be revealed, but is expected to mirror the designs seen in the LS9No Chinese brand has yet launched one of these luxury large hybrids in Australia.The closest option currently comes from BYD’s Denza, which offers the more off-road focused Denza B5 that is roughly Prado-sized, or the Denza B8 flagship that is more LandCruiser 300-sized.IM Motors has previously told CarsGuide that every new model developed by the luxury arm are aimed at global markets, so the LS8 and LS9 could very much be on the cards for an Australian launch.The brand’s previous CEO Peter Ciao said the company is planning a strong line-up for 2026, with IM Motors forming a part of that planning, so expect an expansion on the range soon.

Kia's compact Niro electric and hybrid SUV has been discontinued in Australia, just as a new version breaks cover overseas.The brand already has diverse options in the compact SUV space, with the EV3 and soon-approaching Seltos hybrid offering a similar choice.The Niro EV’s comparatively high starting price at $66,590 (before on–road costs) saw it undercut by rivals like the Volvo EX30, starting from $59,990. Kia’s EV3 also starts at just $47,600. The Niro has received a new design, which is in line with many of Kia’s new models, such as the recently-unveiled EV2. It gets a sharper overall look with defined creases on the bodywork, along with a sloping roofline and rear spoiler.There are plenty of blacked out elements, including on the roof rails and on the lower door panels.The interior of the car has also been updated to feature thinner 12.3-inch digital driver and central touchscreen displays.It will continue to be available with hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric set-ups overseas, but more details will become available in March. Production on the electric Niro for Australia was halted in April 2025. Dealer stock of all Niro variants is expected to last until the end of March. The Niro is currently available in Australia with 1.6-litre hybrid (104kW/265Nm) or electric (150kW/395Nm) power set-ups. Kia will continue to bring across electric models in 2026 with its EV2 small SUV and EV4 sedan and hatchback on the list for Australia. Kia’s electric PV5 people mover and van will also be available on Aussie shores this year.