Plug-in hybrid

Ford makes its plug-in Ranger a whole lot cooler overseas.

New car launches don’t get much bigger than a new Toyota HiLux ute.The trusted workhorse has been at the top of the sales charts for the best part of a decade, and a new and improved version is due next year to fight off a wave of new challengers.Details of the new HiLux have started to leak consistently and spy shots have surfaced of a single cab version testing overseas.CarsGuide has joined the dots to get an idea of what this next-generation HiLux will be like.Here’s everything we know so far. Not much to get excited about here, unfortunately.It is believed the HiLux will launch with the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel motor with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance found in the current HiLux.It’s unlikely this will be the sole power source for long, with the company making no secret it is working on plug-in hybrid power.Toyota’s new RAV4 will be the brand’s first plug-in hybrid in Australia when it launches next year. That model’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol and electric motor combo deliver 227kW, and while torque is unknown expect it to be in the 500Nm range.That kind of performance eclipses what’s available in the current HiLux.Toyota has pounded the table on many occasions to say its vehicles must be fit for purpose and it won’t rush out a new technology until they are certain it will do what its customers expect.So don’t expect the PHEV version too soon, but it makes sense for it to lob in 2027. This is when the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) really starts to bite and fines will make diesel-powered ute prohibitively expensive.New spy pics published on Instagram by @Autonetmagz give us an idea of what it may look like.Japanese outlet Best Car has developed some digital renders (seen above) that bring those spy shots to life.The front end is where all the major changes have occurred with the HiLux bringing the brand's new styling language.Sharp, narrow headlights are paired with lower DRLs and a big black grille with hexagon-like design, which is similar to that seen on the new RAV4 and Corolla Cross.The side panels and rear look mostly untouched with big chunky cladding around the wheel arches and side steps.It is also believed to have a step integrated into the tray exterior for easier access.Think of it as an evolution not a revolution.Bigger changes are coming to the cabin, according to design sketches published by Thailand's Headlight Magazine.The design sketches show a focus on in-cabin screens, increased storage, a new dash and vents, and — in a nod to its 4WD siblings — the gear shifter from the Toyota LandCruiser Prado.Hard to say, but nothing new comes cheap.Buyers can probably expect a jump of a few thousand dollars on the current model. This means the cheapest dual-cab pick-up version with the mild hybrid assisted engine will cost close to $65,000 on the road.Toyota is unlikely to give up on the lower end of its range, so buyers can still expect budget focused two-wheel drive single carb models to land in and around the $50,000 range.We haven’t seen the new version yet, which means there is no chance it’ll land in showrooms this year.There is a strong chance it will be revealed at some point this year, which indicates an on sale date of the middle of next year.

The Qashqai Ti e-Power is now Nissan's cheapest hybrid, but does an EV driving experience justify the circa-$50K asking price?

It’s not due to arrive in Australian showrooms until the first half of 2026 but Toyota Australia has confirmed the model line-up and high-level specification for its all-new, sixth-generation Toyota RAV4.Highlights are improved hybrid powertrains including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option, upgraded safety, new multimedia tech and an additional “performance-focused” GR Sport grade.The new model walk-up will cover six variants, offered with a choice of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive hybrid and PHEV powertrains.'The GR Sport flagship will be offered exclusively with the new PHEV AWD powertrain featuring a 2.5-litre engine working in concert with front and rear electric motors powered by a 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery. Its maximum combined power output of 227kW makes it the most powerful production RAV4 so far.Along with the extra power the GR Sport features high-performance dampers, a stiffer rear suspension brace, retuned suspension and power steering calibrations plus a 20mm wider track.Toyota has confirmed the PHEV set-up offers EV-only driving capability and will also be offered in the mid-range XSE in AWD and 2WD, the latter’s front-drive configuration using a single electric motor generating 200kW. PHEV grades also offer a 1500W inverter capable of powering small appliances.The PHEV GR Sport will join the existing GX, GXL, Edge, XSE and Cruiser grades.All new RAV4s will feature a next-gen version of the brand's suite of active safety tech, which it calls 'Toyota Safety Sense', including front cross-traffic alert and improved functionality for the blind-spot monitoring and lane trace assist systems.The ‘pre-collision safety’ system offers greater detection of obstacles, bicycles and motorbikes, while a three-dimensional panoramic view monitor is designed to assist in navigating tight spaces.The entry-level GX will include 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 10.5-inch multimedia display (with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, smartphone integration, five USB-C ports, dual-zone climate control and more.Then, the GXL adds 18-inch alloys, privacy rear and side glass, a leather-accented shift knob and steering wheel, eight-way electric driver’s seat adjustment (with two-way lumbar support) and wireless device charging.The “adventure-focused” Edge grade is all-wheel-drive only and features unique front and rear bumpers with integrated silver skid plate and wider black wheel arches, as well as synthetic leather trim, heated front seats, a power tailgate and a larger 12.9-inch media touchscreen (with integrated heating and ventilation controls).As per other hybrid AWD grades, the Edge features ‘downhill assist control’ and a ‘Trail & Snow’ drive mode.The XSE (hybrid and PHEV) adds 20-inch black alloy rims, dark ‘stainless steel-look’ moulding, black front and rear bumpers, a tilt and slide glass sunroof and two-tone exterior paint. Inside, it features a combination synthetic leather and suede upholstery, three-stage front seat heating and ventilation, driver memory, electric front passenger seat adjustment, a panoramic view monitor and ‘Climate Concierge’.The Cruiser swaps in 20-inch machined black alloy wheels, high-grade LED headlights, a tilt and slide panoramic roof, leather-accented seat trim, a head-up display, two wireless smartphone chargers, a digital rearview mirror and a nine-speaker JBL premium audio.The GR Sport flagship includes GR-themed front and rear bumpers, a wing-type spoiler, 20-inch machined alloy wheels, aluminium pedal covers and GR Sport seats, steering wheel and suede knee pads, paddle shifters and unique stitching.Expanded ‘Toyota Connected Services’ (accessed via the 'myToyota Connect' app) provides a range of security and convenience benefits to customers, including vehicle data, connected navigation, voice assistant and emergency communications.The updated multimedia is powered by ‘Arene’ software claimed to deliver faster processing and over-the-air updates.Toyota says the new system retains a home button which remains available whether running the native system or paired with a smartphone.Fresh colours will be introduced with the new RAV4 including ‘Massive Grey’, ‘Urban Rock’, ‘Feverish Red’, ‘Dusty Bronze’ and ‘Daintree Green’. Selected colours, including some of the new shades, will be available with a two-tone black roof on the XSE grade.A full run-down of the new RAV4’s specification and pricing will be announced closer to its local arrival in the first half of next year. 

BYD is expanding its Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid SUV range. It has just launched the new fully loaded Sealion 6 Premium Extended Range variant, which joins the more budget friendly Dynamic Extended range and Essential, Dynamic and premium Standard Range examples.

Is Australia’s Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series about to face some serious competition from Chery’s Jetour G700? Going by the specifications being reported it looks likely the full-sized off-road Chinese plug-in hybrid SUV will be a tough rival.

BYD’s hot-selling Shark 6 ute just got a little cheaper.

This diesel plug-in hybrid ute could be Chery's first dual-cab in Australia.

China’s Geely launched the Radar King Kong EM-P plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab ute earlier this year, but it has now detailed a version that’s even more affordable.

Omoda and Jaecoo boss says fellow Chinese brands are more a help than a hinderance.