Plug-in hybrid

Holden versus Ford was the rivalry that defined the Australian car industry for decades. Whether it was in the driveways around the country or on the racetrack, like this weekend’s Bathurst 1000, for generations Aussies picked a side - red or blue. But while Ford and General Motors (via Chevrolet) are still competing at Mt Panorama, the fire has well and truly gone out of the contest between the two sides. While Ford remains a popular brand, with Holden gone and General Motors now fragmented into Chevy, Cadillac and GMC, there’s no direct competition. So what is Australia’s new car rivalry? There are several options, but in an ever-shifting new car market it can be tricky to pin down just one specific head-to-head battle. So here are a list of our contenders for the replacement of Holden v Ford - let us know your favourite (or suggest your own) in the comments or join the debate on social media. The Holden v Ford contest was defined by Commodore against Falcon, at least it was for decades. These days the two most popular new vehicles have traditionally been the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger, so it makes sense to pit these two against each other. Ford’s Everest also gives Toyota’s Prado a hard time in the battle for Australian SUV buyers looking for adventure. And the Mustang and GR Supra are now rivals on track, competing against each other in the Supercars. But, the argument against this being the new Aussie grudge match is Ford simply doesn’t have enough competition against the rest of Toyota’s expansive range. Ford sales have fallen off notably in 2026 (down 14 per cent at the end of September), while Toyota remains on top. Even before Holden’s demise, Toyota had emerged as the benchmark in the Australian car industry. Such was its dominance, capturing nearly a quarter of the new car market each year, that it seemed nobody could challenge it for top spot on the sales charts. But in 2026, BYD has emerged as the surprise new contender, not only for a top five spot, but actually the clear number two brand - ahead of Kia, Ford, Mazda and all the rest. BYD sales have more than doubled in ‘26, as its line-up of electric and plug-in hybrid models clearly hits the spot with what Australian buyers are looking for. Perhaps even more so than Toyota’s limited all-electric and conventional hybrid offerings. Toyota remains comfortably ahead, as in nearly double the amount of sales ahead. So it may take a few more years for Toyota to get nervous about losing the sales lead, but it seems like BYD is the most likely challenger for the crown. If we’re looking to the future perhaps this will come to be the defining contest for the hearts and purchases for Australians in years to come. The pair have locked in a battle for the best-selling electric vehicle in recent years, although the American brand looks to comfortably claim that honour this year thanks to the boom in Model Y sales. But as Australians seemingly embrace electrification, these two brands have clearly impressed plenty of buyers with what they are offering. Whether or not they can both become best-selling brands, especially Tesla with its limited line-up, remains to be seen and that will define how far into the Australian psyche this rivalry ingrains itself. While it’s clearly not the same as the Holden v Ford contest of one brand against another, there is very clearly a new divide in Australia between the so-called ‘legacy brands’ and the new order of Chinese car makers. The likes Toyota, Kia, Mazda and Hyundai have been the Aussie favourites since the Holden/Ford dominance faded - and, in fact, the rise of these brands undoubtedly played a role in the downfall of Holden. But in recent years, especially 2026, they have come under pressure. BYD, GWM, Chery and MG have now cemented themselves in the top 10 selling brands, pushing the likes of Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan and Volkswagen down the sales charts. As I’ve previously written, Australians are more brand agnostic than ever before and have embraced these new Chinese brands remarkably quickly. But there are clearly still many who prefer to stick to brand names they know and have experience with. This divide, between those that appreciate the establishment and those who are happy to try the new, could very much come to define the next decade of car culture in Australia. What do you think is the new Holden v Ford? Let us know in the comments or join the debate on social media.

The long-awaited hybrid powertrain for the new Mazda CX-5 will be as electrified as the brand's best-selling model gets, with executives confirming there is no plan to develop plug-in hybrid technology for the popular family SUV. The strategy sits in contrast to the Toyota RAV4 – Australia's second-best-selling vehicle last month – which went all hybrid at its last update, and has since been joined by plug-in hybrid power that is available in a number of trim levels. Mazda will instead split its power options across different models essentially occupying the same vehicle category, with the CX-5 retaining petrol-power and eventually conventional hybrid, the CX-60 delivering plug-in hybrid as well as diesel grunt, and the new CX-6e the all-electric option. The CX-6e has already attracted in excess of 2000 expressions of interest from potential Mazda customers. "I can't confirm timing, but as soon as Mazda Corporation launches the (hybrid engine) to the globe, we will get our production allocation slot, and it will arrive," says Mazda Australia MD, Vinesh Bhindi. "But if you look at the market numbers, hybrids have sort of flatlined in terms of percentage...actually battery electric is where the game's at." The local executive confirmed there was no plan to develop a plug-in hybrid solution for the CX-5 – or to allow the recognisable nameplate to borrow a powertrain from another of its SUVs – instead suggesting Mazda's menu-like approach still delivered choice to its consumers. "No (plug-in hybrid) in the CX-5. We've got it in the CX-60," he says. "I suppose if you just look at the segment this car competes in, we are lucky enough and fortunate enough to have three products. And depending on the customer needs, either on powertrain or price or size, we will have options for them. "So we've got a highly efficient internal combustion engine in the new generation CX-5, and we'll have a hybridisation at some point. We've got a battery EV CX-6E. "And then in CX-60, we've got four options, from ICE to hybrid to plug-in hybrid. So we think we are very fortunate to cover it all."

Nissan has confirmed it will launch the Navara Pro plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab ute in Australia in 2027. Dubbed the Nissan Frontier Pro in other markets, the Navara Pro will be Nissan’s first PHEV in Australia and shapes up as a key rival to the likes of the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and forthcoming Chery Stockman. The Nissan Navara Pro PHEV is the first Chinese-made Dongfeng joint-venture model to launch locally. It’s also the first time it’ll be offered in right-hand drive. Nissan has been testing Navara Pro PHEV prototypes locally since 2025 and what is set to be offered is a unique set-up. Final pricing and specifications will be confirmed closer to its launch. Nissan evaluated the globally announced 1.5-litre turbo-petrol PHEV powertrain, as well as a new 2.0-litre turbo-petrol PHEV powertrain in Australia. The latter has been selected for the Australian-specification Navara Pro PHEV. The 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine has a 'high-output' electric motor integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission, with total system outputs of 300kW and 800Nm. There is a four-wheel drive system with a series of drive and terrain modes. Nissan is targeting a 3500kg braked towing capacity with the Navara Pro PHEV, as well as a payload capacity of approximately 1000kg (both subject to final homologation). Nissan hasn’t confirmed the battery size of the Australian-specification Navara Pro PHEV. Globally there are 17kWh and 32.85kWh units available, but these are aligned with the smaller 1.5-litre turbo-petrol PHEV powertrain. As a result, the claimed EV range will be announced closer to the Navara Pro PHEV’s local launch. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) is set to be offered at an as yet unknown rate. This will allow for electrical appliances to be powered remotely. Final specifications are yet to be locked in, but Nissan notes available features, depending on the trim level, include a large central touchscreen, digital instrument cluster, panoramic glass sunroof, as well as heated and ventilated front seats. Nissan has been testing five examples of the Navara Pro PHEV in Australia since 2025 and they have collectively travelled more than 20,000km Down Under. The Japanese carmaker is yet to finalise the Aussie set-up and has evaluated leaf-spring and multi-link coil rear suspension configurations. The final suspension arrangement will be confirmed closer to the car's launch in 2027. Additionally, the Navara Pro PHEV’s powertrain, advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) calibrations, drive and terrain modes, tyres and differential lock configuration have all been evaluated locally. This is above and beyond towing and load performance testing in Australia. The Nissan Navara Pro PHEV is set to be the first Chinese-made Nissan offered in Australia. However, a series of other Chinese-made Nissans are made within its Dongfeng joint-venture operation. These include the N6 PHEV sedan, N7 electric sedan, NX7 PHEV SUV and NX8 electric and range-extender (REEV) SUV. None of these have been confirmed for right-hand drive production yet. The Navara Pro is also offered with regular turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel powertrains in other markets. It’s unclear whether any other Chinese-made Nissan models will come here, however Oceania has been identified as a key export market opportunity.

Nissan is set to confirm a new model for Australia on October 8 and it will be its first plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The Japanese carmaker has published a single teaser image showing the front end of the vehicle with an illuminated Nissan badge. Using the teaser image and available imagery, it looks very much like it is the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro PHEV. This Chinese-made dual-cab ute will be a key rival to the likes of the BYD Shark 6, GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and upcoming Chery Stockman. Nissan says this forthcoming new vehicle has “electrified performance and new levels of capability”. It's also claimed to be "tailored to the needs of Australian customers in a key segment". Additionally Nissan claims this new model has been “extensively tested and tuned for local conditions”. Prototype examples of the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro PHEV have been spied in Australia over the last few weeks. Nissan hasn’t been shy about leveraging its joint-venture partnership with Dongfeng in China and Australia has been identified as a key market. The Frontier Pro/Navara Pro PHEV comes with a 2.0-litre petrol engine and dual electric motors for total system outputs of 320kW and 800Nm. It also offers up to 135km of CLTC-claimed electric range. Both turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines are available in the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro globally. It’s unclear whether these are on the radar for a local launch. Beyond the Frontier Pro/Navara Pro, Nissan also offers a series of other Chinese-made models for export markets. These include the NX8 electric and range-extender (REEV) SUV and N7 electric sedan, among others.

Chery has confirmed more details about its new Stockman diesel plug-in hybrid (PHEV) ute as pre-orders begin ahead of first deliveries in February 2027.

Falling diesel sales and a contracting, and increasingly competitive, ute market won't deter Mazda from launching an all-new BT-50 in Australia, with the brand confirming a new ute is coming. That puts Mazda on a collision course with its traditional rivals, the Nissan Navara, Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max, as well as newcomers the BYD Shark 6 and Chery Stockman. Asked if Mazda still needed a BT-50, given the increased competition now fighting for smaller total sales, the brand's local MD, Vinesh Bhindi, replied: "yes". Asked if that meant a new one was coming, likely around 2028, he again replied: "yes". CarsGuide spoke to the chief designer of the new CX-6e, Eiji Kimoto, who also designed the current BT-50 and is working on its replacement. Asked if the new model would be a significant design departure from the current model, Mr Kimoto was guarded in his response. "I am not allowed to speak much about the future product, but I can tell you, please look forward to it," he said. Mazda essentially has two options for the next BT-50. The first is the continuation of its partnership with Isuzu, with the current BT-50 a twin under the skin of the D-Max. That would almost certainly lock in diesel as the powertrain, with Isuzu confirming work is still under way on future electrified powertrains through the company's Earth Lab, but no final direction has been decided and is in its infancy. The second option would be an expansion of Mazda's relationship with China's Changan, which it sources the all-electric 6e and CX-6e. That could give it access to the Changan Hunter K50 - a petrol-plug in hybrid ute fitted with a 43.47kWh lithium-ion battery pack, promising an NEDC-rated range of 192km (estimated 150km WLTP), and a total range of over 1000km. It is a REEV, rather than a traditional plug-in hybrid, meaning its 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine is used only to recharge the battery or provide power to the electric motor, rather than drive the wheels themselves.

Jeep’s future in Australia is coming into focus - and it looks very different to its past. For decades the American off-road brand has built its reputation, for better or worse, on the back of its American-made SUVs. But it is now looking increasingly likely that its future models are likely to be built in China and not the USA. According to overseas reports, Jeep will introduce more European-focused vehicles rather than simply exporting what suits the American market. That’s driven by the fact Jeep is one of four ‘global brands’ that Setallantis will focus on (in its stable of 15), alongside Fiat, Peugeot, and Ram. Stellantis signed a partnership with Chinese automotive giant Dongfeng earlier this year and it is looking increasingly like this will be the source for the next wave of Jeep models to land in Australia. “The agreement announced by Stellantis and Dongfeng in May strengthens a long-standing global partnership and supports the development and production of future Peugeot and Jeep vehicles for China and other markets,” a Stellantis spokesperson told CarsGuide.  “We look forward to sharing additional details for Australia at the appropriate time.” Stellantis Australia isn’t ready to reveal exactly what sort of models will be headed our way, but reports indicate there will be two models and they will both be available by a choice of plug-in hybrid or fully-electric powertrains. They will also be built at Dongfeng’s Wuhan factory, which has a long history with another Stellantis brand, Peugeot, which pre-dates the latest partnership. Dongfeng has had a joint-venture with Peugeot-Citroen since 1992, so has plenty of experience building the French-badged cars in China. This also opens the door for Peugeot to make another run at the Australian market, with either a new independent distributor or under the Stellantis Australia umbrella. Chinese-built Peugeot and Jeep models would give both brands with mixed reputations for both value and quality a fresh start in Australia. Chinese made vehicles now dominate the Australian market with over 244,000 already sold in 2025, ahead of Japan and South Korea sourced cars. Meanwhile, American-built models have only amassed 14,810 sales in the same timeframe. Given the repeated recalls and quality issues that have plagued Jeep in recent years, along with the rise and rise of Chinese-built cars in this market, a switch of production bases could be the brand’s best hope.  Especially if Dongfeng and Jeep can ensure competitive pricing to correct course after an ill-conceived plan to try and pivot the brand more upmarket. Getting Jeeps more price-competitive again and with a higher quality standard is the only way for the brand to revive its fortunes in Australia. The days of the Grand Cherokee selling more than 30,000 examples every year are long gone - as is the Grand Cherokee. Jeep has managed to notch just 378 sales in the first eight months of 2026, which has led to the inevitable questions about its future. But it seems the move to more Chinese manufacturing has been in the works for some time and Jeep Australia will simply have to endure a bit more pain until it can try again with a refreshed range. This is likely the same scenario for Peugeot, as it awaits more Chinese-built options to reinvent itself in Australia. But China won’t be Jeep’s only option, with Europe set to play a bigger role as Stellantis management tries to give it a new chance alongside its more successful French, Italian and German brands like Peugeot, Fiat and Opel. Reports have said the new ‘STLA One’ modular platform will underpin a range of Stellantis small and mid-size models across multiple brands, including Jeep. Crucially, it will feature an 800-volt electrical system that will allow it to accommodate fully-electric, plug-in hybrid and conventional hybrid powertrains.  A small SUV to sit slightly above the new Avenger, as well as a larger model that will sit just below the Compass are speculated to be on the way. This would create the potential for a more comprehensive line-up of Jeeps in Australia, and one that potentially distances itself from its American heritage (at least in a production sense). Whether or not it succeeds or fails will depend on many factors, not least the price and positioning of each model. But for Jeep fans, or just anyone questioning why the brand hasn’t given up and left Australia already, it’s clear there is a plan to once again make Jeep a popular choice for Aussie SUV buyers.

China is turning its automotive might to utes and four-wheel-drives, and the latest creation strikes right at the heart of 4WD legends like the Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan Patrol and Toyota LandCruiser. Chery’s off-road focused sub-brand Jetour, which is slated to arrive in Australia in 2027, has launched its updated ladder frame G700 large 4WD in China. It’s a big rig, measuring 5198mm long, 2050mm wide and 1956mm tall with a 2870mm wheelbase. But what is underneath its boxy, rugged exterior styling — complete with a tailgate mounted spare tyre — is what will be giving established players fever dreams. The beefy off-roader is a plug-in hybrid that uses a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and two electric motors for combined outputs of 560kW and 795Nm. There are two batteries to choose from. The first is a roughly 34kWh lithium-ferro-phosphate (LFP) unit that is good for up to 122km of EV range. A circa-60kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery delivers an electric driving range of up to 211km calculated via the benchmark WLTP test cycle. This is paired with a 100-litre fuel tank that should mean the G700 can last more than 1000km before needing to be recharged and refuelled. It has some off-road pedigree thanks to front and rear locking differentials, air suspension and different drive modes for a range of surfaces. It has a 35-degree approach angle and 28-degree departure angle and a wading depth of 900mm. The G700 also has a special trick. It can swim. It can float like a boat and propellers can help it move through water. It can last up to 60 minutes in this mode.  This could help with deep river crossings and navigating flood waters rather than cruising around Sydney Harbour. There is no official word yet on what Jetour’s line-up will look like when it launches here next year. Jetour is available in several right-hand drive (RHD) markets, which can give us a clue to what we can expect. The Chinese brand sells the G700 in Malaysia and several other RHD countries, which means it is a likely starter for Down Under. Watch out Toyota and Nissan.

Chery is preparing to take on the royalty of Australia's dual-cab utes, with its new Stockman now available for pre-orders. Chery doesn't come empty-handed to the ute party, with the Chinese giant offering those that reserve a Stockman ute ahead of the launch a $2000 Bunnings gift car and three free scheduled services. Buyers are being asked to take a leap of faith as there are still lots of details missing for the Stockman, including price, payload, variants and exact specification. Chery said full details would be revealed closer to the sales commencing sometime ahead of the first deliveries arriving in February, 2027. The Stockman will use a diesel plug-in hybrid set-up, making it the only ute with a diesel-electric combo in Australia. This sets it apart from the other plug-in hybrid utes, including the BYD Shark 6, Ford Ranger Hybrid and GWM Cannon PHEV that all use petrol plug-in grunt. The Stockman combines a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine with an electric motor to deliver 350kW and 800Nm to all four wheels. It has a claimed electric driving range of 100km (NEDC), but expect closer to 80km when tested to the benchmark WLTP protocol. It will have a 750kg unbraked and 3500kg braked towing capacity. Chery has not revealed payload yet. It is a big unit measuring 5450mm long, 2010 wide and 1890 tall. It’s wheelbase is a large 3250mm. The tub is 1560mm long, 1560mm wide and 500mm high. Chery has previously said it would have front, centre and rear diff locks and it should have low gearing for proper off-roading. A petrol plug-in hybrid version will be available at a later date, according to Chery. Chery has enlisted the help of Aussie engineering outfit Premcar to help to sharpen the Stockman into one of the top utes in the nation. Premcar knows what it is doing having tuned Nissan's Patrol and Navara and the Mitsubishi Triton into off-road warriors. "Australia is one of the world's most demanding ute markets, and we know our customers expect a vehicle that performs confidently across everything from urban streets to highways, construction sites and remote off-road tracks," said Lucas Harris, Chief Operating Officer, Chery Australia.

BYD clearly has no plans on settling for second-best. The fast-rising Chinese brand looks set to finish 2026 as the closest rival to Toyota. And now, hot on the heels of announcing the cheapest electric vehicle in the country, it has now added the most-affordable plug-in hybrid, too. The Atto 2 DM-i is the newest addition as the brand looks to expand its range in Australia. In theory it ticks a lot of boxes, too. It gives buyers looking for cheaper running costs a new option. It should appeal to those looking to electrify but not ready for the all-electric switch. And, it’s also just an affordable small SUV, regardless of what’s under the bonnet.  So, does it actually tick those boxes? Well, let’s start with the question of value, and the Atto 2 DM-i makes a strong opening statement. There are two models to choose from and both start under $30,000.  The Essential kicks off the line-up at just $24,990, before on-road costs, which is cheaper than the Chery 5 hybrid (from $31,990), GWM Haval Jolion hybrid (from $32,990) and is even cheaper than the petrol-powered Hyundai Kona (from $33,700). Even the better-equipped Premium starts at just $29,990, before on-roads, which is an impressive number for a hybrid, let alone a plug-in hybrid. Especially when the Atto 2 EV is priced from an already appealing $31,990 for the Dynamic and $35,990 for the Premium. Despite its modest price the Essential still comes equipped with: 360-degree view parking cameras Adaptive cruise control Traffic sign recognition Forward collision warning Rear collision warning  Rear cross-traffic alert LED headlights  Keyless entry and ignition Four-speaker sound system 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen Wireless Android Auto and Apple Car Play Premium adds: Vehicle-to-load (V2L) 50W wireless smartphone charger 12.8-inch multimedia touchscreen Eight-speaker sound system Panoramic sunroof Synthetic leather seats Ambient lighting Obviously the key difference between the Atto 2 models is the powertrain. The DM-i uses a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with an electric motor that makes a combined 122kW in the Essential and 156kW in the Premium. Both are equipped with BYD’s trademark Blade battery with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. The Essential has a 7.85kWh battery that provides 39km of EV range and a claimed fuel economy return of just 1.0L/100km. The Premium gets a much larger 18.03kWh battery, which means a 90km EV range, and a claimed fuel economy figure of 0.7L/100km. Obviously that is a very impressive and attention-grabbing figure but like all plug-in hybrids, the published economy is a best-case-scenario, so don’t expect to see 1.0L/100km or less in the real-world. Our test drive was predominantly on open roads, so it wasn’t representative of what you’ll likely find in a predominantly urban environment, which is where a PHEV shines. So we’ll reserve our judgement on the efficiency of the Atto 2 DM-i until a later date. What our test drive did clearly demonstrate is that the Atto 2 is a well-built car. It may not be particularly quick, but it’s not weak either, comfortably cruising at 80km/h and faster on the open road.  It also did a nice job when the going got twisty. Again, measuring it against its mainstream and affordable peers rather than any dynamic benchmark, the Atto 2 DM-i felt solid and predictable on the road. The ride was respectable and soaked up bigger bumpers with relative ease, which is commendable on such an affordable car. One issue this reviewer had whilst driving was the seating position, which reminded me of my 1982 Alfa Romeo Alfasud. By that I mean I wasn’t able to find a comfortable position as the pedals felt too close and I couldn’t get the steering wheel close enough. That may be a specific issue for taller drivers, but driving comfort is important for anyone who tries it on for size. Fortunately there is plenty of space for other things, including a claimed 20 in-cabin storage spots and a new, larger boot. It now measures 425L, which is 45L more than the electric Atto 2.  It may be a cheap car, but BYD has included all the safety features you should reasonably expect in any modern car. That includes the previously listed technology including forward and rear collision alert and similar smart safety assists, so BYD should be commended for not cutting corners. However, it must be noted ANCAP has not tested the Atto 2 independently yet. As for its ownership credentials, BYD offers a six-year/150,00km warranty, which is only average in this age of seven years (or more) and unlimited kays coverage from many of the big name brands.