Plug-in hybrid

The third-generation Mitsubishi Outlander mid-size SUV was popular in Australia for good reason, with it offering buyers the choice of five or seven seats, and plug-in hybrid, petrol or diesel powertrains. As a result, it can also make for a good used car.

Mitsubishi Australia has confirmed local pricing for the “significantly updated” Outlander plug-in hybrid (PHEV), launching immediately.The 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV update, which primarily consists of a small battery capacity increase and more power, sees prices rise as much as $3000 for one variant.Now starting from $58,990 before on-road costs, the base ES now costs $1700 more, while the top-spec Exceed Tourer is now $74,490, an increase of $2700.The mid-size family SUV now comes with a 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery pack, up from 20kWh, which increases its NEDC electric-only range from 84km to 103km. Under more widely used (and more accurate) WLTP testing, Mitsubishi claims its EV range is 86km.Claimed fuel consumption under NEDC testing drops from 1.5L/100km to 1.2L/100km, though the testing undertaken to achieve this would have seen full EV mode used for much of the driven distance.Mitsubishi also claims power output for the drivetrain system, which consists of a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors driving all four wheels, is 221kW - this is up significantly over the previous 185kW.While the engine and motors' individual peak outputs are unchanged, the new system allows the trio to reach a collective peak power at a higher point. Mitsubishi doesn't quote a total torque output.Four drive modes, Normal, Charge, Save, and EV, also allow the driver to decide how much the Outlander is relying on the electric elements of its drivetrain.Australian-specific ride and handling changes have been made for the update, including a set of recalibrated shock absorbers at the front and rear, and an anti-roll bar with a smaller diameter. Power steering mapping has also been adjusted to “improve on-centre feel and linear turning response”.Cabin noise is reportedly helped by a new steel bonnet and front fenders, plus specific new Bridgestone tyres aim to lower road noise.Aerodynamics have been improved by some styling changes in line with the combustion variants, Mitsubishi says, while lighting has changed with the addition of rear LED lamps.Also key to the update is the changing of seating arrangements. The Aspire and Exceed have switched which grade is available with five or seven seats.Mitsubishi Motors Australia’s General Manager of Product Strategy, Bruce Hampel, says the Outlander PHEV is “more powerful than ever before, whilst simultaneously improving efficiency and pure EV range through Mitsubishi's latest generation PHEV powertrain”.2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Australian pricing 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Australian specifications 

Toyota’s undisputed hybrid dominance continued in the past year but with new emissions laws closing in, more brands are vying for a slice of the fuel-sipping hybrid market.The biggest success story so far appears to be Hyundai, which has moved to electrify some of its top-selling nameplates. The Korean juggernaut now ranks second in Australia for total hybrid sales, amassing 28,819 hybrids registered in 2025.While this still trails Toyota’s total of 116,635 hybrid units by a significant margin, it’s a reasonably rapid rise for Hyundai, which has managed to double its hybrid tally year-on-year.This is thanks to the roll-out of key hybrid variants for its most popular nameplates, like the Kona small SUV (now 46 per cent hybrid by sales), Tucson mid-sizer (52 per cent hybrid), the Santa Fe, which launched as a hybrid (hence its whopping 82 per cent hybrid sales mix), and the recently-launched Palisade hybrid, which made up 32 per cent of the large SUV’s sales (this figure combines the previous model as well).Hyundai is perhaps a victim of its own mainstream success in that its total for 2025 was still only 37 per cent hybrid, 60 per cent combustion, and just two per cent electric. The brand therefore still managed to attract a penalty under Australia’s tough New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), despite its hybrid growth.Hyundai’s hybrid strategy has managed to outfox its traditional Japanese rivals Honda and Nissan thanks to the widespread availability and affordability of its hybrid options.The Kona, for example, is available as a hybrid in base form, priced at $36,950 before on-road costs, while the most affordable Nissan Qashqai e-Power ST-L is priced at $45,640 (before on-roads), and the cheapest Honda ZR-V hybrid is priced at $54,900 (drive-away).The same can be said across the range, with the Santa Fe a plugless hybrid success when measured against its Kia Sorento sibling, which was previously only available as a hybrid in top-spec GT-Line form. Kia has now expanded its hybrid offering to include the base S at $59,630 before on-roads. In comparison, the base Santa Fe Hybrid can be had from $57,650.However, there are storm cells on the horizon for Hyundai. Not only does its two per cent EV volume mean the more affordable Chinese-built Elexio mid-size SUV must help out on the sales front in 2026, but the next brand down for hybrid sales, BYD, has rapidly caught up despite fielding only two hybrid (albeit, plug-in hybrid) offerings.The Shark 6 ute is undeniably one of the biggest success stories of 2025, shifting 18,073 units, but the mid-sized Sealion 6 is also a force to be reckoned with, achieving 9055 registrations in the same period.In total, these two plug-ins bring BYD’s tally to 27,128 units, just shy of Hyundai’s total for the year, and by far leading the charts for plug-in hybrids specifically.In addition, the market-leading Toyota will put pressure on Hyundai’s line-up with the introduction of its next-generation RAV4 and its plug-in hybrid variants imminently. Toyota sold 51,869 units of just the RAV4 hybrid in 2025.The Japanese giant has also transitioned most of its passenger car and non 4x4 line-up to hybrid only, with a strong proportion of Corolla Cross, Corolla, and Camry making up its yearly total.Meanwhile Kia, whose hybrid total for 2025 came to 9401 units, is doubling down by not only adding additional hybrid variants of the Sorento, but it will soon launch a more heavily hybridised next-generation Seltos.Kia’s key advantage over its sibling is its relative dominance in the EV space, with its line-up of the EV3, EV5, EV6, EV9 and outgoing Niro accounting for 8131 units in 2025, eclipsing its hybrid total, accounting for 10 per cent of its total sales, and putting it firmly in the positive column for NVES credits which will pay dividends in the coming years.

Australians are still buying cars at a rapid rate but should we be more patient?Some of the most exciting new models are still months away from hitting showrooms. In this article we’ll reveal the five newcomers that should have you staying calm and holding steady for a few more months.Toyota RAV4 PHEVThe new RAV4 is headed into showrooms very shortly, but the brand is saving the most important new variant until later in the year. That would be the new, long-awaited RAV4 plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which will come in the final months of the year to push back against the rising tide of PHEV rivals.While Toyota may be a latecomer to this PHEV party, the specifications sound promising. The RAV4 PHEV will offer a 227kW, all-wheel drive variant with up to 150km of electric-only driving range for the flagship GR Sport model. There will also be a 200kW, front-wheel drive XSE variant.Toyota Australia has already revealed pricing for the pair, with the XSE starting at $58,840 and the GR Sport from $66,340. So if that sounds appealing, all you have to do now is wait…Mazda CX-5Sure, it won’t have a hybrid option initially, but the arrival of a new CX-5 is still something worth waiting for. The brand has taken an evolutionary approach to this new model, which is a good thing considering its long-running popularity.While the turbocharged engine has been dropped and the hybrid won’t arrive until 2027, the new CX-5 will have a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, stylish looks and a roomy cabin. But will that be enough to ward off the challenges from the RAV4, BYD Sealion 6 and 7, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage? That remains to be seen, but if you’re in the market for a mid-size SUV in ‘26 you will want to wait and see what the CX-5 offers before you make your decision.Chery UtePlug-in hybrid utes are all the rage at this moment in time and you could choose to jump into a Ford Ranger PHEV, BYD Shark 6 or GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV right now. Or you could wait until the end of the year when Chinese brand Chery launches the first turbo diesel PHEV ute.Previewed as the KP31 concept already, the new ute should look the part and by combining the preferred diesel power with the new PHEV technology it could be a gamechanger for the ute market.Obviously a lot of its success will be dependent on its price, but Chery has already earned a reputation for being one of the most aggressive brands when it comes to pricing. Which means this could be worth the wait for anyone looking for both a fuel efficient and affordable new ute.Honda PreludeIf you’re looking for a new sports car, like a Ford Mustang EcoBoost, Nissan Z or even a Honda Civic Type R, you may not want to rush in. That’s because Honda is due to reintroduce the famous Prelude nameplate to Australia by the end of the year.Making its return after more than 25 years in the wilderness, the Prelude picks up where it left off. The new version remains a stylish coupe based on a front-wheel drive platform, in this case the same underpinnings as the Honda Civic.While not based on the red hot Civic Type R, the Prelude is expected to have a version of the hybrid powertrain from the Civic e:HEV - a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired to an electric motor for 149kW of power.While it may not be as potent as the Type R, the Prelude will turn heads with its sleek looks. Which is why it could be worth waiting for if you want to stand out from the pack.BMW iX3Finally, for anyone considering a premium electric vehicle in 2026, the BMW iX3 is probably worthy of consideration - even if it’s not due here until later in the year.While EVs are in a precarious position at the moment, the German brand has poured all of its latest and greatest technology into the new model to give it its best chance of success. This is the first model of the so-called Neue Klasse platform of vehicles, which will spawn the next-generation 3 Series too.It also features the next revolution of BMW design, with a bold new look that will undoubtedly polarise opinions when it arrives.More importantly, BMW claims this electric SUV will have up to 805km of range and will arrive with the punchy 345kW/645Nm iX3 50 xDrive variant that can sprint 0-100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

There’s now officially a new best-selling Chinese brand in Australia.

The Skoda Superb is now available with a plug-in hybrid set-up, adding a new option to the wagon segment. 

The second most popular Chinese ute in Australia is about to get a serious boost.GWM’s Cannon ute will gain a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain before the end of the first half of this year, giving the brand a second PHEV ute alongside its larger Cannon Alpha PHEV stablemate.The PHEV Cannon was revealed in Chinese government findings in February, but details like electric driving range are scarce. The Australian launch was confirmed by GWM Australia Chief Operating Officer John Kett at a media briefing in Melbourne.The Cannon PHEV’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and electric motor will produce 185kW (torque hasn’t been confirmed), which is off the pace of the popular BYD Shark 6 (321kW) as well as the Cannon Alpha PHEV (300kW).In good news for Aussie ute fans, the new Cannon PHEV won’t lose any of its towing capacity. It will retain the segment-standard 3500kg figure of the diesel-powered versions. This is in part due to the inclusion of GWM’s off-road capable Hi4-T four-wheel drive system found in the Cannon Alpha.The updated Cannon will also ditch one of the Cannon Alpha’s most contentious features - the tub-mounted spare wheel. GWM Australia has confirmed the Cannon PHEV will feature a spare wheel housed under the rear tub.Exact timing is yet to be locked in but expect the plug-in Cannon in showrooms before the end of June.Grades and pricing is a mystery for now, but you can guarantee it will carry a premium over the respective diesel grades. At the moment, PHEV versions of the Cannon Alpha cost $10,000 more than the equivalent diesel grade.The most affordable Cannon Alpha PHEV is the Lux from $61,490 drive-away and the Ultra is $67,990. The Cannon PHEV shouldn’t reach those levels given its smaller size and overall positioning.By comparison, the only other PHEV utes are the BYD Shark 6 PHEV, which is still only offered in one model grade (for now) from $57,900 before on-road costs, and the Ford Ranger PHEV that runs from $71,990 BOC to a hefty $86,990.Some more good news for GWM ute fans is the arrival of the much hyped new 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine for the Cannon Alpha and the related Tank 500 SUV. The Chinese carmaker says the 3.0L Cannon Alpha will go on sale in Australia in the second half of 2026, but specific timing is yet to be locked in.Outputs for the four-cylinder internal combustion 3.0L diesel haven't been revealed by GWM but it is set to hit similar figures to the 3.0-litre V6 diesel in Ford’s Ranger ute and Everest SUV siblings, and that’s 154kW of power and 600Nm of torque.

The new Jaecoo J7 PHEV offers efficiency and a sharp price point but does it nail everything else?

The 2026 Denza B8 7S is the entry-level version of the line-up and offers seven seats, as the name suggests.Priced at $91,000 before on-road costs, this notably just undercuts the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold. It’s also cheaper than the likes of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, among other premium rivals like the Land Rover Defender, Lexus LX and Mercedes-Benz GLS.As a base there are 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, soft-close doors, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 17.3-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 18-speaker Devialet sound system, tri-zone climate control, leather upholstery, plus heated and ventilated seats in the first and second row.Total system outputs are a meaty 425kW and 760Nm. They need to be as the B8 has a kerb weight of 3.3 tonnes. Despite this, Denza claims it can still do the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.8 seconds.Feeding the dual electric motors is a 36.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery. Denza claims it allows for an electric range of 115km, according to NEDC testing.Additionally, there’s a 91L fuel tank. Denza claims this allows the B8 to have a total range of 1040km, according to NEDC testing.The Denza B8 received a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted on the related B5 in 2025.There are 14 airbags which notably includes coverage for the third row, plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera.The Denza B8 is covered by a six-year, 150,000km warranty, whereas the battery pack is covered by an eight-year, 160,000km warranty. There’s also three years of roadside assistance.The first five years of servicing totals $3762, which averages out to just over $750 per service.

Specifications for the GWM Tank 300 plug-in hybrid off-roader have just been released, with the SUV joining as a new rugged rival.