Plug-in hybrid

The 2026 Cupra Formentor VZe is the penultimate trim in the current line-up and the only plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offering currently.It’s priced from $68,990 before on-road costs, which is $4000 more than it was previously.Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor with total system outputs of 200kW and 400Nm. This is 20kW more than before.This is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with drive sent to the front wheels only.Cupra claims the Formentor VZe can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.2 seconds. Launch control is standard.There is a 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack as standard which allows for up to 114km of electric driving, according to WLTP testing. AC charging is offered at rates up to 11kW, while DC fast-charging is available at rates up to 50kW.Cupra claims the Formentor VZe consumes an average of 1.7L/100km, according to ADR 81/02 testing. There’s a 40L fuel tank which requires a minimum of 95 RON premium unleaded petrol.Using this claim, this car has a theoretical total range of 2350km.Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a hands-free power tailgate, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.9-inch touchscreen multimedia system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 12-speaker Sennheiser sound system, wireless phone charger, interior ambient lighting, three-zone climate control, leather-accented upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated front seats.A panoramic glass sunroof is optional for $2000, plus the $6500 Extreme package adds matrix LED headlights, four-piston Brembo front brakes and Sabelt front bucket seats.The Cupra Formentor originally received a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2021 and this has been renewed for the updated model based on testing conducted by Euro NCAP in 2025.There are 10 airbags including rear-side and front-centre airbags as standard, plus autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control with lane centring, a surround-view camera, as well as a parking assist.The Formentor, like all other Cupras, is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, which is a little lacklustre for a mainstream brand now as many have moved to conditional eight or 10-year terms.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.There are three- and five-year pre-paid service packages available that are priced at $1090 and $2190, respectively. In the latter case, this means each service averages out to almost $440 which is fairly average for a European car.

BYD is a serious sales threat to Toyota in Australia.The giant Chinese carmaker sold 243 fewer cars than Toyota, which has dominated the Aussie charts for decades.There is one particular segment BYD is chasing Toyota in that isn't getting the attention of the others.Sedans have generally been on the decline in Australia, with SUVs climbing the charts in their place.The Toyota Camry has owned the sedan segment for many years, and has recently seen a huge boost in sales.It has faced little competition from European rivals like the Skoda Octavia and Volkswagen Passat.BYD is now showing promise where those models haven't made an impression.The brand has introduced two sedans in Australia so far: the Seal EV and Seal 6 plug-in hybrid. The Seal is one of few fully-electric sedans on sale in Australia, with the Kia EV4 and Mazda 6e providing further competition in recent months.It has proven to be one of the best-selling electric sedans since it launched in late 2023, trailing only the Tesla Model 3 on the sales charts this year.The Camry remains the outright leader of the sedan segment, but the Seal’s sales trump every competitor but the Camry and the Model 3. It is also the sedan that has experienced the most growth in 2026, up nearly 65 per cent. The Seal isn’t the only sedan providing a threat to the Camry from BYD, with the Seal 6 PHEV also now on sale.It has managed 249 registrations since it went on sale in April.BYD’s sedan push doesn’t stop there.The Seal 7 has recently been approved for sale in Australia.It will size up similarly to the Camry, compared to the smaller Seal and Seal 6.It could be an appealing alternative for fleets and ride share drivers, as it may be available in both plug-in and fully electric forms.Those sales remain an important component of the Camry’s success in Australia.

The Denza B8 introduces a luxury plug-in hybrid to the upper-large SUV segment but does it make enough of a splash to stand out against its heavy-hitting rivals?

BYD’s latest car exposes a huge issue that is headed for Australia. Driving range is the new point of difference for Chinese carmakers, and BYD is fully participating, but it has a sinister side.The BYD Seal 08 was unveiled in China as a Mercedes S-Class size sedan, with fully-electric and plug-in hybrid set-ups.The EV offers a driving range of up to more than 900km, according to generous CLTC standards, but its PHEV sibling steals the show. Its petrol tank and 45kWh battery combine to deliver a total driving range of 1660km, with an electric-only range of 400km.This is the same size as the battery BYD puts in its fully-electric Dolphin hatchback.Big hitting electrified set-ups boasting driving ranges approaching the 2000km range mark have grown in quantity, but authorities are starting to push back, according to reports. These large range-carrying set-ups substantially increase a car's weight, with batteries accounting for the bulk of the weight. Heavier cars require more energy to run, making them less efficient. They also contribute to an increased amount of wear and tear on the roads, requiring more frequent work.The Chinese government could be about to start imposing penalties on carmakers for producing electrified cars that are more than a certain weight. The BYD Seal 08 PHEV battery weighs more than 330kg, contributing to a total weight likely to be around 2000kg, with its EV sibling exceeding that figure.Australia’s current best-selling electric car and model generally, the Tesla Model Y also weighs around the 2000kg mark.Vehicles above 4500kg incur the Heavy User Road Tax on every litre of fuel used in Australia to pay for the wear and tear caused by them.External factors such as the Iran War and subsequent fuel price increase has accelerated the uptake of electrified cars globally, including Australia. With so many heavy EVs and PHEVs hitting the roads in Australia, there could be a need to follow China’s lead to protect the country’s road network from increased damage.Innovations in technology such as solid-state batteries could provide the key to offering huge driving ranges in smaller, lighter packages.Chinese brands have driving forwards in their pursuit of such technologies, with BYD and Chery, among others working on solutions in 2027.

BYD’s latest luxury hybrid SUV could have one trick up its sleeve its rivals don’t.The incoming FangChengBao Titanium 9, or BYD Ti9 as it is likely to be known in export markets, is a three-row plug-in hybrid SUV that is a size-up on family favourites like the Toyota Kluger.It is 5300mm long and has a wheelbase of 3120mm, so it will be a shape up in the increasingly popular large SUV segment in China.It will be similarly sized to the Zeekr 9X which is due in Australia in the next 18 months,.AutoHome has reported the Ti9 will boast a driving range of more than 2300km, substantially more than most cars on the market.There is no news on how big the fuel tank and battery will be to achieve this, but expect it to be a cut above many of its rivals. Chinese media has been suggesting it will be powered by a dual electric motor plug-in hybrid set-up, with power and torque figures still to be revealed, but possibly shared with other recent BYD models. Its smaller Ti7 sibling has a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and two electric motors, producing 358 kW and 630 Nm.This could provide an indication for what powers the Ti9. It will be available in six-seat and seven-seat configurations, and is designed for urban and light off-roading environments.The large SUV is likely to be be unveiled in the second half of this year, and go on sale early next year.There is potential for this model to come to Australia, with its smaller Titanium 7 (or Ti7) sibling going on sale in the United Kingdom soon.FangChengBao, or Formula Leopard, is one of BYD’s off-roading sub-brands, but its models do not fall under that name overseas.The Ti7 in the UK will have a BYD badge on it, as might be the case in Australia, while its larger Leopard 5 is sold locally as the Denza B5.There is no official news on whether models like the Ti7 and Ti9 will launch Down Under.The UK launch means they are being built in right-hand drive, so there is a good chance they will eventually make their way over here, as almost every BYD product available in the UK has come to Australia.BYD Australia has previously told CarsGuide the Ti7 is not on its radar, but the brand has demonstrated previously that plans can change quickly. 

China’s GWM has revealed more details and imagery of its updated Tank 300 for the domestic market.As reported by Car News China, a highlight of this update is a longer wheelbase that was previewed by the Tank 300 Hooke Edition prototype that was revealed at the 2025 Shanghai motor show.The location of the front axle has been moved forwards, plus the front overhang has been trimmed, improving the approach angle.According to Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filings, this updated Tank 300 measures in at 4886mm long, 1984mm wide and 1927mm tall, with a 3010mm wheelbase.This makes it 126mm longer, 54mm wider and 24mm taller than the current model.Unlike the Hooke Edition prototype, which had a solid front axle, it’s understood the production version of this updated Tank 300 retains a front double wishbone and a rear multi-link suspension set-up.Another major change is the powertrain options. In addition to the Hi-4T plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option that retains a mechanical four-wheel drive system, a new Hi-4Z PHEV option, which is more electric-centric, is being introduced with this update.Full details haven’t been confirmed yet, but GWM claims it has a 60kWh battery allowing up to 200km electric range, according to an undisclosed testing cycle.For reference, the current Tank 300 Hi4-T PHEV has a 37.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which offers up to 115km of electric range, according to NEDC testing.It’s understood this new Tank 300 Hi4-Z PHEV will share a lot of its componentry with the Tank 400 Hi-4Z PHEV.It has a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors with a total system output of 635kW and 1195Nm, along with a 60kWh battery pack offering up to 200km of electric range.It’s expected the rest of the current powertrains will carry over. These include a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, as well as a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol.In Australia only the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.4-litre turbo-diesel engines are offered, in addition to the Hi4-T PHEV powertrain.A change the imagery reveals is an altered front fascia. There’s a new grille with Tank lettering, as well as more pronounced recovery points, though it’s unclear if they’re functional.A LiDAR pod can be seen on the roof, indicating that semi-autonomous driving technology may be coming.We're yet to see any imagery of the interior, so it's unclear if there have been any changes.It’s understood this updated Tank 300 will be going on sale in China on July 6 and it’s unclear if or when it will be available to export markets, including Australia.

Volkswagen's spicy Spanish brand, Cupra, is finally launching the updated version of its Formentor small SUV in Australia. It's now offered in more flavours than ever, ranging from mild to extra hot.

The truth of EV home charging costs has just been revealed.Charging is one of the biggest talking points around electric cars, but it promises to be much cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel.Charging an electric car adopts a different approach to filling up one powered by fuel. The optimal way to charge an EV up is to top up the battery every night during off-peak hours. This is cheaper, helps maintain battery life — as constant fast-charging can degrade the battery over time — and reduces the time shock when needed to totally recharge.This contrasts brimming the fuel tank.Home charging is becoming an important pillar of EV infrastructure in Australia because of the challenges of public charging.Privately topping up the battery of your EV in off peak time can be a much more affordable and practical way of charging.Most people won’t use the majority of their car’s charge each day, so EV owners can charge their cars up by 20-30 per cent overnight and be ready to go the next day.Compare the Market has collated the costs of home charging for EVs at 20kWh (about 25-35 per cent of the average EV battery) per day using different electricity providers (see table below).  Private charging at 20kWh is substantially cheaper than charging via a public charger during peak times. EV charging plans have also increased in popularity to provide more structure and potentially lower costs. The cheapest EV plan can cost owners as little as 90 cents a day to top up if used correctly. That equals $328 a year. Even the most expensive only cost $6.56 a day, or $1707 a year.That equals the cost of three litres of premium unleaded or less a day.There are many different factors contributing to how much an EV costs to charge up.The time and place you choose to charge, as well as how much you want to recharge, all have a dramatic effect on how much you pay. There is not a single bowser for charging, rather many different charging types available that let electricity flow at differing rates. Public chargers often boast the fastest rates of charging, but are also the most expensive. The same 20kWh refill on a public charger would cost upwards of $9 a day, or $3200-plus a year.These chargers can charge at rates from 50kW up to 350kW, but it is also dependent on the car’s platform as to how fast it can charge. The number of cars taking power from a specific charger also impacts the usefulness of public charging.If there are two cars using a 150kW charge point, then the power will be split 75kW each, slowing down charging times. The availability of public chargers is also an issue with increasing numbers of EVs being spread across a scarce number of charges. Charging infrastructure remains a key challenge to the successful uptake of EVs in Australia.These factors also make it challenging to accurately determine the costs of charging in comparison with a fuel-powered vehicle.  *Source: Compare the Market

BYD’s latest model is on the cusp of landing in Australia, and it could be one of the brand’s cheapest models sold to date. A plug-in hybrid variant BYD Atto 2 small SUV has been approved for Australian sale, joining the fully-electric model already available. There is no official news on price, but we can expect it to sit under the $31,990 (before on-road costs) starting price of the cheapest electric version. This would make it the cheapest plug-in hybrid in Australia, beating the BYD Sealion 5 and Chery Tiggo 7 SHS.The fully-electric Atto 2 continues to be one of the best-selling EVs in Australia since it launched late last year.This latest move will see the Atto 2 move into competition with some of the big players of the small SUV segment. Segment leaders, the Chery Tiggo 4 and Hyundai Kona adopt petrol and plug-less hybrid set-ups, giving this new Atto 2 a point of difference.It is similarly sized to those rivals, but has potential to be offered at a cheaper price point. The Atto 2 PHEV was spotted undergoing in Sydney in late May as it edges closer to showrooms. The car will be available with a choice of two 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor set-ups, producing 122kW or 156kW.This means the base Atto 2 EV boasts more power than its PHEV sibling (130kW), with the top-grade PHEV becoming the most powerful Atto 2 in the range.BYD Australia is yet to officially confirm the Atto 2 PHEV’s arrival Down Under, but it is rare for a car to be approved for sale, then fail to make it into showrooms. There are scarce other details on the car at this stage, with more information likely to be revealed closer to the car’s impending launch. In the United Kingdom, the Atto 2 PHEV has a total driving range of nearly 1000km, with an electric-only range of 89km from its 18kWh battery. Its interior features a 12.8-inch central touchscreen and 8.8-inch digital driver display.We can expect more official details on the Australian Atto 2 PHEV towards the end of this year. 

Testing a family car isn’t all road trips and beach vacations, it’s the little things, the short trips, the meat and potatoes of life.That’s exactly what this month was about with the Geely Starray plug-in hybrid doing the daily daycare and preschool drop offs, shopping runs, work commutes and everything in between to find out how the Starray is to live with day in, day out.It’s a mid-size SUV, which rivals the BYD Sealion 6, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. It measures 4740mm long, 1905mm wide, 1685mm high with 2755mm between the front and rear axles.There’s a reason this size of vehicle is the most popular in the nation, it balances the need for interior space with the ability to handle our compact city streets.I fit the Starray into my 1960s era carport, but I can only open one door the entire way, the other about halfway.The Starray's design doesn’t rock the boat. It is intentionally inoffensive from nearly every angle, with its rounded front and rear ends, sharp headlights, blocky G-E-E-L-Y badging on the rear tailgate and stylish 19-inch alloy wheels. It won’t turn too many heads, but it won’t furrow a brow either.Keyless entry grants access to the car as you approach and locks as you walk away. It makes a nice little musical sound as it locks and turns off - it’s an instant hit with the kids, they laugh every time.There is no starter button, the car turns on when it senses the key, you’ll just need to engage drive with the steering column-mounted gear selector. To turn off, select park, get out and walk away.Inside, the Starray’s inoffensive theme continues.The Starray follows the same trend as many of the new wave of Chinese cars that have landed on our shores in the past years.It has a slick looking interior that glitters on the showroom floor and jumps off the spec sheet, but after a few months living with it the lustre starts to rub off a little.The synthetic leather wrapped seats are comfy and the six-way adjustment means most will find the right spot to sit. Throw in the memory function for the driver and a multi-house can all steer in comfort. There are also speakers built into the driver’s headrest for phone calls, it sounds odd at first but I’m into it. It makes hearing with big and small kids in the car much easier.The steering wheel also has good adjustment, which will accommodate drivers of all shapes and sizes.Heating and ventilation functions for front-seat passengers are appreciated. As is the head-up display that projects vital information such as prevailing speed limit and travelling speed onto the windscreen in front of the driver.One of the Starray’s weak points is nearly all functions are controlled through the large 15.4-inch central multimedia screen. This means to you’ll need to jump into the screen to adjust most features.It wins back some points with a few shortcut buttons for the demister, internal air and auto air-con, plus a rotary dial for volume control.There are decent storage options with a two-tier centre console. The top deck has two cupholders, wireless device charger, and smallish covered bin. Underneath there is a large open area ideal for a handbag. Large bins in the doors can hold a water bottle and more.One thing that has constantly infuriated me is the Around View Monitoring (AVM) camera. This view is designed to help you not bump into things when you are turning.It switches on every time you engage your indicator, with the camera view taking over the central screen, which turns off CarPlay. Not a great user experience when you are relying on regular map directions, or have a toddler screaming for a song.It also just seems completely unnecessary when stopped at the lights waiting to make a turn.There is plenty of room in both rows. Front and back-seat passengers are spoiled for head, shoulder and legroom.The back seat during my test has been occupied by a forward and a rear-facing child seat, but a small adult has ridden in the middle seat with relative comfort.Rear seats have their own dedicated air-con vents, with two directional controls. And there is a USB-A and -C charging port for the bigger kids.A huge panoramic sunroof with a proper sunshade lets the light in when needed, and has been ideal to distract a fussy baby on the move.A power tailgate grants access to a 428-litre boot, which is an ok size. A full-size pram takes up a large portion of the space, but it can absorb a travel pram, baby bag and the weekly shop easily.It is a good shape — wide and not too deep — which means shorter people can reach all corners of the cargo area.You can remove the floor to boost capacity to 528 litres. This is because there is no spare tyre, which is one of my biggest gripes with modern cars. The fiddly repair kit is only good for small punctures, and is confusing for first-time users.Overall the Starray handles the family duties with aplomb, and will put some of the big names on notice.Next instalment I’ll cover how the Starray is to drive and give a final verdict. Stay tuned.2026 Geely Starray EM-i Inspire Acquired: March, 2026Distance travelled this month: 339kmOdometer: 3115kmAverage fuel use this month: 6.5L/100km