Sedan

The GT-Line is the flagship model in the Kia EV4 range, and it shares its Long Range battery with the Earth, but gets a much more stacked equipment list.It’s $64,690 (almost $15k more than the cheapest Air), but is the only model to get its own look - thanks to the exterior plastics being swapped for gloss black - as well as things like a sunroof, a powered boot, dynamic welcome lights and projection headlights.Inside, there’s a heated steering wheel, full synthetic-leather seats, relaxation seats to get comfy when charging and ambient interior lighting. You also get ventilated front seats, a better eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo and wireless device charging.The GT-Line’s battery is a 81.4kWh NCM unit, which delivers a claimed 612km range on the WLTP cycle. That’s not the very best in the business, but it’s almost certainly enough to cancel any ‘range anxiety’ talk.The EV4’s 400-volt architecture does slow down charging a little, though, with DC fast charging capped at 128kW. That means going from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 mins when using the fastest chargers. If you’re using a 50kW charger, it’s up to almost an hour and 20 minutes for the bigger battery.

The $59,190 Kia EV4 Earth is the mid-point in the brand’s electric sedan range, sitting above the Air and below the GT-Line. Unlike the cheaper Air, the Earth gets the Long Range battery, unlocking the best driving range delivered by a Kia to date. It’s a 81.4kWh NCM unit in the Long Range models, which delivers a claimed 612km range on the WLTP cycle. That’s not the very best in the business, but it’s almost certainly enough to cancel any ‘range anxiety’ talk. The EV4’s 400-volt architecture does slow down charging a little, though, with DC fast charging capped at 128kW. That means going from 10 to 80 per cent in around 30 mins when using the fastest chargers. If you’re using a 50kW charger, it’s up to almost an hour and 20 minutes for the bigger battery.The Earth builds on the Air’s equipment list with 19-inch alloys, cloth-and-synthetic-leather seats, a powered seat for the driver, and Kia’s very cool and comfortable mesh headrests.

The Air marks the entry point to the EV4 range, with its $49,990 price tag miles behind that of the Earth ($59,190) and GT-Line ($64,690).It is Standard Range only, which means it makes do with a 58.3kWh NCM battery which will deliver 456km in WLTP driving range. DC Charging is limited to 128kW, while AC charging is set up for 11kW.Outside, it rides on 17-inch alloys, and has flush-finishing door handles, LED lighting, rain-sensing wipers and heated wing mirrors.Inside, there are two-tone cloth seats, an artificial-leather steering wheel and dual-zone climate with rear vents, while tech is handled by Kia’s dual 12.3-inch screens (one for your entertainment, and another for your diving info), with a smaller 5.0-inch screen between them that handles climate settings. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a six-speaker stereo and four USB-C connections, too.All EV4 models, including the Air, get two vehicle-to-load (V2L) connections (so you can plug things in with a normal household plug), with one in the backseat and the other as part of the exterior charger – though the latter is an accessory on the Air. All also get access to the Kia Connect app and over-the-air updates, too.

The EV4 Sedan is destined to be a bit-player in Kia's growing EV line-up, which is something of a shame, because the admittedly odd-looking sedan is a treat to drive, and will cover a hell of a lot of ground between charges. Think of it as Kia's answer to the BYD Seal and Tesla Model 3. But is it better? We put it to the test to find out.

More than fifty years after the model designation was first formally applied to Mercedes-Benz’s top-tier sedan, the German maker has unveiled a substantially upgraded version of its S-Class flagship.Claimed to consist of 50 per cent newly developed components and scheduled to arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of this year, the update also corresponds with the three-pointed star’s celebration of 140 years since Carl Benz patented his ground-breaking motorwagen in 1886.Mercedes-Benz Australia told CarsGuide the local model line-up is yet to be confirmed, but there are no fewer than seven variants on offer for European markets (S350d, S450, S450d, S450e, S500, S580 & S580e) with standard and long versions available, the latter adding 110mm to the wheelbase and overall length.Engine options range across a 3.0-litre, in-line, six-cylinder, turbo-petrol producing up to 330kW/600Nm, a 3.0L twin-turbo diesel delivering 230kW/650Nm and a 4.0L twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 pumping out 395kW/750Nm.Revised plug-in hybrid powertrain options combine the six-cylinder petrol engine with a single electric motor for up to 430kW (+55kW) and 750Nm of combined torque. A 22kW battery delivers an electric-only driving range of 93-103km.On the outside, luxury car-spotters should look out for a larger (illuminated) grille with the option of an illuminated star on the bonnet.Digital micro-LED headlights are new, as are tail-lights featuring chrome-framed stars. A fresh 20-inch wheel design incorporates 50 cross-spokes. Striking, or a detailing nightmare?Inside, the Mercedes-Benz ‘MBUX’ multimedia interface consists of a central 14.4-inch screen and a 12.3- inch passenger display combined under a continuous glass surface.Larger 13.1-inch displays are offered in the optional ‘MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment System’. Speaking of entertainment, an optional Burmester ‘High-End 4D-Surround-Sound’ system includes ‘tactile transducers’ in the seats to “vibrate and pulse in time with the music” as well as 39 speakers, four exciters, 1750-watt output and Dolby Atmos.A fourth-gen ‘MB.OS supercomputer’ enables an expanded app portfolio including streaming platforms like Disney+ as well over-the-air updates and AI from ChatGPT4, Microsoft Bing and Google Gemini combined in one system to power up the car’s ‘Hey Mercedes' virtual assistant.Other tech highlights include upgraded park-assist functionality, the option of integrated video conferencing and heated seat belts “with a soothing warmth of up to 44°C”.Air suspension is standard across the line-up with ‘E‑Active’ body control an option.Also available to order is the new S680 Guard 4Matic special-protection vehicle combining an in-house developed ‘Integrated Protection System’ comprising an aluminium outer skin to achieve VR10 20, which Mercedes-Benz said is the highest civilian protection level.Pricing and final specification will be confirmed closer to the car’s local launch but in Germany the entry-level S350d 4Matic starts at €121,356.20 (including 19 per cent VAT) which, on a direct currency exchange translates to just under $206,000. For reference, the current (non-Maybach) Mercedes-Benz S-Class range starts with the S450 4Matic at $244,700, before on-road costs, rising to $335,100, BOC, for the S580L 4Matic.

Mazda has been on a rapid expansion in recent years, introducing so many new large SUVs it can be hard to keep up with them all.The CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 form a comprehensive line-up of family-sized SUVs, and will be joined in 2026 by the new CX-5. But as we looked at what was missing from some of Australia’s favourite brands, it quickly became obvious what needs attention with Mazda.At the other end of the size spectrum, the pint-sized Mazda2 and CX-3 are still selling in reasonable volume (the CX-3 is actually the most popular model in its segment), but both suffered double-digit sales declines in 2025.Both are also getting old and there is no public plan to replace them anytime soon. While Mazda may very well be working on replacements, if they aren’t it would leave a huge gap in the brand’s line-up.While Mazda was one of the first brands to embrace the concept of ‘semi-premium’ and shift from a model of selling purely on volume and instead focus on profitability, even if it meant fewer sales, giving up this part of the market would be a risky move.There is no question the city car market is in terminal decline, with the Mazda2 only up against the MG3 and Suzuki Swift these days, but there is still enough volume in the compact SUV market to make a CX-3 replacement viable.More importantly, losing either or both of these models would immediately raise the cost of entry to the Mazda brand, which would lock out many first-time new-car buyers. Instead they will go and buy something else, perhaps an MG3, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro or BYD Atto 1 and get integrated into those brands’ systems — just like countless Mazda2 and CX-3 customers have no doubt done in recent years. The challenge for brands like Mazda in the current market situation is it is incredibly difficult to compete with the new wave of Chinese brands on price, especially at the lower end of the market. This means a generation of buyers will get familiar with these brands and could end up staying for years to come if they have a good experience.Mazda should be well aware of that, because that’s the exact tactic that the Japanese brands used in the 1980s and ‘90s, and it’s what the South Korean brands did in the 2000s. Looking at the sales chart it’s dominated by Japanese and Korean brands, but nothing is static in this market so if Mazda abandons the small car/SUV space, it may not hurt in the short-term, but could have big consequences in the long-term.

Mazda has pushed back its in-house EV plans to 2029 as it focuses development of its incoming in-house hybrid drivetrain, according to a new report.Mazda had planned to launch its next-generation Japanese-developed electric car in 2027, but had pushed back to 2028 and now 2029. According to industry source Automotive News this is because hybrid demand is booming in the US, while electric vehicle incentives are being removed.The outlet quoted Mazda’s CEO Masahiro Moro as saying the brand expects EV sales now to only account for 25 per cent or less of its global sales due to changing market forces, particularly in the US.This revises Mazda’s original expectations of 25 - 40 per cent of global volume to be fully electric by 2030.However, while a significant portion of the brand's sales remain in North America and Japan, a significant portion remains in markets like Europe and Australia. Australia is the third largest market by volume for Mazda globally, after the US and Japan, forcing the brand to adapt to our conditions.This means sourcing more low emissions vehicles in the interim to comply with our Euro-inspired New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES). This recently-introduced regulation tightens the vice on carbon emissions based on manufacturer’s vehicle sales, under threat of fines for every unit sold which pushes them over a pre-defined CO2 limit.Mazda is one of the most exposed brands in Australia currently. It offers only a limited array of hybrid models, with the majority of its sales still being pure combustion vehicles, like the ever-popular CX-5.A next-generation CX-5 is due, although it will continue on with a petrol engine until the hybrid variant launches in 2027. Unlike the hybrid Mazda CX-50 available in America, which borrows its hybrid tech from Toyota, the new CX-5 will use an in-house Mazda-developed hybrid system the brand calls SkyActiv-Z.In the interim, Mazda has confirmed it will sell the China-built fully electric 6e sedan and CX-6e, both are platform-shares with Changan’s Deepal brand. The brand has earmarked even more models to potentially spawn from this tie-up.Potentially this could include a Mazda take on Deepal’s S09 over-five-meter-long large SUV, or a small SUV based on the more compact S05, which would sit beneath the CX-6e to compete with the likes of MG’s S5.In another potential blow to Mazda in Australia, there are also fresh reports out of Japan that its two entry-level models, the Mazda 2 and CX-3, will cease production over the course of 2026.While these two cars are the oldest models in Mazda’s line-up, they continue to sell well in Australia thanks to regular updates. The removal of these accessible models plus the delay on a hybrid CX-5 could see Mazda tumble down the sales charts in 2026, making the roll-out of its Chinese-built models ever more important. However, Japanese media are also reporting a small car successor is due based on the Vision-X compact car shown at Tokyo Motor Show in 2025. The model will reportedly be built in Thailand as part of a push by Mazda to make the country a new export hub. Again, if this model does come to Australia, it could be as far out as 2028, making Mazda’s short term outlook for 2026 and 2027 more challenging.Mazda has told CarsGuide in 2024 its order of priorities are the new CX-5, its hybrid version, and then “small architecture cars.”Stay tuned for more on Mazda’s plans for 2026 as it faces a rapidly changing new car market. In particular it will need to fend off an aggressive new model strategy from an ambitious BYD, which is plotting a top-three market position by the end of the year.

A game-changing battery technology is just around the corner.Chery’s has revealed more details of its solid state battery set-up, according to Car News China. It will feature on its Exeed Liefeng shooting brake model, offering a potential driving range of 1500km.The car falls under the Exeed branch of Chery, and has been earmarked for a launch in 2026, after a prototype of its battery was first unveiled late last year.Solid state batteries are touted as the future for electric vehicles and will delete range anxiety.They can achieve far superior energy density than conventional batteries, and could be more durable and safer. They use a different mechanical separator and ion conductor between the anode and cathode that is not a liquid or gel.The Liefeng is expected to use Chery’s Rhino S solid state battery, which has a claimed energy density reaching an astonishing 600Wh per kilogram. Even the most energy dense batteries are only capable of about 250Wh currently, highlighting the breakthrough nature of Chery's new technology.The battery is claimed to be able to perform reliably in temperatures as low as minus-30 degrees.The car will feature 800-volt charging architecture, and can sprint from 0-100km/h in less than three seconds with a top speed of 260km/h.Chery has persisted with solid state batteries despite other manufacturers ruling them out as a future battery technology at least in the short term. North American car making giant General Motors said in October 2025 that it had no plans to adopt the technology, citing it was still years away.Some manufacturers have been more receptive to solid state potential, such as major Chinese car manufacturer Dongfeng. Dongfeng, which has joint-venture partnerships with Nissan and Honda, recently announced it is entering late-stage trials for a solid state-powered production car, scheduled for launch in 2027. Chery also announced in December 2025 that its Exeed ES8 shooting brake will launch as its first solid state battery model, and have a driving range of 1000km.

We just got a closer look at BYD’s latest products.

While utes and family SUVs dominate the top ranks of the sales charts, small, affordable cars remain extremely important to anyone who doesn’t need so much car.That’s why it’s one of the key categories we’re paying attention to in the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year (COTY) awards, in this case specifically those models with entry prices below $50,000.Rather than just hatchbacks and small sedans, we’re including small SUVs in the category given the dwindling number of hatches on sale, and consumer tendencies to opt for a small SUV, even as a first car.Based on review data from our team of journalists, our shortlist of 10 finalists below (in alphabetical order) is a broad group with some interesting variety in their offerings.And, as you’ll notice, the cars eligible for the award don’t necessarily have to be new as of this year - they just need to be on-sale as of January 1, 2026, with a variant under the $50K mark.This category's winner and two runners-up will be announced on February 6, 2026. The Hyundai i30 has been a favourite for years, with its current-generation hatch nearing a decade old. From first cars to fleet cars and hire cars and even sports cars, the offering is broad.But there’s a recent development that judges have strongly considered, and that’s the discontinuation of the standard i30 hatchback in Australia. The well-liked but less popular sedan and the spicy N versions in both hatch and sedan have all been enough to secure the i30 a place amongst the finalists, though.We’re fans of the i30 Sedan, formerly the Elantra, for its packaging and its efficiency in its hybrid form, and the N version has been widely regarded as one of the best-value hot hatches in the world. With pricing from $29,250 before on-roads and the hybrid only $4000 more expensive, the i30 Sedan offers up decent value for money. Even the N only just sits over the $50K mark with its $52,000 starting price. Extremely strong points for the judges to consider.Well-loved by the CarsGuide team, the Kia EV3 is as good as we wish the larger and better-selling EV5 was. But Kia’s small electric SUV faces strong competition from cheaper entrants from China that offer strong showroom presence.Starting from $47,600 before on-roads, the EV3’s line-up stretches to a hefty $63,950, but most agree the base model is the smartest buy as well as the nicest to drive. Key points that have drawn judges to the EV3 are its cute (but not tacky) styling, its clever packaging, and the useful but not extravagant features.It’s one of the more expensive competitors in our finalists, and it’s being outsold by rivals quite convincingly, but the CarsGuide COTY doesn’t reward showroom figures. Game on.Like the i30 earlier in this list, the Mazda3 is a veteran of the new small car market, with its current generation having been unveiled in 2018.Once seen as pricey compared to rivals, the Mazda3 is now a rather budget-friendly option as cheaper cars have disappeared over the years - and its sleek styling has held up nicely to boot.Starting from $31,310 before on-roads, the Mazda3 has gradually changed with the times, having been through a couple of tech and line-up changes. The hatch and sedan both offer up a competitive front-row environment and engaging dynamics, and despite its age is still one of the best-selling small cars alongside the i30, both trailing the ever-popular Toyota Corolla.Judges have always noted its small boot and lacklustre rear seat, but the former still beats the Corolla and there aren’t many truly spacious second rows in hatches. Is standing out where it matters enough for the judges?Furthering the mix of old and new in the finalists for the category, the MG S5 EV has found favour with judges for backing up its excellent first impressions.Newcomers in the field of budget small SUVs have tended to disappoint, especially dynamically, but the CarsGuide team was impressed by not only how the MG S5 fares compared to the brand’s earlier efforts, but also how it performs even without comparing it to other MGs.Available from $40,490 drive-away and costing just $47,990 for its top-spec variant, its extremely competitive price and solid list of features bolster an already strong offering.Scoring highly in every category across CarsGuide’s review format, the MG S5 EV shouldn’t be considered an underdog in the COTY fight. Mini, even with its less traditional models, is near-universally loved. So it should be little surprise that one of its new models sits in this list.The Countryman is now available in both petrol and electric, though its starting price is a hefty $49,990 before on-roads for the base Countryman Core. That means it just sneaks into this COTY category, even if getting into its EV version starts from $64,990.Still, Minis are rarely on shopping lists for their value offering, and the Countryman offers impressive tech and features, plus dynamic driving and of course that fun Mini styling.In a category where value and convenience are key, it’ll be a hard sell, but the current Countryman is essentially a BMW for less money, and arguably more interesting. Take that into consideration, and things are looking up.It’s been a big couple of years for the Qashqai, with Nissan’s small SUV scoring a big facelift quite quickly after its current third generation showed up. In early 2026, the Qashqai will go hybrid-only and start from $45,640 before on-roads with its front-wheel-drive-only, 140kW e-Power hybrid the only option. But its petrol offerings fell within the bounds of the COTY judging timeline, and so are also part of the consideration.Attractive styling, smooth power delivery and handling, and a now up-to-date interior with practical features all contribute to a convincing package, but the imminent loss of its petrol-only models will mean the Qashqai is set to become around $10,000 more expensive than before at its base level.Nissan’s extremely competitive ownership offering (the warranty is 10 years and 300,000km if you service with Nissan, five-year/unlimited kilometres otherwise) makes the Qashqai even more tempting. Ticking a lot of boxes there.Stylish, niche, quirky… French. The Peugeot 308 in its current generation leans in hard to all of these things, not least because it’s only available in a single, high-spec hybrid variant for $48,990 before on-roads.It’s gorgeous inside, outside, and to drive, but it’s cursed with limited commercial and perceived value appeal - only 88 were sold in 2025.The 308’s features list is strong enough to rival much more expensive alternatives, and its strongest points in terms of dynamics are most likely to appeal specifically to driving enthusiasts.There’s a lot to like about the Pug 308, it’s just that most people forget it exists. A CarsGuide COTY trophy in the cabinet would surely help with the latter issue…Toyota’s baby icon has gone through some changes lately. In the last few years, we’ve seen it grow up from the simple, affordable ‘first-car’ option it once was to be a simple, much less affordable option. Oh, and now there’s a version of it that’s basically a rally car for the road.A Yaris used to be something you could reasonably buy new as a teenager if you were thrifty, now it’s a $28,990 (before on-roads) option at its entry level thanks to its increased level of safety kit and having gone hybrid-only,Fortunately, it’s still an excellent light car, and even though it’s outsold by all its rivals it still does exactly what a city car should do - getting you around efficiently and with no fuss.In terms of how it snagged a spot in the finals for this category, it helps that the GR Yaris hot hatch is one of the two best drivers’ cars Toyota currently builds.Getting into a German SUV doesn’t have to be an expensive operation, and the $34,990 starting price (before on-roads) for the VW T-Cross is proof. Even the top-spec R-Line comes in at $41,490, and the features list is healthy.To boot, the T-Cross is fun to drive, and judges enjoy its practicality inside, plus the sharp styling outside.While not as efficient as some in its class, nor as cheap to own in terms of servicing, the T-Cross offers a step-up from rivals in the class that are seen as practical budget offerings.Still, its last update was in 2024, so it’ll have some work to do to convince judges it’s still up to date.Alphabetically, and probably in terms of public familiarity, the last to make the shortlist is the Zeekr X, a small electric SUV designed in Sweden but built in China.Cousin to the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1, the Zeekr X has good pedigree and the performance to back it up.Liked by judges for its value, bold style and on-road performance, the Zeekr X is one of the bigger unknown quantities in this COTY category.A recent price cut makes it a $49,900 offering before on-roads, meaning it only just slips into the sub-$50K contest, but with its list of features it should prove a compelling contender.