Small Cars

A new hybrid hot hatch concept has just been revealed in Japan.Nissan has unveiled a new fiesty hybrid hatchback called the Aura Nismo RS concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon.With the car still only a concept, Nissan has said it is still exploring the potential of bringing it to market as a production car.Nismo is Nissan's performance branch, derived from its motorsport endeavours.The car is based on one of Nissan’s hybrid hatches found overseas, and also has the same power set-up found on the X-Trail Nismo — a performance version of the popular mid-size SUV.It  has been pitched as an “Agile Electric City Racer” concept, using Nissan’s e-Power hybrid set-up, which differs from the conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies.Its dual electric motors are powered by a 2.1kWh battery, which is charged by a 1.5-litre petrol engine.The engine produces 106kW and 250Nm, but it has no role in powering the wheels and acts purely as a generator to fill the battery, with the front and rear mounted electric motors driving the wheels exclusively.The front motor produces 150kW and 330Nm, while the rear motor produces 100kW and 195Nm.It drives using Nissan’s specialist all-wheel drive system.In addition to these performance upgrades, the RS has undergone some big physical changes in comparison to the original Aura Nismo to give it increased track and race capabilities.The RS is 145mm wider, with its beefed up fenders.The overall ride height has been dropped by 20mm, designed to improve handling in hard cornering.It comes in 142mm longer, taking its total length to 4262mm, and weighs 100kg more at about 1500kg.The brakes have also been beefed up, with new large opposed-piston calipers.Its exterior design features sleek bodywork, appearing in a dark grey, with roof-mounted spoiler and a standout red front splitter.Red elements surround the base of the car, contrasting the paint work.The car has plenty of blacked out elements, including the front grille and roof, while RS badging shows on the doors.Despite its different power set-up, its hot hatch status sees it as a potential rival for Hyundai’s i30 N and Toyota GR Corolla.

Sales of light passenger cars in Australia have slowly been dipping further and further over the years but an unlikely new entrant may turn this around.Last year China’s BYD announced the pricing for its new entry-level Atto 1 electric hatchback. With a mind-blowing starting price of $23,990 before on-roads, it’s the cheapest new electric vehicle (EV) in Australia by a strong margin.The BYD Atto 1, despite being an EV, undercuts many similarly sized petrol hatchbacks in terms of entry asking price. Examples include the Mazda 2, MG3, Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris.One of the few cars that undercuts the Atto 1’s competitive starting price is the Kia Picanto, which is still Australia’s cheapest new car. It starts from $19,190 before on-road costs.During 2025 a total of 7166 examples of the Picanto were sold, which is up 23.1 per cent year-on-year.Despite being the cheapest new vehicle in Australia, it’s not the best-selling light passenger car. This crown goes to the MG3, which currently starts from $21,888 drive-away. A total of 8350 examples were sold last year, though this is technically down 33.5 per cent year-on-year.There are clearly still many Australians looking at the budget end of the new car market to make a purchase, especially as cost of living crunches.Many carmakers are now finding it hard to sell such a car profitably while still packaging all the required safety equipment and meeting tightening emission standards.This is where EVs like the BYD Atto 1 could thrive as they don’t emit any CO2 tailpipe emissions.In terms of other small-to-light EV hatchbacks that are due to launch locally over the next 12 months or so, MG has confirmed it’s introducing its new, city-focused MG4 Urban, plus Leapmotor is launching the B05 electric hatchback in the second half of 2026.Many Australians now prefer SUVs over small hatchbacks and sedans.SUV sales in Australia have been going from strength to strength for years now and there are plenty of budget offerings that in some cases are cheaper than hatchbacks and offer more space.Examples include the Chery Tiggo 4, GWM Haval Jolion and Mahindra XUV3XO which all start at $23,990 drive-away.Around the same time BYD announced the Atto 1 electric hatchback for Australia, it also confirmed it’s introducing the Atto 2 small electric SUV locally.It’s priced from $31,990 before on-road costs, which makes it Australia’s cheapest electric SUV though it’s still $8000 more than the overall cheapest SUV.There are plenty of other budget-oriented electric SUVs available including the Hyundai Inster which currently starts at $35,990 drive-away thanks to an offer, as well as the Chery E5 and Leapmotor B10 which both currently start at $38,990 drive-away.

Why does the engine fan on my 2014 Holden Cruze keep running after I turn off the ignition?

The GT-Line is the flagship model in the K4 Hatch range, sitting at the top of the four-model line-up, and breaking well in the $40K range, with its sticker price of $43,790.Unlike the rest of the K4 range, which are powered by a 2.0-litre engine, the GT-Line gets its own engine and transmission combination, a 1.6-litre turbo that makes 142kW and 265Nm paired with an eight-speed automatic.The K4 hatch is slightly shorter and slightly lower than the Cerato it effectively replaces, but there is some clever interior packaging, so much so in fact that Kia says you get more legroom and headroom in both the front row and the second row than you did in the old Cerato, but marginally less shoulder room in the back seat.What does that mean in real terms? It means that I think you'd actually get away with this as a family car, at least in terms of passenger space.Sitting behind my own 175cm driving position, I had tonnes of knee room and enough headroom to get comfortable. Yes, it would be tight with three adults across the back, but you could have two kids back there, or a child seat or two, easily. 

Audi’s all-new, third-generation Q3 is on schedule for arrival in Australia in the second quarter of this year with pricing and specification now confirmed for the premium compact SUV.New from-the-ground-up, the 2026 Q3 brings a broader model range with a higher standard specification in conventional SUV and swoopy Sportback versions.Aside from a fresh design inside and out, the new Q3 features multiple updated powertrain options, upgraded lighting tech, improved multimedia and additional advanced safety features.The improved specification comes with a roughly seven per cent increase in cost-of-entry with the addition of Launch Edition variants on selected models, according to Audi "in limited numbers, only available while stocks last".  2026 Audi Q3 price Australia:2026 Audi Q3 engine/powertrain and efficiency:The new Q3 is offered with three powertrain choices.The TFSI 110kW is powered by a newly-developed 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, mild-hybrid, turbo-petrol engine sending (as the name implies) 110kW/250Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch auto transmission.The TFSI quattro 150kW features a 2.0L turbo-petrol four producing 150kW/320Nm and the top-shelf TFSI quattro 195kW boasts a higher-output 195kW/400Nm version of the 2.0-litre engine, both sending drive to all four wheels a seven-speed, dual-clutch auto.Claimed combined cycle fuel use for the TFSI 110kW is 6.6-6.0L/100km rising to 8.4-7.8L/100km for the TFSI quattro 150kW with a 55-litre fuel tank in both models. The TFSI quattro 190kW’s official figure rises to 9.0-8.5L/100km, the top model featuring a 60-litre tank. All three require a minimum 95 RON ‘premium’ fuel.Maximum braked trailer towing capacity is 2000kg for the 110kW and 150kW models, rising to 2100kg for the 190kW version.2026 Audi Q3 standard features: Alloy wheels11.9-inch digital instrument display12.8-inch multimedia touchscreenAdaptive cruise control360-degree camera viewAdaptive LED headlightsLeather-appointed upholstery10-speaker audioAmbient interior lightingAdaptive dampers (150kW/190kW)Panoramic glass sunroof (190kW)Head-up display (190kW)Climate control air-conditioningLeather-trimmed steering wheelDigital radioKeyless entry and startReversing camera2026 Audi Q3 optional features: Launch Edition - TFSI 110kW (SUV +$5400 - Sportback +$4400)  / TFSI quattro 150kW (+$4400): S line exterior styling for the 110kW SUV, 19-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, metallic paint and red brake callipers, black exterior styling package, sound actuator and adaptive dampers.2026 Audi Q3 colours: (TBC for Australia - Euro options listed)Standard:Arkona WhiteOptional:Mythos Black MetallicNavarra Blue MetallicGlacier White MetallicProgressive Red MetallicTambora Grey MetallicMalpelo Blue MetallicSage Green MetallicArrow Grey Pearl EffectDaytona Grey Pearl Effect2026 Audi Q3 safety:The Audi Q3 scored a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating from assessment in 2025.  Adult occupant protection - 87 per centChild occupant protection - 86 per centVulnerable road user protection - 80 per centSafety assist - 78 per cent 2026 Audi Q3 warranty and servicing:The Q3 is covered by Audi Australia’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty (with roadside-assist included) and twelve-year cover against bodywork corrosion perforation. Five-year service plans are available for Q3 models as is the ‘Audi Advantage’ program that allows owners to purchase two-year packages to extend servicing, warranty, and roadside assistance. Pricing hasn't been detailed yet.2026 Audi Q3 dimensions:Overall length for the Audi Q3 (SUV and Sportback) is 4531mm, width is 1859mm and height is 1601mm (Sportback 1440mm) with a 2681mm wheelbase. Boot space with rear seat up is 488L (VDA) in both variants, expanding to 1386L with rear seat folded in the SUV and 1289L in the Sportback. 

Kia has officially unveiled its EV2 all-electric compact SUV at the Brussels Motor Show. The Oz-bound EV2 will launch in the second quarter of 2026, and could be Kia’s cheapest EV Down Under.It will take on the likes of the BYD Dolphin, starting from $29,900 (before on-road costs) and the GWM Ora, which starts from $35,990 (before on-roads).There has been no official indication on price just yet, but the EV2 should come in cheaper than the EV3 that starts from $47,600 (before on-roads).The brand provided several details at the recent launch to give us an idea of how the EV2 will shape up.The EV2 keeps many of the design elements on the bigger EV3, featuring a petite exterior. Measuring at 4060mm long, it is shorter than the BYD Dolphin and GWM Ora.It will come with two battery options: standard-range and long-range. The base model standard-range has a 42kWh battery with a driving range of 317km, according to testing done under WLTP cycle conditions. It can DC fast charge from 10-80 per cent in under half-an-hour.The long-range variant has a 61kWh battery, which extends the range 448km (WLTP) and it can fast charge from 10-80 per cent in 30 minutes. This means the EV2 will have a similar driving range to its rivals in the compact SUV market. The car will have a panoramic multimedia display consisting of a 12.3-inch digital driver display, 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a 5.0-inch climate panel.The car can be fitted with sliding and reclining second row seats, which boosts storage capacity to 403L when fully forward, but reduces seating capacity from five to four.Following the standard range launch, Kia said we can expect the long-range and a fully loaded GT line variant to launch throughout the year.An official release date for Australia will be announced closer to the start of sales.

The Sport+ is the second-highest grade you get in the K4 Hatch, sitting below only the flagship GT-Line. It is, predictably, also the second-most expensive model, listing at $39,090.It rides on 18-inch alloys, gets LED projection headlights, unique synthetic leather two-tone seat trimming, a heated steering wheel with paddle shifters, and a strong Harman Kardon eight-speaker stereo.Like the rest of the K4 range (save the GT-Line, which gets a bespoke engine), the Sport is powered by a new and more efficient 2.0-litre engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drops power slightly, and fuel use more significantly. The new engine and transmission combination makes 110kW and 180Nm, compared to 112kW and 192Nm, with fuel use falling from 7.4L/100km to a more frugal six litres flat.In terms of back seat and boot space, sitting behind my own 175cm driving position, I had tonnes of knee room and enough headroom to get comfortable. Yes, it would be tight with three adults across the back, but you could have two kids back there, or a child seat or two, easily. The boot is 438 litres VDA, which is very solid, but not good enough to swallow a massive pram comfortably. There is, however, a space-saver spare under the boot floor, which is a tick.

A new budget EV hatchback could be coming soon.

The K4 Sport occupies the second rung on the K4 Hatch ladder, sitting above the entry-level S, and listing at $36,690. It gets the 'Integrated Panoramic Display' (Kia’s two 12.3-inch screens joined by a 5.0-inch climate monitor) as standard, along with the added safety stuff included in the S level’s 'Safety Pack' and dual-zone climate control. It also rides on 17-inch alloys.Like the rest of the K4 range (save the GT-Line, which gets a bespoke engine), the Sport is powered by a new and more efficient 2.0-litre engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drops power slightly, and fuel use more significantly. The new engine and transmission combination makes 110kW and 180Nm, compared to 112kW and 192Nm, with fuel use falling from 7.4L/100km to a more frugal six litres flat.The K4 Hatch is slightly shorter and slightly lower than the Cerato that it effectively replaces, but there is some clever interior packaging, so much so in fact that Kia says you get more legroom and headroom in both the front row and the second row than you did in the old Cerato, but marginally less shoulder room in the back seat.What does that mean in real terms? It means I think you'd actually get away with this as a family car, at least in terms of passenger space.

Kia’s replacement for its ever-green Cerato arrived in two stages — the K4 Sedan, which arrived earlier this year, and now the K4 Hatch, which has just landed in Australia. The Hatch trim levels and specification mirror the Sedan exactly, which means the range kicks off with the entry-level S, yours for $32,090.The big news for S is a new and more efficient 2.0-litre engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drops power slightly, and fuel use more significantly. The new engine and transmission combination makes 110kW and 180Nm, compared to 112kW and 192Nm, with fuel use falling from 7.4L/100km to a more frugal six litres flat.The K4 S arrives with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, a smart key with push-button start, power folding and heated exterior mirrors, four USB-C outlets and a six-speaker audio system, but it does have the worst tech offering, swapping Kia’s twin-screen system for what it calls a 'Basic Digital Driver Cluster' with 4.0-inch multi-function (LCD) display — which doesn’t sound too fancy, does it?You can add the 'Safety Pack' to the K4 S for $2100 and that adds a 12.3-inch instrument display, as well as dual-zone climate control and an expanded auto emergency braking (AEB) system with junction turning and crossing and direct/oncoming lane change detection.