SUV

The 2026 Denza B8 6S is the flagship version of the line-up and notably offers six seats, as the name suggests.Priced at $97,990, before on-road costs, this notably undercuts rivals like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, as well as other premium rivals like the Land Rover Defender, Lexus LX and Mercedes-Benz GLS, among others.As standard 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, Nappa leather upholstery, plus second-row captain’s chairs that are heated, ventilated and have a massage function.Power comes from a plug-in hybrid set-up combining dual electric motors and a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine.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) 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 (NEDC).The Denza B8 received a maximum 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.

The 2026 Denza B5 Leopard is the top-spec trim level in the line-up.Priced from $79,990 before on-road costs, this undercuts many top-selling diesel-powered rivals like the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest. The slightly smaller GWM Tank 300 PHEV however is more affordable at $59,990 drive-away.As a base, the B5 is loaded with standard equipment. You get 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, a glass panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 15.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 16-speaker Devialet sound system, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function, plus heated outboard rear seats.If this isn’t enough, the B5 Leopard gets larger 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive hydraulic suspension, a digital rear-view mirror, a second wireless phone charger, Nappa leather upholstery and ventilated outboard rear seats.Power comes from plug-in hybrid set-up combining dual electric motors (one on each axle) and a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine.It’s a similar set-up to the BYD Shark 6, but the B5 has more power. Total system outputs are a meaty 400kW and 760Nm.Feeding the electric motors is a 31.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery which Denza claims to allow the B5 to travel up to 100km on electric power alone, according to NEDC testing.There’s also an 83L fuel tank. Denza claims the B5 has a total range of 975km, according to NEDC testing.The Denza B5 received a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2025.As standard there are 11 airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention monitor, front and rear parking sensors, plus a surround-view camera.Denza B5 owners are covered by a six-year, 150,000km warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 160,000km. Owners also receive three years of roadside assistance.Logbook servicing is required every 12 months of 20,000km, whichever comes first. The first five years of servicing totals $3542, which averages out to just over $700 per service.

Zeekr? I hardly know ‘er.And if you think you do, no, we’re not here to talk about a virus.Part of Chinese automotive conglomerate Geely Group, Zeekr is a premium electrified car brand, which is aiming to cut BMW and Mercedes-Benz’s lunch – but at mainstream prices.Zeekr launched in Australia in late 2024 with the X small SUV, and followed in September last year with the 7X mid-size SUV, which recently won its category in our 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards.The 7X is the subject of this long-term review, which will be comprised of three parts over the next few months.This introductory first instalment will focus on the 7X’s pricing, key specification, safety features, powertrain, charging, warranty and servicing, while part two will deep-dive its design and practicality.The third and final chapter will be headlined by my driving impressions and overall verdict, while I’ll be providing energy consumption updates along the way.Let’s get to it, shall we?The 7X line-up spans three variants, with the ‘standard range’ RWD on test here priced from $57,900 plus on-road costs.Adding a larger battery and a longer list of standard equipment (more on those later), the mid-spec Long Range RWD costs $6000 more, while the flagship Performance AWD adds another $9000 in exchange for a second electric motor and even more features.At this pricing, the 7X is almost half the cost of some of its similarly specified premium competitors, including the Audi Q6 e-tron (from $99,900), Lexus RZ (from $121,059), Porsche Macan Electric (from $129,800), Genesis Electrified GV70 (from $132,800) and second-generation BMW iX3 (yet to be priced), making it far better value pound for pound. Only the Polestar 4 (from $78,500) comes close.To be fair, though, buyers will inevitably cross-shop the 7X with mainstream rivals like the ubiquitous Tesla Model Y (from $58,900) in spite of its premium ambitions.Either way, there’s no denying that the 7X jumps out on paper in a very positive way.As mentioned, the entry-level 7X RWD already comes with a long list of features, which is sure to impress both mainstream and premium buyers.Standard equipment includes:Speed-sensitive electric power steeringSteel suspension (double-wishbone front and independent five-link rear) with passive dampersDusk-sensing LED exterior lightsRain-sensing wipers19-inch alloy wheelsPower-folding side mirrors with heatingPower tailgatePanoramic sunroofKeyless entry and start13.0-inch digital instrument cluster16.0-inch central touchscreen multimedia system with voice controlWireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto supportDigital radioDual 50W wireless smartphone chargersZeekr Sound 10-speaker sound systemTri-zone climate control14-way power-adjustable driver seat with heating & memory functionality10-way power-adjustable passenger seat with heatingHeated steering wheelPower-reclining rear seats with heatingArtificial leather upholsteryAmbient lightingSafety features include:Seven airbags (dual front, side and curtain, plus front-centre)Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)Lane-keep assistAdaptive cruise controlSteering assist, including auto lane changeTraffic sign recognitionBlind-spot monitoringFront and rear cross-traffic alertPark assistSurround-view camerasFront and rear parking sensorsDriver monitoringSentry ModeAside from its larger battery that I’ll detail in a moment, the 7X Long Range RWD adds:Rear privacy glass36.2-inch head-up displayZeekr Sound pro 21-speaker sound systemCooled and massaging front seats14-way power-adjustable passenger seatPower-adjustable steering wheelExcluding its dual-motor powertrain, the 7X Performance AWD adds:Single-chamber air suspension with adaptive dampers21-inch forged alloy wheelsAutomatic doorsPower rear sunshadesFull-grain Nappa leather upholsterySo, what’s the 7X missing? Well, there’s very little, although I would not reasonably expect cooled rear seats at this price point.Either way, the base RWD is undoubtedly the pick of the line-up value-wise.The 7X RWD and Long Range RWD both feature a rear-mounted electric motor, which produces a heady 310kW of power and 440Nm of torque, and enables a brisk 0-100km/h acceleration time of six seconds flat.Step up to the 7X Performance AWD and it adds a 165kW/270Nm electric motor to the front axle for combined outputs of 475kW/710Nm. That colossal set of numbers reduces the triple-digit sprint to a supercar-scaring 3.8s.I would argue you could save at least $9000 and not get the Performance AWD as you’ll never come close to testing the limits of its, uh, performance unless you plan on regularly taking it to a racetrack. And let’s be honest, you won’t be.The 7X RWD is fitted with Zeekr’s 75kWh ‘Golden Brick’ LFP battery, which enables a WLTP-rated driving range of 480km that is reasonable for an entry-level model.If you are planning on travelling long distances regularly, the 7X Long Range RWD might be more your speed with its 100kWh ‘Qilin’ NCM battery and confidence-inducing 615km driving range.If you opt for the 7X Performance AWD instead, you get the same large battery, but its driving range drops to a still useful 543km, which is the price you pay for dual-motor performance.That said, it’s the RWD that offers the better charging performance, with its 800V electrical architecture supporting 450kW DC fast chargers, which can charge its battery from 10 to 80 per cent in just 13 minutes.To put that into perspective, Australia’s existing public infrastructure tops out at 350kW in limited locations, so you can’t currently fully utilise the RWD’s charging power.Because of their different battery chemistry, the Long Range RWD and Performance AWD can ‘only’ DC fast charge at up to 420kW, with its 10-80 per cent charge taking 16 minutes.Either way, the 7X has a maximum AC charge rate of 22kW, which is great news if you want to charge at home using a wallbox but need to get back on the road relatively quickly.Note the 7X also supports 3.3kW V2L (vehicle-to-load) charging, meaning either of its battery options can be used to power large appliances while away from home. It could be the ultimate campside companion.In my real-world experience with the RWD, I averaged 15.2kWh/100km over 796km of driving in month one. This equates to a driving range of 467km, based on its useable battery capacity of 71kWh. That’s rather impressive considering I spent plenty of time on the highway, not to mention the closest I’ve ever come to an EV’s WLTP claim.Like all Zeekr Australia models, the 7X comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, with its battery covered by a separate eight-year/160,000km warranty. Both are on par for the premium and EV segments, respectively, but fall short of the seven-plus years we now regularly see in the mainstream.The 7X also makes its presence felt with five years of roadside assistance and long recommended service intervals, at every 24 months or 40,000km (whichever comes first).That said, a free first service at 12 months/20,000km is on offer alongside optional visits at 36 months/60,000km and 60 months/100,000km.If you opt for the annual schedule, the 60-month/100,000km capped-price servicing plan costs $2385 or $477 on average per visit, which is relatively good in the premium segment.Acquired: January 21, 2025Distance travelled this month: 796kmOdometer: 3828kmAverage energy consumption this month: 15.2kWh/100km

What is the cheapest new small SUV in Australia? We know, but you should, too, if you’re looking for a little SUV that won’t cost you big dollars.By small, we mean a step up from the very tiny light SUVs such as a Hyundai Venue but not as big as a mid-sized SUV like a Toyota RAV 4.So without any more delay, these are the top 3 most affordable small SUVs in Australia right now.The Chery Tiggo 4 is the most affordable small SUV in Australia at the time of publishing at a driveaway price of $23,990 for the entry grade Urban. And just to stress, drive-away pricing means on-road costs like stamp duty, registration, dealer delivery and compulsory third part are all paid.The Tiggo 4 Urban has been tested by CarsGuide’s reviewers who found it surprisingly spacious, well equipped for the money and also fuel efficient.Drawbacks of the Urban include it not being as good value as other Chery models and it also being not very memorable to drive.Powering the Tiggo 4 Vibe is a 1.5-litre petrol engine in front-wheel drive.Standard features on the Urban include a 10.25-inch media screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control and cloth seats.There are five seats and a 470 litre boot - measured to the roof.The Tiggo 4 scored the maximum five stars for its ANCAP safety test in 2023. MG has earned its place in Aussie driveways with vehicles that continually improve and the new ZS is a good example of that constant refinement while staying incredibly affordable. In this case the entry-grade ZS Vibe is $25,888 drive-away. CarsGuide reviewers said the ZS in the Vibe grade was spacious, good value, and had a refined and stylish look.A 1.5-litre petrol engine drives the front wheels, but reviewers felt the engine was underpowered.Standard features include a 10.25-inch media screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, air-conditioning and fabric seats. There are five seats and a 443-litre boot.ANCAP gave the ZS the maximum five-star rating for safety in 2025.The third most affordable small SUV in Australia is the super popular GWM Haval Jolion in the Premium grade, which wears a list price (not drive-away like the others here) of $26,990.CarsGuide reviewers called out its roominess, good looks and low ownership costs.Despite the name, Premium is the entry grade and standard features include keyless entry, a 10.25-inch touch screen and air-conditioning. Reviewers also said the driving experience was let down by an underwhelming engine and annoying safety alerts.A 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine drives the front wheels.There are five seats on board and the boot is quite small at 337-litres.ANCAP awarded the Jolion the maximum five-star safety rating in 2022.

The new-generation Toyota Fortuner SUV has been spotted in Thailand undergoing testing, WapCar reports.However, this new-generation version is not slated to make its way to Australia, with the brand discontinuing the name locally. Production on the current Fortuner model will cease some time in 2026, with the model being pulled from sale soon after that. "Of course, Fortuner has been a great product for us over the years and found a relatively small but enthusiastic customer base,” former Toyota Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley previously told CarsGuide.“But with production ending next year and customer preferences shifting in Australia, we made the decision to discontinue the Fortuner.”The Fortuner looked to capitalise on the similar success of the Ford Everest, which is based on the Ranger ute, but it failed to make the same impression.It shares many of its parts, including a ladder-frame chassis with the strong-selling HiLux ute, and was also powered by the same turbodiesel engine. The Fortuner managed less than 3500 sales in 2025, compared to the more than 26,000 of the Everest for the same 12-month period.It starts from $53,775, before on-road costs in Australia, which is more affordable than the base model of the Everest.From the spy pictures, the Fortuner looks to have kept the same overall design, with some potential minor tweaks to the front and rear styling, but it is hard to tell because the car is camouflaged. Little is known about the new Fortuner’s set-up, but like its predecessor, it is expected to feature the same ladder frame and diesel engine. The rigid chassis and torque-heavy diesel engine in the Fortuner gives it greater off-roading potential than many of its monocoque-based rivals.Its HiLux-familiar specifications have led to speculation the Fortuner may also be offered with an all-electric set-up, following the first-ever electric edition of the ute being confirmed late last year. It shapes up as a rival for the soon-to-be returning Mitsubishi Pajero, which has also been spied several times as it nears launch in 2026.The new-generation Fortuner is expected to be unveiled in the middle of this year ahead of its global launch, expect more information closer to that time.

Hyundai says Australian consumers will see value in paying more for its Elexio than they would for a BYD Sealion 7, suggesting the marginal increase in a weekly novated lease cost is countered by its heritage and dealer network.That's the word from Hyundai COO, Gavin Donaldson, who told CarsGuide that Hyundai's footprint in Australia justified the price jump from a BYD Sealion 7 into an Elexio, with both electric SUVs being sourced from China.According to Hyundai's data, approximate weekly novated lease costs for the Elexio Elite are around $205 per week, compared to around $200 for the entry-level Sealion 7. The brand's data also has the Tesla Model Y at $216 per week, the Kia EV5 at $204 per week, and the Xpeng G6 at $199.That $5 per week, or $260 per year, is easy to "justify", says Mr Donaldson."I would hope that the infrastructure of the Hyundai dealer network across Australia would justify that. I would hope that, anywhere across the country, if you're driving a Hyundai EV, that you know you have the support of a network that has been in the country for 50 years."We are a legacy brand in Australia. We have been here for 40 years. As you said earlier, we've been involved in creating EVs for 35 years. I have to believe that the service and the background of your dealer network provides you with a benefit."Novated leasing does close the RRP gap between the Elexio and the Sealion 7. The Hyundai model launches with the top-spec elite, which lists at $61,990 but is being offered at $59,990 drive-away until around the end of March. It will be joined in Q2 by an entry-level model which will list at $58,990.The Sealion 7 lists at $54,990, and then steps up to the $63,990 for the Performance model.Both models are sourced from China, with the Elexio produced in a factory Hyundai describes as its most advanced in the world. In China, the Elexio's starting price converts to around $30,000, but the brand is quick to point out that cross-country prices never correlate to local pricing."Doing these cross-country price comparisons don't apply to any manufacturer in the market right now," says Hyundai's Product Planning Assistant Manager, Ronald Yuwono."We think that the price we've got here is quite compelling."

Skoda's Kodiaq mild hybrid large SUV has just been priced ahead of its launch in Australia next month. It will start from $49,990 (drive-away) for the five-seater variant and $51,990 (drive-away) for the seven-seater. The mild-hybrid version is also now the cheapest Kodiaq on sale, coming in less than the petrol variant, making it the new entry-level to the range. It comes in cheaper than many of its key rivals, including the popular Toyota Kluger, which is hybrid-only, but unlike the Kodiaq hybrid comes as standard with all-wheel drive. The Kodiaq hybrid is the only variant of the range to not feature an all-wheel drive system, opting for a front-wheel drive set-up instead. It is also cheaper than a comparative hybrid Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, demonstrating its competitiveness as a semi-premium option in the segment.According to Skoda, the five-seat variant of the Kodiaq hybrid has up to 828 litres of luggage space.The mild-hybrid gets a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine and 48-volt electric set-up, which produces 110kW and 250Nm. The 2.0-litre turbo-charged engine found in the non-hybrid version further up the range produces 150kW and 320Nm.Skoda’s Kodiaq upper mid-size SUV range has gone through a serious revamp recently, with the brand also adding a plug-in hybrid late last year. The range-topping go-fast Kodiaq RS also recently had its price bumped up to take it beyond the $70K mark, now starting from $70,590, before on-road costs.  2026 Skoda Kodiaq hybrid pricing  2026 Skoda Kodiaq hybrid engine and efficiency 2026 Skoda Kodiaq hybrid standard featuresOther features include:Heated front seatsPower adjustable driver’s seat with memory functionalityElectric tailgate45W fast wired phone chargingRoll-up sunshades for rear side windowsRain-sensing wipersSatellite navigationKeyless entry and startLeather steering wheel 2026 Skoda Kodiaq hybrid safetyThe Skoda Kodiaq was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Standard safety features: 9 airbagsFront and rear parking sensorsLane keep assistAdaptive cruise controlRear-view cameraRear traffic alertForward collision warningTraffic sign recognition 2026 Skoda Kodiaq hybrid dimensions 2026 Skoda Kodiaq hybrid warranty The Skoda Kodiaq hybrid comes with a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty. 

Hyundai has confirmed a new and cheaper variant of its Elexio electric mid-sized SUV will soon arrive in Australia to better combat the wave of cut-price Chinese electric vehicles in market.

The Denza B8 is a ultra-luxurious, plug-in hybrid alternative to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series but without the six-figure price tag you'd expect. We test out how it stacks up on Australian soil.

Two months into the long-term test of the Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid now and I know this car so well it could put me down as a referee next time it applies for a job. So here’s the reference so far, and while this large plug-in hybrid SUV is excellent in many ways there are a couple of personality traits you’d want me to tell you about. In the first instalment last month we discovered what the Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid does best - not use much fuel. We travelled 869km on a single 60-litre petrol tank. That was a record for me in all my time testing vehicles and average fuel consumption worked out to be 6.1L/100km.The catch, as with all plug-in hybrids, is you have to charge it regularly. I found if the charge in the battery fell below 40 per cent the fuel consumption started to climb fast as the engine worked to keep the battery charged and drive the wheels.This month we drove 510 kilometres with half a tank left - I refilled to full and put in 27.7 litres. That works out to be 5.4L/100km. So while I didn’t break any long distance personal bests, I probably would have, had I driven it more. The reason I didn’t drive it further is because in the past week I’ve been testing the Toyota GR Yaris which is so fun to drive I chose it over the Tiggo 8 for every trip we did. And that brings me to the first not-so-great thing about the Tiggo 8 - the way it drives.The Tiggo 8 isn’t bad to drive, it’s just not great, if that makes sense. I will say it’s comfortable but to the point where the suspension is so soft and ‘bouncy’ that there are times when the SUV doesn’t feel as planted as it should be. This is especially noticeable in bends with mid-corner bumps where it can become unsettled. Acceleration can overcome traction, too, causing the tyres to squeal just because you didn’t dab the accelerator with the pressure of a feather. This takes some getting used to but it’s not a deal breaker.The driving position might be a deal breaker for you, though. The driver’s seat is too high, even on the lowest setting. I think this might be to do with the battery under the floor eating into the cabin space.But I think the worst characteristic of the Tiggo 8 is the gear shifter which requires so much force to be placed on the brake pedal when shifting from Drive to Reverse otherwise neutral is engaged. The number of times I’ve been half way through a three-point turn and holding up traffic because I keep rolling back in neutral is beyond a joke.It’s not all bad, I promise. Actually it’s mostly all good - especially the way Tiggo 8 unlocks itself, opens the door handles, switches the LED headlights on and turns the climate control on as it detects the key but before you even reach the car. The reverse goes for when you leave the car - it locks itself automatically. No need to get the key out or even touch the door handle. The boot’s hands-free ‘foot-sweep’ gesture control function also works really well. Even today with my hands full of grocery bags I didn’t have to put them down to open the tailgate.This month the Tiggo 8 has been hauling a variety of cargo from large boxes to grocery shopping. I’ve been impressed constantly by its boot capacity and even the space behind the third row is excellent.  The design of the floating centre console is outstanding with storage underneath and wide open area on top to charge your phone. There’s nothing worse than cars which have hidey holes for phones to charge, making them hard to retrieve.People space is also great and having the option to move the front passenger seat forward from the rear row using controls mounted on the seat is so helpful as a parent trying to get small children into their own seats.Well, that’s it for this month - this next instalment you read will be the last and hopefully I’ll be able to drive enough to get my 869km from a single tank. Acquired: December, 2025Distance travelled this month: 510kmOdometer: 8267kmAverage fuel consumption this month: 5.4L/100km (measured at the pump)