SUV

GWM has launched the Tank 500 in two similar grades. Both are powered by the same, segment-disrupting hybrid powertrain.A 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is mated to a 78kW/268Nm electric motor and battery pack, sending drive via a nine-speed automatic transmission to the rear or all four wheels, as required.The driver can select 2WD, 4WD high and 4WD low ranges, while up to nine driving modes are also fitted.GWM says the hybrid system is designed primarily to enhance performance, rather than provide outright total fuel efficiency. As such, the combined power and torque outputs are impressive – 255kW and 648Nm, respectively – while the official combined fuel consumption is 8.5L/100km.  The base Lux starts from $66,490 drive-away, ushering in auto-levelling LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, side steps, powered and heated front seats, a 360-degree view camera set-up, electric rear diff lock, rear privacy glass, synthetic leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation cluster, auto parking with reverse assist, and front and rear parking sensors.A long list of safety items includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, lane-support systems and front/rear cross-traffic alert.For off-road driving, the Tank 500 brings 30 degrees of approach angle, a 22.5-degree breakover angle and 24-degree of departure angle, aided by 224mm of ground clearance and 800mm of wading depth.The GWM uses body-on-frame construction, with a double-wishbone independent coil sprung set-up up front and multi-link live axle coil sprung suspension out back. Towing capacity is 3000kg braked and 750kg unbraked.

With order books already open, the first pre-production examples of the Polestar 4 SUV coupe have landed on local soil with CarsGuide recently attending a pre-sale preview of the new pure-electric five-seater.

Genesis will look to redefine itself with its flagship luxury SUV likely to push the brand into previously uncharted territory, in terms of both potential rivals and price.

There are plenty of notable new 4WD releases this year – including the all-new Mitsubishi Triton (already here), revised Isuzu D-Max and MU-X (coming soon), the Lexus GX and even a petrol-electric BYD ute, to name a few – but in this yarn I’m throwing the spotlight on three 4WDs that I reckon will shake up the market.

The LBX is the smallest and most affordable Lexus model, riding on the compact TNGA-B platform.

The line-up for the 2024 Kia EV6 mid-size SUV now offers buyers the same number of choices as popular rivals, allowing families to find the perfect electric 'fit' for their lives. What else does the it offer?

Australia's first-ever hybrid seven-seat off-road wagon, GWM's Tank 500 Hybrid is something genuinely different against more expensive and conventionally powered rivals like the Toyota Prado. And it isn't just good for going bush, with decent on-road manners, a nicely presented interior, heaps of space and loads of standard kit. Sure, the GWM has some issues, but it is an impressive effort, too.

Hyundai confirmed its worst-kept secret - it’s toughening up and launching the XRT sub-brand in Australia.

Nissan has teased its next-generation Patrol and the Navara ute in a promotional video outlining its plans to roll out 30 new models by the 2026 Japanese fiscal year.

Top of the Toyota C-HR range is the GR Sport, which starts from $54,990. As well as being more powerful - we’ll come back to that, too - it gets unique styling outside, plus synthetic leather-accented and suede seats inside, aluminium scuff plates, and a heated GR Sport steering wheel.