SUV

Leaked images of a stripped-down Model Y, which Tesla supremo Elon Musk said would be the brand’s more attainable new model, have appeared in China.The Model Y looks exactly the same dimensionally as the current car, but has a few notable changes.Tesla has pulled out the panoramic sunroof, rear entertainment screen, the light bar across the front, and likely the light bar across the rear too (although this isn’t seen in the images).A stripped-down specification for the Americas already existed, with Mexican Model 3s once being available with cloth seats and the rear multimedia screen taken out. This variant was hardly revolutionary on the price front, wiping around the equivalent of $4000 off the price-tag.The Chinese images show the Model Y maintaining the synthetic leather interior, pointing to continued production and equipment differences between the Chinese-built vehicles, which arrive in Australia, and the cars built in and for the Americas.Chinese media is claimed inside sources said the new low-cost Model Y is already in production and will launch, at least domestically, before the end of 2025.A six-seat Model Y with an extended wheelbase was also recently revealed by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) as a Chinese-market special variant. It is 180mm longer, 45mm taller, with an additional 150mm in the wheelbase. In addition, the six-seat version scores a unique set of wheels and an alternate bumper design.Expect increased diversity from the Model Y in the future as Musk earmarks it for future sales growth. The controversial CEO confirmed the more affordable new model coming from the brand would be a variation of the Model Y and warned investors there would be more “rough” financial quarters ahead.Musk said the biggest obstacle isn’t whether people want the Model Y, it’s simply that they can’t afford it.“The more affordable we can make it, the better,” he told investors.In Australia, Tesla had a significant boost year-on-year thanks to the new and heavily updated Model Y earlier in 2025.The Model Y currently starts from $58,900 for a base rear-wheel drive, it used to be one of the most affordable new electric cars on sale in Australia. It is now comfortably beaten in the SUV space by the Leapmotor C10 (from $45,888) and Geely EX5 (from $40,990). It is also facing stiff competition from the BYD Sealion 7 (from $54,990) and XPeng G6 (from $54,800).BYD’s Sealion 7 has done impressive numbers since its recent arrival, the Leapmotor C10 has yet to set the charts on fire despite its bargain pricing, having moved just 309 units this year. The Geely has fared much better, having moved 1845 units.

Nissan has been without an electric vehicle (EV) in its local line-up ever since stock of the outgoing Leaf hatchback dried up, but that’s soon set to change. Five years after it was initially revealed, the Nissan Ariya electric SUV will launch in Australia this September. Orders are now open at Nissan dealers.

This is Australia’s most affordable plug-in hybrid vehicle. It’s the Chery Tiggo 7 ‘Super Hybrid’ and you can have one for just $39,990 drive-away at the time we put this review together.

The new Subaru Forester landing in Australia could finally open the gates for more proper hybrid models in the brand’s local line-up, as well as more electric cars to come after the lacklustre Toyota bZ4X-based Solterra EV.

Volkswagen is giving the people what they want… more SUVs. Australians are gobbling up more SUVs than ever before and VW has reacted by slipping in its new Tayron large SUV in between the Tiguan and Touareg SUVs in its local line-up.

BMW has confirmed it’s introducing the new limited-run X5 Shadow Edition to Australia that’s now available for delivery at dealers. This new X5 special edition is the latest in the line of Shadow Edition models. There was a 3 Series version in 2017, a 1 Series version in 2019 and an X7 version in 2020.

Lexus has introduced the RX plug-in hybrid, but does this refined SUV deliver the power and polish required to match its price tag?

There's no shortage of options in the mid-size family SUV market, but one brand that doesn't get as much attention as something like a Toyota RAV4, is Mahindra and its XUV700. Offering seating for seven, a lengthy standard features list and punchy powertrain, the Indian-made SUV might be the dark horse of the segment.

Model Y gets a battery boost.

Captiva is back but not as you might recognise it.