SUV

MG is seemingly plotting an SUV version of its upcoming MG4 Urban hatchback, with a mystery new crossover SUV spotted in China.

The Mitsubishi Pajero is soon coming back and it will have plenty of stiff competition to go up against.The Japanese carmaker is set to reveal the new-generation Pajero at some point during 2026 and it will likely make its way to Australia shortly after.Mitsubishi has officially teased this new “cross-country” SUV and we’ve already spied prototypes being tested here in Australia so it’s clear the reveal is imminent.As previously speculated, it’s understood this new Mitsubishi SUV will be called just the Pajero, dropping the Sport suffix altogether.This will see the iconic and original Pajero nameplate revived for the first time since it was retired in 2021.What platform will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero use?There is still a lot of speculation regarding what the new Pajero will be based on. The Pajero has historically been its own vehicle, however the Pajero Sport (formerly known as the Challenger) has always been based on the Triton ute.Previous reports have stipulated the new Pajero will be based on the current Triton, which launched locally in 2024. This is a massive change in formula and means it will be body-on-frame.Historically, the Pajero was built on a ladder-frame chassis, but later versions from the 2000s onwards were built on a monocoque platform, like the current Land Rover Defender.What engine will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero use?Given the Triton bones, it’s expected the new-gen Pajero will likely share a version of the 2.4-litre bi-turbo-diesel engine. It produces 150kW and 470Nm in the Australian-specification Triton.It’ll likely also receive Mitsubishi’s latest version of its Super-Select four-wheel-drive system which allows for full-time four-wheel drive on sealed surfaces.Locally the Triton is only offered with a six-speed automatic transmission, however the outgoing Pajero Sport was offered with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It’s unclear if Mitsubishi will offer this new-generation Pajero with a similar eight-speed automatic transmission.What will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero look like?In terms of styling, previous prototypes have shown it’ll have a big, boxy and bluff silhouette. From some angles it even looks like the Nissan Patrol Y63.Although we haven’t seen the design in full yet, it’s expected design cues like a large grille, headlights that cascade down the front fascia, plus bonnet bulges will feature.At the rear there is no tailgate-mounted spare wheel, likely meaning it’ll be mounted under the vehicle.The interior design is yet to be revealed though it will likely share a lot with the Triton. Five- and seven-seat configurations are likely.When will the 2027 Mitsubishi Pajero go on sale?This new Mitsubishi large SUV can’t come soon enough as the Japanese carmaker axed a number of models, including the Pajero Sport, in 2025 as they didn't meet new Australian Design Rule (ADR) standards which stipulated specific requirements for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems.As a result Mitsubishi’s largest SUV is currently the mid-sized Outlander, which is also its best-seller by far. Certain trims are available in seven-seat form.

Tesla Australia has confirmed the Model Y L will launch Down Under in the coming months.The brand has revealed few other details about the Model Y L in Australia, so we do not know how much it will cost, or exactly when it will arrive.However, based on its approval for sale in regulatory documents in late February, it is likely the three-row SUV will officially go on sale in Australia within the next few months. The Model Y L offers a six-seat layout, targeted to build on the success of the standard Model Y, which has continued its run at the top of the EV sales charts in Australia. The seats are set up in a 2+2+2 configuration.There are limited three-row electric SUVs on sale, with most carrying a hefty price tag and luxury features, such as the incoming Cadillac Vistiq, which will start from more than $100K. The Volvo EX90 is another car in the category, with a starting price north of $120K. The Model Y L will also likely be a more affordable alternative to the Kia EV9, which starts from $97,000, before on-road costs.The six-seat Tesla measures up overall bigger than its five-seat counterpart. It will be powered by the same dual electric motor set-up found on the existing long-range all-wheel drive variant, producing a combined 378kW.We also know it will have 19-inch wheels as standard, but all other technical details are still not known at this stage. In China, the car has an 18-speaker sound system and a 16.0-inch central touchscreen, as well as an 8.0-inch rear touchscreen. Over there, the car starts from 339,000 Yuan (around $70,000). Cars imported from China usually carry a price hike once they land in Australia.This likely means the Model Y L will also have a price jump over the current Model Y long-range all-wheel drive variant, which has a starting price of $68,900, before on-road costs. 

There’s now officially a new best-selling Chinese brand in Australia.

Lexus’ latest high-performance offering flew off the shelves when it first launched, but now a new influx of stock means wait times have been slashed.According to Lexus Australia, there is now only a wait of up to three months for a LBX Morizo RR, which is down from the circa 12-month wait as reported in November 2025.“The LBX Morizo RR proves that high‑performance and sophisticated luxury can coexist in a compact SUV. The current wait time is up to three months, depending on the choice of colour and trim,” said a Lexus Australia spokesperson.It’s unclear how much LBX Morizo RR stock is coming in this latest allocation, or if stock is more free-flowing now.It’s understood only 100 examples of this hot SUV were allocated to Australia for the first year of production and all of these sold out quickly, creating a backlog of orders.The LBX Morizo RR is based on the regular LBX SUV but is also essentially a more sophisticated and high-riding version of the Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla.It’s a personal favourite for former Toyota Motor Corporation President and CEO Akio Toyoda, whose nickname and pseudonym as a racer is Morizo.At the heart of this hot, pint-sized SUV is a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 206kW and 390Nm.This engine also features in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla but it’s slightly detuned. In those aforementioned cars the engine produces 221kW and 400Nm.The only transmission option offered in Australia is an eight-speed torque-converter automatic. However, a six-speed manual is offered in Japan.Pricing for the LBX Morizo RR is currently $76,490 before on-road costs. This is almost $20,000 more than the top-spec version of the regular LBX Hybrid. It’s also $6000 more than the top-spec GR Corolla GTS automatic.

Renault is soon set to reveal a new concept car that will preview a potential urban compact SUV targeted at the Indian market.The Renault Bridger concept is set to be revealed on March 10 and it will measure under 4.0-metres long. Cars in India that are under this threshold receive tax breaks as they have a smaller footprint and are generally more fuel efficient than larger cars.Vehicles like the Mahindra XUV3XO, Hyundai Venue and Suzuki Fronx are all under 4.0-metres long.Ahead of its official reveal, the French carmaker has revealed some teaser photos of the Bridger concept.It appears it will have a boxy and squared-off exterior design with a prominent spare tyre mounted on the tailgate. This gives it a similar look to the Suzuki Jimny XL.No other details about the Bridger concept have been announced yet. Given it’ll be a concept, it’s unclear whether there will be any details surrounding its powertrain, nor its off-roading potential.Renault typically reveals a concept show car a year or so before it reveals the production counterpart. However, it’s unclear just yet if Renault actually intends to do a production version of the Bridger concept.In India, Renault currently offers four vehicles and they’re all made domestically – the compact Kwid that is rebadged as the Dacia Spring for European markets, the Triber small people mover, Kiger small SUV, and the new Indian-specification Duster which is notably different from the Romanian-sourced, Australian-spec Duster.It’s unclear whether a production version of the Bridger concept, if it ever actually happens, will be offered outside of India.No Indian-made Renault models are currently offered in Australia, though there is a growing demand for small crossover SUVs. The Chery Tiggo 4, for example, is climbing up the sales charts in Australia.The smallest SUV Renault currently offers in Australia is the Megane E-Tech which is an electric crossover. The Captur small SUV currently isn’t offered locally and it’s unclear if it will return in facelifted guise.This also means the most affordable Renault you can currently buy in Australia is an entry-level Duster, which is priced from $34,990 drive-away.If the production version of the Bridger concept comes to Australia it could serve as a new, entry-level Renault model for the French brand.

Polestar has lowered the price of some grades of its updated Polestar 3 in Australia. The refreshed electric SUV starts from $116,700, before on-road costs, for the base single motor, which is more than $1700 cheaper than the previous model. The long-range variant is $1600 cheaper than last year’s pricing, while the top-grade Performance has increased nearly $2300, starting from $146,700 (before on-road costs).The Polestar 3 is a rival for the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE, which both have starting prices north of the $130K price bracket. The main change for the Polestar 3 is the addition of 800-volt architecture, which has improved charging times by more than 25 per cent, according to the brand. Neither the BMW or the Mercedes-Benz are built on an 800-volt platform, both have 400-volt architecture instead, meaning the Polestar offers faster charging times than its rivals. All variants can charge at more than 300kW, facilitating a 10-80 per cent charge time of 22 minutes across the range. The Polestar may charge faster, but driving range remains competitive between the trio. The 111kWh battery on the previous model is no longer available on the Polestar 3, due to compatibility with the new 800-volt platform.The base rear motor variant now comes with a 92kWh battery, which has a driving range of 604km, down from more than 700km. Dual-motor variants get a 106kWh battery. The cheaper dual motor has about the same driving range as before, while the Performance grade has seen its range increase to nearly 600km. The Performance grade also gets a power boost and now produces 500kW and 870Nm, with 0-100km/h taking 3.9 seconds. This is in part due to a newly-developed rear-mounted motor on all variants. As part of the changes for this year’s models, the car is fitted with a premium 25-speaker Bowers & Wilkins sound system and head-up display, among other features as standard. Otherwise, the cabin is much the same as the previous model but new zippy computer processing, provides a boost to tasks and safety performance.This upgrade will be available to existing Polestar 3 owners as part of a complimentary hardware retrofit. 2026 Polestar 3 pricing Australia2026 Polestar 3 electric motor and efficiency 2026 Polestar 3 standard featuresOther standard features includeHead-up displayFoldable boot floorAcoustic rear windowPower-operated steering columnSoft-close doorsUpgradeable features: 2026 Polestar 3 safetyThe Polestar 3 received a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Standard safety features360-degree cameraCurve speed assistLane change assistPark assistAdaptive cruise controlLane keep assist2026 Polestar 3 warranty and servicing The Polestar 3 comes with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and an eight-year/160,000-kilometre warranty for the battery. 

Volkswagen’s new ID. Era 9X range-extender luxury three-row SUV has reportedly begun mass production in China, and will launch this month.It is unlikely the ID. Era 9X will come to Australia, given it is currently targeted towards the Chinese market. The luxury range-extender segment has been growing rapidly in China, with several major local manufacturers launching models.The ID. Era 9X is similar in size to the Zeekr 9X SUV, which is also uses an electrified powertrain and launched in China in late 2025. It is expected we will see the 9X in Australia some time this year, sitting in the $100k-plus bracket.VW’s new SUV will also take on BYD’s Great Tang large luxury SUV, the launch of which in China was delayed until the second quarter of 2026, with the brand further refining the car as competition in the space intensifies. The ID. Era 9X is a product of a partnership between VW and Chinese juggernaut SAIC, which also owns MG and LDV. The car comes in single and dual electric motor variants in the currently sought-after range-extender hybrid layout.The single motor version is rear-mounted and produces 220kW. The top-spec version has two electric motors, which combine to produce 380kW. There are two battery choices, which are 51.1kWh and 65.2kWh, with the latter offering an electric-only driving range of up to 340km (WLTP).Combined driving with the bigger battery is more than 1000km, keeping the car in line with many other range-extender rivals. All variants of the ID. Era 9X are fitted with a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, producing 105kW, which solely charges the battery as opposed to driving the wheels. With high-end technology and specifications a key point of difference for these luxury SUVs in China, VW’s car features some standout features. There is a 21.4-inch TV-like roof-mounted display, along with dual 15.6-inch displays mounted on the dashboard.The six-seat layout of the car is in 2-2-2 configuration, swapping the middle seats for extra rear passenger room to give an increased luxury and roomy feel.The ID. Era 9X will be one of Volkswagen's largest cars globally, and could potentially serve as a replacement for the Touareg if it headed for export marekts. The German brand has been vocal about expanding the use of range-extender plug-in hybrid powertrains for larger vehicles which aren't as well suited to being fully electric.The company's upcoming off-roaders for the US market from its Scout subsidiary will also use range-extender hybrid powertrains.

Geely has officially teased its hardcore four-wheel drive rival to the Land Rover Defender ahead of an expected reveal later in 2026.Photos of the 2027 Geely Galaxy Starship, which has also previously been referred to as the Geely Galaxy Cruiser or Battleship, have been published online showing the four-wheel drive’s production body work.It has a boxy silhouette that’s reminiscent of BYD’s premium Denza B5 and B8 models, as well as the GWM Tank 300, Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Ford Bronco, among others.Little information about the Starship/Cruiser has been confirmed just yet but it’s understood to be based on a version of the platform that already underpins the Zeekr 9X and Lotus Eletre PHEV.According to Autocar, power will come from three electric motors which are fed by a hefty 70kWh battery pack, allowing for an electric range of over 350km, according to lenient CLTC testing.There’s also a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which acts as a generator to top up the battery pack.Geely revealed the concept version of this off-roader back in 2025 at the Shanghai Motor Show and earlier this year the UK Marketing Director Tianxiao Yan confirmed the production version will eventually launch in the UK, seemingly confirming right-hand drive production.Speaking to UK media, the marketing boss said Geely will “definitely launch that car in the UK.” Given the brand’s apparent keenness to increase its presence in Australia, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the model here in the future, too.“While we cannot confirm the addition of any new models to the Geely Auto Australia line-up at this stage, we continuously assess market trends and consumer behaviours to ensure our product portfolio reflects the preferences and needs of local customers,” said a Geely Auto Australia spokesperson back in January 2026.Geely’s namesake brand launched in Australia during 2025 and it already offers the EX5 electric SUV and Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV.In the second half of 2026 Geely will also launch the EX2 small electric hatchback to rival the likes of the BYD Atto 1, GWM Ora and MG4, among others.It’s worth noting that all the Geely vehicles currently in Australia or soon to launch in Australia are part of the brand’s Galaxy line-up in China.This further fuels speculation that eventually the Geely Galaxy Battleship will come to Australia as a flagship offering.

Subaru is seeking to re-enter the three-row SUV segment in Australia in the near future, after more than a dozen years away from the scene.