Urban

All the road rules are the same from state-to-state, right? Well… noThe vast majority of our road rules are sourced from the Australian Road Rules, but each state and territory has its own variation on these.There are some pretty big distinctions in what the law is and how the law operates in practice.Here are three examples we’ve found. A hook turn is a right-hand turn made from the far-left lane as opposed to the middle, or the right lane. It is used to ensure traffic moves smoothly, especially when there are trams using the same areas. Melbourne has nearly 50 hook turns in its central business district and surrounding areas, but Victoria is the only place you will find them. New South Wales also has similar legislation to Victoria, where under section 34 of the Road Rules, a driver facing a hook turn only sign must turn right from the furthest point they can. While the legislation exists, there are no hook turns on any New South Wales roads, meaning it no longer operates in practice.Turning right across two continuous lines is common practice in New South Wales to enter driveways or another road. In New South Wales, a driver can drive to the right of a dividing lane to enter or leave a road under section 134 of the Road Rules. This is not the case in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia Tasmania and the Northern Territory, where a driver on a two-way road must keep to the left of the centre road under section 132. They can only drive to the right of the centre of the road to overtake another driver or to leave the road when there is no dividing lane or median strip under section 133. Beware New South Wales drivers, it could set you back as much as $3454 if you’re caught. Most states and territories prohibit performing a U-turn at traffic lights unless there is specific signage permitting it.This includes New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT, mirroring section 40 of the Australian Road Rules. Victoria has taken a different approach, where its domestic road rules don’t mention section 40, rather only states disobeying a ‘No U-Turn’ sign is illegal.This can be a potential hazard for Victorian drivers in other states and territories as the lack of signage does not permit a U-turn at traffic lights.In New South Wales, it could set you back up to $2200 for performing a U-turn at a traffic light. 

Small cars and light cars aren’t nearly as popular as they once were, but that could be changing thanks to the increasing accessibility of electric cars, said one new brand’s product boss.Geely's Director of Product Planning and Marketing Andrew Tuitahi said he sees “promising signs” for small and light car segments.While the sales figures aren’t proof at this stage, with EVs making people consider a smaller car than they might otherwise buy.“I can't say that it's saved, but there's definitely some promising signs,” Tuitahi told CarsGuide. “The unique thing that ‘new energy’, battery electric plug-in hybrids are doing is causing people to reconsider.”Tuitahi said the downsides once associated with light and small cars are more and more being addressed by new compact EVs, after earlier in the day having pointed out the healthy list of features in the Geely EX2.“So a lot of the compromises that you typically make if you were going to buy a b-segment or a light hatchback - things like drivetrain, power, performance, safety, style, you know, space - a lot of those things are solved with a battery electric platform. “So I think consumers are able to prioritise maybe some features by sacrificing a segment, but still getting that same space.”While the EX2 does cover much of the above, it should be pointed out its entry grade has a very modest 60kW output in the base Complete variant, or 80kW in the Inspire.Tuitahi added that along with the price and the overall size of the car, the range of a small EV is less a priority than it would be in larger EVs that are more likely to be used on long trips.“It really depends on the use case,” he said.“So we'd be encouraging our dealers to work with customers to help identify how they're going to be using their cars and whether or not they need that range. “You know… looking at the average kilometers traveled, certainly someone charging once a week would be within that range for an EX2. “Someone who can trickle charge every day is never going to be less than 70 or 80 per cent battery. So, it really comes down to use case.”

The new MG4 EV Urban offers an affordable entry point to electric car ownership but does it have the right mix of price, practicality and performance to be a standout for small car shoppers in the BEV market?

Where are you right now? Because that’s where you were when you found out that the price of EVs globally fell below those of hybrids in this historic first for the auto industry.According to a report from car industry analytics company Mobility Global which studied pricing automotive data from around the world the average price of electric vehicles has not only fallen dramatically but has now even dropped below that of hybrids.The report shows that the average global price of an electric car is $52,373, a decrease of nine per cent compared to 2020 EV prices. At the same time the global average price of hybrids increased to $55,204 making them more expensive than EV for the first time.Mobility Global cites the lower cost of EV batteries and the rapid expansion of affordable Chinese electric vehicles on offer as the main drivers of the price decrease.The price of lithium which goes into high-voltage EV batteries has dropped due to a surplus in China which controls about 80 per cent of the market. The cost of an EV’s battery accounts for about 40 percent of the car’s total build price. The lower lithium prices have caused the price of batteries to drop by an estimated 37 per cent since 2020.Australia has recently seen an enormous uptake of EVs. June and July this year saw EV sales break records, securing more than 20 per cent of the market in both months.  While prices have fallen vastly in Australia CarsGuide calculated the average price of EVs is still slightly above those of hybrids locally. Using pricing data from August, 2026 CarsGuide calculated the average price of battery electric vehicles to be approximately $100,135, down from approximately $104,091 in August, 2025. We also calculated the average price of hybrids (including plug-in hybrids) in August, 2026 - approximately $93,767, that’s down from approximately $98,682 in August, 2025.Sounds high? Well, as a reference point CarsGuide also found that the average price of petrol cars in Australia is approximately $90,545.All figures were calculated by dividing the sum total of prices for each category (BEV, hybrid, petrol) by the number of models (including the variants) within the category. That means even the super high end models are counted along with the very cheapest.Still, the price of EVs in Australia has never been so low. The BYD Atto 1 is the most affordable electric car in Australia at a list price of $23,990 for the Essential grade. This is followed by the Geely EX2 Complete for $26,490, the BYD Dolphin Essential at $29,990 and BYD Atto 2 for $31,990.  

Geely has powered up the sales chart in July, making the top 10 best-selling brands for the month.The Chinese brand launched in Australia in March 2025, and has approached the local market with a more methodical approach than its competitors. It has only introduced three models so far, contrasting BYD that already has more than 10 models on sale since its distribution takeover in July 2025.Despite this relatively small footprint, Geely captured 3.6 per cent of total new car sales in July.Geely has grown by more than 500 per cent in the first seven months of the year, compared to the same period in 2025.  Geely's success has largely been driven by the EX5 electric mid-size SUV that managed 2034 registrations last month - its best month yet. The Toyota RAV4-sized EX5 is Geely’s best-selling car on sale in Australia, with nearly 9000 sales so far this year.Starting from $41,990 (before on-road costs), it continues to outsell the smaller BYD Atto 3 ($39,990) and eat into the sales of petrol rivals such as the Mazda CX-5 ($39,990).There are limited other fully-electric rivals with similar dimensions to the EX5, potentially giving it an edge in showrooms. It’s not just the EX5 selling well for Geely, with its smaller EX2 sibling registering 474 examples in its first few weeks on sale.The brand only introduced its new hatch with a sharp $26,490 price tag in late July, making it one of the cheapest electric cars on the market. The EX2, which is the most popular car in China, even managed to shift more units than the BYD Dolphin ($29,990) in July.The Starray Em-i plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV is Geely’s other model on sale in Australia, also enjoying a strong sales return, with 1177 units finding new homes last month.It poses as a direct threat to the BYD Sealion 6 ($42,990) and the recently-launched Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid ($59,515), but is noticeably cheaper at $37,490. Geely will continue to introduce new models at its own pace, with potential for some activity before the end of the year.  The brand is expected to launch a mid-size and a large SUV in the first half of 2027, followed by the Emgrand plug-in hybrid sedan later on in the year. The Galaxy Cruiser large rugged 4WD is also expected to land Down Under before the end of next year. 

Smart, the electric brand formed by automotive power couple Mercedes-Benz and Geely, is hinting that the arrival its smallest car the #2 is near as colour murals appear around the world including Australia.Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Melbourne have all seen advertisements in the form of hand painted murals pop up in their cities recently.Melbourne’s version features the small red two-door hatch against a backdrop of the city’s landmarks including Flinders St Station and a tram with the tagline “It’s back #2.”The only Smart models currently available are the #1 small SUV and the #3 mid-sized SUV. The “It’s back” tagline is referring to the original Smart Fortwo tiny hatch which was popular in Australia when the brand first landed here more than 20 years ago.The Smart #2 is only 100mm longer than the original Fortwo at a diminutive 2792mm end-to-end and also has just two seats but this time around it will be a bench seat which the company says creates more cabin room.The little city hatch will be fully electric and is expected to have a 35kWh battery and about 300km of driving range from a full charge. Fast DC charging from 10-80 percent will take just 20 minutes, Smart says.Smart Global CMO Kang Yi, said the Smart #2 was designed to express individuality and playfulness.“The Smart #2 is the evolution of a revolution,” he said “We designed this vehicle to bring playfulness, premium sophistication, and effortless agility back to the modern urban jungle. By teasing our defining halo product through this unconventional artistic exposure, we are building immense anticipation for its return and showcasing our commitment to creating vehicles that are not just means of transportation, but true expressions of individuality.”The Smart #2 will make its global debut at the Paris motor show in October.As for its arrival locally despite the marketing proclaiming the Smart #2 to be back in Melbourne, Smart's Australian distributor told CarsGuide the vehicle was not confirmed for our market.If it was to launch here it wouldn't be until 2027.

Audi's incoming budget-friendly EV is getting closer.The Audi A2 e-tron is an electric compact SUV scheduled to launch in Europe by November.It could be the brand’s cheapest EV on sale to date. The A2 e-tron will provide competition for other small electric rivals, the recently-launched Volkswagen ID.3 Neo and the Volvo EX-30.Audi is eager for its new model to follow in the efficient footsteps of its previous A2 practical hatchback.The A2 powered by a 1.2 turbo-diesel engine, offering a sensational 3.0L/100km fuel efficiency. The Audi A2 e-tron will be powered by a single electric motor, with three different power outputs.The base car produces 140kW, while up-spec models make 170kW/350Nm or 240kW/545Nm. Audi claims the A2 e-tron will be its most efficient model on sale.It has a preliminary energy rating of 12.8kWh/100km, according to WLTP standards.This means its 61kWh battery should provide a total driving range of up to 476km - a strong figure compared to other small car rivals. Audi says an improved drag coefficient of 0.24 has boosted energy efficiency by 0.9kWh/100km. The car can DC fast charge at 105kW, so a 10 to 80 per cent fill-up takes 26 minutes. It also offers bi-directional charging, meaning it can power external devices and act as a home power supply. There is no official word on the A2 e-tron launching in Australia. It could complement Audi’s Australian lineup as a more affordable EV offering, but it might be subject to hefty shipping costs from Europe. The A2 e-tron’s Europe by November launch date places any potential Australian introduction in 2027.Audi Australia has been contacted for comment to see if the local branch is interested in the car, and when it might launch Down Under.

Honda has just priced its first EV in Australia.The Honda Super-One is an ultra-compact electric car that will start from $36,900, drive-away.This places it as the second cheapest car in Honda’s lineup, costing $4000 more than the base HR-V small SUV. The top-spec grade starts from $37,400. It adds a two-tone purple exterior colour that mirrors the popular Super-N Kei car the Super-One is based on. Honda said it has had more than 6500 expressions of interest for the Super-One in Australia, which is more than the new-generation Honda Civic Type-R.Pre-orders are open now, with deliveries beginning on 1 October 2026.There will only be 130 units available in this first batch, but more examples will arrive in early 2027. The Honda Super-One is based on the brand’s N-One Kei car, which is designed to meet specific requirements for Japan’s smallest car segment. The Super-One is substantially longer, wider and taller than the N-One to ensure it meets Australia Design Rules. The Super-One will still be one of the smallest cars available.It shares similar dimensions to the Kia Picanto petrol-powered hatch (3595 mm long).It will be a more direct rival to the BYD Atto 1 electric hatch that starts from $23,990 (before on-road costs), and the more pricey Hyundai Inster (from $39,000, before on-road costs). The Super-One is powered by a single electric motor, making 47kW and 162Nm. The car has a special hot hatch setting if Boost Mode is selected that increases power to 70kW. Simulated gear shifts for a seven-speed transmission mimic the experience of a petrol engine. The car’s 30kWh lithium-ion battery offers a driving range of up to 253km, according to WLTP standards, and features regenerative braking. The car can charge from 15 to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. On the inside, there is a 9.0-inch central touchscreen and 7.0-inch digital driver display, along with an eight-speaker Bose sound system. 

If you’ve been holding out for the arrival of Toyota’s newest toy, the GRMN version of the Corolla hot hatch, you’ll need to dig a little deeper than you expected.Pricing for the 2027 Toyota GRMN Corolla has been announced in the US, and it’s in prohibitively expensive territory.Toyota USA this week confirmed an MSRP of US$64,360, which directly converts to A$91,500. But that’s not how much you should expect to pay.While pricing between markets can be hard to predict before confirmation, looking at similarly priced cars in the US can provide some insight into the likely cost of the limited number of GRMN Corolla expected for Australia.In the US, the GRMN Corolla sits around the same price as the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, Audi S5 and BMW M2, as pointed out by US outlet Road and Track.In Australia, the Mustang Dark Horse costs $104,990, the standard Audi S5 $114,900 and the BMW M2 is $128,100.Previous Australian estimates had put the GRMN Corolla in the range of around $80,000 to $90,000.This isn’t a confirmation the rare hot hatch will crack six-figures when it lands in Australia, but it would be surprising to see its price start with a ‘9’.Confirmed in early June for a limited Australian run, the Toyota GRMN Corolla is a dialled-up GR Corolla, with the same 221kW but more 8Nm torque (total 408Nm) at the driver’s disposal thanks to the 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine (a.k.a the G16E-GTS). The high-output engine sends power to all four wheels via an adjustable rally-like all-wheel drive system which has also been retuned for the GRMN.Aero elements, suspension and chassis components, and the styling and interior have all been revamped and upgraded for the GRMN Corolla, to some extent justifying the exorbitant price.Developed both on the Nurburgring but also through Toyota’s participation in Japan’s Super Taikyu endurance racing series, the GRMN Corolla will be built in a run of only 730 units worldwide.It will be available in Australia in a currently unknown number of cars from 2027.‘Gazoo Racing tuned by the Meister of Nürburgring’ is a bit of a mouthful, but it is an elevated tier of Toyota’s performance car division that leans even more on Toyota’s motorsport experience.Toyota Chairman Akio Toyoda has said that any car wearing the GRMN badge can’t just be a sportier version of its donor model, but that “if it bears the GRMN name, it must be able to run the Nürburgring properly”. Significant testing on the Nürburgring is part of the development process, and usually a limited production run is the result of said development.The GR Yaris had a 500-unit run of GRMN editions with increased outputs and upgraded aero and chassis components in 2022, while before the GR Yaris existed a ‘Yaris GRMN’ was built two limited runs (2013 and 2017) and used either a turbocharged or supercharged engine.

Sharply-priced deals can be the best way for buyers to get into a new car in Australia. Car sales are surging, with June 2026 an all-time monthly Australian record. Brands continue to put enticing deals on the table, even for their most popular models.From SUVs to utes and hybrid to electric, there are plenty of cars on offer at a cut price. Here are some of the best ones we’ve found. Ford is currently offering $3000 off and five free general services on select Ranger ute and Everest SUV models until the 30th of September. The 2.0-litre diesel Ranger XLT 2WD top-spec dual-cab model is now available from $49,990, before on-road costs. The V6-powered Wildtrak grade of the 4WD dual-cab pick-up is available from $72,090.The 4WD XLS and XLT cab-chassis grades start from $55,450 and $63,590, respectively, as part of the offer. Two grades of the V6 Everest SUV are also eligible for the $3000 discount, with the Sport starting from $73,990, while the Tremor starts from $76,990. These deals are only available on the Blue Oval’s MY26.5 stock.Peugeot is offering some serious discounts on its hybrid SUVs as it parts ways with its local distributor Inchcape. The 2008 compact SUV is available on a drive-away offer of $39,990, with it previously on sale from $42,990, before on-road costs. The mid-sized 3008 starts from $48,990, drive-away, down from $52,990 (before on-road costs). Peugeot’s 5008 large SUV has a drive-away price of $48,990, contrasting its $52,990, before on-road costs, price tag. Leapmotor has put a series of sharp deals on the table for its electrified SUV range until September 30. The mid-sizer C10 range-extender hybrid has a $42,990 drive-away offer, with a $3000 cash-back offer reducing that price to $38,990. The car normally retails from $43,888, before on-road costs. EV versions of the C10 are also available on a drive-away deal of $47,990, with an additional $3000 cash back decreasing the price to $44,990. This is a sizeable discount on the $45,888 before on-road costs starting price. The smaller B10 EV is available from $38,990, drive-away, down from $43,888 (before on-road costs).BYD continues to add competitive deals across its line-up in Australia. Shark 6 cab-chassis and Premium examples are available with a $2500 cash-back until July 31. This reduces before on-road costs pricing on the cab-chassis price to $52,500, and $60,500 on the Premium. The cash-back offer extends to its Sealion 5, Sealion 6 and Sealion 7 SUV range, with the Atto 3 electric SUV eligible for a $2000 cash back. Chery similarly has $2000 cash-back offers on most of its range including the Tiggo 4, Tiggo 7, Tiggo 8 and Tiggo 9 SUVs. This deal is only available until 31 August on cars built in 2025.Nissan has slashed the price of its Navara ute range until August 31. There are heavy discounts on lower grade Navara units, with the base car available from $49,990 (drive-away), down from $53,348, before on-road costs. The range-topping Navara Pro-4X ute is just $63,990, drive-away, compared to its original $68,418, before on-road costs pricing. Existing Nissan customers are also eligible for a $2000 loyalty bonus.