Vans

At the 2026 Paris motor show Plenty of brands provided a preview of what’s to come for buyers . Some of the world’s biggest carmakers put their work on display from ultra-affordable EVs to retro reboots of past successes.  Here is some of the biggest news to come out of the show.  Smart has revealed a new compact EV called the #2.  Boasting a two-door and two-seat layout, it’s roughly 1200mm shorter than a BYD Atto 1 and slightly bigger than the original Smart ForTwo.  It has a 330km driving range, according to WLTP standards and can DC fast charge from 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes.  BYD sub-brand Denza has unveiled its answer to big hitters like Ferrari and Lamborghini with its Z electric sports car.  A close rival to the Mercedes-Benz SL Class, the Z is BYD’s first full-on performance model.  It will use a three electric motor set-up, producing 880kW, with a 0-100km/h time of less than two seconds.  Another Chinese brand is destined for Aussie shores.  Ultra-luxury brand Avatr showed off its T09 large plug-in hybrid SUV concept for the first time. It is due to launch in Australia in 2028 or 2029.  Citroen’s electric 2CV successor has landed.  The compact EV is due for launch in 2028, at 3760mm long shaping up slightly shorter than its petrol predecessor but still boasting a roll-top fabric roof.  It’s expected to be offered from a very affordable price point in Europe, but we’re unlikely to see it Down Under.  Fiat has revealed a bold new concept called ‘multiplay’, which can transform between a people mover, SUV and ute.  Measuring 4450mm long, the car shares a similar footprint to the BYD Atto 3. It features a sliding rear roof and C-pillar to enable conversion from a three-row family car, to a ute or an SUV depending on its specific requirements.  Alfa Romeo has given its iconic V6 engine a hybrid twist. Its Cuorerosso concept uses a conventional hybrid set-up, comprising a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine as well as some electric motor assistance.  The Italian brand developed the concept to show off the future direction of its Quadrifoglio sedan.  Renault unveiled two futuristic EV concepts.  The E-Space concept is an electric reboot of the Espace van and people mover.  The E-Space is similarly sized to the current Espace van on sale, but uses a fully-electric set-up and features a standout sleek design.  The French brand also showed off its radical Renault 5 Turbo 3E that is a limited-run production EV version of the Renault 5 Turbo.  Its electric motor set-up produces 410kW, while riding on a fast-charging 800-volt platform.  Renault will only build 1980 examples of the car to pay homage to the original birth year of the Renault 5 Turbo.  Peugeot provided a look into its future.  The rally-inspired E-T16 concept is a nod to the 1980s 205 T16 Group B rally car, and its three electric motor set-up, makes around 600kW. Its aggressive styling and blacked out accents are said to be a showcase into future styling for Peugeot.  The RCZ Vision concept is an electric sports car based on the original 2+2 sports coupe.  It features plenty of cutting-edge technology, including a solid-state battery with 10 to 80 per cent fast charging in under 10 minutes.  The car’s electric motor set-up produces 373kW, while a curved ‘double bubble’ roof is a reflection of the original design. 

The Farizon V7E joins a growing number of full-electric commercial vans on offer, but does it represent a compelling alternative to long established diesel rivals in Australia's popular mid-size van market?

Hyundai’s new electric van has landed.  The Hyundai Staria Load Electric has become the latest in a growing list of electric van choices for buyers.  It starts from $70,990, making it cheaper than the smaller Ford Transit Custom Electric ($77,890), but it will also tackle its mechanical sibling the Kia PV7 due in Australia before the end of 2027.  This equates to a more than $20,000 jump on the base diesel grade, and more than $9000 extra compared to previous range-topping hybrid.  The Staria Load Electric will make its Australian debut at the Everything Electric event in Sydney that starts from 18 September, 2026.  The brand has already confirmed a people mover variant of the Staria Electric is not under consideration at this stage.  The Staria Load Electric is powered by a single electric motor, producing 160kW and 350Nm. Diesel variants produce 130kW/430Nm, while hybrid variants produce 180 kW/304Nm The van is equipped with an 84kWh battery, offering a total driving range of 450km, according to WLTP standards.  It consumes 20.7kWh of power for every 100km driven, according to the brand.  Riding on Hyundai’s 800-volt E-GMP platform it can DC fast charge at up to 350kW, meaning a 20-80 per cent juice up takes 20 minutes.  The Staria Load Electric has a braked towing capacity of 2000kg (500kg less than diesel variants), and a 1005kg payload.  The van’s cargo capacity is 4935L, but it also has a 23.9L front storage area.  It can also use its battery via vehicle-to-load to power tools and other devices directly with a standard three-pin electrical outlet.  The Staria Load electric only comes in a two-seat configuration.  Elsewhere in the cabin, there is a 12.3-inch digital driver display and 12.3-inch central touchscreen as well as a wireless phone charger.  It has a leather steering wheel, while seats are wrapped in a black cloth material. The van boasts keyless entry and a push-button start.  Buyers can choose from either liftback or twin outward-swinging rear doors at no extra cost for added practicality.  The Staria Load Electric has a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre manufacturer's warranty as well as an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the high-voltage battery.  The van is available with a capped-priced servicing deal, with servicing occurring every two years or 30,000km. 

Hyundai has recently introduced a hybrid powertrain option for its popular Staria Load van but does this new petrol-electric technology offer the right mix of performance and economy to win new customers in the mid-size commercial van market?

It was only a matter of time before Volkswagen introduced a factory camper version of its ID. Buzz pure-electric van, and now it’s arrived in the shape of the ID. California Cruise. Offered in short- and long-wheelbase form, the adventurous newcomer is equipped with a host of lifestyle-focused extras, including: 2.0m x 1.2m (by 9.0cm thick) folding mattress extending out across the rear seats Lightweight folding table and chair set housed above the mattress Ventilation grilles Window black-out covers Optional panoramic sunroof with light-proof cover No ‘pop-top’ roof or kitchen unit at this stage Power is supplied by the same rear-mounted single electric motor as the ID. Buzz Pro and Pro+ models, sending 210kW/510Nm to the rear wheels with a 79kWh lithium-ion battery in the SWB and 86kWh pack in the LWB likely to deliver similar range figures of 422km and 452km, respectively. But the electric California Cruise’s signature campsite party trick will surely be its V2L (Vehicle to Load) functionality with up to 3.6kW output to power equipment like lighting, cooking gear or a fridge/freezer box that would typically require a petrol generator. Another special feature up the new camper’s sleeve is ‘California Mode’, which keeps the air-conditioning or heating system as well as interior lighting and USB sockets up and running for 48 hours. Volkswagen has positioned the ID. California Cruise as “an important milestone towards an entirely new generation of all-electric campervans, which will be introduced step by step through to 2028.”  Pricing is confirmed in the new model’s German home market at €60,761 (~A$98,300) with deliveries scheduled to start in early 2027. For reference, the current local ID. Buzz line-up starts with the SWB Pro at $75,990, before on-road costs and tops out with the LWB-only dual-motor GTX at $106,990, BOC.   CarGuide contacted Volkswagen Australia for comment on the ID. California Cruise’s potential for local sale and a spokesperson told us, "We are continually reviewing our product portfolio for the Australian market. "While we recognise the interest in the Volkswagen ID. California Cruise, we are unable to confirm local availability or timing at this stage for Australia." 

Kia has teased its electric Carnival alternative overseas.  The brand has provided a glimpse at its new PV7 van ahead of an official debut on 14 September 2026 at the IAA Transportation.   The PV7 is the bigger sibling of the PV5 that launched in Australia this year.  It will tackle the Ford E-Transit Custom van as well as the Hyundai Staria Electric people mover.  It would shape up as a cheaper alternative to luxury Chinese competition such as the Denza D9 and Zeekr 009 in Australia.  Details are scarce at this stage, with Kia only providing a preview before it receives an official unveiling next month.  The PV7 is expected to be available in both cargo and passenger configurations, as Kia stated it is adaptable across commercial and lifestyle applications.  The PV7 concept was nearly 5.3m long, which is a little longer than the diesel- and hybrid-powered Carnival. From the outside, it sports a rounded front look, similar to the PV5, while it also features an angular headlight design. Its rear headlights are assembled in a vertical shape, with a chrome-look rear bumper.  It will be the brand’s second model to use its dedicated all-electric E-GMP.S platform, following the PV5.  Kia has not confirmed what will power the PV7, but the PV5 employs a single electric motor producing 120kW and 250Nm.  More details will be revealed in the coming weeks.  There is no official word on the PV7 in Australia, but it seems likely Kia would be eager to add another electric people mover to its line-up.  The PV7 will launch in the UK next year, so it will be built in right-hand drive, smoothing its potential launch here. Kia recently launched the smaller PV5 Down Under, with the cargo variant arriving first followed by the people mover that has just been approved for local sale. An Australian arrival for the PV7 would come after it launches globally in 2027. We can expect more concrete information around the PV7’s Australian future when it’s officially unveiled next month.

Nowadays, Australia may host more car brands than ever before, but we miss out on some very cool models. That’s because of a uniquely regional Australian Design Rule (ADR) requirement that can cost upwards of $5 million to implement for each series. Known as ADR 34/03, it stipulates that three top tether anchorage points must be fitted across each rear-seat position. But it can also create years of delays and blow out business cases due to the subsequent expenses involved. Probably the most disappointing recent example has been the Renault 5 E-Tech. Wooing buyers and critics alike, this award-winning electric vehicle (EV) hatchback has been a smash hit in Europe, melding desirable retro design with cutting-edge yet affordable tech. However, as CarsGuide outlined earlier this year, Renault importer Ateco Automotive may not even bother releasing the 5 E-Tech into Australia because it cannot afford the extra millions necessary for it to comply with ADR 34/03. The maths just doesn’t add up. Such a pity. The same also applies to the Renault 4 E-Tech, a larger and more crossover-style EV wagon that, though not as racy as its closely related 5 E-Tech sibling, possesses family friendly packaging that might make it a more-practical proposition. But all is not lost. Unlike the 5 E-Tech which, despite its diminutive supermini proportions, is only available as a full-fledged five-seater hatch, the 4 E-Tech can be ordered as a two-seater panel van dubbed the Société Van that ditches the back row. Since this eliminates the need to comply with ADR 34/03, it begs the question: why can’t Ateco simply import the 4 E-Tech Société as a commercial vehicle? Post-sale, owners could then add a rear seat if desired, fitted to specification by a vehicle engineering firm in Australia. This was widely done in the 1980s, notably with smaller Japanese cars like the Suzuki 800 hatch (1980), Daihatsu Handivan (1981) and Honda City (1984). Each one was only officially imported as a two-seater van. However, according to Renault Australia General Manager, Glen Sealey, importing the 4 E-Tech Société is unlikely, given the extreme niche that passenger-car-based vans would occupy, adding that the Kangoo commercial vehicle broadly fills a similar role. “We haven't looked at that as a solution, because for us, we've got the Kangoo,” he told CarsGuide at the Renault Master large van launch in Sydney last month. “And that small panel van passenger car market is negligible (in size) … it would be higher cost, for low reward.” This is in spite of the wider Renault brand portfolio actually already offering a number of car-based panel vans in right-hand-drive (RHD) Ireland. “That RHD European market does utilise a typical passenger vehicle for (small panel van) commercial use,” Sealey said. “They do it in the Duster (small SUV). They do with the Sandero (small car). They do it with Megane E-Tech.” Sealey added that companies, not individuals, are buying electric vans in Australia, and they would not go for passenger-car-derived alternatives, that tend to attract individuals running small businesses. “The tradie is not buying electric,” he said. The corporate market is, and the corporate market is buying a larger van.”

Kia's all-new PV5 Cargo van brings sophisticated design and long driving range at an enticing price to Australia's expanding full-electric commercial van fleet, but is it a practical alternative to traditional diesel rivals?

Electric delivery vans are getting cheaper, and there's a bit of an arms race on now to see who can get their EV van on to the market at a sub-$50,000 price-tag. A new brand called Cavan is the latest to weigh in with a van called the C1 which promises a lot for a small outlay. But does the reality of the C1 match the hype? And can you feel where the money has been engineered out of it?

Volkswagen Australia is rapidly expanding its commercial vehicle portfolio with the introduction of a stripped back ‘Runner’ version of its large Crafter van, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powered Multivan scheduled to arrive in mid-2027 and a PHEV version of the compact Caddy van also looking likely for arrival next year. Pitched at $59,990, drive-away, the Crafter Runner Van returns in the current-generation version of VW’s ‘big box’ workhorse, sitting more than $10K under the Crafter 35 MWB Van TDI360 it’s based on ($72,600, before on road costs). Positioned by VW as “optimised for basic needs” the Runner is offered exclusively in (103kW/360Nm) turbo-diesel, front-wheel drive, mid-wheelbase form with changes including: Black rather than a painted front bumper Barn doors without windows Base seats (two) in synthetic leather (rather than three-across ‘Comfort’ seating) But it retains the technical specs of the Crafter 35 MWB Van TDI360. The Runner’s sliding door aperture is a generous 1311mm, it boasts four-Euro pallet load capacity, a low (570mm) load sill, 2.5-tonne braked trailer towing capacity and a partition with fixed windows and grille. At the same time Volkswagen Australia Commercial Vehicles Head of Marketing & Product Michelle Rowney has confirmed mid-2027 arrival timing for the PHEV Multivan eHybrid. The current T7-generation Multivan eHybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, working in concert with an electric motor to deliver a combined 180kW/350Nm to all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and VW’s ‘4Motion’ drive system. It features a 19.7kWh (net) NMC battery for a maximum pure-electric driving range of 93km (WLTP) and a 50kW DC charge rate allows a 10-80 per cent top up in around 26 minutes. AC charge rate is up to 11kW. Zero to 100km/h acceleration is a sprightly 8.9 seconds with a top speed of 200km/h (130 km/h in pure-EV mode). And Ms Rowney has also hinted that the Caddy eHybrid is a strong candidate for local sale, telling CarsGuide, "We're in the planning stages of that." Using essentially the same 1.5-litre petrol engine/electric motor powertrain as its larger Crafter sibling the Caddy extends pure-electric range out to 122 km (WLTP) and also supports 50kW DC fast charging.