Wagon

Before the first decade of the 21 century was up, there was evidence the cult of the SUV was well and truly gathering pace. Conventional sedans, hatchbacks and even station wagons were falling victim to the almighty SUV, and even station wagon stalwarts like Volvo were revisiting their future model plans.Which is why diverse Volvo V70 station wagon line-up of previous generations was pared back to just a single model – dubbed T6 AWD - for the 2008 launch of the third-gen V70. Gone were the cooking models and five-cylinder variants with and without turbochargers and in was a high-spec turbocharged six-cylinder V70 with all-wheel drive.In a packaging sense, this was still very much a classic Volvo wagon with a boxy outline and lots of room inside relative to its footprint. But the sharp-edged look of previous V70s was softened a little.And where did the previous V70’s customers go for their next Volvo station wagon? To the new XC70, of course, with its jacked-up ride height, tacked on wheel arch extensions, range of trim and driveline options (including a then-sexy turbo-diesel option) and SUV persona.Which left the V70 with its more conventional looks and stance as some kind of orphan. Thing is, it was probably the better of the two Volvos to drive, with better suspension control and the lower ride height making it more dynamic.A facelift in 2010 brought a revised engine with slightly more power and a claim of better fuel efficiency.In an overall sense, the V70 was a great car. It typified Volvo’s approach to sensible car-making at a time when the company was being pushed into the fashion-driven SUV world. But when you consider that even a Volvo SUV was never going to be an off-road vehicle, the plane-Jane V70 is now the smarter buy.With a very similar all-wheel drive system to the XC70, the V70 is all but as competent on slippery or loose surfaces. And nobody has ever complained about the versatility or practicality of a Volvo two-box wagon.Volvo has made its name on reliability, but like any modern car, increasing complexity can take its toll on this aspect. Because of that, Volvo’s once rock-solid reputation for going the distance had faded a little by the time the V70 came along, and it’s fair to say overall reliability was no longer any better than most other mass-market European brands.Volvo’s simpler (non-turbocharged, front-wheel drive) designs were much less likely to give trouble; proof that complex machinery is often more highly strung.The biggest reliability glitch experienced by the V70 was a tendency for some engines to consume excess oil. In the worst cases, entire engines were being replaced under warranty, and you’d like to think any V70s still out there have been fixed or never had the problem in the first place. A compression check prior to purchase would still be a good idea, however.Some V70s also suffered from poor shift quality in the transmission, and this was sometimes traced back to dirty fluid or a transmission that required a reflash. In a smaller number of cases, the clutches inside the transmission were subject to premature wear.Like any high-performance turbocharged engine, the turbo unit can have a finite lifespan and is almost considered a consumable item. Allow for this in your budget. The same goes for the individual ignition coils which can break down over time, and the V70 seems pretty hard on suspension bushes (probably a function of its 1800-plus kilo kerb mass) and all-wheel drive loads. Cars like this are also hard on brakes, but in the Volvo’s case, the advice is to replace not just the brake pads but also the rotors at the same time. This can get pretty expensive.Make sure all the interior electronics work properly, too. If these are on the blink, you could be chasing intermittent problems for a long time.Despite Volvo’s reputation for building safe cars, it’s interesting to note the V70 was recalled on a couple of major safety fronts over the years. A batch of cars built in 2008 was recalled to check the operation of the side-airbag system, while some cars built in 2010 and 2011 were recalled to check the front airbag deployment.Long after the third-gen V70 was discontinued, a recall notice was also issued to check for front seat belt mounts (cables) that could fray and fail over time.The V70 was also recalled to check cooling fan and fuel-pump operation, and you can check out these recalls in detail by visiting: https://www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au/.Early-build cars were the ones most likely to suffer from reliability issues, so the later the build-date, the better the car is likely to be now.The oil burning problems were reportedly solved by the time the 2012 model landed, so a car with an earlier build date is the one to avoid.People don’t tend to buy Volvo station wagons to look at them in the driveway. So, it’s not uncommon to see examples with 250,000km or even more showing. With proper servicing, this should not signal the end of the vehicle’s useful life, but you’d need to see proof of the correct servicing before handing over the money.The post-facelift version of the V70 had more power from the same engine, so it’s probably the one to choose. Beyond that, there’s not much of a decision to be made as the V70 was only available in one trim level and specification (T6 AWD).If you’re looking for more options in the same package, perhaps look at the previous model (the second-gen V7 from 2000 to 2007) which had a choice of petrol engine outputs, two- or four-wheel drive layouts and different trim levels to suit different budgets. Failing that, the XC70 that sold alongside the third-gen V70 offers turbo-diesel power.Roughies with really high mileage are around for less than $10,000 now, but there’s probably better value in spending closer to the low-teens for something with a service record and more moderate kilometres on board.Volvo is a huge global brand and its cars are sold around the world. So, even if you are struggling to find a part in Australia (unlikely) you can always cast the (inter)net wider and shop overseas for cheaper parts.Be wary of seller you aren’t familiar with, and check out buyer feedback to make sure you’re dealing with a reputable supplier.While earlier versions of the V70 were decent sellers for Volvo in Australia, this version was a pretty slow mover in the showroom. It’s unlikely more than a few hundred were sold which is why they’re now hard to find second-hand.

The Zeekr 7GT has become one of the more hyped new cars headed to Australia before the end of 2026, which is surprising because it’s a station wagon.This new entrant into the fully electric arena will sit alongside the very successful 7X in the challenger brand’s line-up as a more low-slung option with seriously sporty aspirations.For this preview drive, right-hand drive cars weren’t quite ready yet, but we were offered the opportunity for a bit more wheel time than we’ve had before, on the track and in the snow.What does it tell us about this intriguing non-SUV option? Read on to find out.I know you’re probably hoping to know how much the Zeekr 7GT will cost, but we still don’t have that specific detail.What the brand did tell us is the fully electric wagon will come in the same three core variants as are available over in China and Europe - a base standard range rear-wheel drive, a mid-spec long-range rear-wheel drive and a top-spec performance-oriented all-wheel drive.If it follows the same pricing structure as it does overseas, the 7GT will be more affordable than its 7X mid-size SUV sibling, with a starting price of around $55,000 if the usual conversion stays true.Expect the range to top out around the $70K mark by the time you walk up to the top-spec all-wheel drive. This means you’re paying combustion car prices for EV performance, with rivals including the Subaru WRX Sportwagon (from $58,490), Skoda Octavia RS (from $64,990 in wagon form), or on the EV front, the Tesla Model 3 (from $54,900 - no wagon available).As to features, we can look to the European market for an idea of what to expect. There, all versions of the 7GT score the dash-dominating 15-inch multimedia touchscreen, and shaped 13.0-inch digital dash, similar to the 7X's. Higher variants get a 35.5-inch head-up display, while other standard kit includes a panoramic sunroof and LED headlights.Inside, trim ranges from black textile on the base car through to a blend of Nappa leather and synthetic materials on the higher-grade cars. In Europe these are able to be chosen either in black or white, while a wider array of interior colours, including sporty suede-style bucket seats.Zeekr even hinted at the possibility of doing a special fourth trim level which could be a range-topping sporty model.One thing is for sure, Zeekr is selling cars on the feeling the interior leaves you with. Like the 7X, the 7GT continues to subvert expectations of how a Chinese car can look and feel from the inside. The commitment to nice materials, solid ergonomics, and even slick software leaves you with the impression that you’re in something European rather than Chinese.This is no doubt largely to do with the fact Zeekrs are at least partially designed next door to Volvos and Polestars at Geely Group’s Gothenburg facilities in Sweden.The same goes for the outside, where the 7GT has the proportions of a sporty Euro wagon, with the more Chinese-leaning design motifs personifying its ‘hidden energy’ design language.To that end, it shares its minimalistic bar-style face with the 7X, familiar frameless doors, but with a bespoke rear design which integrates a bar-style LED below a little lip spoiler on the tailgate, with an edgy split-spoiler adding some intrigue to the roofline.It’s a cool looking machine, with an array of aggressive wheel choices, but I have no doubt that it will continue to set Zeekr apart from the rest of the Chinese pack.How does it drive? We sampled both rear-wheel drive versions (which have 310kW/440Nm) and the top-spec all-wheel drive version (475kW/710Nm) at the track, as well as just the AWD on the snow.What did we learn? Both drivetrains are punchy, and the steering and feedback on offer continues to be a highlight. This car has some attitude behind the wheel, and while the power might sound overwhelming, the somewhat strict stability control keeps things sane.That having been said, when we had the opportunity to turn it off on the snow, even the all-wheel drive version would get super rear-happy, proving it’s got a bit of chaos to share, allowing massive drifts in the right conditions.One big question mark is suspension. The 7GT has been criticised overseas for being a bit soft compared to the kinds of Euro rivals it’s planning to take on, and sadly with only Chinese-spec cars to test this time around on conditions hardly representative of Aussie roads it’s hard to tell how this all-important factor feels this time around.We hope the brand will have at least a regional suspension selection tailored more to the tastes of Aussie buyers by the time it arrives.I wasn’t a huge fan of the reliance on touchscreen menus, which can be a tad fiddly, even with a few shortcut buttons and a volume dial.However, the 7GT impresses with its 456-litre boot capacity (similar to many mid-size SUVs) and up to 65-litre frunk, too.Its electrical architecture also promises up to 450kW of DC charge speed, with a 13 minute estimated charge time from a slightly more common 350kW stack, according to Euro specs. It gets 3.3kW of vehicle-to-load as well.Safety kit is yet to be confirmed, but the 7GT was recently awarded a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating to the latest tough standards, which the brand will no doubt be hoping carries across to Australia’s ANCAP scheme.Expect a so-so five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, but service intervals for the related 7X are only every two years and reasonably priced.

Volvo is reportedly working on a next-generation version of its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology and it’s understood it will be applied to a series of vehicles.While it’s virtually guaranteed that this new Volvo PHEV system will make its way into a number of SUVs, new information indicates that it may power a successor to the S60 sedan.Tentatively dubbed the S70, a heavily camouflaged prototype has been spied in China. It’s understood to be based on the Lynk & Co 10.Official details are few and far between for now, but it’s understood it could be revealed before the end of 2026 and may initially be for the Chinese market, like the XC70 SUV.Based on this, digital artist Sugar Design has whipped up some renders of this forthcoming PHEV sedan.The digital renders of the forthcoming, so-called Volvo S70 show it has some design similarities with the XC70 PHEV SUV.There’s a faux front grille, large diamond-cut alloy wheels, flush door handles, as well as an elliptical tail-light design.Another notable design point is the LiDAR mounted on the roof which indicates that the car may have some level of semi-autonomous driving capabilities.No renders of the interior have been made yet, however a spied prototype showed it will have a central roller and button cluster like the new XC70, EX60 and ES90.At this stage we’ve only seen a sedan version of this forthcoming Volvo, however Sugar Design has mocked up what a wagon counterpart would look like.Tentatively dubbed the V70, it looks virtually identical to the S70 renders, but has a longer roofline, as well as a more upright tailgate and tail-lights that look more like the XC70.It’s unclear whether Volvo actually intends to produce a wagon version of the forthcoming S70.If it does, it could be a successor to the V60 which was axed during 2025.No official details about what may power the Volvo S70 and V70 have been confirmed yet, however PHEV power is likely.Given reports have indicated that the Lynk & Co 10 may form the basis of these cars, this potentially points to what may be on offer.The Lynk & Co 10 is powered by a PHEV set-up combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors. Total system output is 390kW.The electric motors are fed by either an 18.4kWh or 38.2kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, allowing up to 100km or 192km of CLTC claimed electric range, respectively.It’s understood that the forthcoming Volvo S70 sedan could be revealed before the end of 2026.Like the Volvo XC70, it’s expected the S70 will likely be aimed primarily at the Chinese market where sedans are still popular. However, export markets may be on the cards.While the S70 seems closer to production reality, it’s unclear whether Volvo actually plans to produce a wagon counterpart. No spied prototypes have been caught yet.If Volvo does plan to launch a new electrified sedan and wagon, the pair would form as successors to the S60 and V60.

Audi has introduced a series of updates for model year 2026 (MY26) to the A5 and S5 liftback and wagon, as well as the Q5 and Q6 e-tron SUVs.All models now receive physical scroll wheels on the steering wheel with haptic feedback. These replace the touch-sensitive sliders.Additionally there’s a new-generation multimedia software with new digital instrument cluster views and enhanced functionality thanks to an app store, upgraded USBs, as well as the capability to connect to headsets and game controllers via bluetooth.On the safety front, all MY26 Audi A5, S5, Q5 and Q6 e-tron variants receive a new long-range radar, as well as the inclusion of active lane-keep assist and a lane-change assist. Audi claims this has been optimised for Australian conditions.Audi S5 variants also receive a new ‘dynamic plus’ drive mode that allows for controlled oversteering by altering the stability control, torque distribution, brake torque vectoring, and the engine and transmission calibration.The S5 also receives a factory-fitted dashcam, as well as enhanced parking features including trained parking, a reverse assistant, kerb protection and a car wash mode.The 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen is now added via the optional Premium package for the A5 e-hybrid. It was previously a standalone optional extra.Before on-road costs pricing for the 2026 Audi A5/S5 line-up is as follows:A5 Sedan e-hybrid quattro 270kW S line: $89,900A5 Sedan TFSI 150kW S line: $81,127A5 Avant e-hybrid quattro 270kW S line: $92,818A5 Sedan TFSI quattro 200kW S line: $89,827A5 Avant TFSI quattro 200kW S line: $92,827S5 Sedan: $116,827S5 Avant: $119,827After an initial batch of MY25 Q5 e-hybrid plug-in hybrid (PHEV) examples arriving in Australia, supply of the updated MY26 examples are now fully on tap.The Q5 is still available in TFSI 150kW, TDI 150kW quattro, TFSI 200kW quattro, e-hybrid 270kW, as well as the flagship SQ5 variants. Both SUV and Sportback ‘coupe’ SUV body styles remain on offer.Beyond the new multimedia and active safety updates, the optional 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen has been moved from the Tech Pro to the Premium package.Additionally, the Tech Pro package gains additional parking functions like trained parking, a reverse assistant, kerb protection and a car wash mode.A dashcam now comes standard on SQ5 variants.Before on-road costs pricing for the 2026 Audi Q5/SQ5 line-up is as follows:Q5 SUV TFSI 150kW: $83,627Q5 Sportback TFSI 150kW: $87,127Q5 SUV TDI 150kW quattro: $89,727Q5 SUV TDI 150kW quattro sport: $96,227Q5 SUV e-hybrid 270kW: $98,018Q5 SUV TFSI 200kW quattro sport: $98,027Q5 Sportback TDI 150kW quattro sport: $99,727Q5 Sportback TFSI 200kW quattro sport: $101,527SQ5 SUV sport: $110,027SQ5 Sportback sport: $113,527SQ5 SUV: $126,027SQ5 Sportback: $129,527For MY26 Audi has discontinued the mid-spec Q6 e-tron Performance trim, leaving only the entry-level Q6 e-tron and flagship SQ6 e-tron variants. Both are offered in SUV and Sportback ‘coupe’ SUV body styles.Range is claimed to have been "optimised" for all variants, plus there’s "optimised" regenerative braking, the addition of one-pedal driving, as well as additional charging information.The entry-level Q6 e-tron trims now get frequency selective comfort suspension as standard. This car previously had passive dampers.A dashcam comes as standard on all variants, plus there are additional modes for the augmented reality head-up display.Before on-road costs pricing for the 2026 Audi Q6 e-tron/SQ6 e-tron line-up is as follows:Q6 e-tron SUV: $101,017Q6 e-tron Sportback: $101,017SQ6 e-tron SUV: $152,517.81SQ6 e-tron Sportback: $157,517

A new variant for the GWM Ora 5 has appeared in Chinese government filings.Dubbed the Ora 5 GT, it is a plug-in hybrid wagon sibling to the budget electric Ora 5 SUV already on sale in Australia.The car was spotted undergoing testing in China in June, and is GWM's latest addition to its busy Ora lineup.It is bigger than the Ora 5 electric SUV, measuring up at 4758mm long, up to 1844mm wide, 1630mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2720mm.There are no direct rivals for the car in Australia, with the BYD Seal 6 PHEV wagon ($34,990) a size up.The Ora 5 GT will be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and electric motor set-up, making 115kW. The car will be fitted with a lithium-iron-phosphate battery from Chinese giant CATL, but there is no official driving range figure yet.GWM Australia hasn't officially confirmed the arrival of the Ora 5 GT yet, but the local branch is considering it.The car won't launch this year, with it more likely to hit the market in early 2027 if it does come here.The brand axed its Ora hatch EV Down Under earlier this year, effectively replacing it with the Ora 5 SUV.A hatchback variant of the Ora 5 will launch in Australia before the end of this year, with a hybrid SUV variant not too far away either.Hybrids are on the agenda for GWM, with the brand plotting to bring across more Ora variants to Australia. "In terms of the levels of adoption that we expect to see within this market, within the coming years, we expect (hybrids) to accelerate more quickly," GWM Australia Head of Marketing and Communications Steve Maciver told CarsGuide in late 2025. "We think we can do a lot more with Ora… with plug-in hybrid, but EV will certainly come behind that as well, for sure."

We’re more than halfway through 2026 and I can definitively say that this year's new cars are the ugliest to date.Sure you can argue the plastic fantastic cars of the late 1990s and early 2000s, or the asthmatic land yachts from the mid-to-late 1970s looked the worst, but so far this year what carmakers have been revealing is an assault to the eyes.Suspect number one is the Ferrari Luce.The Italian carmaker’s recent car design has been rather indistinguishable from model to model. For example, if you told me to tell you the difference between a 849 Testarossa and 12Cilindri and Amalfi, I’d really struggle. I say this as a die-hard car fan.But the Luce marked a jagged change in direction for Ferrari. It was designed by creative collection LoveFrom, which was founded by former Apple exec Sir Jony Ive.I’ll admit the interior of the Luce is stunning and the blending of digital and analogue elements is ingenious, but the exterior is a bloated mess. It’s made even worse with the fact it has a Ferrari badge on it.The Luce would make so much more sense with any other badge attached to it.This is just the tip of the iceberg. Five days before the Luce was revealed, Mercedes-AMG revealed its all-new AMG GT 4-Door.Mercedes did receive some negative press regarding the AMG GT 4-Door’s design, it was arguably saved by the reveal of the Luce as the news cycle and people’s attention shifted very quickly.Its design deserved to be roasted more. Like the Luce, the new AMG GT 4-Door is all-electric and it looks just as horrific. The Mercedes is much more flashy and tacky, though.I’ll admit that the overall silhouette is slick and low-sprung, like a performance car should, but the front grille and lighting signatures are a hot mess.Then inside, if you take the Mercedes-Benz badge away, the AMG GT 4-Door doesn't have anything distinguishing it specifically as a Mercedes model.Sure you could argue that the circular air vents or the screen set-up is a Mercedes design trait, but there is more to design language than this.Lastly there’s the new Nissan Juke, which is all-electric and a European-focused model, meaning it’s not coming to Australia.The Juke has always had a polarising design, but this new-generation takes it to the next level.There are so many creases and lines on the outside that it looks like the car has been pre-crashed or perhaps hasn’t fully rendered yet.I will admit that with certain colour combinations the new Juke does look cool, but the lighting, especially the tail lights look silly. They’re mounted so low and are too large.While the new Juke stands out too much, there are a plethora of gargantuan Chinese SUVs with range-extender (REEV) powertrains that are indistinguishable from each other. They’re all large blobs on wheels with ginormous grilles.Examples that have been revealed so far in 2026 include the IM LS9 Hyper, Wey V9X, XPeng GX and the Zeekr 8X. Many more will likely pop up before the end of the year.Although there have been some shockingly bad-looking cars revealed this year, there are still some diamonds in the rough. 2026 also seems to be the revival of the wagon.Some highlights include the new Audi RS5, which is available in liftback and wagon, as well as the new A6 allroad, which has some of the best and most exaggerated rear wheel arches that I’ve seen on a production car for a long time.The new Dacia Striker is a beautiful-looking car that has just the right amount of wagon and crossover SUV design elements. It’s segment-busting in the same way as the Peugeot 408 and previous-generation Subaru Outback are.It’s worth noting once again that 2026 is only halfway through and there is still another six months to go. There’s still time to turn things around in terms of new car design, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

The Ineos Grenadier range has undergone some substantial changes. The steering has been tweaked and the driver-assist tech upgraded as has the air-con system. This body-on-frame 4WD has live axles, a dual-range transfer case and a stack of other features aimed at turning any driver into an off-road expert. The Grenadier in Trialmaster spec even has front, centre and rear diff locks.

After its backflip on the announcement it would go all-electric by 2030, Volvo seems set to reverse another trend it has been following of late: the shift to SUVs.Reports from the US reveal internal discussions around a sedan and wagon being reintroduced to the North American market, with insiders saying the target models are already being developed for Europe.While the report is focused on the US, comments from Volvo Australia’s top brass in the past mean Aussie fans of the Swedish brand’s wagons have reason to be optimistic.The sedan and wagon, both to be electric, would bring some traditional styles back to the Volvo line-up, which as it stands only includes the large, high-riding ES90 as anything resembling a sedan.The return of a wagon has been reported by Automotive News in the US, with apparent insider information pointing to Volvo using ‘60’ or ‘70’ badged cars similar to the S60/V60 or S70/V70 badges used for sedans (S) and wagons (V) in the past.According to the report, the models will be built in Europe, with a Cross Country version of the wagon also on the cards as has been Volvo’s tradition.Set to be built on the same SPA3 platform as the new EX60, the new models would also incorporate 800-volt electrical architecture for super-fast charging and options in terms of battery sizing.While the news comes very soon after the US discontinued the V60 and V90 wagons, it might not be hugely surprising to those aware of Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson’s comments early this year on the industry’s global push for more SUVs.“We are looking into that,” Samuelsson said, “I think we will not only have SUVs five years from now.”The comments are similar to those from Volvo Cars Australia’s Managing Director, Stephen Connor, who in 2022 said Volvo wouldn’t go ‘all-SUV’.“Absolutely, we can have other models,” said Connor. “We’ve seen a big move toward SUVs in the last few years, now electrification will broaden that range. I think there’s a desire now for new shapes that aren’t just what we would consider an SUV. Electric cars let us experiment with new shapes and new ideas.”The brand’s local head of PR and Communications Greg Bosnich added at the time that if an electric version of the V60 came along, Australia would have its hand up for it.“There is still demand in Australia for a car like the V60, and if an electric model comes, we’ll be getting it.“The wagon is part of our story, isn’t it? I think HQ is conscious of that and I think that emotional connection is still there.”If you were disappointed to see the V60 disappear from Australian showrooms, stay tuned.

Once a common sight on our roads, wagons have fallen out of favour somewhat as a result of the ever-growing popularity of SUVs and utes. But is a wagon a better and more family-friendly vehicle than a bigger, taller SUV or ute? And what if that vehicle has a mild-hybrid system onboard? That's where Skoda’s Octavia new mild hybrid comes in.

GWM’s ‘wagon’ version of the incoming Ora 5 SUV has been spotted testing in China after rumours a longer version would join the ‘hatch’-shaped small SUV.The 2026 GWM Ora 5 is just about to fully launch in Australia, but early in its reveal stages there was word from GWM headquarters that there would be more body styles and drivetrain options.While Australia will only get the fully electric small SUV for now, priced from a very competitive $33,990 drive-away, spy photos of the wagon style from Chinese motoring outlet Autohome show the changes to the Ora for its more ‘wagon’ body style are focused entirely behind the rear doors.It’s unclear what the longer version of the Ora 5 will be powered by, but it would be surprising if it’s anything other than the same 150kW/260Nm electric motor the small SUV gets, which draws from a 58.3kWh battery for a driving range of about 430km.There’s also a hybrid and a petrol version, but for now GWM Australia says Ora will be an EV-only offering.The brand’s local Head of Marketing and Communications says there will be more Ora models down the line.“There will be further expansions that come in the Ora range this year,” GWM Australia’s Steve Maciver said earlier this year.“You’re going to see possibly one and even two additional Ora models to land in Australia this year as well.“(But) at this stage, Ora is focused on EV. There may be hybrid options in there as well… we’re not committing one way or another, but again, we’ve got plenty of options. “We’ve just got to work out what the right one for us is.”One more potential for the brand is the even more wagon-like Ora 7 wagon, which was revealed in concept form at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2025.