Toyota Spacia Reviews

Electric cars are finally having their moment. As petrol and diesel prices soar, it appears everyone on the fence about buying an electric vehicle (EV) have taken the plunge.Having steadily hovered around the 10 per cent total market share for the past 18 months, EVs accounted for more than 16 per cent in April. That means approximately one-in-six cars sold last month were battery-powered.But perhaps even more interesting than just the total number of EVs sold, was who was selling them. The days of Tesla dominating the electric market appear to be over, with several new names emerging as popular options for Australians.Here are five of the most in-demand EVs in 2026.BYD Sealion 7For all the hype around BYD’s Shark 6 ute and cut-price Atto 1, the real star for the brand is its mid-size SUV. The Sealion 7 isn’t just a popular EV, it’s also one of the most popular SUVs on the market and was the seventh best-selling vehicle in April.Sales are up 342.2% year-to-date, but it isn’t just a sudden surge in the wake of the fuel crisis. The Sealion 7 has been a popular choice almost since it arrived. It was the eighth most popular SUV in its segment in 2025, behind some of the biggest names in the market - Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Kia Sportage and Subaru Forester.So regardless of what happens with fuel prices in the coming months, the Sealion 7 looks set to remain a popular choice for anyone looking for a mid-size SUV, electric or otherwise.Geely EX5 If there is a biggest winner of the current surge in EV sales it is the Geely’s EX5. Sales are up 415.4% year-to-date, peaking with 1202 in April alone. That’s up from an average of just 328 sales per month in 2025 and its jump demonstrates that it is genuine demand in EVs, not simply availability, that is driving this current boom. The EX5 was already one of the most affordable EVs on the market, starting at just $41,990, so if it was simply price and choice creating this sales increase in electric options there’s no reason it wouldn’t have started last year.Instead, Geely is taking advantage of its appealing price and benefiting as Australian buyers look for a way to beat the pain at the pump.Zeekr 7X While it doesn’t have the sheer volume of others on this list, selling only 2698 examples so far in 2026, the 7X is proving to be consistently popular while growing in sales.It’s not surprising that it isn’t selling in bigger volumes like the BYD and Geely, as it is positioned as a more premium offering with a starting price of $57,900  that stretches to $72,900 for the flagship Performance AWD model.But averaging nearly 675 sales per month to start 2026, with a spike of 973 sales in April, it’s clear that the 7X is an EV with a growing following.Kia EV3 You may have noticed a theme with the previously mentioned models, as the newer Chinese brands have claimed the role of EV leaders. But one of the established brands holding its own is Kia.Not all of its EVs are proving a sales hit, with the larger EV6 and EV9 still returning relatively modest sales numbers, but the smaller EV3 is doing well. Sales are up 150.2 per cent year-to-date, helping it become the most popular small electric SUV in its price range.The EV3 has garnered critical acclaim and has been slowly building a customer base, likely appealing to those looking to make the electric switch with a brand they know and trust.Sales of the larger EV5 are also up in 2026, but nowhere near to the same level, increasing only 28.7 per cent as it competes directly against the Sealion 7, EX5 and even the 7X.Toyota bZ4XCompared to the other cars on this list the total 2026 sales of just 1323 looks a bit poor, but when you consider how the bZ4X has performed previously it is having a breakout moment.Toyota’s first EV averaged less than 87 sales per month in 2025 but in 2026 it is averaging 330 sales per month so far; peaking at 483 sales in April.This is likely thanks to a renewed marketing push from Toyota, the RAV4 changeover and the high petrol prices leading Australian buyers to give it another look. How long this continues remains to be seen, but given the struggle Toyota has had with this model so far, this is a definite bright spot for the bZ4X.

I have been to three Chinese motor shows in a row, and all three times have signalled a shift in the calibre of the cars, which are increasingly setting a global agenda.The first time, I wrote of the sheer scale on display from some of the biggest brands and the amount of interest around carmakers BYD, GWM and Nio compared to the stands of Nissan, Toyota and Honda.The Shanghai Motor Show a year later was full of ambitious new products and a lack of fear to try new things on a global stage.But this year’s Beijing Motor Show marked yet another, unexpected shift, which should continue to strike fear into popular incumbents used to topping charts in regions around the world.This time, things were somewhat scaled back. Gone were the weird and whacky Chinese domestic market specials. The stands were slick, professional and showcased a handful of global-market ready models.Above all, the flavour was international. If the previous two motor shows were experimental and expansion themed, respectively the 2026 Beijing Motor Show was an announcement.Chinese automakers aren’t just for China any more. They have their sights well and truly set at topping the charts around the world.The Geely Group stand was happy to show some older cars, such as the Monjaro SUV and Preface sedan, but also ones that were fully prepared for export, with a variety of fresh hybrid powertrains designed to please international buyers and markets with different emissions settings and charging infrastructure.Even the auto giant’s primary reveal was relatively tame, a concept sedan which previewed its new design language but the message was clear - this is our new unified design for the world, not just for China, and it is powertrain agnostic. You’ll know a Geely when you see it, and it will have exactly what you want under the bonnet.The same could be said for most of the other stands I had time to visit. GAC showed off its global market off-road SUV alongside an array of export-ready models, but it was the more obscure once-domestic-only marques like the luxury HongQi and the off-road-focused 212 which had taken a massive step up in terms of the international allure of their stands.Another very telling shift was the renewed interest in brands like Nissan and Toyota. Not so much the globally-recognised versions of these brands, mind you, but their Chinese joint-venture incarnations, which have created quite some hype in the preceding months in markets outside of China.Nissan’s stand went from a sad handful of dated sedan models in previous years, to absolutely heaving with interest thanks to its Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute and just-revealed Terrano SUV.Nissan has unapologetically re-oriented toward its joint-venture with Dongfeng in China for these models, declaring it has to lean on “China Speed” to reignite interest in its otherwise ailing global footprint.Toyota, meanwhile, showed a stand primarily of joint-venture models with BYD and GAC, many of which, it seems, may start to be exported as more of the world seeks a more electrified line-up than the Japanese juggernaut has previously been keen to offer.With context, this shift makes a lot of sense. Domestically, Chinese automakers have been engaged in a brutal price war, as Beijing’s subsidies shift between production of ‘New Energy’ models to the actual sales pipeline, as the government seeks to rapidly get combustion vehicles off the road.The result has seen the biggest players, like BYD, able to use their scale to sell models at extremely sharp prices in order to squeeze rivals on volume, all seemingly with the objective of being one of the last ones standing at any cost. It has seen a massive contraction in the number of automakers able to stay afloat in China, and with a market quickly reaching a point of ‘New Energy’ saturation, many, including BYD, have sought the refuge and higher margins of export markets like Australia.As it turns out, many of these markets have been ripe for the taking, particularly ones with low barriers to entry, incumbent market leaders not used to such competition, and little to no tariffs.It’s no wonder then, that as I walked around the Beijing Motor Show, I very much felt like every automaker was trying to sell me a car, rather than the local standing next to me.

Toyota has confirmed it will introduce a first-ever fully-electric Yaris hatch alongside the hybrid and petrol versions. Toyota’s European Vice President of Strategy and Marketing Andrea Carlucci said in an overseas interview the brand will look to embrace electrification in the segment.“If electrification is the direction, I think we cannot avoid having a fully electrified version ,” Carlucci told Auto Express.“The ideal path is to offer a platform where we have multi-energy options, so delivering different powertrains that are the right solution for every customer. “Let me put it to you this way: a multi-energy approach isn’t just one solution. It has to be the solution.”There is no official news yet on whether we will see the electric Yaris in Australia, but it could be a welcome addition for the brand. Toyota currently has only one all-electric vehicle on sale, which is the bZ4X, while an electric HiLux is also on the way. An electric Yaris gives Toyota a competitor in the growing electric hatch segment, and would be expected to be the brand’s cheapest EV. It would take on the likes of the recently-unveiled Volkswagen ID. Polo,  which could be on the cards for Australia, as well as Chinese rivals such as the BYD Atto 1.Toyota Australia said it was not able to confirm the arrival of the electric Yaris yet. Starting at under $30,000, the current hybrid-only Yaris is the cheapest car for Toyota in Australia, but any electric version is expected to be a decent step up in price.One potential roadblock for the Yaris EV getting to Australia is where it will be sourced.It will first launch in Europe and will likely be sourced from Toyota's factory in France. European budget car imports to Australia are often prohibitive due to high costs of shipment and other applicable tariffsThe Yaris currently available in Australia is sourced from Japan, which usually does not incur the same shipping costs as from Europe, meaning it can be offered at an affordable price point. Any new Yaris is not expected until 2027, when the new-generation hybrid will launch, with the electric version potentially not arriving until 2028.

Year-to-date registration data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) show ‘electrified’ passenger and light commercial vehicles have crossed a significant tipping point to become a more popular choice than traditional diesel and purely petrol-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) options in Australia.To the end of April, sales of battery electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles stood at 50,976 units, a 79.2 per cent increase on the same four-month period in 2025 (28,448 units).At the same time, sales of ICE vehicles (including light commercials but not heavy trucks) have dropped 35.9 per cent from 64,991 in 2025 to 47,813 units this year.Tellingly, sales of pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have grown by just over 100 per cent, with key players BYD up 110.8 per cent (25,243 vs 11,974) and Tesla 49.9 per cent year-on-year (8485 vs 5660).Individual (higher volume) stand-out BEV models include the BYD Sealion 7 and Dolphin, Geely EX5, Kia EV3, Tesla Model Y and Toyota bZ4X.And when it comes to hybrids, thanks to better supply of the new-generation version, the ever-popular Toyota RAV4 has come up to its more usual monthly sales rate and has been joined by its big-brother LandCruiser 300 Hybrid.Add in other relatively recent hybrid arrivals like the Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid joining now established disrupters like the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha and hybrid sales are set to expand even further. Clearly, April 2026 marked a historical moment in time for the Aussie new vehicle market.

Toyota’s next Corolla is approaching, but the brand is keeping quiet on what we can expect from the next generation of on of the world’s highest selling cars.

Toyota Australia is currently dealing with a couple of problems that, while it’s not alone in facing, seem to be affecting it more than most.With Australia’s new emissions laws set to continue tightening, Toyota will have to start looking for more and more efficient vehicles to lower overall emissions from the vehicles it sells.At the same time, its line-up of EVs remains behind the curve while people are more readily looking to go electric.This coincides with a sales dip thanks to the changeover in generations of the Toyota RAV4, something the brand might face more challenges with due to its lack of ANCAP rating.The dramatic increase in interest in cars built in China is another factor, with new brands sapping market share from the local market veterans to the point that China was the third-biggest source of new cars in Australia in 2025 behind Thailand 2nd (thanks to dual-cab utes) and Japan (thanks in great part to Toyota and Mazda).China is on-par with Japan for first in Q1 2026, and was the biggest source of new cars in March.It seems like a big problem for Toyota, but it could also in part contain the solution.Toyota has two major joint-ventures in China, a requirement for foreign companies to operate in China, one with Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) and one with First Automotive Works (FAW). GAC will be familiar to some Australians, having launched here in 2025, with the Aion V electric mid-size SUV leading the charge.Interestingly, the GAC Aion V is built on a platform co-developed with Toyota that also underpins the Toyota bZ3X in China.Given Toyota is in need of electric cars, and it has access to a readily available EV in China that would surely be more affordable than the bZ4X mid-size SUV, we asked Toyota Australia’s Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Franchise Operations, John Pappas, whether bringing in cars like the bZ3X from China is on the cards to increase sales in the EV space.While Pappas wouldn’t be drawn to comment on any specific models, or even whether Chinese cars were under consideration, he told CarsGuide there’s always scope for new models to come in from anywhere, regardless of the market of origin.“So the beautiful thing, the benefit of being such a global company like Toyota, and being in around 180 markets all around the world, and having so many manufacturing plants, that enables us to assess - whether it's sourcing of the vehicle, spec, power train.”“We are always considering from all parts of the world where we should source our next vehicles from. So that's an option for us, right? And that's the beautiful thing about being part of the Toyota global platform and family.”When asked if there were any learnings to be drawn from China’s rise to dominance in Australia or whether Toyota has gleaned insights from its joint-ventures, Pappas played down the focus on China, instead saying he believes Toyota’s history in Australia puts it in a strong position for its future here.“We want to make sure that whatever decisions we make, whether we're sourcing a car out of Europe, whether it's sourcing a car out of China, whatever it is, it's all about making sure we look after our customers through our extensive Toyota dealer network.”

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Cruiser is the top-spec model in the new RAV4 line-up priced from $56,990 in front-wheel drive or $60,340 as an AWD before on-road costs.It features high-end inclusions like high-grade LED headlamps, leather-accented seat trim, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, four heated seats, two wireless phone chargers, plus a sunroof, a premium nine-speaker JBL audio system and 20-inch alloy wheels.It also comes with plenty of the RAV4’s standard features like LED headlights, privacy tinting, eight-way powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, a 10.5-inch touchscreen display for multimedia, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, five USB-C ports plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a full-size spare wheel.Powering either the front or all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a 143kW/221Nm series-parallel hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, which Toyota claims uses 4.5 (2WD) or 4.6L (AWD) of petrol per 100km of driving. It also now needs 95RON instead of the previous minimum 91RON.Toyota expects a five-star ANCAP rating, though will not find out until later in 2026.Eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) pre-collision, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane trace, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor are all standard across the range.The brand’s five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty can be extended to seven years if you maintain your logbook servicing with Toyota. Capped-price servicing ($325 per service) comes every 12 months or 15,000km - this lasts five years or 75,000km. 

Toyota has just released the pricing for its new 2027 hybrid LandCruiser four-wheel drive, and it will be the most powerful variant yet.It will start from $156,060 (before on-road costs) for the GR Sport grade and $156,810 (before on-road costs) for the Sahara ZX.This means a hybrid LandCruiser costs around $9000 more than the highest grade of the diesel-only model.It is a significant step up in price on the recently-announced Denza B8 plug-in hybrid off-roader, which starts from under $100K. Toyota's hybrid LandCruiser announcement is also an early warning shot to the returning Mitsubishi Pajero, which we will learn more about before the end of the year.The LandCruiser hybrid will be powered by a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine along with a single electric motor.The hybrid system has been adapted from the Tundra full-size pick-up, which itself offered some serious power and torque.The addition of an electrified boost to the LandCruiser has seen substantial improvements in power, now producing 341kW and 790Nm, up from 227kW and 700Nm. These new figures boost the car’s power beyond that of the soon-to-be phased out V8-powered Nissan Patrol. Toyota said this hybrid transition for the LandCruiser was designed to improve performance as opposed to efficiency like on other models such as the Camry sedan and RAV4 SUV.On the inside, there are leather-accented seats, with the front and outward rear ones heated and ventilated. Elsewhere, the car gets a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and a 14-speaker premium JBL audio system.The GR Sport grade comes with front and rear lockable differentials as well as electronically-controlled suspension for increased rugged off-roading capabilities.Sahara ZX models have a rear limited-slip differential, for added poise on the road. The car’s new hybrid set-up allows for a rear auxiliary power socket, which is capable of powering small appliances.The new LandCruiser hybrid will arrive in showrooms in the middle of this year.2027 Toyota LandCruiser 300 hybrid pricing  

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 XSE is an all-wheel-drive, mid-size SUV priced from $58,340 before on-road costs.It features high-end inclusions like synthetic leather and suede sports front seats with contrast stitching and three-stage front seat heating and ventilation, plus a sunroof and 20-inch alloy wheels.It also comes with plenty of the RAV4’s standard features like LED headlights, privacy tinting, eight-way powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, a 10.5-inch touchscreen display for multimedia, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charger, a six-speaker audio system and five USB-C ports plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a full-size spare wheel.Powering all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a 143kW/221Nm series-parallel hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine.Toyota claims it uses 4.6L of petrol (now 95RON instead of 91RON minimum) per 100km of driving.Toyota anticipates the new RAV4 will score five stars thanks to extensive safety kit, but it is as yet unrated, that comes later in 2026.Eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) pre-collision, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane trace, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor are all standard across the range.A five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty covers the RAV4 and can be extended to seven years if you maintain your logbook servicing with Toyota. Capped-price servicing comes every 12 months or 15,000km and costs just $325 per service - this lasts five years or 75,000km. 

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Edge is a mid-size SUV available only in all-wheel drive, rather than having a front-wheel drive option like much of the RAV4 line-up. It’s priced from $55,340 before on-road costs.It comes with plenty of the RAV4’s standard features like LED headlights, privacy tinting, eight-way powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, a 10.5-inch touchscreen display for multimedia, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charger, a six-speaker audio system and five USB-C ports plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a full-size spare wheel.The Edge has a unique (to the RAV4 line-up) 20mm wider wheel track and its own front-end design plus 18-inch dark matt grey metallic alloy wheels.Under the bonnet, a series-parallel hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine produces 143kW and 221Nm. It powers all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).Toyota claims it uses 4.6L of petrol (now 95RON instead of 91RON minimum) per 100km of driving.The RAV4 is yet to be crash tested by ANCAP, but Toyota anticipates five stars thanks to extensive safety kit including eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) pre-collision, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear-cross traffic alert, lane trace, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor. All this is standard across the range.Toyota’s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty can be extended to seven years if you maintain your logbook servicing with Toyota, plus capped-price servicing (every 12 months or 15,000km) costs just $325 per service for five years or 75,000km.