Articles by Chris Thompson

The 2026 Kia PV5 Cargo is the first time Kia’s built an electric van, and it’s coming with a futuristic design, low price, and competitive electric driving range to take on rivals like the VW ID.Buzz Cargo, the Renault Kangoo E-Tech or Peugeot E-Partner. We took a test drive at the Australian launch in Sydney’s industrial inner-south to find out how the PV5 handles its intended environment.

Kia Australia has confirmed the local specification for its first electric van, the PV5.The 2026 Kia PV5 Cargo, the commercial version of the electric van that will be followed by a passenger version down the track, starts from $55,990 before on-road costs for its single S variant.This makes it the cheapest electric van in the market, with the second- and third-cheapest being the Peugeot E-Partner at $59,990 and the Renault Kangoo E-Tech at $61,990.The PV5 uses a single front-mounted electric motor with 120kW and 250Nm, and Kia claims (under WLTP testing) a 416km driving range from the van’s 71.2kWh battery. Combined consumption is quoted at 19.1kWh, though CarsGuide’s initial testing during the PV5’s launch review suggests urban consumption sits in the mid-teens.Charging takes around 30 minutes at its maximum DC charging rate of 150kW, while its AC charging is maxed at 11kW.The PV5 is also bigger than its more expensive Euro rivals in terms of its cargo bay.In the cargo area, the PV5 has 4.42m3 of space, measuring 2255mm in length, 1565mm in width, and 1520mm in height.At 4695mm long, 1895mm wide and 1899mm high, it’s also externally smaller than the likes of the Toyota HiAce or Ford Transit Custom.In terms of specification, the PV5 comes in Clear White paired with a Deep Navy interior, though the S variant (the only available) is not short of useful features.Along with plenty of storage cubbies in the cabin, the van has a 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen running Kia’s newest software, plus a 7.5-inch driver display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a two-speaker sound system (much better than you’d expect), a wireless phone charger, multiple USB-C ports, a 12-volt plug, lumbar adjustment on both seats for long stints, auto air-conditioning, auto headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, heated folding mirrors and V2L capability.An exterior charging plug adapter for the PV5’s V2L ability is included as standard.Kia also specifies servicing intervals of 24 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first, and servicing can be prepaid at up to eight years for $2246.

Ford has launched a teaser site for its upcoming electric ute, a smaller sibling to the F-150 Lightning.Due in 2027, the apparently mid-size ‘truck’ has been spied testing numerous times, and a QR code on some versions of the new model’s camouflage can be scanned, leading you to a site called ‘You Spotted a Unicorn’.The section of Ford’s US website shows behind-the-scenes footage of the new model’s development and planning, with links to be kept in the loop when more information comes to hand.US outlets have been spending time trying to discern what the new ute’s interior might look like based on the exterior footage, or how closely related the new model will be to the existing Ford Maverick ute.It will be built on the Universal Electric Vehicle platform, and Ford gave a possible hint to its name in the statement that said “the herd arrives next year” on the site alongside “we’re testing this prototype early”.Use of the word ‘herd’ could suggest an animal name. The first one that often comes to mind for ‘herd’ is ‘Buffalo’ but that’s also the name of a car in the Grand Theft Auto universe - conveniently one that mixes influence from the Ford Mustang and Dodge Charger.Rumours also abound that Ford will revive the Ranchero name, which had previously been used on a car-based ute. and generally applies to someone who works on a cattle ranch.What is expected of the new model is a more affordable entry point into Ford’s EV ute family, with the F-150 Lightning being much larger. The new ute is expected to be smaller than the Ford Ranger.The development of the new model is so different to previous undertakings by Ford that there’s even a new team dedicated to its planning.“We recruited the most technically skilled and creative professionals from inside and outside Ford to drive a radical change in how we develop an electric vehicle,” said Ford boss Jim Farley last year.“The work of this highly talented team has evolved into a critical enabler of our electric vehicle strategy. These electric vehicles will be lower cost, and not compromised in any way.”Ford is aiming for a starting price around US$30,000, or just over A$40,000 when directly converted.

A smaller version of an iconic 4WD is no longer set to be EV-only, as new plans reveal hybrid drivetrain options have become a larger part of JLR’s future.The Land Rover Defender is going to spawn a smaller version of the nameplate, possibly called the Defender Sport if reports including those from Autocar in the UK are accurate.All signs pointed to an EV powertrain for the smaller Defender, based on Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) plans to roll out its new Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) as an EV-exclusive platform, but now the company has shifted strategy to include hybrids.Likely good news to many traditionalists in the JLR customer base, the brand confirmed the new Defender model would indeed go hybrid rather than EV-only.“A new model from the Defender family has been confirmed as the second vehicle to be launched on the EMA platform, which will now include the option of HEV as well as BEV in the future,” JLR said in a statement.According to JLR’s Managing Director for Defender and Discovery, Mark Cameron, plans are already looking well into the future for ‘Defender’, which now stands as a sub-brand rather than a single model under JLR’s ‘House of Brands’ strategy alongside Range Rover, Jaguar and Discovery."We've got a portfolio of one model with several variants,” he told Autocar on his plans for Defender, “but I'm working seven to 10 years ahead to build out this whole brand portfolio."We've got to make sure everything we do as Defender has the DNA of the brand: epic built-to-last, go-anywhere capability."While development is well on its way, details short of the inclusion of hybrid drivetrains in the so-called Defender Sport are scarce.Cameron has said while the new model likely won’t have the same capabilities as a Defender due to the platform’s electrification limitations, the model will still be “class-leading in the attributes that make it a Defender”.Importantly, JLR also has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Stellantis to work on hybrid technology, which could even result in the new model from Defender sharing some DNA with its historic rival.The new Defender model will be the second to launch on the new EMA platform after the Range Rover brand is to launch a new “full hybrid-electric vehicle.”“The HEV will be a unique new addition to JLR’s propulsion portfolio, offering more choice alongside mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV), plug‑in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and full battery electric vehicle (BEV) options.“JLR will reveal more on its first electric model built on its EMA platform at Halewood, Merseyside, later this year.”

Renault has unveiled a surprise new model, a military tactical vehicle developed in collaboration with French defence firm Thales.Underneath, the ‘4 Troop’ is actually a 2026 Renault Rafale plug-in hybrid SUV that uses its vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability to power a drone operation system.The unlikely military tool is fitted with equipment for data processing and operation of both unmanned aerial and ground vehicles, though imagery would suggest the drones are primarily the kind you’d see photographers and videographers use.“It provides land forces with a fully functional mobile command centre that can be configured to match the exact requirements of land forces missions and provide effective mission capabilities thanks to Thales's Combat Digital Platform,” Renault says.The announcement for the 4 Troop reads more like a sales pitch at potential investors or buyers and operators than a detailed specification run-down, though that is often the case with any automotive partnership with a defence or security firm.Renault spruiks the all-wheel drive system and hybrid drivetrain as a combination suited for differing terrains and efficient operation, with the option for a combustion engine if needed.The auto giant (which is part-owned by the French government) also published images of soldiers with a Master van using what appears to be similar drone operation hardware.The reveal comes alongside an announcement from Renault and Thales that the automaker will begin building as many as 1000 combat drones (not the kind you’d see photographers and videographers use).The rather more confronting announcement from Renault on this deal uses phrases like “mission-configurable warhead” and “requirements of the wartime economy”.While it’s not unusual for auto brands to assist in building military equipment (Mitsubishi famously built planes in WWII, and Ferdinand Porsche designed tanks, for example), the joint statements from Renault and Thales are certainly at odds with the French carmaker’s usual recent announcements about reviving classic models as EVs and developing new in-car tech.

Volkswagen has done something unusual and added a new model name to its line-up. Called the Volkswagen Tayron, it’s the spiritual successor to VV’s Tiguan Allspace with three rows of seas in a relatively standard mid-size package.For a three-row German SUV, the Tayron seems like good value. At $60,390, before on-road costs, its relative premium feel and decent list of features are good showroom fodder for the new VW model.It sits relatively middle of the pack for the Tayron, the 110TSI Life is less powerful and lacks some features, but the eHybrid plug-ins and more powerful 195TSI R-Line can be as much as $15,000 more expensive.Take a look at the Toyota Kluger or Hyundai Santa Fe if you’re considering a more established, proven rival.Back to the Tayron 150TSI Elegance, which like much of the range has VW’s '4Motion' all-wheel drive system which can be reassuring in bad weather.As the name suggests, its power output of 150kW comes from a 2.0-litre, turbo-petrol, four-cylinder engine, as does 320Nm of torque, which VW claims results in a 0-100km/h time of 7.4 seconds.Power and torque is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, a drivetrain layout only the ‘150’ variants in the Tayron line-up have.Volkswagen says the Tayron, which needs its 58-litre fuel tank filled with 95RON minimum, drinks 7.7L/100km. That’s decent for a non-hybrid SUV capable of hauling a family around, but it’s a fair bit thirstier than rivals like the Kluger or Santa Fe (both 5.6L/100km). In terms of creature comforts, the Elegance comes with a set of 19-inch alloy wheels, chrome trim outside and wood accent inside, tinted privacy glass, a 10.25-inch driver display and 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen, three-zone climate control, heated and ventilated power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated outboard seats in the second row, auto LED headlights with cornering lighting and interior coloured mood lighting.The Tayron 150 TSI Elegance can also be had with a 'Sound and Vision Pack' for $4200 that upgrades the multimedia touchscreen to a larger 15-inch version while also adding a 10-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display and matrix LED lights with dynamic lighting.While the list of features is healthy, the interior doesn’t feel extravagant, instead keeping the layout relatively simple and, likely to the disappointment of some, hiding much of the car’s functionality in the touchscreen.There is, mercifully, a constant menu bar for the key climate controls, but the only physical control in the Tayron’s central stack is the trio of the engine start button, electric handbrake switch, and the dial for either volume or drive mode, two settings that change with a push.Having to go through the screen is usually a bit of a pain when you’re on the move, but VW’s system is decently simple, even allowing you to swipe down and easily access important functions while using phone mirroring - Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are both wireless by the way.Its interior is otherwise well considered, though the driving position feels a little high to me, but the seat itself is comfortable.The second row can also be moved and adjusted for better comfort or space, depending on how kind you want to be to any third-row occupants, while the third row has enough space for an average adult to sit in comfortably, likely for a bit longer than you’d expect.Under the boot floor - where there’s either 345 litres, 850L, or 1905L depending on whether there’s one, two or three rows of seats up - the Tayron also has a space-saver spare wheel which is becoming a rarity today. Well done, VW.Like the space-savvy interior packaging, the Tayron’s on-road performance also deserves its bouquets. The three-row SUV isn’t enormous, but handles better than you might expect from something you could cart all six members of King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard around in.On highways and smoother roads, it’s decently quiet and is easy to settle into a nice rhythm with, while on twisty roads only particularly rough surfaces will unsettle it.Surefootedness comes with the very slight trade-off in terms of suspension softness, but it isn’t uncomfortable and doesn’t let big bumps in the road upset the cabin ambience much.The engine could be slightly more powerful for some situations, overtaking for example, but it’s about right for most day-to-day driving and it’s probably not worth spending too much more on a more powerful variant unless a hybrid’s efficiency appeals.On test, the Tayron returned a 7.9L/100km consumption figure, but given a fair chunk of that was dynamic testing, Volkswagen’s claimed number is probably a bit conservative and it wouldn’t be surprising if frugal owners managed to beat it.The transmission, despite still having some minor dual-clutch fumbles at low speeds, is good at keeping the engine where it needs to be in the rev-range and there are paddles to make that even smoother for dynamic driving.A maximum five-star ANCAP rating accompanies the Tayron, as well as nine airbags and a decent suite of safety kit that doesn’t interfere with your driving, a welcome change from many new cars.VW’s five-year warranty is getting on the shorter side as many brands extend theirs, but it’s not unusual for a Euro brand. 

Whether it’s lazy cost-cutting or an endeavour for design minimalism, the proliferation of touchscreens replacing buttons in new cars might have passed its peak.Feedback from both customers and media, as well as new assessments from safety organisations such as Euro NCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) and by extension ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program), could see more brands retreat from the trend of placing controls for key functions in the main touchscreen of their new models. While there are certainly fans of controls within touchscreens - particularly interior designers and engineers at certain brands - calls for easier access to commonly used controls have resulted in Euro NCAP and ANCAP changing testing criteria for 2026, bringing into account the ease important controls can be accessed.Things like indicators, hazard lights, windscreen wipers, headlights and even the horn are just some of the controls that will need to be easily accessible under new testing procedures spearheaded by Euro NCAP.“New assessments of the human-machine interface (HMI) are introduced” in its 2026 criteria, the safety body said in a press release in late 2025.They focus on “evaluating the placement, clarity, and ease of use of essential controls”, Euro NCAP said, “including the availability of physical buttons for commonly used functions, which consumer feedback suggests can reduce distraction”.Australia’s own ANCAP and Euro NCAP often align their policies on such things, and so ANCAP has since confirmed it will be doing the same.“If you’ve noticed that some new cars have the most basic driver controls buried within touchscreens and sub-menus, you’re not alone,” ANCAP’s latest publication said.“It’s time to bring back buttons and stalks and remove some of the complication (and distraction!).“From 2026, we’re asking car makers to either offer physical buttons for important driver controls like the horn, indicators, hazard lights, windscreen wipers and headlights, or dedicate a fixed portion of the cabin display screen to these primary driving functions.”It’s been part of the plan for years, with ANCAP’s CEO Carla Hoorweg having said as early as March 2024 reducing distractions for drivers is a key goal for the organisation."We know driver distraction is a growing factor in road crashes, so it is important that certain in-vehicle controls are easily accessible by the driver and don't complicate the driving task or contribute to in-car distraction or inattention," she said."Physical buttons or stalks to operate these key vehicle controls will be encouraged through scoring, with manufacturers awarded points for the prioritisation of physical controls."While this means brands like Tesla and Volvo, who have been two of the earliest adopters of the ‘big screen’, will have to reconsider how much of the key controls and functions of new cars go into touchscreen menus.Fortunately, some brands have refused to follow the trend.Not long after the 2024 statement from ANCAP, Aston Martin Director of Design Miles Nurnberger told CarsGuide that physical controls are important for retaining the right ecosystem for a driver to feel able to properly use the car.“As an overall industry, there is a big digitisation ecosystem, and that's been a really interesting challenge for us because a lot of car companies have tried to profess to be a tech company,” he said.“I think years ago, it was like you needed some buttons. You put them in the car and buttons and buttons grew, and I think understanding why someone buys a car… led us down a path of looking at all the buttons.“I might be able to make something seemingly more efficient by burying everything in a screen, but it doesn't talk to the real user experience.“You look at the best experience, the best user solution. It might be physical, it's tactile. I can do that with my thumb. I don't take my eyes off the road. I'm a better driver for it.”It’s not just brands like Aston Martin who are committing to buttons.Toyota’s new models still feature a healthy serving of physical controls, as does its upmarket sibling Lexus.Hyundai (and by extension Genesis) follow the same philosophy. Sibling brand Kia is much the same.Chief Creative Officer for Hyundai and Genesis Luc Donkerwolke admitted in 2024 the brands had gone too far in minimising physical controls.“We are always paying attention that we don't end up in the ridiculous situation that you have to go to sub menus,” Donkerwolke said.He also confirmed the reason for removing buttons often comes down to cost-saving.“It's easy to reduce all costs when you only have digital keys . It's low tooling investment, you can do whatever you want, it's only software. The problem is it's not compatible with the use of a car. “We have a clear philosophy, eyes on the road, hands on the steering wheel, and if you do something else like that you are basically putting in danger the life of your customers.”

Audi has revealed a surprise new model, called the Nuvolari, a limited edition supercar it claims will be the brand’s most powerful and fastest production vehicle in its history.Only 499 cars will be built, making the 2027 Audi Nuvolari one of the rarest in the brand’s recent history, running short of the 660 units built for the Audi RS6 Avant GT wagon.The Nuvolari isn't a new version of the Audi R8 per se, but it's hard to deny the close links and lineage of a mid-engine, two-seater model using a drivetrain borrowed from sibling brand Lamborghini, in this case a hybrid V8.Full details haven't been revealed, but the numbers already confirmed are impressive.With a hybrid system consisting of a mid-mounted 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and three axial flux electric motors (as opposed to more common radial flux), the all-wheel drive Nuvolari boasts 736kW. The engine alone produces 588kW of that (as well as 730Nm), while each electric motor has a 110kW maximum output. Two of those motors are mounted at the front axle and can collectively deliver 2150Nm of torque. The other is mounted between the engine and transmission. The result of all this is a 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 2.6 seconds, on to 200km/h in just 6.8 seconds and an eventual top speed north of 350km/h.Oh, and the engine revs out to 10,000rpm, so it’ll sound rather intense while doing it.If it all sounds a bit familiar, the drivetrain is almost certainly a reapplication of the Lamborghini Temerario's, which is also a 4.0-litre hybrid V8 system featuring a 10,000rpm redline - though outputs there peak at just 676kW.The brand’s Chief Technical Officer, Rouven Mohr, said the Nuvolari is a display of “technical expertise, innovative strength, and dedication” that draws from Audi’s recent entry into F1.“This is reflected not only in the vehicle’s performance and its Formula 1-inspired technologies, but also in the ability to transfer innovations quickly and precisely into a production vehicle.”The Nuvolari features other high-end advancements from Audi like its ‘Quattro predictive ride’ which uses sensors to adjust suspension and damping before the car reaches a section of road. The car is also the first use of Audi’s space frame and carbon fibre exterior combination, drawn from the brand’s newfound F1 experience along with active aerodynamics.Similarly, energy recuperation to charge the 7.3kWh lithium-ion battery in coordination with the braking system is another area benefiting from F1 tech.Huge F1-derived 420mm discs at the front are clamped by 10-piston calipers under braking, while the rear features 410mm discs and four-piston calipers.“A motorsport-inspired brake-by-wire system enables variable distribution between recuperation and hydraulic braking,” Audi says.“The brake pedal is functionally decoupled from actual braking force at the wheels to ensure a consistent and precise pedal feel.”The Nuvolari name comes from Tazio Nuvolari, an Italian racing driver who made a comeback to Grand Prix motorsport with Auto Union, Audi’s predecessor, after having retired. He won the 1938 Italian GP, his home race, with the brand.Audi will start deliveries to Nuvolari customers in the first half of 2027.

The Lexus RZ, the brand’s first dedicated EV, disappointed with very low sales and arguably very high prices. Now, a big update and massive price drop could mean broader appeal for Lexus’ electric SUV.

One of China's biggest car brands has a special Australia-focused model set for reveal later this year.During the recent arrival of BYD’s Zhengzhou cargo ship carrying thousands of new BYDs for waiting customers, the brand’s global VP and local COO confirmed the brand has an Australia-only model on the way.Liu Xueliang, Group Vice President of BYD and General Manager of BYD Asia-Pacific Auto Sales Division, was asked by journalists about models designed with Europe in mind - like the BYD Dolphin G revealed a week ago -  and whether they could come to Australia.“We have another special model, just for Australian customers,” Liu told journalists via translator, but wouldn’t be drawn on further details.Chief Operating Officer of BYD Australia Stephen Collins said no more could be said yet, but that the brand will “have more to say about that later in the year”.Given BYD already has a model seemingly built for the Australian psyche, the Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute, it’s not yet clear what the Oz-specific BYD could be.A strong possibility at this stage is the apparent monocoque chassis ute, which has been spied testing numerous times in camouflage.According to Chinese government documents, the brand is planning more capacity for a ‘plug-in hybrid pick-up’ at its Zhengzhou production facility, though it doesn't mention the Shark 6.Spy photos show the ute with what appears to be a front-end similar to the likes of the BYD Sealion 5, and a small tub at the rear attached to a car-like dual-cab set-up.What could be China’s severely belated answer to car-based utes like the Holden Crewman, though previous expectations were that this model would be sold in China as well as other markets where small utes are popular, like South America.BYD is, in any case, expanding its line-up of Shark 6 ute variants to nab more share in the persistently competitive category here in Australia, so we will have to wait and see whether more information comes to light around BYD’s special model for Australia.