<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0">
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        <atom:link href="https://www.carsguide.com.au/feed/rss/car-news" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>
        <title>CarsGuide - Car News</title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.carsguide.com.au/feed/rss/car-news]]></link>
                <description>Car News Australia: Latest Motoring News from CarsGuide</description>
        <language>en-US</language>
        <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 03:37:01 +0000</pubDate>

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            <title><![CDATA[Polestar boss said more price cuts are coming for 2026 Polestar 3 electric SUV as production switches from China to the US]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/polestar-boss-said-more-price-cuts-are-coming-for-2026-polestar-3-electric-suv-as</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The price of Polestar&rsquo;s premium, pure-electric Polestar 3 SUV has already been reduced in Australia this year, but the Swedish EV specialist&rsquo;s global CEO Michael Lohscheller has indicated cost-of-entry will fall further thanks to a manufacturing switch from China to the USA.An updated version of the 3 arrived in here in March, boasting an 800-volt architecture, which Polestar claims has improved charge times by more than 25 per cent.And with a revised price of $116,700 (all prices before on-road costs) the &lsquo;base&rsquo; Rear motor version represents a reduction of $1720 (-1.5 per cent) compared to the previous model.At $131,100 the mid-level Dual motor also dropped $1600 (-1.2 per cent), while the flagship Performance increased nearly $2280 (+1.6 per cent) to $146,700.But when asked by CarsGuide whether the change in Polestar 3 production for Australia from Chengdu, China to Ridgeville, South Carolina in the USA would make the car more expensive for local buyers Michael Lohscheller&rsquo;s response was clear.&ldquo;No. The other way around, because we had two production sites (for Polestar 3) and now we consolidate to one in the US.&nbsp;&ldquo;So that lowers costs. It&rsquo;s beneficial and very good news for us,&rdquo; he said.And while acknowledging Polestar remains &ldquo;in a loss-making situation&rdquo; overall, Lohscheller added that, &ldquo;Going forward I want to make Polestar more approachable also with cars which start at lower prices where you can then have access and you can walk up.&ldquo;When Polestar was set up it was maybe a bit too high and too niche and maybe also a bit too expensive.&ldquo;I want to make sure people can afford a Polestar 2 or Polestar 7 to come into the brand. So, instead of starting at &euro;50,000 (~$80,000), maybe we start at &euro;40,000 (~$65,000).&ldquo;And that doesn&rsquo;t mean we will not be premium anymore, but you have better entry into the brand,&rdquo; he said.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/polestar-boss-said-more-price-cuts-are-coming-for-2026-polestar-3-electric-suv-as</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 11:35:06 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA['Work to do': Standard Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car pulled from sale as new high-performance N version arrives to battle 2026 Tesla Model 3 Performance]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/work-to-do-standard-hyundai-ioniq-6-electric-car-pulled-from-sale-as-new-high-performance</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Hyundai will soon launch the high-performance Ioniq 6 N electric sedan in Australia, but the regular versions of this facelifted car are still nowhere to be seen.The South Korean carmaker no longer features the regular Ioniq 6 on its Australian website, only showing a register your interest portal for the new Ioniq 6 N.&ldquo;Our local launch timing for non-N facelift Ioniq 6 variants is still to be confirmed, we have some work to do to develop a robust business plan,&rdquo; said a Hyundai Australia spokesperson.&ldquo;For now, our focus is on offering one high-performance halo variant of Ioniq 6.&rdquo;It&rsquo;s worth noting that Hyundai decides to only offer the Ioniq 6 N in Australia and not the regular versions, it won&rsquo;t be the first market to do so.Hyundai USA previously confirmed it would launch the facelifted Ioniq 6 in late 2025 or early 2026 but axed it before it could arrive. It now only offers the Ioniq 6 N.The South Korean carmaker revealed the original Ioniq 6 back in 2022 ahead of its launch in Australia in 2023.The exterior design was a polarising topic of conversation with the electric sedan&rsquo;s original look.Hyundai attempted to address this with the mid-life update, which smoothed out the front and rear designs. It also introduced a sporty-looking N Line trim.The update also brought bigger battery options &ndash; 63kWh and 84kWh units &ndash; meaning more range. Hyundai claims the Ioniq 6 now offers up to 680km of range depending on the variant, according to WLTP testing.In Australia a total of 1214 examples of the Ioniq 6 have been sold since it was introduced.In the first four months of 2026 a total of 17 examples have been sold. Tesla sold a total of 1776 Model 3s and BYD sold a total of 1304 Seal sedans over the same period.Hyundai did slash the asking price of the pre-update Ioniq 6 by up to $34,000, depending on the variant, late last year to clear stock. These were all model year 2023 (MY23) examples.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/work-to-do-standard-hyundai-ioniq-6-electric-car-pulled-from-sale-as-new-high-performance</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 11:31:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Watch out BYD Shark 6: 2027 LDV T70 and Terron 9 PHEV to become potentially cut-price dual-prong hybrid rivals]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/watch-out-byd-shark-6-2027-ldv-t70-and-terron-9-phev-to-become-potentially-cut-price-dual</link>
            <description><![CDATA[LDV is set to muscle in on the rapidly-expanding plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ute segment in Australia with a two-pronged strategy covering all bases and budgets.Unveiled in Beijing late last month, the T70 PHEV and Terron 9 PHEV are both expected to land locally sometime next year, though importer Ateco Automotive has yet to confirm this.The cheaper of the two will be the T70 PHEV. As a substantial update of the existing, 10-year-old T60 ute (it may retain the old name for Australia), it is expected to match and even undercut other similarly-electrified dual-cab utes also from China.These include the just-announced JAC Hunter PHEV that starts from $50,000 before on-road costs, the GWM Cannon PHEV that is due in Australia from August with pricing yet to be confirmed, as well as the as-yet-unnamed Chery &lsquo;KP31&rsquo; that is being prepared for launch in a few months.Meanwhile, the Terron 9 PHEV will be the more-premium choice, taking on the BYD Shark 6 PHEV that kicks off from $57,990 before on-road costs in Premium grade (though a recently-released Cab Chassis version costs $2000 less).GWM&rsquo;s larger second ute option, the Cannon Alpha PHEV that starts from $61,490 drive-away in base Lux guise, as well as the coming Nissan Frontier Pro PHEV, may also be in the larger LDV PHEV&rsquo;s crosshairs.In contrast, Australia&rsquo;s best-selling vehicle over the past two years, the Ford Ranger, is not even in the hunt against these Chinese alternatives, with the PHEV (imported from South Africa instead of Thailand like the rest of the range) commencing from $71,990 before on-road costs in XLT specification, soaring to $86,990 for the Stormtrak flagship.Despite anticipated sharp pricing, the LDV&rsquo;s powertrain promises to be advanced, combining a petrol engine and an electric motor to offer both mechanical and electric four-wheel-drive capability.Other PHEV details, including powertrain outputs, battery size and range, will be revealed at a later stage.So, what are the other changes to the latest, facelifted T60/T70 series?More than just a makeover, it appears that almost every exterior panel is new from the windscreen forward and the rear window-back, including the sheetmetal and nose cone.And while the basic centre section carries over, the interior has also come in for a complete redesign, with its restyled dashboard incorporating a sizeable central touchscreen/instrumentation display, mimicking that of the Terron 9.Speaking of which, the latter is also set to donate its 163kW/520Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine to the smaller ute, replacing the 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre unit as found in the existing T60 in Australia. Whether the same power and torque outputs also carry through is not known at this stage.  @carsguide.com.au Watch out, BYD Shark 6! The 2027 LDV T70 is coming with hybrid and diesel #LDV #T70 #pickup #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   The coming PHEV is not the first electrified LDV ute to be sold in Australia.The existing T60 has gone down in history as the first ute to offer a battery electric vehicle (EV) option as the eT60 back in 2022.But stratospheric pricing (from nearly $100,000), rear-drive only (so no 4x4 availability) and low carrying capacity scuppered any chance of success, leading to the EV's discontinuation in 2024. That failure seems to have also delayed the eTerron 9 EV indefinitely.LDV is unlikely to make the same mistakes with either the Terron 9 PHEV or T60/T70 PHEV if/when they get the green light for Australia.Watch this space.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/watch-out-byd-shark-6-2027-ldv-t70-and-terron-9-phev-to-become-potentially-cut-price-dual</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 10:20:33 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Honda says 80 years of heritage and top products like 2026 Honda CR-V hybrid SUV keep brand competitive against Chinese brands like BYD, GWM and Chery]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/honda-says-80-years-of-heritage-and-top-products-like-2026-honda-cr-v-hybrid-suv-keep</link>
            <description><![CDATA[China&rsquo;s rise in Australia does not threaten the existence of Honda, the company says, as the historic brand highlights its solid model range, aftersales and heritage as points of difference to newer rivals.The comments come just weeks after BYD announced it was about to flood the Australian market with 30,000 new cars in the coming months, as it and other Chinese brands - namely GWM, Chery and MG - push further into Australia&rsquo;s top 10 sales charts.China&rsquo;s aggressive plans to be the world&rsquo;s top automotive producer has already had some impact on Honda&rsquo;s global plans.In a statement announcing the cancellation of the &lsquo;0&rsquo; Series EVs in March, Honda said Chinese buyers&rsquo; shift of focus from hardware to software-based features and shorter model development cycles has &ldquo;intensified the competition&rdquo;.&ldquo;In such a difficult competitive environment, Honda was unable to deliver products that offer value for money better than that of newer EV manufacturers, resulting in a decline in competitiveness.&rdquo;When asked by CarsGuide if Japanese carmakers can still compete with China given the speed with which Chinese brands change tech and update models, Honda Australia Director - Automobiles Robert Thorp acknowledged China has &ldquo; a number of competitive advantages that they're rightly exploiting&rdquo;.He said they&rsquo;re doing a good job of bringing products to market and connecting with customers quickly, but added that Honda continues to be competitive in many areas.&ldquo;Just because they have that, it doesn't actually mean we can't compete with that. We have other advantages within our global business, and even advantages here locally that we think that we need to exploit too. So we have a brand and a heritage that, in Australia, has been close to 60 years, globally, closer to 80, that is built on us demonstrating to customers that when you buy a Honda, we'll look after you.&ldquo;Whether that's a vehicle, whether it's a motorcycle, whether that's a power product or a marine engine. And you can't build that trust overnight. It takes years and years,&rdquo; he said at the 2026 CR-V launch.Thorp highlighted Honda&rsquo;s strong points, some of which have been serious weak points for Chinese brands like BYD, GWM and MG.&ldquo;You can't build the sort of supply chains that we have and the ability to look after customers long after they've built the vehicle. So that, you know, there's an absolute peace of mind. The relationship we have with our Honda centers and our network is built over a number of years, and the heritage and connection and emotional connection&hellip; we have with our customers, that's built over a number of years.&rdquo;Aftersales and customer care has been an issue for many newer Chinese brands in Australia as sales growth outpaced companies&rsquo; ability to build parts distribution centres and supply chains. This left a lot of customers without parts and allowed frustration to build. Each of those brands is in the process of addressing the shortfall.Thorp explained how Honda&rsquo;s reputation for quality and refinement will also ensure the brand remains competitive.&ldquo;There's a quality in the drive and the quality of the vehicles that you can tangibly see and touch and feel, and you can see on the spec sheet, but there's those other elements that are harder to explain. It's that sort of feeling you get when you actually sit in a car and drive a Honda that I think allows us to hopefully demonstrate that, yeah, we actually have a number of winning features that allows us to compete.&rdquo;&ldquo;So whilst, yeah, it's tough, it's challenging, but we're very comfortable that with the total package that we can provide to our customers, we've got a compelling proposition that can succeed in this market.&rdquo;If there was still any doubt about Honda&rsquo;s long-term prospects, Thorp said Honda&rsquo;s global HQ is &ldquo;100 per cent&rdquo; committed]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Nicholson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/honda-says-80-years-of-heritage-and-top-products-like-2026-honda-cr-v-hybrid-suv-keep</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[New 2027 Toyota LandCruiser 300 hybrid its most powerful model yet to battle Nissan Patrol and BYD's Denza B8]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-2027-toyota-landcruiser-300-hybrid-its-most-powerful-model-yet-to-battle-nissan-patrol</link>
            <description><![CDATA[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.&nbsp;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 diesel 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.&nbsp;These new figures boost the car&rsquo;s power beyond that of the soon-to-be phased out V8-powered Nissan Patrol.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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.&nbsp;The car&rsquo;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&nbsp;&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-2027-toyota-landcruiser-300-hybrid-its-most-powerful-model-yet-to-battle-nissan-patrol</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 17:29:16 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Electric and petrol versions of 2027 BMW M3 performance sedan will be priced similarly when they land to rival Mercedes-AMG C63]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/electric-and-petrol-versions-of-2027-bmw-m3-performance-sedan-will-be-priced-similarly</link>
            <description><![CDATA[BMW&rsquo;s performance M3 sedan is expected to achieve close on price parity between its electric and petrol variants.Electric vehicles generally still carry a hefty premium compared to internal combustion and hybrid models, but it looks like that could be all about to change.A report in UK publication AutoCar states the new electric M3 will be priced similarly to the petrol version of the car, following an interview with BMW&rsquo;s sales director Sylvia Neubauer."The good news is that from a pricing perspective, they are in the same ballpark,&rdquo; Neubauer told AutoCar.There is no news yet on what the price of the new M3 will be, but it is expected to exceed the current near $160K price tag in Europe, which will be closer to $200K in Australia.The electric M3 will offer 745kW from a quad electric motor set-up, which is significantly more than any M3 model currently on the market.It is even more powerful than the full-blooded 4.4-litre plug-in hybrid turbocharged V8 found in the bigger M5.It will be based on the recently-announced i3, getting a newly-designed platform from the brand&rsquo;s &lsquo;Neue Klasse&rsquo; revamp.The new petrol M3 will be a continuation of the current generation, utilising the same platform, but getting a new design under &lsquo;Neue Klasse&rsquo;.There are no details yet on the new generation M3&rsquo;s future in Australia, but it can be speculated it might arrive later on in 2027, following its European launch.&nbsp;We should learn more about the new M3 in the fourth quarter of this year.Right now in Australia, the manual variant of the M3 starts from $169,100 (before on-road costs), with prices rising up to $253,900.There are several M3 variants currently on sale in Australia, which all use a 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine, producing up to 405kW and 650Nm.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/electric-and-petrol-versions-of-2027-bmw-m3-performance-sedan-will-be-priced-similarly</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 15:26:06 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[New JAC Hunter plug-in hybrid ute lands in Australia as cheaper rival to 2026 BYD Shark 6 and Ford Ranger PHEV]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-jac-hunter-plug-in-hybrid-ute-lands-in-australia-as-cheaper-rival-to-2026-byd-shark-6</link>
            <description><![CDATA[JAC is taking the plug-in hybrid ute game to the BYD Shark 6, unveiling its cheaper Hunter rival.&nbsp;It will start from less than $50,000 (before on-road costs), making it around $8000 cheaper than the base dual-cab pick-up variant of the Shark 6.&nbsp;It is not just BYD&rsquo;s ute the Hunter will take on, with the GWM Cannon also confirmed to be gaining a PHEV set-up to compliment the more expensive Cannon Alpha.&nbsp;There is a PHEV version of the best-selling Ford Ranger on sale in Australia, which is in excess of $20,000 more expensive than the Hunter.&nbsp;The Hunter will also have company from Chery&rsquo;s codenamed &lsquo;KP31&rsquo; diesel PHEV ute coming before the end of the year, with a petrol example following in 2027.&nbsp;JAC&rsquo;s PHEV ute is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and dual electric motors, producing 360kW and a likely near 1000Nm.&nbsp;These figures eclipse even those of the new performance variant of the Shark 6, which launched earlier this year with a price tag of nearly $13,000 more than the Hunter.&nbsp;The Hunter boasts a highly-sort-after 3500kg braking towing capacity, with a payload of 915kg, highlighting its towing potential is in line with diesel rivals, while carrying capacity is little behind.&nbsp;According to the brand, the car has been tested extensively in Australia, facing harsh conditions such as extreme heat and rough unsealed roads.&nbsp;&nbsp;In conjunction with a 31kWh battery, the ute offers more than 1000km of total driving range, at least according to more generous NEDC testing.&nbsp;Fuel consumption sits at 1.6L/100km, so long as the battery is charged.&nbsp;It has also been given some serious off-roading ability, with a full-time four-wheel drive system as well as front and rear differential locks.&nbsp;Other useful features include vehicle-to-load capabilities, which enables large devices to be charged and powered directly from the car.&nbsp;The Hunter gives JAC an alternative to its diesel-powered JAC T9 ute, which has endured a slow sales return in the competitive ute segment.&nbsp;Reservations on the car open later today.
]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-jac-hunter-plug-in-hybrid-ute-lands-in-australia-as-cheaper-rival-to-2026-byd-shark-6</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 14:11:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BYD sales skyrocket in Australia with the BYD Sealion 7 the best-selling EV as 2026 Toyota RAV4 hybrid claims top spot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/byd-sales-skyrocket-in-australia-with-the-byd-sealion-7-the-best-selling-ev-as-2026-toyota</link>
            <description><![CDATA[BYD&rsquo;s big bet is about to pay off.The Chinese electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid maker has 30,000 vehicles on the way to Australia in the next two months, and it looks like it will arrive just in time to feed its booming demand.BYD sold 7702 vehicles in April, which was only beaten by the dominant Toyota (15,185).The Chinese brand leapfrogged Kia to improve on its third place finish in March.&nbsp;BYD sales are up more than 110 per cent compared to the first fourth months of 2026 and are up 140 per cent compared to April the past year.Its Sealion 7 electric mid-size family SUV was the best-selling EV in the nation, with 1780 sales beating the Tesla Model Y (1225). BYD experienced sales growth across all its models in April.Kia took third place in April with 6450 sales, followed by Hyundai (6002), Ford (5748) and Mazda (5636).These were followed by a trio of Chinese brands: GWM (4717), Chery (4322) and MG (3678).Toyota has finally knocked the Ford Ranger off its perch with the new RAV4 taking pole position in April.The hybrid RAV4 registered 3729 sales, followed by the Ford Ranger (3661) and Toyota HiLux (2835) utes.Chery&rsquo;s cut-price Tiggo 4 small SUV continued its strong performance with 2379 registrations, which was good enough for fourth spot. Followed closely by the Isuzu D-Max (2195), Hyundai Kona (2158), Toyota Prado (1870) and the BYD Sealion 7.Long-time favourites such as the Toyota Corolla, Mazda CX-5 and Mitsubishi Outlander have fallen out of the top 10 sales list.The Federal Government just announced its Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption for electric cars will be extended to March 2029, but will now mostly benefit vehicles under $75,000.This move will likely see BYD, Kia, Geely, Tesla and Zeekr continue to dominate electric car sales for years to come.The head of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries Tony Weber said the increased supply of EVs since the introduction of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) has helped stimulate demand in tandem with the FBT exemption&nbsp;&ldquo;There are around 110 EV models available to Australians, and the supply of EVs continues to increase. The Electric Car Discount has provided important stimulus to the market, and its continuation will support the growth of EVs,&rdquo; said Weber.Australians bought 15,459 electric cars in April, beating the March result and accounting for more than 16 per cent of all the 94,049 vehicles sold in the past month.Sales of hybrids and plug-in hybrids were also significantly higher, with plug-in hybrids almost tripling registrations compared to April 2026.Top 10 vehicles April 2026&nbsp;Top 10 car brands April 2026&nbsp;&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/byd-sales-skyrocket-in-australia-with-the-byd-sealion-7-the-best-selling-ev-as-2026-toyota</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 12:42:38 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Sales of 2026 Tesla Model Y and Model 3 decrease in Australia, with rivals like BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr 7X taking advantage of high fuel prices]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/sales-of-2026-tesla-model-y-and-model-3-decrease-in-australia-with-rivals-like-byd-sealion</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The latest data has revealed Tesla has experienced a serious sales downturn in Australia.The brand managed 1225 sales in April, compared to 3485 sales the previous month.Year-to-date sales remain positive for Tesla, with more than double for April 2026 compared to April 2025.The Model Y remains Tesla&rsquo;s best-selling car, but the brand sold around 2000 less units of its popular SUV in April than in March.&nbsp;It was a similar story for the Model 3 sedan, selling roughly 400 units, down from more than 600 for the previous month.&nbsp;The Model 3&rsquo;s sales are also down comparing April 2026 and April 2025, meaning it is an EV that has gone backwards over the past year.Tesla Australia said the sales decline was down to delivery cycles on vehicles coming into the country.Tesla could experience a pick-up in sales when its six-seater Model Y L SUV, with deliveries beginning at the start of this month.This news comes at a time when EV sales are booming in Australia, due to skyrocketing fuel prices.&nbsp;Many brands are reporting increasing electric vehicle registrations, with them making up greater proportions of total sales.Kia said 40 per cent of all sales currently are coming from full EVs. Chery said 70 per cent of total sales are coming from electrified set-ups, which includes hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EVs.&nbsp;The EV boom has resulted in an increasingly diversified market for buyers, with more choices than ever in the segment.&nbsp;Most brands now have EV options across their range, while many Chinese brands are bringing cheaper options, which are proving popular.Rivals such as the Zeekr 7X SUV have put down solid roots in Australia, along with several BYD models like the Atto 1 hatch - a car still holding the cheapest EV in Australia title.BYD has already signalled its intention to dominate the EV market Down Under, with all of its models among the best sellers in the electric category.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/sales-of-2026-tesla-model-y-and-model-3-decrease-in-australia-with-rivals-like-byd-sealion</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 11:21:43 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Fringe Benefits Tax exemption on electric vehicles such as 2026 BYD Sealion 7, Tesla Model Y extended in Australia until 2029]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/fringe-benefits-tax-exemption-on-electric-vehicles-such-as-2026-byd-sealion-7-tesla-model</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The federal government has called time on its generous EV incentives.The Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) exemption on electric cars will end by March 2029.Vehicles priced more than $75,000, but below the luxury car tax threshold of about $91,000, will no longer be eligible from April next year.Instead the more expensive EVs will have to pay 75 per cent of the FBT from that date, and all EVs will be slugged with the same tax rate from the 2029 end date.&ldquo;The new rules will encourage manufacturers to offer more affordable and cheaper to run EVs in the Australian market,&rdquo; said treasurer Jim Chalmers and energy minister Chris Bowen via The Guardian.&ldquo;The current new vehicle efficiency standards have seen a dramatic increase in the availability of affordable EV models, so now is the right time to focus the FBT exemption on these cars.&ldquo;We will continue to provide support for families who choose to switch to EVs as we transition to a permanent 25% discount on FBT for these cars.&rdquo;This means top-selling EVs such as the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5 will be covered until 2029.The move also encourages automakers to keep their vehicles priced below $75,000, which is a boon for Aussie electric vehicle shoppers.The tax break has been a huge hit, with the scheme costing more than 10 times what the government had forecasted. There were calls for the scheme to be axed to help alleviate the predicted budget deficit, and it is perceived to help a greater proportion of well-off Australians.National Automotive Leasing and Salary Packaging Association (NALSPA) CEO Rohan Martin said the continuation of the scheme shows the government is helping to ease pain at the bowser for motorists.&ldquo;The EV Discount has already helped more than 100,000 Australians overcome the upfront cost barrier to switching to a cheaper&#8209;to&#8209;run vehicle. Without it, many outer&#8209;suburban families, essential workers and cost&#8209;conscious households simply wouldn&rsquo;t be able to make the switch,&rdquo; said Martin.This new timeline ties with the government&rsquo;s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which came into effect last year and comes to fruition in 2029.The NVES levels fines on vehicle manufacturers at a rate of $100 per gram of CO2 permitted over a certain threshold for every vehicle sold. The thresholds get lower every year until 2030.Carmakers can offset fines by selling EVs and plug-in hybrids and they can carry-over EV credits to offset sales of more polluting vehicles in following years.NVES has forced carmakers to bring in more fuel efficient vehicles with most manufacturers bringing in conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles in greater numbers since the fines started to bite last year.Electric vehicles sales skyrocketed in March, with about 15,000 EVs finding a new home, which was double the same month the previous year. This trend is expected to continue into April.Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith said he expected electric vehicle sales to settle into between 20 and 30 per cent of new car sales going forward. Previously EV sales had made up about 10 per cent of all new car registrations.
]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/fringe-benefits-tax-exemption-on-electric-vehicles-such-as-2026-byd-sealion-7-tesla-model</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 10:51:39 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N electric performance sedan to provide competition for Tesla Model 3 Performance and Polestar 2]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-hyundai-ioniq-6-n-electric-performance-sedan-to-provide-competition-for-tesla-model-3</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Hyundai has released the pricing and specifications for a new ballistic electric car called the Ioniq 6 N.&nbsp;It will start from $115,000 (before on-road costs), which is nearly $20K more than the most expensive Ioniq 6 variant on sale in Australia, but a similar price to the Ioniq 5 N SUV.&nbsp;The car shapes up as a rival to other electric performance sedans, such as the Tesla Model 3 Performance, BYD Seal Performance and the Polestar 2.The Ioniq 6 N is a sizeable step up in price on those competitors, which sit in the $80K bracket.&nbsp;Hyundai&rsquo;s example trumps many of its competitors when it comes to output, with 478kW and 770Nm.It can shift from 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds quicker than the Ioniq 5 N. The Ioniq 6 N has a top speed of 257km/h.It has an 84kWh battery, which offers 10-80 per cent charging in 18 minutes and has a total driving range of 487km.&nbsp;The car features Hyundai&rsquo;s torque distribution system, which is able to distribute torque between the front and rear wheels, or all four together.&nbsp;It also comes with huge braking power, courtesy of 400mm front disks and 360mm rear disks.&nbsp;The Ioniq 6 N is already available in showrooms.2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N pricing Australia&nbsp;2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N engine and efficiency&nbsp;2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N standard features&nbsp;Head-up displaySatellite navigationHeated and ventilated front seatsWireless phone chargerPower tailgate&nbsp;2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N safetyThe Ioniq 6 N is currently unrated under the ANCAP testing system.&nbsp;Standard safety features:&nbsp;6 airbagsBlind spot assistLane change assistForward collision avoidance assistEvasive steer assistLane keep assistFront, rear and side parking sensorsAdaptive cruise control2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N dimensions&nbsp;2026 Hyundai Ioniq 6 N warranty and servicingThe Ioniq 6 N is covered by a fiver/unlimited-kilometre warranty. This can be extended to a seven-year warranty when all services are conducted on time at an authorised dealer.There is also an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-hyundai-ioniq-6-n-electric-performance-sedan-to-provide-competition-for-tesla-model-3</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 10:24:36 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Hyped new Zeekr 8X and 9X hybrids to go fully electric in the future to take down everything from 2026 Kia EV9 to Volvo EX90 EVs]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/hyped-new-zeekr-8x-and-9x-hybrids-to-go-fully-electric-in-the-future-to-take-down</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Zeekr has confirmed plans to add fully electric versions of its much-anticipated 8X and 9X luxury hybrid SUVs in the near future.Originally debuting as plug-in hybrids, the two models use a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine on top of massive batteries. Both use a hybrid transaxle system in the front mating the engine to powerful electric motors, while they have a fully independent electric rear motor (or two for the performance grade).The regular version of the 8X already produces an impressive 660kW/935Nm, according to Chinese specifications, while the high-performance tri-motor version produces up to 1030kW/1410Nm.Both cars ride on the flexible SEA-S platform, which supports both hybrid and fully electric layouts, and can wield a 900-volt electrical architecture for ultra-rapid charging and ultra-high power outputs.Zeekr Europe&rsquo;s Chief Engineer for Mechanical Architecture, Kennet Pettersson, said both vehicles were originally designed as full battery-electric platforms, making the EV spin-offs &ldquo;relatively straightforward".Adding to Pettersson&rsquo;s comments, Zeekr Group Vice President, Mars Chen, said: &ldquo;Over three years ago when we had big success with 001 and 009, in that moment we were sure about one thing especially when it comes to international models, and that one very important thing was that the world will not always be ICE (internal combustion engine) or BEV (battery electric vehicle).&ldquo;We have to have the two in our family, so knowing the reality, the company decided to prepare some hybrid models, because you know Geely (Zeekr&rsquo;s parent company), is coming from the ICE industry. So we realised that there are some models which are very successful in this segment - Li Auto, Aito using range extenders.&rdquo;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not something we simply wanted to replicate, so actually, our hybrid system which you see placed in the 9X and 8X today, it's not just a range extender or just a plug-in hybrid, it&rsquo;s a mix.&ldquo;The experience we want to give the customer is more electric, which means silent, huge torque, and without any latency.&ldquo;But this car still has an engine, it still has the capacity, and for range, you don&rsquo;t need to worry. So that&rsquo;s why we made that decision for big cars.&ldquo;I switched to a hybrid car, but frankly speaking, I want to go back to an EV because in my scenario, I only did more than 350km a day once in the last two years. I only need to charge once a week and that&rsquo;s it.&rdquo;&ldquo;So, it&rsquo;s not a technical choice, it's more of a commercial choice. But I&rsquo;m very happy to share with you that the [BEV] version is coming.&rdquo;Mr Chen also shared that we&rsquo;d see at least one battery electric version of either the 9X or 8X before the next Chinese auto show (roughly a year), but wouldn&rsquo;t say which model. He confirmed any design changes between the hybrids set to launch in Australia imminently and the fully electric version would be minimal.As it is, the 8X is already set to cost in excess of $85,000 in Australia, with the 9X likely starting at around $100,000.Expect the fully electric versions to likely have similar, if not higher, power outputs, and with correspondingly larger batteries.Currently, even the hybrid version of the 8X has either a 55kWh battery allowing a 320km range, or a 70kWh battery allowing a 410km range. In fully electric format, expect at least a 90kWh battery, although it wouldn't be surprising to see the brand target one of the industry&rsquo;s longest driving ranges for a five-meter-plus SUV.Zeekr has shot to the mainstream from relative obscurity in 2026 in Australia thanks almost entirely to its sharply priced and impressively specified 7X fully electric mid sizer which has shot to the top of the sales charts in its category.The brand will no doubt be hoping the 8X, due to arrive in 2027, will live up to the hype it is already generating.Expect to see the 9X hybrid SUV join the]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/hyped-new-zeekr-8x-and-9x-hybrids-to-go-fully-electric-in-the-future-to-take-down</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Nissan X-Trail: Everything we know about the new 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Hyundai Tucson family SUV rival]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-nissan-x-trail-everything-we-know-about-the-new-2026-toyota-rav4-hybrid-and-hyundai</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Nissan globally revealed the new-generation version of its X-Trail mid-size family SUV earlier this month.The X-Trail has been the most-popular Nissan model in Australia for a number of years now and is a key rival to the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, among others.The current-generation model, which shares its platform with the Mitsubishi Outlander, dates back to 2021 though it didn&rsquo;t launch in Australia until 2022.A facelift was revealed globally in 2025 though it only arrived in Australia a few months ago.Nissan still needs to confirm a number of different details about the new, fifth-generation X-Trail, but here&rsquo;s what we know so far.What is different about this new X-Trail?It&rsquo;s worth noting straight away that this new X-Trail is based on an iteration of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-CD platform that underpins the current model.It also appears that the glasshouse has been carried over but with new body cladding and styling.However, Nissan Corporate Executive of Family, Products &amp; Components Strategy Richard Candler told CarsGuide that there is a &ldquo;very large amount of new&rdquo;.  @carsguide.com.au The 2027 Nissan X-Trail has been officially unveiled in Japan!! #nissan #xtrail #SUV #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   For example, the structure is claimed to be completely different and much stiffer than before.Additionally there is a completely reworked suspension system with a wider track width. Nissan hasn&rsquo;t confirmed exactly how much wider just yet.It&rsquo;s likely the interior is also completely redesigned, though Nissan hasn&rsquo;t detailed any imagery or information about this yet. It has only shown off the exterior design so far.What will power this new X-Trail?A highlight of this new X-Trail is the introduction of a new-generation e-Power hybrid powertrain.It&rsquo;s understood this new e-Power powertrain is a version of the system that will soon debut in the Qashqai small SUV.Like the current X-Trail e-Power however, it&rsquo;ll have dual electric motors (one on each axle) providing all-wheel drive, unlike the Qashqai e-Power which only has a single electric motor and front-wheel drive.Nissan claims this new e-Power hybrid is quieter, smoother and more fuel efficient than the current version.While there have been reports indicating that this new X-Trail will go e-Power only, Candler confirmed it will still be offered with a pure petrol engine, at least globally. However, he didn&rsquo;t confirm what this pure petrol engine will be exactly.In Australia the non-e-Power X-Trail is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 135kW and 244Nm.In other markets however, there is a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine available that produces 150kW and 305Nm.It&rsquo;s worth noting though that this turbo three-pot forms as the generator for the e-Power hybrid, so technically it is already offered in Australia.When will it arrive?The new Nissan X-Trail will likely launch in North America first, where it is called the Rogue and built in the US.The Japanese-built X-Trails will likely follow at a later date.No exact Australian launch timing has been locked in yet, however CarsGuide understands it will likely arrive in late 2027.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-nissan-x-trail-everything-we-know-about-the-new-2026-toyota-rav4-hybrid-and-hyundai</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Kia EV3 and EV5 electric cars sales surge in Australia as brand makes big EV push to battle BYD]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-kia-ev3-and-ev5-electric-cars-sales-surge-in-australia-as-brand-makes-big-ev-push-to</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Kia has made a concerted effort to introduce electrified options to its line-up over the last few years.&nbsp;The brand has five fully electric models on sale in Australia, along with plug-less and plug-in hybrid family SUVs.&nbsp;This has seen Kia&rsquo;s electric vehicle sales skyrocket, particularly in the last few weeks, with increased popularity for non-fuel-powered models.Subsequently, Kia&rsquo;s sales split is now 70 per cent electrified (40% EV and 30% hybrid), with the remaining 30 per cent made up of pure petrol or diesel units.&nbsp;A primary driver of Kia&rsquo;s electric shift has been the future impacts of the Australian federal government's National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).&nbsp;Under the scheme, vehicles sold which have an interim emissions value above zero incur a liability, while those which are zero or less, earn the brand a credit.According to Kia Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith, NVES is an important part of the brand&rsquo;s thinking on which cars to bring Down Under.&ldquo;The government is going to stick to what they&rsquo;ve put in place and it becomes part of the product planning decision,&rdquo; Meredith told CarsGuide.&nbsp;&ldquo;If you&rsquo;ve got an EV range, you&rsquo;re looking towards the future.&nbsp;&ldquo;If you haven&rsquo;t got an EV range, you&rsquo;re catering to the customers' needs right now.&nbsp;&ldquo;It&rsquo;s one of the variables when we&rsquo;re making decisions, put it like that.&rdquo;The result of this EV focus for Kia is that it accumulated more than 720,000 units for the 2025 NVES performance period, the second-most of any brand, trailing only BYD.Meredith said Kia has no plans to sell its credits, banking them for a later time.The key to this success has been the combined performance of the EV3 and EV5 SUVs, which have continued to prove popular in 2026, with more than 2000 sales so far.&nbsp;Kia&rsquo;s NVES approach has not been shared by some brands, such as Ford, which has been defiant in light of potential future penalties.&nbsp;Ford CEO Jim Farley said a market made up of vehicles being manufactured to meet NVES regulations is not sustainable, threatening to cut local engineering jobs.&nbsp;Ford is yet to feel the effects of future NVES liabilities, with key sales contributors such as the diesel Ranger ute being considered a &lsquo;Type 2&rsquo; vehicle.&nbsp;Mazda is one brand which has been handed down a substantial amount of liabilities. More than 500,000, which is the most by some margin, given its high-volume petrol-based line-up.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-kia-ev3-and-ev5-electric-cars-sales-surge-in-australia-as-brand-makes-big-ev-push-to</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Leapmotor B05 Ultra could be ultimate performance bargain in Australia with Chinese pricing, Euro handling, hot hatch power to bait VW Golf GTI, Cupra Born]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-leapmotor-b05-ultra-could-be-ultimate-performance-bargain-in-australia-with-chinese</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Chinese brand Leapmotor's most performance-focused model to date is firming for an Australian launch, with the B05 Ultra on the cards to follow the regular B05's launch later this year.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-leapmotor-b05-ultra-could-be-ultimate-performance-bargain-in-australia-with-chinese</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 17:30:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2026 Mitsubishi Outlander holds price as popular mid-size family SUV continues to rival Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4 hybrid]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-mitsubishi-outlander-holds-price-as-popular-mid-size-family-suv-continues-to-rival</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mitsubishi has announced there will be no price increases across its petrol Outlander mid-size SUV range in Australia.&nbsp;The Outlander will continue to be available from $39,990 (before on-road costs), with prices ranging up to $58,740 for the top-spec grade.&nbsp;It will also continue to offer five and part-time seven seat configurations, as well as front-wheel and all-wheel drive set-ups.The Mazda CX-5 is the same price as the Outlander, and the hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 is a step up in price on both of those competitors.&nbsp;Mitsubishi has brought back the Black Edition variant of the Outlander, citing 2024 sales success as the reason for its return.&nbsp;This version adds several blacked out elements, including 20-inch alloy wheels and synthetic leather seats. It will only be available in a front-wheel drive seven-seater configuration.&nbsp;The Outlander&rsquo;s announcement comes after Mitsubishi hiked the prices of plug-in hybrid versions of the car earlier this year. It means there is a near $20K jump for buyers to get into a PHEV versus a petrol unit.&nbsp;It will be powered by the same 2.5-litre petrol engine, producing 135kW and 244Nm, paired with a continuously variable transmission.&nbsp;Mitsubishi said the car will keep the Australian-developed suspension and power steering tunes introduced in 2025.On the inside, there is a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and same sized digital driver display, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto offered as standard.&nbsp;The Outlander is Mitsubishi&rsquo;s best-selling car in Australia, having managed more than 22,000 sales in 2025, with it still one of the brand&rsquo;s top performers despite dipping sales generally.The new Outlander is due to land in dealerships from next month.2026 Mitsubishi Outlander pricing Australia&nbsp;2026 Mitsubishi Outlander engine and efficiency&nbsp;2026 Mitsubishi Outlander standard features&nbsp;Other standard features include:&nbsp;Satellite navigationLS grade addsMachined two-tone alloy wheelsTwo rear-mounted USB portsSilver front and rear bumpersWireless phone chargerBlack Edition grade adds20-inch black alloy wheelsBlack front and rear bumpersBlack door mirrorsBlack grilleBlack interior headliningBlack synthetic leather seatsAspire grade adds20-inch machined-finished alloy wheelsHeated steering wheelPower tailgateExceedVentilated front seatsLeather seat trimAluminum pedalsFrameless and digital monitor rearview mirrorMemory side mirrorsFront door foot lampsFull-size alloy spare wheelPanoramic roofExceed tourerSemi-aniline leather seats12-speaker premium Yamaha sound system2026 Mitsubishi Outlander safetyThe Mitsubishi Outlander has a five-star ANCAP safety rating.&nbsp;&nbsp;Standard safety features:Blind spot assistLane departure assist360-degree cameraRear auto brakingTraffic sign recognitionFront and rear parking sensorsAspire grade addsLane centre assistTraffic jam assist2026 Mitsubishi Outlander dimensions&nbsp;2026 Mitsubishi Outlander warranty and servicingThe Mitsubishi Outlander comes with a 10-year/200,000-kilometre warranty, when all scheduled services are completed in a timely manner at Mitsubishi dealerships.There is also a 10-year capped price servicing deal available on the car.&nbsp;2026 Mitsubishi Outlander capped price servicing table&nbsp;&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2026-mitsubishi-outlander-holds-price-as-popular-mid-size-family-suv-continues-to-rival</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 16:17:08 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Volkswagen looks to China for next-gen electric cars with models such as the ID.UNYX under consideration, but Zeekr 9X rivalling ID.ERA 9X may be a possibility]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/volkswagen-looks-to-china-for-next-gen-electric-cars-with-models-such-as-the-idunyx-under</link>
            <description><![CDATA[One of the world&rsquo;s largest carmakers is looking to China for some of its next-gen global cars.Volkswagen boss Oliver Blume said the company could export some of its currently China-only vehicles, according to UK outlet Autocar.This includes to Europe and other global regions such as Asia, South America, Middle East and presumably Australia now that it is a priority market for EVs thanks to the Federal Government&rsquo;s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).&nbsp;Building vehicles for Australia in China can help reduce costs due to a free-trade agreement, manufacturing scale and reduced shipping costs due to our close proximity.&nbsp;Volkswagen has several partnerships with Chinese brands it could leverage, but the most likely are the joint-ventures with SAIC, which owns MG, and XPeng.&ldquo;It's too early to decide if we want to localise a Chinese platform in Germany, but if we would do it, our priority would be to take one of our own platforms first,&rdquo; said Blume via Autocar."This year we are ramping up the CMP platform, which is planned for 2027 in China. This work has to be done first, and then we could think about options in Europe and check which products could be the right ones.&rdquo;  @carsguide.com.au The 2026 Volkswagen ID. Era 9X could revolutionise family SUVs with range-extender hybrid technology if it comes to Australia #volkswagen #idera9x #hybrid #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   The CMP platform has been co-developed with XPeng and will spawn a number of vehicles.It could also bring some of its SAIC developed vehicles such as the giant ID.ERA 9X SUV, which was just recently revealed in China.&ldquo;We are getting right now the feedback and response from the market for our first new product in China. Then we will decide, depending on the success we have in China, which models would fit in Europe, especially in segments where we are not present with our current portfolio in Europe,&rdquo; said Blume.Volkswagen isn&rsquo;t alone in considering China-built vehicles for global markets.Nissan has been bullish on exporting its vehicles developed with Dongfeng, with Australia likely to get several models in the coming years.Toyota too is mulling whether to send some of its wide array of currently China-only vehicles to other markets.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/volkswagen-looks-to-china-for-next-gen-electric-cars-with-models-such-as-the-idunyx-under</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 13:55:41 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Mazda CX-40 name registered in US, but brand remains quiet as to whether it means a new sibling for the 2026 Mazda CX-5 and rival for Toyota Corolla Cross]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/mazda-cx-40-name-registered-in-us-but-brand-remains-quiet-as-to-whether-it-means-a-new</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mazda may soon be introducing a new model to bridge the gap between two of its most popular SUVs.As reported by Autoblog, the Japanese carmaker filed a trademark application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) earlier this year for the name Mazda CX-40.It&rsquo;s worth noting that Mazda CX-40 has been trademarked in Australia since 2019.Trademarks are not true indications of whether a carmaker will actually produce a vehicle with that name. It may be just holding it so another carmaker doesn&rsquo;t take it.We&rsquo;ve reached out to Mazda Australia for a statement and will update this story once we hear back.If the CX-40 does get produced, it will likely sit between the CX-30 and CX-5 in the line-up.It also won&rsquo;t be the first time Mazda has produced an SUV with the number &lsquo;4&rsquo; in its name.The Japanese carmaker produced a model called the CX-4 from 2016 to 2025 and it was sold exclusively in China.The Mazda CX-4 was based on the same platform as the previous-generation Mazda 3 and first-generation CX-5, but featured a lifted station wagon body style.If this is the case with the potential Mazda CX-40, expect it to adopt swoopy, wagon- or coupe-like body styling.It may even share some similarities with the Mazda Vision X-Coupe concept that was revealed at last year&rsquo;s Tokyo Motor Show.In addition to the trademark for the name Mazda CX-40, the Japanese carmaker also has current trademarks for the names CX-10 and CX-20 in numerous countries, including Australia.At this stage it&rsquo;s unclear whether Mazda intends to build these models, however it did reveal the Vision X Compact concept at last year&rsquo;s Tokyo Motor Show. It previewed what looks like a next-generation Mazda 2 with subtle crossover SUV design cues.Mazda has also committed more investment to its production facility in Thailand, where it will build a new compact SUV, potentially with a hybrid powertrain, as well as electric vehicles (EVs).]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/mazda-cx-40-name-registered-in-us-but-brand-remains-quiet-as-to-whether-it-means-a-new</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 13:50:29 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Mitsubishi to introduce hybrids in Japan from 2028 as they continue to take on Toyota and Mazda with potential implications for Australia]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/mitsubishi-to-introduce-hybrids-in-japan-from-2028-as-they-continue-to-take-on-toyota-and</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mitsubishi is planning to introduce hybrid models to its lineup by 2028, matching many of its key rivals, and it could be a game changer in Australia.The brand is expected to begin production and sales in Japan, according to reports.It will be the first time Mitsubishi has produced full-sized hybrids in Japan.Mitsubishi&rsquo;s move brings it into line with several of its key rivals in Japan such as Toyota, which boasts a product lineup dominated by hybrid vehicles.&nbsp;It could also give the brand the jump on another of its competitors, Mazda, which is still yet to bolster its electrified options.This could be a game changer for the brand, particularly in Australia, given the increasingly stringent emissions regulations to be set out under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES).Mitsubishi did not receive any liabilities for the 2025 performance period, but it will have greater challenges maintaining this record, given its substantially petrol and diesel powered lineup.The brand&rsquo;s hybrid push comes at a time when it is experiencing a tough sales downturn in Australia, despite the relatively positive return on Triton ute models.&nbsp;Hybrids could be the key to turning around Mitsubishi's fortunes in Australia.While there are no new confirmed hybrid models for Australia yet, Mitsubishi continues to follow its 'Momentum 2030' plan, which puts electrification at the core of the business' lineup.Mitsubishi recently unveiled an updated version of its plug-in hybrid Outlander SUV, providing increased efficiency.The brand currently sells a petrol-exclusive ASX small SUV, along with the diesel Pajero Sport large SUV and Triton ute.It also has its Outlander mid-size SUV, which comes as either a petrol or a plug-in hybrid - the only electrified set-up offered by the brand in Australia.&nbsp;Mitsubishi will release a new large off-roader, expected to be called the Pajero, this year, which is rumoured to be destined for Australia.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/mitsubishi-to-introduce-hybrids-in-japan-from-2028-as-they-continue-to-take-on-toyota-and</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 13:37:39 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[New Range Rover SV Ultra to become most expensive from brand in Australia to compete against luxury SUVs the 2026 Aston Martin DBX and Bentley Bentayga]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-range-rover-sv-ultra-to-become-most-expensive-from-brand-in-australia-to-compete</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A new ultra-luxury Range Rover has just been priced in Australia, and it will be the most expensive model in the lineup.The Range Rover SV Ultra will start from $472,400 (before on-road costs), which is in excess of $10,000 more than the previous range-topping SV.The Ultra variant debuts with a new electrostatic sound system, which will be an option available on all models in the SV range.Range Rover claims this high-quality sound system is a world-first in a car, and has 21 electrostatic panels. These panels are located down the back of the seats, including the headrests as well as in more generic speaker locations.&nbsp;Electrostatic sound systems shift the sound-producing material back and fourth electrically to deliver high-level clarity.Headlining other features on this model is the addition of a &lsquo;sensory floor&rsquo; and &lsquo;body and soul seats&rsquo;, which offers different wellness modes to enhance focus and relaxation, according to the brand. The sensory floor utilises haptic feedback beneath the floor mats.Elsewhere in the cabin, there are new two-tone high-quality synthetic leather seats, with white and grey colours.On the outside, the car has been given an exclusive silver paint, which Range Rover said is designed to resemble liquid metal, along with satin platinum and chrome elements.&nbsp;It will ride on 23-inch wheels, which have also been given satin platinum inserts and new centre caps.&nbsp;The car gets the same 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine as in the P615, producing 452kW and 750Nm, so it can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds.&nbsp;The SV Range Rover will continue to rival the likes of the Aston Martin DBX and the Bentley Bentayga, which both have price tags starting around the $400K point.It will also take on Lamborghini&rsquo;s Urus, offering a plug-in hybrid V8 set-up.&nbsp;The car will hit Australian showrooms in the first quarter of next year, but there is expected to be less than 10 models coming Down Under.2026 Range Rover SV pricing Australia&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Gibson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/new-range-rover-sv-ultra-to-become-most-expensive-from-brand-in-australia-to-compete</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 11:09:43 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[2027 Geely Emgrand confirmed: New Chinese rival to the Toyota Camry and BYD Seal 6 shapes up as new hybrid hero in Australia]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-geely-emgrand-confirmed-new-chinese-rival-to-the-toyota-camry-and-byd-seal-6-shapes</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Geely has confirmed it will add the Emgrand sedan to its roster of cars in Australia, following the EX2 electric SUV Q3 arrival.The Emgrand will go into battle with the segment dominant Toyota Camry, as well as existing favourites like the Kia K4 and newcomers like the BYD Seal 6 PHEV.Measuring 4806mm long 1886mm wide and 1490mm tall, the fifth-generation Emgrand is in the mid-size sedan category, although sits in the space between the larger Camry and smaller Kia K4.Like the Seal 6, the Emgrand will launch into Australia as a plug-in hybrid initially. A plugless hybrid version is also on the cards, according to Geely&rsquo;s Australian CEO Alex Gu.CarsGuide understands the Emgrand will launch in 2027, with its EM-i plug-in hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors inside a hybrid transmission.The engine produces 82kW/136Nm, while the electric motor provides 120kW/210Nm. This is backed by the choice of two battery capacities, either a 8.5kWh unit or a 17kWh unit for either 60km or 125km of driving range.These ranges are to the CLTC standard, so expect slightly less once it arrives here. It is likely only the larger battery capacity version will be offered. All versions of the car sold in China are able to provide 3kW of external power via the vehicle-to-load system.Geely says the Emgrand will consume 2.9L/100km even when the battery is depleted to the reserve level, and it manages to maintain a 52-litre fuel tank despite making room for its battery underneath the cabin.Maximum fast charging speed is 35kW, allowing a 30 - 80 per cent charge in 20 minutes, according to the brand.The Emgrand rides on the same GEA platform as the EX5 and Starray, which is a spin-off of Volvo&rsquo;s CMA architecture for the purposes of Geely&rsquo;s more mass-market hybrid and electric models.On the inside, it gets a similar steering wheel to the EX5 or Starray, and a console with a multimedia dial and shortcut buttons, the shifter is on the steering column. It also has a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen running Geely&rsquo;s Flyme Auto software and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.A 50W wireless charger exists in the centre console, while boot space measures 609 litres.Pricing in China is up to the equivalent of $24,600, suggesting a starting price in Australia of $30,000 or less. The newcomer from Geely will have to establish itself against the just-announced Kia K4 hybrid (from $32,090), BYD Seal 6 (from $34,990), and the segment-dominating Toyota Camry (from $39,990).Expect to learn more about the Emgrand ahead of its launch in 2027. It will form part of a slowly-but-surely product roll-out from Geely, which is likely to include both the Monjaro mid-size SUV and M9 three-row plug-in hybrid.Geely has had a reasonable start in Australia, with its EX5 and Starray EM-i amassing 1437 and 1384 units respectively, capturing close to five per cent of the mainstream mid-size SUV category.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/2027-geely-emgrand-confirmed-new-chinese-rival-to-the-toyota-camry-and-byd-seal-6-shapes</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Mazda CX-50 kept out of Australia by surprising forces despite rugged mid-size SUV opportunity created by larger 2026 Subaru Outback]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/mazda-cx-50-kept-out-of-australia-by-surprising-forces-despite-rugged-mid-size-suv</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mazda has enjoyed unprecedented success in North America with the CX-50 since its 2022 release, filling a unique space in the Japanese brand&rsquo;s line-up while attracting a new type of buyer with its chunky, urban-adventure crossover styling.But, despite repeated requests since the beginning of this decade for a version to be sold in Australia, the company headquarters in Hiroshima has refused permission for the mid-size SUV to be re-engineered for us.But why?According to Mazda Australia Managing Director Vinesh Bhindi, the reasons why the CX-50 has not made it here yet has to do with a lack of support from Japan and the United Kingdom.&ldquo;There isn't a factory that makes it in right-hand drive (RHD),&rdquo; Bhindi told CarsGuide at the unveiling of the CX-6e SUV electric vehicle in Melbourne.&ldquo;We still want it, but at this stage, the answer from head office is it's not available.&rdquo;However, there&rsquo;s more to it than that.Mazda Motor Corporation General Manager of Global Sales and Marketing Manabu Osuga went deeper, revealing the surprising reason for the lack of desire from other big RHD markets.&ldquo;RHD is the challenge,&rdquo; Osuga said. &ldquo;There's two other key markets, Japan and the UK, and they're not warming to it as hard as Australia. So, that's really the challenge.&ldquo;The CX-50 is quite big car for both the Japanese market and the European market, especially in terms of the width, which is much wider (than other comparable small-to-medium-sized SUVs).&ldquo;It's even wider than the CX-5, and is even equivalent to the CX-60 through to the CX-90 (big SUV) sizes. So, because of that, Japan is not raising its hand and the UK is not raising its hand. Only Australia is raising its hand.&ldquo;So, this generation is quite a tough equation that we need to solve, it's been so successful in the USA.&rdquo;That said, Osuga is optimistically taking the &lsquo;never-say-never&rsquo; approach that one day a future version of the CX-50 will land.&ldquo;But, this stage, it doesn't stop us asking,&rdquo; Osuga revealed. &ldquo;(Developing for RHD requires) a high-level number, but if we can prepare, like, at least 50,000 units to 100,000 units (to be sold globally in RHD), then we can&hellip; discuss about it (being imported to Australia).&rdquo;Bhindi stated that he will continue to support Osuga&rsquo;s efforts, adding that he will not give up on the CX-50 fight for Australia.&ldquo;(It&rsquo;s been a massive hit) not just in the US, but also in Canada and Mexico,&rdquo; Bhindi said.&ldquo;And (the CX-50) has been tailored specifically for those markets, but which may not translate to other markets around the world.&ldquo;We will continue to lobby with Japan and European colleagues to say, &lsquo;let&rsquo;s have a bigger (RHD SUV)!&rdquo;Essentially a stretched and rebodied version of the smaller, Mazda 3-based CX-30, the CX-50 has garnered popularity with buyers who might have otherwise considered a Subaru Outback, before the latter grew into a significantly larger SUV than it has traditionally been.This vacating of a proven market segment may open opportunities for the CX-50 to become a more-global proposition in the future.As reported, the CX-50 is made at the joint-venture Mazda and Toyota Manufacturing USA factory in Alabama, USA, next to the Toyota Corolla Cross. The two vehicles are unrelated otherwise, except for sharing Toyota&rsquo;s series-parallel hybrid system, since Mazda does not as yet produce one.This might change when the expected second-gen CX-50 arrives later this decade, probably in time for Mazda&rsquo;s highly-anticipated SkyActiv-Z hybrid system that promises to break new ground for efficiency and performance, in keeping with the brand&rsquo;s reputation for making driver-centric vehicles.Previously, Mazda has also cited limited manufacturing capacity at the JV plant as another reason why it has not bothered with CX-50 RHD.Whether this leads to another production site outside]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/mazda-cx-50-kept-out-of-australia-by-surprising-forces-despite-rugged-mid-size-suv</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[World's most annoying car key in 2026 Leapmotor C10 and B10 is gone as Chinese brand introduces new physical fob]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/worlds-most-annoying-car-key-in-2026-leapmotor-c10-and-b10-is-gone-as-chinese-brand</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Leapmotor has performed a welcome about-face on its controversial keyless entry system, with the brand to introduce physial keys on all future models.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/worlds-most-annoying-car-key-in-2026-leapmotor-c10-and-b10-is-gone-as-chinese-brand</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[How to lower your 4WD's fuel use, from running the correct tyre pressures to driving conservatively and more – or just buy a 2026 BYD Shark 6 hybrid | Opinion]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/how-to-lower-your-4wds-fuel-use-from-running-the-correct-tyre-pressures-to-driving</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Fuel prices are coming back down slightly at time of writing, but this whole Middle East conflict has been a massive wake-up call for all of us.Australia is as vulnerable as any country to changes in fuel supply and/or prices.But you can reduce your 4WD's fuel consumption &ndash;&nbsp;and thus cut your fuel costs &ndash; by better managing your driving style and your 4WD.Fuel consumption depends on many factors &ndash; including individual driving style, the conditions, the load &ndash; but there are myriad ways you can at least reduce your vehicle&rsquo;s fuel consumption so that you&rsquo;re ultimately forking out less at the service station.Improving fuel consumption boils down to reducing the stress on your vehicle&rsquo;s engine: the less stress and strain on your engine, the better it will perform and therefore the less fuel it will use.Here are some tips to slash your fuel bills &ndash; and most of it is common sense, really.Read on.Remove all unnecessary weightThe lighter a vehicle is, generally speaking, the less fuel it should use.A whole lot of extra weight onboard your 4WD &ndash; whether that be people, gear, pets or a load of job-site tools and materials you&rsquo;re actually not using on any given day &ndash; places far greater demands on the vehicle than if it was unladen, and that excess weight will result in increased fuel usage.If you use your 4WD as a daily driver or if you rarely go out bush in it any more, do away with the bullbar, winch, roof-top tent, tray canopy (if it&rsquo;s easy enough to get on and off), heavy-duty spare-wheel carrier, MaxTrax (be honest: you&rsquo;ve never used them), long-handled shovel etc.&nbsp;Delete anything and everything that adds extra bulk to your vehicle, for now at least.All of that gear adds extra weight to your vehicle and thus increases fuel consumption. Again, this is all common sense stuff.Run correct tyre pressuresOn bitumen, recommended tyre pressures on a 4WD will generally be from around 30 psi (pounds per square inch) and up but always check the tyre placard on your vehicle to make sure.Always check tyre pressure when your tyres are cold (i.e. the vehicle hasn't been driven for about three hours) and only use a tyre-pressure gauge from a reputable company, such as ARB or Ironman 4x4, to get an accurate reading to make sure you're running at recommended pressure.If your tyres are under-inflated, rolling resistance increases and so too does your 4WD&rsquo;s fuel use, simple as that.For reference, Michelin&rsquo;s in-house tyre experts have described rolling resistance as &ldquo;the resistance experienced by your car tyre as it rolls over a surface. The main causes of this resistance are tyre deformation, wing drag, and friction with the ground. The higher the rolling resistance is, the more energy to overcome it is needed.&ldquo;A 30 per cent increase in rolling resistance generates between 3 and 5% of fuel overconsumption.&rdquo;Rolling resistance is decreased when a tyre&rsquo;s pressure is increased.No specific PSI tyre pressure figure can be applied every time to every vehicle on every different type of terrain or in every different driving scenario.&nbsp;Your optimum tyre pressure will change according to the vehicle, the load onboard, the terrain your vehicle is traversing, the time of day, the amount of time you've been driving on those tyres on that day, the size and type of tyres you're using and myriad other variables.However, there are various approximate tyre-pressure ranges that work best on different terrain and if you operate within those parameters, you will be able to drive off-road sensibly and safely.Note: If you want to know how to deflate and inflate your tyres, read this yarn.Swap heavy tyres and/or wheels for lighter versionsAnother thing to think about is unsprung weight (tyres) and rolling resistance. If you&rsquo;re driving around on big heavy Mud Terrain tyres, then of course your fuel use is going to suffer, so it&rsquo;s time to]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marcus Craft]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/how-to-lower-your-4wds-fuel-use-from-running-the-correct-tyre-pressures-to-driving</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 03 May 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
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            <title><![CDATA[The bigger the screen the dumber it looks: Why modern car interior design is losing impact and appeal, as shown by the 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV | Opinion]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/the-bigger-the-screen-the-dumber-it-looks-why-modern-car-interior-design-is-losing-impact</link>
            <description><![CDATA[They say going to the movies has declined since the rise of larger home televisions. It seems if Mercedes-Benz has its way, we will soon be watching movies in the car instead.At least if the all-new C-Class EV interior is any guide to the brand&rsquo;s future. While it&rsquo;s still an optional choice, the new 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen is one of the largest screens I&rsquo;ve ever seen in a car.&nbsp;And it might be one of the worst design decisions I&rsquo;ve ever seen Mercedes-Benz make.It shouldn&rsquo;t come as a surprise that Mercedes has gone down this path. The German giant&rsquo;s design leader, Gordon Wagener, is on the record with both his love of a large screen and his dislike of rival brands.In a rare on-the-record assessment of his rivals, Wagener told the UK&rsquo;s Top Gear magazine at the 2025 Munich motor show that the new Audi Concept C interior had &ldquo;too little tech&rdquo; and looked like &ldquo;it was designed in 1995&rdquo; &ndash; which is a pretty generous critique of 1995-era technology and design.In the same interview he explained his decision to introduce larger and larger screens into new Mercedes models, because he believes that owners might want to &ldquo;watch a movie and stuff like that.&rdquo;The problem I have with this is two-fold.&nbsp;Firstly, it's not good design. I know that design is subjective, but objectively speaking, the new C-Class EV loses so much about what made Mercedes look and feel luxurious. The difference between Mercedes and mainstream brands was the quality and presentation inside the cabin.&nbsp;I haven&rsquo;t sat in the just-revealed C-Class EV yet, but looking at the images it feels like it could be something produced by any of the new Chinese premium brands.Yes, there are still some nice premium trims and I&rsquo;m sure it looks impressive, but for me it doesn&rsquo;t immediately project a sense of class and sophistication that Mercedes is known for.&nbsp;Mercedes&rsquo; arch-rivals at BMW have taken a slightly different approach, its &lsquo;neue klasse&rsquo; 3 Series and iX3 feature a combination of large multimedia touchscreen, in a conventional sense, with a narrower screen wrapping around almost the entire base of the windscreen. It&rsquo;s a different kind of big, but it&rsquo;s still big.&nbsp;Not to sound like an old person, but&hellip; back when I was younger and obsessed with cars, whenever I sat in a Mercedes, BMW or Audi, you could tangibly see and feel the difference between them and their competition. But that differentiation is getting harder to feel these days, as new brands without the heritage of Mercedes and company can simply go inch-for-inch in terms of screens.If you look at luxury houses, they do not fill every room with a huge television or make every room feel like a movie theatre. Good design is about moderation and restraint as much as anything.&nbsp;Secondly, and more importantly, we shouldn&rsquo;t be &lsquo;watching movies and stuff&rsquo; in the car. If you want to watch a movie, stay at home &ndash; or heck, go and watch it on an actual &lsquo;big screen&rsquo; at the local cinema.Cars are for driving and safety should always remain both the car makers and the driver&rsquo;s top priority. In case any of these designers have forgotten, cars are approximately two-tonnes of metal and glass that typically travel up to 100km/h. This isn&rsquo;t an entertainment device, it&rsquo;s transport.&nbsp;If you can&rsquo;t go one car ride without watching a movie or having a screen in front of you, maybe you should see a doctor, not your local car dealer.Also, just a reminder in case anyone has forgotten, it is very much illegal to touch your smartphone with its 6-plus-inch screen, so why do the lawmakers not have any problem with these absurdly large screens that are becoming increasingly common &ndash; and increasingly distracting?To be fair to Mercedes, the German brand is alone in introducing ridiculously large screens. Instead, I blame]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-news/the-bigger-the-screen-the-dumber-it-looks-why-modern-car-interior-design-is-losing-impact</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 03 May 2026 03:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>News</dc:category>
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