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        <title>CarsGuide - Car Reviews</title>
        <link><![CDATA[https://www.carsguide.com.au/feed/rss/car-reviews]]></link>
                <description>Browse over 9,000 reviews &amp; road tests published by the top motoring journalists in Australia. Search by Make, Model or Bodytype to find the most up to date and in-depth review of your favourite vehicles. With daily reviews, videos and news of all the latest models our experts can help you find the perfect car for any situation.</description>
        <language>en-US</language>
        <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 02:05:28 +0000</pubDate>

                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Leapmotor B05 2027 review: International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/leapmotor-b05-101915</link>
            <description><![CDATA[I guess the big question is, do you believe in love at second sight?The first time I drove the Leapmotor B05 (the brand&rsquo;s Golf-sized electric hatchback), it was on a rented test track near the brand&rsquo;s headquarters in China, and I came away thinking it had plenty of promise, but not enough dynamic polish to ever be considered a sporty threat in Australia.It was about quick enough and looked pretty enough, but its soft, spongecake dynamics culled any hope of it delivering on the warm-hatch promises Leapmotor had made about its sportiest offering to date.This second time, though, was different. Because the B05 that will arrive in Australia towards the end of 2026 (wearing a circa-$35,000 price tag) is not the same car I drove in China. Well, it is. It just no longer feels like it.To Leapmotor's credit, it has recognised Chinese driving tastes differ wildly to those in Europe and Australia. And that making a car that's fast in a straight line but offers all the dynamism and body control of a pot of just-set jelly isn't going to cut it in the rest of the world.And so the brand handed the B05 over to its Stellantis co-owners in Italy, and set them to work readying the warm hatch for a global release. The result, the brand says, "is a different animal" to the car we got to know in China.It had its chassis and suspension reworked at Alfa Romeo's Balocco Proving Ground, roughly halfway between Milan and Turin. And not just tuning either, they've also changed the way the suspension connects to the vehicle, shifting the mounting points to give it a lower center of gravity and a sportier feel.We&rsquo;ll see if the changes have worked in a moment, but first, I think this is one of the best-looking cars to have come out of China in some time, and the brand tells me it will form the beginnings of a blueprint for all future Leapmotor models.The cars they've already got in Australia, the C10 and B10 SUVs, have been criticised in some quarters for being a bit bland. I don't feel that way about this car at all. The B05 looks grown-up, premium and modern, and while much has been done in the pursuit of EV-friendly aerodynamics, it doesn't look like a science experiment.&nbsp;It rides on 19-inch alloys as standard, and only the subtle rear roof spoiler gives away its sportier intentions, though a (presumably much angrier-looking) Ultra version is on the way which will no doubt dial up the exterior aggression.Cleverness abounds in the cabin, too. There's no escaping the use of budget friendly plastics, but the way the dash is laid out, with a perforated inlay framed by two architectural-feeling ledges, helps make the no-frills feel funky. The big glass roof helps lift the mood, too.You get a 14.6-inch screen in the centre of the cabin and an 8.8-inch letterbox display in front of the driver. The main screen controls almost all of the car's functions, which can get fiddly and annoying, but the locked climate control bar at the bottom at least allows for quick access to heating and cooling. The brand has also added the ability to shortcut to the wing-mirror adjustment screen from a button on the steering wheel, which is a good idea, because digging through screens when you want to quickly change the mirrors can be rage-inducing.Another clever addition is the inclusion of driving profiles, in which you can save your ADAS preferences (things like the lane keep assist, over-speed warning and driver attention alarm) to on or off. When you get in, you simply choose your profile and away you go. It reduces lots of screen poking and scrolling to two quick taps before you're on the road.There's also plenty of room in the backseat of the B05. It's 4430mm in length, 1880mm in width and 1520mm in height and its full-flat electric platform is a boon for backseat riders. I had more than enough knee and headroom to get comfortable behind my own 175cm driving position, and there's pull-down cupholders, twin USB ports and air vents for the back, too.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/leapmotor-b05-101915</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Porsche 911 2026 review: Turbo S]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/porsche-911-turbo-s-101765</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The most electrified Porsche 911 yet has arrived.Yep, the 2026 Porsche 911 Turbo S breaks from tradition with the electric motor wedged into its eight-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.And then there's the twin electric turbochargers fitted to its 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine.That is one more e-turbo than its 911 Carrera GTS sibling, which debuted Porsche&rsquo;s new power-boosting T-Hybrid system two years ago, complete with a 1.9kWh battery.In the all-wheel-drive Turbo S it helps it produce an astounding 523kW of power (+45kW) from 6500-7000rpm, and 800Nm of torque from a far broader 2300-6000rpm.Sprinting from zero to 100km/h in the coupe on test here now takes just 2.5 seconds (-0.2s), while 200km/h can be reached in 8.5 seconds (-0.5s) on its way to a top speed of 322km/h (a nice even 200mph).Needless to say, in reality this level of acceleration is neck-snappingly immense in any of the three available drive modes (Normal, Sport and Sport Plus).The PDK whips through its eight gears in a seemingly uninterrupted blur, during which the engine feels like it is always on boost thanks to its newfound electrification.That said, the Turbo S increasingly offers too much straight-line performance for Australian public roads, which have speed limits of up to 130km/h in limited locations.But I suppose it is nice to know you can accelerate faster than almost any other car you come across on your drive.You also can probably decelerate sooner than most other cars thanks to the mammoth carbon-ceramic brakes fitted to the Turbo S.The 420mm front and 410mm (+20mm) rear discs are the largest to be fitted to a street-legal Porsche yet and offer equally immense stopping power.The T-Hybrid system contributes plenty to the Turbo S coupe&rsquo;s 74kg weight gain, to 1725kg, but the reality is you won&rsquo;t really notice the difference in a straight line, let alone around corners.Handling wise, the Turbo S does not match the prowess of its track-focused GT3 and GT2 siblings, but it is still a 911, which means it's still among the best when it comes to despatching corners with its high level of AWD grip.The T-Hybrid system also helps to power the new active anti-roll bars, which reduce body roll when cornering hard. They are simply phenomenal when it comes to delivering lateral balance.And if you want even more body control and road feel, the adaptive dampers can be firmed up via a dedicated physical switch at any time, or via the Sport Plus drive mode.At this point the ride comfort is firm enough that you seemingly feel every little road imperfection.I prefer the adaptive dampers in their Normal setting, which is still stiff but can easily be lived with day to day.The 911&rsquo;s electric power steering is the one of the best available today, with the level of feedback provided almost as good as a traditional hydraulic system.In any of the drive modes it is as direct as you would expect a high-end sports car to be, partly thanks to its brilliant wheelbase-shortening rear-axle steering.The beauty of the Turbo S is its split personality: it can be relatively docile when you are navigating city traffic, or it can be an otherworldly performance machine when you are lucky enough to find an open road.It is this duality that its GT siblings simply cannot match.Now, do not make the mistake of thinking the Turbo S coupe&rsquo;s T-Hybrid system significantly reduces its fuel consumption because it is performance-focused after all.In fact, claimed fuel consumption on the combined-cycle test is 11.8L/100km, up 0.3L/100km.But in the real world I averaged a reasonable 14.3L/100km over 366km of driving, all of which was very much worth the high fuel bill.Design wise, the Turbo S has had an obligatory nip and tuck as part of this midlife facelift, one that Porsche says makes it 10 per cent slipprier, partly thanks to active aerodynamics front and rear.Either way, the 911&rsquo;s iconic design elements remain, making it arguably the most]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Hilliard]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/porsche-911-turbo-s-101765</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Mazda CX-5 Touring 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mazda-cx-5-touring-101894</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Mazda CX-5 Touring is the mid-spec version of the third generation of the series, and presents a compelling premium value proposition that should prove popular with consumers.Priced from $47,490 before on-road costs, the Touring is well specified, with AWD, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, artificial leather/suede trim, powered driver&rsquo;s seat with memory, a head-up display, heated windscreen, rear-seat air vents, a reverse camera, a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch instrumentation cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a smartphone charger, heated/folding exterior mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry/start, a powered tailgate, heated steering wheel, roof rails and 19-inch alloys.It also comes with a long list of standard safety equipment, including advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane support systems, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and more.Like all KM-series CX-5s, the Touring is larger, roomier and heavier, and so is fitted with Mazda&rsquo;s G25 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, rather than the smaller G20 powertrain.It delivers 132kW of power and 242Nm of torque. It drives all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission and part-time AWD system.Want more performance? Try using the premium unleaded petrol pump next time you fill, since power rises to 138kW and torque to 257Nm.The Touring returns 7.4 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 173g/km, on the ADR 81/02 cycle, and can run on 91 RON standard unleaded petrol.A new hybrid model is coming from 2028 for those who demand lower fuel consumption.Along with the G20 engine, the G35 2.5-litre turbo-petrol and D22 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder units have been discontinued.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mazda-cx-5-touring-101894</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Volkswagen Tayron 2026 review: 150TSI Elegance]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/volkswagen-tayron-150tsi-elegance-101876</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Volkswagen has done something unusual and added a new model name to its line-up.&nbsp;Called the Volkswagen Tayron, it&rsquo;s the spiritual successor to VV&rsquo;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&rsquo;re considering a more established, proven rival.Back to the Tayron 150TSI Elegance, which like much of the range has VW&rsquo;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 &lsquo;150&rsquo; 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&rsquo;s decent for a non-hybrid SUV capable of hauling a family around, but it&rsquo;s a fair bit thirstier than rivals like the Kluger or Santa Fe (both 5.6L/100km).&nbsp;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&rsquo;t feel extravagant, instead keeping the layout relatively simple and, likely to the disappointment of some, hiding much of the car&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&rsquo;re on the move, but VW&rsquo;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&rsquo;d expect.Under the boot floor - where there&rsquo;s either 345 litres, 850L, or 1905L depending on whether there&rsquo;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&rsquo;s on-road performance also deserves its bouquets. The three-row SUV isn&rsquo;t enormous, but handles better than you might expect from something you could cart all six members of King Gizzard]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/volkswagen-tayron-150tsi-elegance-101876</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Ferrari 849 Testarossa 2027 review: International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/ferrari-849-testarossa-101891</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Depending on how old you are, the name Testarossa either means something, or everything. In the mid-1980s, we're talking proper dog-eared-posters-stuck-to-bedroom-wall status here.There was also the small volume V12 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (250 TR) sports racer built from 1957 to 1961. But in the '80s it was a 4.9-litre, flat 12-cylinder engine producing the power, making an inconceivable 287kW and 490Nm, and earning the wedge-shaped icon a place among the most powerful supercars in existence at the time.I'm giving you this little history lesson because the Testarossa name is back, only this time it's attached to the plug-in hybrid Ferrari 849 Testarossa. And if you're one of those people who think electrification has no place in the supercar world, just relax for a second. Because the new Testarossa's outputs make the 1984 version seem every bit as exhilarating as a Segway.We're now talking 772kW and 842Nm, generated via the combination of a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 paired with three electric motors, all of which combine to produce an electrified powerhouse of genuinely epic proportions.&nbsp;The other thing that's gone skywards is the price. It's hard to believe, but that 1984 Testarossa listed for as low as US$85,000, or $121,000. This one starts at $932,648.The numbers only tell part of the 849 story, but we'll cover them off quickly anyway. The 100km/h benchmark arrives in 2.3 seconds, with 200km/h taking just 6.35 seconds from a standing start. Top speed is a claimed 330km/h. The turbo is the biggest ever fitted to a Ferrari production car, while the electric motors (responsible for around 160kW on their own) are arranged with one at the rear and two at the front. The 7.45kWh battery delivers an EV driving range of 25km.And yes, some of those are big and impressive numbers. But the bigger story here is the feel, the emotion, that the 849 Testarossa generates in great big bucketloads. The thrum (this time less orchestral and more mechanical) of the exhaust. The spectacularly direct steering. The sense of car and driver as one.But weirdly the thing that really got myself and my fellow testers the most excited wasn't the brutal acceleration (which was surprising, as this genuinely one of the fastest-feeling cars I've ever driven), but was instead the bull-whip crack of what might be the sweetest, sharpest gearshifts in existence.In this new Testarossa, it's an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission the brand says is derived from its F1 division, and the feel of a flat-footed shift upwards, or a hard-braking downshift into a corner, is genuinely visceral in its action. If you still long for manual gearboxes, the 849 will cure you of that ailment. You end up searching for extra reasons to reach for one of the paddle gearshifters, just to feel and hear the shifts.Driven at noise, this two-seat rocket is a vehicle that demands attention. And not just from the driver (seriously, this is a car that collects speed in such an other-worldly fashion that constant focus is required &ndash; blink too long and it feels like you're in a teleportation device as, when your eyes open, you're a long way away from where you were when you closed them), but from anyone in its vicinity, too, with the Ferrari seemingly sucking in bystanders like a vortex, especially in Italy, where even clapping eyes on the latest from Maranello is a near-religious experience.It's also, somehow, not terrifying. The fact that it's AWD and not a snap-happy rear-drive set-up probably helps to settle the nerves. But also the fact that it's something approaching comfortable as a commuter, helped by its adaptive damping, and even has a silent and front-wheel-drive EV mode for city motoring, helps to smooth some of the 849's more murderous edges. That and the fact that Ferrari has a whole heap of high-tech help on board &ndash; headlined by something called the Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator, which adjusts its level of control to the quality of your driving]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/ferrari-849-testarossa-101891</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Review</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Mazda CX-5 Evolve 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mazda-cx-5-evolve-101893</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Mazda CX-5 Evolve is the second least-expensive third-generation version of the KM-series mid-sized SUV.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mazda-cx-5-evolve-101893</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Honda CR-V 2026 review: e:HEV RS]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/honda-cr-v-ehev-rs-101903</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Honda has launched the refreshed CR-V with more than half of its line-up sporting a hybrid powertrain. Is it a step in the right direction for Honda to keep up with its hybrid-focused competitors?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Emily Agar]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/honda-cr-v-ehev-rs-101903</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Isuzu N Series 2026 review: AWD & 4x4 – Australian first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/isuzu-n-series-awd-4x4-101901</link>
            <description><![CDATA[If there&rsquo;s one thing we should have learned from COVID-19 lockdowns is that it&rsquo;s important to take your fun seriously, and take it when you can. And perhaps that explains why sales of Isuzu&rsquo;s N-Series 4X4 light trucks exploded during and just after the pandemic and continue to be strong performers right now.While the N-Series generally is this country&rsquo;s best selling light truck (by a country mile) the 4X4 versions have a special appeal to the emergency services and mining and other industries in situations where a 4X4 dual-cab ute just won&rsquo;t cut it. But if you venture into the Aussie outback right now, you&rsquo;ll also see a swarm of 4X4 light trucks with specialist camper bodies bolted on to form a genuine go-anywhere alternative to a dual-cab ute or conventional four-wheel-drive and caravan combination. It seems the adventure travellers, grey nomads and plenty of other civilians have figured out the magic of the 4X4 light truck.But there&rsquo;s still a bit of mystery around these vehicles. Questions like how hard are they to park, what do they cost, are they a chore to drive and, what ones can I drive on a car licence? So let&rsquo;s dive in and tackle the three most popular N-Series 4X4s to get some answers.The simplest form of the N-Series all-wheel drive is the NMS which has a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 4500kg and, therefore, can be driven on a normal car licence. With a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and a nine-speed dual-clutch transmission, it runs part-time 4WD.Fundamentally, this is a derivative of the sort of trucks many countries (notably Japan where Isuzu is based) use commercially as snow-ploughs and similar. While the 4WD grip is necessary, extra ground clearance and super-low gear ratios are not, so the NMS has neither of those things.As a result, it&rsquo;s a bit limited off road where the sump will eventually bottom out and it will run out of gearing on really steep stuff. That said, the nine-speed dual-clutch has a very low first gear, so it&rsquo;s better at climbing hills than you might imagine.A much better alternative, however, is either the NPS or NQS which also get a two-speed transfer-case for those low ratios, as well as bigger wheels and tyres and a higher ride height for &ndash; frankly &ndash; brutal off-road ability. The engine is broadly the same as the NMS&rsquo; including the 3.0-litre engine.The catch is, however, that the standard 6500kg GVM means you need an endorsed licence to legally drive them. But Isuzu has a solution for that. With what amounts to a stroke of the pen, Isuzu can sell you an NPS or NQS with an official GVM of 4500kg, and suddenly, anybody with a car licence can join in the fun.The flip-side is that your payload falls by that same 2000kg difference, but if you specify the truck carefully with regard to what you add and leave off, you can squeak in under the GVM limit. And if you need more payload in the future for a bigger camper or more water tanks or whatever, Isuzu can re-rate the vehicle to the full 6500kg GVM while you get your licence endorsed.Of those two vehicles, the NQS probably represents the best choice for recreational users thanks to its nine-speed dual-clutch transmission that just makes life simpler in a big vehicle like this one. The NPS has a conventional six-speed manual with a very low first gear, but it&rsquo;s another thing to deal with off-road and the shift is far from the slickest passenger car version of the same thing.You also miss out on a lot of safety kit in the manual variant. Things like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-departure warning, electronic brake force distribution and adaptive cruise control (all standard on the dual-clutch NQS) are missing from the NPS.As it stands, The NPS gets anti-lock brakes and stability and traction controls, but that&rsquo;s about it for electronic help. And in other aspects, all N-Series trucks fall short of passenger-car expectations. While you get a pair of front]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/isuzu-n-series-awd-4x4-101901</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 16:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Tradies</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Hyundai Staria 2026 review: Diesel]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/hyundai-staria-diesel-101803</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Hyundai has just updated its Staria people mover and despite the imminent arrival of new electric and hybrid variants, is this diesel workhorse version still worth considering? ]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/hyundai-staria-diesel-101803</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Mazda CX-5 Pure 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mazda-cx-5-pure-101892</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Mazda CX-5 Pure is the least expensive version of the third-generation mid-sized SUV from Japan.Kicking off from $39,990 before on-road costs, it is more than $3000 more expensive than the previous CX-5 Maxx front-wheel drive it replaces, but sweetens the deal with a larger and significantly roomier body, bigger engine, all-wheel drive (AWD), improved safety and more comfortable suspension.The Pure AWD comes standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch electronic instrumentation cluster, wired only Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reverse camera, cloth trim, dual-zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors and 17-inch alloy wheels with a space-saver spare wheel.On the safety front it features a host of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front as well as rear cross-traffic alert, lane support systems, a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and more.However, compared to the old CX-5 Maxx, the Pure loses a wireless phone charger, wireless connection for the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto system and a head-up display.The Pure swaps out the old Maxx&rsquo;s G20 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and front-wheel drive for the larger G25 2.5-litre engine/AWD combination. That makes 132kW of power and 242Nm of torque, and drives all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.If you put in premium petrol (95 RON or above), those outputs jump to 138kW and 257Nm respectively.Though it weighs at least 60kg more than the previous CX-5 AWD equivalent, the Pure boasts an identical ADR 81/02 combined average fuel consumption figure of 7.4 litres per 100km, for a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 173g/km. It can run on standard 91 RON unleaded petrol.Want better economy? You&rsquo;ll have to wait, since a new-generation strong hybrid system is slated for the CX-5 from 2028.&nbsp;As with the rest of the KM-series range, the Pure offers no other powertrain options, meaning the D22 2.2-litre turbo-diesel and G35 turbo-petrol engine alternatives are no more.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mazda-cx-5-pure-101892</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[Volkswagen ID.5 2026 review: Pro long-term | Part 2]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/volkswagen-id5-pro-long-term-part-2-101842</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Why do things grow on us? You know, when you don&rsquo;t really like something but after a while you begin to appreciate it more. What is this phenomenon? Because it&rsquo;s happening to me after two months of living with the Volkswagen ID.5. This car has me feeling conflicted.Hey good lookin&rsquo;... kind ofIn my last instalment I testified that the ID.5 wasn&rsquo;t pretty to look at and while I still don&rsquo;t disagree with that first impression, the unique styling is growing on me. Having driven so many 'samey' electric SUVs I&rsquo;m starting to think it is quite brave of Volkswagen to not just make another one that also looks like a bar of soap.Look at the ID.5&rsquo;s side profile (see images) - it&rsquo;s almost cartoon-like with its bulbous shapes. There are also small tocuhes of design flare I really like from the way the paint colour scoops into the black bumper and the white VW badge on the bonnet.The cabin styling is growing on me. I like the sculpted door trims and woven headlining but I&rsquo;m also noticing the hard plastics and a colour scheme that feels a bit dull now.&nbsp;There are also cabin design elements that I didn&rsquo;t really take in at first but after two months I find them unappealing. Really unappealing. The fold-down armrests on the front seats, for example - they look as though they&rsquo;re from office chairs, so out of place and unstylish (see images).The instrument cluster is another example - it&rsquo;s quite small and toy-like - and the lack of head up display is perplexing.Is it family friendly after all?From the start, I had my doubts about the practicality of the ID.5, especially from a family car perspective. That feeling has solidified after living with it daily with my family of four. The interior space just isn&rsquo;t packaged as well as it could be.Overly large and thick front seats eat into rear legroom, and the coupe-like roofline limits headroom, combining to limit space for adults and make getting our child car seat in a squeeze.The rear doors don't offer the biggest aperture, either (see images).Storage is also an issue with a thin centre console area which lacks functionality along with cupholders that feel far from people but too close to controls.An opportunity for good storage is also missed under that floating centre console with no stowage area (see images).Topping off this bad run are the haptic controls which have been frustrating me. The climate controls are haptic and require constant swiping and pressing to work effectively.The door handles have a similar haptic feel and aren&rsquo;t pleasant or easy to use.Finally the driver's master window switches have one set of controls and require you to toggle between front and back. I&rsquo;m constantly having to look down at the switches to see if I&rsquo;m about to put my widow down or the one behind me.Still good to drive?My first impression of the way the ID.5 drives was a good one - comfortable, planted brisk accleration - and I still feel that way. However, I was also a passenger for some trips this month and I'd forgotten how electric cars can induce car sickness due to their sudden acceleration and one-pedal braking. I also found as a passenger the ID.5&rsquo;s suspension is quite firm and body control can be a bit busy too.This month we covered only 547km and used quite a lot of energy doing so - 22.0kWh/100km. I have to say I&rsquo;m not using the strong setting on regenerative braking as much now and the climate control has been getting a workout as we&rsquo;ve headed into winter.Oh, and finally, the visibility out of the rear window is obstructed by the coupe roofline and headrests (see images).So, that&rsquo;s it for another month. I&rsquo;m still impressed by the quality feel and the comfort of the cabin and the quirky styling but there are practicality issue galore.Acquired: March 2026Distance travelled this month: 547kmOdometer: 2395kmAverage energy consumption this month: 22.0kWh/100km]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/volkswagen-id5-pro-long-term-part-2-101842</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Mazda CX-5 2026 review: Australian first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mazda-cx-5-101869</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mazda's CX-5 has become a mid-sized SUV favourite since launching in 2012, setting high standards for sportiness, quality, ease and reliability. Now there's the third-generation model that's usefully larger, roomier, safer, smoother and comfier than before. But it also lacks a hybrid, costs more, offers fewer choices and ditches buttons for a touchscreen display.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mazda-cx-5-101869</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volkswagen Polo 2026 review: CityLife]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/volkswagen-polo-citylife-101694</link>
            <description><![CDATA[New city cars aren't over yet, as the latest version of Volkswagen's nine-year-old Polo proves. Tested in mid-range 85TSI CityLife guise, the German alternative to the Suzuki Swift, Mazda2 and MG3 has evolved into a roomy, comfy and practical hatch. Great economy and driving dynamics are further bonuses. But there are issues, prompting us to ask if the VW is good value.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/volkswagen-polo-citylife-101694</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 2026 review: Cruiser Hybrid]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/toyota-rav4-cruiser-hybrid-101840</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Toyota RAV4 has revamped itself and the biggest changes come in the way of its technology but does it do everything else the way we want it to?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Emily Agar]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/toyota-rav4-cruiser-hybrid-101840</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Used Nissan X-Trail review: 2014-2022]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/nissan-x-trail-101691</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Although the original Nissan X-Trail was one of the first mid-sized SUVs to really gain popularity and set the tone for what was to come, by the time the third-generation X-Trail arrived in 2014, it was a bit of a me-too product. Code named the T32 model, the third-gen X-Trail was offered as a five or seven-seater, in either front or all-wheel drive and with a choice of two petrol four-cylinder engines. Those consisted of a 2.0-litre with 106kW and a 2.5-litre with 126kW.Both engines were available in five-seat form, but if you wanted seven seats or all-wheel drive, you needed to stump up for the bigger engine. At that point, you went from the 2.0-litre&rsquo;s six-speed manual transmission to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).There was also a turbo-diesel X-Trail with 96kW and a choice of either front or all-wheel drive. The diesel was strictly a five-seater. The specification was a bit confusing, too, because the front-drive turbo-diesel X-Trail used a CVT while the all-wheel-drive diesel got a six-speed manual exclusively.The all-wheel-drive platform did not have a second set of lower ratios, and, in fact, worked as a front-wheel drive for most of the time. When the computer detected any slip, power would be sent to the rear axle, although for slippery surfaces, the driver could lock the vehicle into all-wheel drive at speeds up to 40km/h.Is Nissan X-Trail a good car?Thousands of Australians would agree that the X-Trail is a good thing with decent dynamics and good packaging. The boxy body means it&rsquo;s quite big inside, although the seven-seat variant is pretty tight on space in the third row. For smaller kids, this mightn&rsquo;t make much difference, but teenagers are not going to be happy in the X-Trail&rsquo;s third row. The front seats, however, are very good.Some of the interior plastics are clearly built down to a price, and hard usage (such as that meted out by young families) can leave the interior looking pretty tatty in short order.In driving terms, the X-Trail is decently refined although there is a bit of road noise to contend with. The turbo-diesel can feel a bit lethargic off idle, and the bigger petrol engine is the superior unit in the line-up.Overall, though, any fall-off in the X-Trail&rsquo;s popularity over the years is almost certainly down to increased competition from other makes rather than any perceived problem with the X-Trail formula.Nissan X-Trail reliabilityFundamentally, the X-Trail T32 is a solid and dependable car. But there&rsquo;s one major flaw that many newish cars also suffer from. It doesn&rsquo;t affect manual-transmission examples of the X-Trail, but those fitted with the CVT have an inbuilt fault, it seems.Indeed, the main reliability issue associated with the X-Trail is the CVT as fitted to 2.5-litre petrol versions as well as the front-drive variant of the turbo-diesel.Beyond that, the engines don&rsquo;t seem to give trouble and since the vehicle is not an off-roader, you shouldn&rsquo;t be faced with trashed examples.Nissan X-Trail problemsLet&rsquo;s talk CVTs. In the Nissan&rsquo;s case, the problem manifests as a vehicle that is slow to select Reverse or Drive, as well as showing signs of juddering or shuddering at low speeds and a light throttle.The cause is a bit harder to define, but Nissan dealers were removing the CVT&rsquo;s cover and looking inside the unit to determine whether the steel drive belts had been slipping and showing signs of wear. If wear was detected, the best fix was a new CVT, but sometimes replacement of the unit&rsquo;s valve body (which controls the CVT&rsquo;s behaviour) was deemed sufficient.But we&rsquo;ve also heard that some dealers were also flushing the CVT&rsquo;s cooler, suggesting that the belt wear may have involved the belts shedding small metallic particles and contaminating the cooler. If that&rsquo;s the case, it&rsquo;s also conceivable that those same metallic particles could enter and cause damage to other parts of the]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/nissan-x-trail-101691</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Volkswagen Golf 2026 review: 110TSI Life]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/volkswagen-golf-110tsi-life-101676</link>
            <description><![CDATA[For decades Volkswagen Golf has been the generic term for high-quality small hatchback. And as much as the high-riding SUV configuration has become the new car default for compact car buyers this VW still attracts devoted fans. They say quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten but does this modern classic's value equation stack up?  ]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/volkswagen-golf-110tsi-life-101676</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[MG S6 EV AWD 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mg-s6-ev-awd-101807</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The MGS6 AWD Essence is the Chinese brand's new rival to the likes of the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7.Priced from $56,990, drive-away, this range-topping model comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 11-speaker sound system, a combination of synthetic leather and synthetic suede trim plus a panoramic glass roof.The AWD Essence has two electric motors, one on each axle, which combine to make a healthy 266kW of power.The motors are powered by a 77kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery, which MG claims is enough to provide 485km of driving range between charging.The MGS6 is well-equipped with all the usual passive and active safety features you&rsquo;d expect in this day and age. These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera view.MG offers a standard seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with the option to extend to 10 years/250,000km if you get all your servicing done at an MG dealer.Servicing intervals are every 12-months or 25,000km, whichever comes first. The five year service plan totals $1376 and the seven year plan $1987.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mg-s6-ev-awd-101807</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Foton Tunland 2026 review: V9-S - off-road test]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/foton-tunland-v9-s-101760</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Want to know a secret? It's possible to buy a big US-style ute without spending big US-style ute cash.
The 2026 Foton Tunland is under six metres long and costs under $50,000.
The top-grade Tunland has a 2.0L four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, a 48V mild-hybrid system, front and rear diff locks and a stack of standard features.
But is this budget-friendly workhorse too good to be true?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marcus Craft]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/foton-tunland-v9-s-101760</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz CLA350 4Matic Electric 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/mercedes-benz-cla350-4matic-electric-101739</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The higher of two pure-electric Mercedes CLA models, and the flagship of the five-model line-up is the CLA350 4Matic electric, priced at $91,300, before on-road costs.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/mercedes-benz-cla350-4matic-electric-101739</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:01:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[MG S6 EV RWD 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mg-s6-ev-rwd-101806</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The MGS6 RWD Essence is the brand&rsquo;s new mid-size electric SUV offering, sitting above the MGS5.Priced from $49,990, drive-away, it comes well-equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 11-speaker sound system and a combination of synthetic leather and synthetic suede trim.The MGS6 RWD has a single electric motor, mounted on the rear axle, which makes 180kW of power. With its 77kWh battery, MG claims it has a driving range of up to 530km.The MGS6 is fitted with all the usual passive and active safety features you&rsquo;d expect in this day and age. These include autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree parking camera.MG offers a standard seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with the option to extend to 10 years/250,000km if you get all your servicing done at an MG dealer.Servicing intervals are every 12-months or 25,000km, whichever comes first. For the RWD model the five year service plan totals $1321 and $1877 for the seven year plan.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mg-s6-ev-rwd-101806</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Renault Trafic 2026 review: Premium LWB - GVM test]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/renault-trafic-premium-lwb-101654</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The MY26 Renault Trafic range brings numerous upgrades with considerable appeal for tradies, but are they enough to tempt mid-size commercial van buyers away from the dominant Toyota HiAce?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Oastler]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/renault-trafic-premium-lwb-101654</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 06 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Tradies</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Bentley Bentayga 2027 review: Speed - International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/bentley-bentayga-speed-101810</link>
            <description><![CDATA[It's laughable the new Bentley Bentayga Speed doesn't have a plug-in hybrid powertrain tucked up under its snout.After all, the luxury British carmaker has invested billions in electrification and gone ahead and developed its own high-performance plug-in V8 from scratch.But to focus on its lack of hybrid is a big mistake, says the British brand. Given the choice, Bentley says buyers of its fastest, most extreme Bentayga would prefer a pure-combustion V8 any day of the week.They might have a point. Even though it misses out on the massive 575kW of power and 1000Nm of torque of the hybrid, the Speed's twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 still musters 478kW and 850Nm. Not exactly meek.Without an extra high-voltage battery, electric motors, inverter and all the extra wiring, the latest 2026 Bentayga Speed is at least 200kg lighter than it would have been if it came with a plug.While some might lament the loss of the old hard-charging twin-turbo 6.0 W12, the uprated twin-turbo V8 is more than up to the task. To earn its Speed badge, engineers threw on some bigger turbos, upgraded the fuel injection system and then lowered the compression ratio.Finally, for the first time Bentley is throwing caution to the wind by adding an Akrapovi&#269; titanium exhaust that also shaves off around 12.5kg.  @carsguide.com.au The 2027 Bentley Bentayga might have just gotten its last-ever update as the luxury SUV shuns the millions of dollars the brand has invested in PHEVs to retain its V8! #bentley #bentayga #luxury #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   Off the line, the Bentayga Speed shrugs off its 2.5-tonne kerb weight by launching from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds &ndash; exactly the same as the latest BMW M5 Touring &ndash; and 0.3 seconds quicker than the old W12.Top speed rises to 310km/h &ndash; 4.0km/h higher than before.The gains keep coming.Since the V8 is 25kg lighter than the old W12, the latest Bentayga Speed also has a better weight distribution, allowing engineers to comprehensively update its flagship SUV's chassis to improve the way it drives.While most of the air springs, adaptive dampers and 48-volt electric active anti-roll bars carry over, for the first time the big Bentley gets rear-wheel steer for extra nimbleness around town or on tight and twisting alpine roads.Highlighting the dramatic changes, for the first time there is something called an 'ESC Dynamic' mode that is said to, in the right circumstances (like a track), allow the driver to indulge in small drifts. It's not quite a proper drift mode but still almost unprecedented in a Bentley.Select 'Sport' mode and the dampers also firm up by 15 per cent, suggesting some serious intent by those honing the new Speed model.In the flesh, the fastest Bentayga adopts a pair of darkened front lights, smoked tail-lights, darker chrome, a larger tailgate spoiler, tweaked front and rear spoiler, plus Speed badging.Large 22-inch wheels are standard, but most will opt for the bigger-still 23s.Within, the Bentley is as glorious as ever and the perfect antidote for those who have grown weary of minimalistic cabins and boring pillar-to-pillar screens.From the lashings of chrome, proper dials and buttons, to the diamond-quilted leather and machine turned veneers, the attention to detail lavished on the cabin delights &ndash; but it's the experience behind the wheel that really counts.It's not all good news from the move from W12 to V8.The old twin-turbo 6.0-litre used to develop its peak torque from just 1500rpm, providing almost EV-like responses, while the new engine's 850Nm (50Nm lower) only arrives a little later at 2250rpm, providing a less instant response.The eight-speed auto is also a little slow to downshift, but once on the boil sees the big SUV fly and is accompanied by a far more appealing woofly V8 soundtrack than the old booming W12.We love the optional exhaust' too, which is never silly enough to upset your neighbours and adds plenty of drama with its pops and]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Mahoney]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/bentley-bentayga-speed-101810</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Mitsubishi Triton 2026 review: Raider - Australian first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/mitsubishi-triton-raider-101793</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Triton Raider is now the most expensive version of Mitsubishi&rsquo;s popular ute range, featuring an array of modifications from local tuning outfit Premcar.With these locally-tuned utes becoming more commonplace, though, what sets this one apart? And can it live up to the hype Mitsubishi hopes to generate for it?We&rsquo;ve driven it at its local launch on and off the road to find out.At $74,990, drive-away (at the time of launch), the Raider is by far the most expensive Triton yet. To even get in the door of this thing you&rsquo;ll be spending nearly $10,000 over the previously-top-spec GSR grade which sits below it in the usually value-focused ute range.It pushes the Triton up into territory usually dominated by high-spec versions of more expensive rivals, like the (notably also locally-developed) Ford Ranger Tremor ($75,090) and Kia Tasman X-Pro ($74,990), both prices before on-road costs.In terms of its intentions, though, to build the Triton into something more than would normally come from the factory, it competes more closely with the likes of the Isuzu D-Max Blade ($80,900, BOC) or upcoming Volkswagen Amarok W600 (price TBC).To that end, the Triton Raider&rsquo;s standard equipment includes a larger wheel and tyre package, consisting of 18-inch ROH &lsquo;Assault&rsquo; wheels in an exclusive bronze hue clad in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres. This increases the track by 20mm in total (10mm each side) and it also features a 25mm suspension raise in the front and 15mm raise in the rear to better balance the body out.The star of the show is the Premcar-tuned suspension package, which consists of a set of customized Monroe shocks front and rear and new jounce bumpers (bump stops) which both help to smooth out the flaws in the factory ute&rsquo;s ride.Mitsubishi has adorned the ute with some Ralliart-inspired decals on the lower parts of the doors and added gloss black overfenders to account for the wider track. It has also added Mitsubishi-branded matt black side-steps, a sports bar over the tray and a Raider-badged bash plate for underbody protection.Inside may come as a bit of a disappointment, with the brand playing it very safe by only adding Raider stitching to the front headrests and a Raider badge on the transmission cladding.In the pictures, it doesn&rsquo;t look all that different from a regular Triton GSR, but once you see it next to a standard version of the ute, it&rsquo;s evident how much tougher this package looks. Some may think it hasn&rsquo;t gone far enough, but I think others will appreciate the subtlety on offer here, too.There are also an array of minor MY26 upgrades which shouldn&rsquo;t be forgotten, particularly the new Yamaha performance dampers fixed horizontally to the front and rear frame rails which help to iron out some of the existing ladder frame jiggle. More on how it drives later.Buyers will be happy to know this new Raider variant maintains the ute&rsquo;s 3500kg towing capacity, and this one also maintains a payload of 990kg, which is pretty solid for a dual-cab in this class.Again, some may be disappointed to see the brand hasn&rsquo;t provided a boost in power to go with the Raider&rsquo;s tough looks, it carries over the same 2.4-litre twin-turbo diesel engine from the rest of the Triton range.It provides 150kW/470Nm, which is fine, but maybe not particularly impressive when measured against Ford&rsquo;s 3.0-litre V6 diesel (184kW/600Nm). Mitsubishi is banking on its track record for dependability, which it says, along with the cost of upgrading, is the main reason it stays the same under the bonnet.It also carries across the usual six-speed traditional torque converter automatic, paired to the brand&rsquo;s signature 'Super Select II' system which is capable of running in permanent '4H' (4WD high-range) mode while including a 2H (2WD high-range) setting for fuel efficiency and a 4L (4WD low-range) mode for more challenging terrain, alongside a rear differential lock.Is]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/mitsubishi-triton-raider-101793</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz CLA200 electric 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/mercedes-benz-cla200-electric-101738</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The first of two pure-electric Mercedes CLA models, the CLA200 electric kicks off at $72,200, before on-road costs.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/mercedes-benz-cla200-electric-101738</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:01:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Lexus RZ 2026 review: Australian first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lexus-rz-101813</link>
            <description><![CDATA[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.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lexus-rz-101813</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 19:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
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