<?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-reviews" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>
        <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>Sun, 24 May 2026 13:12:35 +0000</pubDate>

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            <title><![CDATA[Leapmotor C10 2026 review: Design REEV long-term | Part 3]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/leapmotor-c10-design-reev-long-term-part-3-101650</link>
            <description><![CDATA[It&rsquo;s time to say goodbye to my Leapmotor C10 REEV, which has been my family transport for the past three months or so.And if you&rsquo;re thinking about putting one of these on your shortlist, then read on, because I&rsquo;m going to tell you what I liked, and what I didn&rsquo;t about life with the Leapmotor.And this is one you don&rsquo;t want to miss. Because the things I like about this car, I really like. But the things I don't? Well, those I really, really hate.So, let&rsquo;s take a closer look, shall we?So, the things I like. Let&rsquo;s kick off with the design. I'm surprised not everyone agrees with me on this, but I like the way this C10 looks. And that&rsquo;s because I see it as a bit like a haircut.This is, basically the automotive equivalent of a bloke asking for a short back and sides. You&rsquo;re not going to walk out of the hairdresser turning heads. But equally, you&rsquo;re not going to look back at photos of yourself 10 years from now and think &lsquo;a top bun with an urban mullet &ndash; what the hell I was thinking?&rsquo;.This is simple, straightforward car design that is clean and likely to age well.And that&rsquo;s true in the cabin, too, where the C10 offers a simple, screen-forward design language that doesn&rsquo;t inspire but doesn&rsquo;t offend.Some cars you just know are going to look like real fashion choices within a few years, but I don&rsquo;t think that&rsquo;s the case here.&nbsp;What do I like number two? The space. There&rsquo;s a lot of it. The C10 maximises its dimensions in the back seat and in the boot, which has been incredibly valuable given we now have a 18-month old for whom we always have to pack heavy, whether we're going to the shops or for a weekend away.The back seat is the real superpower of the C10 REEV, which uses its 4.7m in length and 1.9m in width to maximise space for the rear riders.I&rsquo;m 175cm, and I had heaps of knee and headroom, but the real test for us is always our baby&rsquo;s massive child seat. In some cars, the room is too tight so the front of the child seat pushes into the back of the passenger seat. But that&rsquo;s not the case in this, with the front seat rider able to get comfy with room to spare.The boot is decent, too, with 546 litres on offer with the rear seats in place and 1375L with them folded flat. I wish there was a better dedicated charger storage area, though. There is some space under the boot floor, but the charger doesn't sit flush, so it pushes the floor up.&nbsp;What do I like number three? The powertrain is clever, even if it doesn&rsquo;t deliver the fuel savings I was hoping for.This is a REEV, or Range Extender Electric Vehicle. And this one pairs a rear-mounted electric motor with a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a mobile power generator for the C10&rsquo;s 28.4kWh lithium iron phosphate battery.In simple terms, it drives like an EV, but when charge is low the engine kicks in to provide power to the battery, with a bunch of drive modes that control when and how the battery is recharged.Okay, so onto the bad stuff. And by far the single biggest annoyance is the fact it all feels needlessly complicated and frustratingly slow.That begins with the credit-card-style key, which may well be the worst system I've ever encountered. To unlock and start the car, you need to hold it against the driver's wing mirror. And you need to do the same everytime you get out to turn the car off and lock it.Now, I want you to imagine getting out of the car, grabbing a baby from the back seat, groceries from the boot, and then having to carry both back to the driver's door mirror where you then fumble for the key card to turn off the car. It&rsquo;s ferociously annoying. And, because there&rsquo;s no push-button start, you need to rest the keycard on the wireless phone charger to select a gear, too.Yes, there&rsquo;s a phone app and a passcode system that means you can circumvent the card. But I found the app&rsquo;s]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/leapmotor-c10-design-reev-long-term-part-3-101650</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 24 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Volkswagen ID.5 2026 review: Pro long-term | Part 1]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/volkswagen-id5-pro-long-term-part-1-101674</link>
            <description><![CDATA[A month ago we said goodbye to our Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid long-term test car and hello to our current one, the Volkswagen ID.5 SUV.Alongside its ID.4 sibling, the ID.5 is Volkswagen&rsquo;s first electric SUV and it's the first time I&rsquo;ve driven one, so I entered this long-term test the same way you walk into a supermarket while on holiday - a bit lost, even if everything looks the same.What is a Volkswagen ID.5 and how much does it cost?The ID.5 is a mid-sized electric SUV and the Volkswagen rival to the Toyota bZ4x, Tesla Model Y, Geely EX5 and the mechanically related Skoda Enyaq.The ID.5 is the not-so identical twin to the ID.4, the difference being the ID.5 has a swoopier, coupe-like profile while the ID.4 has a boxier shape.Both the ID.5 and ID.4 are offered in two grades, the Pro and the sporty, top-of-the-range GTX.The ID. 5 Pro is the car we are testing and it lists for $62,990 before on-road costs.The standard features list includes heated and massaging front seats, three-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, a head-up display, proximity unlocking and LED headlights.The ID.5 has a 77kWh battery and a range of up to 543km. There&rsquo;s one motor and it makes 210kW and 543Nm.What&rsquo;s interesting is that Volkswagen created completely new models for its first electric SUVs rather than just making an electric variant of its combustion powered Tiguan mid-sized SUV.Frankly, I think an electric Tiguan would have been a better idea and I&rsquo;ll tell you why later.What are the first impressions of the ID.5?My first impression is that the ID.5 isn&rsquo;t really an SUV but just a large-ish, round-ish car. Some people told me they loved the way it looked, but I have trouble seeing its beauty. Although I admit it is uniquely designed compared to many SUVs.I immediately appreciate the quality feel of every touch point, from the door handles through to the seats and steering wheel. The ID.5 doesn&rsquo;t look like any Volkswagen that went before it, but the materials and craftsmanship are very much on-brand even if the styling is new.I was concerned the ID.5 might not be big enough for my family. It doesn't seem particularly spacious or practical for a family of five.How family-friendly is the VW ID.5?&nbsp;Getting our child into the car and buckled up has been hard on my back, largely because of the coupe-like roofline. Higher-riding SUVs with taller door openings make this job easy, but the ID.5&rsquo;s shape doesn&rsquo;t help.&nbsp;Halfway through putting my daughter into her car seat in the pouring rain at night, I wished Volkswagen had just made a Tiguan EV. At least the ID.4 has a boxier shape.However, the space back there for head and legroom is actually very good. Our forward-facing child seat fits well with room for our daughter&rsquo;s legs without the front passenger having to squash themselves against the dashboard.Storage is good with big door pockets but the adaptable cup holder area is a waste of space (literally) and the wireless phone charger lives in a pokey little cave down there, too.The boot is big at 549 litres but, again, the sloping roofline means tall objects won't fit under that hatch.&nbsp;Again, I miss the practicality of the Tiguan with its draws and utility. At this point I feel like VW has forgotten its ethos of maintaining practicality.Finally, while the volume and climate control functions are physical they're haptic buttons which sometimes work and sometimes don&rsquo;t. It&rsquo;s already making me go a bit bananas.And the best thing so far?The best thing about the ID.5 so far is energy efficiency. Also, the way the ID.5 drives, too. It&rsquo;s smooth, comfortable, planted and quick. And we&rsquo;ve spent more than a thousand kilometres behind the wheel - 1142km to be exact.But really if there's one thing that impresses me the most, it&rsquo;s the SUV's efficiency.&nbsp;Some EVs I've lived with have given me such range anxiety. They've stayed home in the driveway while]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/volkswagen-id5-pro-long-term-part-1-101674</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 23 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Land Rover Defender 2026 review: Octa Black]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/land-rover-defender-octa-black-101647</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Land Rover Defender Octa Black is supposed to be the 'ultimate Defender', but I'll be the judge of that after living with this monstrously capable high-performance luxury SUV for a week.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/land-rover-defender-octa-black-101647</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 22 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Hyundai Inster 2026 review: Standard Range long-term | Part 2]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/hyundai-inster-standard-range-long-term-part-2-101648</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Tragedy strikes, as our Inster from chapter one gets side-swiped.Thankfully, not while I was driving it, and also, the damage, mechanically, was fairly minimal even though the torn-off bumper looks a bit dramatic.So, what happens next? The car goes back to Hyundai to be repaired and in the meantime we were offered up a Standard Range version in its place. It&rsquo;s the perfect opportunity to see the difference between the two grades, and evaluate whether it&rsquo;s worth spending the extra to get into the Extended Range we started with.The price separating the two cars? Just $3500 with the main difference being the battery size.The regular Inster we&rsquo;re hopping into has a 42kWh battery, which according to the more accurate WLTP standard offers 327km of driving range, while the Extended Range gets a 49kWh battery pack, offering a 360km range.However, the Extended Range also comes with bigger wheels, and can optionally have the brown houndstooth interior the previous car had.I kind of prefer the black pack interior on the Standard Range model we've substituted into, and I even think you&rsquo;re better off with the smaller wheel and larger tyre package, as it makes the ride noticeably more comfortable and probably contributes to additional driving range despite the smaller battery.There is also a slight difference in the tune of the electric motor, with the Extended Range scoring slightly more power to compensate for its modest weigh increase. For what it&rsquo;s worth, the increase in power is barely perceptible due to the change in weight.I do wonder what the point of having both grades is in Hyundai&rsquo;s range, as the battery sizes and even the prices are so close together. It&rsquo;s not as though anyone considering even the more expensive version of the BYD Atto 1 at $27,990 is going to be convinced to buy an Inster at nearly $10,000 more.Then again, there are some things which you should be thinking about at this entry-level part of the EV market.For example, as alluded to in my first chapter, the underpinnings of the Inster feel far more sophisticated than pretty much any city car I&rsquo;ve driven in the past, with robust steering and good suspension calibration. And there are finer technical details which should make this car age better than some of its contemporaries.The primary one is its liquid-cooled battery, where the Atto 1 gets only an air-cooled unit (with some assistance from the air conditioning). If you&rsquo;re not across the differences, liquid cooling is generally associated with much better battery ageing over time. The older-generation Nissan Leafs (Leaves?) and Mitsubishi Outlanders had air-cooled units which cut their range in half after 15 or so years.Plus, the relatively tame tech in the Inster is actually to its benefit. Sure you can get bigger, fancier screens and software in a whole list of new Chinese cars at this price point, but a lot of them are quite annoying to use in the real world.For all its last-gen visual appeal, there&rsquo;s something to be said for simple software and an array of physical buttons and dials which just work.Back to the difference between the two Inster grades, and I&rsquo;m quite surprised to find I don&rsquo;t miss the Extended Range version at all.I&rsquo;m using the Inster in a way I assume it was intended to be, either as a city-exclusive vehicle, or as a second car. In the midst of a fuel crisis, it&rsquo;s very nice to be able to hop into something and not have to think about how much it is costing you just to drive to the shops which are otherwise just outside of walking distance.I prefer driving the Inster anytime I&rsquo;m in or around the denser parts of the city where I know parking will be at a premium. It&rsquo;s great to leave my personal Forester, or any other vehicle I might have on loan which is larger, at home when I know I&rsquo;m going to be hunting for kerbside parking.In this context, the Extended Range version of the car starts to make]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/hyundai-inster-standard-range-long-term-part-2-101648</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Volvo EX60 2027 review: International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/volvo-ex60-101652</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Many premium European carmakers have launched new mid-size electric SUVs, including BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but now it&rsquo;s Volvo&rsquo;s turn and it could be the pick of the bunch.The Volvo EX60 is an electric counterpart to the XC60, which has been the brand&rsquo;s best-selling car for more than 15 years.This means the EX60 has a lot to live up to, however there is growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), especially amid the fuel crisis.To get a feel of this new Volvo electric SUV, we got a spin on the outskirts of Barcelona ahead of its Australian arrival late in 2026.At launch there are going to be two versions of the EX60 &ndash; the Ultra P6 RWD, priced from $86,990 before on-roads and the Ultra P10 AWD, priced from $101,990.This entry price notably undercuts the BMW iX3, which starts at $109,900 before on-road costs. However, the German carmaker is launching with the top-spec 50 xDrive trim with 805km of WLTP-claimed range first, whereas Volvo is launching with mid-spec versions of the EX60 with smaller batteries and less range initially.It&rsquo;s understood that the range-topping P12 AWD trim, as well as a more affordable, entry-level grade will arrive in 2027.  @carsguide.com.au The 2027 Volvo EX60 has wild door handles! Instead of regular handles, they&rsquo;re a tiny button under the window like the Ford Mustang Mach-E. This helps not only keep the design clean, but improve the aerodynamics and electric driving range. @Jack Quick  #volvo #ex60 #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   The price tag is even more appealing when you consider the amount of standard kit you get. Australian-spec EX60s all receive 21-inch alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights, a power tailgate, 11.4-inch digital instrument cluster, 15-inch touchscreen multimedia system, 28-speaker Bower &amp; Wilkins sound system, three-zone climate control and synthetic leather.Opting for the Ultra P10 AWD brings adaptive suspension rather than a passive set-up with frequency selective dampers, as well as Nappa leather upholstery.One of the biggest drawcards with this new Volvo electric SUV is the driving range. The entry-level P6 gets an 83kWh lithium-ion battery with 610km of WLTP-claimed range, whereas the P10 trim gets a 95kWh lithium-ion battery with 660km of WLTP-claimed range.That&rsquo;s arguably enough to quell range anxiety for many, but the aforementioned P12 gets an even larger 117kWh lithium-ion battery with 810km of WLTP-claimed range which is slightly more than the iX3 50 xDrive and on par with many combustion-powered cars.Better yet is the charging. All EX60s have an 800V electrical architecture, meaning fast charging. The P6 trim has a peak DC fast-charging rate of 320kW, while the P10 can do up to 370kW and the forthcoming P12 up to 400kW.With the P6 and P10, this means a 10-to-80 per cent charge in 16 minutes &ndash; a game changer for long-distance road trips.AC charging is offered at rates up to 22kW which is currently the benchmark.Power in the P6 comes from a single, rear-mounted electric motor producing 275kW and 480Nm, whereas the P10 gets an additional electric motor on the front axle bringing total system outputs to 375kW and 710Nm.In practice, neither version of the EX60 feels slow or sluggish. There&rsquo;s an instantaneous zip off the line, plus plenty of rolling acceleration available for quick overtakes.Adding to this, the EX60 feels nimble and dynamic which defies its circa-2.2-tonne heft. A lot of this comes down to the steering which is incredibly direct and only requires small movements to change direction.I&rsquo;m also a big fan of the small steering wheel which is rather Peugeot-like and has plenty of physical buttons and toggles.Although the versions we drove in Spain were equipped with massive 22-inch alloy wheels, the ride is plush, comfortable and compliant. My only gripe is that the adaptive suspension in the softest setting can get a little too floaty over harsher imperfections or speed]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/volvo-ex60-101652</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Audi Q3 195kW 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/audi-q3-195kw-101593</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Audi Q3 195kW quattro is the current flagship of the new range.The 150kW is priced from $81,900 for the SUV and $84,400 for the Sportback and comes with adaptive LED headlights, ambient interior lighting, keyless entry and ignition, leather-appointed upholstery, a 10-speaker sound system as well as adaptive dampers and 19-inch alloy wheels.Powered by a 2.0L turbo-petrol four-cylinder, producing 195kW/400Nm, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with quattro (all-wheel drive), it is the most powerful member of the current Q3 range.But the extra power brings extra fuel consumption, with the 195kW quattro rated at a relatively thirsty 8.1L/100km.Audi claims this is the safest Q3 ever, with more safety equipment than before to ensure it meets modern customer demands.There&rsquo;s a 360-degree camera set-up, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control and a host of other active safety features. But perhaps more importantly than just having these systems, they are locally tested and calibrated for local conditions.The Q3 is covered by Audi Australia&rsquo;s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. This includes five-years of roadside assistance too.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/audi-q3-195kw-101593</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Cadillac Vistiq 2026 review: Platinum - Australian first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/cadillac-vistiq-platinum-101638</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Cadillac is known for its larger than life, ultra-flashy cars and it has finally launched a baby Escalade in Australia with an electric powertrain. See how it stacks up against fierce competition.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/cadillac-vistiq-platinum-101638</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[MG S5 EV 2026 review: Essence 62]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/mg-s5-ev-essence-62-101639</link>
            <description><![CDATA[MG&rsquo;s getting rather good at building cars that don&rsquo;t feel so&hellip; cheap.For some time after Chinese state-owned manufacturer SAIC Motor took over the historically British brand, MG&rsquo;s passenger cars seemed destined to be driven into the ground and replaced, but that&rsquo;s not the case now.Not only has the brand&rsquo;s formerly &lsquo;cheap and barely cheerful&rsquo; MG3 become a decent hatchback, MG has started building properly good electric cars.The 2026 MG S5 EV, as much as Audi might have an issue with that name, is one of them.The small electric SUV is not only affordable when you consider what you get (as in many such cases with Chinese cars), but it&rsquo;s also quite a decent drive.For $48,990 drive-away, you can have the car pictured, the top-of-the-range S5 EV Essence 62. It&rsquo;s named as such because, you guessed it, it has a 62kWh battery rather than the smaller 49kWh unit also available in either this or the lower-grade Excite. That&rsquo;s four grades all up, but we&rsquo;re sticking at the top.That means the S5 is approaching the price of one of CarsGuide&rsquo;s favourite electric cars, the Kia EV3 &ndash; even if it&rsquo;s the base EV3 and the features list is somewhat shorter.The Essence 62 has a claimed WLTP rated range of 425km, which isn&rsquo;t groundbreaking considering similar-sized electric SUVs have been doing this for the better part of a decade &ndash; the Hyundai Kona Electric had it beat five years ago with a similarly-sized battery.The Essence 62 also gets the same extensive list of features as the Essence 49, aside from the (90km) longer range.Inside, there&rsquo;s a 10.25-inch driver display and a 12.8-inch multimedia touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker sound system, a wireless phone charger, surround-view parking camera, heated front seats and steering wheel, V2L capability, keyless entry and start and rain-sensing window wipers.It&rsquo;s a practical space inside that still retains physical controls for the climate along with buttons on the steering wheel, while the native operating system within the touchscreen is clear and easy to navigate.Its LED daytime running lights, 18-inch alloys, power tailgate, a panoramic sunroof and tinted privacy glass are all giveaways from the exterior, but they&rsquo;re not my biggest point about the S5&rsquo;s exterior.Yes, the big thing that very much turns me off the S5 EV is its design. MG&rsquo;s design language has struck me as a little hodge-podge for a while, and the S5 feels like one of the best examples of why.It has these soft curves and lines that, in a lot of ways, are fairly restrained. There isn&rsquo;t a lot of unnecessary trim or just lines for the sake of breaking things up.But then there&rsquo;s the face.The DRLs and headlights create these sharp, angular eyes and an almost war-paint-like shape underneath. Why does this small, family-friendly SUV look so aggressive from the front? It&rsquo;s got 125kW and 250Nm.Fortunately, it doesn&rsquo;t feel aggressive from behind the wheel.Those 125kW and 250Nm are put to better use than you might think, but the delivery is progressive and still gives you that little shove as you put your foot down, which you&rsquo;ll be familiar with if you&rsquo;re an EV person. It doesn&rsquo;t feel incredibly urgent and you won&rsquo;t be spinning the rear wheels (yes, it&rsquo;s rear-wheel drive!) unless it&rsquo;s pouring rain&hellip; and oil, perhaps.&nbsp;Its steering is arguably too light and lacks communication, but it&rsquo;s accurate enough and once you&rsquo;re used to it becomes a bit of a non-issue.The suspension, similarly, is nothing necessarily to write home about, but it&rsquo;s a big improvement on where your expectations from previous MGs might land.It can be unsettled at times, usually during fast cornering on rough roads, but you wouldn&rsquo;t expect most people to be doing this in a small electric SUV anyway.It wafts a little after big]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/mg-s5-ev-essence-62-101639</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Lepas L4 2027 review: EV - International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lepas-l4-ev-101641</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Lepas might have a nasty case of sibling rivalry on its hands later this year when the small Lepas L4 joins the bigger mid-size L6 and larger-still L8.Sharing a similar footprint to the BYD Atto 3, the Lepas L4 measures in at 4415mm long, 1817mm wide, stands 1630mm tall and has a 2700mm wheelbase and is based on Chery's new LEX platform, that incorporates Chery's latest EEA 5.1 electrics.Identical to the second-generation Chinese-spec Chery Tiggo 5, that probably won't head Down Under, the L4 will be sold globally under the Chinese's car giant's fledgling Lepas badge that will one day morph into a real premium brand to rival BMW or Benz.For now, cars like the L4 will sit above any equivalent Jaecoo or Omoda models when it comes to pricing.Claimed to be tailored for European tastes, to justify an extra five per cent price premium the little L4 is said to have created a cabin with higher-grade materials.Like the L6, you'll find the same 8.8-inch digital instrument panel and a portrait-mounted 13.2-inch infotainment that features the firm's fastest and slickest software that runs powerful Snapdragon 8155 processor.Living beneath it are twin cupholders and a single 50W wireless charger.While physical controls aren't plentiful there are a useful row of shortcuts beneath the screen, plus a Chery-sourced multi-function steering wheel with proper buttons.The synthetic leather in our car and general design won't give Audi's cabin stylists sleepless nights, the little Chery feels well-built and matches rivals like the Leapmotor B10.As an added bonus, the little L4 seems to offer more space within than rivals and there's even a large 458-litre boot, boosted to 1284L with the second row dropped.If that's not enough, within there's said to be 34 different stowage compartments.In China the Chery Tiggo 5 comes with an 80kW 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol, for Australia the entry engine will be ignored and Aussies will be offered either a plug-in hybrid or all-electric power.That's the same choice as the L6 and first details suggest both cars will share identical hardware.That means the L4 EV will bag a 67kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor that produces 150kW with a rumoured 240Nm of torque.Off the line a 0-100km/h sprint of less than 8.0 seconds should be possible.With the L4 still set to be officially homologated, early intel suggests the baby Lepas will be capable of covering 450km, again, matching the larger L6.Limited by 400-volt architecture, which is the norm for the class, the L4 will take around 26 minutes for the usual 10-to-80 per cent top-up.Helping build the anticipation for its introduction Down Under we had the briefest of spins on a small track in the pouring rain.Smooth and brisk enough off the line, even then, through a tight and twisting slalom it was easy to detect the benefits of multi-link rear suspension, while the odd bump or two we hit while hot-lapping proved the little L4 is composed as its larger sibling.Once launched, both the L4 and L6 promises to improve dynamically further. First it will undergo a Euro suspension tune and then, later on, all local models will also benefit from yet another retune, this time for our unique (read 'terrible') Australian roads.After only a couple of laps, we were done, but it's good to report the L4 did nothing to disgrace itself and feels easily agile enough to challenge the best in its class.It's impossible to guess how well equipped the L4 EV will be when it lands but in South Africa the range-topping L4s ride on 17-inch alloy wheels, get hill descent control, six airbags, front and rear parking sensors, a surround-view parking camera, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and driver fatigue detection.LED headlamps, roof rails and a roof spoiler are all standard, while inside are six-way adjust electric heated and ventilated seats, an electric sunroof, 50W wireless charger, a six-speaker sound system and standard Apple]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Mahoney]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lepas-l4-ev-101641</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 16:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Zeekr 7X 2026 review: RWD long-term | Part 3]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/zeekr-7x-rwd-long-term-part-3-101636</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Three months with the 2026 Zeekr 7X RWD have come and gone at an alarming rate.But I&rsquo;ve immensely enjoyed my time with the fully electric mid-size SUV, which impresses on so many fronts.The 7X is so impressive, in fact, that it was recently awarded CarsGuide Car of the Year 2026 &ndash; Best Medium SUV Under $60K, which you can read more about here.In the first two instalments of this three-part long-term review, I covered a lot of the reasons why the 7X has been so successful since its Australian arrival last year.In the first edition I detailed its keen pricing, high specification and strong powertrain and efficiency, while the second saw me deep-dive its fetching design and genuine practicality. You can check out both in the links above.As promised, this third and final look at the 7X will be headlined by drive impressions and overall verdict.So, how does the Chinese newcomer stack up behind the wheel? Let&rsquo;s find out!Strong European influenceFrom the moment I picked up the &lsquo;keys&rsquo; to the 7X RWD I was struck by how it could easily be mistaken for a European car, and not just design wise.Nearly every Chinese-branded car I&rsquo;ve driven to date has been underwhelming to drive, but the 7X shows how far these marques have come in such a short period of time.In some instances these carmakers have started to catch up with the rest of the world.It no doubt helps that Zeekr can tap into the expertise of its Geely Group parent company, which also owns Sweden&rsquo;s Volvo and England&rsquo;s Lotus.Point being, there is a legacy element that Zeekr can make the most of, and it certainly has with the 7X.Yes, the 7X RWD on test here still delivers a relatively soft ride &ndash; which is a Chinese-brand signature as passenger comfort is front of mind &ndash; but it does so in a relatively controlled manner.The RWD goes without the air springs and adaptive dampers of its Performance sibling, yet its balance will satisfy most, with small bumps dealt with aplomb.It can become unsettled over larger imperfections, but it is more composed than its more expensive Polestar 4 cousin &ndash; and it is arguably half European!Handling-wise, the 7X separates itself from the Chinese-brand pack with stronger body control when turning into a corner at low or high speed.Being a high-riding SUV, though, physics cannot be denied, so there is some roll when tipping in the 7X, but the beauty of the RWD variant is its rear-wheel-drive dynamics.Being pushed out of a corner rather than pulled is a nicer sensation, as is oversteer in general.When it comes to the 7X&rsquo;s electric power steering, it has three settings, with Comfort feeling too dead off-centre for my liking.&nbsp;Standard strikes the best balance when it comes to feedback, while Sport is too heavy for regular low-speed use.That said, the 7X still isn&rsquo;t the most engaging model to drive in its segment, as that honour still belongs to the facelifted Tesla Model Y, which offers quicker steering and even stronger body control.Straight-line performance is another 7X RWD strong suit, with its single, rear-mounted electric motor delivering a relative high 310kW of power and a more modest 440Nm of torque.This enables a brisk 0-100km/h acceleration time of six seconds flat, which can be achieved when putting its Acceleration mode into Sport.The Standard setting is better balanced with energy consumption, so that is my pick, but you also have a Comfort option that dials down the performance too much for my liking, although it may please your passengers the most.There are two settings for the 7X&rsquo;s regenerative braking, with Standard akin to engine braking in an internal-combustion model, while Sport has a noticeably higher level of deceleration, but it is still not strong enough in my books.A one-pedal drive mode is a separate option for bringing the 7X to a complete stop without the use of its actual brake pedal, but I found myself regularly using my left foot because]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Hilliard]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/zeekr-7x-rwd-long-term-part-3-101636</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[iCaur V27 2027 review: International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/icaur-v27-101637</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Looks can be deceiving. The all-new iCaur V27 might appear to be a distant relative of the Mercedes G-wagen but beneath its rugged, good looks lurks a large SUV that's happier on-road than extreme overlanding out in the bush.On sale in Australia from February next year, the iCaur V27 will be the first of a full range of models that will also include a still-to-be-released smaller mid-size V25 and, later on in 2028 or 2029 the baby Suzuki Jimny-rivalling V23 should rock up.Proving to be a hit worldwide, in little more than two years the baby V23 has gone on to sell 160,000 and Chery hopes its huge popularity will translate over in Australia.Measuring in at 5045mm long, 1976mm wide and 1894mm tall, the V27 shares a footprint with the GWM Tank 500 and is a little bigger than the Denza B5 (4888mm long, 1970mm wide and 1920mm tall).It's the latter, that one exec from iCaur told CarsGuide is the real rival it is targeting Down Under.Which is a bit odd as on paper at least, the iCaur V27 isn't a real match.Not only is the V27 based on a more car-like monocoque, it lacks height-adjustable air suspension which means ground clearance is limited to a paltry 224mm. Both the approach (24-deg) and departure (23deg) angles are also severely lacking compared to the Denza's 39 degrees.  @carsguide.com.au New Chinese brand alert! Chery's iCaur will debut in Australia with the 2027 iCaur V27 #Chery #iCaur #V27 #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   iCaur says its V27 can wade water depths up to 600mm, a little off the 790mm the Denza B5 can traverse.Available with only a range-extender hybrid powertrain, in some markets a 185kW rear-wheel-drive version will be an option but in Australia we think we'll just get the all-wheel-drive V27.Unlike a typical plug-in hybrid, the small 1.5-litre four-cylinder combustion engine only acts a generator when the 34.3kWh battery is depleted. Combined with a pair of electric motors driving each axle, total power is 335kW, while torque is around 505Nm for a quick 0-100km/h dash of 5.9 seconds.That's more than a second adrift of the more powerful Denza B5 that can also tow 3000kg, compared to the 1600kg the V27 can haul.With a full charge, iCaur says the V27 can cover up to 150km on EV power alone on the NEDC test cycle, while a 60-litre tank extends the total range to around 995km.Usefully, the battery is capable of DC charging up to 60kW, although a 20-80 per cent top-up still takes around 30 minutes.Vehicle-to-load charging or powering of domestic appliances is also available at up to 6kW.Naturally, the chunky exterior styling is reflected within, with a stepped dashboard, large rotary dial and proper physical controls. Like other Chery brands, the driver gets a pillar-box slim 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, but taking pride of place is a freestanding 15.4-inch infotainment that's runs a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 processor.Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included.Like the smaller V23, there are toggle auxiliary switches on the roof ready for accessories like an additional light bar.Dual wireless chargers are also present, as well as 50 different storage compartments, and a large 715-litre boot that includes a hidden 40-litre compartment for valuables.Perhaps disappointingly, considering its size, a third row of seats isn't even an option but handily if you drop the second row you open up a cavernous near-two-metre-long load area with up to 1818 litres of space.It's hard not to like the twin-pane panoramic roof, plus the generous head- and legroom in the second row. Overall, the V27 impresses in and out.Giving us a limited chance to experience the iCaur V27 behind the wheel, we tested the large SUV over a muddy and slimy obstacle course with a car shod with grippier all-terrain tyres.As soon as we eased the V27 off the line, the first iCaur destined for Australia instantly impresses, mainly because of the nature of its powertrain as it feels just like an EV, as]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Mahoney]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/icaur-v27-101637</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 16:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Audi Q3 150kW 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/audi-q3-150kw-101591</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Audi Q3 150kW quattro is the mid-range model of the new small SUV range.The 150kW is priced from $70,200 for the SUV and $72,700 for the Sportback and comes with adaptive LED headlights, ambient interior lighting, keyless entry and ignition, leather-appointed upholstery, a 10-speaker sound system as well as adaptive dampers and 19-inch alloy wheels.This model is powered by a 2.0L turbo-petrol four-cylinder, producing 150kW/320Nm. It is paried to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with quattro (all-wheel drive).Fuel economy for the 150kW quattro is a claimed 7.3L/100km.Audi claims this is the safest Q3 ever, with more safety equipment than before to ensure it meets modern customer demands.There&rsquo;s a 360-degree camera set-up, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control and a host of other active safety features. But perhaps more importantly than just having these systems, they are locally tested and calibrated for local conditions.The Q3 is covered by Audi Australia&rsquo;s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. This includes five-years of roadside assistance too.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/audi-q3-150kw-101591</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BMW i4 2026 review: eDrive35]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/bmw-i4-edrive35-101633</link>
            <description><![CDATA[There's something newer and far more advanced on the horizon, but does the BMW i4 electric liftback still have enough appeal in 2026?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/bmw-i4-edrive35-101633</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 17 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Chery Tiggo 8 Ultimate Super Hybrid long-term | Part 3]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/chery-tiggo-8-ultimate-super-hybrid-long-term-part-3-101618</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Well this is strange. What started as a long term test with an SUV I didn&rsquo;t want to like, turned out to be one of our favourite cars I&rsquo;ve ever tested. Now it&rsquo;s time for the Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid to go back leaving all of us in my family missing it already.Fuel for thoughtThere were lots of pleasant surprises when we began our long-term test of the Chery Tiggo 8 Ultimate more than three months ago, but probably the most impressive finding was the fuel efficiency.Until I met the Tiggo 8 plug-in hybrid my experience with PHEVs hadn&rsquo;t been good. I found the batteries ran out of power quickly and fuel use went through the roof. They weren't a good combustion car, nor a good hybrid.Then we reached the end of the first month with the Tiggo 8 and it made it through without needing a tank refill and on closer inspection the trip computer said we&rsquo;d travelled 869km. That was a record for my testing and I hadn&rsquo;t even charged the Tiggo 8 regularly.&nbsp;While the official fuel economy is 1.3L/100km that month we measured 6.1L/100km. Imagine how far we could have gone on a tank if we&rsquo;d charged it more often!&nbsp;The secret to the Tiggo 8 plug-in hybrid&rsquo;s long-haul ability is a large 60L tank, a big 18.4kWh battery and a clever hybrid system that never lets the battery run completely flat while using the engine as a generator on the go.Alas we never managed to test how far we could go on a full tank and a regularly replenished battery, but perhaps that could be a challenge for you, dear reader, to accept?This month we did fewer miles - only 409km - and our fuel consumption was 6.9L/100km.Lounge roomTwo more surprises were the Chery Tiggo 8's spaciousness and comfort.While not an overly large SUV at just over 4.7m long the Tiggo 8 has seven seats with the third row folding flat to offer a decent sized boot - 117 litres with all three rows in place and 479L with the third row stowed.The second row offers great space for adults and big kids and there's plenty of room for the front passenger even with our bulky forward-facing child car seat directly behind.Cabin storage is outstanding, so too are amenities with items like USB ports and a second-row climate zone. Those leather upholstered seats are luxuriously comfortable, supportive, hard wearing and easy to clean, too.&nbsp;Premium bargainThe Chery Tiggo 8 Ultimate Super Hybrid is $49,990 drive-away and the standard equipment list is mountainous.&nbsp;Highlights over the past few months have been keyless entry, which doesn&rsquo;t need the door handle to be touched to lock and unlock, the excellent Sony sound system, privacy glass in the rear, wireless phone charging, heated seats and a head-up display.The upholstery and trims feel high quality, while the styling of both the interior and exterior is high-end looking.The value, plus the premium look and feel, is outstanding.&nbsp;Drive modeFinally we&rsquo;ve been impressed with how easy and comfortable the Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid is to drive.If you keep the battery charged, this SUV feels like an EV most of the time at lower speeds - smooth, quiet and with instant and strong acceleration when needed.And while this isn&rsquo;t the most agile and sporty SUV, the suspension does a great job of keeping the vehicle composed and comfortable.Not all greatThe Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid isn't perfect.&nbsp;I&rsquo;ve mentioned the handling not being sporty but the driving position feels way too high (even on the lowest setting) and this leads to partial vision obstruction from the sun visor and rear-vision mirror.Also, while I love column-mounted shifters, the Tiggo 8 requires the driver to simultaneously step hard on the brake pedal to shift from Drive to Reverse. Like really hard. Otherwise the vehicle shifts in neutral and rolls. That annoyed me.The lack of tactile buttons and controls is also frustrating to live with daily. Climate, volume, almost everything is done through the media screen]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/chery-tiggo-8-ultimate-super-hybrid-long-term-part-3-101618</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Audi Q3 110kW 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/audi-q3-110kw-101590</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The entry-level model in the new-for-2026 Audi Q3 range is now known simply as the 110kW.It is priced from $61,600 for the SUV and $64,600 for the Sportback variant.Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights, ambient interior lighting, keyless entry and ignition, leather-appointed upholstery and a 10-speaker sound system.It is powered by a new 1.5-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid, turbocharged petrol engine, which makes 110kW/250Nm and sends all that performance to the road via the front wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission.Fuel economy is rated at 5.8L/100km for the 110kW model.Audi claims this is the safest Q3 ever, with more safety equipment than before to ensure it meets modern customer demands.There&rsquo;s a 360-degree camera set-up, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control and a host of other active safety features. But perhaps more importantly than just having these systems, they are locally tested and calibrated for local conditions.The Q3 is covered by Audi Australia&rsquo;s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. This includes five-years of roadside assistance too.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/audi-q3-110kw-101590</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 16 May 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Zeekr 7GT 2027 review: International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/zeekr-7gt-101608</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Zeekr has made quite a name for itself for its range of aggressively priced premium performance SUVs.The 7X and upcoming 8X and 9X have generated quite a lot of hype. It seems though, that this Chinese brand has more to prove. It doesn&rsquo;t just want to undercut established premium brands on the SUV front, it wants to appeal to rusted-on enthusiasts with its upcoming fully electric 7GT wagon.That&rsquo;s right, a brand-new sporty station wagon designed to take aim at the likes of the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi S5 in 2026.Does this Euro-flavoured Chinese wagon have what it takes to impress? We briefly drove one in China to find out.First things first, what do we know about the 7GT for Australia?For one, it&rsquo;s been locked judging by recent comments from the Australian division's boss, Frank Li. He said it was difficult to tell what order the brand&rsquo;s range of cars will arrive, but with the 9X flagship SUV due before the end of 2026, it seems likely we&rsquo;ll see the 7GT either very late in 2026, or early 2027.Interestingly, the 7GT (known as the 007GT in China) has a sedan variant as well (simply the 007 in its home market) although the brand hasn't said much about it, suggesting it will be a wagon-only offering in Australia.As for the price? The 7GT starts from the equivalent of around A$42,000 and tops out at around A$52,000 in China, suggesting a range of around A$55,000 - $70,000 by the time the car lands in Australia.Price wise, this could put it in a similar league to mainstream wagon offerings like the Skoda Octavia (from $66,000), Subaru WRX (from $58,490) and Cupra Leon (from $69,990).Like the 7X SUV which came before it, it will be an upgrade on those mainstream rivals by offering fully electric power with significant driving range, while also significantly undercutting premium wagons like the BMW 3 Series (from $98,800), Audi A5 (from $92,900) and Genesis G70 (from $80,265).It is unclear whether the 7X will be offered in a single high-performance specification or if Zeekr will also offer an entry-level price-leading variant.The powertrain choices in China include a rear-wheel-drive version (still offering a whopping 370kW/545Nm and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds) or an all-wheel drive with 585kW/812Nm and 0-100km/h sprint in just 2.85 seconds (faster than a Porsche Taycan Turbo).The entry-level version of the 7GT is powered by a 75kWh battery pack offering up to 702km of driving range, with a larger 103kWh battery pack offering up to 880km of driving range (both driving ranges calculated to the more lenient CLTC measuring standard).With a 900-volt electrical architecture, the 7GT can charge ultra fast, 10 to 80 per cent in as low as 10 minutes on a compatible DC charger, according to the brand.Penned in Europe at Geely&rsquo;s Gothenburg, Sweden, the 7GT gets European proportions with a split spoiler topping off the roof, and a ducktail shaping the boot line. Sadly, Australian Design Rules will prohibit the character-enhancing animated DRL clusters above the headlight strip, as is also the case for the 7X.Sitting in the 7GT and you&rsquo;d be forgiven for thinking you were sitting in a Volvo or a Polestar - two other Geely-owned brands. The commitment to interior materials and cabin ergonomics has always put Zeekr a cut above its Chinese contemporaries, doubly so in the 7GT which sits nice and low and sports a rising console platform, which culminates in a large but not excessive central touchscreen.There&rsquo;s even a control dial and a couple of shortcut buttons below, which can&rsquo;t be said for a lot of this car&rsquo;s Chinese rivals.Space is good in both the front and rear seats for me at 182cm tall, and the 7GT also has a surprisingly large boot despite its coupe-looking roofline.We only had a chance to briefly drive the 7GT on a small test circuit in a car park in China, which consisted of a 0-100km/h sprint, brake test, and a moose-test style slalom, however,]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/zeekr-7gt-101608</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Lexus LX 2026 review: 700h F Sport]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lexus-lx-700h-f-sport-101617</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Lexus has added hybrid power to its hulking LX range. With fuel costing so much, is this the perfect solution for the big Japanese off-roader?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lexus-lx-700h-f-sport-101617</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Lepas L6 2027 review: PHEV - International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lepas-l6-101605</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Chery one day hopes its fresh Lepas brand will evolve into a proper BMW or Mercedes-Benz rival.Until then, when sales kick off from late this year, it hopes that buyers of cars like its mid-size Lepas L6 will appreciate its European-inspired looks, classier cabin and advanced tech and pay a small premium of around five per cent over the equivalent Omoda or Jaecoo model.Getting off to the best possible start, the L6 introduces the brand's smooth curvy new design language that has been tailored to European buyers' tastes.Beneath the skin, the L6 is also on Chery's next-generation LEX platform and bags the Chinese car giant's EEA 5.1 electrics.When the Toyota RAV4-sized SUV lands Down Under it will be available with either a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or all-electric power.Before the end of the year, the L6 will be joined by a small L4 SUV that shares powertrains with its bigger brother, while later on in 2027 the larger L8 PHEV SUV will also land.Instead of sharing showroom space with Chery or Omoda Jaecoo, the Lepas brand will launch its own network of dealers.The brand separation is because Chery believes Lepas will attract different customers to the rest of its brands.Inside, the L6 looks like it shares hardware with the latest Jaecoo J5, sporting both the same 8.8-inch digital instrument panel and a 13.2-inch infotainment, although the latter is mounted portrait style, rather than landscape in the J5.Below the screen is a slim strip of shortcut buttons that sit above a wireless charging pad and twin cupholders.The steering wheel is also lifted from the Chery parts bin, but the dash architecture is new and features a strip of vents that stretch from pillar to pillar.Premium materials like synthetic leather and a metallic-style dash finish attempt but ultimately fail to conjure up Audi levels of perceived quality but the L6 still feels a cut above other Chery models.Our car also had heated and ventilated synthetic leather seats that are comfortable on a long drive, while even with four up there's plenty of space within, with a pair of rear air vents and dual USB ports for rear passengers.Luggage space is also average for the class, although there's no wheel well beneath the boot floor.We had a brief spin in the new EV, which features a single motor that drives the front wheels and produces 178kW and 275Nm of torque for decent getaway off the line.The electric L6 also is a quiet and refined companion, although its 67kWh battery, 400-volt electrics and 450km WLTP range won't set new standards for range or charging speeds within its class.More time was spent behind the wheel of the plug-in hybrid L6 that also impressed with its levels of refinement which meant it was almost impossible to detect when the small 1.5-litre petrol kicked in.There's also brisk acceleration off the line and enough might to generate some unruly torque steer as the front tyres struggled, which is a shame.Another gripe of the PHEV powertrain is an unwanted thump occasionally at speed when breathing on the throttle.Featuring a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, the L6 has no excuses to not match the best in the class.To ensure it will be able to compete with its most talented rivals in the future Lepas will provide a special European suspension tune and, if the range of SUVs have a warm reception Down Under, buyers will also be treated to a local suspension tune.In China on smooth well-surfaced roads it was difficult to properly assess the L6's ride and drive other than to note it felt like engineers had opted for soft springs and reactive dampers that could be unnerved by speed bumps and the odd pothole.We think the steering could do with more tuning too, as it is overly light in Comfort mode and still pretty lifeless in Sport. When it comes to handling balance, unfortunately our driving route didn't include any proper country roads where we could explore the L6's handling balance. We'll have to wait until it lands on home turf.With clearly marked]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Mahoney]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lepas-l6-101605</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Audi Q3 2026 review: First Australian drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/audi-q3-101589</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The new, third-generation Audi Q3 arrives with big expectations. It’s the best-selling model for the German brand in Australia, so it needs to retain all the elements that have made it a sales hit while trying to expand its appeal.
We drive the new Q3 110kW, 150kW and 195kW models to see if Audi has done enough to keep its small SUV ahead of rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Volvo and more.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/audi-q3-101589</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[Jaecoo J5 2026 review: Hybrid - International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/jaecoo-j5-hybrid-101585</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Think hybrid and you'll probably conjure a Toyota in your mind. After all, the Japanese car giant has been nothing short of a petrol-electric pioneer since the first Prius went on sale back in 1997, but now Chery is out to crush Toyota's hybrid dominance with its latest Super Hybrid System Hybrid (SHS-H) tech.Designed to be far more efficient than any of its rivals, while offering more power and higher levels of refinement, the first car to debut the new powertrain in Australia will be the Jaecoo J5, which should land in dealers in a matter of months.Not to be confused with the hybrid already slotted under the bonnet of sister brand Chery's Tiggo 4, the new SHS-H hybrid comes with an advanced 1.5-litre turbo petrol that, with a 44.5 per cent thermal efficiency, is capable of converting more precious fuel into usable energy than all rivals in its class.Combined with a single-speed dedicated hybrid transmission, which is itself 98 per cent efficient, and a small 1.82kWh battery and electric motor, Chery claims that the J5 SHS-H produces an impressive 165kW and 295Nm of torque &ndash; far more than the 143kW and 221Nm the latest 2026 Toyota RAV4 manages.For reference, the J5 Hybrid also produces 15kW more than the Chery Tiggo 4 and outpunches other rivals like the GWM Haval Jolion (140kW), MG ZS (158kW) and the small Toyota Corolla Cross (143kW).That's a good start, but actual fuel use for the J5 Hybrid is a claimed 5.3L/100km and a total range of 980km on a full tank, figures that don't exactly set the class alight for efficiency, but the Chinese brand claims a big drop in its thirst in real-world driving.In the metal, the Jaecoo J5 Hybrid looks identical to both the petrol version, which borrows its looks from the Range Rover Evoque.There is one subtle change that helps you tell the new J5 Hybrid apart (other than badging), as the electrified petrol gains a fresh set of 18-inch aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels that are unique to the hybrid.One other minor change worth mentioning is that the J5 Hybrid ditches the button for the electronic handbrake, with the car now automatically applying the rear stoppers at rest and only releasing them when the driver puts their seatbelt on.Inside, like the rest of the J5 range, there is a large 13.2-inch portrait-mounted infotainment that is blended with an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster.With an opportunity for a brief drive in China following its public launch at the Beijing motor show, the J5 Hybrid feels eager off the line compared with the lacklustre entry petrol, with 0-100km/h now taking 7.9 seconds &ndash; a whopping 2.3 seconds quicker than the base model.Without any gears to shuffle, the one-speed transmission is smooth and overall refinement levels high.Quick changes of direction hint at some improvements over the standard J5, but we will need to confirm on road whether the drive and ride have been improved.It is the latter we are most concerned about, as the J5 EV has reportedly been too easily agitated over rougher Aussie bitumen, but our brief spin over mostly smooth roads provided zero red flags.Jaecoo has yet to detail specifications for its new hybrid and it is unknown if the petrol-electric version will be offered in a single model grade, like the EV, or two trims like the entry petrol.The current J5 EV is well-equipped, with a glass sunroof, electric tailgate, dual-zone climate control, 50W wireless charger, synthetic leather six-way adjustable heated and ventilated electric seats, plus 360-degree surround view cameras all standard.Adding extra peace of mind, the latest J5 hybrid will be covered by the carmaker's generous eight-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, while services are expected to be every 12 months or 20,000km with a capped-price service program likely to be offered.In other markets, like the UK, the new J5 SHS-H commands a price premium over the petrol of around 10-12 per cent, which could see it priced from around $28,500-$29,100 drive-away]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Mahoney]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/jaecoo-j5-hybrid-101585</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Geely Emgrand 2027 review: EM-i - International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/geely-emgrand-em-i-101573</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Sedans aren&rsquo;t dead, as it turns out, with newcomer brands breathing life into the ailing segment in recent years.The issue for brands like MG, BYD and now Geely, as always, is the venerable Toyota Camry which absolutely dominates the sales charts.How do you knock such a legendary vehicle off its perch? Geely reckons it might be onto something with its hybrid-first Emgrand, set to hit our shores in 2027. Let&rsquo;s take a look.First up, let's see where the Emgrand sits, and how it might be priced to succeed.At 4806mm long, this offering from Geely is bigger than a traditional small sedan like a Kia K4 or Hyundai i30 sedan, but a little smaller than a Camry. It&rsquo;s a good format, and with a long wheelbase and seemingly ample interior and boot space, it certainly has the right ingredients.Geely&rsquo;s people tell us the Emgrand is set to start life in Australia initially as a plug-in hybrid using the brand&rsquo;s EM-i system, which combines a 1.5-litre engine and hybrid transaxle with a pretty sizeable battery pack under the floor.The version of this car sold in China (from Geely&rsquo;s hybrid and electric Galaxy arm which also sells the EX5 and Starray SUVs) is priced at the equivalent of $A24,600, reaching up to the low-$30k mark at the more premium end of the spectrum.It's doubtful we&rsquo;ll see the entry-level car make it to Australia though, so a starting price of around $30k wouldn&rsquo;t be surprising.For reference, the Kia K4 hybrid is $32,090, the Hyundai i30 sedan hybrid is $33,250, the soon-to-launch BYD Seal 6 starts from $34,990, and the Toyota Camry is priced a little higher, at $39,990, all before on-road costs.As the Emgrand will be a plug-in hybrid first, its closest rival will be the BYD, and this is where things start to get a little technical for the Geely, because it will need to be specified and priced just right to thread the needle between its plugless and plug-in rivals.In my opinion, though, launching with the plug-in isn&rsquo;t quite the right move, and the Emgrand would be better served using Geely&rsquo;s new plugless hybrid i-HEV setup instead.This system claims to use as low as 2.2L/100km in the Emgrand (to lenient Chinese measuring standards) and can drive more than 80 per cent of the time in fully electric mode, despite not needing to plug in.Geely&rsquo;s Australian boss, Alex Gu, told CarsGuide the system was very much on the radar, despite our tough new emissions laws making it difficult for plugless hybrids in the future.What makes more sense for the primary audience of this car though?A ride-share driver would much rather have the convenience of the plugless system doing hundreds of kilometres a day, compared to the inconvenience of needing to plug in.At least the EM-i system this car is set to launch with is claimed to consume as low as 2.9L/100km even when the battery is at the reserve level, so perhaps it won&rsquo;t matter.The styling is pretty sharp. If you think it looks a little reminiscent of a Volvo S60 with its tall, sharp belt line, distinctive grille, and tidy European proportions, that's because Geely owns Volvo and has no doubt called on its design expertise.Inside things are remarkably restrained compared to some rivals, with an elegant dash layout and nice material choices.It includes a combination of a 14.6-inch multimedia touchscreen with the brand&rsquo;s Flyme software, and 10.25-inch digital dash cluster, both of which are present in the EX5.A big bonus compared to the EX5 though, is the presence of a control dial and a few shortcut toggles on the centre console, which help to reduce the dependence on the touchscreen for everything.For what it&rsquo;s worth, Geely&rsquo;s software looks a bit better than some of its rivals, but is still clumsy to use with odd menus and poorly used screen real estate.Despite wielding a decent battery size, the Emgrand had plenty of room for my 182cm frame in both the front and rear seats, even with the front seat set to]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/geely-emgrand-em-i-101573</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Leapmotor B03X 2027 review: International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/leapmotor-b03x-101578</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Few brands do the whole cheap and cheerful thing better than the Chinese newcomers. Marques like Leapmotor, Geely, BYD and Chery have put such downward pressure on pricing that they&rsquo;ve effectively redefined what things cost, and the old guard has been left scrambling (and often failing) to keep up.&nbsp;The challenge, though, is getting the balance exactly right. If you picture the scales of justice, with those little plates hanging off chains, you really want each side to be exactly even. The cheerfulness has to match the level of cheap and less of the former means more of the latter to balance the ledger.&nbsp;And on (admittedly brief) first impressions, the Leapmotor B03X is going to want to be cheap. It&rsquo;s not that it lacks cheer entirely. It&rsquo;s more that this feels like unapologetic cut-price motoring from behind the wheel, and Leapmotor would need to price it as such to make a splash in our market.In China, for example, it&rsquo;s very, very affordable. The cheapest version converts to around $14,000 in Aussie dollars. That&rsquo;s not going to happen in our market, but if it started in the mid-$20k bracket, those scales would be spirit-level balanced.But before we go any further than that, I should probably explain just what the hell I&rsquo;m talking about, right?The B03X is Leapmotor&rsquo;s small and all-electric SUV, called the A10 in China. At 4270mm long,&nbsp;1810mm wide and 1635mm tall, we&rsquo;re talking BYD Atto 2-sized here, which is the B03X&rsquo;s clearest direct rival.&nbsp;In its domestic market it&rsquo;s offered with two LFP battery sizes, 39.8kWh or 53kWh, with a claimed CLTC range of 403km or 505km. You need to shave some distance from both to get closer to an accurate WLTP number. I&rsquo;m hypothesising here, but I&rsquo;d say around 410kms from the bigger battery would be about right.DC fast charging is limited to around 130kW, but the brand says that's enough to go from 30 to 80 per cent charges in around 15mins. There's no word yet on AC charging, or how long it takes to go from empty to full.Providing the power is a front-mounted (so front-wheel drive) electric motor, and the power outputs are, well, less than impressive. You can choose between 70kW and 150Nm, presumably with the smaller and lighter battery. The most powerful version dials those figures all the way up (well, not that far up, actually) to 90kW and 150Nm.You don&rsquo;t need to don a deerstalker hat to figure out what those outputs mean for acceleration. We put the B03X to a brief test on a rented track near Leapmotor&rsquo;s Chinese HQ, and found flat-footed acceleration to be leisurely at best.The brand says the run to 100km/h can take up to 12 seconds, but it feels longer. Prepare to be overtaken by Lime bikes. And possibly pedestrians. That alone largely limits the B03X to the urban jungle. You'd need a sun dial to accurately measure overtaking manoeuvres on our long and dusty highways.I&rsquo;m hesitant to waggle a finger too aggressively at vehicles we drive in China, as their tastes differ so much from our own. Most brands &ndash; Leapmotor included &ndash; change the ride and handling balance for export markets. And should the B03X make it to Australia, they will likely do the same, as the domestic-market version felt a little too soft and spongey through its suspension.If that&rsquo;s the cheap, what&rsquo;s the cheerful? You get a hell of a lot of stuff for your investment, whatever that ends up being. An electric powertrain, decent city range, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, a giant 14.6-inch central screen, a second digital driver display, clever under-seat storage, seat heating, a glass roof, a cabin without a scrap of fabric and an automatic boot.  @carsguide.com.au New cheap EV bound for Oz? The 2026 Leapmotor B03X is a strong contender for a local launch #leapmotor #b03X #EV #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound  - CarsGuide.com.au   You also get Leapmotor's version of a slightly watered-down]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/leapmotor-b03x-101578</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Used Honda CR-V review: 2017-2023]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/honda-cr-v-101399</link>
            <description><![CDATA[There was a time when Honda was considered by some (and itself) to be the Japanese version of BMW. Sporty, prestige cars that were distinctive and high-end. How things changed.Frankly, Honda lost its mojo somewhere around the turn of the century, and while there have been glimpses of that former aspirational brand, many of Honda&rsquo;s products in the meantime have been cannon-fodder stuff. And into that mix, you could probably toss the CR-V.It&rsquo;s not that the CR-V was a bad car, just that it lacked the old sparkle. The fifth generation of the CR-V SUV failed to change that perception or Honda&rsquo;s unenviable sales trajectory.A shift to Thailand production didn&rsquo;t help, either, and somehow the CR-V has struggled along. Which is not to say it isn&rsquo;t worth a look as a used-car buy, because in terms of ride quality, cabin fit and finish and interior space relative to its exterior dimensions it&rsquo;s still a Honda. In other areas, not so much&hellip;Dubbed internally the 'RW' series CR-V, this car was available in Australia in a bewildering range of models and driveline layouts. That started with the entry-level VTi which was a five-seater, front-wheel drive variant. The range then moved up to the better equipped VTi-S, still with five seats, but a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. The range-topper was the VTi-LX which was a five-seater and AWD only and then, just to confuse us, Honda also dropped the VTi-L into showrooms with its FWD platform but seven seats.Which ever variant you bought you got the same powertrain; a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine driving through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Unless, of course, you bought the most affordable model which Honda quietly slipped into showrooms in 2019. Called the Vi, this was a stripped-out version designed to get a car on to the market at under $30,000, As a result, the turbo engine was dropped in favour of a gutless, low-tech SOHC 2.0-litre, four-cylinder with but 113kW. Add the same CVT auto and you had a recipe for humdrum.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/honda-cr-v-101399</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Zeekr 9X 2027 review: International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/zeekr-9x-101572</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Zeekr 9X will be Australia&rsquo;s first ultra-luxury car from China, but will it find an audience?That&rsquo;s the question I&rsquo;m asking myself at the brief Chinese preview drive of the monster three-row large SUV that will top the brand&rsquo;s line-up in Australia later this year.It looks like it has the panache of a Rolls Royce Cullinan or Bentley Bentayga, but on a significantly tighter budget, and with a much more modern approach to what powers it.I'm keen to learn if these are ingredients for success or perhaps a bridge too far for an ambitious luxury brand with only five years of history.First, where will it sit in the hierarchy of Australian luxury SUVs?At a whopping 5239mm long and with a wheelbase of more than three meters, the 9X is an imposing beast of a car, something rammed home by its expansive bodywork, huge chrome grille and boxy roofline.It also has three rows of seating, putting it up against the Audi Q7 ($108,815) at one end of the price spectrum, or the full-size Range Rover (which you need to spend at least $321,000 to get three rows of seats) at the other.Of course, its enormity and grandiose styling would have Zeekr wanting you to think it&rsquo;s more akin to something like the Bentley Bentayga (from a cool $412,600) or Rolls Royce Cullinian, which will leave you little change from a million dollars.The 9X, meanwhile, starts from the equivalent of A$95,400 in its Chinese home market, suggesting a starting price a bit over $100,000, perhaps even north of $120,000 by the time it lands locally.Zeekr also takes the 9X in a completely different direction from its aforementioned segment rivals, which are powered by everything from 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesels to 6.7-litre V12s, instead offering a dual- or tri-motor plug-in hybrid system, backed by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a massive battery pack.The result is either 660kW/935Nm of combined power for the base two variants, or 1030kW/1410Nm for the top-spec car, as well as between 300 and 380km of fully electric driving range without even needing the engine.The all important 0-100km/h sprint time? As low as 3.1 seconds. Not bad for a three-tonne SUV.Like I said in my review of its smaller Zeekr 8X sibling, it&rsquo;s just so much car, even at more than $100k.Every version of the 9X offered in China gets air suspension and a 900-volt architecture, allowing the battery to be charged in nine minutes on a fast enough DC pylon.Every version is clad in lavish full Nappa leather trim and there&rsquo;s even active noise cancellation.Inside feels impressive, too. The 9X gets a different cabin layout and even a unique steering wheel from the rest of the Zeekr range, befitting its flagship role.Space is gratuitous in all three seating rows, with the third row perhaps surprising me the most. Having spent a decent amount of time in the third row of a Zeekr 009 people mover as part of this same trip, it&rsquo;s worth asking if you need something this large when the 009 people mover offers a slightly better third row and is fully electric at an equivalent (or perhaps slightly cheaper) price.Still, there are so many luxuries in all three rows. Everything is electrically adjustable, heats, cools and massages you, and there&rsquo;s shades for all the windows.To top a swish interior off, despite the fact that I fit in all positions at 182cm tall, there&rsquo;s still 470 litres of boot capacity, and it even has a super suave split tailgate like an old Range Rover. Awesome.Vehicle to load (V2L)? Yep, got that. Full-size power outlet in the cabin? Got that too. Of course, the list of safety kit is exhaustive, but it remains to be seen if the Australian-spec version will also be exhaustive.You don&rsquo;t want for included kit then, but how does this monolith of an SUV drive?Shock and awe is the answer. A 0-100km/h acceleration test was an expletive-laden experience, with the huge, circa-three-tonne SUV leaning back on its haunches and hurtling forward with]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/zeekr-9x-101572</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 11 May 2026 16:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Hyundai Palisade 2026 review: Elite]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/hyundai-palisade-elite-101530</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Hyundai has taken its well-established three-row large SUV and given it a hybrid powertrain. Is it the winning combo?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Emily Agar]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/hyundai-palisade-elite-101530</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 10 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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