<?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>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 16:33:12 +0000</pubDate>

                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Hyundai Elexio 2026 review | BYD Sealion 6 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/hyundai-elexio-102241</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Facing the competitive vortex created by more than a dozen new brands from China arriving in the local car market in the last couple of years, Hyundai has clearly embraced the adage &lsquo;if you can&rsquo;t beat &lsquo;em, join em.&rsquo;That&rsquo;s because its pure-electric Elexio mid-size SUV is made by Beijing Hyundai, a Chinese joint-venture company the South Korean giant operates with state-owned carmaker, BAIC.The single-motor, front-wheel drive, five-seater launched here in February this year in a single Elite grade to take on &lsquo;Made in China&rsquo; rivals like the BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y.And now it&rsquo;s been joined by an entry-grade version, simply called Elexio, that drops cost-of-entry from $61,990 to $58,990 (both before on-road costs) bringing it closer to similarly priced, sized and specified alternatives like the previously mentioned BYD Sealion 7 (from $54,990) and Tesla Model Y (from $58,900) as well as the Deepal S07 (from $53,990), KGM Torres EV ($58,000, drive-away), Mazda CX-6e (from $53,990), Renault Scenic E-Tech (from $55,990), Cupra Tavascan (from $60,990) and Zeekr 7X (from $57,900).The good news is, while saving three grand you&rsquo;re not giving away much in terms of standard features. Big ticket items like dual-zone climate control, a six-way power driver&rsquo;s seat, all LED exterior lighting, a giant 27-inch multimedia touchscreen (more on that later), Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, a head-up display, six-speaker audio, alloy rims and a full-fat safety suite are all included.&nbsp;&nbsp;For an extra $3.0K the Elite adds heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate, 20-inch rims, leather-appointed seats, extra power adjustment for the driver&rsquo;s seat and power adjust for the front passenger seat.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Proving a car&rsquo;s looks are always subjective, I read the Elexio&rsquo;s design as 1990s concept car. There&rsquo;s something about those slim horizontal headlights with four cube-like LED units across each that says retro-futurism circa 1993.Other than that the car doesn&rsquo;t stray far from the typical mid-size SUV template although a broad grey band running up the D-pillar and across the roof above the tailgate adds some visual pizzazz to the rear end.The interior is clean and functional but kinda boring, at least for me. The gigantic screen, filling around half the dash dominates things visually, but the otherwise predominantly grey colour palette feels flat.There&rsquo;s plenty to like in terms of practicality, though, with lots of head, leg and shoulder room for me (at 183cm) front and rear and plenty of storage including generous door bins, a centre oddments box, glove box and a flying buttress style front centre console that creates additional space underneath it. There are multiple USB-C ports and a 12V socket.Also worth calling out is a simple device attached to the centre console cupholder unit. A frame with cup-sized detents in the centre either sits over the two cupholders on the left or flips over the storage tray to its right to create another pair of cupholders. Genius.The boot is a useful 506 litres with the 60/40 split-folding rear seat upright, expanding to 1540 litres with it lowered. No spare wheel, though, just an inflator repair kit, which isn&rsquo;t good enough in Aussie conditions.The Elexio is powered by a single electric motor sending 160kW/310Nm to the front wheels. Decent outputs, although in a car weighing around 2.1 tonnes acceleration isn&rsquo;t eye-widening. But this SUV has ample oomph in the city and suburbs as well as for easy highway cruising and overtaking.&nbsp;Ride comfort is more than acceptable, which is a stand-out in the EV era where newcomers often miss the mark on compliance and chassis dynamics. And even the steering passes muster with decent road feel and accuracy.But&hellip; then there&rsquo;s &lsquo;the screen&rsquo;, confirming bigger isn&rsquo;t always]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/hyundai-elexio-102241</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[MG S6 EV 2026 review: Essence AWD | Zeekr 7X rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mg-s6-ev-essence-awd-102344</link>
            <description><![CDATA[MG&rsquo;s latest SUV shows just how much Australia&rsquo;s car market has changed in the past five years, and it is only a good thing for buyers.The new S6 is an electric mid-size SUV that goes head-to-head with some of the heaviest hitters in the country, including the BYD Sealion 7 and Tesla Model Y.Just five years ago there were literally no affordable electric vehicles in this category, now the S6 is just the latest arrival in a long line of cut-price, zero-emission vehicles with a family bent.This influx of models has driven lower prices and more choice, two things putting buyers in the driver&rsquo;s seat.2026 MG S6 price compared to rivalsMG&rsquo;s S6 line-up consists of just two variants. Both are the Essence grade &mdash; MG speak for fully-loaded &mdash; with buyers simply choosing between a single rear motor or dual motor set-up.Prices kick off at $49,990, drive-away, for the rear-wheel drive version and step-up to $56,990 for the all-wheel drive version we are testing.This is a decent chunk cheaper than its two big-selling rivals, with single-motor versions of the Model Y starting at $58,900 (before on-road costs) and the Sealion 7 kicking off at $54,990, drive-away. It is pretty much the same price as the entry-level Toyota RAV4 hybrid.The S6 only has two optional extras, $700 for metallic paint and Grey Ivory with Nordic Ashwood faux wood interior trim for $500.What comes standard in 2026 MG S6?You get plenty of standard kit for that low outlay, with 20-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and back and roof rails as standard.Step inside and front seat passengers are greeted by power-adjustable seats wrapped in synthetic leather and synthetic suede trim. There is a heating and ventilation function. The rear window seats are heated, too.This is joined by a chunky, flat-bottomed and leather-wrapped steering wheel with heating function.An average-sized 12.8-inch central multimedia screen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and has in-built sat nav and there is a solid 11-speaker stereo.A slim 10.25-inch digital driver display keeps it simple with vital information and not much else. This is supplemented by a head-up display that projects vital information such as travelling, speed, prevailing speed limit and safety warnings onto the windscreen in front of the driver.MG ticks all the safety tech boxes with plenty of active driver aids and solid crash test scores.2026 MG S6 - The important stuffAt its heart the S6 uses a 77kWh Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC) battery that delivers a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 530km in the single motor variant and 485km in dual motor examples.That&rsquo;s par for the course for mid-size electric SUV, where 500km is the ballpark most aim for.The S6 uses 400-volt electrical architecture, which means it forgoes top-end charging speed. It maxes out at 144kW when connected to a compatible DC charger, which puts it in the same ballpark as the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5 but behind the Tesla Model Y and more premium EVs such as the Zeekr 7X.MG reckons it can top it up from 10 to 80 per cent in 38 minutes.Single motor variants pump out 180kW and 350Nm to the rear wheels, with dual motor examples upping the ante to 266kW and 540Nm combined with all-paw grip.That&rsquo;s plenty of grunt for a family-focused SUV, but less than other more performance leaning dual motor rivals.Family matters in the 2026 MG S6The interior is massive, with plenty of room for small and big kids. I had two child seats fitted in the back row, one forward and one rear facing, with plenty of room left for front seat passenger adjustment.The panoramic sunroof is pleasant in winter, and a proper shade will make it bearable in summer. The windows are large, which helps smaller kids in the back see out and helps reduce car sickness. The back pew also has its own air conditioning vents and USB-C charging ports.There are plenty of storage options throughout for knick-knacks, phones and bottles.The boot is]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/mg-s6-ev-essence-awd-102344</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 16 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Cavan C1 2026 review: Plus | Kia PV5 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/cavan-c1-plus-102400</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Electric delivery vans are getting cheaper, and there's a bit of an arms race on now to see who can get their EV van on to the market at a sub-$50,000 price-tag. A new brand called Cavan is the latest to weigh in with a van called the C1 which promises a lot for a small outlay. But does the reality of the C1 match the hype? And can you feel where the money has been engineered out of it?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/cavan-c1-plus-102400</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[GWM Tank 500 2026 review: 3.0L Turbo-Diesel - Australian preview drive | Toyota LandCruiser rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/gwm-tank-500-30l-turbo-diesel-102406</link>
            <description><![CDATA[GWM will soon finally offer a diesel powertrain in its Tank 500 SUV in Australia, more than two years after it originally launched.Diesel engines are still preferred by buyers of these large, body-on-frame SUVs in Australia. It&rsquo;s with this in mind that GWM is aiming squarely at the top-selling Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Prado with this new version of the Tank 500.Ahead of the launch in September, CarsGuide had the opportunity to test a pre-production version of the Tank 500 with the new 3.0-litre diesel at a private proving ground.What&rsquo;s under the bonnet of this GWM Tank 500?This new 3.0-litre diesel produces 170kW and 620Nm, which is astounding for a four-cylinder engine. It produces more torque than the Everest&rsquo;s V6 turbo-diesel, while power is only slightly down.This is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel drive system. GWM unfortunately hasn&rsquo;t packaged a full-time four-wheel drive system &ndash; which allows for all-wheel grip on sealed surfaces and was fitted to all versions of the Tank 500 to date &ndash; but claims this was done to reduce weight and fuel consumption.Despite the healthy power and torque figures, the claimed fuel consumption isn&rsquo;t as high as you&rsquo;d expect. GWM claims it consumes 7.1L/100km, beating the Everest V6 (8.5L/100km), MU-X 3.0-litre (7.6L/100km) and Prado (7.6L/100km).The entry-level Lux version has a 78L fuel tank and this allows for a theoretical total range of 1098km. The top-spec Vanta version, on the other hand, adds a 53L long-range tank for total fuel capacity of 131L, allowing for a theoretical total range of 1845km.The latter is a game-changer for those who tackle long distances in the outback if the claim is reflective of real-world fuel consumption.More power and range, but what&rsquo;s the catch?The Tank 500 Vanta 3.0-litre diesel's larger fuel tank makes it heavier. It has a hefty kerb weight of 2705kg, which is 70kg more than the Tank 500 Lux 3.0-litre diesel with the standard fuel tank and almost 200kg more than the Everest Platinum.This extra weight eats into the payload. The Lux version offers 760kg while the Vanta version offers 690kg. All Tank 500 3.0-litre diesel variants house seven seats and this amount of payload may mean you need to choose whether you load up passengers or cargo.It&rsquo;s worth noting the Tank 500 Ultra PHEV has a payload of 610kg, despite having only five seats.Thankfully, all versions of the Tank 500 3.0-litre diesel retain a 3500kg braked trailer towing capacity. There are also locking front and rear differentials.What&rsquo;s the GWM Tank 500 3.0-litre diesel like to drive?One of the things you notice when taking off in the Tank 500 3.0-litre diesel is the lack of lag. The initial throttle response is snappier and more linear than hybrid and PHEV versions of this car, which at points could feel like nothing and then everything happened from standstill.This added refinement is even more prominent on the move as there&rsquo;s so much oomph available. Peak torque, which again is a healthy 620Nm, is available from 1400-2400rpm and this allows the transmission to switch up gears quickly, keeping the revs low.Rolling acceleration is great and if required the transmission will happily dive back through the gears. On many occasions, though, only a small increase in throttle application is needed to get things moving quicker, even at higher speeds.As expected, there is a plethora of drive modes to select from, but there is now a &lsquo;Towing&rsquo; mode that alters the engine and transmission calibrations. Annoyingly, it cannot be selected using the rotary dial on the centre console and requires you to dig into sub-menus on the touchscreen.An element of the driving experience that stands out is how refined the engine is, even when pushed harder. The noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) inside the cabin is subdued, arguably even more so than the related Cannon]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/gwm-tank-500-30l-turbo-diesel-102406</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 14 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Audi Q5 2026 review: e-hybrid - Australian first drive | BMW X3 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/audi-q5-e-hybrid-102380</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Audi has officially launched the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its new, third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV in Australia.Dubbed the Audi Q5 e-hybrid, it has launched much earlier in the model lifecycle this time around. There are still the classic SUV and swoopier &lsquo;coupe&rsquo; SUV body styles.Competition in this segment is fierce and this new Q5 e-hybrid has to compete against the likes of the BMW X3, Lexus NX, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60, all of which now offer PHEV variants.How much does the 2026 Audi Q5 e-hybrid cost?The 2026 Audi Q5 SUV e-hybrid is priced from $96,818, before on-road costs, whereas the Q5 Sportback e-hybrid is $3500 more at $100,318, before on-road costs.This notably brings price parity with the Q5 TFSI quattro 200kW. It follows a similar structure Audi introduced when it launched the A5 e-hybrid last year and it&rsquo;s a great motivator to incentivise electrification.The pricing also sees it compete with the following:Lexus NX450h+ F Sport: $96,090 before on-road costsMercedes-Benz GLC350e: $99,817 before on-road costsVolvo XC60 Ultra T8 PHEV: $101,990 before on-road costsIt costs a little less than the BMW X3 30e xDrive ($107,700 before on-road costs).Standard equipment for the Audi Q5 SUV e-hybrid includes:20-inch alloy wheelsMatrix LED headlightsPanoramic glass sunroofHands-free power tailgate11.9-inch digital instrument cluster14.5-inch touchscreen multimedia systemThree-zone climate controlLeather-appointed upholsteryHowever, opting for the e-hybrid brings unique features like:Sport suspensionBlack exterior packagePrivacy glass for the rear windowsRed brake calipersAuxiliary air-conditioningMultiple charging cablesOn top of standard the equipment, you can very easily add thousands to the asking price with optional extras:Premium pack: $5900Tech pro pack: $5400Winter pack: $1350Adaptive air suspension: $4650Ventilated front seats: $2200Front dash cam: $1000What is different under the bonnet?The 2026 Audi Q5 e-hybrid is powered by a familiar 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor. Total system outputs are an unchanged 270kW and 500Nm.It&rsquo;s a step up in power over the Q5 TFSI quattro's 200kW and brings it in-line with the V6-powered SQ5.&nbsp;The claimed 0-100km/h sprint is 5.1 seconds. There&rsquo;s plenty of oomph on tap, but when the petrol engine revs harder, the note isn&rsquo;t awe-inspiring.  @carsguide.com.au PHEV domination!! The 2027 Audi Q5 e-hybrid has launched in Australia in new-generation guise with more electric range and faster charging to rival the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60 #audi #q5 #hybrid #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound  - CarsGuide.com.au   Feeding the electric motor is a 25.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack that allows for up to 88km of WLTP-claimed electric driving range. This is up from 55km in the previous-gen car.AC charging has been upped from 7.2kW to 11kW, but fully charging the battery still takes 2.5 hours due to its larger size. There are no DC fast-charging capabilities.What is the 2026 Audi Q5 e-hybrid like on the inside?For 2026, all Q5s gain physical scroll wheels on the steering wheel. They&rsquo;re easy to use and have a tactile feel. It feels like Audi should have had these from the start.However, it&rsquo;s disappointing there still aren&rsquo;t many physical buttons around the cabin. You&rsquo;re required to use the touchscreen to change the climate control settings, for example. The few physical buttons are glossy piano black, meaning they easily attract fingerprints with use.Another difference is the new multimedia interface. It looks nice on the central touchscreen and the additional apps give the optional passenger display more use, but configurability on the digital instrument cluster has been reduced. It&rsquo;s a big step back as Audi used to lead the game on this front.The rest of the Q5 e-hybrid&rsquo;s interior is virtually identical to the regular Q5. However, boot space is reduced due to the placement]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/audi-q5-e-hybrid-102380</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[GWM Cannon Alpha 2026 review: 3.0L Turbo-Diesel - Australian preview drive | Isuzu D-Max rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/gwm-cannon-alpha-30l-turbo-diesel-102382</link>
            <description><![CDATA[GWM is soon rolling out its new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine to its Cannon Alpha dual-cab ute and Tank 500 SUV in Australia. In fact, Australia is leading the roll-out of this new, larger diesel engine.Ahead of the launch in September, CarsGuide had the opportunity to test these vehicles in pre-production guise on a private proving ground. This time around we&rsquo;ll specifically be focusing on the Cannon Alpha.The Chinese carmaker claims it is gunning for the top-selling Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Isuzu D-Max with the Cannon Alpha 3.0-litre diesel.Replacing the outgoing 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, the larger and all-new 3.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine produces 170kW and 620Nm, which is astounding for a four-cylinder engine. It produces more torque than the Ranger&rsquo;s V6 turbo-diesel, while power is only slightly down.This is mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission with drive sent through a part-time four-wheel drive system. It&rsquo;s unfortunate GWM hasn&rsquo;t been able to package a full-time four-wheel drive system which allows for all-wheel grip on sealed surfaces, like it had in all versions of the Cannon Alpha to date, but it claims it did so to reduce weight and fuel consumption.More power, but less fuel burnt?  @carsguide.com.au The 2026 GWM Cannon Alpha and Tank 500 are gunning directly for the Ford Ranger and Toyota Prado with a new diesel engine that produces more power and torque, yet sips less fuel. #gwm #cannonalpha #tank500 #diesel #fyp &#9836; original sound&nbsp; - CarsGuide.com.au   Even though this 3.0-litre diesel engine produces more power and torque than the outgoing 2.4-litre unit, it&rsquo;s claimed to consume less fuel.GWM claims the Cannon Alpha 3.0-litre diesel consumes an average of 7.3L/100km, according to ADR 81/02 testing. For context, the same ute with the 2.4-litre diesel was claimed to consume 8.9L/100km.This claimed fuel consumption figure is better than all its main competitors, including the Ranger V6 (8.4L/100km), HiLux 48V V-Active Technology (7.6L/100km) and the D-Max 3.0-litre (7.8L/100km).There is a 78L fuel tank and this allows for a theoretical total range of 1068km. Surprisingly AdBlue isn&rsquo;t required, unlike a growing number of the Cannon Alpha&rsquo;s rivals.What&rsquo;s the GWM Cannon Alpha 3.0-litre diesel like to drive?One of the first things you notice when taking off in the Cannon Alpha 3.0-litre diesel is the lack of lag. The initial throttle response is a lot snappier and linear than GWM vehicles with the 2.4-litre diesel, which at points could feel like a slingshot from standstill.This added refinement is even more prominent on the move as there&rsquo;s so much oomph available. Peak torque, which again is a healthy 620Nm, is available at 1400-2400rpm and this allows the transmission to switch up gears quickly, keeping the revs low.Rolling acceleration is great and if required the transmission will happily dive back through the gears. On many occasions though only a small increase of throttle application is needed to get things moving quicker, even at higher speeds.As expected there is a plethora of drive modes to select from, but there is now a &lsquo;Towing&rsquo; mode that alters the engine and transmission calibrations. Annoyingly it cannot be selected using the rotary dial on the centre console and requires you to dig into sub-menus on the touchscreen.An element of the driving experience that surprised me is how refined the engine is, even when pushed harder. The noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) inside the cabin is subdued, further cementing the premium feel the Cannon Alpha has become known for.Although we drove a pre-production vehicle on proving ground roads, the new local suspension and steering tune feels a lot more controlled and balanced than previous versions of this ute. It&rsquo;s helped by the fact this ute has a long 3350mm wheelbase, though the 19-degree breakover angle is still a limiting]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/gwm-cannon-alpha-30l-turbo-diesel-102382</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 12 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Geely EX2 2026 review: Australian first drive | BYD Atto 1 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/geely-ex2-102369</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 Geely EX2 hopes to come to Australia and take the lead in the small EV space. In fact, it sold in enough numbers in China last year that it alone would make up close to half of Australia’s total annual new car sales.
We took the EX2 for a first-impressions drive around Sydney's northern suburbs to see if the little EV has what it takes.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/geely-ex2-102369</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[MG MG4 2026 review: Urban Essence 54 | BYD Dolphin rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mg-mg4-urban-essence-54-102223</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The new MG4 EV Urban offers an affordable entry point to electric car ownership but does it have the right mix of price, practicality and performance to be a standout for small car shoppers in the BEV market?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Oastler]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mg-mg4-urban-essence-54-102223</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Cupra Formentor 2026 review: VZx | Mini Countryman rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/cupra-formentor-vzx-102269</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In the age of electrification some brands are still throwing a petrol party, and Cupra&rsquo;s latest shin-dig is an absolute rager.VW&rsquo;s Spanish brand has just launched the updated version of the Formentor small SUV in Australia, and I&rsquo;m testing the spicy VZx variant.It is priced from $69,990 (before on-road costs), which is $20,000 more than the entry-level Formentor but $25,000 cheaper than the absolute rocketship VZ5 variant due later this year.Under the bonnet of the Formentor VZx is the heart of the Volkswagen Golf R. The tried and tested 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that makes 245kW and 420Nm.This is paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that drives all four wheels. This enables a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds.That kind of grunt puts it in some fine company, with rivals including the BMW X1 M35 ($93,900), Lexus LBX Morizo RR ($78,490) and Mini Countryman JCW ($73,990).That means it&rsquo;s cheaper and just as, or more powerful than its competition.It is a sparkling vehicle to drive.When I crack open the driver&rsquo;s door of our test car I'm greeted by the optional bucket seats with carbon-fibre backs. They are snug with plenty of lateral support and power adjustment.You sit nice and low in the car with a chunky flat-bottomed steering wheel for a driving companion and alloy pedals for going and stopping.Press the push-button starter on the steering wheel and the 10.2-inch digital multimedia screen lights up with chunky dials and the choice of performance information such as the percentage of power and torque being delivered.It makes a raucous noise, but it isn&rsquo;t all real with the Formentor using what Cupra terms 'adjustable engine sound modelling', which blends real and fake engine noises in the cabin.In Comfort mode the Formentor VZx is an accomplished daily commuter, feeling more composed and relaxed than in Performance or Cupra modes.The throttle response kicks up a notch in Performance and Cupra and the gear changes get more aggressive.And the suspension stiffens, where bumps and road imperfections are somewhat smoothed out in Comfort, they become harsher and crashier in the more taut modes.Make no mistake, the Formentor is not soft in any mode.That tightness of the suspension means it hugs the bends and slices through the corners. It holds its weight expertly in quick changes of direction and isn't unsettled by mid corner bumps.&nbsp;Its 1668kg weight makes it feel nimble and light-footed in a world of hefty EVs.There is ample grip from the all-wheel-drive set-up in all conditions, which is aided by the sticky Continental Sport Contact 7 rubber.The steering is sharp, communicative and well weighted, which gives confidence through tight and twisting corners.It is fast enough, with plenty of theatre when you put your foot down. The dual-clutch auto grabs the deep torque reserves low in the rev range to thrust you forward before the power kicks in with a ghoulish roar.There isn&rsquo;t a lot to dislike about the Formentor VZx.Road and tyre noise is intrusive, especially on Australia&rsquo;s rough coarse chip roads. It is thirsty, drinking a claimed 8.3L/100km. You&rsquo;ll see far more than that if you drive it with even a little enthusiasm. It needs the priciest 98RON fuel, too.The cabin is functional with a good mix of premium and hardwearing materials used throughout.Touches of copper, ambient lighting and a large 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen impress, but the lack of physical buttons and controls does not. You need to dive into the central screen to make minor changes to climate controls or other features.Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel make a cold winter&rsquo;s morning more bearable.In the centre console there is a stubby little dongle gear selector, a few small storage compartments and a wireless device charger and two USB-C ports.A 390W, 12-speaker Sennheiser stereo is excellent with good sound clarity.There is plenty of]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/cupra-formentor-vzx-102269</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 09 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Lexus RZ 2026 review: 550e F Sport | Porsche Macan rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/lexus-rz-550e-f-sport-102340</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Lexus launched its first fully-electric car in Australia back in 2023, but it&rsquo;s fair to say the RZ has hardly made an impact on the electric car scene.Cursed at the time by high pricing, low driving range and a lack of features many EV adopters were looking for, the RZ seemed destined to sit at the bottom of the electric pecking order.Determined to turn its fortunes around, Lexus has refreshed the RZ for 2026 with drastically lower pricing and tweaked specs which it hopes will grant it a second look in the eyes of buyers.Does it have what it takes? I took a top-spec RZ 550e F-Sport for a week to find out.2026 Lexus RZ 550e F Sport pricingFirst things first, pricing. Lexus has slashed prices from the RZ range for its latest update to the point where this sporty top-spec one at $105,000, before on-road costs, is now more affordable than the base variant (which cost over $123,000!) when it first arrived in 2023.As a dedicated EV which shares its underpinnings with the Toyota bZ4X, the RZ&rsquo;s closest rival is the Genesis GV60 from Korea, although comparisons are now difficult, because the GV60 in rear-drive form is $88,000. To get AWD like this RZ 550e you need to splash for the higher-performance GV60 Magma ($130,000).It also needs to face-off against the Audi Q4 e-tron (AWD from $99,818), BMW iX3 ($109,900 in AWD guise) and most problematically for Lexus, the smash-hit Zeekr 7X from China which costs from just $72,900 in Performance AWD trim.While the price-cut is welcome, and this top-spec car gets a bigger battery than before, it still feels like a let-down on range which remains a key consideration for many electric car buyers.2026 Lexus RZ 550e F Sport energy use, range and chargingOfficially this higher-performance 550 e F-Sport version has 437km of driving range according to the WLTP measuring standard, on the back of an official 18.9kWh/100km energy consumption and a slightly larger 77kWh battery pack.My real-world test had the car&rsquo;s computer reporting 410km of range, with the trip computer showing my most efficient trip being 18.8kWh/100km. It&rsquo;s within a reasonable margin of error to the claim, but still disappointing in a market where many rival EVs will do 460km+ in the real world.There are other improvements. While the RZ maintains its somewhat middling 150kW DC charging capability for a half hour (10-80 per cent) charge on a compatible station, AC charging capacity has doubled from 11kW to 22kW.Power has also taken a jump, with total outputs now hovering at 300kW combined power for this 550e F-Sport. Unfortunately, though, all RZs are all-wheel drive, so range is a persistent issue no matter which variant you pick.2026 Lexus RZ 550e F Sport designOn the styling front, the changes are also subtle, with this luxury mid-sizer maintaining a similar futuristic look to the pre-update version, complete with a grille-free face, and spiky aero coupe rear with twin protrusions on the roof and an interesting split spoiler atop the tailgate.The elephant in the interior is of course the 550 e F Sport&rsquo;s yoke steering wheel. It&rsquo;s strange to look at and bizarre to use.We&rsquo;ll get to that in a moment, but the rest of the interior continues the futuristic theme with the asymmetrical stepped dash design, high beltline for the doors and weird little button door handles.The multimedia screen is a good size at 14 inches, and there&rsquo;s a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster sunken into the dash complemented by a holographic head-up display for the driver.Despite its tech overload in the interior one advantage this Lexus maintains is physical dials for the dual-zone climate control and even an audio volume dial, with a handful of shortcut buttons, too.The steering wheel also features an array of initially very confusing buttons and controls which you get used to.Software in the RZ is pretty basic. While it isn&rsquo;t burdened by some of the gimmicks of Chinese rivals, it&rsquo;s also a bit too]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/lexus-rz-550e-f-sport-102340</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BMW iX3 40 eDrive 2026 review: snapshot | Audi Q4 e-tron rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/bmw-ix3-40-edrive-102334</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The soon-to-arrive BMW iX3 40 eDrive will open the new iX3 range, sitting well below the iX3 50 xDrive in terms of price, but not in terms of equipment, with both models sharing the same features list.BMW has secured Luxury Car Tax-busting pricing for the 40, starting at $89,900, before on-road costs. For that, you get a single motor for rear-wheel drive and a smaller battery than in the twin-motor 50 xDrive.The iX3 40's battery is 82.6kWh and the range promise is a still-considerable 635km, while its rear motor delivers 235kW and 500Nm &ndash; enough for a sprint to 100km/h in a brisk 5.9 seconds.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/bmw-ix3-40-edrive-102334</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Skoda Elroq 2026 review: 60 Select long-term | Part 2 | MG S5 EV rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/skoda-elroq-60-select-long-term-part-2-102226</link>
            <description><![CDATA[As far as &lsquo;compact&rsquo; SUVs are concerned, the MY26 Skoda Elroq is arguably in the Goldilocks zone.It is on the large side for a small SUV, and on the small side for a mid-size SUV, making it perfect for a city dweller like myself.Which is why the fully electric Elroq has been a great car for me to long-term test in this three-part review. More on that later.If you missed the first instalment covering the entry-level MY26 Select 60&rsquo;s pricing and specification details, check out the link above.As promised, this second look will focus on the Elroq&rsquo;s design and practicality, while the upcoming third and final part will be headlined by my full driving impressions and overall verdict.Let&rsquo;s get cracking!  @carsguide.com.au Cupholder test!! The otherwise practical 2026 Skoda Elroq EV doesn't like our 600mL drink bottle, especially in the front row where its European origins are laid bare #skoda #elroq #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound  - CarsGuide.com.au   Smart looking &ndash; if a little forgettableStarting with design, the Elroq&rsquo;s exterior is arguably unremarkable, but I like it all the same.Up front, Skoda&rsquo;s new tech-desk face is in full force, with a black panel taking the place of what would have been a grille in an internal-combustion model.Flanking it are sharp LED daytime running lights, which are separate to the low and high beams below.I particularly like the heavily creased bonnet with its SKODA lettering, and the chunky front bumper, which has a well-executed black plastic element that flows through to the wheel-arch and door cladding around the side.The Elroq has a particularly strong character line with real doorhandles below &ndash; yes, they are an increasing rarity these days.And then there are the Select 60&rsquo;s 19-inch 'Proteus' alloy wheels, which I initially thought were quite plain in design, but I now reckon look decent.At the rear the Elroq has unmistakably Skoda tail-lights and in case you still do not pick it, there&rsquo;s even more SKODA lettering in between.I quite like how upright the tailgate is as you know that means good things for boot, but more on that in a moment.The bumper is quite plasticky, but even with light paintwork like my test vehicle&rsquo;s Timiano Green, I do not think it looks bad in this instance.That said, the chunky tailgate spoiler looks noticeably cheap with its plastic finish, but we are talking about a base model after all.You better like denimInside, the Select 60 features the Elroq&rsquo;s Loft interior theme, which means it is covered in a denim-like cloth upholstery with synthetic leather accents.We are talking about seats, armrests and even door and dashboard inserts here, so there is no missing the divisive material. I don&rsquo;t mind it, but some of my passengers had strong opinions against it.The leather-trimmed, two-spoke steering wheel feels very premium in hand and is enhanced by its physical controls for key functions, which are welcome because they are another increasing rarity these days.There is also a row of physical buttons below the 12.9-inch touchscreen multimedia system, but sadly none of them are dedicated to temperature or fan-speed controls.There is a CLIMA button that opens the touchscreen&rsquo;s climate-control menu, but it is only useful if you want to change the airflow direction as the temperature and fan-speed controls are permanently in the bottom row of the multimedia system&rsquo;s shortcuts.The multimedia system is easy enough to use once you get your head around it, but the reality is most drivers will instantly take advantage of its wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support and use smartphone mirroring instead.It is also nice to see physical air-vent controls as they too have come under threat recently as some brands irrationally try to move them to the touchscreen.Criticisms? Well, it is rather dark inside the Elroq, with only the light headliner trying to brighten things up.The touch]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Justin Hilliard]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/skoda-elroq-60-select-long-term-part-2-102226</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 07 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BMW iX3 50 xDrive 2026 review: snapshot | Audi Q4 e-tron rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/bmw-ix3-50-xdrive-102332</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The&nbsp; BMW iX3 50 xDrive is the for-now flagship of the new iX3 range, combining ridiculous range with proper driving fun.The 50 xDrive is $109,900 MSRP, and for that you get a massive battery, lots of range and plenty of dual-motor punch, and a long list of standard features &ndash; including the headline-grabbing Panoramic Vision, which swaps the traditional driver screen for a vast display that stretches the entire width of the cabin.Its massive 108.7kWh net NMC battery delivers a maximum driving range of 805km, which is frankly ridiculous. To get it, you need to engage Efficiency Max, which dulls the drive experience, but that is an impressive number all the same. Engage the sportier settings and the figure drops to more like 650km-plus.&nbsp;Its twin-motor AWD set-up delivers a total 345kW and 645Nm, which is a lot. And because there is no traditional transmission to step through, and because all that oomph arrives at once, it feels plenty punchy. BMW says the sprint to 100km/h takes 4.9 seconds, and we believe them. Top speed is a claimed 210km/h.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/bmw-ix3-50-xdrive-102332</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz CLA 2026 review: Electric - Australian first drive | BMW i4 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mercedes-benz-cla-electric-102337</link>
            <description><![CDATA[This year has thrown up two unforeseen events: the mainstream acceptance of electric vehicles (EVs) and the return of the sedan.Perfect timing, then, for the new Mercedes-Benz CLA electric.But, can the world&rsquo;s oldest car company run with hip young things like the Polestar 2, Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4?And is this the Mercedes of compact EV sedans?Does the CLA electric deserve its pricing premium against cheaper alternatives?The price leap going electric in this third-gen CLA four-door coupe is another surprise.Starting from $72,200 (all prices are before on-road costs), the CLA200 electric&rsquo;s premium is a reasonable $5700 over the entry-level CLA180 petrol-electric hybrid version, and just $4000 more than the CLA200 hybrid equivalent.Now, most essentials are standard, with the following being standouts:a 14-inch central touchscreen and 10.25-inch driver display combo dubbed MBUX Superscreena fixed glass roofa heat pump for efficiency enhancing climate controlGoogle Maps with AI virtual assistant including car-to-X traffic communication for driving hazards alertsa 360-degree camera with parking assistartificial leather and suede-clad heated/powered front AMG sports seats with memory settingsAMG 18-inch alloys and body kitThen there&rsquo;s the CLA350 4Matic Electric from $91,300, adding an electric motor up front for all-wheel drive, an 85kWh &ndash; rather than 58kWh &ndash; battery for longer range, faster charging and 19-inch wheels.But we recommend the Premium Package ($1800 in the CLA200/$2340 in the CLA350) for worthwhile kit like:head-up displayadaptive headlightskeyless entryan orchestral audio upgradea third, also 14-inch screen ahead of the front passengerSpeaking of which, compared to its Chinese-sourced Polestar 2 and Tesla Model 3 rivals, the German CLA does cost more, but Mercedes has been making cars for 140 years, not 14 years, and there&rsquo;s some very advanced EV engineering going on underneath that pretty body.This looks like all Mercedes sedans nowadays. What's actually changed with the design?Distinctively Mercedes, the Ford AU Falcon force is still strong with this CLA.But thanks to the Stuttgart brand&rsquo;s box-fresh MMA electric-first 800-volt platform, it matures as well as grows in every dimension, including in height and wheelbase, while super-slippery, aero-enhancing details promise to boost efficiency.The CLA&rsquo;s interior aesthetics are dominated by the MBUX Superscreen slab that, with the Premium Package, is lit like a Christmas tree fever dream.Yet, when switched off and blacked out, one onlooker reckoned the dash is reminiscent of a Holden LH Torana&rsquo;s. Iconic Aussie influences abound!Can a coupe sedan actually be practical enough for family or friends sat out back?Luckily everything including ambient lighting is configurable.Getting in and out is tight &ndash; a reminder that the CLA is essentially a four-door coupe.Once inside, though, the front seat area is amply spacious, including for heads, and there&rsquo;s a lot to like, including the logical and slick operation of Mercedes&rsquo; latest, AI-enhanced multimedia system.Brilliantly supportive seats, a superb driving position, beautifully crafted textures and abundant storage also make this CLA appealing. The cheapness of old is gone, though the plastics below knee level feel disappointingly hard and hollow.And while we&rsquo;re whining, the loss of buttons for the touchscreen-sited climate system, no overhead grab handles, cost-cutting absence of rear window switches for the driver (what is this, a Skoda?), and missing glass roof blockout are fixes for the facelift.On the flip side, that vast ceiling sky vista makes an already roomier rear seat feel even airier, while most expected comfort amenities are present.Further back, the boot is OK, though smaller than before at 405 litres and there&rsquo;s no spare wheel. Boo.Has the CLA finally been engineered like a Mercedes-Benz should, or is this more of the same]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mercedes-benz-cla-electric-102337</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 08:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Ferrari Amalfi 2026 review | Lamborghini Temerario rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/ferrari-amalfi-102162</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Ferrari has a proud history of front engine, rear-wheel-drive GTs, many with a V12 engine, but while the twin-turbo V8 Amalfi is down four cylinders it produces 'ample' power in a beautiful, refined 2+2 coupe.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/ferrari-amalfi-102162</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BYD Seal 6 Premium 2026 review: snapshot | Skoda Octavia wagon rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/byd-seal-6-premium-102316</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2027 BYD Seal 6 is a plug-in hybrid rival to the Toyota Camry with a competitive price and a long driving range available either as a sedan in Essential grade, or as a wagon (Touring) in Premium grade.&nbsp;The Touring Premium starts from $39,990 before on-road costs and comes with extra features and an upgraded drivetrain over the sedan.While the Essential comes with a decent amount of standard kit, including wireless phone mirroring, synthetic leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats and a 12.8-inch multimedia touchscreen, the Touring Premium adds features like a panoramic sunroof and heated and vented front seats.It&rsquo;s powered by a hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that helps an electric motor drive the front wheels, drawing power from a 19kWh battery to deliver 163kW and 260Nm in total.The battery is good for 100km of electric driving under WLTP conditions, and when combined with a full 65L fuel tank means a driving range of well over 1000km overall. Consumption ranges from 0.8L/100km to 4.1L/100km with either a full or depleted battery.The BYD Seal 6 boasts a five-star ANCAP rating, with seven airbags and a safety suite including adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning and automatic braking intervention.BYD has a six-year/150,000km warranty, plus an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the battery.Servicing is every 20,000km or 12 months, with the first five services totalling $2775, an average of $555 a visit.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/byd-seal-6-premium-102316</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Subaru Uncharted 2026 review: AWD - Australian first drive | BYD Atto 3 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/subaru-uncharted-awd-102325</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Subaru's first foray into the electric small SUV segment does a lot right, but might make one critical mistake.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/subaru-uncharted-awd-102325</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BMW iX3 2026 review: Australian first drive | Audi Q4 e-tron rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/bmw-ix3-102318</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The BMW iX3 is more than just a new EV for the German brand, it's the flag bearer for the Neue Klasse (or New Class) architecture, promising new tech, features and driving fun that will spread to all BMW's incoming electric vehicles. But does it live up to the hype? We put it to the test at its local launch to find out.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/bmw-ix3-102318</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[BYD Seal 6 Essential 2026 review: snapshot | Toyota Camry rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/byd-seal-6-essential-102315</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 BYD Seal 6, not to be confused with the electric Seal sedan launched earlier this decade, is a plug-in hybrid rival to the Toyota Camry with a competitive price and a long driving range.The Seal 6 comes either as a sedan in Essential grade, or as a wagon (Touring) in Premium grade. The Essential starts from $34,990, making it cheaper than its medium sedan rivals and most plug-in hybrids on the market.The base sedan comes with a decent amount of standard kit:Wireless phone mirroringSynthetic leather upholsteryPower-adjustable front seats12.8-inch multimedia touchscreenIt&rsquo;s powered by a hybrid system consisting of a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that helps an electric motor drive the front wheels, drawing power from a 10kWh battery to deliver 130kW and 210Nm in total.The battery provides enough juice for 55km of electric driving under WLTP conditions, though with its 65L fuel tank and either 1.1L/100km fuel consumption with a charged battery or 3.6L/100km with a run-down battery, BYD says the Seal 6 can top 1000km on a single tank and full battery.The BYD Seal 6 boasts a five-star ANCAP rating, with seven airbags and a safety suite including adaptive cruise control with forward collision warning and automatic braking intervention.BYD has a six-year/150,000km warranty, plus an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the battery.Servicing is every 20,000km or 12 months, with the first five services totalling $2775, an average of $555 a visit.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/byd-seal-6-essential-102315</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[JAC T9 2026 review: Tradepro Cab Chassis 4x4 - GVM test | Isuzu D-Max rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/jac-t9-tradepro-cab-chassis-4x4-102087</link>
            <description><![CDATA[JAC Motors has added a cab-chassis variant to its local T9 ute range with the work-focused Tradepro model, but does it hit a sweet spot for tradies wanting to install their own trays or service bodies?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Oastler]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/jac-t9-tradepro-cab-chassis-4x4-102087</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 16:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Tradies</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Ineos Grenadier 2026 review: Trialmaster Station Wagon - off-road test | Land Rover Defender rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/ineos-grenadier-trialmaster-station-wagon-102264</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Ineos Grenadier range has undergone some substantial changes. The steering has been tweaked and the driver-assist tech upgraded as has the air-con system. This body-on-frame 4WD has live axles, a dual-range transfer case and a stack of other features aimed at turning any driver into an off-road expert. The Grenadier in Trialmaster spec even has front, centre and rear diff locks.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marcus Craft]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/ineos-grenadier-trialmaster-station-wagon-102264</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 02 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Honda HR-V 2026 review: e:HEV RS | GWM Haval Jolion rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/honda-hr-v-ehev-rs-102159</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Honda&rsquo;s HR-V small SUV has been an Aussie favourite for more than a decade but a lot has changed lately with the influx of more rivals, many of them new-gen hybrids and electric vehicles.So is the HR-V still outstanding? Or has it been left standing?We&rsquo;ve tested the newest grade added to the line-up, the top-of-the-range&nbsp;hybrid, the HR-V e:HEV RS. I know, it's catchy right? Let's just call it the HR-V RS from here on.My small family of four lived with it in the inner suburbs for a week and I thought I knew this car well until this test, and there&rsquo;s a few things you should know, too.First, how much does the HR-V RS cost and is it worth the money? Being the top grade in the HR-V line-up the RS is also the most expensive at $44,400 drive-away, $11,500 more than the petrol-powered entry-grade HR-V, or $4500 pricier than the most affordable hybrid HR-V.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That is a lot of money for a small SUV these days, what with so many feature-packed Chinese SUVs for a lot less.There&rsquo;s the top grade MG ZS hybrid for $33,888 drive-away, the top of-the-range GWM Haval Jolion hybrid for $38,990 d/a, the top-spec Chery Tiggo 4 hybrid for $34,990 d/a&hellip; the list goes on.There are also electric SUVs for less. The Jaecoo J5 is $36,990 d/a, while the excellent MG S5 EV is the pretty much same price at $44,990 d/a.The HR-V hybrid grades are, however, more competitive than the Hyundai Kona hybrid ($36,950-$48,950), and Nissan Qashqai e-Power ($45,640-$54,140), both of which are priced before on-road costs.Features wise the HR-V RS is lacking a few things. The nine-inch media screen looks small now, the seats are heated but you get these on the L grade below, and that goes for almost all the other features, including dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a six-speaker stereo.As for what the RS brings there&rsquo;s RS body styling elements such as the black mesh grille and the leatherette sports seats.The RS grade doesn&rsquo;t bring any performance edge to the HR-V. All three hybrid grades have the same output of 96kW and 253Nm, which is plenty of power for a little SUV. Just don&rsquo;t expect the RS to be any sportier than other grades.The hybrid system combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with two electric motors. The engine&rsquo;s primary job is to produce electricity to charge the battery and that powers the motors which drives the wheels.The resulting fuel economy is good but not outstanding. Officially, Honda says the combined fuel consumption is 4.3L/100km. After 330km, the trip computer said my fuel consumption was 5.6L/100km. That came down to a lot of motorway miles, which uses battery charge quickly before the engine is called on to help drive the wheels and charge the battery.On the road the HR-V RS is excellent, and this is the area Honda has the edge over its Chinese rivals, which don&rsquo;t tend to steer, stop, handle and ride as well as this.The engine can be a bit noisy and will often start up and switch off randomly, unrelated to acceleration. But that&rsquo;s it charging the battery. For the most part, however, the HR-V is quiet with smooth acceleration at lower speeds and it drives like an EV. At higher speeds the engine assists the electric motors.It's easy to drive with good visibility, excellent stability and a feeling of safety, even on highways between big trucks. The driving position and seats aren't as comfortable as I wanted.Just as an aside, I also recently drove the slightly larger Honda ZR-V and found the seats and driving position to be much better.We used the HR-V for all our daily commutes, the school drop offs, sport and grocery shopping. From a practicality perspective the HR-V is excellent as well. There&rsquo;s more than enough room for a child seat in the second row and space for somebody to sit in the front passenger seat at the same time. The legroom in the second row is great, too.We were thrown at one point]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/honda-hr-v-ehev-rs-102159</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Polestar 3 2026 review: Australian first drive | Porsche Cayenne Electric rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/polestar-3-102286</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Sometimes, a vehicle facelift doesn&rsquo;t amount to much. Maybe a nip here, a tuck there, but to be sure you&rsquo;re looking at the new version, you need to check the badges.To be honest, the revised Polestar 3 SUV is a bit of that, with very little to visually distinguish the facelift from the previous car. But underneath there are some serious upgrades which, in that oh-so-Swedish understated way, serve to make the Polestar 3 an even more tantalising prospect.The Polestar 3 has now moved to 800-volt technology which not only allows for faster charging, it also opens up the prospect of even more performance. A new generation of lithium-ion batteries also means greater range potential.But it&rsquo;s nice to see that Polestar hasn&rsquo;t limited its attention to the drivetrain; there&rsquo;s now a revised anti-roll-bar system and a recalibration of the power steering assistance. Which just goes to show that even though brands like Polestar trade on being an all-electric solution, there are still some engineers in Sweden who know how the rest of a car should work.Meantime, the medium-large SUV space is a very crowded one right now, so the question is whether the new tech &ndash; invisible as it is &ndash; is enough to keep the Polestar 3 carving out its slice of that market.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/polestar-3-102286</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Genesis GV60 2026 review: Magma – Australian first drive | BMW iX3 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/genesis-gv60-magma-102229</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand, has set its sights on competing against the likes of BMW’s M division, Mercedes-AMG and even Porsche eventually with its new Magma sub-brand. The first installment in this new chapter has arrived, the GV60 Magma.
While based on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and 6 N, Genesis has given the GV60 a unique twist. We review it to assess its performance, luxury, value and more.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/genesis-gv60-magma-102229</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[BYD Seal 6 2026 review: Touring Premium – Australian first drive | Toyota Camry rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/byd-seal-6-touring-premium-102277</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 BYD Seal 6 has arrived, and not just at a lower starting price with a more electrified plug-in hybrid drivetrain, but with a wagon option, too.
In fact, the Seal 6 Touring Premium wagon is the halo variant of the Seal 6 range, and its price matches the Camry’s entry-grade.
Should Toyota be worried? We attend the Australian launch of the Seal 6 Touring to find out.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/byd-seal-6-touring-premium-102277</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 30 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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