<?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, 04 May 2026 10:20:56 +0000</pubDate>

                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 XSE 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-xse-101466</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 Toyota RAV4 XSE is an all-wheel-drive, mid-size SUV priced from $58,340 before on-road costs.It features high-end inclusions like synthetic leather and suede sports front seats with contrast stitching and three-stage front seat heating and ventilation, plus a sunroof and 20-inch alloy wheels.It also comes with plenty of the RAV4&rsquo;s standard features like LED headlights, privacy tinting, eight-way powered driver&rsquo;s seat, dual-zone climate control, a 10.5-inch touchscreen display for multimedia, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charger, a six-speaker audio system and five USB-C ports plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a full-size spare wheel.Powering all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a 143kW/221Nm series-parallel hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine.Toyota claims it uses 4.6L of petrol (now 95RON instead of 91RON minimum) per 100km of driving.Toyota anticipates the new RAV4 will score five stars thanks to extensive safety kit, but it is as yet unrated, that comes later in 2026.Eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) pre-collision, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane trace, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor are all standard across the range.A five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty covers the RAV4 and can be extended to seven years if you maintain your logbook servicing with Toyota. Capped-price servicing comes every 12 months or 15,000km and costs just $325 per service - this lasts five years or 75,000km.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-xse-101466</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[BYD Sealion 5 2026 review: Essential]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/byd-sealion-5-essential-101481</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 BYD Sealion 5 is a mid-size SUV that just happens to be the most affordable plug-in hybrid available in Australia during a fuel crisis.
That alone is enough to draw in plenty of potential buyers, but whether the Sealion 5 is actually good enough to convert that interest into sales is another story.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/byd-sealion-5-essential-101481</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Geely EX2 2027 review: International first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/geely-ex2-101503</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Hatchbacks are experiencing a renaissance in Australia, with a flood of new models hitting our shores, mostly from brands you might not be familiar with.It&rsquo;s a market segment that's been increasingly abandoned by legacy brands, with nameplates like the Nissan Pulsar, Ford Focus and Suzuki Baleno disappearing to make way for lesser known models like GAC Aion UT, GWM Ora and MG4, and the car we&rsquo;re looking at for this quick drive, the Geely EX2.These new challengers share a lot in common. They&rsquo;re fully electric and ultra-affordable, opening up a world of low-running-cost opportunity, but where does Geely&rsquo;s EX2 fit in? Let&rsquo;s take a look.We tested the EX2 at a Geely drive event in China where we had limited time with the vehicle, and little information on Australian specification. But we got a little wheel time for a first impression.We know it will arrive in the third quarter of 2026, although we&rsquo;re not sure how much it will cost. At this stage, we understand it is likely it will come in at least two battery sizesIn China, where it's known as the Geome, the EX2 is is smaller and priced lower than the GAC Aion UT (from $31,990 before on-road costs), but it's priced higher and is a size up from the BYD Atto 1 (from $23,990 BOC).With its bubbly styling, it will also fill a gap left by the departure of the GWM Ora hatch (from $35,990) later this year. Chinese prices range from the equivalent of $A14,121 to $20,276. It opens the possibility of sub-$30k starting price.The two battery sizes currently offered in China are a 30.1kWh unit, providing 310km or a 40.2kWh unit providing up to 410km range, although these are to the more lenient CLTC cycle.While this isn&rsquo;t confidence inspiring for the kinds of ranges some of its rivals might be capable of, the CATL-sourced LFP batteries are at least water cooled in all spec levels, unlike the BYD Atto 1, which is good for maintaining range in cold or hot days, as well as the longevity of the battery.&nbsp;  @carsguide.com.au 2026 Geely EX2 EV tested before it lands in Australia! #geely #ex2 #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   Charging speed is quoted from 30-80 per cent in 21 minutes, which suggests a slow but appropriate charge speed between 50 and 80kW. We hope Australian-delivered vehicles come with at least 6.6kW AC charging, meanwhile the China-delivered EX2 gets 6.6kW vehicle-to-load, too.Inside, this little car is quite clever in how space efficient it is. The front seat is an unmistakably small car, but offers enough adjustability for me to find a comfortable seating position at 182cm tall. The same goes for the back seat, which benefits from an EV-first platform and a nice flat floor, giving the EX2 above average space for a car in this category.There&rsquo;s also lots of clever storage areas. It has a 70-litre frunk, which is a good starting point, as well as a 375-litre boot, and there's storage in the pass-through underneath the centre console. The console itself will look a little different in Aussie-delivered cars, as we understand it, because our right-hand-drive models will get a stalk shifter rather than the digital shifter on the left-hand drive versions we tested. A large storage bay up front makes the mistake of orienting the wireless charger right in the middle, wasting otherwise useful space.The 14.6-inch screen in our test cars looks good for a small vehicle, but I hope there&rsquo;s been some significant software improvements to the brand&rsquo;s &lsquo;Flyme Auto&rsquo; software, which was a bit befuddling in the EX5 I drove in Australia recently. As usual, a lack of physical controls isn&rsquo;t promising either.Things are good on the driving front though. This cute little hatch has a bit of attitude. It has two motor options, either a 58kW/130Nm, or 85kW/150Nm unit, both of which drive the rear axle rather than the front.This combines with a relatively light weight from the small battery capacities to]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/geely-ex2-101503</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 10:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Suzuki Vitara 2026 review: Turbo Hybrid AllGrip]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/suzuki-vitara-turbo-hybrid-allgrip-101472</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Suzuki Vitara nameplate is edging towards 40 years in the Aussie new-car market. And as it&rsquo;s grown in size and sophistication over four generations, so has the depth of competition it faces.Small SUV heavy-hitters like the Chery Tiggo 4, GWM Haval Jolion, Hyundai Kona, MG ZS and Toyota Corolla Cross outsell it by ratios of up to 60 to one (in the case of the Tiggo 4).So, this just-released Turbo Hybrid variant is an important addition to the Japanese maker&rsquo;s line-up, aimed at snatching extra market share in a hotly contested segment with what Suzuki promises is &ldquo;enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced emissions and refined on-road performance&rdquo;.We spent a week with the top-spec &lsquo;AllGrip&rsquo; all-wheel-drive version to see if it has what it takes to steer you away from the big guns.&nbsp;If you asked someone to describe a &lsquo;typical&rsquo; small SUV, I&rsquo;d argue the Suzuki Vitara would perfectly align with their response nine out of 10 times&hellip; and be pretty close on the 10th.Launched here way back in 2015, the current Vitara received a &lsquo;Series III&rsquo; update earlier this year, which included the hybrid&rsquo;s introduction, and its clean, neatly-wrapped exterior design stands up well, although it&rsquo;s not as adventurous as more rugged rivals like the Subaru Crosstrek or Toyota Corolla Cross.Inside, there&rsquo;s a slightly larger 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, but things like analogue instruments, a single USB-A socket (in the front) and a manual handbrake still date the car.And then there&rsquo;s the elephant in the room... hiding behind a dollar sign. The price.This flagship Vitara Turbo Hybrid AllGrip will set you back $45,990. Okay, it&rsquo;s a drive-away deal, but that&rsquo;s enough for a Hyundai Kona Premium 1.6T N-Line AWD, Kia Seltos GT-Line AWD, Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina AWD or Toyota Corolla Cross Atmos Hybrid.And the Suzuki struggles to match that competitive set in terms of equipment bang for buck and perceived quality.Standard feature highlights include 17-inch alloy wheels, auto LED headlights, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a reversing camera, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control and climate control. But that bundle&lsquo;s pretty much cost-of-entry when you&rsquo;re in upper-$40K territory.And the air-con is single-zone, the audio system has six speakers, and the car&rsquo;s general look and feel isn&rsquo;t spectacular.That old adage of kicking the tyres and slamming the doors when shopping for a car is relevant here, because the Vitara&rsquo;s doors feel insubstantial, quivering slightly when opened and closed.&nbsp;&nbsp;And while soft-touch material across the dashtop is fine, hard plastics on the doors don&rsquo;t sit well with the price tag. But things pick up once you get underway.&nbsp;The 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine has enough oomph to get the 1275kg five-seater off the mark cleanly and allow it to keep its head above water in traffic or on the highway.Power delivery is linear and the &lsquo;mild-hybrid&rsquo; set-up incorporates a 48-volt integrated starter generator which takes some of the ancillary load off the engine and tips in an extra 50Nm of pulling power when required. Overall outputs are 81kW and a handy 235Nm.The strut front, torsion-beam rear suspension does a great job of keeping this compact and relatively light SUV composed over bumpy urban surfaces. Electrically assisted steering is accurate and road feel qualifies as excellent.&nbsp;When you need to push into the upper rev range engine, exhaust noises start to make their presence felt in the cabin. But overall, the Vitara Hybrid is a surprisingly comfortable ride.At just under 4.2 metres long, the Vitara is a &lsquo;small&rsquo; small SUV and while the front part of the cabin is reasonably roomy with plenty of storage options, the back seat ranks as okay in the context of the category.&nbsp;Sitting behind the driver&rsquo;s seat set to my 183cm position,]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/suzuki-vitara-turbo-hybrid-allgrip-101472</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 03 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Suzuki Jimny 2026 review: Lite - off-road test]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/suzuki-jimny-lite-101502</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Suzuki Jimny is back with a tech refresh and minor update after a production pause.
The line-up now has an updated AEB system as well as adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, and front and rear parking sensors.
The base-spec Jimny Lite also gets a new 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as part of this latest line-up refresh.
Is the Zook worth your cash?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marcus Craft]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/suzuki-jimny-lite-101502</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 Edge 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-edge-101465</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Edge is a mid-size SUV available only in all-wheel drive, rather than having a front-wheel drive option like much of the RAV4 line-up. It&rsquo;s priced from $55,340 before on-road costs.It comes with plenty of the RAV4&rsquo;s standard features&nbsp;like LED headlights, privacy tinting, eight-way powered driver&rsquo;s seat, dual-zone climate control, a 10.5-inch touchscreen display for multimedia, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless smartphone charger, a six-speaker audio system and five USB-C ports plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a full-size spare wheel.The Edge has a unique (to the RAV4 line-up) 20mm wider wheel track and its own front-end design plus 18-inch dark matt grey metallic alloy wheels.Under the bonnet, a series-parallel hybrid 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine produces 143kW and 221Nm. It powers all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).Toyota claims it uses 4.6L of petrol (now 95RON instead of 91RON minimum) per 100km of driving.The RAV4 is yet to be crash tested by ANCAP, but Toyota anticipates five stars thanks to&nbsp;extensive safety kit including eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) pre-collision, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear-cross traffic alert, lane trace, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor. All this is standard across the range.Toyota&rsquo;s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty can be extended to seven years if you maintain your logbook servicing with Toyota, plus capped-price servicing (every 12 months or 15,000km) costs just $325 per service for five years or 75,000km.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-edge-101465</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[Used Subaru Forester review: 2013-2018]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/subaru-forester-101471</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Forester has definitely been a winner for Subaru in Australia. Often the brand&rsquo;s best-selling model year to year, the Forester&rsquo;s magic is that it blurs the line between a conventional station wagon and the now ubiquitous SUV.In that process, the Forester has built up a huge following of devoted fans who can see the logic and practicality in the overall design.For 2013, Subaru gave us the fourth-gen Forester, or SJ model as it&rsquo;s known internally.The same packaging remained as before, although the SJ model was a little longer, higher and had more wheelbase than the previous gen, but the new car was only 1mm wider, maintaining its appeal to inner-city dwellers who didn&rsquo;t need or want a bigger Subaru (there was the Outback for that, anyway).The range kicked off with the 2.0i and 2.0i-L which used a 2.0-litre engine with 110kW and a six-speed manual transmission. The next step up the model ladder was to the 2.5i, 2.5i-L and the 2.5i-S, all of which were fitted with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 126kW and a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT).There was also a turbo-diesel option in this generation, dubbed 2.0D, 2.0D-L and 2.0D-S, which had a bit less power at 108kW and was six-speed manual only. Finally, there was the big talking point, the XT and XT Premium, which were fitted with a 2.0-litre, 177kW turbocharged petrol engine and a CVT.That all sounds pretty complex, but what it meant was that there were basically three trim levels and four drivelines from which to choose. And either way, you got that boxy but practical wagon body, slightly jacked-up suspension and Subaru&rsquo;s trademark all-wheel drive.That changed a bit for the Series 2 version of the Forester SJ, with Subaru taking the opportunity to simplify the model range and sneak an uprated turbo-diesel engine on to the market. The simplification took the form of dumping the previous base models (2.0i, 2.0D and 2.5i).The diesel upgrade came with new technology and construction for better performance and efficiency, but it remained a manual-only proposition, blunting its market appeal somewhat.Finally, a Series 3 version of the SJ Forester arrived in 2016, with a slight facelift and some subtle changes to the interior. Revised damping rates and improved steering were also part of the upgrade.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/subaru-forester-101471</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
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            <title><![CDATA[KGM Actyon 2026 review: Hybrid K60]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kgm-actyon-hybrid-k60-101428</link>
            <description><![CDATA[You may have never heard of this brand before, but if I say it rose from the ashes of SsangYong, things likely make a little more sense.The KGM Actyon, which has roots as a SsangYong model dating back to 2005, is now a mid-to-large SUV based on the smaller, yet still mid-size Torres SUV.It launched initially with petrol power last year, but now a new fuel-sipping hybrid powertrain is on offer.Pricing currently starts at $50,000 drive-away for the entry-level Hybrid K50 and extends to $53,000 drive-away for the flagship Hybrid K60. The latter is on test here and it&rsquo;s $3000 more than the equivalent petrol model.It's worth noting there are hybrid versions of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V that are cheaper, but aren't as well equipped.Standard highlights include LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, a hands-free power tailgate, dual 12.3-inch displays, dual-zone climate control, black leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, plus heated outboard rear seats.Stepping up to the Hybrid K60 brings a surround-view camera, panoramic glass sunroof, rear door pull-up sunblinds and a wireless charger.One of the few things that's missing is wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You&rsquo;re required to plug your phone into one of the USB-C ports which feels a little outdated now. However, it&rsquo;s good peace of mind knowing your phone will reliably charge.In terms of the interior, the Actyon Hybrid is virtually identical to the petrol-powered equivalent. It&rsquo;s minimal, screen-heavy and looks nice, however it can be a hassle to use certain functions, like climate control, on the move. I wish there were more physical buttons on the centre stack.What I do like is the vast amount of interior space, especially in the second row and the boot. The only catch is that the hybrid misses out on a spare wheel because that's where the high-voltage battery pack goes. You get a tyre repair kit instead, sadly.The hybrid powertrain features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 150kW, which is 30kW more than the petrol trims.This is mated with an electric dedicated hybrid transmission (e-DHT) with drive sent to the front wheels only. No all-wheel-drive version is on offer.While 150kW may seem like a decent amount of power, it doesn&rsquo;t feel it in practice, especially in &lsquo;Normal&rsquo; drive mode. The throttle calibration is too tapered, making the car feel sluggish off the mark.Select &lsquo;Sport&rsquo;, however, and it&rsquo;ll almost spin the front tyres if you&rsquo;re not careful. A little too hot or cold for my liking.It doesn't help that the hybrid powertrain has a lazy logic. The system prioritises electric power, but it leans on it too much, especially at higher speeds, causing the battery charge to deplete sooner than you&rsquo;d think.As a result, the petrol engine fires up to charge up the battery pack. You can&rsquo;t hear or feel the engine start from behind the wheel, but it&rsquo;s not great to have it idling away when you&rsquo;re stopped at a traffic light.It just feels like this hybrid system isn&rsquo;t as smart or intuitive as a Toyota, Kia or Honda hybrid.This reflects the fuel consumption. KGM claims the Actyon Hybrid consumes an average of 5.5L/100km, according to ADR 81/02 combined testing, which is roughly 2.0L/100km less than the petrol equivalent.In practice I saw figures close to this when driving in the city, but on my 1050km road trip, which included plenty of rural highways, I achieved an average of 6.6L/100km. Not as efficient as a Toyota or Honda hybrid&hellip;There are the other aspects of the driving experience that are mediocre. The steering has an indirect and artificial feel and the suspension is largely compliant, but gets unsettled and bouncy over bigger bumps.There are plenty of other cars that are more enjoyable to drive, especially on long-distance journeys.The KGM Actyon hasn&rsquo;t been]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kgm-actyon-hybrid-k60-101428</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 GXL 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-gxl-101463</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 Toyota RAV4 GXL is a mid-size SUV available in front- or all-wheel drive from $48,990 before on-road costs in 2WD guise or in AWD for $52,340.Standard features for the GXL include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, privacy tinting, eight-way powered driver&rsquo;s seat, dual-zone climate control, a 10.5-inch touchscreen display for multimedia, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a wireless smartphone charger, six-speaker audio system and five USB-C ports plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a full-size spare wheel.A 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with series-parallel hybrid produces 143kW and 221Nm, just like in the rest of the range, and in both 2WD and AWD versions. It drives either the front or all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).Toyota claims it uses 4.5L of petrol (now 95RON instead of 91RON minimum) per 100km of driving, the AWD 4.6L.There&rsquo;s no ANCAP rating for the RAV4 until later this year, but Toyota anticipates five stars thanks to it being what it calls the &ldquo;safest RAV4 ever&rdquo;.Safety kit is extensive, with eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) pre-collision, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane trace, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor all standard across the range.Toyota&rsquo;s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty can be extended to seven years if you maintain your logbook servicing with Toyota, plus capped-price servicing costs just $325 per service for five years or 75,000km. Intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-gxl-101463</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Honda CR-V 2026 review: Australian first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/honda-cr-v-101469</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Honda’s CR-V has a long history in Australia. The mid-size family SUV doesn’t sell in the numbers it used to, but it’s one of the best cars in its class. And it just got more appealing. Honda has dropped all but two petrol grades and increased the number of hybrid grades from one to four. Is that enough to hold off the new Toyota RAV4?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tim Nicholson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/honda-cr-v-101469</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:01:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 GX 2026 review: snapshot]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-gx-101461</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 Toyota RAV4 GX is the entry-level variant of the mid-size SUV, available in front- or all-wheel drive from $45,990 before on-road costs in 2WD guise or in AWD for $49,340.Standard features include 17-inch dark grey alloy wheels, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, a 10.5-inch touchscreen display for multimedia, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, fabric upholstery, six-speaker audio system and five USB-C ports plus wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.It also has a space-saver spare wheel which costs $300 to upgrade to a full-sizer.Its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with series-parallel hybrid produces 143kW and 221Nm, both in 2WD and AWD variants, and drives either the front or all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT).Toyota claims it uses 4.5L of petrol per 100km of driving, the AWD 4.6L, but note it now needs 95RON as opposed to the 91RON the last generation was able to sip.Toyota doesn&rsquo;t have an ANCAP rating for the RAV4 yet, expect that later this year, but it anticipates five stars.Eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) pre-collision, emergency steering assist, full-speed active cruise control, front and rear cross-traffic alert, lane trace, automatic high beam, parking support brake and blind spot monitor are all standard across the range.Toyota&rsquo;s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty covers the RAV4, which can be extended to seven years from delivery if you maintain your logbook servicing with Toyota.Capped-price servicing costs $325 per service and is available for five years or 75,000km, with intervals every 12 months or 15,000km.&nbsp;]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-gx-101461</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
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            <title><![CDATA[Denza B5 2026 review: Leopard - off-road test]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/denza-b5-leopard-101451</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Denza, BYD's premium sub-brand, has brought its plush B5 PHEV to Australia.
The top-spec B5 Leopard is a luxury body-on-frame 4WD wagon with five seats, 16 drive modes, a low-range gear-set on the rear axle, and front and rear diff locks.
It has a packed standard features list, a premium-style interior, about 100km of electric-only driving range, and real off-road adventure potential.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marcus Craft]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/denza-b5-leopard-101451</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Ford Ranger 2026 review: Super Duty Single-cab chassis - GVM test]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/ford-ranger-super-duty-single-cab-chassis-101390</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Ford's ground-breaking Ranger Super Duty brings unprecedented load-hauling and towing abilities to the medium-sized ute segment combined with tank-tough construction and advanced off-road smarts, so is this the ultimate workhorse for tradies?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Oastler]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/ford-ranger-super-duty-single-cab-chassis-101390</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Tradies</dc:category>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Kia EV9 2026 review: GT]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kia-ev9-gt-101376</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Kia's evolution from affordable outsider to mainstream brand is complete, but can it now become a genuine premium offering? The new EV9 GT pushes the brand in terms of performance, luxury and price.
We drive this new, opulent, six-seat SUV to find out how it stacks up as both an electric vehicle and a luxury brand alternative.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kia-ev9-gt-101376</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Geely EX5 2026 review: Inspire]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/geely-ex5-inspire-101373</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In early 2026 Geely did something it really needed to. It updated the EX5 electric mid-sized SUV with a bigger battery offering more driving range.That&rsquo;s the car we're tested here, the EX5 Extended Range in top-of-the-range Inspire guise.Traditionally, model updates bring cosmetic changes like a different wheel design, restyled front bumper, a larger touchscreen inside, but Geely has addressed the biggest issue with the previous EX5 - the limited driving range.The previous EX5 had a smallish 60.22kWh battery which offered 410km of WLTP driving range for the Inspire, according to Geely.That&rsquo;s pretty low compared to rivals such as the Leapmotor C10 which offers up to 510km. The updated EX5&rsquo;s 68.39kWh battery has a range of up to 475km in the entry grade Complete and 450km in the Inspire.I asked Geely Australia why the difference in range and was told it comes down to the Inspire&rsquo;s heavier weight (it has a big glass roof) and its larger wheels.The bigger battery is really the only change made to the model in this update and a cargo cover for the boot has been added plus a mode 2 charging cable.The Inspire lists for $45,990 before on-road costs, which is $4000 more than the Complete. Those prices are up by about $1000 compared to the previous model.Standard features are identical to the pre-update model and while the Inspire gets more, it doesn&rsquo;t get much more. I think the Complete is the better buy for less money and more range with almost the same equipment.Both grades have LED headlights, proximity unlocking, 15.4-inch touchscreen and 10.2-inch instrument cluster, climate control, sat nav, wireless phone charging, power and heated front seats, vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-vehicle capability and selectable drive modes.The Inspire adds 19-inch alloy wheels (the Complete has 18s) 16-speaker Flyme stereo, power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, 256-colour ambient lighting, ventilated front seats with massaging function and front parking sensors.There&rsquo;s nothing on the Inspire&rsquo;s extra features list that seems essential to me. If anything the panoramic sunroof makes the cabin too hot in Aussie summer, power tailgates are too slow, and yes the stereo is good but the six-speaker unit in the entry grade is fine.Our car wears the new 'Jungle Green' paint which looks stunning when the sun catches and the interior was the 'Cloud White' which is a tone only available on the Inspire.The other standard interior colour for the Inspire is 'Midnight Black' and that&rsquo;s the only colour offered on the Complete grade, too. The darker upholstery is probably the smarter choice if you have kids like me or wear fake tan like me, too.It&rsquo;s a lovely cabin with comfortable and plush seats, and clean and uncluttered surfaces with a modern minimalist styling throughout.&nbsp;The big screen houses almost all controls and that is frustrating when it comes to changing the temperature or fan speed. Even the headlights are controlled through the screen.Fortunately speed displayed in the driver instrument cluster and in the clear head-up display, which is great for navigation.Cabin storage is excellent with an area under the floating centre console to store a handbag or small backpack. There are deep door pockets front and rear along with four cupholders. A large centre console bin is also good for stowing items away and under cover.The boot is sectioned into two layers with a total capacity of 410 litres which falls short of other electric mid-sized SUVs such as the Leapmotor C10 EV (581L).The EX5 is 4615mm long, making it about the same length as a Toyota RAV4 or Subaru Forester.The smooth exterior styling gives off a prestigious vibe, and while its not hugely different to other SUVs, I think it looks stylish and modern.&nbsp;Both EX5 grades are front-wheel drive with an electric motor which makes 160kW and 320Nm.&nbsp;While that&rsquo;s not a huge power figure, acceleration in the Inspire is still decent with]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/geely-ex5-inspire-101373</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[BYD Atto 1 2026 review: Premium]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/byd-atto-1-premium-101427</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Australia's cheapest-ever EV is here, in the striking shape of the perfectly-timed BYD Atto 1 Essential from $24,000. And even the up-spec Premium, as tested here, from $28,000 promises price parity with petrol equivalents. But, behind the breakthrough is a talented and refined yet ultimately flawed supermini from China. So, while the Atto 1 is inexpensive, does it represent great value?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/byd-atto-1-premium-101427</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Used Subaru Forester review: 2018-2025]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/subaru-forester-101363</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Subaru&rsquo;s Forester is one of the brand&rsquo;s most important models. In fact, based purely on sales, it&rsquo;s Subaru&rsquo;s number-one seller, but it&rsquo;s also a model that has helped bring new buyers to Subaru showrooms. And it&rsquo;s been doing that for almost three decades.The model we&rsquo;re looking at here is the 'SK' model, or fifth-gen version, sold here from 2018 to 2025 when it was replaced by the all-new sixth-gen.Gone was the turbocharged Forester XT option, and every member of the SK family (apart from the hybrid variant) was powered by the then-familiar 'FB' series of engines measuring 2.5 litres.The model line-up started with the base-model 2.5i, then moved to the 2.5i-L, then the 2.5i Premium and finally the 2.5i-S. The differences were in the level of standard equipment and safety gear, because mechanically, they were the same including the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and Subaru&rsquo;s trademark all-wheel drive platform.The 2.0-litre petrol-electric hybrid was the odd one out, with less power and performance and a slight fuel economy advantage if you could be bothered.&nbsp;Is Subaru Forester a good car?The beauty of the Forester is that it combines all the good bits of an SUV (higher ride height, ease of access and all-wheel drive grip) with the convenience and practicality of a conventional station-wagon. The car could have been one big compromise, but never has been and those who bought one often pony up for a second or third Forester as the years pass. That&rsquo;s how good the basic premise is.While it&rsquo;s not an off-roader by any stretch, the Forester&rsquo;s all-wheel drive and slightly better ground clearance give it great gravel-road abilities. This is part of the reason first responders such as country fire authorities and regional patient transport services absolutely love the Forester (and its Outback big brother).That all-wheel drive platform also infers a decent degree of safety, and that&rsquo;s paired with a knee airbag and side-curtain airbags in every variant, as well as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and Subaru&rsquo;s 'Eyesight' safety aids including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and rear cross-traffic alert. That makes for a better-than-average safety deal and, in turn, makes the Forester a good choice for younger drivers who still need a decently sized wagon body.&nbsp;Subaru Forester reliabilityMany other manufacturers would kill for a reliability record and reputation to match Subaru&rsquo;s. And while the Forester is not perfect, most owners seem to have a pretty good run with their Subarus, including the ability to turn the odometer past that expected of the opposition.The one proviso is the vehicle has been serviced absolutely by the book. The Subaru engine has lots of small oilways which can become clogged if the oil isn&rsquo;t kept fresh and clean. Details like the condition of the rubber boots on the four driveshafts are crucial, too, so they&rsquo;re not exactly maintenance-free. Then again, neither is any other car.The lack of a turbocharger on the Forester helps keeps things simple and unstressed and that&rsquo;s always good for reliability.The hybrid&rsquo;s more complex petrol-electric driveline imposes a few more complexities and EV battery-life can be a concern. A pre-purchase check of the EV battery pack is a good idea.&nbsp;Subaru Forester problemsThe bad old days of head gasket failures in Subaru engines were, unless you were really unlucky, a thing of the past by the time this model rolled around. The engine also uses life-of-engine timing chains instead of a rubber belt that needs periodic replacement.Early versions of the FB (Subaru&rsquo;s in-house code-name) were sometimes guilty of excess oil consumption which was usually traced to either a poor Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve design or faulty piston rings. The good news is these issues had been addressed by the 2015 model-year, so a 2018 or later]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/subaru-forester-101363</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Toyota RAV4 2026 review: Australian first drive]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-101418</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 Toyota RAV4 needs to be bang-on exactly what customers want, because it’s not only Toyota’s most popular model globally, it was the most popular new car in the world last year.
Has Toyota done enough to convince Australia its family SUV is still worthy of its top position? We head to the most important Aussie launch this year to find out.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-rav4-101418</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Used Mazda 3 review: 2014-2019]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/mazda-3-101354</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Thanks to the runaway success of the models that went before it, Mazda&rsquo;s take on the 3 hatch and sedan for the 2014 model year was another fine effort. Even though it was facing strong sales headwinds thanks to the then-emerging cult of the SUV, the 3 was still able to keep Mazda in the headlines for all the right reasons.Here, we&rsquo;re looking at the 3s sold new from late 2013 until 2019, namely the BM and BN series cars in Mazda-speak. Like many models, the 3 had started to grow up and out by this stage. There was a new, fresh corporate look, as well as a more sophisticated range of powertrains and expanded trim options.So, starting with the BM model, the 3 could be had as a five-door hatch or a four-door sedan, with trim levels starting at Neo, then moving through Maxx, Touring, SP25, SP25 GT and SP25 Astina. The first three of those were fitted with a new 2.0-litre engine using Mazda&rsquo;s then-novel 'SkyActiv' technology of direct-injection and high compression. All the SP25 variants got a 2.5-litre SkyActiv engine with 138kW (114kW for the 2.0L) and there was also a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel which, for the first time in a Mazda 3, could be had with an automatic transmission. Finally, all 3s were now available with a six-speed manual or a six-speed conventional automatic.The facelift, the BN was pretty much more of the same, arriving in 2016. Mazda fiddled with the specifications a little, turning the Neo and Maxx into the Neo Sport and Maxx Sport, respectively, adding autonomous emergency braking, improving cabin acoustics and dumping the slow-selling diesel engine option.&nbsp;Is Mazda 3 a good car?The short answer is yes. Quality was better than ever before with the move to the BM and BN models, and things like interior noise had been somewhat addressed (although the Mazda was still no class-leader in this area). Even better, the fuel consumption concerns of the previous models were also handled with the BM and BN. And the SkyActiv technology marked a big improvement in performance and efficiency for Mazda&rsquo;s smaller cars generally.Interiors and things like paint quality were also lauded at the time, and the Mazda is one of the models that helped elevate the image of Japanese cars generally at a time when South Korean and Chinese cars were redefining buyer expectations.Safety was good, too, with a comprehensive suite of driver aids that helped make the 3 an obvious choice for new drivers.Our only quibble would be the cab-forward styling language Mazda adopted about this time. It makes for a sportier look, but it compromises the luggage space in the hatchback.Mazda 3 reliabilityThe quality image the Mazda 3 has earned has a lot do to with its mechanical reliability. Very few recurring problems seem to crop up, and while a few cars needed replacement automatic transmissions in the early days, the problem wasn&rsquo;t a huge one overall. And many would-be buyers appreciate the fact that Mazda fitted a conventional torque-converter automatic rather than a dual-clutch or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).Some owners of manual cars reported hard shifting into some gears and a tendency for the car to jump out of third gear. In those cases the transmission design was at fault and by late 2014 Mazda had redesigned the gearbox to avoid these dramas.The diesel variant of the 3 was probably the most likely to give trouble, mainly with the turbocharger. These could die young and replacing them was the only fix.Mazda 3 problemsThe major problems you&rsquo;re likely to encounter with second-hand Mazda 3 now will be down to the abuse and neglect of the previous owner. These were great first cars for younger drivers with good safety and reliability built in. But that meant they were often neglected in terms of routine maintenance and repairs, as well as often driven by the inexperienced.So watch out for kerbed wheel rims and mangled bumpers. If you can see where repairs have been carried out they&rsquo;ve not been]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/mazda-3-101354</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 20:32:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
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                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[GAC Emzoom 2026 review: Luxury]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/gac-emzoom-luxury-101393</link>
            <description><![CDATA[GAC may not be a brand many Aussies are familiar with yet but its newest small SUV, the Emzoom Luxury, might be set to change that. ]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Emily Agar]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/gac-emzoom-luxury-101393</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[BYD Atto 2 2026 review: Premium]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/byd-atto-2-premium-101318</link>
            <description><![CDATA[BYD is on a roll with unprecedented growth and a knack for innovation consumers didn&rsquo;t know they wanted.But how does its least-expensive small SUV EV, the new Atto 2, stack up?Offered in two grades from $31,990 (all are before on-road costs) for the Dynamic and $35,990 for the Premium as tested here, the Kia Seltos-sized Atto 2 screams its value proposition from the rooftops, given the low pricing, high specification and family-friendly proportions.However, the BYD delivers less power at 130kW, a smaller battery at 51.3kWh and a lower battery range of up to 345km (all figures quoted are WLTP) than its immediate competition.For instance, Chery&rsquo;s Jaecoo J5 EV with 150kW and 58.9kWh battery starts from where the Atto 2 leaves off at $35,990, but boasts a 402km range, while its 150kW E5 (previously Omoda) Urban cousin with a 61kWh battery and 430km range is just $1000 extra.Still, none can touch the Dynamic&rsquo;s $32K starting price. And that&rsquo;s no Les Mis spec either, with keyless entry/start (driver&rsquo;s side only though), rear camera and parking sensors, climate control air-con, rain-sensing wipers, 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and digital radio. But cloth would be nice rather than the standard vinyl trim.There&rsquo;s also a decent wedge of Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) tech, including Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control.Paying $4.0K for the Premium&rsquo;s 360-degree camera set-up, 12.8-inch rotating touchscreen, heated/vented front seats with powered adjustability for the driver, an audio upgrade, glass roof (thankfully with sunshade) and roof rails are nice rather than must-haves.It also scores a trusted tyre brand (Kuhmo) in lieu of mysterious Westlake items. Speaking of which, neither offer a spare wheel. That&rsquo;s unacceptable in Australia.Which is a pity because it is clear BYD&rsquo;s engineers created a compact SUV that is stupendously user-friendly, starting with its effortless ease of entry/egress afforded by big doors and a high roofline.After taking in the airy and attractive cabin presentation, you&rsquo;ll also likely be impressed by the various and very-welcome switches on what is an invitingly clean and high-quality dash.The layout is still heavily screen-based, but at least most of the oft-used functions have hard buttons to press. They&rsquo;re neatly arranged and natural to learn, meaning the Atto 2 sidesteps the alien feel of most other software-based interiors from China. And when using the electronic displays, they&rsquo;re slick, responsive and logical.Indeed, most of the touchpoints look and feel good, from the big cupholders and inclined phone charger pad in the driver&rsquo;s eye line, to the simple column shifter and equally delightful detailing that&rsquo;s prevalent in a lot of the complementing textures deployed throughout.BYD has also looked after the big stuff, starting with a commanding driving position that helps with good all-around vision, ample (electronic) instrumentation, strong ventilation, a large glove box and all the storage you&rsquo;re ever likely to ask for.Reflecting its role as a family car (or ride share staple), the lofty rear seat is equally complete in execution, with unimpeded access, stacks of space even for taller adults, a pleasantly-angled fixed backrest and sufficient (outboard) cushion support.If you&rsquo;re into box ticking, this BYD&rsquo;s got you covered out back, with a folding centre armrest containing cupholders, USB A and C ports, a (single) rear vent, map pockets with segmented device storage, overhead lights and grab handles. Clearly, the Atto 2&rsquo;s been designed from the inside out.Further behind is a practical, sensible boot area that&rsquo;s a cinch to load and unload, with the somewhat high-set floor at least hiding extra storage underneath for cables and such. Capacity is rated at 380 litres,]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-reviews/byd-atto-2-premium-101318</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Review</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[GAC Aion V 2026 review: Luxury]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/gac-aion-v-luxury-101340</link>
            <description><![CDATA[China&rsquo;s GAC burst onto the scene in Australia earlier this year as one of the latest in a sea of new brands.It already offers a number of models locally and on test here is the GAC Aion V. Lining up as the brand's volume seller, it&rsquo;s a mid-size electric SUV rival to the likes of the BYD Sealion 7, top-selling Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X among others.Two variants are offered locally, Premium and Luxury. The latter is the focus of this review and it&rsquo;s priced from an incredibly competitive $44,590, before on-road costs. This undercuts all the aforementioned electric SUVs and is priced closer to the Geely EX5 and Leapmotor C10.For this affordable price you get a bucketload of standard equipment. Highlights include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, 14.6-inch touchscreen multimedia system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a nine-speaker sound system and leather upholstery.There are also niceties including a panoramic glass sunroof, interior ambient lighting, a centre console fridge, a fold-out second-row tray table, a heated steering wheel, plus heated and ventilated front seats with a massage function as well as heated rear seats. That&rsquo;s a lot for a car under $45K.While a lot of tech works quite well I experienced some issues reliably connecting with wireless Apple CarPlay. It would sometimes connect straight away, whereas other times it would refuse and I&rsquo;d resort to using Bluetooth instead.In terms of design, the Aion V is largely non-descript on the outside. While it looks futuristic and spaceship-like, many brands have similar design themes and this means it doesn&rsquo;t stand out from the crowd.The same can be said inside where it&rsquo;s clear GAC has drawn inspiration from Tesla. You can tell this because there is a big central touchscreen, what appears to be two wireless chargers on the centre console but is actually only one, plus scroll controls on the steering wheel.One of the few differences is there&rsquo;s thankfully a digital instrument cluster ahead of the driver which is much easier to glance at while driving.Due to the overall minimalist interior design, you need to use the central touchscreen for virtually everything. This includes changing the climate control or drive mode, toggling the heated and cooled seats, as well as altering the side mirror position. It&rsquo;s a little too dependent.It&rsquo;s even more annoying on the move because this car incessantly beeps at you when you take your eyes off the road to use the touchscreen. The driver attention monitor is too sensitive and needs a software update to either allow it to be switched off easily or change the sound and volume.I have similar frustrations with the intelligent speed limit assist, which, like the driver attention monitor, has loud chimes and defaults to 'on' status every time you hop back into the car.It&rsquo;s worth noting the Aion V received a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating based on testing conducted in 2025.Standard safety highlights include seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a surround-view camera system.The Aion V is firmly a mid-size SUV and is roughly the same size as a Toyota RAV4. Riding on a dedicated electric architecture there&rsquo;s plenty of space in the first- and second-row, plus a generous amount of boot space.Surprisingly you can opt for a space-saver spare wheel as a no-cost option which is great peace-of-mind for road trips out of town.Power comes from a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 150kW and 210Nm. While these numbers may not seem earthshattering, they get this family SUV moving along at a decent pace.Unlike many EVs, especially from new Chinese carmakers, I appreciate the fact GAC hasn&rsquo;t given the Aion V a ridiculous amount of power. A family hauler like this]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/gac-aion-v-luxury-101340</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Leapmotor B10 2026 review: Design]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/leapmotor-b10-design-101291</link>
            <description><![CDATA[If there&rsquo;s one thing you can&rsquo;t complain about in 2026 it&rsquo;s a lack of affordable electric vehicles. There are now plenty of zero-emissions options and they&rsquo;re not the kind of short-range hatchbacks you might be imagining either.Cars like the Leapmotor B10 we&rsquo;re testing here are cleverly-sized small SUVs with all the ingredients to set them up for success (and to keep away those ever-higher fuel bills).There are also options in this class and at this price-point from BYD, Chery and Jaecoo. But what sets this Leapmotor apart? Let&rsquo;s take a look.For this review we&rsquo;ve got a top-spec Leapmotor B10 Design. To get into one of these, you&rsquo;re looking at a before on-roads cost of $40,888, which puts it in a similar league to the BYD Atto 3, Chery E5, Jaecoo J5 and MG S5.All of these rivals land in a very close price radius, with most of them being more affordable than our top-spec Leapmotor, but one key difference is its significant driving range.At a WLTP-certified 434km from its 67.1kWh battery pack, it should out-drive the Chery E5 (430km), Atto 3 (345km), and Jaecoo J5 (402km) to the same measure, and you&rsquo;ll have to spend several thousand dollars more to get into the longer range versions of the Atto 3 or MG S5, at which point you may as well buy a Geely EX5 or GAC Aion V which have more range and are in a full size-category up.So, in some ways, the B10 Design is the ideal blend of spec, price and driving range in this entry-level part of the market.  @carsguide.com.au The 2026 Leapmotor B10 wears its design influences on its sleeve &#128064; #leapmotor #leapmotorb10 #ev #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound - CarsGuide.com.au   Like all Chinese cars, this Leapmotor small SUV is value-packed with highlights of its spec including generous synthetic leather interior trim, heated and ventilated seats, a 12-speaker audio system, panoramic sunroof (with powered shade, no less!), a 14.6-inch central multimedia touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Most importantly (aside from the aforementioned driving range) the brand has responded to negative feedback on the safety suite of its larger C10 SUV by adding a custom settings shortcut to the steering wheel of the B10, allowing you to pre-set a driving profile and activate it with the double-tap of a button.It&rsquo;s also very much right-sized for city slickers. It&rsquo;s a small SUV which is narrow enough to dart down laneways and easily fit in parking lots, with a big enough interior space for a growing family. At 182cm tall, I fit comfortably in all five seating positions.Drawbacks? There&rsquo;s no key? More accurately, the brand expects you to use your phone as the key, with the only back-up being a credit card thing.You tap it on the mirror to unlock, and have to place it on the wireless phone charger to start the car. It&rsquo;s weird and annoying and makes me wonder what would be so hard about having an actual remote with buttons.On the topic of buttons, the B10 hardly has any on the inside for controlling key functions. Almost everything has to be done through the central screen which is inconvenient at best and dangerous while you're trying to drive at worst.In addition, the strange flip-down cupholders are useless for holding anything which isn&rsquo;t the right-sized bottle. So, get used to putting things in the armrest box or listening to them slide around in the tray below.For a car so focused on software, what&rsquo;s on offer here is only just fine. It&rsquo;s better than some of its rivals in that the menus and shortcuts are at least logically located, but it&rsquo;s never fun scrolling through menus to find a setting which should have been a button in the first place.And the Leapmotor B10 drives surprisingly well. Like other cars in this class it&rsquo;s got soft and spongy suspension, which makes it very comfortable but means it lacks body control in the corners. It&rsquo;s not as overtly soft as the GAC]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Tom White]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/leapmotor-b10-design-101291</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Toyota HiLux 2026 review: SR5 - off-road test]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/toyota-hilux-sr5-101232</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The ninth-generation Toyota HiLux is not really new in the true sense of the word, it's an update with substance.
There are no real major mechanical upgrades to the HiLux so has Toyota done enough to warrant your attention?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marcus Craft]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/toyota-hilux-sr5-101232</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Peugeot 408 Hybrid 2026 review: GT]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/peugeot-408-hybrid-gt-101274</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Initially a 1.6-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, Peugeot's 408 is now a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder mild 'plug-less' hybrid with $10K slashed off its price tag and fuel economy to frighten the mainstream medium SUV players it now competes with. We spent a week behind the wheel to see if the new package gives this niche player more market bite. ]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/peugeot-408-hybrid-gt-101274</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +1000</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
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