<?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">
    <channel>
        <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>Tue, 10 Nov 2026 16:19:42 +0000</pubDate>

                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Kia Seltos Sport 2026 review: snapshot | GWM Haval Jolion hybrid rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kia-seltos-sport-103093</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Sport is the second grade in the new Kia Seltos range, above the entry-level S and below the Sport+ and GT-Line.It lists at $41,910, and is an all-hybrid offering, pairing a 1.6-litre petrol engine, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and a front-mounted electric motor to produce 112KW and 265Nm.Like the rest of the Seltos range, it has grown in every meaningful dimension over the car it replaces, which means more space for people and stuff. Boot room is a useable 483 litres VDA with the rear seats in place, and 1441L with them folded, and there&rsquo;s a temporary spare.&nbsp;Extra equipment in the Sport (versus the S) includes:18-inch alloysGloss black treatment on the grille and mirrorsMore standard safety equipment]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kia-seltos-sport-103093</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[GWM Haval H7 2026 review: Australian first drive | Toyota RAV4 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/gwm-haval-h7-103095</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Although from China, GWM is far from a newcomer; now an established brand in the local automotive landscape. To the point where its second-generation Haval H7 medium hybrid SUV has been fine-tuned for local consumption. Can it topple established favourites like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 and Toyota RAV4? Our first drive review has the answer.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/gwm-haval-h7-103095</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2026 14:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Audi RS5 2026 review: Australian first drive | BMW M3 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/audi-rs5-103086</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Originally a naturally aspirated V8-powered coupe, the Audi RS5 has evolved to become a high-tech, twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid, now offered in sedan and Avant (wagon) form. CarsGuide was invited to the Australian launch of the new iteration in Tasmania, covering some of the best driving roads in the country as well as a session on the Symmons Plains race circuit. Strap in.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[James Cleary]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/audi-rs5-103086</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 10 Nov 2026 09:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[BMW 3 Series & i3 2027 review: International first drive | Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/bmw-3-series-i3-103089</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The new BMW 3 Series and i3 are both timed to arrive around the same time in the first few months of 2027.When they rock up in dealerships, they will land with pricing that might confuse some consumers.On the petrol side, the range kicks off with the entry 320 that is priced from $83,900 plus on-road costs, while the flagship and sportiest petrol, the M350 xDrive, costs $128,900 (plus ORCs).Those prices make them between $4200 and $2500 cheaper than the higher-riding X3 SUV, which makes sense.The all-electric BMW i3, meanwhile, is for some reason more expensive compared to the iX3, with the i3 40 xDrive costing $96,900 (plus on-roads), while the flagship i3 50 xDrive costs $112,900 &ndash; making them $7000 to $7400 pricier than the mechanically similar, but more spacious battery-powered mid-size SUV.In the case of the 40 grades, that may be because the iX3 40 is rear-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive. But still, it's a big difference.Also likely to undercut the BMW i3 is its closest rival, the Mercedes C-Class Electric, with the quicker, more powerful C400 4Matic flagship priced from just $105,700, a cool $7200 less than the BMW i3 with the bigger battery and more powerful motors.What are the 2027 BMW 3 Series and the BMW i3 powered by?The combustion-powered BMW 3 Series and all-electric BMW i3 will initially just be offered with two powertrains each.On the petrol side, the range will kick off with the 320 that comes with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild hybrid that produces 155kW and 330Nm of torque for a 7.4 second 0-100km/h sprint.Sitting above that is the fast M350 xDrive, which pairs a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder mild-hybrid that produces 326kW and 580Nm of torque. Off the line, thanks to traction-boosting all-wheel drive, 0-100km/h takes just 4.1 seconds.The all-electric BMW i3, meanwhile, comes with dual motors that provides for all-wheel drive.The entry i3 40 xDrive produces 275kW and 520Nm of torque, for a 5.4-second 0-100km/h dash, while the punchier i3 50 xDrive dishes out an impressive 345kW and 645Nm of torque for a brisk 4.7 second sprint to 100km/h.Arriving later will be lower-powered single-motor versions, plus a faster-still i3 M60 xDrive that gets an uprated rear motor that raises its combined output to 450kW and 875Nm of torque for a claimed zero to 100km/h of just 3.9 seconds.If that still sounds too sedate, from the middle of 2027 a wilder M3 will debut that should be powered either by a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, or a monstrous quad-motor EV powertrain that could pump out as much as 750kW.On the combustion side, more variants are on the way, with at least one plug-in hybrid version with an EV range of more than 100km set to rock up before the end of 2027.How efficient are the 2027 BMW 3 Series and what is the BMW i3's range?All variants of the new BMW 3 Series and BMW i3 are surprisingly efficient.The 320 can average a respectable 6.5L/100km and even the powerful M350 xDrive is claimed to return a reasonable 7.5L/100km on the combined WLTP test cycle.If anything, both EV versions are even more impressive when it comes to efficiency.The i3 40 xDrive with its 82.8kWh (net) battery averages just 14.3kWh/100km, enabling it to drive up to 710km on a single charge.Choose the i3 50 xDrive and you'll struggle with the concept of range anxiety, as the combination of its 13.4kWh/100km energy consumption and massive 108.7kWh battery sees its travel up to 912km before it needs plugging in.Comparing the Mercedes C400 4Matic with its smaller 94kWh battery, and the BMW wins as it pips the Benz for efficiency (14.1kWh/100km) and range (762km).How long does it take for the 2027 BMW i3 to charge?Plug in the BMW i3 and both variants of the all-electric sedan come with impressively short 10-to-80 per cent battery refills.Employing powerful 800-volt electrics, the i3 50 variant's big battery can accept a 400kW peak charge for a 21-minute 10-to-80 per cent top-up.The small battery]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Mahoney]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/bmw-3-series-i3-103089</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 09 Nov 2026 12:10:21 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Kia Seltos S 2026 review: snapshot | Hyundai Kona rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kia-seltos-s-103080</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The S grade opens the 2026 Kia Seltos family, and it shares its hybrid powertrain with the rest of the family &ndash; a 1.6-litre petrol engine, a six-speed dual-clutch automatic, and a front-mounted electric motor. It&rsquo;s front-wheel drive and its outputs are a not-very-exciting 112KW and 265Nm.It&rsquo;s yours for $37,990 before on-road costs, or you can add the Safety Pack, which ups the active safety suite, and ups the price to $40,150.Standard equipment in the S includes:16-inch alloy wheelsRoof railsFlush door handles andLED lightingTwo-tone seats are fabricDual-zone climate controlSmart key for remote engine startTwin 12.3-inch screens5.0-inch climate panel in the middleWired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There&rsquo;s no wireless charge pad, however, which kind of defeats the purpose of the latter.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kia-seltos-s-103080</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Skoda Kamiq 2026 review: Monte Carlo | Mitsubishi ASX rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/skoda-kamiq-monte-carlo-103038</link>
            <description><![CDATA[When new back in 2020, the Skoda Kamiq was widely considered car-of-the-year material.Nowadays it&rsquo;s an oddball in an era of endless electrified SUVs, most with nearly identical interiors, inadequate chassis tunes and numb driving experiences.Still, by offering an engaging alternative with Volkswagen DNA from Eastern Europe, stuffed with an electric-free turbo engine and named after a jam-filled biscuit, the Kamiq is nothing if not unique.How does it stand scrutiny in such a different world six years on?What&rsquo;s new in the 2026 Skoda Kamiq?Unveiled in 2019, the Kamiq has sister models in the VW T-Cross and scores of others VW Group vehicles based on the sixth-gen Polo supermini&rsquo;s MQB A0 platform, so it's getting on now.All run alongside the company&rsquo;s new small electric vehicle architecture dubbed MEB+, underpinning this year&rsquo;s promising ID. Polo and its SUV spinoffs the ID. Cross and Skoda Epiq twins.These are essentially the Polo, T-Cross and Kamiq&rsquo;s respective long-term replacements, but for now the latter trio will remain in production.That brings us to the Kamiq Series II, a near-invisible facelift from 2023, led by revised lighting, updated multimedia and fresh trim.Now, from $44,990 drive-away (d/a), the Monte Carlo is the range topper, above the Select fitted with a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo that, from $33,990 d/a, represents strong value.2026 Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo standard featuresSet up with a 110kW/250Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, the Monte Carlo is Skoda-speak for sporty.Equipment levels reflect the Kamiq&rsquo;s loftier price point, and includeLED adaptive headlightsKeyless entry/startAdaptive cruise control, as part of a long list of standard advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)Auto folding/heated mirrorsHeated sports front seatsPowered driver&rsquo;s seatSports steering wheel with paddle shiftersPanoramic fixed glass roofSatellite navigationClimate controlCloth upholsteryPowered tailgate18-inch alloy wheelsThere's no T-Cross equivalent with the 1.5-litre engine, and the Kamiq is sharply priced against other sporty small SUVs from Europe, like the Renault Captur-based Mitsubishi ASX and Alfa Romeo Junior.However, it is expensive against most mainstream small SUV rivals, many of which offer electrified powertrain alternatives as well as larger interiors.Why the 2026 Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo still looks goodThis could wear Audi rings.Still looking crisp, the Kamiq has aged well, while the Monte Carlo&rsquo;s striking alloys, subtle body kit, black roof and racy trim help give it a purposeful stance. It&rsquo;s probably the best looking of all the MQB-A0-derived SUVs.Skoda was also ahead of its time with the interior design and layout, with a clean minimalism that only really needed a larger (now 9.2-inch) touchscreen and (10.2-inch) electronic instrumentation to look contemporary.What is the 2026 Skoda Kamiq Monte Carlo like inside?Small enough to be properly compact, yet big enough to be actually usable, the Kamiq offers acres of front-seat space, especially legroom. Access/egress is easy, the lofty front seats are absolutely brilliant, combining excellent comfort and support, and vision out is good.Other plus points include a fine driving position, configurable instrumentation, lots of storage (with bottle storage in the doors, a drawer under a front seat and a receptacle for the standard umbrella) and effective ventilation. And, behold! Cloth trim and a manual handbrake. Nice.Along with the fixed glass roof, glossy trim, contrasting textures and colourful stripes, they elevate the interior. It even smells premium.The rear seat is inviting too for an SUV this small. Comfy if firm fixed backrests and outboard cushions provide fine accommodation. Most usual amenities are present, including air vents, USB-C ports, grab handles and hungry door pockets, but a centre armrest is a missing and cupholders are AWOL.Further back, the Kamiq offers 400 litres of]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/skoda-kamiq-monte-carlo-103038</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 08 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Renault Master 2026 review: LWB Mid-roof - GVM test | Fiat Ducato rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/renault-master-lwb-mid-roof-103039</link>
            <description><![CDATA[It's been a long wait for a new generation of Renault's Master, but does the latest iteration of this award-winning large commercial van meet expectations for tradies and fleets alike?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Oastler]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/renault-master-lwb-mid-roof-103039</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Tradies</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Kia Seltos 2026 review: Australian first drive | Toyota Corolla Cross rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kia-seltos-103067</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The all-new Seltos is a big deal for Kia, with this all-hybrid small SUV expected to be the brand's second-best seller in Australia. That's what they think, but what really matters is what you - the buyer - thinks. So should you choose this over a Toyota Corolla Cross or any of the other army of small SUVs on sale in Australia? We put the new Seltos to the test to find out.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/kia-seltos-103067</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe 2027 review: International first drive | Porsche Taycan rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mercedes-amg-gt-4-door-coupe-103052</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe might be the most entertaining EV yet, but it's one the German brand is only too happy to charge a large premium for.When it lands in March 2027 it is expected to be priced above $350,000, before on-road costs, making it a close match for the $374,200 (plus ORCs) charged for the Porsche Taycan Turbo S.A much cheaper option is the Polestar 5 Performance ($193,100), but it can't quite match the AMG's thrust.Another option would be the BMW M5 plug-in hybrid that is also significantly more affordable ($263,400), but slower.What is the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Electric powered by?In other markets the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is available with either dual or triple motors and Mercedes-Benz Australia hasn't made up its mind which variants will be making the journey Down Under.It's a safe bet, says the local outfit, that performance car fans will be offered the mightiest GT 63 variant, but question marks hang over both the mid-spec GT 55 and entry dual-motor GT 53.Earning it the accolade of the 'most advanced EV on sale', the GT 63 and GT 55 come with three axial-flux e-motors that have been developed by a Mercedes subsidiary.Previously, you'd only find the pancake-shaped motors in exotic hybrids from Ferrari, Lamborghini or McLaren, and in the large four-door sedan they bring substantial weight savings, plus plenty of power and torque, while delivering substantial packaging benefits thanks to their compact size.Helping to achieve the massive outputs, the state-of-the-art motors are combined with an equally advanced lightweight high-performance battery.Developed with help from engineers from the Mercedes F1 team, the all-new 106kWh (usable) nickel cobalt manganese aluminium (NCMA) battery uses an anode and cathode with high silicon content, while the slim cylindrical cells are submerged in an oil bath that includes next-generation cooling tech for the benefit of high output.The result is that the most powerful GT 63 produces a dizzying 860kW of peak power, with as much as 2000Nm of torque.Those figures translate into a 0-100km/h drag race that's over in 2.4 seconds, and a 0-200km/h dash of 6.8 seconds &ndash; 0.1 seconds quicker than the AMG ONE hypercar.Top speed is 300km/h with the AMG Driver's pack.The lesser GT 55 is almost as quick (0-100km/h in 2.5 seconds), even with significantly less peak power (600kW), although torque remains herculean at 1800Nm.Finally, the entry GT 53 uses a pair of conventional motors but musters 400kW and 800Nm of torque for a brisk 0-100km/h sprint of 3.9 seconds, although its top speed drops off to 250km/h.How efficient is the 2027 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe and what's its range?The new battery and a whole host of active aerodynamics ensure all variants of the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe come with impressive efficiency and range, considering the performance on tap.Choose the entry model and, thanks to active vanes in the front grille, plus two further underbody spoilers and a pop-up rear wing, the base GT 53 comes with a slippery 0.21Cd drag coefficient, which sees versions with the smallest wheels average 15.6kWh/100km and drive up to 809km on a charge.If anything, considering how quick they are, the two triple-motor variants are even more impressive, with the front-motor disconnecting when not needed, reducing energy consumption to 17.8kWh/100km for a WLTP-verified range of 700km.Those figures are almost repeated by the flagship GT 63 which returns 17.9kWh/100km and a 696km range.Compared with models like the Porsche Taycan, the AMG sedan can travel further than the maximum 678km the fellow German can drive.How long does it take for the 2027 Mercedes AMG GT 4-Door Coupe to charge?The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is one of the fastest-charging EVs we've ever driven, but good luck trying to find a charging post Down Under that can deliver its headline 11-minute 10 to 80 per cent top-up, as the 106kWh battery pack can handle peak charging above]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[John Mahoney]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mercedes-amg-gt-4-door-coupe-103052</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2026 20:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Hyundai Staria Load 2026 review: Electric - Australian first drive | Ford Transit Custom EV rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/hyundai-staria-load-electric-103055</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Electric vehicles (EVs) and vans seems made for each other.Case in point: the new Hyundai Staria Load EV.Thanks to sheer size, the futuristic mid-sized workhorse will easily house a battery pack beneath the long cargo floor; its tall roof will mitigate any capacity losses; and a low centre of gravity benefits stability.So, is the electrification of Australia's best-selling mid-size van after the Toyota HiAce (and occasionally the Ford Transit Custom) electrifying or shocking?What&rsquo;s new in the 2026 Hyundai Staria Load Electric?There&rsquo;s only one Electric grade for now, priced from $70,990 before on-road costs.That places the Hyundai between similarly sized EVs like the LDV eDeliver5 and Farizon SV duo from China, that are up to 40 and 12 per cent cheaper respectively, and European vans such as the Transit Custom and Mercedes-Benz eVito EVs from five and 40 per cent more respectively.There are also a bunch of smaller and/or narrower e-vans that cost slightly less, including the smart new Kia PV5 and charming VW ID. Buzz Cargo.But none match the Staria&rsquo;s 450km WLTP range that comes courtesy of its bigger-than-most 84kWh battery. And all offer only half its 800V architecture&rsquo;s charging speed.Other features include:Adaptive cruise control, as part of a long list of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS)Two 12.3-inch displaysWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoWireless chargerHeat-pump enhanced climate control air-conV2L capability thanks to a power outlet out backFree five-year subscription to Hyundai&rsquo;s connected servicesHow can you spot a 2026 Hyundai Staria Load Electric?Except for the charge flap in a newly more rounded front bumper, only the badge gives the Electric game away.Unless you clock the multi-link rear suspension, which swaps out the leaf-spring arrangement from other models.What the 2026 Hyundai Staria Load Electric cabin is like insideSince launching in 2021, one of the Staria Load&rsquo;s strengths has been its quality interior.Hardy and no-nonsense in presentation, it remains a spacious, user-friendly and commendably car-like proposition.Notable are a pair of comfortable cloth seats (though no three-person arrangement is available, sadly), offering a commanding and amenable driving position.For 2026, the Staria Load&rsquo;s dash been modernised with larger touchscreens for the central multimedia and driver displays, as well as a revised climate control set-up.For this electrified application, it also brandishes a redesigned steering wheel complete with paddle shifters for multi-level regenerative-braking levels, as well as a heat pump for improved efficiency. Excellent.Another welcome inclusion is a huge central storage bin, addressing a big criticism of the pre-facelift models.Even without the optional solid rear bulkhead behind the seats, this is a comparatively quiet and refined interior.Why the 2026 Hyundai Staria Load Electric is a fine workhorse tooA cavernous cargo compartment sees no change to volume or dimensions in the Electric version.A bonus is that owners of earlier Starias can upfit straight from their existing van, saving money.Here are some key numbers:Cargo dimensions: 2607mm long, 1640mm wide, 1436mm tall, 1254mm between archesCargo capacity: 4935 litresPayload: 1005kg (vs 997kg diesel, 1039kg hybrid)Braked towing capacity is 2000kg (vs 2500kg diesel, 0kg hybrid)It&rsquo;s all business in the back, with:Dual-sliding side doorsVehicle-to-load (V2L) power outletRubber-matted floor protectionEight tie-down hooksLift-up tailgate or no-extra-cost twin barn doorsDozens of accessories are available, including extra windows, rear partitions, ladder racks, wall liners and flooring options.And, thank you, Hyundai, for the full-sized spare wheel tucked underneath.The motivation behind the 2026 Hyundai Staria Load ElectricUnder the bonnet is a 160kW, 350Nm single electric motor, driving the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. That&rsquo;s under a 23.9L]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Byron Mathioudakis]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/hyundai-staria-load-electric-103055</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Suzuki Fronx Hybrid 2026 review | Chery Tiggo 4 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/suzuki-fronx-hybrid-103037</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Suzuki Fronx has been on sale in Australia for almost 18 months and it hasn&rsquo;t necessarily flown off the shelf.Until the end of September a total of 1186 examples of this Chery Tiggo 4, Hyundai Venue, Kia Stonic and Mahindra XUV3XO-rivalling light SUV were sold. For reference, Suzuki sold almost five times as many Jimnys over the same period.However, Suzuki is still offering the Fronx in a single, range-topping trim for an appealing $29,990, drive-away.At this price point, the uber-popular Chery Tiggo 4, as well as versions of the GWM Haval Jolion are essentially lineball.  @carsguide.com.au The 2026 Suzuki Fronx still has a one-star ANCAP safety rating, even after its rear passenger seatbelt retractor failed during testing, sparking Suzuki to conduct an investigation and recall. This is because this Kia Stonic and Hyundai Venue rival still performed poorly in other areas of ANCAP&rsquo;s tests. #suzuki #suzukifronx #suv #cartok #fyp &#9836; original sound  - CarsGuide.com.au   One-star ANCAP safety rating tarnishes the Suzuki Fronx&rsquo;s imageThe Indian-built Suzuki Fronx was hit with a one-star (from a possible five) ANCAP safety rating late in 2025, just months after it launched.The Australian independent vehicle crash-testing authority noted the Fronx performed poorly in adult and child occupant protection during testing.Additionally, the rear passenger seatbelt retractor failed during one of its tests, sparking a recall and Suzuki warning to not use the rear seats. This has thankfully been rectified and a modified component has been introduced at the production facility.While the Fronx&rsquo;s physical crash-test safety performance isn&rsquo;t high, it does have the standard fare of safety features. These include:Six airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane-keep assistAdaptive cruise controlTraffic sign recognitionSurround-view cameraRear parking sensorsNotably lacking is a driver attention monitoring system and intelligent speed limit assist. Both are usually culprits of annoying chimes in other vehicles.75kW of power puts the mild in mild-hybridAnnoyingly, Suzuki markets this car as the Fronx Hybrid, which isn&rsquo;t technically correct as it's a 12V mild-hybrid, not a Toyota-style series-parallel hybrid.The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine is augmented with a tiny electric motor for total system outputs of 75kW and 136Nm.There&rsquo;s not enough oomph for electric-only driving and this renders the mild-hybrid bits as glorified engine idle stop-start.With the petrol engine there&rsquo;s only just enough performance to keep up with urban traffic. Once out on the open road the transmission is always kicking back a gear to keep up pace.On the flipside, claimed fuel consumption is fantastic. It&rsquo;s 4.9L/100km on the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle, with its 37-litre fuel tank allowing for a theoretical total range of 755km.During my testing I saw an average of 5.7L/100km, which is higher than the claim, but considerably less than more powerful rivals. Proper series-parallel hybrids, like the Toyota Yaris Cross, use less though.Humble and honest driving in the 2026 Suzuki FronxDespite the lack of grunt, there&rsquo;s a quaint charm to the Fronx, like many Suzukis. It&rsquo;s humble and honest.Around town the car feels nimble thanks to its circa-1000kg kerb weight. It&rsquo;s a joy to chuck around in the bends, though the steering does have a vague feeling off-centre.A bugbear with the mild-hybrid powertrain is the regenerative braking can engage with a shunt when easing off the accelerator.Then when coming to a complete stop the regen disengages at around 25km/h, requiring an alteration in brake pedal pressure. You get used to it but it takes a while to get your head around.The ride and comfort in such a small car defies its exterior dimensions. It&rsquo;s settled even at higher speeds, though a considerable amount of road and tyre]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/suzuki-fronx-hybrid-103037</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Polestar 5 Performance 2026 review: snapshot | Audi e-tron GT rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/polestar-5-performance-103031</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 Polestar 5 Performance is the top-spec version of this new flagship electric grand tourer (GT) in Australia.It&rsquo;s priced from $193,000, before on-road costs in Australia. While this isn&rsquo;t a small amount, it&rsquo;s around $65,000 less than the Porsche Taycan GTS, which offers comparable levels of performance.Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive set-up with outlandish total system outputs of 650kW and 1015Nm. The 0-100km/h sprint is claimed to take just 3.2 seconds.The electric motors are fed by a sizeable 112kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which allows for up to 565km of WLTP-claimed range.Thanks to an 800V electrical architecture, peak DC fast-charging is available at rates up to 350kW, whereas AC charging is offered at rates up to 11kW.Standard equipment includes the following:Gold exterior and interior highlights21-inch forged alloy wheelsMagneRide adaptive dampersMatrix LED headlightsBrembo brakesPanoramic glass sunroof4+1 seating configuration9.0-inch digital instrument cluster14.5-inch touchscreen multimedia systemGoogle Built-in and Google GeminiWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoHead-up display21-speaker Bowers &amp; Wilkins sound systemDigital rear-view mirrorMicrosuede headliner'MicroTech' upholstery made from recycled materials12-way power-adjustable front seatsHeated front seatsHeated rear seatsHeated steering wheelEven though this is a lot of standard equipment, if you want genuine Nappa leather, you&rsquo;ll need to fork out an additional $12,000. Like many luxury cars, there are a series of other cosmetic-related optional extras too which further inflate the price.The Polestar 5 hasn&rsquo;t been crash tested by ANCAP or EuroNCAP yet and is therefore unrated.However, a full suite of safety kit comes as standard across the line-up. This includes the following:Eight airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane-keep assistLane-change assistAdaptive cruise controlDriver attention monitoringIntelligent speed-limit assistFront, side and rear parking sensorsSurround-view cameraThe Polestar 5 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 160,00km. This is fairly standard for premium brands.Every Polestar 5 comes with five years of roadside assistance and logbook servicing is required every 24 months or 30,000km.At this stage Polestar hasn&rsquo;t announced servicing pricing for the Polestar 5.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/polestar-5-performance-103031</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Genesis GV80 2026 review: 3.5T Black | BMW X5 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/genesis-gv80-35t-black-103036</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Even though times are tougher now, economically, and people’s belts are a little tighter Genesis, Hyundai’s prestige spin-off, has released its GV80 line-up, which is headlined by the GV80 Black SUV and GV80 Black coupe. 
These new range-toppers – based on the GV80 Signature 3.5-litre V6 turbo-petrol all-wheel drive – are aimed at setting the gold standard for plush vehicles.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Marcus Craft]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/genesis-gv80-35t-black-103036</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Polestar 5 Dual motor 2026 review: snapshot | Porsche Taycan rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/polestar-5-dual-motor-103030</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The 2026 Polestar 5 Dual motor is the entry-level version of this flagship electric grand tourer (GT) in Australia.It&rsquo;s priced from $171,000, before on-road costs. This is around $10,000 less than the entry-level Porsche Taycan, which is notably rear-wheel drive only.Power comes from a dual-motor all-wheel-drive set-up with healthy total system outputs of 550kW and 812Nm. It&rsquo;s enough to send this car from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds.The electric motors are fed by a sizeable 112kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which allows for a WLTP-claimed range of up to 670km.Thanks to its 800V electrical architecture, peak DC fast-charging is available at rates up to 350kW, whereas AC charging is only offered at rates up to 11kW.Standard equipment includes the following:4+1 seating configurationMatrix LED headlightsBrembo brakesPanoramic glass sunroof9.0-inch digital instrument cluster14.5-inch touchscreen multimedia systemGoogle Built-in and Google GeminiWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoHead-up display10-speaker sound systemDigital rear-view mirror'MicroTech' upholstery made from recycled materials12-way power-adjustable front seatsHeated front seatsHeated rear seatsHeated steering wheelEven though this is a lot of standard equipment, if you want genuine Nappa leather, you&rsquo;ll need to fork out an additional $12,000. Like many luxury cars, there are a series of other cosmetic optional extras that further inflate the price.The Polestar 5 hasn&rsquo;t been crash tested by ANCAP or EuroNCAP yet and is therefore unrated.However, a full suite of safety kit comes as standard across the line-up. This includes the following:Eight airbagsAutonomous emergency braking (AEB)Blind-spot monitoringRear cross-traffic alertLane-keep assistLane-change assistAdaptive cruise controlDriver attention monitoringIntelligent speed-limit assistFront, side and rear parking sensorsSurround-view cameraThe Polestar 5 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, whereas the high-voltage battery is covered for eight years or 160,00km. This is fairly standard for premium brands.Every Polestar 5 comes with five years of roadside assistance and logbook servicing is required every 24 months or 30,000km.At this stage Polestar hasn&rsquo;t announced servicing pricing for the Polestar 5.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/polestar-5-dual-motor-103030</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Lepas L6 EV 2026 review: Signature - Australian first drive | BYD Atto 3 rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lepas-l6-ev-signature-103023</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Lepas is yet another brand from Chery that's launching in Australia and its first model is an electric mid-size SUV. Does it have what it takes to stand out from the crowd?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jack Quick]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/lepas-l6-ev-signature-103023</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 12:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[BYD Shark 6 2026 review: Dynamic cab-chassis - GVM test | Ford Ranger PHEV rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/byd-shark-6-dynamic-cab-chassis-103006</link>
            <description><![CDATA[BYD's recently expanded Shark 6 PHEV range now includes a cab-chassis variant. But does this new work-focused offering have the payload/towing capabilities to attract tradies and hardcore adventurers alike?]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Mark Oastler]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/tradies/byd-shark-6-dynamic-cab-chassis-103006</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Tradies</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[XPeng G6 2026 review: RWD Long Range | Zeekr 7X rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/xpeng-g6-rwd-long-range-103020</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Look out Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7, XPeng has updated its G6 and we've tested what we think is the pick of the line-up - the Rear Wheel Drive Long Range.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/xpeng-g6-rwd-long-range-103020</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Toyota bZ4X Touring 2026 review | Tesla Model Y rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/toyota-bz4x-touring-102996</link>
            <description><![CDATA[I don&rsquo;t think it&rsquo;s unfair to say that, for many, the Toyota bZ4X was underwhelming when it launched.&nbsp;It was fairly pricey, didn&rsquo;t break ground in terms of range or features, and here in Australia we were so late to the party it had been updated overseas before it even landed.Toyota has some catching up to do, and the Touring variant of the bZ4X might be just what it needs to do that.Or at least it might be if it wasn&rsquo;t $14,000 more expensive than the base 2WD bZ4X.Starting from $69,990 before on-road costs, the Touring with its larger body is the priciest of the three bZ4X grades, with the base starting at $55,990 and the standard AWD at $67,990.Admittedly, the Touring only being $2000 more expensive than the standard AWD is fair, it&rsquo;s just a big jump up from the starting point for the 2WD.Also consider the bZ4X once started from $66,000 before on-roads for the 2WD and suddenly a sub-$70K top-spec seems okay, even if it&rsquo;s not that competitive against the likes of the BYD Sealion 7 (tops out at $63,990) or the Mazda CX-6e ($56,990 for the highest spec).What features does the 2026 Toyota bZ4X Touring have?For the $70,000-plus price you&rsquo;ll end up paying drive-away for the Toyota bZ4X Touring, you could probably get the same for less:Synthetic leather upholsteryHeated and vented front seatsHeated steering wheelDual-zone climate control&nbsp;Panoramic sunroofTwo wireless phone chargers14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen7.0-inch digital driver displayFour USB-C ports (2x front, 2x rear)Vehicle-to-load (V2L - 220V/1500W)Nine-speaker JBL sound systemDAB radioBuilt-in sat-navWireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlayUnder all that there&rsquo;s a 74.7kWh battery that powers two electric motors, one front and one rear, for an all-wheel-drive system that makes 280kW of power (each motor has a max 269Nm output) and feels pretty peppy - 0-100km/h arrives in just 4.4 seconds.Test that out too many times, though, and you&rsquo;ll not get near Toyota&rsquo;s claimed range of 488km, which can be topped up from 10 to 80 per cent in about 28 minutes thanks to its fairly standard 150kW DC fast-charging (as opposed to the also-decent 22kW AC charging speed).The Touring rides on 20-inch alloy wheels with aero inserts, weighs 2065kg and is 4830mm long - 140mm longer than the standard bZ4X. It&rsquo;s 1860mm wide and 1675mm tall, and thanks to its stretched dimensions gets a 603-litre boot with the rear seats up.What is the 2026 Toyota bZ4X Touring like on the road?Given the bZ4X Touring rides on the same TNGA platform as the standard bZ4X, it should be no surprise the driving experience is similar.The Touring feels very sensible. Its steering is direct without being too sharp, and makes it easy to get into a nice flow on a winding road.The ride is compliant, though not wallowy, striking a nice balance of control and comfort - though something between the contact point and cabin is causing a bit of unnecessary road noise.Aside from the 4.4sec sprint to 100km/h, however, there&rsquo;s something a bit frustrating about controlling the bZ4X&rsquo;s speed, and that&rsquo;s a lack of one-pedal driving. The option for stronger regen and a one-pedal driving mode would help recover more energy but also make those used to EV driving more comfortable behind the wheel.Ergonomically, the driver display will probably bother some drivers - it&rsquo;s visible over the steering wheel rather than through it. Peugeot has done the same for some time and the lower wheel position is said to be less tiring for your arms, but people do not like change. I don&rsquo;t mind it.Oh, and if anything goes awry there are eight airbags and a very well-tuned safety system that doesn&rsquo;t interfere with your driving - trust Toyota to get stuff like this right, thankfullyOwnership costs of the 2026 Toyota bZ4X Touring&nbsp;Toyota&rsquo;s standard five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty covers the bZ4X Touring, of course, but the high-voltage]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Chris Thompson]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/family/toyota-bz4x-touring-102996</guid>
            <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Family</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[MG U9 2026 review: EV - Australian first drive | Toyota HiLux BEV rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mg-u9-ev-102997</link>
            <description><![CDATA[EVs have come a long way in a short time.Many electric cars have price parity with petrol cars, and now electric utes can go stride for stride with diesel workhorses&hellip; at least in some areas.MG&rsquo;s new U9 electric ute is easily the most capable zero-emissions dual-cab on the market, and even goes toe-to-toe with some of Australia&rsquo;s favourite machines.On paper it has the razzle to get your attention and on the showroom floor it has the dazzle to get you to sign on the dotted line.2026 MG U9 EV price, towing, payload, driving range and moreThere is only one variant to choose from, priced at $78,990 (before-on road costs), which is about the same as the new electric Toyota HiLux BEV.The U9 EV sits on a rugged ladder-frame chassis, which is the same type of underpinnings used by the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and more.A max towing capacity of 3500kg is something no other electric ute can do and showcases its diesel-matching capability.The HiLux BEV can only muster 2000kg, and even the standard plug-in hybrid BYD Shark 6 can only pull up to 2500kg.Payload is underwhelming at just 685kg, which means there isn&rsquo;t much load-lugging capacity if you have a full complement of passengers on board.At its heart is an enormous 102kWh Lithium-Ferro-Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a driving range of up to 430km, according to the benchmark WLTP test cycle.It can absorb up to 115kW via a DC connector, which isn&rsquo;t express and will take 42 minutes to fill the battery from 20 to 80 per cent. It can suck up a max 11kW of AC juice, which will take about 12 hours to fully recharge.Four-wheel-drive grip comes from two electric motors that pump out a combined 325kW and 700Nm. This is good enough to propel it from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds, which puts it in Ranger Raptor territory.It's an on-road warriorThere are no diff locks, high and low gears and it can only wade up to just 550mm. It does have good ground clearance at 230mm, which can be increased via plush air suspension. Approach and departure angles are 29- and 25-degrees, which is ok.MG claims the U9 EV is a lifestyle vehicle, which is code for a vehicle that won&rsquo;t tackle the harshest off-road tracks but feels more at home around town and on light adventure duties on weekends. So it fits the brief.On the road it is a capable performer, with a groundswell of torque delivering urgent shove when called upon.The U9 EV has ditched the leaf springs found in conventional load luggers for a more sophisticated multilink set-up that helps it feel more SUV like on the road.Steering is well weighted and direct, again it feels more like an SUV to steer than a ute.One thing the U9 EV can&rsquo;t hide is its bulk. It feels enormous on the road, more so than even super-sized American utes.There is good seat and steering wheel adjustment to help you find a comfy driving position. Vision is compromised out the front, with it hard to see over the giant square bonnet. It made traversing bumpy ground and short descents difficult.Luckily it has an array of sensors and cameras to help you navigate tight spots and rough terrain.It barely cracked a sweat doing a short tow test with a light caravan weighing under a tonne.As with many Chinese electric cars, safety tech is overbearing with plenty of beeps and bongs. It isn&rsquo;t the worst I&rsquo;ve experienced but still not ideal.2026 MG U9 practicality is off the chartsThe U9 EV is plenty practical, with several 220-volt powerpoints in the tray to help you charge your tools, power appliances and campsite.A front cargo space (or frunk) under the bonnet holds up to 236L, which means ute owners finally have a spot to put their shopping that won&rsquo;t scramble the eggs on the way home. And a full-size spare is standard.Step inside and the cabin is not too shabby, either.The first thing you notice is there are actually buttons and dials on the dashboard and steering wheel, giving you tactile control over climate, multimedia and driving]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/mg-u9-ev-102997</guid>
            <pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2026 09:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Polestar 3 2026 review: Rear motor | Zeekr 7X rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/polestar-3-rear-motor-102987</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Part of being a Polestar 3 owner is knowing that almost everyone you&rsquo;ll meet will ask you what a Polestar 3 is. But the other part is knowing you have what I think is one of the most exceptional electric SUVs on the planet.Print this out on a piece of paper and hand it to people who ask:The Polestar 3 is the largest SUV in Polestar's line-upIt&rsquo;s called the 3 because it&rsquo;s the third car from PolestarIt takes close to 20 minutes to chargeIt has a bit more than 600km of rangeGoodbye now2026 Polestar 3 - price down, battery upStuff you don&rsquo;t have to tell them is that this one, the one we&rsquo;ve tested, is the cheapest Polestar 3 at $116,700, before on-road costs, and that&rsquo;s because it&rsquo;s the kind with just one motor (at the rear for rear-wheel drive) and the smaller battery at 92kWh.Still, that battery in this updated Polestar 3 is bigger than the 82kWh battery in the previous version and that price is less than you would have paid for this SUV last year ($118,420, BOC).This updated Polestar 3 brings some substantial changes and if you&rsquo;re thinking about buying one your timing is good.Not only has the battery size gone up and the price down, the electric architecture has increased from 400V to 800V, which now allows it to charge at a super-fast 310kW for the Rear motor. Even higher spec Polestar 3s can charge at 350kW now.There aren&rsquo;t a great deal of 350kW chargers around yet but the Polestar 3 is future-proofed against being outdated by new tech quickly.2026 Polestar 3 - long range, remarkable efficiencyWe only had the Polestar 3 Rear motor variant for a week and despite daily driving with plenty of urban roads and motorways the 604km range (WLPT)&nbsp;was way more than we needed and we handed the SUV back with 350km of range and 68 per cent charge left in the battery.That equates to an energy efficiency of 15.4kW/h/100km. I&rsquo;ve become used to seeing 20kWh/100km for large SUVs, so this is outstanding. Polestar says you should see between 17.6-21.6kWh/100km, so we did well.The Rear motor variant might be the most affordable Polestar 3 but it has more range than the priciest Performance grade (593km) and a smidge less than the all-wheel drive Dual Motor (635km).2026 Polestar 3's rivals and closely related optionsThis entry-grade Polestar 3 is good value considering it&rsquo;s a prestige car and a rival to the closely related Volvo EX90 and Mercedes-Benz EQE.&nbsp;The standout standard features include:20-inch wheelsActive LED headlightsPower tailgatePanoramic glass roofThree-zone climate control14.5-inch display (with Android Automotive operating system)Google connected servicesApple CarPlay and Android AutoNew-gen NVIDIA computer processorHead-up display10-speaker audioWireless chargingNappa leather trim (animal welfare secured)You&rsquo;d be wise to also check out the Zeekr 7X because it's made by the same Chinese company that owns Polestar - Geely. Yes, Polestar is branded as a Swedish company and while its cars are designed in Sweden, many of Polestar's cars are made in China. However, the Australian-spec Polestar 3 is now sourced from the USA.&nbsp;2026 Polestar 3 goes avant garde but stays practicalGeely owns Polestar, Volvo and Zeekr. The brands share the same tech, but with different designs although I think Polestars and Volvos look the most similar.You can see that especially in the front and rear lighting designs and also in the minimalist interior styling.Polestars are more avant garde than Volvos and nothing proves this more than the Polestar 3 which is this brand&rsquo;s version of Volvo's tall, boxy and conservative looking EX90 SUV.There are elements to the Polestar 3&rsquo;s design that make me go &ldquo;ooohh&rdquo; and other bits which make me go &ldquo;huh?&rdquo;.Things that make me go huh? The integrated spoiler on the bonnet is the biggest one, but so is the side profile and the rear quarter panel treatment. I don&rsquo;t find it appealing and I think the]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Laura Berry]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/polestar-3-rear-motor-102987</guid>
            <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Toyota Kluger 2026 review: Grande Hybrid AWD | Hyundai Santa Fe rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-kluger-grande-hybrid-awd-102989</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Toyota is the long-serving hybrid king, but its crown is slipping as a gaggle of new petrol-electric rivals from brands new and familiar line up to take their shot.The big Kluger family SUV is the prime example.It&rsquo;s rare for a Toyota hybrid not to absolutely dominate its rivals in the sales charts, but the tastes of Australians on the look out for a big, comfy family SUV have changed.The current Kluger is more than five years old now, and not much has changed in that time except for a few nips and tucks.2026 Toyota Kluger valueWe&rsquo;re piloting the top-of-the-range Grande grade, which starts at $85,065 (before on-road costs).That&rsquo;s a pricey number, which is a cool $8000 more than the equivalent Hyundai Santa Fe, $10,500 more than the Kia Sorento and $15,000 more than the plug-in hybrid BYD Sealion 8.There are cheaper options in the range, the GX ($62,410) and GXL ($71,930).Toyota backs its vehicles with a five year/unlimited km warranty, which is the industry standard. It is starting to look underwhelming compared to seven years, and even 10-year terms offered by some rivals.Toyota&rsquo;s servicing costs still beat the competition, with the first five scheduled log book visits costing $335 each, with intervals every 15,000km or 12 months.The Kluger has everything you need, if not necessarily everything you want.The Grande gets 20-inch wheels, up from 18-inch units on lesser grades, there is LED lighting front and back, roof rails, rear spoiler and chrome covered grille.Inside buyers can expect a 12.3-inch multimedia screen - up from eight inches in the GX - and a digital driver display of the same size. A head-up display, which projects vital information such as travelling speed, prevailing speed limit and safety warnings onto the windscreen in front of the driver, is standard.There is wireless Apple CarPlay, but you&rsquo;ll need a cord to connect to Android Auto.&nbsp; The Grande is the only grade to get a wireless device charger, but all get five USB-C charging ports.Sat-nav is standard and the Grande gets an 11-speaker JBL stereo, ambient lighting, driver&rsquo;s seat memory and a panoramic sunroof.You&rsquo;ll find more in competitors for less.2026 Toyota Kluger comfortThe Kluger is like a big comfy couch.Its power-adjustable front seats are wrapped in good-quality synthetic leather and are heated and ventilated.The cabin is festooned with soft-touch materials, with supple coverings on the dash, door trims and most high-touch areas.Faux-wood inserts add to the cabin&rsquo;s living-room feel.A high seating position and plenty of steering wheel adjustment give you great vision out the front and make it easy to find a comfy driving position for all shapes and sizes.The second row can easily accommodate taller teens and adults, but the third row is best left for smaller kids.I had two child seats - one forward and one rear facing - in the second row with room for a small adult to fit in between.There are Isofix points for the two window seats in the second row and each has a seat-back anchor point. There are none in the third row.One big fail is the second row has a 60:40 split, except the 60 is on the driver&rsquo;s side. This means to load people through to the third row they either have to go through a narrow opening or do it from the road side.The boot is decent at 552 litres when five seats are deployed but it shrinks to 241L when all seven are in place, ballooning to 1150L with the second row folded down.There is a full size spare tyre.2026 Toyota Kluger drivingUnder the bonnet is the Kluger&rsquo;s crown jewel, Toyota&rsquo;s 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with three electric motors and a small battery. All this adds up to 184kW of grunt sent to all four wheels and a combined fuel use of 5.6 litres per 100km. It does require pricier premium unleaded fuel.The Kluger&rsquo;s American bent shines through the engine. It sounds gruff, with an uncanny rumble for a hybrid when you put your foot]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Dom Tripolone]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/toyota-kluger-grande-hybrid-awd-102989</guid>
            <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Mitsubishi Pajero 2026 review: Australian first drive | Toyota Prado rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/mitsubishi-pajero-102968</link>
            <description><![CDATA[This might sound a little mean, and I really don&rsquo;t mean it to, but the new Mitsubishi Pajero is, quite literally, shockingly good when you meet it in person. Shocking because, on paper, it had begun to sound a little like another Mitsubishi roll-the-arm-over special.A platform borrowed from the Mitsubishi Triton, an engine borrowed from the same ute, which was itself borrowed from the previous Triton, such is its vintage. And all from a brand without a known passion for the latest in cabin materials and technology.So it&rsquo;s a relief to finally encounter the Pajero in person and to discover that any misgivings are unwarranted. On first impressions, at least, this feels like a true return to form for Mitsubishi, and for the iconic Pajero nameplate.Modern-feeling and user-friendly techGranted, all of our time was spent in the top-spec GSR grade ($84,990), which sports the best stuff, including 20-inch black alloy wheels and the very nice two-tone camel-and-black leather trim, but even the cheapest GLS grade ($68,490) gets plenty of high-tech stuff, including twin 12.3-inch displays and a 12.3-inch driver display. All get an underbody-mounted spare wheel, too.On the price for a second, whether that's a bargain or not depends on how you see the Pajero. It's less than something like a Toyota Prado, but more than other ute-based SUVs like the Ford Everest or Isuzu MU-X.This isn&rsquo;t an ASX time machine, and nor is it a warmed-over Triton with an SUV body. It feels genuinely fresh, new and modern, and it might just be the best vehicle the brand has launched in years.To know for sure, we&rsquo;ll have to wait for the official launch later this year, but after our brief off-road sample, the signs are looking good.Pajero - old versus newMitsubishi made the deviously ingenious decision to have us lap the same off-road circuit twice &ndash; once behind the wheel of the old Pajero, and once driving the new one &ndash; and the difference was staggering.I liken it to a bit like mobile phones. The first Pajero is a clunky Blackberry, and the new one is an iPhone 18, both will perform the same basic tasks &ndash; calls, texts, emails &ndash; but the way they achieve those goals is starkly different.&nbsp;The first Pajero remains capable, but it is a rough, rugged donkey ride up the side of a mountain. The new one, with its clever traction and off-road brain, feels massively more comfortable and luxurious, with the suspension able to soak up so much more punishment before bouncing its occupants around the cabin. The steering, too, feels far more switched-on and responsive, with fewer lock-to-lock turns and far more engagement.It&rsquo;s as about as comfortable as it gets in the bone-punishing world of off-roading, and I would argue a damn site more pleasant than most dual-cab utes, including the Triton. Off-road purists might stare at you through their beards and tell you that there's something charming, romantic even, about a rough-and-ready analogue 4WD that's now missing from the modern Pajero. But these people like sleeping outside even after the invention of the flushing toilet, and so are not to be listened to.We know already that Mitsubishi has dodged electrification entirely for Pajero, and instead fitted a 2.4-litre single-turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine making 150kW and 480Nm. Despite calling it newly developed, the engine actually dates back to the Triton before the current Triton. There&rsquo;s a new eight-speed automatic on board, too, and the prerequisite 3.5-tonne towing capacity, along with a fuel use promise of around 7.0 litres per hundred kays.Is that enough power to shift a vehicle this big on a freeway overtake? I have no idea, to be honest. I don&rsquo;t think I cracked 20km/h on the off-road circuit. Still, the grunt didn&rsquo;t underwhelm.The Pajero sports Mitsi&rsquo;s off-road tech, like Super Select 4WD with 4 High and 4 Low with a centre diff lock, along with a separate switch for the rear diff lock,]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Andrew Chesterton]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/adventure/mitsubishi-pajero-102968</guid>
            <pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2026 10:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Adventure</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Leapmotor B05 Design LR 2026 review: snapshot | BYD Dolphin rival tested]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/leapmotor-b05-design-lr-102950</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The Leapmotor B05 Design is a new, would-be rival to the likes of the BYD Dolphin, GAC Aion UT and MG4, as well as petrol or hybrid hatchbacks like the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Kia K4, blending European expertise with Chinese value.&nbsp;Priced from $39,990 drive-away, this electric hatchback isn&rsquo;t the cheapest on the market, but it does come reasonably well equipped for the price.Leapmotor B05 Design standard equipment:19-inch alloy wheelsLED headlights&nbsp;8.8-inch digital driver display14.6-inch multimedia touchscreenWireless Apple CarPlay and Android AutoSatellite NavigationWireless phone chargerNFC &amp; Bluetooth keyFixed panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade12-speaker Surround Audio System&nbsp;Interior ambient lightingHeated steering wheelHeated front seatsRear centre armrest and cupholdersWhile the B05 was very much driven by the European side of the Leapmotor International operation because of its preference for hatchbacks, there&rsquo;s no doubt it has a distinctive family look to sit nicely alongside the B10 and C10 SUVs.The company says it has a &lsquo;coupe silhouette&rsquo; and a &lsquo;wide-body stance&rsquo; to give it a sporty look, which also helps it cut through the air better and help with the range. While it&rsquo;s very much a conventional five-door hatch, it does look well proportioned and inoffensive, which is a good place for Leapmotor to find itself in these early days in Australia.Inside, the overall level of design and finish has been lifted from previous Leapmotor models, and while not yet to European or even some Japanese standards, this is a clear step forward for the brand.Technology is clearly a key selling point for Leapmotor, with a lot of its marketing presentation focused on a younger demographic&nbsp;It certainly has a clean and straightforward interior, but that&rsquo;s expected from most modern cars, but in particular the Chinese. There are the two screens for all information and entertainment, but almost no buttons or switchgear.&nbsp;It means you need to either rely on the voice command, which can be hit and miss, navigate the multimedia screen menus or remember what each of the multi-purpose buttons and dials on the steering wheel do.In short, it&rsquo;s not a particularly user-friendly car to drive, especially when you&rsquo;re new and learning its controls.The digital key is a nice touch, but the need to place the NFC card into a specific spot feels like it diminishes the ease-of-use for what is a &lsquo;keyless&rsquo; car.The B05 Design is powered by a 160kW and 240Nm electric motor which, unlike most hatches these days, drives the rear wheels.&nbsp;The Design is powered by a 67.1kWh lithium phosphate battery (LFP) that provides a theoretical driving range of 482km.On the safety front, the B05 Design is equipped with enough safety features to score a five-star ANCAP rating. However, some of the systems are poorly calibrated, in particular the lane keeping assist, which diminishes what is an otherwise pleasant driving experience.]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Stephen Ottley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/leapmotor-b05-design-lr-102950</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>EV</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Used Mercedes-Benz B-Class review: 2019-2023]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/mercedes-benz-b-class-102963</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz has never been afraid to pioneer new tech, trends and styling. But you could argue the brand&rsquo;s more conventional, old-school, take on what a compact family car could be, was the B-Class&rsquo; biggest hurdle.Certainly, by the time the world arrived at 2019, and the W247 (in Benz-speak) landed in showrooms, the concept Mercedes was chasing was definitely out of fashion. While other carmakers were adding plastic wheel-arch flares, larger bumpers and a jacked-up ride height to cash in on the tidal wave of compact SUV ownership, Mercedes-Benz stuck with a more traditional people-mover concept.The writing was already on the wall, of course, and you suspect that was the mood even within M-B, as the B-Class range shrunk from a choice of engines and trim levels to a single drivetrain package and a single trim level. And by 2024, it was all over for the concept as far as Mercedes-Benz in Australia was concerned, and the B-Class disappeared from price-lists.But a lack of fashion-sense has never meant a particular car has no other redeeming features, and the Mercedes B180 (as the single model was badged) certainly had its followers. You get the feeling, however, that much of the appeal might have been an adverse reaction in some quarter to the march of the SUV. But that was never enough to sustain the B-Class as a stand-alone, single-spec model (although, like many M-Bs, there were packages the buyers could specify).Mechanically, the B180 used a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine driving through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to the front wheels. It was a five-door vehicle with seats for five and sold against vehicles like the Audi A3, BMW 2-Series Active Tourer and Volvo V40.Is Mercedes-Benz B-Class a good car?The B180&rsquo;s biggest problem was that it was simply an old-fashioned concept; a people-mover at a time when everybody wanted an SUV.But it was also flawed in terms of its driveline and the combination of the small turbocharged engine which could feel slow to build boost, and the dual-clutch transmission meant progress was not always as composed or serene as a Mercedes-Benz badge suggested.Quality, however, was better than some less recent Benzes and the multimedia system was modern and sophisticated. The B180 was also a very safe car with a great package of inclusions to keep you safe before and after a crash, including side-curtain airbags for every outboard seating position. As such, it makes decent sense for a younger or first-time driver, as well as smaller families.Mercedes-Benz B-Class reliabilityModern Mercedes-Benzes don&rsquo;t seem to share the same reputation for bank-vault reliability as some of the brand&rsquo;s previous efforts. But to be fair, the B-Class of this era was a decently reliable car.That&rsquo;s on the condition, of course, that it&rsquo;s been serviced and maintained correctly and driven appropriately.Mercedes-Benz B-Class problemsThe major problem areas with the Mercedes B180 are shared with many other cars of this era and this level of technology. Probably the main issue is the dual-clutch transmission which can be jerky on take-off and then shift harshly. Often, this is traced to old or dirty transmission fluid which a full service should solve. In some cases, the problem may be with the electronic control module for the transmission.Oil leaks are not unknown on the W247, so check under the car or on the ground where it normally parks. The fuel injectors are also somewhat prone to carbon build-up which reduces their efficiency and plays against performance and fuel economy.You should also perform a full and complete check of all the car&rsquo;s electronic functions before making a decision to purchase. Make absolutely sure that every button and switch does what it is supposed to and run through all the functions of the multimedia system. Don&rsquo;t forget to check the air-con blows cold and that the cruise-control works properly.Mercedes-Benz B-Class recallThe B180]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/luxury/mercedes-benz-b-class-102963</guid>
            <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Luxury</dc:category>
                    </item>
                <item>
            <title><![CDATA[Used Kia Sportage review: 2016-2021]]></title>
            <link>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/kia-sportage-102915</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Kia&rsquo;s Sportage model tapped into a rich vein of buyer interest when it was launched here and, by the time the QL (Kia&rsquo;s internal name for the model) range turned up, the Sportage was an established and popular franchise.Which is probably part of the reason Kia decided to make the Sportage line-up such a comprehensive one. There was only one body style; a five-door SUV wagon (which was what everybody wanted anyway) but beyond that there was lots of choice.Trim levels started with the base Si, then moved to SLi and finally to Platinum. The Platinum badge was dropped in 2017 and replaced with the GT-Line tag to bring the Sportage into line with the rest of the Kia range in Australia. At about the same time, a new variant called Si Premium was slotted in between the Si and SLi.The base version was available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 114kW or a turbo-diesel of the same size making 136kW but a lot more torque (400Nm played 192Nm).The Si Premium was a 2.0-litre petrol proposition only, but the SLi could be had with either engine as well as the option of a 2.4-litre petrol engine with 135kW. The Platinum and its replacement GT-Line, meanwhile, were available with either the 2.4-petrol or turbo-diesel engines.All variants were fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission and while the 2.0-litre versions were all front-wheel drive, the others featured an on-demand all-wheel drive system that engaged the rear axle when grip levels dictated.Is Kia Sportage a good car?The Sportage of this vintage was popular for some good reasons. It was big inside compared with its competitors and overall build quality was better than average, too. The locally-tuned suspension and steering worked wonders in making the car more comfortable and agile than it might have been, and the turbo-diesel engine option made for very frugal, relaxed motoring.On the downside, the base 2.0-litre engine felt flat and gutless, and for cars built before July 2018, the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) systems such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and forward collision warning were only available if you ponied up for the Platinum or GT-Line models.Those features became available across the board after that 2018 facelift, but some ADAS functions such as blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert were still restricted to the GT-Line variant.&nbsp;Kia Sportage reliabilityOverall, this make and model seems pretty robust and many owners have had trouble-free runs. But there is one major thing to watch and that&rsquo;s oil consumption and early engine wear on either of the petrol engines offered in the Sportage.Kia Sportage problemsThe engine problems with petrol-powered Sportages concern what&rsquo;s called piston-slap and bore scoring, both of which are symptoms of accelerated internal engine wear.There are several theories on what causes this, but debris left over from the machining process at the factory as well as poor engine design are just two of them. Either way, if your Kia Sportage engine is making a ticking or tapping noise or consuming lots of engine oil, chances are you have one of the dud engines.There was not a safety recall for this, but Kia Australia was looking at each case on its own merits. The bottom line is that a lot of petrol engines in Sportages (and other Kias) were replaced at Kia&rsquo;s cost, so that&rsquo;s the first thing you should check when assessing any second-hand Sportage; has the engine been replaced?If it has, great. If it hasn&rsquo;t, then the engine probably wasn&rsquo;t a 'bad' one in the first place. Kia&rsquo;s own database (via a dealership) should be able to determine what cars were fitted with replacement engines.We&rsquo;ve also heard of a lot of Kias of this vintage with peeling paint. White seems to be the most affected colour, and it seems as though a bad batch of paint from the supplier was the cause. Again, Kia was sorting this out on a case-by-case basis.Kia]]></description>
            <dc:creator><![CDATA[David Morley]]></dc:creator>
            <guid>https://www.carsguide.com.au/urban/kia-sportage-102915</guid>
            <pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2026 17:00:00 +1100</pubDate>
                            <dc:category>Urban</dc:category>
                    </item>
            </channel>
</rss>