Celine Nolan

The Geely Starray EM-i would possibly well perchance change into the most cost-effective mosey-in hybrid (PHEV) in Australia when it launches within the neighborhood between September and December 2025, space to duke it out with the Chery Tiggo 7 Natty Hybrid for the most affordable PHEV title.

Identical in size to the Geely EX5 battery electric (BEV) midsize SUV it would part showroom space with as the emblem’s second product to initiate in Australia, the Starray EM-i will compete straight with the BYD Sealion 6, Jaecoo J7 and MG HS Natty Hybrid when it’s some distance launched in Australia.

Starray space to battle Chery Tiggo 7 for most cost-effective PHEV title

However the Starray is sensationally space to cost thousands less than its Chinese hybrid SUV compatriots. Talking with Chasing Vehicles earlier this month alongside a pre-manufacturing, factual-hand-pressure Starray, a Geely Australia product spokesperson hinted at an affordable entry tag.

“I’m death to expose you [the price],” a Geely Australia product spokesperson urged Chasing Vehicles. “We had audible gasps when EX5 pricing was as soon as announced, and I’m aiming to contain audible gasps after we notify [Starray] pricing.”

Given the entry variant of the 2-grand EX5 fluctuate starts at $40,990 plus on-toll road charges — and that the Starray PHEV is more cost effective to manufacture than the EX5 – anticipate to gape the hybrid kick off within the high $30,000 fluctuate.

The Starray PHEV’s mixture of a petroleum engine, electric motor and battery will see it offer Australian traders 83 kilometres of entirely electric fluctuate and blended fluctuate (using the battery and 51-litre gasoline tank) of 943km WLTP, with gasoline consumption of 5.9L/100km on a ‘tiresome’ hybrid battery.

That can place the Starray aggressive with its key competitors, including the Chery Tiggo 7 Natty Hybrid (74km EV fluctuate, from $39,990 driveaway), the Jaecoo J7 (90km EV fluctuate, from $47,990 driveaway), and essentially the most efficient-selling BYD Sealion 6 (circa-75km EV fluctuate, from $Forty five,500 driveaway).

“We’re going to have the selection to place it a equivalent high-tail-up to the EX5 — for the patron’s sake, it would be a straightforward offer the attach it’s seemingly you’ll perhaps perchance be no longer overwhelmed with preference,” the Geely Australia spokesperson urged Chasing Vehicles.

Geely EM-i-S mosey-in hybrid powertrain explained

Two variants of Starray had been confirmed for Australia (likely to be known as the Full and the Inspire, as per the EX5) with standard specs already locked in for the pair.

Both tidy grades part the identical powertrain, which depends mostly around a 160kW/262Nm P3 electric motor using the entrance wheels thru an ’11-in-1’ Enlighten Hybrid Transmission that contains the P3 motor, a separate P1 starter-generator motor, and diversified attend watch over devices.

Below the bonnet sits a 73kW/125Nm non-turbo petrol four-cylinder engine, which is able to flee at a fastened RPM to act as a generator for the 18.4kWh (circa-17kWh usable) LFP ‘Aegis Immediate Blade’ battery that will perhaps perchance furthermore be charged at 30kW DC speeds or up to 6.6kW AC.

This powertrain is identified interior Geely Automobile Holdings (GAH) as EM-i-S. That is for the time being the entry-stage PHEV procedure of GAH, with a minimum of five PHEV tiers sitting above EM-i-S within the Geely universe, capped by the ultra-superior EM-P/Freevoy mixture within the Zeekr 9X.

A key shortcoming of the EM-i-S procedure frail within the Starray is that it does no longer pork up the fitment of rear motors, which manner that the Starray EM-i is restricted to entrance-wheel pressure — now not just like the AWD Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

“We mediate FWD meets customer wants — [the Starray] is for daily commutes and for toll road trips on the weekend. It is match for reason,” the spokesperson urged Chasing Vehicles.

The Starray’s 4740mm length is 125mm longer than the EX5; size-vivid, the Geely PHEV slots neatly between the Outlander and Sealion 6. The Starray measures 1905mm huge and 1685mm high with weight anticipated to land around 1830kg.

Sitting atop Geely’s GEA modular skateboard platform (supporting both electric and hybrid propulsion), the Starray shares many standard laborious points with the EX5. GEA was as soon as developed between CEVT in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Geely’s Hangzhou Bay, China building facility.

Licensed points for Australia printed

Geely Australia has printed some specs for the Starray EM-i, with the entry-stage tidy grade including as standard:

• Computerized LED headlights
• Roof rails
• Rear privacy glass
• Keyless entry and birth
• 15.4-crawl central touchscreen and 10.2-crawl digital instrument cluster
• Linked car points (Geely App, over the air updates)
• Apple CarPlay from initiate
• Android Auto thru over-the-air update in Q1 2026
• Vitality-adjustable entrance seats
• Rear air vents
• 3.3kW bi-directional car-to-load functionality

The fluctuate-topping grade of Starray in Australia will add the next points:

• 19-crawl alloy wheels with Goodyear tyres
• Panoramic opening glass sunroof with sunshade
• Vitality tailgate
• 16-speaker Flyme top class stereo
• Heated and cooled entrance seats (with memory for the motive force)
• Inside of ambient lighting
• Wi-fi tool charger
• Heads-up boom

With the grade high-tail-up stated to reflect the EX5 fluctuate construction, anticipate around the Starray fluctuate-topper to appeal to a 10 percent top class over the wicked grade.

The Kia Tasman turned into once no doubt one of the most worst saved secrets and tactics within the auto world, and Kia is lastly on the cusp of officially launching its first ever ute.

First, the corporate’s first ute needs to succeed at inaugurate. Then, pattern charges ought to be justified. This in general formula extra variants to unfold the burden. Cab chassis and single cab Tasmans could be the beginning up.

However what better to amortise charges than with a Toyota LandCruiser Prado, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X rivalling Kia ‘Tasman’ SUV?

In collaboration with digital artist Theottle, we now have gotten secured unfamiliar renders exhibiting what an Australian-delivered model – with Tasman’s physique-color wheelarches – would watch worship.

‘Our’ Tasman SUV render stays devoted to the ute on the entrance, with the identical controversial headlights that float into the now-painted fenders.

It’s down the aspect where things gain animated, with the ‘Tasman’ SUV neatly integrating the rear door and take care of into that recount rear fender flare.

For the rear, the Tasman SUV no doubt steps out with a lengthy, prime-hinged tailgate and rear bumper garnish. The roof rails also lengthen the total approach to the succor, where a runt roof spoiler aids aerodynamics.

At final, the tail lights are very diverse. In preference to being runt pods on the flanks, the upper formula are joined by a strip of LED lighting fixtures broken within the centre, with the Kia label above.

Why would Kia function a Tasman SUV?

The ute is one aspect, but with excessive pattern charges and a ute panorama being posthaste disrupted by contemporary Chinese language entrants such because the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha, Kia is inclined to prefer to diversify its ladderframe offerings if it’s to succeed.

The simplest approach to realize that is rob an current choose-up, add a wagon-physique on the succor, a third row of seats, suspension that’s somewhat extra compliant, and, howdy presto, you have one thing worship the Everest, MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

It isn’t somewhat that straight forward – there’s a host of reengineering work, tuning, compliance, safety, and other hoops to jump thru. However it completely’s no longer an untrodden course — with the within the community engineered, Ranger-based completely Everest basically the most important instance.

When put next with seven-seat family SUVs worship the Kia Sorento, the ute-based completely SUV is a most neatly-liked different. Investors just like the substantial ladderframe constructing that on the total offers improved towing and off-avenue capacity, despite the truth that it could per chance attain on the expense of cabin practicality and comfort.

Kia has offered upright over 5000 Sorentos this twelve months, whereas Ford has shifted extra than 12,000 Everests, and Isuzu nearly 8000 items of MU-X.

Of the mainstream tall SUV segment, ladderframe entrants have made up the majority of sales this twelve months at 64 percent.

There could be also a most likely income below the New Vehicle Efficiency Same outdated (NVES), wherein physique-on-frame 4×4 autos worship a most likely Tasman SUV are held to a extra lenient identical outdated than monocoque items, such because the diesel Sorento.

Kia and related label Hyundai are already planning to amortise ute pattern charges, with newly appointed Hyundai Motor Firm Australia chief govt Don Romano telling Chasing Vehicles that model will attain with Tasman’s ladderframe and hybrid vitality.

Mute, rough-and-tumble SUVs are a most neatly-liked different in Australia. And there lies one bid – where else are these autos well-liked?

Now now not in emissions-mandated Europe or tariffed USA, but South East Asia. It’s the birthplace of Fortuner, MU-X and Pajero Sport.

As nicely as in Australia, Kia will ought to realize to a resolution if the industrial case is lawful globally before jumping in.

What engine would vitality a Tasman SUV?

The glaring reply is the ute’s sole single-turbo diesel four-cylinder, producing 154kW and 440Nm.

In ute-based completely SUV world, that’s no longer too far off the label for added cheap items, on the other hand the impressive Ford Everest sports actions an overtaking-friendly 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6.

Whereas it turned into once arrangement future Tasmans could per chance per chance well ranking a excessive-output V6, Chasing Vehicles understands that plugless or lunge-in hybrid vitality is extra most likely – a minimal of for the bulk of the Tasman vary.

Regardless, to retain up with the the leisure of the market a Tasman SUV would want an automatic transmission, burly-time 4×4 with a low-vary switch case, the option of a locking rear differential, and 3.5-tonne towing capacity.

When is a Tasman SUV coming?

Kia Australia turned into once no longer impending when requested whether or no longer an SUV model of the Tasman is due. The model makes a good deal of sense, even though.

Chasing Vehicles understands that a Tasman SUV is no longer within the speedy product realizing for Kia – so place a matter to a minimal of 18 months, if no longer twice that, before seeing such a automobile. That could per chance per chance well place us in 2027 or 2028.

Within the length in-between, Kia will officially inaugurate Tasman in excessive-spec twin-cab trims to media, dealers and customers later this month.

Preliminary tubbed versions will more than most likely be adopted by twin-cab chassis versions in August, then swiftly-oriented single cab chassis versions will change into accessible in slack 2025.

Kia Tasman 2025 pricing

Costs listed are national driveaway

• S 4×2 – $46,490
• S 4×4 – $Fifty three,890
• SX 4×4 – $58,490
• X-Line 4×4 – $70,990
• X-Pro – $77,990

Mazda has unveiled its third-know-how CX-5 that brings larger dimensions, a more upmarket interior, and confirmation of the midsize SUV’s first ever hybrid powertrain choice.

Essentially the latest CX-5 will reach Australian showrooms within the 2nd half of of 2026, though the petrol-electric powertrain acquired’t be on hand until 2027 at the earliest for the Japanese impress’s finest-selling mannequin.

Mazda’s designers possess again taken an evolutionary system to the CX-5’s styling, though adjustments from the outgoing mannequin are basic more essential than when the 2nd-know-how model replaced the 2012 usual after merely five years.

DESIGN & DIMENSIONS

The CX-5’s length has increased by almost 12cm to merely fearful of 4.7 metres (4690mm), making it one of the most longer vehicles in its midsize class.

That 11.5cm stretch all is accessible within the 2815mm wheelbase to tie in with Mazda’s claims for expanded rear-seat position, whereas the CX-5 is 15mm wider than earlier than.

The CX-5 seems to be visibly longer than earlier than, with particularly lengthened rear doors and a wider C-pillar.

LED headlights are complemented by double-hockey-stick DRLs, and the decrease bumper ingredients a paunchy-width consumption.

In profile, the silhouette and window shape are comparable to Mazda’s more upmarket midsize SUV, the CX-60 – though the CX-5’s bonnet is basic shorter as this also can merely proceed to accommodate four-cylinder engines rather than Mazda’s six-cylinder motors.

Gloss-shadowy sills and wheel-arch surrounds of the indicate automobile echo the unusual CX-5’s excessive-spec SP grade.

At the rear, MAZDA lettering replaces the Japanese impress’s veteran impress badge for the first time.

The tail-light compose is shut to that employed on Mazda’s larger SUVs, the CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90.

Then again, not like these items, the CX-5 has a shadowy decrease bumper as successfully as visible tailpipes.

INTERIOR

The 2026 CX-5’s cabin seems to be Tesla inspired with its combination of vast central touchscreen and intelligent and uncluttered presentation.

That 15.6-breeze infotainment repeat is the major yet to be fitted to a Mazda, and brings larger than 50 percent of further screen staunch estate over the outgoing CX-5. It ingredients the app-heavy Google Built-In connectivity system.

The fully digital driver repeat is one other enhance, changing the half of-digital, half of-analogue cluster of the outgoing mannequin.

MAZDA lettering additionally replaces a impress on the steering wheel to lend a more premium vibe to an interior that is showcased mostly with a two-tone tan leather and shadowy tidy. One other two-tone choice proven ingredients leatherette upholstery in shadowy and off-white.

CX-5 sticks with a normal gearlever rather than following the constructing for transmission stalks or toggles.

There level-headed seems to be a great deal of room on a centre console that additionally ingredients a spoil up-lid cubby, sloped smartphone charging tray, and cupholders.

One valuable disappearance: there’s no longer a rotary dial/joystick controller for the infotainment system.

REAR SEAT

Longer rear doors no longer totally wait on ingress and egress but could well lend a hand of us getting smaller young folks into youngster seats.

Mazda says rear legroom and headroom every enhance markedly, the worn helped by the very a lot longer wheelbase that’s totally 55mm shorter than the distance between the CX-60’s entrance and rear axles.

This is able to take care of one of the most key criticisms of the CX-5 since its 2012 debut.

A recline characteristic would maybe be on hand on some, or presumably all, variants, whereas a factual panoramic sunroof is additionally on hand for the first time.

BOOT SPACE

Boot position has repeatedly been somewhat average for the CX-5, but is living to enlarge for the 2026 mannequin.

Mazda is no longer yet quoting capacities, but says the CX-5’s baggage compartment gains 5.0cm in length and about 2.5cm in height – with 18mm-decrease loading height to lend a hand stow larger items comparable to bikes.

The rear seatbacks proceed within the versatile 40-20-40 spoil up configuration and also can again be flattened the utilization of convenient liberate levers.

POWERTRAIN

The vast headline alternate for the 2026 CX-5 is the basic anticipated choice of a petroleum-electric hybrid powertrain for the first time.

The novel Skyactiv Z hybrid, nonetheless, acquired’t seem until 2027 and Australia also can merely even prefer to wait until 2028.

That’s a blow for Mazda Australia, as it delays a extremely major declare rival to the market-leading Toyota RAV4 that additionally gains a toddle-in hybrid powertrain in 2026.

It’s additionally unhelpful for the logo in the case of the Current Vehicle Emissions Usual that now brings credit score or fines in response to tailpipe emissions.

Mazda is additionally ditching the 2.5-litre turbo petrol and inferior 2.0-litre from the CX-5 lineup, which is ready to depart merely the getting older Skyactiv G 2.5-litre 4-cylinder to soldier on because the sole drivetrain offering until the hybrid is sooner or later on hand.

The two.5L four has existed within the CX-5 since 2013, and can proceed to beget 140kW and 252Nm by activity of a six-tempo auto. Mazda references all-wheel force totally in its liberate, suggesting entrance-force variants were abandoned.

The CX-5 used to be Australia’s most common SUV from its first paunchy year on sale (2013) until 2019, earlier than it used to be displaced by the Toyota RAV4.

It has never dropped out of the head three sales spots within the medium SUV section in its existence to this level, with larger than 315,000 Australians buying a CX-5 since 2012.

There could be a minute Toyota off-roader coming. Shall be called the Land Cruiser Mini, it’ll be called the Land Cruiser FJ, and it could be called something assorted fully — on the opposite hand it’s certainly within the works.

With the encourage of digital artist Theottle, we maintain now imagined Toyota’s smallest ladder-framed off-roader that is anticipated to launch in 2026 in a foreign country.

In this legend, we’ve amalgamated all the pieces we know up to now about the 2026 Toyota Mini Land Cruiser FJ, along side scheme, powertrain, platform, arrival timing, and pricing.

It has been a lengthy course of, with shaky files over the final three years, but most up-to-date insider files from Japan’s Easiest Automobile, Thailand’s Headlight Mag and High Equipment Philippines give us precise hope this can was a truth.

Whether or no longer or no longer the Suzuki Jimny and Jeep Wrangler rivalling shrunken Land Cruiser will come to Australia, though, remains a thriller.

What’s going to the Land Cruiser FJ stumble on love?

With enhance from patent images unearthed by High Equipment Philippines and insider files, we’ve predicted the stumble on of the Mini Land Cruiser FJ.

Toyota has proven it isn’t apprehensive of going retro with one of the most up-to-date 250 Series Prado and the original automobile will probably channel an identical vibes. We’ve chosen square, semi-circular headlight most well-known facets, ‘TOYOTA’ lettering on the entrance grille and a elephantine entrance valance.

Down the aspect, there’s one other heritage element within the kicked-up encourage window line. LED gentle clusters drift on the exterior of the tailgate giving visible width to the auto. A swing-out tailgate carries a stout-dimension spare wheel.

We’ve imagined this automobile in a mid-spec, GXL beautiful stage that contains motorway-terrain tyres. If the Mini Land Cruiser FJ comes to Australia, build a matter to a Prado Altitude-love beautiful with chunkier tyres and better ground clearance.

Dimension-incandescent, the 5-seat Mini Land Cruiser FJ is probably to split the Corolla Depraved minute SUV and RAV4 medium SUV at round 4.5 metres lengthy.

Demand wheels pushed to all four corners of the auto to minimise overhangs, with a ground clearance of 210mm.

So whereas the original Land Cruiser FJ will probably be a bonafide 4 wheel force, its compact dimension will also merely aloof influence it a trusty city-pleasant change — a stand-in for much less succesful SUVs love the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

What platform will the Land Cruiser FJ use?

The Mini Land Cruiser FJ will use a ladder-body chassis, and is believed to be called the ‘500D’ mission internally.

We know the Mini Land Cruiser FJ is no longer going to utilise Toyota’s TNGA-F body seen within the Prado, 300 Series Land Cruiser and Lexus GX.

As a change, this can use Toyota’s IMV underpinnings. It is no longer fully clear within the occasion that they ceaselessly is the low-stamp IMV-0 under South East Asia’s Hilux Champ, or a version of the IMV2 chassis in one of the most up-to-date Hilux.

The truth that the Mini Land Cruiser FJ will also merely be built on a Hilux platform bodes well for a future Australian liberate.

What about engines?

While the Mini Land Cruiser FJ can maintain stout-time 4 wheel force, energy items are a minute extra vague.

We know there’s no hybrid — on the least at launch — and it seems to be love a 118kW 2.7-litre petrol four-cylinder will probably be popular. Also on hand down the notice ceaselessly is the 2.4-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder. Both engines are present in low-spec Hiluxes and licensed within the marketplace in Australia.

Some sources cloak the 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre turbo-diesel from the Hilux and Prado could well join within the future.

A six-tempo automatic transmission is probably to be popular, with locking centre, and most probably rear, differentials.

When is the Mini Land Cruiser FJ launching?

Toyota has no longer officially presented the launch of the Mini Land Cruiser FJ.

On the opposite hand, it’s anticipated that the original 4×4 will also merely be first proven off at this 12 months’s Japan Mobility Mumble in late October.

An on-sale date of H1 2026 has also been floated for Japanese and Thai markets. Toyota is probably to influence the Mini Land Cruiser FJ in Thailand, too.

Will the mini Land Cruiser FJ come to Australia?

There is not this kind of thing as a observe on the Mini Land Cruiser FJ coming to Australia but, though ‘Land Cruiser FJ’ has been trademarked, trail from the conventional ‘XJ10’ FJ Cruiser.

Australia has a penchant for Land Cruiser merchandise, being one of few markets to accumulate all three most up-to-date mannequin traces, being 70 Series, 250 Series and 300 Series.

Patrons here revel in 4x4s, along side gentle ones, with the Suzuki Jimny dominating the area of interest on the 2nd, managing merely about 10,000 sales final 12 months.

If the Mini Land Cruiser FJ is to succeed, this can must be priced well to boot. The nefarious Prado GX is $72,500, earlier than on-avenue charges, so a smaller mannequin would must launch at $60,000 or below.