After eight years of production and one prior facelift in 2021, Volvo has over all once more saddled up its real XC60 SUV for one more stint in Aussie showrooms.

Rather then constructing a recent, floor-up XC60, Volvo has chosen to revise its handiest selling mid-sizer that first went on sale globally in 2017. The XC60 facelift is in sellers now.

The upcoming facelift objectives to take care of the XC60 aggressive in opposition to premium mid-size SUV opponents, essentially the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mazda CX-60, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Lexus NX and extra.

Volvo XC60 pricing is up across the fluctuate, with the entry-diploma XC60 Plus B5 Gleaming now $1000 dearer, at $74,990. All prices are earlier than on-avenue prices.

The fluctuate stays the identical, with the B5 Darkish sitting above (now $81,990), followed by the dash-in hybrid XC60 Plus T8 Darkish ($92,990) and the Extremely T8 PHEV at the fracture of the tree for $101,990.

The freshly launched facelift of the Volvo XC60 capabilities contemporary entrance and rear bumper bars, contemporary wheel alternatives, a recent grille such as the XC90 facelift, alongside with electrical EX60 and EX90 models, and three contemporary colours: Woodland Lake (a heavily muted green), Aurora Silver and Mulberry Crimson.

Interior, the XC60 beneficial properties contemporary cupholders and an upsized 11.2-poke infotainment video display (previously 9.0 inches) which promises sooner processing and better graphics.

That’s consequently of a recent Snapdragon processor with built in Google companies and products, which Volvo claims will earnings extra from over the air updates.

The XC60 will continue to give a series of plugless or dash-in hybrid drivetrains:

B5-badged models form expend of a Forty eight-volt comfortable hybrid system coupled with a 183kW/350Nm four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and eight-velocity computerized. Blended gas financial system is 7.6L/100km.

The dash-in hybrid T8 XC60s utilise a extra highly effective four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, eight-velocity gearbox, and electrical motor mounted to the rear axle.

The T8’s blended system output is 340kW/709Nm for a heroic 1.6L/100km.

All models of XC60 form expend of a fleshy-time all-wheel drive system, which sends energy to the wheel with the most traction in slippery stipulations. The system is also able to powering trustworthy two wheels to make stronger gas financial system.

Eager-eyed readers will sing that this 2nd-expertise XC60 has already passed thru one makeover in 2021. The foremost adjustments were to the infotainment system and varied cosmetics.

Nonetheless what about the all-electrical EX60? Whereas Volvo Australia’s plot was to sell 100% electrical autos by 2026, final year its EV piece made it trustworthy over a quarter and this year’s figures dwell per 2024’s.

As such, Volvo has made up our minds to roll support that commitment, within the course of rolling out 2nd facelifts for traditional models, alongside side first the XC90 gigantic SUV and now the XC60.

An all-electrical EX60 is aloof expected to birth unhurried next year the utilization of the emblem’s SPA3 modular structure, likely with 800-volt electronics and a wealth of Geely-derived tech.

2026 Volvo XC60 facelift pricing

Prices listed are earlier than on-avenue prices

• XC60 Plus B5 Gleaming – $74,990 (up $1000)
• XC60 Extremely B5 Darkish – $81,990 (up $1000)
• XC60 Plus T8 Run-in Hybrid Darkish – $92,990 (up $600)
• XC60 Extremely T8 Run-in Hybrid Darkish – $101,990 (up $600)

With a recognition for boxy styling, brown paint, and a overall affiliation with geography lecturers fading some distance into the company’s history, Volvo has been working arduous to plan a novel recognition as an electrical-focused designate with a European namesake.

Firstly save planning to provide an all-electric lineup by 2030, Volvo now plans for 90-100 per cent of its autos to be either devoted electric autos or tear-in hybrids, with the final 0-10 per cent of autos being gentle-hybrids.

It’s no longer most likely that Volvo will ever plan a novel devoted-combustion automobile platform. In gentle of unstable EV sales, many outgoing gentle-hybrid Volvo autos will web a cosmetic and/or technological overhaul for a 2025 and former re-release.

Evidently, Volvo is hoping to precise intervening time MHEV sales whereas the realm market composes itself, and accepts the logo’s electric offerings with birth fingers.

XC90 – Facelift

Automobile kind: Colossal premium SUV, MHEV / PHEV
Initiate: Can even 2025

Volvo has confirmed its tidy flagship SUV, the XC90, will web a unprecedented facelift in Can even 2025.

Volvo’s complete facelift covers both the internal and exterior of the XC90, with key upgrades including EX90 impressed exterior styling, a novel 11.2-stride central touchscreen, and vertical air vents which toughen an overhauled horizontal dashboard.

The XC90 additionally receives novel customary equipment, alongside with adaptive dampers and optional air suspension that robotically adjusts automobile traipse high to suit driving prerequisites.

The air suspension has a maximum trot of 40mm up or 20mm down.

The facelifted Volvo XC90 will continue to be provided in three variants: The execrable model B5 MHEV, mid-spec B6 MHEV, or the differ-topping T8 PHEV – which provides around 70km (WLTP) of EV-handiest driving differ.

Expected pricing to differ between $100,000 – $130,000 in accordance to most in model MSRP for outgoing units.

Read extra: Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV overview
Peep: Aloof The Most attention-grabbing Family SUV! (Volvo XC90 Hybrid overview)

Volvo XC60 – Refresh / facelift

Automobile kind: Midsize SUV, MHEV / PHEV

Initiate: August / September 2025

Volvo has printed its world easiest-seller, the XC60, will be receiving a complete upgrade to both its exterior styling and internal invent.

As a change of constructing a novel ‘flooring up’ XC60, the model coming will be a carefully revised model of doubtlessly the most in model generation, which became as soon as launched globally in 2017.

The 2026 facelift of the Volvo XC60 aspects novel front and rear bumper bars, a novel grille similar to the XC90 facelift and electric EX60 and EX90 units, and three novel colours: Forest Lake (a carefully muted green), Aurora Silver and Mulberry Red.

Internal, the XC60 beneficial properties novel cupholders, and an upsized 11.2-stride infotainment camouflage (beforehand 9.0-inches) which guarantees sooner processing and better graphics.

Alive to-eyed readers will camouflage that this second-generation XC60 has already passed through one makeover in 2021. The main adjustments were to the infotainment arrangement and various cosmetics.

The upcoming facelift will goal to protect  the XC60 competitive against premium mid-measurement SUV competitors, essentially the BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes GLA, Mazda CX-60 and extra.

Read extra: Volvo XC60 Excellent B5 Interesting 2024 overview

Volvo ES90 – novel model

Automobile kind: Colossal premium steal-support sedan, electric

Initiate: Leisurely 2025

Australia’s tidy sedan market is a some distance bawl from the as soon as incessant sales of the Ford Falcon, Holden Commodore and Toyota Camry. Largely overshadowed by the rising SUV market (57 per cent), sedan sales made up correct 11.6 per cent of sales in 2024.

But Volvo believes its novel ES90 devoted electric tidy sedan restful has its save on the showroom flooring. Its secret? It’s barely a sedan at all. The ES90 has invent parts of both SUV and hatchback, with a 5-door ‘liftback’ invent straight from the early 90’s.

The 5-metre prolonged ES90 uses Volvo’s outgoing ‘SPA2’ 800 volt digital architecture, and is anticipated to birth in three smooth grades:

A execrable model 245kW/480Nm RWD, with 88 usable kWh NCM battery, 650km WLTP differ and 20 minute 10-80 time, mid-spec 330kW/670Nm AWD with 102kWh NCM battery and 700km WLTP differ, and differ topping 500kW/870Nm AWD efficiency.

The ES90’s largest competitors in Australia will be the $155,900 BMW i5 and $135,200 Mercedes-Benz EQE. Within the UK, the execrable model ES90 bills £69,150, which translates to approximately AUD$140,000, but pricing will most likely differ within the community.

EX30 Ghastly Nation – Odd model variant

Automobile kind: Microscopic off-avenue focused SUV, electric

Initiate: August 2025

Volvo’s compact electric SUV – the EX30, will fabricate raised suspension, all-wheel power, and optional all-terrain 18-stride tyres within the signature ‘Ghastly Nation’ smooth.

Constructed around a particular and quintessentially Swedish invent quick, Volvo claims the EX30 CC is maybe the most attention-grabbing automobile to search out the queer forests and ice lakes of Luleå.

Volvo claims a blended differ of 427km WLTP for its off-avenue focused EX30 CC. A gallant feat for a twin motor, all-wheel power powertrain which boasts 315kW and 543Nm.

The EX30 CC uses a 65 kWh usable NMC battery. Mixed consumption is quoted as 15kWh/100km, with a quick 158kW DC cost expected to steal 28 minutes.

Read extra: Volvo EX30 2024 overview

Volvo EX60 – novel model

Automobile kind: Midsize SUV, electric

Initiate: 2026

The Volvo EX60 completely has a flowery act to note. Volvo on the starting up intended the EX60 to completely replace its easiest-promoting XC60, and encourage because the Swedish designate’s novel luxurious midsize SUV.

Lately, world appetites in direction of EVs fetch slowed, and Volvo’s pledge to electrification has misplaced some of its initial bite. Volvo now plans to market the EX60 alongside the XC60 as a midsize EV SUV which slots between fellow EX40 and EX90 electrics.

We sit down up for Volvo’s EX60 to birth around Q3 or Q4 2026, with an Australian birth to note in early 2027. Its greatest competitors will be the Tesla Model Y and Audi Q6 e-tron.

At tidy, the Volvo EX60’s powertrain remains a thriller. What is significant is that the EX60 will premiere a novel ‘SPA3’ modular digital architecture platform. SPA3 will additionally encourage because the underpinning of two extra unconfirmed units slated for 2027.

Volvo has additionally printed what roughly seatbelt the EX60 will expend. In a recent press release, Volvo proudly detailed its novel AI adaptive seatbelts, that will well even merely debut on the EX60 and be match to all future Volvo units.

Read extra: Seatbelt security step forward: Volvo’s novel arrangement updateable belts to debut on EX60 electric SUV

Unconfirmed for Australia

Volvo EM90 – novel model

Automobile kind: Top price of us mover, electric

Initiate: Unconfirmed

The Volvo EM90 serves as a reminder that the Swedish company is now owned by China’s Geely. It bears a inserting resemblance to the Zeekr 009, which is additionally nested below the Geely guardian designate.

Within the Chinese language market, the EM90 aspects a 200kW rear electric motor and 116kWh battery that will well even merely hasty cost from 10-80 p.c in 30 minutes.

Despite its 2763kg kerb weight, Volvo claims the EM90 has a range of 738km, though admittedly measured on the removed from actuality CLTC sorting out customary.

Other headlining aspects of the EM90 encompass a six seat ‘captains chairs’ internal, 21-speaker Bowers and Wilkins sound arrangement, 15.4-stride infotainment touchscreen, and Volvo’s premium “Thor’s Hammer’ front LED headlights.

Australia’s marketplace for chauffeur pushed luxurious of us movers is dinky when put next with that in China. Being that the $135,900 Zeekr 009 sells around 7 objects month-to-month, it looks extremely no longer most likely that its Volvo EM90 twin will ever stare Aussie showrooms.

Volvo XC70 – novel model

Automobile kind: medium-tidy SUV, PHEV

Initiate: Unconfirmed

Long gone are the days of the quirky, off-avenue focused and unapologetic wagon. Volvo’s newly printed XC70 is a tear-in hybrid mid-measurement SUV with a great 200km (CLTC) of EV driving differ.

Volvo’s novel XC70 is built on an all-novel ‘Scalable Modular Architecture’ platform, which centralises around prolonged differ tear-in hybrid architecture. CEO Håkan Samuelsson claims the platform is an “beautiful different to customers who’re no longer yet ready for completely electric autos.”

Important aspects surrounding the combustion-engine factor of the XC70 fetch no longer yet been printed. This will well well also merely most likely be a variant of Volvo’s B4204T turbocharged petrol four-cylinder, considered within the XC60 and XC90.

For the time being, Volvo intends to market the novel XC70 exclusively to the Chinese language market, with initial orders to be taken on the dwell of the twelve months. Volvo claims it is miles “exploring most likely extra markets at a later stage.”

The principle image of the contemporary, third-generation Mazda CX-5 has surfaced on-line, with a leaked image performing on @Car Style Records on Instagram and Spanish car forum Cochespias.

Even higher, this contemporary model of Mazda’s most attention-grabbing-seller would perhaps be launched in Australia in as exiguous as six months with a house-grown hybrid machine to self-discipline the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan X-Path and additional.

The image clearly reveals a Mazda CX-5 — the volume plate supplies that away — which carefully resembles past camouflaged look for photos as properly as speculative renders.

The contemporary CX-5 surely takes styling inspiration from its top class sister car, the Mazda CX-60, which no longer too long within the past obtained a third wave of updates for the Australian market. Each vehicles exhaust Mazda’s ‘Kodo’ intention language.

The international label of the contemporary CX-5 is expected in Q3 2025, per Mazda South Africa managing director Craig Roberts, with an Australian open scheduled between leisurely 2025 and early 2026.

Headlining the open would perhaps be a recent in-house designed hybrid machine, confirmed by Mazda and expected to address the upcoming Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and unique mannequin Hyundai Tuscon Hybrid.

Final year in 2024, no topic being seven years primitive, Mazda shifted 22,835 CX-5s. It within the mean time begins at $36,740 (listing attach), and has repeatedly been Mazda’s most attention-grabbing selling mannequin in Australia, as properly as Mazda’s preferred car globally.

Read extra about Mazda’s upcoming CX-5 and highly anticipated hybrid machine right here: All the pieces We Know About the 2026 Mazda CX-5 Hybrid

Nissan has unveiled a lengthy-awaited current period Leaf, ditching its most modern hatchback device for a shrimp SUV body, and gaining a mountainous 75kWh battery which guarantees up to 570km of range.

The present Leaf has plan a perfect distance from its 2nd gen predecessor, scoring current looks and abilities sooner than its scheduled arrival in Australia between April 2026 and March 2027.

The Ouncesmarket Leaf is more seemingly initially a probability of 52kWh or 72kWh battery alongside a single, front-mounted electrical motor. Just like the current Nissan Ariya, the Leaf is built on the CMF-EV platform shared with Renault.

Charging the Nissan Leaf now makes use of a high-velocity effectively matched CCS charger inlet, inserting off the outgoing CHAdeMO fitting. Search recordsdata from a fleet 150kW DC mark from 10-80% in roughly 35 minutes.

The third-period Nissan Leaf is exclusively front wheel drive. The 52kWh battery outputs 130kW and 345Nm, while the 72kWh battery delivers 160kW and 355Nm. Every batteries are lithium-ion devices, with liquid cooling and thermal conditioning.

Inside of the third-period Leaf is a mountainous 14.3-accelerate digital dashboard, sitting flush against a 14.3-accelerate infotainment touchscreen. Underneath the multimedia conceal is a dedicated digital climate alter panel, and push-button gear selector.

Nissan claims the internal ground is ‘nearly’ flat, because of the ambiance pleasant packaging of the drivetrain and battery. Pick comely grades will additionally take advantage of a Bose sound machine with speakers built-in into the front headrests.

The present Leaf is expounded in most dimensions to the outgoing mannequin, though is a tiny shorter at merely over 4.4 metres tip to tail.

The third-period Nissan Leaf’s device is up to the moment, with crisp LED lighting and flush fit door handles. A dimming panoramic roof is fitted as customary; it’s some distance heat insulated, and might perhaps transition from clear to opaque on the touch of a button.

Nissan claims the current Leaf might perhaps private a drag coefficient of 0.25 Cd, credited to ‘aero-tuned’ 19-accelerate wheels and a flat underbody. Here is a 0.03Cd development over the outgoing Nissan Leaf (0.28Cd), nonetheless is serene fearful of the Tesla Mannequin 3’s spectacular 0.219 Cd posting.

The 2 battery decisions aren’t merely supposed for driving. Confirmed for the US market is ‘Automobile-to-Load’ (V2L) functionality, that methodology shrimp to medium  dwelling equipment can entry two 1500W shops mounted within the cabin and boot.

Meanwhile, within the European market, the Leaf gains ‘Automobile-to-Grid’, or V2G, allowing for owners to send kept, unrequired vitality relieve into the power grid.

Nissan has confirmed its supreme feature – ‘Automobile-to-Dwelling’ (V2H) – for the Japanese market. It lets in owners to send energy to their dwelling by use of the Leaf’s battery – very supreme in a blackout.

Those with solar panels will additionally take advantage of V2H, which is optimised for charging the automobile right thru the day.

This will be one feature coming to Australia. V2G is for the time being equipped by the outgoing period of Leaf alongside basically the most modern Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and has been trialled spherical the nation.

The Australian Renewable Energy Company has additionally launched a roadmap detailing most modern and future areas for bi-directional charging. It’s seemingly V2H will play an main feature for Australian households in some unspecified time in the future.

A Nissan Australia spokesperson said extra shrimp print on V2X tech might be equipped nearer to the birth of gross sales in native markets.

Nissan has but to exclaim Leaf pricing, nonetheless this could be one other indispensable element within the current EV’s success with names love the BYD Atto 3, MG S5 and Kia EV3 all beating the Japanese imprint’s EV to market vastly, with pricing starting within the mid-$40K area.

Ford is mulling the transformation of the Ranger Raptor distinguished-ute accurate into a experience-in hybrid powerhouse teaming a turbocharged petrol V6 engine with an electric motor and hybrid battery.

Making the Ranger Raptor a PHEV would assassinate two birds with one stone for Ford. The switch would safe the excessive-efficiency Ranger grand extra highly efficient, nonetheless it would additionally nick the mountainous-rig’s legitimate CO2 emissions.

The excessive pollution profile of the Ranger Raptor is an huge field for Ford in Australia since the Albanese federal authorities’s New Automobile Emissions Frequent (NVES) is now in drive—and the excessive-CO2 Raptor falls sharply unsuitable of NVES limits on emissions.

Readers is liable to be shocked to study that around one in five Ranger gross sales in Australia is of a Raptor—the head-pause, $90,440 variant which utilises a (non-hybrid) 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine producing 292kW of vitality and 583Nm of torque for a sub-6.0 2nd 0-100km/h lunge.

There’s a tag paid for the Raptor’s rorty efficiency. For owners, it’s at the bowser (with valid-world gas expend blowing out the 11.5L/100km legitimate advise), nonetheless for Ford, the punishment will seemingly be what the Raptor’s 262g/km legitimate CO2 emissions will must the company’s NVES base line.

Briefly, NVES punishes carmakers that breach an total automobile CO2 target. In 2025, the limit for mild industrial vehicles is 210g/km, nonetheless in 2029, it is build of dwelling to be accurate 110g/km. While the Raptor is seriously excessive in CO2, even the diesel V6 verisons form 222/gkm—over the limit.

But turning the Raptor accurate into a PHEV for the 2030s—or earlier—would alleviate Ford’s NVES considerations by dramatically reducing the on-paper CO2 emissions to the point where the Raptor would perchance presumably presumably even rating credits below the NVES rather than safe bigger the likelihood of fines for Ford.

Making a Ranger Raptor PHEV is fully doable in line with Ford global vp of developed product pattern, Jim Baumbick, who Chasing Automobiles quizzed at the Raptor experience-in’s European launch top week.

“You may perchance well presumably presumably presumably apply the [hybrid] system to other propulsion types. I’ll expend the F-150 as an instance. We expend our 3.5L V6 EcoBoost, coupled with a hybrid transmission, and it delivers efficiency above a V8 and enables [7.2kW] of Pro Vitality [vehicle-to-load],” stated Baumbick.

“[We are] building out the portfolio of capabilities for Ranger,” Baumbick stated. “I would allege it is the correct time for PHEV [for Ranger]. I deem that is going to launch up our clients around the advantages of electrification with none substitute-off to what the [pick-up] truck’s in a position to.”

The aforementioned F-150 PowerBoost hybrid produces 321kW/772Nm from its series-parallel hybrid powertrain, which contains a 2kWh battery and 10-tempo automatic—nonetheless the F-150 isn’t a experience-in hybrid.

If the F-150’s 3.5-litre V6 modified into teamed with the Ranger PHEV’s 75kW electric motor and a circa-15kWh lithium ion battery to form a Ranger PHEV, Chasing Automobiles estimates that its CO2 emissions would be rated around 100g/km—slashing the Raptor’s paper pollution by greater than half of.

Remodeling the Raptor accurate into a PHEV powerhouse would place a matter to the T6.2 Ranger equal or easiest the outputs of the BYD Shark 6 (321kW/650Nm) and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV (300kW/750Nm)—a excessive mission in mild of BYD openly mulling the advent of a rugged, off-roading Shark 6 neat.

The pork up to PHEV for the Raptor would perchance presumably presumably even place a matter to the distinguished-ute’s braked towing potential upgraded to 3500kg from the fresh non-hybrid V6’s 2500kg, which trails many of the range by one tonne.

For Ford, being so reliant on the excessive-CO2 Ranger ute and Everest wagon (while additionally selling comparatively few EVs), fines below NVES would perchance presumably presumably simply attain into the tens of thousands and thousands of greenbacks if the manufacturer doesn’t persuade Aussies to purchase hybrids as a replace of pure combustion engines.

It’s why Ford has impartial as of late launched the 207kW/697Nm Ranger PHEV in XLT, Sport, Wildtrak and Stormtrak guises. Combining a turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, 75kW electric motor and 11.8kWh battery slashes legitimate CO2 emissions to accurate 66g/km—four times cleaner than a Raptor.

But while the conscientious Ranger PHEV’s 3500kg towing and 6.9kW of Pro Vitality AC shops (offering juice for work instruments and other dwelling equipment) safe it a precious different to diesel, its middling vitality and mediocre 43km (WLTP) electric range a puny of limit its chilly relate.

Even a PHEV Raptor would perchance presumably presumably level-headed breeze on six-cylinder vitality in its sports modes or when its traction battery modified into exhausted. Nothing would pause Ford from integrating loud expend modes, even though in advise to rating highly on legitimate gas financial system checks, it would seemingly default to electric mode.

The 2026 Audi Q3 will take the battle to the BMW X1 and other luxurious compact SUVs with recent expertise that involves micro-LED exterior lights and a parking system that would additionally be taught utterly different manoeuvres.

Audi has published its third-generation Q3 overnight, sooner than the mannequin’s European initiating in September and its later arrival in Australia one day in 2026.

The Q3 was once Audi’s largest-promoting automobile domestically in 2024, where it performed 2nd to the larger Q5 in worldwide sales.

Rivals consist of the aforementioned X1, Mercedes GLA, Mini Countryman, Volkswagen T-Roc, and Volvo XC40.

Here’s Chasing Autos’ rapid manual to the recent Audi Q3…

Exterior procedure with micro-LED lights

The 2026 Q3 will be offered with Matrix digital headlights that comprises micro-LED expertise that bring lights capabilities tied to driver support systems. First viewed within the A8 limo, the headlight modules incorporate extra than 25,000 micro LEDs which are half the thickness of a hair follicle.

Following one other car vogue, the headlights sit down below daylight working lights – which are also now digital, that comprises 23 segments that would additionally be configured into utterly different shows by the cabin’s infotainment conceal.

Digital OLED tail-lights (and 4-ring label) can even be optionally accessible, with a plump-width slender mild strip customary across gadgets.

The front reside takes some inspiration from the emblem’s electrical big SUV, the Q6 E-Tron, even supposing the Q3’s grille remains very principal open in appreciate to its vary of combustion engines.

There’s a greatly extra athletic procedure for the most trendy Q3, that comprises blistered wheelarches, a substantial wider grille, and a customarily sportier stance that’s complemented by wider tyres than the outgoing mannequin.

The professional pictures showcase a Q3 in a recent Chronicle Inexperienced exterior paint along side an optionally accessible S Line sad exterior bundle.

Wheel sizes vary from 17 to 20 inches, with alternatives in conjunction with aerodynamic rims and Audi Sport rims.

Audi has launched pictures of the Q3 ‘SUV’ handiest for now, with a extra coupe-esteem Sportback variant to affix the road-up once extra.

The German label hasn’t supplied details yet on the recent Q3’s dimensions.

Interior

The 2026 Audi Q3 cabin is dominated by a sad upper-drag structure that contains an 11.9-roam digital instrument cluster straight sooner than the driver, and further centrally a 12.8-roam infotainment display.

As with the present Q3, the infotainment touchscreen is angled in direction of the driver. Audi references a head-up display, even supposing it’s unclear if this could perhaps be customary on all gadgets.

Bodily local climate regulate actions carry out manner for digital buttons at the underside of the touchscreen.

Transmission option also switches from a veteran gearlever to a stalk on the correct facet of the steering wheel.

This creates a cleaner, flatter centre console procedure that contains engine initiating up-halt button, audio volume and song controller, cupholders, and a sliding conceal that hides a 15-watt smartphone charging tray.

Alternatives consist of a 420-watt Sonos audio system and an illuminated fabric door panel that expands the cabin’s ambient lights.

Audi says nine within programs are on hand, with the Q3 cabin adopting elevated utilize of sustainable materials.

The flat-topped and flat-bottomed steering wheel with S label and semi-perforated leather-primarily based utterly wrapping, plus neatly bolstered fabric front seats, facets to an S Line within.

The Q3’s 2nd row of seating will again dart fore-aft to allow owners to balance passenger dwelling and boot capability.

Nonetheless, boot dwelling drops for the recent-generation mannequin. Whereas the present Q3 affords between 530 and 675 litres searching on situation of the rear seatbacks, the change mannequin’s vary is 488 to 575 litres.

Drivetrains

Will Audi Australia import the following Q3 with the headline trot-in hybrid powertrain? The approaching Fresh Vehicle Emissions Plot (NVES) could perhaps instructed the inclusion of a drivetrain that now brings a 19.7kWh battery that’s almost twice the dimensions and will increase the Q3 PHEV’s electrical vary from 51km to 120km (WLTP).

Far extra certain are a kind of petrol engines, with alternatives in conjunction with a 110kW front-force procedure, a 150kW/320Nm ‘quattrol’ all-wheel force, and a 195kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder all-wheel force.

Europe can even maintain get staunch of entry to to a 110kW front-force diesel Q3, even supposing this appears not truly for Australia taking into account the present mannequin specializes in petrol handiest.

There’s no news yet on whether the vary will in the end be again topped by a flagship RSQ3.

Driver assistance

The 2026 Q3 adds the power for the owner to educate the automobile to carry out up to 5 utterly different parking manoeuvres, up to a maximum distance of 50 metres. Audi uses the examples of sophisticated-to-get staunch of entry to garages or automobile ports, and says the driver can jump out and simply see.

Emergency assistance has been upgraded to maintain the power to force the Q3 autonomously to a stable halt at the facet of the road if there’s no response from the driver.

Visitors impress recognition also adds extra indicators, in conjunction with animal crossings and railroad crossings.

Practically four years after its native inception, Toyota Australia has confirmed that a petrol hybrid 300 Sequence Land Cruiser will open within the main half of of 2026. The drivetrain will include a assortment-parallel hybrid, 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine, and total-time four-wheel-pressure.

Toyota has not but confirmed the output of its new Land Cruiser hybrid, nonetheless claims this will doubtless presumably exceed the 227kW / 700Nm figure produced by the diesel.

We look ahead to the skill figure to match the 341kW and 790 Nm output produced by the UAE market Land Cruiser hybrid.

The introduction will bring the Toyota Land Cruiser’s powertrain providing to 2, both the new petrol-hybrid or the three.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6.

Toyota has not confirmed pricing for the 300 Sequence hybrid, nonetheless we demand it to incur a shrimp premium over the diesel.

Toyota has assured fans that intensive testing has been accomplished in rugged off-avenue environments, in conjunction with the mountains and deserts of the Heart East.

The Toyota Tundra also shares the identical powertrain in Australia and went through an intensive duration of native testing prior to its introduction.

Place apart a question to the Land Cruiser hybrid to match the 3500kg braked towing skill equipped by the diesel. Even supposing, something beyond that’s unclear and primarily the most up-to-date time.

Mahindra Head of Worldwide Operations, Sachin Arolkar, has published that an off-road SUV inspired by the present mannequin Thar diminutive SUV will be launching in Australia. What is now no longer but confirmed is the powertrain, styling, or Thar nameplate.

The outgoing Mahindra Thar is a retro-styled Jeep-esque off-roader that harkens support to Mahindra’s humble beginnings, when the firm was granted the rights to create the authentic Willys Jeep domestically in 1949.

The Thar, cherish the Jeep Wrangler and to a lesser extent the Suzuki Jimny, is a standard of living automobile. It’s on hand in India as either a two-door diminutive SUV with a 2+2 seating configuration and removable roof, or as a four-door mid-size SUV (Thar Roxx) with a extra old five-seat layout and stuck roof.

In spite of being on hand within the Indian marketplace for five years, the Thar has two predominant roadblocks which dangle averted it from coming to Oz. The principle of which is a consistent local market ask of which exceeds production capacity, and the 2nd is an ongoing factual battle with Stellantis over the Thar’s Jeep Wrangler-inspired styling.

Mahindra’s resolution is to ditch plans to carry the Thar to Oz, and as an alternative peddle a brand current mannequin in step with the Thar-e South African thought automobile. Arolkar acknowledged that “the (Thar-e) name could presumably well furthermore be assorted, but what you saw in South Africa, it’s possible you’ll presumably well presumably rating it in Australia…with ICE [rather than electric power]”.

Arolkar probed local journalists for opinions on an ‘off-road capable monocoque’, drawing inspiration from the Land Rover Defender and main to speculation surrounding future powertrains.

Being that the Thar-e thought is electric, and the mannequin we can rating is ICE, it’s extremely doubtless that this future automobile will be built on a modular platform, which will improve EV, hybrid, and ICE powerplants.

Largely, specification for the upcoming Mahindra off-roader is now no longer but known. Whether Mahindra decides to protect a Thar-primarily primarily based ladder-body chassis, manual gearbox chance, diesel engine or removable roof are four expansive questions which for now will remain unanswered.

We await nonetheless, that the future automobile will launch with a necessity of petrol-greatest combustion or hybrid energy, with a modular monocoque chassis, four doors, a fixed roof, and a disappointing ‘computerized greatest’ gearbox providing. Let’s hope Mahindra proves us spoiled.

Learn extra: Mahindra Thar 2024 overview: first off-road pressure

Two new models coming from BYD, the Atto 2 and Sealion 8, indicate the Chinese label has its finger on the heartbeat of the Australian market.

Before all the things making its debut in 2022 with the Atto 3, BYD has turn into something of an overnight success, outpacing many other Chinese challenger competitors with trusty sales results from its snappily-expanding and various showroom line-up.

And BYD’s two new models absolutely explore to hump the coattails of this success.

Each and each models are effectively packaged SUVs centered in the direction of Australian families, with promises to develop your bucks scuttle additional.

Sealion 8

The Sealion 8 is a astronomical seven-seater SUV that shares a striking resemblance both in styling and drivetrain to the emblem’s 2024 most efficient-vendor, the Sealion 6. It seems to head toe-to-toe with big name Aussie competitors esteem the Toyota Kluger hybrid, Hyundai Santa-fe hybrid, and Kia Sorento crawl-in.

It is miles equipped in China as the Tang L, measuring 5040mm long, 1996mm huge, 1760mm high, and runs on a wheelbase of 2950mm.

Two powertrains will be on hand for the Sealion 8 on birth: the ‘DM-i’, which uses a 19kWh blade battery, and ‘DM-p’, which employs a 35.6kWh blade battery.

Each and each grades reveal a 110kW/220Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, and front mounted 200kW/315Nm electric motor. The DM-p furthermore beneficial properties a rear-mounted 141kW/360Nm electric motor — meaning the DM-p will be all-wheel force, with claims of a 4.9 2nd 0-100km/h time.

The Sealion 8 DM-p boasts around 200km of EV-handiest riding vary (CLTC), a combined gasoline consumption of 5.6L/100km (NEDC), and claims a combined riding vary which surpasses 1000km. No longer homely for over 2500kg of steel.

We request pricing of around $50-60,000 for the Sealion 8, which is slated for a Q1 2026 birth.

Atto 2

Aussies are initiating to respect the establish in a shrimp, dedicated electric metropolis automobile. BYD has two: The new cheapest in the marketplace Dolphin, and effectively established Atto 3. The now confirmed Atto 2 slots neatly between these models as a promise of extra diversity.

It measures 4310mm long, 1830mm huge (other than mirrors), 1675mm sizable and runs on a wheelbase of 2620mm. Chief competitors consist of the Hyundai Kona EV, Kia EV3, and the newly launched MG S5.

The Atto 2 is constructed on the BYD e-Platform 3.0. This will likely birth in two neat ranges, Crucial and Top charge, and facets a 51kWh Blade battery and 130kW/290Nm front-mounted electric motor.

In China, the Atto 2 claims a combined vary of 312km (WLTP), 10-80 p.c establish time of 40 minutes, and a top DC establish charge of 65kW.

Within, the Atto 2 uses a 8.8-crawl digital dashboard, adaptive cruise serve an eye on, and 10.1-crawl infotainment conceal. (Top charge neat beneficial properties a 12.8-crawl infotainment).

The Atto 2 need to reach by the stop of this 365 days, with pricing in the realm of $30-40,000.

Read our global first force of the Atto 2 here.

Extra on BYD

Since its Australia inception in 2022, BYD has laid claim to several spectacular titles. It has developed a trusty foothold in the Australian market, largely owing to a various, no nonsense vary of vehicles with grand allure. Currently, BYD affords the Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 6, Sealion 7, and Shark 6.

The Dolphin compact metropolis automobile for the time being holds the title as Australia’s cheapest EV, whereas the Sealion 6 midsize crawl-in claims the title of Australia’s cheapest crawl-in hybrid.

On the identical time as, the Sealion 7 midsize EV SUV poses as a real rival to the more pricey and established Tesla Mannequin Y, with resounding affect quality, a good vary offering and trusty dynamics.

BYD also presents a staunch rival to the Tesla Mannequin 3. The Seal EV sedan all as soon as more undercuts its extra established American rival, bringing inviting styling, excellent electric riding vary, and trendy EV architectural underpinnings.

The most contemporary mannequin on the BYD cutting block all as soon as more pertains strongly to Australian patrons. The Shark 6 is a newly launched crawl-in hybrid ute, which has sparked deal of four-wheel riding debates on-line — and has equipped in the thousands.

Over 7000 Sharks relish equipped thus a long way in 2025 (YTD to 1 June). But BYD isn’t happy with true one off-avenue centered mannequin… Read our unfamiliar describe of the upcoming BYD/Denza B5 mid-size four-wheel force here.

From an totally unknown title in August 2022 when it launched its first mannequin, the Atto 3, BYD has skilled broad gross sales increase.

Basically the most novel bump in success comes from the Shark 6 ute, which has been a sport-changer within the truest sense. That mentioned, it’s no longer perfect. Basically in relation to off-avenue potential, where the Shark 6’s lack of locking differentials, low vary and solid traction administration procure let it down.

Now to no longer be became off, BYD has confirmed to Chasing Autos that this can bring a Toyota Prado and Ford Everest rivalling 4×4 wagon to Australia, doubtless within the fourth quarter of this One year. Even supposing a title is no longer formally confirmed, we understand this mannequin will seemingly be known as the Denza B5.

Talking to BYD Australia senior product manager Sajid Hasan, we had been advised “the B5 could be the principal mannequin…I’m confirming it now.”

Hasan moreover went on to claim more devices are on the wishlist, together with the Bao 8 4×4, Denza N9 broad SUV, Z9 GT sports wagon, and D9 luxurious of us mover, all of which we had a steer in.

What’s the Denza B5?

Identified in its China home market as the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard Bao 5 — slightly the mouthful — the B5 is a proceed-in hybrid 4×4 wagon measuring 4890mm long, 1970mm wide, 1920mm big and utilizing on a 2800mm wheelbase.

Even supposing a minute bit smaller and with easiest five seats, the B5 is effectively a rival for the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest, Isuzu MU-X, and GWM’s Tank vary, together with the smaller 300 and bigger Tank 500.

Adore its Shark 6 relation, the B5 sits on a ladder frame chassis and employs a ‘DMO’ proceed-in hybrid powertrain that functions an electric motor on every the entrance and rear axle. They plot energy from a 31.8kWh Blade battery for 100km of electrical-easiest utilizing vary.

A 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder works as a generator a lot of the time, despite the true fact that it could perchance perchance kick in and drive the entrance axle in obvious scenarios. The B5 has even more punch than the Shark 6, with a marvelous 505kW and 760Nm for 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.

On prime of that, the B5’s rear motor is more extremely efficient (285kW vs entrance 200kW) for a more super split between the axles. It moreover functions a digital locking centre differential and a simulated four-low mode along with electronically controlled locking differentials entrance and rear.

Off-avenue credentials are solid, then, with method, departure, and breakover angles of, 35, 32, and 20 degrees, respectively, plus 700mm wading depth and adaptive dampers.

Internal, the cabin of the auto we sat in used to be prime quality with leather-based totally mostly upholstery and many of abilities together with a pleasant 15.6-walk rotating touchscreen.

Denza B5 pricing is yet to be locked in for Australia, however don’t count on Shark 6-stage entry mark. Being the lush stamp, count on the B5 to punch up beyond $80,000, given its intensive equipment and nice outputs.

Will the B5 be worth it? We’ll must wait on and seek.

Are there any varied devices within the works for BYD and Denza?

The subsequent most definitely is the Bao 5’s bigger brother, the Bao 8 which would potentially be acknowledged as the Denza B8. It’s in accordance to the same underpinnings however with a protracted wheelbase (2920mm) and bigger general length (5195mm).

In its put of adaptive dampers, the B8 gets trick energetic prime-adjustable suspension, more inform (550kW), more leather-based totally mostly interior and the choice of seven seats. Kerb weight spikes by 500kg, despite the true fact that, to 3305kg.

On the four wheel drive aspect of issues, BYD’s Denza is moreover taking into account about a version of the tank-turning, quad electric motor powered Yangwang U8, despite the true fact that it’s extra down the be aware.

In its put, Aussies are more doubtless are the Denza N9 — a tri-motor proceed-in hybrid with the Differ Rover in its sights — added to the vary sooner. That mentioned, we’re speaking 2026 and beyond, here.

Denza could perchance moreover play a Porsche Taycan rivalling shooting brake Z9 GT, with up to 710kW blended. But every other choice would be a Zeekr 009-challengine D9 luxurious of us mover.

BYD itself is moreover having a overview to amplify, first with a new Atto 2 cheap crossover, then with varied devices within the pipeline. Now we procure a separate fable for those vehicles coming.