WhichCar By Wheels

Subaru Australia has confirmed that it will sell its third electric vehicle locally from mid-2026 with the new Uncharted small SUV. While pricing is yet to be announced, Subaru has confirmed that it will only sell the 252kW dual-motor version at launch, one of the company’s quickest-ever production cars. Twinned with the new Toyota C-HR+, the Uncharted will beat its twin to the Australian market by around 12 months.

Dubbed ‘SEV’ or ‘sport electric vehicle’, the Subaru Uncharted will arrive in Australia only in 252kW dual-motor all-wheel drive form at least initially, gifting it the ability to sprint to 100km/h in just 5.0 seconds. Subaru’s ‘symmetrical’ all-wheel drive system will be standard equipment, while its ground clearance is 211mm so it will have reasonable off-road ability like the ICE-powered Crosstrek already on sale.

A 74.7kWh CATL battery will be standard, giving the Uncharted a WLTP-rated range of 522km. It can charge at up to 150kW, with a 10 to 80 per cent DC fast charge time of around 30 minutes, but it can also be charged at up to 22kW on an AC charger.

6

The Uncharted will feature 1500W vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality as well, allowing devices to be powered from the vehicle.

Full standard features are yet to be confirmed, but Subaru has announced available features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, LED exterior lighting, a 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers and Subaru’s full suite of active safety features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, driver attention monitoring and 360-degree camera.

Subaru Australia will confirm local pricing and specifications for the new Uncharted ahead of its mid-2026 local launch.

Those of you reading this who are bang up to date with the technical workings of your PHEV might find this hard to believe, but WhichCar by Wheels is still regularly asked how the different hybrid systems work, what they actually mean, and whether a PHEV is, in fact, an electric vehicle at all. If you own a PHEV and you charge it every day, you’re already well aware of the benefits, but if you have just bought a PHEV – or are considering buying one – understanding how they work is important.

Firstly, PHEVs have shifted subtly and it’s something that was always going to happen as the
technology was refined. The first iterations had very short electric driving ranges, sometimes as low as 30km, and once the battery was drained, that’s it, you were driving and ICE vehicle once more. Your vehicle reverted to regular petrol power, often using more than an equivalent non-PHEV version.

1

However, two things have changed with the advancement of technology. One is the distance you can travel on electric power, and the other is what the system does when the battery starts to discharge. In the case of the wildly popular dual-cab segment, the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV claim 100km and 120km pure electric range respectively. In the real world, that equates to 85km-90km for the Shark 6 and 100km-110km for the Cannon Alpha.

The second big change we’ve seen from the likes of Chery is what the system does with the battery. Rather than run it dead and then revert to petrol power, Chery’s Super Hybrid system will run the battery down to 25 per cent and then keep that in reserve, with the petrol engine acting as a generator and the powertrain still delivering the benefits of an electric vehicle.

Combine those two factors, and there’s no surprise as to why PHEVs are now as popular as they are. Data still claims that the average Aussie covers comfortably less than 50km each day commuting, meaning you’ll have more than enough charge on board to get to and from work without using a drop of petrol.

But charging remains the key. And the October 2025 study by the ABC is as alarming as it is surprising. Because if you own a PHEV and you’re not charging it whenever you can, you’re simply not making the most of it. Thanks to the smaller battery pack, compared to a full-EV, you don’t even need any expensive charging infrastructure, either. A PHEV can be charged overnight at home via a regular wall socket.

1

The exclusive data given to the ABC (out of Europe) showed just how low charging rates are for PHEVs, with employees driving company-provided PHEVs the least likely to recharge. Many of them use EV-mode as little as 20 percent of the time. Sure, they aren’t paying for the fuel, but I’d still be wanting to use as little as I could, if I had the option.

The EV Council of Australia told the ABC that Australians are, in the main, more likely to charge their PHEV more often than their European counterparts. “Australians predominantly drive their PHEVs in EV mode and charge them regularly,” EV Council CEO Julie Delvecchio told the ABC.

The EV Council’s online survey of 625 private PHEV owners found most plugged in every night, and on average, drove in EV-mode for about 65 per cent of the trip.

BYD told the ABC, though, that odometer data obtained through servicing showed that PHEVs were driven in EV mode about 50 percent of the time. Australians – broadly speaking – have better and easier access to charging at home than those in Europe, which could go part of the way to explaining why we charge more often. The counter though, is significantly more extensive public charging infrastructure in Europe.

A close mate of mine owns a GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV and does a lot of long-distance work in it. Thankfully, he’s also pretty good at keeping records. Since he bought his PHEV, he’s just ticked past 21,000km, with 4500km in electric mode. Given the amount of long distance driving he does into off-road areas, that’s not a bad return. But – and this is the kicker – he charges it whenever he can, wherever he can.

The message, then, is clear. If you own a PHEV, you already own an EV. And, you don’t need expensive fast chargers or public charging infrastructure to top it up. So, make sure you plug it in at home overnight, and if you cover the type of distance most of us do, you’ll breeze through any petrol shortage.

MG Motor Australia has announced local pricing and initial specifications for the new MG4 EV Urban, which goes on sale on April 1. Priced from just $31,990 driveaway for the entry-level model, the MG4 EV Urban is the second-cheapest electric vehicle in Australia – above the $23,990 plus on-road costs price of the BYD Atto 1, but cheaper than BYD’s larger Dolphin sibling once on-road costs are included.

Differentiated from the other MG4 that’s been on the market since 2023 thanks to its roomier cabin and comfort focus, the MG4 EV Urban will offered with two battery sizes (43kWh or 54kWh). The claimed driving range for the lower-spec MG4 EV Urban Essence 43 is 316km, with the larger battery of the Essence 54 offering 405km. A 150kW DC fast charging ability gives a 10-80 per cent charge in a claimed 30 minutes, according to MG.

The Essence 43 uses a 110kW/250Nm front-mounted electric motor, with the 54 using a slightly more powerful 118kW motor instead. The 43 weighs 1460kg and the 54 1520km (both tare mass) and measures 4395mm long, 1842mm wide, 1549mm tall and rides on a 2750mm long wheelbase. The Urban’s boot measures 382 litres with the rear seats up and 1266 litres with them folded, plus a 98 litre under-floor storage area.

7

There’s no word just yet if the new semi-solid-state battery that will be available in European-spec MG4 EV Urbans later in 2026 will make it to Australia.

The MG4 EV Urban features MG’s new “6‑in‑1” electric drive system, which is a new front wheel drive architecture that brings together multiple components into a single compact unit. According to MG, the design reduces overall system weight and increases passenger and luggage space by 20 per cent compared with the regular MG4.

Standard features for the MG4 EV Urban Essence 43 include 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, dusk-sensing automatic LED exterior lighting, heated/auto-folding mirrors, keyless entry and start, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, single-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents, a 12.8-inch touchscreen with live services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, three USB-C charging ports and safety features like seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beam and a 360-degree camera.

The MG4 EV Urban will be available to test drive and order from MG dealerships from April 1, and will also be showcased at the upcoming Melbourne Motor Show from April 10-12.

The GWM Ora range is set to expand in Australia, with the Chinese brand’s electric Ora 5 small SUV already all-but confirmed to join the local line-up in the middle of this year.

But that could be bolstered further if GWM’s local arm decides to bring in the new Ora 5 hybrid (HEV) which made its debut at the Bangkok motor show in Thailand earlier this week.

1

While there has been no confirmation the hybrid variants will make its way to Australia, any such move would make sense, given the current demand in Australia for HEVs of all shapes and sizes.

A small SUV, the GWM Ora 5 HEV would go toe-to-toe with hybrid variants of Toyota Corolla Cross, Chery Tiggo 4 and fellow GWM stablemate, Haval Jolion.

Powering the Ora 5 HEV is a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol paired with a single electric motor producing a combined 164kW and a healthy 476Nm. GWM claims a fuel consumption figure of around 4.3L/100km.

1

The battery-electric Ora 5 is powered by a single electric motor driving the front wheels good for 150kW and 260Nm. A 58.3kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides a claimed 520km of range, based on the more lenient NEDC laboratory testing cycle.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed by the Australian arm of GWM, however it’s likely to cost more than the GWM Ora electric hatchback which is currently priced from $35,990 drive-away.

The GWM Ora 5 EV will trade sales blows with BYD Atto 2, Chery E5 and Leapmotor B10. All are priced under $40,000.

Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda has told journalists more than once in the last few years that he wanted a return of what he calls the manufacturer’s ‘three brothers’ – Supra (main), Celica and MR2. Now we know that the Celica is ready to make a comeback.

Autocar has now reported that Toyota will consider a 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain for it’s highly anticipated Celica reboot, with the British outlet also reporting it is likely to be called Celica Sport. Whichcar by Wheels first reported the return of the Celica nameplate in November 2024, when Toyoda told journalists at Rally Japan, “I’m not sure if it’s ok to say this in a public forum, but we’re doing the Celica!”

Earlier in March 2026 what appeared to be the new sports coupe was spotted in shakedown testing in Portugal ahead of the 2027 World Rally Championship. Now Autocar has been told of the likely naming convention, while Toyota has confirmed that it will be AWD.

Gazoo Racing marketing manager Mikio Hayashi told the outlet that the powertrain is taking shape.

1

“The displacement of 1.6 litres, used in the GR Yaris, for example, cannot meet emission regulations,” he said. “So we have to consider the possibility of a 2.0-litre.”

More detail on the engine wasn’t offered, more the timeframe it is likely to follow. “We are thinking about various sizes, but we are not at a stage where we can tell you exactly what size it is. Nothing has been decided yet about whether it will be a standard hybrid or a plug-in hybrid,” Hayashi said. “We are continuing to develop that (the drivetrain), and we have high expectations,” he said. “We cannot point to a timeline, but we can say we are making steady progress.”

Previous reports have suggested that Toyota would have to move to a new hybrid powertrain for GR models in order to allow them to sell in markets with increasingly strict emissions regulations.

That is likely to take the form of a new, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with hybrid technology, that could also find it’s way into the GR Yaris or Corolla, in order to make those two cars feasible in markets where the current powertrain doesn’t meet emissions.

At the recent unveiling of two significantly important models for the brand – the new CX-5 and CX-6e – Mazda Australia Managing Director, Vinesh Bhindi, conceded he would have loved to be launching a hybrid CX-5 to go head-to-head with the segment heavyweights, but any hybrid version of Mazda’s popular medium-SUV must remain faithful to brand DNA.

“Look, we would love to have a hybrid today, and to talk to you about it,” Bhindi told Wheels. “But what was on the table as an option, and I think for Australia (and many other markets), we felt like Mazda needs to create a Mazda hybrid system that will deliver the Mazda feeling.”

Given the choice, Bhindi told Wheels, there was no deliberation. “That’s what we chose,” he said. “A lot of people feel and have said that (a hybrid system for Mazda) could be plug-and-play, that you buy it off someone who’s got one and hope for the best; just do whatever you can in terms of tuning it right.”

4

The Japanese manufacturer isn’t opposed to platform-sharing, evidenced by its upcoming 6e electric sedan and CX-6e electric SUV (above), both sourced from partner manufacturers in China. However, Mazda has decided to go it alone, in regard to a hybridised version of its CX-5.

“What our engineers said, what they said they can do with it, and how they could dial it in, that delivers the unique Mazda driving feel,” Bhindi said. “And I’ve driven the prototype. They are onto something special, and with the car we are talking about, the CX-5, that’s the right car to have that technology.

“In the meantime, we’ve still got all of these other hybrid technologies on offer, for that same customer. It may not be in a CX-5 today, but it’s in a similar size, price and value packaging, when it comes to our inline six and our plug-in hybrids and now CX-6e.”

Record high fuel prices and supply issues caused by the Trump administration starting a war with Iran have many of us considering more efficient vehicles, but what if an EV isn’t for you? You aren’t alone –regularly charging is still an issue for many of us, and most EVs aren’t exactly cheap to buy either. Thankfully, there are also now plenty of hybrid options in the Australian new car market that will still save you a lot of fuel and cash at the bowser. Here’s the WhichCar by Wheels guide to the 10 cheapest hybrids on sale right now:

1) MG 3 Hybrid+: From $27,990 plus on-road costs

3

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid, 155kW, three-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Combined fuel economy: 4.3L/100km

If you’re searching for Australia’s cheapest full hybrid (not mild-hybrid) car, the MG 3 Hybrid+ is your choice. Priced from $27,990 plus on-road costs or $28,990 driveaway nationally, the MG 3 uses a punchy 1.5-litre hybrid system that’s capable of just 4.3L/100km on the combined cycle. The second-generation MG 3 is also far more technologically advanced, better to drive and more practical than the car it replaced but, we should note, more expensive, too.

2) Toyota Yaris: From $28,990 +ORC

3

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid, 85kW, eCVT, front-wheel drive
Combined fuel economy: 3.3L/100km

While the MG 3 is Australia’s cheapest hybrid car, it’s not the most efficient. That is the Toyota Yaris, which uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid system making a reasonable 85kW of power and its claimed combined fuel consumption is just 3.3L/100km. The Yaris is also good to drive, well equipped with safety features and reasonably practical as well. 

3) Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid: From $29,990 driveaway

3

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid, 150kW, eCVT, front-wheel drive
Combined fuel economy: 5.4L/100km

If you’re seeking Australia’s cheapest hybrid SUV, the Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid is the car to buy. Using a powerful 150kW 1.5-litre hybrid system, the Tiggo 4 returns a combined fuel consumption figure of 5.4L/100km, which looks high in this company but it’s still low judged other options in this segment. Regardless of what fuels it, the Tiggo 4 is a great all-rounder in the small SUV part of the market. 

4) MG ZS Hybrid+: From $30,990 driveaway

3

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid, 155kW, three-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Combined fuel economy: 4.7L/100km

The MG ZS Hybrid+ is one of the cheapest hybrids you can buy but it’s also one of the best, awarded Wheels Best Small SUV for 2025. Priced from $30,990 driveaway, even the entry-level Excite is well equipped. Under the bonnet is a powerful 155kW 1.5-litre hybrid system that is capable of just 4.7L/100km combined fuel consumption, which is impressively low. In addition, the ZS Hybrid+ is practical, good to drive and covered by a long warranty.

5) Toyota Yaris Cross: From $31,790 +ORC

3

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre three-cylinder hybrid, 85kW, eCVT, front- or all-wheel drive
Combined fuel economy: 3.8L/100km (2WD), 4.0L/100km (AWD)

Take what we know about the Yaris hatchback and apply it to a taller, higher-riding small SUV and you get the Yaris Cross. Using the same 85kW 1.5-litre hybrid drivetrain to use slightly more fuel at 3.8L/100km (hardly a gas guzzler then), the Yaris Cross is the most fuel efficient non-PHEV/EV SUV in Australia. It’s also reasonably practical with a big boot, good to drive and cheap to service.

6) Toyota Corolla: From $32,110 +ORC

3

Drivetrain: 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid, 103kW, eCVT, front-wheel drive
Combined fuel economy: 3.9L/100km (sedan), 4.0L/100km (hatch)

Yet another hybrid Toyota on this list, the Corolla has long been one of the most popular hybrid cars in Australia. It’s great to drive and reasonably punchy, making 103kW of power, yet offers fuel efficiency of just 3.9L/100km for the sedan and 4.0L/100km for the hatchback. The Corolla’s cabin is good quality as well, and while the hatchback isn’t the most practical, the sedan is able to carry more stuff thanks to its large boot and roomier rear seat. 

7) GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid: From $32,990 driveaway

3

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid, 140kW, DHT, front-wheel drive
Combined fuel economy: 5.1L/100km

The GWM Haval Jolion is one of the most popular small SUVs on the new car market thanks to its great practicality and value for money. But it also offers an efficient and peppy hybrid system capable of just 5.1L/100km, which is a big improvement on the petrol Jolion’s 7.8L/100km rating. Adding to the Jolion’s value equation is its strong aftersales program with a long seven-year warranty and cheap capped price servicing. 

8) Hyundai i30 Sedan hybrid: From $33,250 +ORC

3

Drivetrain: 1.6-litre four-cylinder hybrid, 104kW, six-speed dual-clutch, front-wheel drive
Combined fuel economy: 3.9L/100km

The Hyundai i30 Sedan hybrid proves that you don’t need an SUV for a practical family car, and it also happens to be one of the cheapest hybrids on offer in Australia. Prices start at just $33,250 +ORC, which is less than the Kona hybrid small SUV, and it’s also very fuel efficient, rated at just 3.9L/100km. The i30 Sedan is also very roomy for a small sedan and well equipped across the range.

9) BYD Sealion 5: From $33,990 +ORC

3

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, 156kW, DHT, 2WD
Battery size, electric range: 12.9kWh or 18.3kWh, 71-100km (NEDC)
Combined fuel economy: 1.2-1.3L/100km (full charge), 4.5-4.6L/100km (low charge)

The BYD Sealion 5 is new to the Australian market but brought impressive stats, like a low $33,990 +ORC starting price, an efficient plug-in hybrid drivetrain with up to 100km of electric driving range (or much further than the average commute in Australia) and a practical mid-size SUV body. The Sealion 5 is also well equipped and offers a decent 156kW of power. It currently holds the title of Australia’s cheapest plug-in hybrid which in itself makes it worthy of consideration. 

10) Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid: From $34,990 driveaway

3

Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged plug-in hybrid, 255kW, DHT, 2WD
Battery size, electric range: 18.4kWh, 93km (NEDC)
Combined fuel economy: 1.4L/100km (fully charged)

Rounding out the top 10 cheapest hybrids on sale in Australia is the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid, which is priced at just $34,990 driveaway. Before the BYD Sealion 5 arrived, it was the cheapest plug-in hybrid on offer locally. Its 93km electric range is healthy, regardless of the price. The Tiggo 7 is also practical and well equipped for a small-medium SUV. 

What other hybrids can you buy for under $40,000? 

If the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has taught us anything, it’s just how dependent Australia – and the rest of the world – is on a secure and uninterrupted supply of petrol and diesel products.

But amid growing concerns that prolonged conflict could see our fuel reserves slow to a trickle and eventually dry up, more and more Australians are looking to electric vehicles to fulfill their motoring needs.

According to various data, including from Google, traffic search for used EVs in Australia has increased 278 per cent since the conflict began on February 28 while some reports suggest that searches for ‘affordable electric vehicles’ has increased 5000 per cent.

1

While new car sales data for March won’t be released for another two weeks or so, it will be interesting to see how that increased search traffic has translated into motorists’ purchasing decisions. 

But the increase in interest in EVs raises more questions, the biggest one surrounding Australia’s EV charging infrastructure and whether it can support the projected surge in sales.

Exact numbers are hard to come by, but the most recent data available suggests there has been strong growth in the availability of public charging sites.

According to industry lobby group, the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) – which provides the most recent data available – Australia’s charging infrastructure grew by 22 per cent in the first half of 2025. Locations of fast- and ultra-fast charging stations grew to 1272 sites and 4192 plugs nationally. The EVC defines a DC fast-charger as delivering 25-99kW and ultra-fast charging as 100kW+.

1

Additionally, there are thousands of uncounted AC public chargers scattered around the nation, found in places like shopping centres, hotel and motel car parks, and kerbside locations.

With the most recent data now nine months old, it’s reasonable to suggest that more locations and additional plugs have since been installed and made available for drivers of EVs across Australia.

But is that enough to support a segment that, in normal times, represented around eight per cent of the new car market? And what about now, where early indications are that sales of EVs are likely to accelerate to unprecedented levels as Australians look for ways to minimise the cost of living impacts brought on by the Middle East conflict?

While the growth in charging locations is encouraging, the EVC insists more work is needed to ensure Australians have ready access to reliable chargers to keep up with the growth in EV sales.

With most of Australia’s current EV infrastructure centred around capital cities, vast tracts of rural and inland Australia have been deemed “charging deserts” due to their lack of suitable charging options.

1

The federal government is doing its part with the Driving the Nation Fund which aims “to deliver a ‘backbone’ national EV charging network. There will be over 100 EV charging stations on key highway routes across Australia at an average interval of 150kms, connecting all capital cities”.

Similarly, various state governments are working in partnership with charging infrastructure providers to fast-track the installation and operation of chargers in their jurisdictions.

But while these measures are commendable, research conducted by Deloitte Australia suggests that it’s not enough. According to its January 2024 report, EV Charging Infrastructure: The Next Frontier, the uptake of electric vehicles will continue to grow reaching 43 per cent market share by 2033. That presents even greater challenges, according to the report: “To meet the projected demand for EV public charging, we will need to build eight new public EV chargers every day from now until 2033, on average.”

Deloitte’s report adds: “The rapid transition of the transport fleet from internal-combustion-engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs will dramatically increase demand for EV charging, with the total energy demand from EVs forecast to reach 3570 GWh per year by 2033.

1

“While the majority of charging in Australia is expected to occur in private homes, a significant proportion of EV users will be heavily reliant on public chargers. To service this demand, 27,500 new public EV chargers will be required by 2033, an eight-fold increase on current public charging capacity.”
Those are sobering numbers, even before the current conflagration in the Middle East is taken into account.

Certainly, the nation’s petrol stations, of which there are currently an estimated 6600-7000 comprising tens of thousands of individual pumps, aren’t in danger of being replaced just yet.

The current fuel crisis across the country is already causing significant financial stress, according to a new survey. Online financial broker Savvy surveyed 1077 Australians and found that 76 per cent of respondents – equivalent to 21 million Australians – say they are experiencing moderate or severe financial stress thanks to record high fuel prices.

The ever-rising fuel pricing has forced 80 per cent of those surveyed to cut back on spending, with 40 per cent reportedly doing so significantly, while 83 per cent also believe that the Australian Government should be intervening to limit fuel price hikes by either reducing the excise or cracking down on price gouging.

Fuel prices have risen significantly over the past eight weeks due to the latest conflict in the MIddle East, with 55 per cent of those surveyed reporting that fuel pricing has jumped over 50c per litre and 44 per cent say that they will consider switching to a more fuel efficient car or electric car if fuel prices don’t fall.

2

Using the Toyota RAV4 as an example – one of Australia’s most popular cars – a full 55-litre tank of petrol is now between $28 and $44 more expensive than before, with prices only rising further.

Sixty-five per cent of respondents have said that they are driving less because of the high fuel prices, and those cutting back on spending are mostly cutting back on eating out, grocery bills and travel, as well as reducing their savings.

According to Savvy, that adds up to 76 per cent of Aussies who’ve found themselves plunged into deeper financial stress on top of ongoing cost-of-living pressures and, most recently, interest rates being bumped up once again.

The full survey from Savvy is available to view here.

Not so long ago, the dual-cab, 4WD segment was a diesel-only affair, and with the conflict in the Middle East sending the cost of diesel soaring, there’s interest in the most efficient diesel engines on the market and – more than ever before – petrol alternatives.

To compare, we’ve chosen three that make their mark in the dual-cab segment for very different reasons – the Toyota HiLux, the BYD Shark 6 and the Kia Tasman. In the case of the HiLux, it’s the long-standing segment favourite, vying for top billing with the Ford Ranger, now with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.

The BYD Shark 6 is, according to BYD, the way of the future, with a small petrol engine matched with plug-in hybrid technology. Then there’s the Tasman, Kia’s much-hyped new kid on the block, which takes a more traditional powertrain approach.

Toyota HiLux SR5

4

Price: $71,950 (drive away)
Drivetrain: 2.8L turbo-diesel, four-cylinder with 48V mild hybrid
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Power: 150kW
Torque: 429Nm
Tow rating: 3500kg (braked)
Payload: 940kg
Claimed fuel use: 7.4L/100km

With a dealer and service network second to none, and off-road heritage that touches every corner of the continent, Toyota has recently updated HiLux to continue to go head to head with the best in segment. Cabin space can’t match segment standard setters, but revised styling, robust build quality, and exceptional off-road performance ensure HiLux remains in a favourite – especially with those intent on exploring the outer reaches of the Australian outback. New model opts for 48V mild-hybrid tech, which adds complexity, but cuts low-speed fuel thirst, handy around town. Fuel use will stay in the 8.5L/100km to 9.5L/100km range in the real world no matter how you work the new HiLux.

BYD Shark 6 Premium

6

Price: $57,900 (drive away)
Drivetrain: 1.5L turbo-petrol, four-cylinder, two electric motors, 29.58kWh LFP battery
Transmission: Single-speed, direct drive reduction gear
Power: 321kW
Torque: 650Nm
Tow rating: 2500kg (braked)
Payload: 790kg
Claimed fuel use: 100km range (electric), 2L/100km (battery 25%-100%)

BYD’s Shark 6 presents the newest way to tackle the age-old dual-cab debate. With a claimed 100km pure electric range (80-85km real world), and a smaller 1.5L turbocharged petrol four-cylinder and two electric motors, the Shark presents the opportunity for most of us to do our weekly commuting without using any fuel at all. While fuel use will climb if you’re towing long distances or working in low-range off-road, the system does its best work during general driving, where you’ll average between 6.8L/100km and 8.8L/100km, with charging whenever possible the best course of action. If you drive the same distance as the average Aussie, and charge at home though, you’ll use no petrol at all for your weekly work.

Kia Tasman X-Line

6

Price: $70,990 (drive sway)
Drivetrain: 2.2L turbo-diesel, four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 154kW
Torque: 440Nm
Tow rating: 3500kg (braked)
Payload: 919kg
Claimed fuel use: 7.8L/100km

Almost as frugal as the HiLux, without any of the 48V hybrid complexity, the Tasman positions itself as the most up to date way of tackling the segment in the traditional way – that is a turbocharged diesel engine. The 3500kg braked towing capacity matches the segment best, but left-field styling polarises. Tasman’s cabin is excellent, with both flexibility and practicality, ensuring it feels much more SUV-like than truck-like to drive. Driver comfort, especially on longer road trips, is noteworthy. Second-row space and comfort is another highlight, and in the real world, driving normally, factor in fuel consumption between 8.8L/100km and 9.8L/100km.