Compiling a list of ‘brands to watch in 2024’ has to include GWM.

The Chinese car maker has been making waves in Australia and is steadily gaining traction thanks to an influx of fresh, value-focused product that saw sales increase by 45.3 per cent in 2023.

A number of brands fall under the GWM umbrella, including GWM, Tank, Haval and Ora, with each sub brand playing a particular role in the portfolio.

Haval is the home of road-biased SUVs like the Jolion and H6, for example, while Ora is GWM’s fledgling EV brand.

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Tank is the domain of boxy, off-road focused SUVs like the Tank 300 and incoming Tank 500, and GWM itself currently takes care of dual-cab utes with the Cannon and soon-to-arrive Shanhai Cannon.

As we’ll discover, each of GWM’s brands has a pipeline of incoming product that should reinforce its reputation as a genuine rival to the established players in some of Australia’s most popular segments.

Here’s your guide to the fresh models that GWM is planning to add to its showrooms in 2024, along with other models that have the potential to head Down Under.

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JUMP AHEAD

Confirmed models

• GWM Cannon facelift
• GWM Shanhai Cannon
• Tank 300
• Tank 500

Potential models

• Tank 400
• Tank 700
• Haval H9
• GWM Ora Sport

Facelifted GWM Cannon Ute

An updated version of the popular GWM Cannon dual-cab ute was revealed internationally in April 2023, yet it still hasn’t made its way to Australia.

The latest from GWM’s Aussie brand is the timing of the facelift Cannon is “to be confirmed” though a launch sometime in the first half of 2024 is expected.

The facelift brings no mechanical changes, meaning the current 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines will carry over, but it does include a host of worthwhile updates to the cabin and exterior styling.

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The cabin has been entirely redesigned for a more modern look and includes a larger 7.0-inch driver display and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen.

That’s up from the current ute’s 9.0-inch central touchscreen and smaller digital dials, which are either 3.5in or 7.0in depending on the variant.

The facelifted Cannon should also run GWM’s latest infotainment software with a built-in SIM and include a 50-watt wireless phone charging pad, USB-C charging ports and a heated steering wheel.

An updated safety suite also includes Level 2 semi-autonomous functions like traffic jam assist and an auto parking system.

Outside, the updated 2024 GWM Cannon has a redesigned front grille and revised bumper with larger circular fog lamps.

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Shanhai Cannon

Another dual-cab set to launch towards the start of 2024 is the GWM Shanhai Cannon.

Pitched as a larger and more luxurious alternative to the existing GWM Cannon, the Shanhai won’t only offer more space inside the cabin and tray but also brings the promise of larger, more powerful engines.

Where the existing GWM Cannon uses a pair of 2.0-litre engines, the Shanhai Cannon is likely to be powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol with a healthy 260kW/500Nm on tap.

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A mild-hybrid 2.4-litre diesel is also possible, as is a plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.0-litre petrol with a single e-motor and 9-speed automatic.

Size wise the Shanhai measures 5440mm long (+30mm compared with GWM Cannon), 1991mm wide (+57mm) and 1924mm tall (+38mm) and rolls on a 3350mm wheelbase (+120mm).

The tray also features a unique ‘barn door’ style tailgate and a clever multi-lid bed divider than splits the tray into three separate sections. Officially the GWM Shanhai is yet to be confirmed for Australia however it’s understood to effectively be a sure thing. An arrival some time during Q2 2024 is expected as is a possible name change from Shanhai to GWM Cannon Alpha.

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Tank 300

Boasting boxy proportions and a retro exterior design that evokes iconic off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon, the Tank 300 caused quite a stir when it launched last year.

Priced from $46,990 driveway, GWM currently offers four trim levels of the Tank 300 and two engine options: either a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol with 162kW/380Nm or a 2.0-litre hybrid which produces combined outputs of 258kW/615Nm.

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It’s possible the Tank 300 range could expand in 2024 following the reveal of a more powerful Tank 330 model in China.

The Tank 330 uses a 3.0-litre V6 turbo with 265kW/500Nm and boasts tougher exterior styling. GWM Australia, however, was non-committal when asked if it has plans to introduce the new variant Down Under.

“Our focus currently is on continuing the successful local launch of Tank 300,” said a spokesperson. “We don’t have any plans at this stage to broaden the Tank 300 range but our local team is working hard on expanding the range of genuine GWM accessories available to customers on all models including the Tank 300.

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Tank 500

One new off-roader guaranteed to come to Australia is the Tank 500.

Bigger than the Tank 300, the 500 is a rival for popular family SUVs like the Ford Everest and Toyota Prado. It could arrive as early as Q1 2024, however GWM is yet to officially set a launch date as it is still finalising the business case.

First revealed internationally in 2021, the Tank 500 is powered either by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 or a 2.0-litre hybrid which combines a four-cylinder petrol engine with a single e-motor.

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The hybrid engine produces 258kW/615Nm and is the more likely candidate to power Aussie versions.

A plug-in hybrid engine, which uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine and a 19.94kWh battery pack to produce 300kW/750Nm, is also available overseas.

Multiple testing mules of the Tank 500 have been spotted in Australia, further underscoring the likelihood of an imminent launch here.

The Tank 500 is 5078mm long, 1934mm wide and 1905mm tall, with those dimensions putting it roughly on par with the outgoing Toyota Prado.

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Potential future models

Tank 400

Slotting in between the existing Tank 300 and soon-to-arrive Tank 500 is the tough-looking Tank 400, which is yet another possibility of joining the booming Tank range in Australia.

GWM itself fuelled speculation the Tank 400 is bound for Australia by sharing images of the new model on its social channel and asking followers whether it should launch here.

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Officially GWM says the Tank 400 is “unconfirmed at this stage” however it’s understood to be firmly on the brand’s radar for 2024 and beyond.

If it does arrive in Australia, the Tank 400 will be a rival for popular off-roaders like the Isuzu MU-X and Toyota Fortuner, however it will easily out muscle those established rivals courtesy of a plug-in hybrid powertrain that produces 300kW/750Nm.

Three locking differentials, 224mm of ground clearance and an 800mm wading depth also feature, as does a maximum braked towing capacity of 2500kg.

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Tank 700

Revealed towards the end of 2023, the Tank 700 is the flagship of the expanding Tank family and a rival for the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and Nissan Patrol.

Built on GWM’s fresh Hi4-T platform, the Tank 700 is a five-seat off-road focused SUV that shouldn’t only undercut its established rivals for price but will also demolish them when it comes to powertrain performance.

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Powered by a ‘P2 hybrid’ system, the Tank 700 combines a 3.0-litre V6 with a single electric motor to produce 386kW and 850Nm.

GWM claims the big SUV will hit 0-100km/h “in the 5-second range” which means it will be quicker to three figures than most hot hatches. Crikey.

In comparison a LC300 has 227kW/700Nm from its 3.3L turbo diesel, while the Patrol has a naturally aspirated V8 petrol that produces 298kW and 560Nm.

As for whether the Tank 700 will make landfall in Australia, here’s a comment from GWM’s local arm:

“The official line locally is that Tank 700 is, at this stage, not confirmed for Australia,” said GWM’s head of marketing and communications Steve Maciver. “We see the potential for multiple Tank products in the Australian GWM lineup but our focus currently is to continue the successful launch of Tank 300 and finalise the business case for a possible Tank 500 launch.”

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Haval H9

It’s been a while since the Haval H9 was offered in Australia.

GWM sold the first-gen H9 here between 2015 and 2021 but since then Haval hasn’t had a contender in the large off-road SUV class to rival the likes of the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest.

That could change later this year following the recent reveal of an all-new, second-generation H9 in China.

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Boasting boxy styling and a tougher look, the new H9 rides on an updated ladder-frame chassis and will offer improved off-road capability and an overhauled, more luxurious cabin.

GWM Australia says the new H9 is “certainly on our radar but is not confirmed for Australia at this stage”. Adding a large SUV to complete Haval’s existing lineup, which includes the mid-size H6 and smaller Jolion, would make sense however it’s also possible GWM might want to avoid treading on the toes of its fledgling Tank brand in Australia.

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GWM Ora Sport

EVs are booming in Australia and demand for cheaper, more budget-focused alternatives is higher than ever. Enter the GWM Ora Sport.

Laden with cooky design features, the Ora Sport (known as Lightning Cat/ Next Cat internationally) is a mid-size sedan to rival the Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 6, Polestar 2 and BYD Seal.

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Available with single or dual electric motors and two battery sizes, the Ora Sport should undercut those rivals for price yet still offer a claimed range up to 705km.

GWM says the Ora sport is under strong consideration for Australia and that its business case development is continuing.

February 1: 2024 Tesla Model 3 deliveries resume, recall issued

January 17: 2024 Tesla Model 3 deliveries paused in Australia due to breach of motor-vehicle regulations

Deliveries of the 2024 Tesla Model 3 electric sedan will be paused from January 18 as the brand works with regulators to resolve a compliance issue.

“We regret to inform you that deliveries of Model 3 in Australia will be paused from close of business 17 January 2024,” said a Tesla Australia communication sent to customers.

“This pause is related to a technical compliance matter that we are working closely with the relevant authorities to resolve. We understand that these changes may lead to a delay in the delivery and want to assure you that resolving this matter is our top priority.

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“We expect to recommence deliveries within the coming weeks. Our team will be in touch to provide further updates on your delivery as soon as possible.”

As detailed below, the delivery pause relates to the updated Model 3’s lack of an accessible top-tether anchor point in the rear-centre position, which is required under the Australian Design Rule 34/03.

On Monday, ANCAP announced the five-star safety rating for the Model 3, achieved in 2019, “cannot be applied to facelifted vehicles at this time”, with the latest model currently ‘unrated’.

Our earlier story, below, continues unchanged.

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January 9: 2024 Tesla Model 3 could soon be recalled for child-seat compliance fix

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 electric sedan is under investigation by government authorities due to a potential breach of Australia’s motor vehicle regulations.

In Australia, all passenger vehicles registered as five-seaters must be fitted with a visible top-tether point for all rear seats to secure a child seat, including the centre position.

First reported by Drive [↗], Tesla is understood to have removed a flap to access the rear-centre top-tether point without tools or modification as part of revisions made to the facelifted Model 3 sedan that began customer deliveries in Australia in December 2023.

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The previous Model 3 had access for all three top-tether points in Australia.

The Australian Design Rule 34/03 states: “Clearance shall be provided around each ‘Upper Anchor Fitting’ to allow latching and unlatching, without the use of tools, of the ‘Attaching Clip’ to the ‘Upper Anchor Fitting’ when it is installed in the vehicle.”

A Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts spokesperson told WhichCar it was looking into the matter.

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“The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is aware of concerns regarding the child restraint anchorage points in the 2024 Tesla Model 3 and is looking into this matter.

“Road safety is a top priority of the Australian Government. That is why we have legislated road vehicle standards in place to ensure all road vehicles, both new and used, being provided to the Australian market for the first time meet critical national standards for safety, security and emissions.

“The department’s compliance approach and model sets out how compliance and enforcement work is managed under the Road Vehicle Standards legislation.”

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If the Tesla Model 3 is in breach of Australian Design Rules, the brand would likely be required to pause deliveries in Australia and initiate a safety recall to fix the issue for vehicles already delivered to customers.

The latest compliance issue regarding top-tether points for the rear-centre seat position follows the BYD Atto 3 and Honda HR-V small SUV models in 2022.

In the BYD Atto 3’s case, the brand was required to temporarily pause sales and perform a ‘voluntary safety recall’ after it was found the model had failed to comply with the Australian Design Rule requiring a top-tether to attach a child seat in the rear-centre seat.

It was still fitted with a top tether mount incorporated into the seat, but it was hidden behind the fabric of the backrest – making it inaccessible without the use of tools.

BYD Australia said little more than a “Stanley knife with a very professional operator” was required to solve the compliance issue for vehicles built prior to the resumption of sales.

In the Honda HR-V’s case, the brand decided to instead comply the vehicle as a four-seater in Australia, rather than invest in a top-tether point for the rear-centre position to legally sell it with five seats.

The Mitsubishi Outlander has been a mainstay of Australia’s mid-size SUV segment since the early 2000s.

Now in its fourth generation, this latest Outlander launched locally in 2021 and is sharp to look at, roomy to sit in and fun to drive.

It also offers buyers the choice of versions with five or seven seats, which is rare for this segment.

Standard equipment levels are high across the range, too, and Mitsubishi offers Australia’s longest new-car warranty at 10 years, provided you service your Outlander at an approved dealer.

Another key Outlander attraction is the power and economy offered by versions fitted with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Although more expensive than petrol-powered Outlanders, the plug-in models, which are badged as Outlander PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), are smoother and faster to drive and can travel up to 84km on electricity alone which helps to save fuel.

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JUMP AHEAD

• Pricing
• Body styles
• Standard features
• Upgrades
• Comfort
• Boot space
• Driving enjoyment
• Fuel efficiency
• Towing capacity
• Warranty & servicing
• Recommended version
• Key rivals

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Pricing

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What body styles are available for the Mitsubishi Outlander?

The Mitsubishi Outlander is available only as a five-door SUV. It is offered either as a five-seater or with an additional third row, boosting the seating count to seven.

Buyers can choose between front-wheel-drive models or versions fitted with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system which offers greater traction, especially in slippery conditions. AWD models command a $2500 price premium.

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Two engines are available: a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol or a plug-in hybrid version (Outlander PHEV), which combines a 2.4-litre petrol engine with a 20kWh battery and two electric motors.

The Outlander PHEV uses less fuel and also offers an impressively long electric-only range of 84km.

PHEV models are also more powerful and smoother to drive, although they command a sizeable $16,000 price premium over equivalent models fitted with the 2.5-litre petrol engine.

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What features are standard in every Mitsubishi Outlander?

The features listed below are standard in the entry-level ES 2WD model and will appear in higher-grade models unless replaced by more premium equivalent features.

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What key features do I get if I spend more?

The least costly version, the Outlander ES 2WD, has cloth seats that are manually adjustable, an 8.0-inch touchscreen and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The ES 2WD comes standard with the 2.5-litre petrol engine linked to an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive as standard.

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An all-wheel drive (AWD) version of the ES, (which aids security on loose or slippery surfaces and adds a sixth drive mode for driving on mud) is available at extra cost. The ES is also only available as a five-seater.

For extra features, and the option of seven seats, you could spend more for an Outlander LS.

The LS also brings

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Paying more again for an Outlander Black Edition, based on the LS FWD model, gets you those features plus:

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The Outlander Aspire sits in the middle of the Outlander range for price and equipment. It includes the above features and adds:

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At the top of the Outlander range sit the Exceed and Exceed Tourer. They bring the following features:

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How safe is the Mitsubishi Outlander?

The 2024 Mitsubishi Outlander is one of the safest medium SUVs currently available.

It scored a maximum five-star rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) in January 2022. This rating applies to both petrol and PHEV versions.

For child occupant protection, the Outlander’s rating was especially impressive with a 92 per cent result coming courtesy of full marks scored in both of ANCAP’s front and side dynamic tests.

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Adult occupant protection also rated highly at 83 per cent and the Outlander scored well for vulnerable road user protection (pedestrians and cyclists).

However, the lack of autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in reverse did lose it some points in that category at the time of testing.

Mitsubishi has now added reverse AEB as standard across the range.

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The level of standard safety equipment across the Outlander range is comprehensive.

Every Outlander includes eight airbags, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning and prevention, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control.

A reversing camera is also standard, while higher-spec variants also gain a 360-degree surround view monitor which provides a bird’s eye view of your car and its surroundings.

Every Outlander includes two lots of ISOFIX anchor points for child seats in the second row and has three top tether points.

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How comfortable and practical is the Mitsubishi Outlander?

The cabin of the fourth-generation Mitsubishi Outlander is a vast improvement over previous models.

The seats are comfortable, there’s a generous amount of interior storage and the cabin looks and feels modern and premium.

It also feels well-built and is genuinely luxurious in higher-spec models, like the Exceed and Exceed Tourer, which gain soft leather seats and a large panoramic sunroof. The mix of materials in those variants is a highlight with plenty of soft-touch surfaces and the large central touchscreen plus digital instruments offer clear graphics and are easy to use.

Connectivity is also excellent; Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both included as standard across the range. Only CarPlay is wireless, although the entry-level ES is wired for both phone types.

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This new Outlander is larger in every dimension than models that have gone before it, resulting in more room for passengers.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive, while second-row passengers enjoy a generous amount of legroom and headroom as well as their own dedicated air vents.

You can also recline and slide the second-row seats fore-aft, which allows you to vary the amount of rear legroom and boot space. In seven-seat versions, the sliding bench also provides easier access to the third row and affords passengers in those seats more knee room.

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The Outlander is a mid-size SUV, so room in the third row is best suited to pre-teens. Adults do fit, although tight space at the knee and head means most will find the rearmost seats suited only to short journeys.

Mitsubishi says the Outlander is a 5+2 seater, not a genuine seven-seat SUV.

It is easy to erect the third-row seats and they fold cleverly into the boot floor so they don’t eat into luggage space.

All-round visibility is good and the cabin is well isolated from road and tyre noise which makes the Outlander a comfortable and quiet family SUV to drive long distances.

Overall, the Outlander makes good use of its additional interior space but while it is roomier and more luxurious than before, some rivals do have more space in the back seat for adults and larger boots.

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How much boot space does the Mitsubishi Outlander offer?

The Mitsubishi Outlander offers approximately 480 litres of boot capacity. That’s on the smaller side for a mid-size SUV and the exact size of the boot differs slightly depending on which Outlander variant you buy.

Petrol-powered five-seat versions have a 485L boot, for example, while those fitted with seven seats have 478 litres.

Plug-in hybrid versions are different again. Five-seat PHEV models have 494L of boot capacity, while seven-seat PHEVs offer the least of any Outlander at 461L.

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While the official measurements differ slightly across the range, Mitsubishi has done an excellent job of integrating the third row of seats into the boot floor to ensure they hardly change the Outlander’s load-lugging ability.

If you look at the boot of a five-seat Outlander next to a seven-seater, for example, you’ll be hard-pressed to tell the difference.

PHEV models do have some notable differences. Having to integrate an electric motor beneath the boot floor means the Outlander PHEV does not have a spare wheel which leaves only a compressor and tyre repair kit if you get a flat. Buyers also lose some useful storage bins on either side of the boot floor in PHEV models and the third row of seats is more difficult to erect due to a different design.

In all models, the second row of seats can be folded 40:20:40 and with those seats laid flat the Outlander’s boot capacity expands to about 1465L.

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I like driving, will I enjoy this car?

Yes. The Mitsubishi Outlander is a fun family SUV to drive.

Although it’s no sports car, keen drivers will appreciate its accurate steering, high grip levels and clever all-wheel-drive system, which combine to make the Outlander a willing and confidence-inspiring companion, even in wet conditions.

Open road refinement is impressive, too, with the Outlander doing a decent job of filtering out intrusive road and tyre noise. The engine can get a touch vocal on hilly terrain or when overtaking but generally the Outlander is a quiet and relaxing SUV to drive.

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Around town, the Outlander offers excellent visibility, while steering is light and accurate, making it easy to manoeuvre in tight spaces and car parks.

Finding a comfortable driving position is also straightforward thanks to ample seat adjustment and a steering wheel that moves for reach and rake.

The only real weakness in how the Outlander drives is how it rides over bumps. While the suspension mostly strikes a good balance between comfort and control, big bumps can jolt unpleasantly and over poor surfaces the Outlander’s ride can feel sudden and fidgety. It’s an issue you notice more in higher-spec models fitted with large 20-inch wheels.

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Both engine options offer strong performance

The 2.5-litre petrol engine is relatively quiet on a light throttle and in everyday driving it’s impressively responsive and eager. It pairs well with the CVT that is smooth and rarely drones or delivers the unnatural feeling of some CVTs where your throttle position and engine/road speed feel out of sync.

It’s the PHEV powertrain, however, that is the pick of the model range.

It combines a 2.4-litre petrol engine with an electric motor on each axle and doesn’t only use less fuel, but it’s quieter and more powerful. Mitsubishi’s PHEV system favours electricity to turn the axles so the Outlander PHEV drives more like an electric car than a conventional hybrid.

Acceleration is sprightly from a standstill and the Outlander PHEV delivers a driving experience that feels more premium and luxurious than models powered by the 2.5-litre petrol.

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• What is a Powertrain or Drivetrain?
• Power vs torque
• Car suspension explained
• Automatic transmissions (‘gearboxes’) explained
• Chassis control systems explained
• Car vs Ute vs SUV: How the vehicle you buy should guide the way you drive

Which Mitsubishi Outlander engine uses the least fuel?

The plug-in hybrid powertrain in the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses the least fuel, at 1.5L/100km on the official test (city and country combined).

It’s an impressive on-paper consumption figure and a big improvement compared to the regular Outlander range which uses a 2.5-litre petrol engine and has a consumption figure of between 7.5L/100km for front-drive variants and 8.1L/100km for those with all-wheel drive.

But is the PHEV’s fuel claim actually achievable in the real world? Mostly, that will come down to how owners use it. Mitsubishi’s own research shows PHEV owners drive their cars in EV mode 84 per cent of the time and if your daily commute is less than 84km, the goal of drastically slashing your fuel bill should be an achievable one.

Regularly topping up the PHEV with charge is the key to its impressive economy rating. Our experience shows that if you plug it in regularly, a fuel rating of around 4.0L/100km is achievable.

If you don’t have regular access to a socket, however, you can expect that number to blow out to around 8.0L/100km.

The Outlander PHEV has a 20kWh battery and takes around 9.5 hours to achieve a full charge from a regular 240-volt socket. Fitting a more powerful AC wallbox at home reduces charging time to 6.5 hours. On a DC fast charger, the Outlander PHEV can achieve a 0-80 per cent charge in 38 minutes.

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What is the Mitsubishi Outlander’s towing capacity?

The Mitsubishi Outlander has a braked towing capacity of 1600kg, with a maximum tow ball rating of 160kg.

That rating is the same across the Outlander range, with PHEV models now on par with petrol versions thanks to an improved tow rating for this generation.

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How long is the warranty and what are the Mitsubishi Outlander’s servicing costs?

The Mitsubishi Outlander comes with a market-leading 10-year factory-backed warranty, providing you service your vehicle at an authorised dealer.

If you service it elsewhere, the warranty reverts to five years/unlimited kilometres which is now the industry standard.

One thing to be mindful of is that the battery pack in PHEV models carries a lesser warranty of eight years or 160,000km. That’s standard for most electric vehicles and Mitsubishi also guarantees the battery against excessive degradation, promising to replace it if the capacity dips below 66 per cent over that eight-year period.

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Still, it’s something to be mindful of. All batteries degrade, and if your Outlander PHEV retains 66 per cent after eight years, your EV-only range will drop from 84km to 56km.

All Outlander variants have service intervals of 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first) and Mitsubishi offers a competitive capped-price servicing program to keep maintenance costs low.

Prices vary between petrol and PHEV models, with a petrol model costing $299 for a minor service compared to $349 for the PHEV.

Over 10 years a petrol Outlander will cost $4340 to service, while a PHEV is $750 more to maintain at $5090.

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Which version of the Mitsubishi Outlander does Wheels recommend?

Our reviewers reckon the mid-spec Outlander Aspire AWD seven-seater is the pick of the model range.

At around $47,000 (before on-road costs), it brings a welcome dose of desirable equipment missing in cheaper versions (power tailgate, suede upholstery, heated seats, 20-inch wheels, 360-degree camera and head-up display) but doesn’t command the price premium of the flagship Exceed and Exceed Tourer.

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We also think the 2.5-litre petrol engine is the smarter buy.

While the PHEV is more powerful and economical, it commands a $16,000 additional cost over an equipment petrol Outlander which is hard to justify in the value-focused family SUV segment.

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What are the Mitsubishi Outlander’s key rivals?

The Mitsubishi Outlander plays in one of Australia’s most competitive and crowded segments, meaning buyers have lots of options to choose from.

Key alternatives to the Mitsubishi Outlander include:

• Kia Sportage
• GWM Haval H6
• Honda CR-V
• Hyundai Tucson
• Mazda CX-5
• MG HS
• Nissan X-Trail
• Peugeot 3008
• Subaru Forester
• Toyota RAV4
• Volkswagen Tiguan

At the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, Mazda had a selection of vehicles on its stand including an MX-5 and turbocharged Mazda 3 tuned by the marque’s new Spirit Racing sub-brand – and they could end up on the menu for Australia.

Mazda is at pains to point out that these are both concepts and that it’s still studying the introduction of Sprit Racing in Japan first, with CEO Masahiro Moro enthused by the new direction.

“For the first time in 25 years since MazdaSpeed we have established a factory motorsports division – Mazda Spirit Racing”, said Moro-san. The brand will initially focus on Japan’s Super Taikyu racing series, which spans tin-top production cars to GT3 and TCR-spec racers.

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Inspired by the racing series, Spirit Racing’s goal is to create “a car that people can enjoy driving in the city as well as in the circuit.”

As the Mazda Spirit Racing concept develops, the brand will consider overseas expansion – demand will be up to Mazda’s biggest markets, with North America and Australia two of the strongest – though there are no further plans to share now, according to a Mazda Australia spokesperson.

Near wide-bodied racecars were a pair of track-day-oriented concepts that could spearhead Spirit Racing’s road car launch.

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The first is a Mazda 3 with a jutting front splitter, flared side skirts, black six-spoke alloy wheels, red Brembo brakes, and an extended rear roof spoiler. It sits lower, indicating changes to the suspension as well.

Official word from Mazda Japan – coming via the Australian office – is that a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder is currently the engine of choice. But it won’t be the same as the 186kW 2.5-turbo found in North America.

Instead, the Japanese communication notes it will be a “new engine”, though whether this means an all-new design, or significant refinement of what Mazda already has, is unclear.

It wouldn’t be the first hot Mazda 3 to hit Australian shores, with the cult 3 MPS and SP23/SP25 models fondly remembered by many enthusiasts.

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The other vehicle is a trackday special MX-5 (Roadster in Japan) with the same high-output 2.0-litre Skyactiv petrol four-cylinder as the Super Taikyu ST-Q racecar, developing 149kW (200 hp) rather than the standard car’s 135kW.

Naturally, there’s a focus on lighter weight and improved driver feedback with racing bucket seats, harnesses, Brembo brakes, aerodynamic mods, and six-spoke lightweight alloy wheels fitted.

Mazda’s CEO also noted that the Spirit MX-5 uses track-oriented suspension, and it sits a lot lower than a regular ND. Expect the dampers to have been retuned, along with stiffer anti-roll bars and firmer springs for a more stable platform.

January 2024: MG 4 price increases for sub-$40k model

The most-affordable 2024 MG 4 electric hatch has received a price rise for the new year.

Pricing for the MG 4 Excite 51 has risen $1000 from $38,990 to $39,990 before on-road costs.

The price rise, applicable from January 1, is “a result of different external factors such as a rise in raw material costs, shipping costs and currency fluctuations,” according to MG Australia.

All other MG 4 variants remain unchanged. This story has been updated to reflect the updated pricing.

The MG 4 hatch arrived in Australia in August 2023 as one of the nation’s cheapest electric vehicles.

Here’s everything you need to know about the BYD Dolphin, GWM Ora and Cupra Born rival.

Priced from $39,990 before on-road costs, it is one of the cheapest battery-powered passenger cars sold in Australia to date – but it is undercut by the entry-level Dolphin, which remains priced from $38,890 plus on-roads.

It is available in five grades: Excite 51, Excite 64, Essence 64, Long Range 77 and XPower. The latter variant tops out the MG 4 line-up at $59,990 before on-roads, offering hot hatch-like straight-line performance with a 3.8-second 0-100km/h sprint time and a 320kW/600Nm total system output.

The mid-spec 64kWh battery is available in Excite and Essence variants, while the Long Range variant with a 77kWh battery tops out the non-performance line-up at $55,990 plus on-roads.

Under the skin, the MG 4 is based on MG’s modular scalable platform (MSP), with support for 150kW DC fast charging for 64kWh and 77kWh models, allowing for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in 28 minutes.

Most variants are rear-wheel drive – matching the Tesla Model 3 and Cupra Born – with a claimed 50:50 weight distribution. The flagship MG 4 XPower offers a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup.

JUMP AHEAD

• 2024 MG 4 pricing
• 2024 MG 4 features
• Colours
• Powertrains, charging, and driving range
• Safety
• Dimensions
• Warranty and servicing
• Availability

2024 MG 4 pricing

Price excludes on-road costs.

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2024 MG 4 features

2024 MG 4 Essence/Long Range features

2024 MG 4 XPower features

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Colours

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Powertrains, charging, and driving range

The MG 4 Excite 51 is fitted with a 51kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a single 125kW/250Nm electric motor powering the rear axle, for an estimated WLTP-rated 351-kilometre driving range.

The addition of the 64kWh lithium-ion battery pack brings a WLTP-rated 450-kilometre driving range and also a more-powerful150kW/250Nm electric motor for the Excite 64.

The mid-spec Essence 64 has a reduced WLTP-rated 435-kilometre driving range. Both variants have a claimed 7.9-second 0-100km/h sprint time.

Stepping up to the long-range Long Range 77 brings a larger 77kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a more-potent 180kW electric motor, for a WLTP-rated 530-kilometre driving range.

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In the MG 4 XPower, the front and rear electric motors produce 320kW and 600Nm in total, with a launch control system aiding a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds.

It also adds stiffened suspension with firmer dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars, along with a locking differential for its rear-biased twin-motor setup

In the MG 4, public fast-charging reaches 150kW DC for a 10-80 per cent top-up in 28 minutes for 64kWh and 77kWh models, while AC charging is capped at 7.4kW for a seven-hour and 15-minute 0-100 per cent charge.

The MG 4 with a 51kWh battery is limited to an 88kW DC fast-charge speed, allowing for a 10-80 per cent top-up in around 40 minutes.

MINI MATCH-UP: MG 4 v rivals*

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Safety

The MG 4 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in Europe in 2022.

It scored 83 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent for child occupant protection, 75 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 81 per cent for safety assistance.

For the full report, click here.

Six airbags (dual front, side and curtain) are fitted as standard.

Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts are not fitted to entry-level Excite variants.

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Dimensions

The 2024 MG 4 measures 4287 millimetres long, 1836mm wide and 1504mm tall, with a 2705mm wheelbase. This is similar to a Volkswagen Golf.

2023 MG 4 boot space

The MG 4 has a 363-litre boot capacity, expanding to 1177 litres with the second-row folded. It does not have a front boot (frunk).

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Warranty and servicing

The MG 4 is covered by the brand’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty – including the high-voltage battery.

It has a complimentary 12-month roadside assistance program, which renews with annual servicing at a dealership during the vehicle’s warranty period.

Maintenance is required every 24 months or 40,000 kilometres, whichever occurs first.

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Honda Australia has announced it will offer a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty for select vehicles until March 31.

All HR-V, ZR-V and all-new MY24 CR-V SUV models purchased from January 16, 2024, will be covered by the promotional warranty, which is up from the brand’s standard five-year/unlimited-kilometre offering.

The Japanese marque is also offering seven years of complimentary roadside assistance, up from five years.

Civic and Accord models are not included in the promotion. MY23 CR-V run-out models have been covered by a seven-year warranty since August 1, 2023, while stocks last.

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The extended warranty and roadside assistance coverage were already being offered for the HR-V E:HEV model from November 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024.

Honda is also offering discounts for the slow-selling HR-V small SUV, with the base Vi X available for $34,900 drive-away – down from $36,700 drive-away – until January 31.

The HR-V E:HEV is available for $45,200 drive-away – down from $47,000 drive-away – until March 31.

While Mitsubishi Australia offers an industry-leading 10-year/200,000-kilometre warranty, this is dependent on the vehicle being serviced within the Mitsubishi dealer network.

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Mitsubishi vehicles serviced by independent workshops automatically fall to an industry-standard five-year coverage, with a 100,000km cap.

Chery, GWM-Haval, Kia, MG, Skoda and Ssangyong offer permanent seven-year/unlimited-kilometre coverage, while LDV has a seven-year/200,000-kilometre warranty for its non-EV models.

Honda’s warranty-matching seven-year roadside assistance without the need to service at the dealer joins Isuzu Ute, LDV and Ssangyong.

While other manufacturers have experimented with temporary warranty extensions before shifting to a permanent arrangement, Honda says it has no plans to switch to a seven-year warranty across its range after March 31.

“Honda Australia does not have any plans to extend this offer past the cut-off date of 31st March, and our standard 5-year warranty, 5-year [roadside assist] and 5 low-price services will continue as a great value add as part of our standard offer,” said a spokesperson.

The latest promotions offered by Honda follow the brand’s sharp sales decline since 2018. It posted its lowest sales on record in 2023 after a shift to a controversial fixed-price ‘agency’ sales model in July 2021.

In 2023, Honda sold 13,734 vehicles in Australia, down from 14,215 in 2022, 17,562 in 2021, and 29,040 in 2020.

However, local executives have defended the agency model switch – and reaffirmed Honda’s commitment to Australia “for the next 50 years”.

“That was a strategic move, for us to be here for the next 50 years… And I hope it demonstrates to you that we’re not going anywhere. We’re here to stay,” said Honda Australia director Carolyn McMahon in May 2023.

McMahon added that Honda is “happy” with how the agency sales model has been rolled out and blamed poor supply – not a lack of demand for Honda product – as the key reason behind the low sales figures.

Honda sales in Australia

Has there ever been such a turbulent time for new cars?

Apart from the invention of the motor car in the late 19th century (and perhaps the oil crises in the ’70s) the landscape has never been as fast-moving or diverse as it is today.

Battery-electric vehicles are making a mark (the Tesla Model Y was Australia’s third best-selling SUV last year) but it’s the proliferation of Chinese automakers that’s changing everything.

BYD – or Build Your Dreams – may be new to Australia, however its EV sales surpassed Tesla to take number one globally in the fourth quarter of last year.

The 2024 Seal is its latest entrant, and it’ll do battle with Australia’s second favourite EV, the Tesla Model 3. Here, we’ve lined the pair up against our ride and handling benchmark in this class, the Hyundai IONIQ 6, to see which is best.

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JUMP AHEAD

• What are they and how much do they cost?
• Interior comfort, space and storage: which is the best family car?
• Which has the best boot?
• How good is the technology?
• Range, charging and efficiency
• What are they like to drive?
• Warranty and servicing
• How safe are they?
• VERDICT
• SCORING
• Specifications

What are they and how much do they cost?

The Seal’s arrival kicked this test into gear because, on paper, it’s staggeringly enticing.

It’s a midsized four-door electric car with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and a base price of $49,888 (before on-road costs) for the Dynamic RWD with 460km WLTP driving range.

Spec on test

For this test, BYD supplied the flagship Performance trim ($68,798). That’s the one with a WLTP driving range of 520km, all-wheel drive, 390kW & 670Nm, and a 3.8-second 0-100km/h sprint.

And you’re right, those stats would have it see off a $205K Porsche Taycan 4S in a game of top trumps (well, except for price tag).

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It might seem unfair, but because the Seal is so sharply priced, we decided to line it up against the Tesla Model 3 RWD.

Though a Long Range AWD ($71,900) is closer before options, this base Tesla ($61,900 before on-road costs) tester has been specced up with a white interior ($1500), ‘Nova’ 19-inch alloy wheels ($1800), and Stealth Grey paint ($2300) bringing its list price up to $67,590.

At the other end of the price spectrum is Hyundai’s IONIQ 6, included as our ride and handling benchmark after the sleek ‘streamliner’ defeated the pre-update Model 3 in a recent comparison (Wheels July 2023).

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Unfortunately, we weren’t able to source an MY24 Polestar 2 for the comparison. Nor was there a price-competitive IONIQ 6 available for testing.

Instead, we have the $83,500 Techniq AWD with 239kW and 605Nm, which has been replaced by the Epiq AWD ($85,500) for 2024. While it may be around $15K more than the others, it’s the closest the IONIQ 6 gets in spec to the Seal and Model 3.

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Interior comfort, space and storage: which is the best family car?

Beyond the value equations, each member of this trio offers a vastly different interior design, yet none does so at the cost of practicality.

The Seal’s cabin is sporty and modern, and size-wise it sits in the middle of the other two for exterior dimensions (at 4800mm long) translating to good cabin space.

Aside from the kooky rotating touchscreen, the touch points are remarkably nice with quilted leatherette upholstery and colourful highlights to catch the eye. The heated and ventilated seats are agreeable if lacking under-thigh support, and the twin wireless charging pad is excellent.

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Storage spaces in the Seal are good, with a space under the floating console where USB charge points are found and you could store a small bag or tissue box, though the space under the armrest isn’t huge and nor are the door bins.

Thanks to the unique Blade battery, the Seal’s floor is low, aiding toe and headroom in the rear seat even if, like the others, it’s still a little tight for six-footers. The bench’s width is generous and three kids would fit across the back.

There are two adjustable vents, a pair of USB charge ports, and a fold-down armrest to boot.

The Hyundai IONIQ 6 is 55mm longer than the BYD and this translates directly into legroom. Yet due to the E-GMP platform’s skateboard construction, the IONIQ 6’s floor is higher – crimping toe and head space for taller passengers.

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Amenities are identical between the Seal and the IONIQ 6, which makes the Hyundai no more usable for adults in the back.

For kids, it’s a different story. Without a full-length glass roof, the IONIQ 6 stays much cooler in the sun. It also has dark tints on the rear windows and a high beltline that should help lull little ones to sleep.

In the front, the IONIQ’s funky cabin and tactile materials are very pleasing. The seats sit a little high, and offer ventilation only in top-spec models, but they are comparable and offer good adjustment.

Cabin storage is great, too, with a mezzanine console that leaves a big space for handbags, a decent, covered centre bin, and doorbins that accept a one-litre bottle. There is a wireless charging pad, two USB ports (one regular and the other type C), and a 12-volt socket.

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Build quality is also better in the IONIQ 6 – not only inside, with no rattles evident, but outside as well. Interestingly, the BYD’s rear bumper displays a detectably different tone of Arctic Blue to the rest of the car’s body.

Get underneath and you’ll see haphazardly painted components and jagged edges left behind at the BYD factory. Does this affect performance? No, but it indicates a lack of attention to detail.

That’s something Tesla has been improving on with the Model 3. This example felt well screwed together and the updated materials are a cut above old 3s, although there was still a rattle from the passenger side B-Pillar with only 500km on the odometer.

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The Model 3’s design was once cutting edge but now feels sparse and clinical.

Basic amenities are excellent, with twin wireless charging pads, a deep cubby, twin cup holders, good door bins, and comfortable chairs with heating and ventilation standard.

Usability is questionable; to streamline construction Tesla has ditched indicator, wiper, and gear selector stalks. The controls are now buttons on the wheel with the indicators grouped unintuitively on the left side. We found the touchscreen gear select to work quite well in practice, but not the automatic wiper setting that entirely failed to detect light rain.

Rear seating issues have been addressed with a shapely rear bench with much-improved under-thigh support in the back. Headroom is still compromised by a high-set floor, and you don’t want to touch the underside of the glass roof on a hot day.

There are vents and two USB-C charge points accessible to rear seat passengers, as well as a fold-down armrest (the same as the other two).

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The Model 3 has a silver bullet for road trips, though: an 8.0-inch touchscreen mounted above the air vents that’s connected to the internet, meaning rear-seat passengers can enjoy Netflix, YouTube, games and more – using individual headphones.

One snag that (at time of writing) is yet to play out is the Model 3’s lack of accessible top tether for the middle seat. This means you can’t fit a child seat in the centre, and may mean a stop-sale or recall for the vehicle.

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Which has the best storage?

The Seal has the smallest boot (by a measly litre, mind, at 400L) and the loading aperture is narrow. There are also no pull-tabs in the boot to fold the 40:60 backrest.

The lid is power-operated, but there are precious few clever touches and, as we found out on the day, no spare tyre; though this is a common issue across the trio (and at least it has a standard tyre repair kit, unlike the Model 3).

Although it’s much larger outside, the IONIQ 6’s boot is only a litre bigger than the Seal’s – although it does have a wider aperture. There are pull tabs to fold the back seats down, though they feel cheap and are fiddly to use – you still need to go and push the second row flat with some force.

The Hyundai’s 14.5L ‘frunk’ isn’t good for much more than a few bags of emergency Haribo; the BYD’s 50L storage box is more useful for cables.

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Despite being the shortest vehicle, the Model 3 comfortably has the most luggage space, proving the brand’s capacity for showing that a hundred years of experience can still be outclassed by a newcomer.

In the Model 3, there’s a 561L space (including a large under-floor cubby) beneath the large pseudo-liftback boot lid that gives the broadest loading aperture of the three.

Add to that a generous 85L under-bonnet storage area and the Model 3 wins the storage space segment.

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How good is the technology?

The Hyundai’s system is the most conventional, with a pair of 12.3-inch displays dealing with driving information and infotainment.

Wired Apple CarPlay remains in the IONIQ 6, though with over-the-air software updates this may be added in the future. Hyundai’s menus are logically structured and the system has approachable graphics. The navigation features live traffic, though the maps look rudimentary next to rivals.

With Hyundai’s Bluelink system, owners are able to control functions such as lock and unlock, pre-heating or cooling, and the ability to send navigation destinations from phone to car. However, the phone does not function as a digital key.

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BYD offers similar control with its app, and no ability to start and drive away in the car. The Seal also ships with an NFC card (and dorky white square on the armrest to prove it) as well as a key fob.

The Android-based operating system runs on a 15.6-inch tablet touchscreen that can be set in portrait or landscape orientation (yeah, we’re still not entirely sure, either) is responsive to the touch, but can be confusing at first with an odd menu layout.

Wireless Android Auto is supported, though CarPlay is cabled. There is one regular USB and one USB-C port in the front as well as a 12-volt socket, and the 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system is perfectly adequate.

All bar fan on/off, defrost and auto settings for the climate control are found in the touchscreen, including vent direction. Annoying enough in a Taycan, in the Seal adjusting where you want cool air is not in the least bit intuitive.

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The Seal’s digital driver display is small and not very highly featured, yet it gives all the basics such as speed, consumption, range, tyre pressures and outside temperature.

Tesla, of course, does without any sort of digital driver’s or head-up display, meaning you need to glance over at the central tablet to see your speed and road sign information.

But the rest of the package remains class-leading, even nearly five years on from launch. For the 2024 update the screen has become thinner with more powerful processors to run the same basic software with over-the-air updates.

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The Model 3’s navigation is second to none, with Google Maps-like clarity for the streets, brilliant live-traffic setting and – most importantly – clever online routing that takes into account charge levels and distance to destination which can be invaluable on longer drives.

Like the IONIQ 6 and BYD, you can send locations to the Model 3’s screen from your phone. (Though it’s tough luck for drivers who like to use Waze.)

The phone also works as a fully digital key, allowing control over charging, ventilation, lighting, Sentry mode, and giving the ability to unlock and drive off without the standard-issue swipe card.

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Range, charging and efficiency

Despite having the smallest battery (57.5kWh) the Model 3 RWD has a similar WLTP range (513km) to the Seal Performance (520km) with its much larger 87.5kWh pack.

The Tesla and BYD’s LFP batteries are more welcoming of 100% than the IONIQ 6’s nickel and cobalt-rich pack, though the Hyundai’s 77.5kWh pack gives it a longer 545km WLTP driving range.

On test, the rear-drive Tesla was the clear winner for efficiency with its trip computer reading 14.1kWh/100km, giving it a real-world roving distance of about 400-410km but you’d expect that from a rear-drive vehicle.

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The IONIQ 6’s bigger battery (77.5kWh) meant it would get 450km before running flat (at 17.2kWh/100km) and the BYD’s 17.5kWh/100km consumption figure would carry you 471km – closest to its WLTP rating.

It’s worth noting that this comparison involved this trio being driven for photography and over hilly and twisty terrain; expect everyday driving to produce better efficiency results than what you see here.

At the public charger, it’s the IONIQ 6 that’ll get you on your way fastest –replenishing 10-80 per cent in a mere 18 minutes compared to 25 minutes in the Model 3, and a glacial 37 minutes in the Seal.

Both the IONIQ 6 (7h 10m) and Model 3 (6h 30m) will also accept 11kW AC for dramatically faster 0-100 per cent charging at home than the 7kW Seal (11h 45m).

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What are they like to drive?

Partially because of how sparse the cabin is, and also owing to the Model 3’s smaller size, it’s meaningfully lighter than its rivals (1836kg); 242kg less than the Hyundai and a huge 349kg chunk off the BYD Seal.

The updated Tesla still isn’t perfect, though. It’s softer in spring and more compliant in damper than before (with new suspension knuckles and bushings) but there doesn’t seem to have been a major kinematic overhaul.

Where its firm ride previously jiggled occupants around but resisted body roll and bottoming out quite well, the less fidgety MY24 model isn’t as dynamic and is more eager to find its bump stops through big compressions. The suspension also remains noisy in its operation.

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It is an overall improvement, aided by the new eco-focused Hankook Ion Evo 235/40R19 tyres that have less grip than the sporty Michelins used previously but are quieter and more compliant.

The Model 3 still doesn’t have the sophistication to shrug off mid-corner bumps but it is a natural and calm companion on a twisty road with a reassuringly proactive stability control system.

It only takes a few stops to acclimatise to the throttle calibration and strong regen, from which point driving with one pedal is a joy. It’s nippy, too, able to hit 100km/h in 6.1 seconds.

Following from Hyundai’s lead, Tesla has also implemented blind-spot cameras that flash a picture onto the centre screen while indicating. This helps identify vulnerable road users such as motorcyclists when turning.

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Aside from poor rear visibility and obtrusive A-Pillar, the Model 3 is a perfectly fine vehicle around town with a quick 2.1-turn lock-to-lock steering system that’s light and easy (though not the last word in feel).

Tesla steering, however, is by far and a way more pleasant than the BYD Seal’s. In Sport mode, the Seal’s steering is stodgy and heavy in a straight line, yet when you add more lock it lightens, offering no resistance to convey how you’re loading the front tyres. Normal and Eco are no better, either.

The BYD’s four-piston front brakes look serious and provide decent stopping power, though the pedal response is spongey and difficult to modulate compared to the Tesla’s. Using the brakes also pitches the weight forward dramatically, making the Seal feel unsettled in corners.

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An underdamped rear end fails to control the Seal’s considerable mass and leaves the poorly calibrated ESC tune struggling to save the day.

The Seal’s throttle response is also delayed (and there’s no one-pedal mode available), making it tricky to meter out that huge 390kW/670Nm lump of grunt without overstepping the grip of the Continental EcoContact tyres.

That said, we don’t doubt the claimed acceleration claim – the Seal Performance is organ-rearrangingly quick off the mark. Without any type of locking differentials (beyond torque vectoring by braking), though, it’s a fast car that feels scrappy and vague.

Throttling back to normal speeds and the Seal experience is not a whole lot better. Soft suspension moves a lot over large compressions and occasionally floats in the rebound phase, yet small stutter bumps make the body fidget. It’s inconsistent, and a significant re-tune of the Seal’s trick frequency selective dampers is needed to iron out these issues.

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BYD has made a big song and dance about the Seal’s Blade battery being structurally integrated.

It promises to make a stiffer body and lower the battery’s stack height, though the Seal had the most pronounced cabin shake over rough roads, suggesting it lacks rigidity where it counts.

Hopping into the IONIQ 6’s high-set driver’s seat justifies its inclusion. It may be nearly $15K dearer but you can immediately see where that money’s gone. The steering builds weight naturally to communicate how hard the 245/40R20 Pirelli P Zeroes are working, which is not only good for driving enjoyment but also confidence and safety in inclement weather.

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The IONIQ 6’s weight remains balanced between front and rear axles giving a secure, steadfast feeling on the road and its natural brake pedal is connected to powerful stoppers.

Drivers also can adjust regenerative braking power from light to full one-pedal mode – and the calibration is right up there with Tesla’s.

Outputs are rated between the other two, with this twin-motor example developing 239kW and 605Nm for a very respectable 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.1 seconds. Unlike the Seal, this AWD EV never feels ragged under full power.

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The Hyundai’s drive modes are easily accessible on the two-spoke tiller and make a real difference.

Eco is genuinely useful around town, dulling throttle response for Driving Miss Daisy. Normal suits everyday antics and Sport (which brings with it red cabin lighting from the Cyberpunk square LEDs) amps throttle response and adds weight to the steering – it’s properly engineered and developed.

Hyundai’s quirky cockroach shape surprisingly offers the best vision of this trio as well, meaning that although you get a 360-degree camera standard, turning out of junctions and reversing out of unsighted parking spots is most pleasant in the IONIQ.

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• What is a Powertrain or Drivetrain?
• Power vs torque
• Car suspension explained
• Automatic transmissions (‘gearboxes’) explained
• Chassis control systems explained
• Car vs Ute vs SUV: How the vehicle you buy should guide the way you drive
• What is the WLTP emissions and range test?

Warranty and servicing

If you value a traditional dealership experience with transparent warranty and servicing standards – as well as an excellently built car with none of the rattles of the BYD and Model 3 despite having an extra 10,000km on the clock – then the IONIQ 6 is worth the extra money.

When it comes to purchasing and servicing, the Hyundai’s traditional dealer experience (online ordering is available) and capped-price servicing plan is easy.

Tesla and BYD offer more digital experiences, though retain larger ‘experience centres’ in urban areas.

Servicing for Model 3 has to be carried out at selected Tesla repair centres, while BYD is a little more open. Like the buying, metropolitan service centres are appearing, but BYD has also inked a deal with MyCar centres to provide broader coverage for Seal owners.

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The only snag is that Seal maintenance is due annually, while the IONIQ 6 and Model 3 will go for two years between trips to a mechanic.

Hyundai and Tesla’s warranties are pretty simple – one set period covers everything.

For the IONIQ 6, that’s five-years/unlimited kilometres (or 130,000km if you’re using it as a ride-share vehicle) and the Model 3 it’s a blanket four-year/80,000km.

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The Tesla’s warranty is on the shorter side, but easy to understand. Things are a little cloudier at BYD.

Where the other two only lean on manufacturers for the tyre and low-voltage battery (both usually a year), the Seal’s six-year/160,000km is longer than that of the infotainment and wheel bearings (three years/60,000km) and lights, suspension ball joints, and the tyre pressure monitoring system (four years/100,000km).

All vehicles are backed by an eight-year/160,000km high-voltage electrics warranty that guarantees the battery will retain at least 70 per cent of its capacity over that period.

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How safe are they?

All vehicles have been rated five stars by ANCAP with the Seal’s test under the latest 2023 protocols – so it should, theoretically, be the safest.

The Seal certainly has all the aids thrown in and, while the non-intrusive ones (front and rear cross-traffic alert, AEB) stayed out of the way during testing, the lane-keep assist and driver-attention monitoring need a thorough re-think for Australian conditions.

Several times the assistant beeped and in a couple of instances “violently yanked” (as fellow tester Jez put it) the wheel. On more than one occasion, these were phantom responses to the fuzzy lane markings and grassy road edges common on our backroads, and could have instigated a head-on collision.

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Hyundai’s ANCAP date stamp is for 2022 and it also has all the aids you’d expect.

The speed-limit assist is immensely frustrating and you have to disable the audible warning every time you start the vehicle – it’s lane-keep assist is thankfully better than the BYD’s.

However, when it comes to user-friendly integration, it’s the Model 3. You can turn the ones off you don’t like and they’ll stay that way; the speed limit assist is genuinely helpful (it doesn’t beep!); and there’s Joe mode to hush the alerts for a more serene experience.

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Only this particular car’s horrendous auto wiper programming (we’ve had differing experiences in each Tesla example we’ve sampled) that failed to notice any drizzle on our test day, is worth complaining about.

Tesla continues to offer add-ons for its camera-driven driver assist systems. For $5500 you can navigate and change lanes with Autopilot, while Full Self Driving ($10,100) will allegedly stop at traffic lights and stop signs. Tesla has yet to give Wheels a chance to sample these extras in Australia so for the moment we wouldn’t recommend the extra spend.

Like the others, the Model 3 was rated five stars by ANCAP though its date stamp in 2019, and the updated vehicle is now considered unrated.

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VERDICT

The outright winner is…

It may well be hard to overlook the near $15K premium, but when you drive the Ioniq 6 you can feel where the extra money has gone.

Tech heads may be less convinced by the Ioniq 6’s more conventional infotainment (though it still chats to your phone and recommends charging stations). However, the Hyundai’s steering, ride, handling and ESC tuning are head-and-shoulders beyond the Tesla and BYD.

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The value pick

The Tesla Model 3, in affordable base guise or mid-spec Long Range, remains the value king in this segment with mid-life updates only making the package more agreeable.

Its connected technology is also a standout, despite being fitted to the Tesla (in some form) since its 2019 release – and the Model 3 is also the most efficient in the real world while offering more-than-adequate dynamics.

Both the Model 3 and IONIQ 6 are more than worthy of consideration, so a test drive and a few hours on the calculator will be the best way to determine which suits you.

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If you want the most for the least…

With a comfortable and spacious cabin and good levels of equipment, the BYD Seal promises plenty for not much cash. If that’s all you’re worried about (not resale, on-road performance, charging speed, and affordable ownership/servicing), then it’s the pick.

Unfortunately, the Seal Performance feels mismatched and scrappy when it comes to powertrain and chassis ability; we suspect the lower-power Dynamic or Premium trims (yet to be offered for testing) will be better choices.

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SCORING

BYD Seal score: 6.5/10

Hyundai IONIQ 6 score: 8.5/10

Tesla Model 3 score: 8.5/10

Specifications

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If you walk into a Porsche dealership today holding a duffle bag full of notes that add up to $220,000, there’s a very slim chance you’ll be heading home in a brand-new 718 Cayman GTS.

The Stuttgart sports car specialist is all sold out for the next 18 months and salespeople are reluctant to take orders (because there’s a new electrified version on the way in 2025). So what’s a sports car fan to do, if not wait patiently for a Porsche?

As we’re entering the last hurrahs of combustion-engined sports cars, that might not be so wise. Enter four left-of-field options: Lotus’s Emira – the Evora replacement – with its bonded aluminium chassis and mid-mounted 3.5-litre supercharged V6 for $199,990, the brash mid-ship C8 Corvette 3LT (from $205,000), BMW’s new M2 manual ($136,200 as you see it here), and the cheapest of the lot, the Toyota GR Supra GTS manual ($99,880 with Matte White paint).

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Where a Cayman is 18 months or never, these three are comparatively available.

The Corvette is ready to order at GMSV dealers in whatever flavour you like, and this year the brand will launch a hardcore Z06 with more grunt and a sharper chassis; an electric E-Ray version is coming, too. For the M2, it’s around a six-month wait for a new order with some dealer stock around, and a similar story for the Supra.

In the Emira’s case, cancelled First Edition orders mean a few of the year’s 200-strong supply are available in dealers. Orders for V6 and four-pot versions will be met with glee (and roughly a six-month wait time) by one of Australia’s five Lotus dealers. Speaking of dealers, that’s where this story begins following a 6:00 am flight to Melbourne.

The Lotus transforms Lake Mountain into a tarmac rally stage

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The compact Simply Sports Cars location in South Melbourne is currently packed with new Emira First Editions in every hue imaginable, from ‘our’ Seneca Blue communications colour example to understated but gorgeous Nimbus Grey.

After a quick nose around, it’s time to enter the Emira, a task much easier than getting into an Elise or Evora thanks to unobtrusive door sills.

Once inside it’s the seats that are a little peculiar. They nip in around the thighs and aren’t set as low as expected, likely amplified by the extremely low scuttle that gives excellent forward visibility.

The new infotainment system is slick, with enough personality in the fonts and graphics to be Lotus, rather than unbranded weirdness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard as are a wireless charging pad, USB-A and USB-C plugs.

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A slice of familiarity can be found in the Volvo indicator stalks (thanks Geely) but parts-bin bits are nothing new to Lotus owners, and my-oh-my is this better put together than an Evora. There are no rattles!

There are, however, tells that the Emira was handmade in Hethel; our car’s passenger door was hung a little wrong, and the unopenable front bonnet was wonky but compared to what’s come before, the Emira’s good.

Any worries that Geely has sanitised Lotus fall away pretty fast – the Emira is no limousine. The KEF sound system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer is good up to about 80km/h, but at higher speeds it can’t overcome the tyre roar.

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There’s a distinct feeling that the Emira needs warming up, too, unlike so many modern sports cars that are ready and raring to go from the minute you thumb the start button.

The sexy exposed gear linkage opens up as the fluids get warm, though at low speeds it’s still clumsy and knuckly and that Toyota-sourced 2GR-FE V6 mounted behind your head isn’t inspiring below 4000rpm.

Once hot you won’t want to put eggs or milk in the rear storage compartment because, although it’s pretty spacious, your cargo will get heat-soaked. Fast. Then there’s that silly horizontal fuel filler that lets between 50-200mL of 98RON unleaded dribble down a channel onto the floor.

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The legacy of Lotus remains well and truly intact, then. Luckily, it applies to the hydraulically-assisted steering which remains in constant dialogue, nibbling and chatting away on the motorway out to meet the rest of the team.

Day one lends time for a brief sample of each car’s attributes which proves a good test for user-friendliness and ease of familiarisation. The M2’s optional buckets are delightfully snug to sit in (yet if you’re over 75kg, a pain to clamber into) and form part of a $14,500 pack that includes ‘Merino’ leather upholstery, increased top speed (280km/h), and M advanced driver training courses.

The M2 is my steed for the run home in the dark, its clever adaptive high beams illuminating the twists of a post-sunset Lake Mountain road. Andy’s behind me in the Corvette and I’m hurriedly trying to find my ultimate settings combination from 10 parameters each with between two and 10 discrete settings, all while tackling an unfamiliar road.

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Not ideal, though I settled on Sport brake, Sport suspension (Sport Plus is too firm), Sport Plus engine response and M Dynamic mode for the ESC. It’s a hooligan, this little coupe, obliging mini oversteer moments on the cool evening tarmac.

As the speed drops, the conventional – by these four’s standards – cabin feels indulgent. The 14.9-inch curved touchscreen, wireless phone mirroring, powerful 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, three-stage seat heating, ample door pockets and centre bin storage are just like a regular 2 Series.

Of all the vehicles here, this is the only one with two jump seats in the back as well. Best used for dogs or luggage, you can squeeze full-sized humans back there if needed.

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The M2 was my last experience on day one and the first cab on the second, and the chat over coffee immediately turned to its looks.

As someone who’s spent plenty of time around the muscular original M2, I’m not a fan; it looks like a model from Grand Theft Auto that’s pretending to be an M car. Andy promises he’s trying to like M2 in the flesh, but its Zandvoort Blue paintwork isn’t helping. Dylan, on the other hand, really likes the new G87 M2 so your mileage may vary.

BMW may have made a polarising-looking coupe but we’re all on the same page with the drive – especially of the six-speed manual. The DIY-shifter accounts for a quarter of sales and slows the 0-100km/h sprint by two-tenths.

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It may not have the slick, short throw of the best manuals (like the Civic Type R’s) but it still adds involvement, matching the 3.0-litre S58’s 338kW/550Nm outputs perfectly.

There’s torque everywhere above 2500rpm, yet thanks to that second turbo it’s still worth chasing the 7200rpm redline. The sound is great, too, partially synthesised but with an honest metallic shriek above 5000rpm reminiscent of the E46 M3’s ‘S54’ six-pot.

Brake-by-wire is a technology that will take off, but after the Evora’s firm confident hydraulic feel, the M2’s middle pedal is limp. Bite and stopping power is no problem, but modulation is less satisfying. There’s not much clarity in the front end either, the thick steering wheel robs any granularity even though the rack is wonderfully accurate and well-weighted.

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The lack of front-end feel is hard to criticise, though, because the M2’s turn-in grip is mega.

With the least pronounced stagger here – just 10mm difference between its front and rear Michelin’s widths – the high-set two-door attacks apices ferociously. It’s a total hooligan, egging you onto the throttle ever earlier to play with its gorgeous balance and the perfect amount of safety net in Dynamic mode.

That it weighs nearly 1.8-tonnes with driver seems entirely implausible given how capable, malleable and enjoyable the M2 manual is. Its excellence is emphasised after sampling it back-to-back with the Supra. Both cars use BMW parts, boast 50:50 weight distribution, and have two doors but that’s where similarities end.

Where you sit in the Supra is everything. That long bonnet juts way into each bend, so much so that you need to recalibrate your turn-in point (a mental exertion not aided by rubbery steering).

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Being right over a rear axle that could use some more rebound control – even in Sport mode – is off-putting initially, too.

The Supra demands concentration and a unique approach. Its manual shift is tighter than the M2’s and smoother than the Evora’s making it the best here and, once you tune into the rear axle’s information overload and get a bit more aggressive on turn-in and braking, the Supra GTS comes alive. This old-school sports car doesn’t compromise for the driver, you compromise for it.

“What does the criteria for success look like for Supra?” Andy remarked as he emerged from the coupe, “Were they just driving around a race track at 10/10ths?” Andy’s right, the Supra comes alive at the limit, which is where the problem lies.

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The chassis is fighter-jet responsive but thanks to the soft bushes and rear suspension, it can be hard to trust on the road. This becomes especially pronounced in the wet.

In Matte White ($1800), the Supra is also right up there with the Corvette for visual drama. Kids, teens and young adults obsessed with car culture know exactly what this car is and love to see it on the road. For those less aware of the Supra nameplate’s underground fame, the cab-rear proportions akin to a 70s sneaker are also a draw. It’s far more exotic than the BMW.

That does impact its usability. The cupholders, for example, are in a daft spot in automatic Supras and even worse place in the manual, rendering them entirely useless for anything but keys or a wallet. The door cards are tiny, too, and the boot has the least usable shape here.

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This is frustrating because owing to the vibration refinement – after the Emira it feels like someone’s drizzled honey over the Supra’s mechanical parts – it would probably be the best grand tourer here.

That under-stressed 285kW/500Nm 3.0-litre straight six has so much linear grunt overtaking is no chore, even if there’s little point pushing beyond 6000rpm.

The Supra experience is a little inconsistent, then. With the manual, there’s engagement and wow-factor when cruising and it’s a hoot to drive at the limit – at least when you have space at your disposal. Unfortunately, the Toyota can be clumsy at typical road speeds where the Emira and BMW impress and delight at all times.

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Gazoo Racing will be able to take Supra to another level of focus with firmer bushings, a sharper engine (it’s got to be the M2’s S58) and some snug bucket seats.

If the Supra garners attention from those in the know then the Corvette is the car to buy to impress the average onlooker. In Rapid Blue with racing strips, the C8 3LT demands eyeballs. The baritone bellow of that dry-sumped 6.2-litre ‘LT2’ alloy-block V8, however, commands all the driver’s attention – even next to the Mountain Dew-motivated cabin design.

This global ’Vette is Chevy’s first attempt at playing the Euros at their own game with a mid-mounted engine (yes it still uses pushrods but that’s easy to ignore at wide-open throttle) and clever multi-mode Magneride dampers.

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On the road, it’s amazingly comfortable and composed, which aren’t two things traditionally associated with Corvettes.

Amp the 3LT by swapping from Tour to Sport or Track and the chassis becomes stiff and limits body roll. Despite looking by far the largest here, the C8’s 1601kg kerb weight is relatively spry, certainly next to the flabby M2.

And yet the way it drives is heavy and lumpen. Mid-corner bumps are pummelled into submission, rather than deftly danced over as they are in the Lotus and BMW. For safety, the Corvette’s been set up to gently understeer through corners which is no bad thing on the road.

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Yet after the other cars here, we found its steering and chassis didn’t communicate grip levels very well.

It feels spiky in slower corners with damp patches causing surprise oversteer for two testers – perhaps the cab-forward design that leaves so much wheelbase behind is to blame as it’s something other Wheels testers have found over the years.

Moving to more open roads is a good call in the Corvette, as it allows you to extend the gem that is the LT2. It roars through the revs, each slick upshift and crisp downshift of the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic a chance to delight in a sound that won’t be around forever. Removing the roof panel (and storing it in its tailor-made spot) allows you to bask in open-air excellence.

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The Corvette should be the quickest here, too, with the most power (369kW) and torque (637Nm) but Chevy’s 2.8-second 0-60mph claim is unrealistic.

This very car attended Motor’s Performance Car of the Year where it was timed at 3.63 seconds to 100km/h; seven-tenths faster than the other cars here but not sub-three fast even for the American measure.

The Corvette has a lot of luggage space, with front and rear boots it’s able to carry two sets of golf clubs (it’s at this point Andy points out that the Corvette looks like a ute with its fibreglass rear hatch up). And here lies the C8’s main issue. In regular Stingray guise without the coming Z06 package, it’s a car for everyone – a car by committee.

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Take the interior, its touchscreen is responsive and graphics handsome, but it’s like an executive wasn’t pleased with having to adjust HVAC settings using it, hence the row of switches awkwardly running up the cabin’s central ‘spine’.

The cup holders feel like an afterthought, too. It’s the same with the door ‘handles’, the ones inside are sleek, hidden electronic items ruined by the United States’ mandates for emergency pull-tab releases to avoid potential lawsuits.

That excess complication is potentially the source of the C8’s rattly cabin – and the white leather hasn’t stood up so well to the test of time. There’s a purity in the Corvette’s design that we hope the Z06 will help to unlock.

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Heading up our chosen length of tarmac for the last time I switch the Emira into Track (the most intense of four) and relish the fixed-rate dampers.

There are no additional settings for brake feel, traction control or driver aids to futz with – “no drive mode FOMO”, as Dylan says. It’s fabulously freeing.

For the next five kilometres, the Lotus transforms Lake Mountain into a tarmac rally stage and me into Jean Ragnotti.

Its eager V6 shrieks towards the 6800rpm redline in its tall second gear, then it’s time to muscle the metal knob through the gate into third and quickly release the clutch for a delightfully crisp motorsport-esque change. What feels clumsy and knuckly in traffic rewards and delights in equal measure when hustling, funny that.

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The Emira’s Edelbrock-supercharged V6 produces 298kW at redline and 420Nm at 3500rpm which makes it the slowest here on paper but there’s no lack of urgency in the powertrain.

It revs up amazingly quickly – as though it has a lightweight flywheel – and delivers grunt in a delightfully linear way. Andy’s a little nonplussed though at the engine’s torque plateau.

“It might almost have been an electric car. ”Engine tech has virtually overmatched the requirements of the gearbox. I just hear a zizzing whine and I didn’t need to change gear once through four kilometres of twisties.”

Our car is fitted with the ‘Sport’ chassis, with stiffer springs, dampers, and more aggressive alignment than the ‘Tour’ option. Uniquely, this blue car combines this chassis with the less tacky Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres instead of Michelin Cup 2s. This seems to be a perfect match, there’s plenty of compliance in the chassis with lots of front-end grip and just enough power to bring the rear into play.

You end up using the Emira’s confident brake pedal to develop attitude on the way into a corner, the way you might in a Porsche 911.

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No coincidence here, the 1486kg Emira’s weight distribution of 39:61 is closer to a rear-engined 911 than a midship Cayman (44:56). To extract the best of the Emira you need to be deliberate but delicate at the same time, which is immensely rewarding.

It’s the steering and chassis feel that endears the Emira to the driver, though. The way that wheel writhes and wriggles over cracks and surface changes yet is still accurate and fast in ratio is delightful.

Dylan remarks that the steering reminds him of a Ferrari’s and that if this sexy sports car was wearing a Prancing Horse badge and painted red it would make a great new-world 246 Dino. An interesting thought.

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Even more interesting is deciding a winner between these four. Where’s the Cayman when you need one?

A GTS 4.0 would’ve made this decision easier but as Andy noted, where a Cayman is at ease, the imperfect Emira is fizzing with feel. As for the M2, it has a unique character all to its own, dripping with hooligan charm. The old-school Supra makes you feel alive, while the new-school Corvette is the pick for boulevard posing though it’ll still boogie and thrill in correct conditions.

There has to be a winner and, despite their charms, it isn’t going to be the Supra or the Corvette. In both cases, more focused versions – the coming GRMN and Z06 respectively – will give these chassis the extra focus and crispness they need.

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The Supra deserves extra praise for offering such a special package for under $100K before on-road costs.

That means first spot is a battle between the M2 and Emira, a tricky pair to split because they’re so different. The M2 has layers, it Dr Jekylls and Mr Hydes with equal measures of excellence, only rarely sacrificing ultimate thrills to the Emira.

The gearshift could be better and the optional bucket seats are a fail, but thanks to an amazing engine, daily comfort, exciting chassis, and $80,000 lower starting price it’s very hard to overlook the M2 – especially if it’s going to do double-duty as a regular ride.

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But it’s no Cayman analogue. As fun as it may be, the M2 doesn’t have the poise, composure or grip of the Porsche.

There were times the Emira was draining. The wireless Apple CarPlay made my phone malfunction, the sound system couldn’t overcome the road noise roar on the freeway, it wasn’t glamorous to take phone calls in and the Toyota V6 – although great at high rpms – is workmanlike and chuntery around town; an issue common with the Cayman GTS.

Yet the Emira has higher highs: that pure steering, the shrill bark of the V6, and sheer poise made it a personal favourite over two days of testing. We all laughed, sweated, and whooped with joy behind the wheel of the Emira, and after all, is that not the point of a sports car?

The aim of this test was to find the best Cayman alternative and that’s the Lotus. It truly would have given the Porsche a run for its money, but that rematch will have to wait until the new-gen 718 arrives in 2025.

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Cabins

BMW M2

The most conventional here. A nicely laid-out dash with some sporty carbon fibre.

Lots of tech in the centre screen that works brilliantly, but the driver’s display is over-designed – there are too many choices! Choice extends to the optional buckets that are great with the auto but the ‘nutcracker’ between the knees doesn’t work with the M2 manual’s offset pedals.

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Chevrolet Corvette

Designed by an aircraft-obsessed teenager after one too many Mountain Dews?

Maybe, whatever the cause the C8’s cabin is decidedly different. Usability is okay, although the touchscreen is dimwitted and storage is limited given the ’Vette’s size. Sheer wow factor and customisability is the Chevy’s strength, and the seats are pretty comfy, too.

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Lotus Emira

Perfect expression of Lotus DNA for the future.

The designers have fought to keep gem-like features such as the gorgeous exposed shifter, though it’s melded with an up-to-date responsive touchscreen from the Geely arsenal. Volvo indicators would be a negative but they’re a lot nicer than the original Elise’s Vauxhall-sourced items.

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Toyota Supra

At a glance, the Supra is pleasingly different, though the switchgear all comes from a previous-gen 3 Series.

A bespoke digital driver’s display is the only Toyota-designed feature, otherwise, it’s ‘just’ a BMW. Careful with your head on the way out, too, though the Supra does have an excellent driving position, comfy chairs and a unique view out.

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Style and substance

If you’re hell-bent on getting a Cayman, Porsche has 718 Style Editions in stock.

Based on the standard Cayman, it comes with stickers, a 220kW/380Nm turbo-petrol, flat-four, Xenon headlights, with PDLS active high beams and the same 7.0-inch touchscreen for $138,325.

With adaptive suspension, the 718 Style Edition is capable and balanced, yet it misses out on the steering feel of the Lotus with its electric power steering rack. It’s still a great vehicle, but for those chasing the sort of thrill a Cayman GTS will dish out, the might leave you a little underwhelmed.

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Overmoded

Customisation is king, or is it? The M2 has 10 adjustable parameters with between two and 10 different settings for everything including brake feel.

The brake-by-wire Corvette comes close with four set modes adjusting sound to Suspension from Tour to Track with two fully customisable configurations: My and Z modes.

Comparatively, the Supra is simple with Normal and customisable Sport button that adjusts throttle, damper, steering, and aural behaviour. The Emira is less complex again, only adjusting the tri-modal exhaust, stability control and throttle response over its three progams. In a world where you can adjust almost every parameter, the Emira’s simplicity is refreshing.

BMW M2 score: 8.5/10

Chevrolet Corvette score: 8/10

Lotus Emira score: 8.5/10

Toyota Supra score: 8/10

Specifications

A new version of the 2024 GWM Haval H9 has been revealed online, ahead of a possible Aussie launch later in 2024.

A rival for the popular Toyota Prado and Ford Everest, the first-generation Haval H9 was last sold in Australia between 2015 and 2021 where it gained traction with budget-focused buyers thanks to drive-away pricing that started at $41,990.

Now in its second-generation, the new H9 debuts a boxier exterior and has been extensively reengineered underneath thanks to an updated ladder-frame chassis and improved crash safety tech.

GWM published images of the new H9 to social media but is yet to share any official details around the off-roader’s specifications or engines.

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It’s also unconfirmed if the new H9 will make its way to Australia, with a local spokesperson telling Wheels:

“H9 is certainly on our radar but not confirmed for Australia at this stage. We have a number of exciting new GWM products on the horizon and we’re currently working with our head office colleagues to finalise our local SUV strategy for 2024 and beyond.”

Haval currently sells two SUV models in Australia in the form of the mid-size H6 and smaller Jolion so adding a larger, seven-seat model to the local line-up could make sense.

Conversely, GWM’s local arm might not want to tread on the toes of its fledgling Tank brand which currently spearheads the Chinese car maker’s offering in the off-road SUV segment with the Tank 300 and soon-to-arrive Tank 500.

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It’s likely the new H9 will be sold with two engines in China — a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol that produces 167kW and a 2.4-litre turbo diesel with 137kW — and it promises improved off-road capability thanks to an overhauled ladder-frame chassis and a boost in structural rigidity.

Differential locks and low-range gearing are also expected, as is a “second-generation off-road drive controller” that has up to six modes, to help make the H9 a genuine alternative to accomplished off-road rivals like the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and Isuzu MU-X.

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GWM is yet to reveal official images of the H9’s fresh interior but spy shots show an all-new design with a pair of large touch-screens likely to include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Production of the new-gen Haval H9 is scheduled to begin in China in May 2024, meaning an Aussie launch is unlikely before late 2024 or early 2025.

Until then, what do you think of the boxy exterior styling? Would you consider the Haval H9 over the fresh Toyota Prado? Jump into the comments and let us know.

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Update: The MG 3 will be unveiled in full at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

MG has locked in a reveal date for the new MG 3, with a teaser image accompanying the announcement revealing the 3’s crisp new headlights and modernised front bumper design, but nothing more.

Hybrid power is expected on the new small car, as well as enhanced safety technology, refreshed petrol engines, and a new tech-oriented interior.

Luckily, we have a pretty good idea of the MG 3’s looks thanks to leaks and patent images – read on to find out more about the marque’s new most affordable model.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2H2KyhpgEZ/

Our original story, below, continues unchanged

January 2024: MG 3 revealed without camouflage

Forget the patent application images and our (very accurate) speculative renderings – here’s the new MG 3, revealed at last.

This image comes thanks to a member of the Spanish online community Cochespias, although it’s unclear from where the photo was sourced.

As expected, the new MG 3 will walk the line between ZS and MG 4 styling, albeit without the completely new-look design of the latter.

What do you think of the look? Continue reading below for more details.

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December: new-gen MG 3 to offer petrol and hybrid power

Australia’s cheapest car, the MG 3, will add a hybrid powertrain to its model range when the new generation arrives next year.

The news, confirmed by MG Australia, means the MG 3 will become the second vehicle in the budget-focused, city-car segment to include the option of a fuel-saving hybrid engine. Currently only the Toyota Yaris is available as a hybrid.

The arrival of the MG 3 hybrid will coincide with the introduction of a new-generation model which will usher in a fresh look, updated safety and infotainment tech, and roll on a new “scalable platform”.

It’s hoped the updated safety suite, which includes autonomous emergency braking, will improve the new model’s crash rating – though whether it achieves a five star ANCAP score remains to be seen.

The new model is also likely to usher in price rises that will push the MG 3 into the $20,000 bracket. Currently the MG 3 is Australia’s cheapest new car thanks to drive-away price of $19,990.

Camouflaged test mules of the new-gen MG 3 have recently been photographed in Sydney, suggesting a launch can’t be that far away.

Details around what hybrid powertrain the new MG 3 will use are yet to be confirmed, though it’s possible the new model will combine a 70kW/200Nm electric motor and 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery with an updated version of MG’s 1.5L four-cylinder petrol engine.

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September: Our exclusive renders show the new MG 3’s final design

Here it is.

Thanks to the detailed patent images published in early August, our mate Theo has crafted what should be a near pixel-perfect look at the new 2024 MG 3 hatch in its showroom form.

What do you think of the look? Tell us in the comments, and catch up on the story below.

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August 8: New MG3 revealed in patent images

A replacement for the popular MG 3 light hatch appears closer than ever, with new patent images revealing what is believed to be the new model.

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The next-generation 2024 MG 3 will sport a modern design similar to the MG 4, MG 5 and updated HS if design patents submitted to the European Union Intellectual Property Office prove accurate.

However, a recent report suggests it won’t be called ‘MG 3’, at least overseas.

“MG 3 will effectively be the first [new product]. That’s long overdue a replacement, that will happen springtime [autumn for Australia] next year,” said MG UK product planning boss David Allison in an interview with Auto Express in June.

“MG 3 will continue for another 12 to 18 months, before it’s replaced. But we won’t call it MG 3,” he added.

To keep it affordable, the new model is unlikely to feature any form of electrification.

It is believed the new model is around the corner, with its development said to have commenced more than three years ago using a “scalable platform” seen on current MG vehicles.

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A local launch is expected later in 2024 to replace the current MG 3, Australia’s top-selling light car.

Speaking to Wheels from parent company SAIC’s global headquarters in Shanghai, MG global chief designer, Oleg Son, said: “This car [the new MG 3]… will be launched next year.”

“I came to this company in 2020 and this car was already well on its way. It’s a different platform [to MG 4], but we have a scalable platform, so we choose the platform depending on the cost. Not every platform is suitable for every car.”

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The new MG 3 has a lower front grille and slimmer headlights reminiscent of the MG 5, while it features horizontal tail-lights similar to the ZS small SUV – with LED technology likely on flagship variants – rather than the current vertical units.

A larger front overhang would likely assist in meeting more-stringent safety testing, with the current MG 3 untested by ANCAP – but it received a now-expired three-star Euro NCAP rating in 2014.

A five-stud wheel pattern suggests it will be underpinned by a new platform, potentially sharing components with the one-size-up MG 5 small sedan.

Expect autonomous emergency braking – required for all vehicles introduced in Australia after March 1, 2023 – and other active safety tech to become available.

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However, while autonomous emergency braking is almost certain, other safety features could be absent in Australia.

For instance, local examples of the MG 5 lack lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, and speed recognition or driver monitoring systems, and the entry-level variant is not fitted with rear seatbelt reminders.

ANCAP assesses active safety equipment in its ‘safety assist’ and ‘vulnerable road user’ categories, with minimum scores of 70 per cent required to achieve a five-star rating or 60 per cent for a four-star rating.

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The interior of the new hatch has not been revealed, but recent MG products suggest a modernised look with a larger, floating infotainment system, a semi-digital instrument cluster, and an electronic handbrake.

Under the bonnet, a familiar 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine is likely, with circa-85kW and 150Nm and efficiency improvements.

It could switch to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), replacing the current four-speed torque-converter unit, in line with the MG 5.

The current MG 3 hatch dates back to 2011, with a facelift and automatic introduced in mid-2018.

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It is now priced from $19,990 drive-away – one of two new cars below $20,000 – up from $15,990 when the automatic version launched in 2018.

With other light hatch rivals such as the Mazda 2, Toyota Yaris and Suzuki Swift dearer than ever, and the recent discontinuation of the Kia Rio, the MG 3 faces little competition at the bottom end of the Australian new-car market – apart from the one-size-smaller Kia Picanto micro hatch.

But price rises are still likely, with the new MG 3 likely to rise to around $22,000 drive-away – compared to $23,990 drive-away for the base ZS small SUV and $24,990 drive-away for the MG 5 petrol sedan.

Earlier, we imagined the new MG 3 might look a little like this…

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Speculative renderings, above – commissioned by Wheels Media prior to the emergence of the patent images – show a similar, but more upmarket, design for the next-generation MG 3.

Below: The current 2023 MG 3 hatch

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