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Isuzu Ute Australia has unveiled new Isuzu Ute Finance and Isuzu Ute Insurance – two new services designed to make Isuzu Ute ownership simpler, more affordable and more flexible, according to the brand. 

Isuzu Ute Finance offers a streamlined and transparent way for customers to get behind the wheel. Applications are fast and fully digital, with ID verification and document signing handled securely through DocuSign.

“Whether you’re upgrading to a new D-Max or buying your first MU-X, Isuzu Ute Finance offers greater flexibility, more convenience, and a smoother path to ownership,” said Mr. Junta Matsui, Managing Director of Isuzu Ute Australia. “It’s about making the experience as effortless and transparent as possible.”

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With Isuzu Ute Insurance, customers are guaranteed Isuzu genuine parts in repair, a choice of repairer and a guarantee that if a written-off vehicle is within three years old, it’ll be replaced with a brand new equivalent. 

Flexible payment options will allow customers to pay monthly at no additional cost, while those not at fault following an accident will be kept mobile with a rental car. Tyres can also be optionally claimed with no excess. 

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“We’ve listened to our customers and developed services that support them through the entire ownership journey,” said Mr. Matsui. “These services are designed to make buying and owning an Isuzu D-Max and MU-X more straightforward, more secure, and more rewarding, delivering greater confidence, value, and choice from the moment customers start shopping, to long after they’ve driven away.”

As of July 1, 2025, Isuzu Ute Finance and Isuzu Ute Insurance are available through the brand’s national dealer network. 

The Renault Duster small SUV will be priced from $31,990 plus on-road costs in Australia, with the first local deliveries due to commence later this month. With more ground clearance and off-road ability than most other small SUVs, the Duster will also be available with a range of genuine and locally-sourced accessories for buyers wanting even more adventure. 

As confirmed recently by Renault Australia, two models will make up the Duster range: the entry-level Evolution and top-spec Techno, each available with either a turbocharged 1.3-litre front-wheel drive engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto or an also-turbocharged 1.2-litre mild-hybrid all-wheel drive engine with a six-speed manual.

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The 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is also used in the related Renault Captur, and makes 113kW of power (@ 5500rpm) and 270Nm of torque (@ 2250rpm). It’s rated at 6.5L/100km for fuel consumption and can use 91RON regular unleaded fuel.

Meanwhile, the slightly smaller 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol donk makes 96kW of power (@4500rpm) and 230Nm of torque (@ 2250rpm) and is boosted by mild-hybrid assistance. It uses 5.7L/100km on the combined cycle, and must use minimum-95RON premium unleaded fuel.

Measuring 4345mm long, 1921mm wide, 1650mm tall and riding on a 2657mm-long wheelbase, the Duster’s bootspace varies between drivetrains: the 1.3T FWD model’s boot measures between 472 litres to 1564 litres, while the 1.2T AWD’s boot is over 100 litres smaller at between 358L to 1424L thanks to its rear differential and independent rear suspension. 

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The Duster 1.3T FWD weighs between 1309kg and 1363kg (kerb), which is less than the 1422kg-1441kg 1.2T AWD and both can tow up to 1500kg (braked). The FWD Duster’s ground clearance is 174mm, with the AWD model increasing that to 212mm – 2mm more than a Suzuki Jimny.

Like other new Renault passenger cars, the Duster is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty and its service intervals are once-yearly/every 30,000km. Servicing costs are yet to be announced.

Renault Duster pricing (plus on-road costs): 

Evolution 1.3T 4×2 auto$31,990
Evolution 1.2T 4×4 manual$36,490
Techno 1.3T 4×2 auto$36,990
Techno 1.2T 4×4 manual$37,990
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Renault Duster Evolution standard equipment: 

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Renault Duster safety features:

Duster Techno model adds:

The Renault Duster is now on sale in Australia, with the first local deliveries due to commence later this month. 

Volkswagen Australia has announced pricing and specifications for the updated MY25 Volkswagen Amarok ute, which starts at an unchanged $55,490 plus on-road costs.

As well as new standard features, the Amarok range has added a new optionally-available cab chassis tray on Core, Life and Style models and a new 10 Deserts Edition that celebrates Volkswagen’s 2024 world record covering Australia’s 10 deserts.

The new Volkswagen Amarok 10 Deserts Edition is based on the second-from-bottom Life variant and adds a number of unique features. 

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Limited to 300 units, the Amarok 10 Deserts Edition adds a 40mm suspension lift, 17-inch black wheels with Continental all-terrain tyres, underbody protection, a black sports bar, soft tonneau cover, all-weather floor mats and 10 Deserts badging.

Priced from $68,490 plus on-road costs or $69,990 drive away, the 10 Deserts Edition is priced $9000 more than the Life TDI500 on which it’s based.

Elsewhere in the MY25 Volkswagen Amarok line-up, buyers can now order a cab chassis version of Core, Life and Style models with a 132kg steel tray now offered for an extra $4000, while a heavier-duty 243kg version is also available.

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The trays measure 1900mm long on the outside and 1650mm long by 1835mm wide inside.

The Amarok Style, PanAmericana and Aventura have also added a pair of 230-volt outlets – one on the rear of the centre console and one in the tray – plus a 400V inverter to power electrical devices on the move.

The Style, PanAmericana and Aventura have also added a new ‘Trailer Assist’ feature, which will make connecting trailers easier, and the former ‘Mid Blue Metallic’ paint has been replaced by ‘Reed Green Metallic’. 

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The engine choices in the Amarok range remain unchanged with a 125kW/405Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel available in the entry-level Core, a twin-turbo 154kW/500Nm version in the Life, 10 Deserts and Style, a 184kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel in the Style, PanAmericana and Aventura and a 222kW/452Nm 2.3-litre turbo-petrol engine in the Aventura. 

MY25 Volkswagen Amarok pricing

*Amarok Cab Chassis Tray adds $4000 to Core, Life and Style.

The updated MY25 Volkswagen Amarok range will enter local Volkswagen showrooms from July. 

Mercedes-Benz has announced a new special edition for its EQA and EQB small electric SUV ranges, with the City Edition of both now available to order from local Mercedes dealerships.

Adding extra equipment to the 250+ variants of the EQA and EQB ranges, the City Editions usher in special pricing as well, with both available under the FBT exemption point.

New 19-inch alloy wheels and comfort suspension ensure a comfortable driving experience, according to Mercedes, as well as the AMG Line exterior styling package, LED headlights with adaptive high beam, a panoramic glass roof, keyless entry with push button start, electric and heated front seats with memory functionality and metallic paint are also standard equipment.

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On the inside of both the EQA 250+ and EQB 250+ City Editions is the brand’s ‘MBUX’ infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, augmented reality satellite navigation, a fingerprint scanner for individual driver profiles, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting and DAB+ digital radio.

The City Editions feature the brand’s ‘Artico’ synthetic leather upholstery with suede inserts, as well as a Nappa leather steering wheel. In addition to the EQA’s equipment, the EQB 250+ City Edition also adds a third row of seating and a sliding middle row seat.

On the safety front, the EQA and EQB City Editions both feature nine airbags, automatic parking, adaptive cruise control, active lane keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring.

Both City Editions use a 70.5kWh battery for up to 578km of range for the EQA and 564km of range for the EQB (both on the NEDC cycle). Both also use a 140kW/385Nm front-mounted electric motor.

Pricing for the EQA 250+ City Edition starts at $80,700 plus on-road costs – $5100 less than the regular EQA 250+ – and $85,400 +ORC for the EQB 250+ City Edition. Both City Editions also feature a three-year service package and 12 months of charging through the Chargefox network as standard.

Mercedes-Benz City Edition pricing (plus on-road costs):

EQA 250+ City Edition$80,700
EQB 250+ City Edition$85,400

The Mercedes-Benz EQA 250+ and EQB 250+ City Editions are now on sale in Australia ahead of the first deliveries commencing soon.

4.5
Overall Score

There’s no doubt that the SUV has won favour over the traditional sedan or wagon for family motoring globally, with buyers shunning them so much that many simply are no longer offered in Australia or even made at all. 

Skoda has long been one of the best makers of wagons, with the Octavia still the company’s best-selling product globally. Locally, more attention is given to the Kodiaq SUV, but the fact remains: the Octavia is an excellent family car. Should you be considering it over an SUV?

Price and equipment

For the 2025 model year, there are three Octavia models offered in Australia: entry-level Select, mid-spec Sportline and the top-spec RS that we tested recently. All three are available in either liftback or wagon bodystyles, with the entry-level Select wagon tested here. 

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2025 Skoda Octavia pricing (drive away)

110TSI Select liftback$41,490
110TSI Select wagon$43,990
110TSI Sportline liftback$46,490
110TSI Sportline wagon$47,990
195TSI RS liftback$62,990
195TSI RS wagon$64,490

Octavia Select standard equipment

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Octavia Select safety equipment:

The Octavia range earned a five-star ANCAP safety rating with scores of 89 per cent in adult protection, 82 per cent in child protection, 68 per cent in road user protection and 81 per cent for safety assistance.

Interior, practicality and bootspace

Don’t let the $43,990 drive away price fool you: the interior of the Octavia feels like a more expensive car, even in entry-level Select form. That’s thanks to the interesting and solid materials used throughout, including the pebble-like dashboard trim, cool light grey textiles throughout to liven it up and tight-feeling switchgear. Many of the materials are soft touch as well, adding an extra feeling of quality throughout. 

Centre of the cabin is a 13-inch touchscreen that features wireless smartphone mirroring and satellite navigation, though no DAB+ reception or live services. It received a redesign with the Octavia’s mid-life facelift and it’s now easier to use, thanks to a new layout with more shortcuts for major functions. The row of shortcut buttons underneath the screen also help massively with user-friendliness, and aside from the grainy reversing camera, everything is sharp to look at.

As you’d expect for a Skoda, the Octavia Select is filled with excellent storage options for life’s trinkets, including big flock-lined door bins (with a bin in the driver’s door), a big box underneath the centre armrest, a secret tray to the right of the driver, a big tray underneath the dashboard with a ventilated wireless phone charger and cup holders with teeth so that bottles can be opened using only one hand. 

Despite not featuring the electric seat adjustment of the upper-spec RS, there is plenty of adjustment the driving position of the Octavia. Front seat comfort excellent thanks to the supportive seats, while rear visibility is excellent thanks to large mirrors and windows. 

In the rear seat of the Octavia Select, two taller adults will fit fine thanks to its ample leg- and headroom and the amenities on hand are healthy, including big flock-lined door bins, a central armrest with cupholders, a removable storage area on the central tunnel, two USB-C charging ports, map pockets and air vents. For child seats, there are three top-tether and two ISOFIX points. 

The Octavia wagon’s boot is huge, measuring 640 litres with the rear seats up and 1700L with the rear seats folded – or 380L more than a Mazda CX-5 with the seats folded. It’s very practical but not just for the amount of space as it employs a number of clever features to make life easier, including a double-sided boot mat (one side is carpet and the other is plastic), cargo securing fasteners, side and under-floor storage, a 12V socket for power, various nets and hooks and releases to fold the rear seats. 

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A space saver spare lives underneath the boot floor, while we’d like to see a dual-level boot floor for no lip between the boot and rear seats when they’re folded and an electric tailgate added to the spec sheet. But regardless of those features, it’s fantastic. 

Performance and efficiency

The Octavia Select uses the ‘110TSI’ turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s also featured in a number of other Volkswagen Group cars, including the current Golf and Tiguan, as well as the Octavia’s Karoq mid-size SUV sibling. In this tune, it makes 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque, and grunt is sent to the front wheels through an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission. 

Skoda claims that the Octavia Select wagon hits 100km/h in 8.7 seconds, with claimed combined fuel consumption of 6.2L/100km and claimed CO2 emissions of 140g/km. It uses 95RON premium unleaded fuel for its 45-litre tank. In our week of testing, we achieved 7.4L/100km for fuel use in mostly urban driving. 

On the road

As we’ve seen with every other car that uses the VW Group’s ‘MQB’ platform, the Skoda Octavia Select wagon is lovely to drive with a mature and confident feeling from behind the wheel. Its suspension set up is taut but quite comfortable, and the steering is well-weighted as well. It’s a really easy car to just hop in and drive – there’s no driving modes to select from and no adjustable dampers, you just get in, select drive and go. 

Unlike the Octavia RS and its seven-speed dual-clutcher, the Select uses an eight-speed torque converter automatic that gives no low speed hesitation, unlike the DSG. Setting off from a stop, the Octavia’s auto is so seamless and that only adds to how easy it is to drive. At higher speeds, it can hunt a little bit for gears, but it’s otherwise totally fine. 

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The turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol engine is a willing performer in the Octavia, producing its peak 250Nm of torque from just 1500rpm that ensures its urban pulling power is plentiful. But even at highway speeds, the Octavia’s pulling power is effortless and it cruises at 110km/h with ease.

As we saw in the RS, the Octavia’s active safety features are impressively refined, particularly the subtle lane keeping assistance and decisive adaptive cruise control. The only slightly annoying comment to be made from behind the wheel is that the coarse chip road noise can be a bit loud, but that’s it.

Service and warranty

The Skoda range is covered by a seven-year/unlimited km warranty with minimum 12 months of roadside assistance extended by a further 12 months with each dealer service.

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The Octavia’s service intervals are once-yearly/every 15,000km, and a five-year/75,000km service pack costs $3000 ($600 per service). 

Verdict: Should I buy a Skoda Octavia Select wagon? 

It’s well known that we’re on the offensive that more families should be buying sedans and wagons and not SUVs, and the Skoda Octavia Select is a perfect example of that. Against something like the Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport, the Octavia Select is better equipped, more fuel efficient, more natural to drive and far more practical with over 200 litres more boot space with the seats up. 

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In isolation, the Octavia also impresses with its quality interior materials, refined driving experience, punchy turbo-petrol engine and smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. Against it are that it’s missing some convenience features such as keyless entry and an electric bootlid, while it’s also not cheap to service and there’s no room for personalisation beyond colour. But these are small issues in a great overall package that’s undoubtedly worthy of consideration over an SUV.

Skoda Octavia Select wagon rivals

Australia is set to undergo one of the most significant automotive reforms in a century, as the federal government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) officially comes into force on July 1.

The new regime introduces a credit and debit system for vehicle emissions, targeting a progressive reduction in carbon output across the nation’s light vehicle fleet.

Under the NVES, manufacturers will now be directly accountable for the emissions performance of their vehicles sold in Australia. Those supplying low-emission models, including electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), will earn credits. Conversely, companies exceeding strict carbon dioxide (CO₂) thresholds will accumulate debits, potentially incurring financial penalties or needing to trade for compliance.

Tony Weber, CEO of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), highlighted the industry’s substantial preparatory work, noting significant investments in vehicle supply chains, regulatory systems, and market readiness. “There are now more than 100 EV models and over 50 plug-in hybrids available to Australian consumers,” Weber stated.

Despite this progress, uptake remains sluggish. EVs account for just 7 per cent of new vehicle sales – a figure far below what’s needed to meet NVES benchmarks, which tighten annually through to 2029. “This target trajectory is ambitious, and we are already lagging,” Weber warned.

A key concern remains consumer demand. The FCAI cites barriers such as high upfront costs, limited charging infrastructure, and fluctuating electricity prices as deterrents for wider adoption. “The NVES can’t succeed without coordinated government support to improve affordability and accessibility for everyday Australians,” Weber stressed.

The NVES is modeled on similar standards in the US and Europe, aiming to encourage cleaner technologies while giving manufacturers flexibility in how they meet targets – through internal fleet planning or trading credits. The ultimate goal is to cut CO₂ emissions, reduce fuel costs for consumers, and stimulate the zero-emissions vehicle market.

As the policy kicks off, attention now turns to how federal and state governments will support the transition – and whether consumers will follow.

Toyota Australia has announced local pricing and specifications for the facelifted Corolla Cross small SUV ahead of its arrival from July. The updated Corolla Cross is priced $960 higher than before, but according to Toyota, that price increase has been offset by new standard equipment across the range. 

In addition to revised exterior styling with new bumper and lighting unit designs and a revised interior with a new centre console design for more storage, the Corolla Cross range will see new standard equipment across the range. GXL and Atmos models will arrive in July, with the GX and new GR Sport arriving later in the year.

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The GX adds features such as low-speed autonomous emergency braking in forward and reverse (previously only on the upper-spec GXL and Atmos), while the GXL gains the most with a wireless phone charger, heated front seats, rain-sensing automatic wipers and an upgraded 360-degree with a see-through view now standard. 

The Atmos sees ventilated front seats, a new 18-inch alloy wheel design and centre console illumination and the new GR Sport model sees sports suspension and steering tunes, GR exterior styling, larger 19-inch wheels and synthetic suede upholstery. 

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All Corolla Cross models use a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain making 146kW of power. Both front- and all-wheel drive drivetrains are available, with front-drive models using 4.3L/100km of fuel and all-wheel drive models adding just 0.1L/100km to that at 4.4L/100km. Thanks to its hybrid drivetrain, the Corolla Cross is one of the most fuel efficient SUVs on sale in Australia.

Toyota Corolla Cross pricing (plus on-road costs): 

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Toyota Corolla Cross GX standard features: 

Corolla Cross GXL model adds: 

Corolla Cross Atmos model adds: 

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Corolla Cross GR Sport model unique features: 

The facelifted Toyota Corolla Cross will go on sale in Australia from next month, with local deliveries due to commence then. 

British automotive engineering specialist Dash CAE has launched Dash Bespoke, which is a new arm to develop bespoke cars based around its carbon fibre monocoque chassis. According to the company, it offers a cost-effective solution to design, engineer and build high performance vehicles for car manufacturers, niche brands and one-off projects.

Dash CAE was originally founded in 2006 with employees from Formula 1 backgrounds to deliver full F1 cars for a number of teams, before diversifying into automotive to work with OEMs and now into the mobility spectrum.

Now, Dash Bespoke will use the company’s ‘TR01’ carbon fibre monocoque chassis, which first launched in 2023 and is lightweight, stiff, versatile and Euro NCAP-ready, according to the company. It is a highly adaptable platform for low-volume motorsport, supercar and hypercar production. 

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According to Dash, increasing customer demand for a ‘turn key’ solution to low-volume performance vehicle builds has resulted in the creation of its new arm. 

Dash Bespoke’s first customer project, the SlipStream, will be revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from July 10-15 in the UK, which will use a V8 engine and high-performance features such as carbon fibre subframes, light alloy suspension and Nitron electro-hydraulic dampers. 

Tim Robathan, CEO of Dash, commented: “Bringing a bespoke or low-volume performance vehicle to life is a monumental undertaking. Whether it’s an OEM motorsport project or a niche hypercar, the engineering, manufacturing, and assembly challenges and associated risks are high. For many brands and visionaries, these obstacles can halt progress and project viability. That is why we have established Dash Bespoke. 

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“Dash Bespoke is the culmination of two decades of high-performance engineering and production experience. Leveraging our proven TR01 monocoque and extensive in-house engineering expertise, we can manage projects from end to end. Dash Bespoke is an exciting new chapter for Dash, and we are thrilled to be showcasing our first customer project, SlipStream, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.”

The first one-off project based on the Dash Bespoke chassis will be revealed at next month’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, with future projects also likely in the works. 

LDV has launched its new Terron 9 ute in Australia. Available in two models in a single dual-cab bodystyle, the Terron 9 is priced from $50,990 drive away for ABN holders and will sit above the existing T60 ute in the LDV line-up. The Terron 9 features a new 2.5-litre turbo-diesel engine and can tow the benchmark 3500kg braked trailer.

The LDV Terron 9 range uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine making 163kW of power (@ 3800rpm) and 520Nm of torque (from 1500rpm to 2500rpm) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system. It’s rated 7.9L/100km for combined fuel consumption.

Measuring 5500mm long, 1997mm wide, 1874mm tall and riding on a 3300mm long wheelbase, the Terron 9 is 130mm longer, 79mm wider, 10mm less tall and rides on a 30mm-longer wheelbase than a Ford Ranger.

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The Terron 9 is rated to tow a 3500kg braked trailer, its GVM is 3500kg and its GCM is 6500kg. The Terron 9 is covered by a seven-year/200,000km warranty and its service intervals are annual/10,000km for the first year and then every 15,000km afterwards.

“We want to make sure when a ute buyer walks into an LDV showroom, we have a vehicle that offers value across a range of price points,” said the General Manager of LDV Australia, Dinesh Chinnappa. “We are not going to leave our traditional ute buyers behind. Rather, the LDV Terron ute series will broaden our offering across the ute segment.

LDV Terron 9 pricing (drive away):

Origin$50,990 drive away (ABN), $53,674 drive away (retail)
Evolve$55,990 drive away (ABN), $58,937 drive away (retail)

LDV Terron 9 launch offer at participating dealers:

Origin$49,990 drive away (ABN)
Evolve$54,990 drive away (ABN)

LDV Terron 9 Origin standard equipment:

Terron 9 Origin safety equipment:

Terron 9 Evolve model adds:

The LDV Terron 9 is now on sale in LDV dealerships, with deliveries due to commence soon.

A peculiar and heavily criticised road feature in Sydney’s southwest has been abruptly removed, just days after drawing national attention for its baffling and seemingly dysfunctional design.

The now-notorious diamond-shaped roundabout, located at the intersection of Fifteenth Avenue and 28th Avenue in Austral, mysteriously vanished on Friday night. Installed as part of roadworks aimed at preparing key routes for the upcoming Western Sydney International Airport, the roundabout quickly became a lightning rod for confusion and criticism.

Drivers navigating the intersection were visibly bewildered by the unconventional layout. Footage captured last week showed motorists ignoring the roundabout’s markings altogether, often driving straight over the painted diamond in the centre.

The bizarre design prompted a flurry of complaints from residents and ridicule on social media, with many questioning how the concept was approved in the first place.

By Saturday morning, the roundabout was no more. Liverpool Council confirmed its removal to Yahoo, stating simply: “There is no roundabout, it’s gone.” A council spokesperson added, “We listened to our residents. It was a design that didn’t work… so the simplest thing to do was to get rid of it.”

On Facebook Liverpool Council Chief Executive Officer Jason Breton appeared in a video next to the roundabout confirming it would be removed. ‘Clearly a number of concerns about the roundabout we built but we’ve listened to those concerns… We’re going to take the roundabout out over the weekend.”

Photos taken over the weekend show the diamond markings painted over in black and the original roundabout signage replaced by a standard Give Way sign. The central mound was also removed, and new line markings were applied to restore the intersection to its previous layout – albeit with minor adjustments for clarity.

The intersection before the roundabout was added

Local MP Nathan Hagarty condemned the original installation, calling the situation a “disgraceful saga.” In a video posted online, he claimed the roundabout delivered did not match the original designs and demanded accountability from both Liverpool Council and the project’s contractors. “How much money has been wasted?” he asked.

In defence, the council argued the real issue is the state government’s delay in upgrading Fifteenth Avenue. “It’s always been an awkward intersection… and it’s not going to be ready in time for the airport,” a spokesperson said, warning of ongoing traffic headaches until the road receives proper investment.