Chinese EV maker XPeng has reminded buyers about its June 30 deadline for those wanting to secure a 10-year extended warranty with the purchase of a new XPeng.

Available for all XPeng orders placed by June 30, the five-year vehicle warranty extension is added to the standard five-year warranty for 10 years in total up to 220,000km. The vehicle warranty also covers the battery for 10 years, which is a two-year extension on the standard eight-year warranty.

According to XPeng, the warranty extension is valued at a total of $4980, while fleet, corporate and government customers are excluded from the promotion.

The sole product in local XPeng showrooms so far is the G6 electric mid-size SUV, which is priced from $54,800 plus on-road costs. It’s available in two forms: Standard Range and Extended Range, with up to 570km of WLTP-rated driving range for the Extended Range model and its 87.5kWh NMC battery.

The G6 Standard Range uses a 190kW/440Nm rear-mounted motor for a 6.6-second 0-100km/h sprint time, while the Extended Range adds 20kW more power for a quicker 6.2-second sprint.

Standard features on both XPeng G6 models include 20-inch wheels, a panoramic glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, a full suite of active safety features an an 800V architecture allowing for charging at up to 280kW.

XPeng G6 pricing (plus on-road costs):

The XPeng G6 is in local XPeng showrooms now and the 10-year warranty offer expires on June
30.

Chinese EV manufacturer Nio has confirmed that its new Firefly electric supermini is heading to Europe, with UK sales expected by October. Designed as a direct competitor to the upcoming Renault 5 EV and Volkswagen ID.2, the Firefly combines affordability with compact urban practicality.

Launched in China in April 2025, the Nio Firefly offers a range of 418 kilometres (based on the generous CLTC test cycle) and is powered by a single rear-mounted motor producing 105 kilowatts. Despite its modest size and powertrain, the Firefly is designed for city commuting and short-distance travel.

What truly sets the Firefly apart is its price. Retailing in China for around A$24,000, it’s one of the most affordable electric cars on the global market.

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Initially introduced as an entirely new brand alongside sibling marque Onvo, Firefly was later integrated as a sub-brand under the Nio umbrella, streamlining its global branding strategy. In its first full month on the market, Nio sold 3,680 units of the Firefly, contributing to a 13.1 per cent year-on-year growth in overall sales for the company.

Though only left-hand-drive models have been shown to date, Nio President Qin Lihong confirmed at the Shanghai motor show that a right-hand-drive version will be ready for the UK by October. While formal UK launch plans are still pending, this announcement strongly suggests that a local debut is imminent.

Nio’s European expansion is accelerating rapidly. The brand aims to enter 16 new global markets in 2025, with seven already confirmed in Europe: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, and Romania. Alongside the Firefly, Nio will launch its EL6 and EL8 SUVs, as well as the ET5 saloon and ET5 Touring estate in those countries.

In addition, industry insiders expect an update soon on the launch of the Onvo L60 – a sleek Tesla Model Y rival – in the UK. According to Nio’s head of product planning, Eric Yu, the absence of import tariffs on Chinese EVs in the UK is a key advantage, especially compared to the 31 per cent import surcharge in the European Union.

The Firefly’s energy efficiency is rated at 14.5kWh per 100 kilometres (WLTP), helping to keep running costs low. It supports 100kW DC fast charging, allowing a 10-80 per cent charge in just 29 minutes, along with either 7kW or 11kW AC charging. A notable addition is its vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, enabling the car to power external devices – ideal for camping or emergency use.

A standout feature that sets the Firefly apart is its swappable battery pack, a hallmark of the Nio brand. This innovation allows for quick battery exchanges at Nio’s growing network of swapping stations and ensures compatibility with the company’s fifth-generation battery swap stations set to launch globally in 2026.

Inside, the Firefly showcases a minimalist cabin crafted from sustainable materials. It features a 13.2-inch multimedia touchscreen, supported by a 14-speaker surround sound system, and a 6.0-inch digital instrument cluster. All variants come with over-the-air software update capability and a smartphone app that functions as a digital key, echoing tech offerings from rivals like Tesla.

Practicality hasn’t been overlooked. The five-seat interior includes a front bench layout, a 60/40 split rear bench, and generous cargo space. The boot offers 404 litres, while a sizeable 92-litre frunk and a 29-litre under-seat storage tray add versatility rarely seen in this segment.

With its low price, competitive range, and expanding availability, the Firefly could become a disruptive force in the entry-level EV segment across Europe and potentially in Australia at a later stage.

McLaren Automotive has launched a limited-edition supercar – the 750S Le Mans – to commemorate 30 years since its historic debut victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only 50 examples of the exclusive model will be produced, making it one of the most desirable McLaren road cars in recent memory.

The tribute model honours the legendary McLaren F1 GTR #59 that secured overall victory at Le Mans on June 18, 1995, piloted by JJ Lehto, Yannick Dalmas, and Masanori Sekiya. That year, McLaren’s endurance debut was further cemented by an extraordinary result, with three more F1 GTRs finishing in the top five.

Just ahead of the anniversary, two McLaren GT3 EVO cars – based on the 750S – will compete at this year’s event in the LMGT3 category.

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The 750S Le Mans is visually and technically inspired by its motorsport roots. Finished in Le Mans Grey or optional McLaren Orange, the exterior features the newly developed MSO High Downforce Kit (HDK), which includes a prominent carbon fibre rear wing, larger front splitter, and aerodynamic louvres. These components boost downforce by 10 per cent, enhancing cornering performance and echoing the aerodynamic enhancements of the iconic McLaren F1 LM.

Further exterior details include a gloss black roof scoop, natural titanium exhaust finisher, and 5-spoke Le Mans wheels with F1 Gold brake calipers and red McLaren branding. Distinctive Le Mans logos and unique trim accents complete the visual transformation.

Inside, customers can choose from two exclusive interior themes: Carbon Black Alcantara with either Dove Grey or McLaren Orange Alcantara accents. Special touches include debossed Le Mans headrest branding, bespoke floor mats, and a commemorative dedication plaque.

For collectors seeking further personalisation, McLaren offers a suite of bespoke options such as carbon fibre exterior packs, track brake upgrades, and a track record plaque that commemorates the 1995 Le Mans win and McLaren’s rare Triple Crown motorsport achievement.

Beneath the surface, the 750S Le Mans retains the core performance attributes of the acclaimed 750S, featuring a 750PS twin-turbo V8 engine, carbon fibre Monocage II chassis, and Proactive Chassis Control III suspension, delivering benchmark agility and lightweight construction.

This is the first Le Mans special edition since the F1 LM to incorporate HDK aero enhancements and coincides with McLaren’s announced return to the Le Mans Hypercar class in 2027 – a fitting celebration of past triumphs and future ambitions.

Toyota has revealed a facelift for its smallest car in the European region, with the updated Aygo X going on sale there later in 2025. Introducing a hybrid drivetrain for the first time, the Aygo X is claimed to now be the lowest CO2-emitting car without a plug in the region.

The pre-updated Aygo X’s non-turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine has been shelved, with the same 85kW 1.5-litre hybrid set up from the slightly larger Yaris hatchback and Yaris Cross small SUV now fitted as standard. That makes it 32kW more powerful than the former petrol Aygo X.

According to Toyota, the move was to boost both performance and fuel efficiency, with the hybrid Aygo X now capable of a sub-10 second sprint to 100km/h – or five seconds faster than the non-hybrid version – and a 23g/km reduction in CO2 to just 86g/km (WLTP).

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Fuel consumption figures are yet to be announced, but Autocar reports that the Aygo X hybrid is capable of 74mpg (around 3.8L/100km) on the WLTP cycle – around 0.5L/100km less than the European market Yaris hybrid.

Toyota made the Aygo X’s nose 76mm longer to accommodate the larger engine and for the first time in a Toyota hybrid, the two stacks of battery cells are positioned alongside each other across the width of the floor under the rear seats, unlike the typical parallel configuration of other hybrid Toyota models. The 12V battery is also now located under the boot floor.

With the extended nose, the facelifted Aygo X was given updated styling, including new headlights and bumpers. The opening canvas roof is also still an option, as is a two-tone paint job, while a sportier-looking GR Sport trim level is also available for the first time.

The inside of the Aygo X has been treated to a new infotainment system, as well as a new digital driver’s display and updated trims, including new animal-free materials.

Available features on the Aygo X range include heated front seats, synthetic leather and suede trim, auto-folding mirrors, wheels up to 18-inches in size, automatic LED lighting, dual-zone climate control, a wireless phone charger and an extended range of active safety features to include emergency assist that can be refined through over-the-air updates.

The Toyota Aygo X hybrid is due to go on sale in European markets later in 2025, with no plans yet announced for an Australian release.

Australia’s new vehicle sales figures for May 2025 have been released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), revealing a total of 105,285 vehicles delivered nationwide.

While this marks a 5.2 per cent decline compared with May 2024, FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber remains optimistic, stating that the figures reflect a market that is still robust and competitive by historical standards.

“The fundamentals of the market remain strong,” said Weber. “We continue to see healthy consumer demand across a wide variety of vehicle types, and competition among manufacturers is intense.”

Once again, SUVs dominated Australian preferences, accounting for 60.4 per cent of total new vehicle sales year-to-date. This represents a notable increase from 55.8 per cent over the same period in 2024, underscoring the segment’s continued popularity among Australian buyers.

Meanwhile, the FCAI has joined forces with the European Australian Business Council and other peak industry groups to advocate for the finalisation of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the European Union. The proposed deal could lead to the removal of the long-criticised Luxury Car Tax and the elimination of the 5 per cent import tariff on European vehicles.

“A forward-looking agreement would not only modernise outdated policies but also give Australian consumers better access to world-leading vehicle technologies at more affordable prices,” Weber added.

Toyota maintained its position as the nation’s best-selling car brand in May, moving 23,576 units. Ford followed with 8,464 vehicles sold, ahead of Mazda (7,845), Kia (6,903), and Hyundai (6,708). The Toyota HiLux remained Australia’s top-selling model with 4,952 units, closely trailed by the Ford Ranger (4,761). The Toyota RAV4 (4,003), LandCruiser (3,046), and Prado (2,732) rounded out the top five.

At the state level, May saw declines in most regions compared to 2024. The Australian Capital Territory recorded a 15.5 per cent drop in sales (1,413 units), followed by Tasmania (down 14.8 per cent to 1,549), the Northern Territory (down 12.8 per cent to 871), and South Australia (down 12.1 per cent to 6,596). New South Wales fell 2.9 per cent to 32,177 units, while Queensland declined 2.6 per cent to 22,924. Victoria’s figures were not included in the latest data release.

Specifications

Model: Jaecoo J8 Ridge AWD
Price: $54,990 drive away
Engine: 1998cc turbo 4-cylinder
Power: 183kW (@ 5500rpm)
Torque: 385Nm (@1750 – 4000rpm)
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
0-100km/h: 9.0 seconds
Top speed: 200km/h
Fuel consumption (claimed/as tested): 8.6L/100km, 10.4L/100km
Fuel tank, recommended fuel type: 65-litres, 95RON premium unleaded
CO2 emissions: 204g/km
Length/width/height/wheelbase: 4820/1930/1710/2820mm
Bootspace (rear seats up/down): 738/2021 litres (to roof)
Tare mass: 1890kg
On sale: now

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Chery’s premium arm Jaecoo is continuing to grow its presence in Australia. Only a few months after launching with the J7 small-to-mid-size SUV, the larger J8 has arrived as well. Australian pricing was revealed in early May and vehicles are in dealerships now.

Sitting in size above medium SUVs like the Toyota RAV4, in a position akin to the Mazda CX-60‘s place above the smaller and cheaper CX-5 – the J8 is currently available in two model grades priced from $49,990 drive away. That’s not a lot of coin for an apparently premium car, so does the J8 make sense?

Price and equipment

Jaecoo is offering the J8 in two models in Australia: the entry-level Track and upper-spec Ridge. Both use the same engine, with the Track powering just the front wheels and the Ridge adding all-wheel drive into the mix. We expect a plug-in hybrid to be offered eventually, as in the smaller J7.

2025 Jaecoo J8 pricing (drive away):

Jaecoo J8 Ridge AWD standard equipment:

• 20-inch alloy wheels with a full-size spare
• Dusk-sensing automatic LED exterior lighting
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Rear privacy glass
• Roof rails
• Panoramic sunroof
• Keyless entry with push button start and remote start
• Power tailgate
• Heated and auto-folding mirrors with automatic lowering in reverse
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with rear fan speed controller
• Inbuilt fragrance
• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• 12.3-inch driver’s display
• 12-speaker Sony sound system
• Wired and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• 4x USB ports
• Satellite navigation
• AM/FM radio
• “Hey Jaecoo” voice control
• Leather upholstery
• Heated synthetic leather steering wheel
• Heated and ventilated massaging electric front seats with driver’s memory
• Heated and ventilated outboard rear seats
• Head-up display

J8 Ridge safety features:

• 10 airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
• Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane departure prevention with emergency lane keeping
• Adaptive lane guidance
• Door open warning
• Driver monitoring
• Automatic rear braking
• Auto high beam
• Traffic sign recognition
• 360-degree camera
• Automatic parking
• Front, side and rear parking sensors

The Jaecoo J8 is yet to be tested by ANCAP for safety.

Interior, practicality and bootspace

Open the door of the J8 and you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’ve stepped into a modern Mercedes-Benz product, because it’s eerily similar to the dashboard of a GLS. While Mercedes may not appreciate the comparison, the reality is that the cabin of the J8 is quite well finished – unlike a lot of other Chinese cars, it’s not just covered in faux leather trim. The patterns and choices of materials, such as the suede-like trim on the door tops and dashboard, are quite interesting.

In the centre of the dashboard is a 12.3-inch touchscreen with features such as wired and wireless smartphone mirroring and sat-nav. It uses a similar software to the J7, though in a horizontal layout, and it is quite easy to use with bright colouring and a quick processor. The 360-degree camera is excellent quality, and the sound quality from the 12-speaker Sony sound system – including the two speakers in the driver’s headrest – is reasonable as well.

Having said that, the touchscreen would be easier to use if its icons were larger, there were more physical buttons – there’s a volume slider on the centre console but no home button – and if the touchscreen wasn’t located so far from the driver, making it a bit of a reach to use. The “Hey Jaecoo” voice control is also nigh on useless.

The front seats in the J8 are quite comfortable with multiple forms of adjustability like the seat cushion extension, though no under-thigh angle adjustment affects the driving position. The massaging functionality is excellent, with multiple massage programs to choose from – our favourite is the cat’s paw, which when combined with heated seats, is great.

The J8’s cabin is also impressively practical with big door bins, a huge tray under the centre console, a tray on the centre console with a wireless phone charger, a big bin underneath the central armrest and two medium-sized cupholders ahead of the volume controller. The gear selector is located on the right-hand stalk on the steering column, freeing up space for storage.

The rear seat of the J8 is a quite comfortable and well featured space, with more than ample room for two taller adults. There are four air vents, reclining seatbacks, a central armrest with cupholders, a fan speed controller, inbuilt window shades, two USB ports and even heated and ventilated outboard seats.

In some overseas markets, the J8 can be purchased with a third row of seating but Jaecoo Australia has decided not to offer that for the time being. While that may strike it off some buyers’ consideration lists, we think that’s good as it would likely be only for children and without them, its boot is huge.

The boot of the J8 – again, because we receive it as a five-seater – is huge, measuring 738 litres (to the roof) with the rear seats up and 2021L with them folded – much larger than the 477/1726L boot of the CX-60. There is also some under-floor storage, a full-size alloy spare, a hook to hang a bag off and a quick electric tailgate.

Performance and economy

Under the bonnet of the J8 range is a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 183kW of power and 375Nm of torque. That’s mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and in the Ridge, power is sent to all four wheels.

Jaecoo claims combined fuel consumption for the J8 Ridge of 8.6L/100km and CO2 emissions of 204g/km. The J8 has a 65-litre fuel tank, and must use a minimum of 95RON premium unleaded fuel. In our testing, we achieved a fuel consumption result in driving skewed towards urban driving of 10.4L/100km – not a great result but our test car was also quite new, so its efficiency should improve with more distance under its belt.

On the road

On the road, the J8 doesn’t stand out as overly sporty or plush to drive. Instead, it’s comfortable and quite refined, and is enjoyable to steer. Those looking for sportiness won’t find any here, but that’s fine as it has no pretensions to be a sports car. The steering is light and the ride quality is mostly well tuned, though it thumps a bit on lower speed bumps thanks to the standard huge 20-inch wheels.

The J8’s engine gives more than ample performance for most, with the full 375Nm hitting at just 1750rpm. The claimed 0-100km/h time of 9.0 seconds doesn’t sound impressive, but the J8 feels quicker than that in real life thanks to its ample mid-range grunt. Helping the drivetrain further is the eight-speed automatic transmission, which is much more refined than the seven-speed dual-clutch unit this engine uses in the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max. Only the lack of paddle shifters for extra braking down hills annoys.

The J8’s engine sounds surprisingly good for a big family SUV, though you’d likely not hear it because of the excellent refinement. Both engine and road noise levels are quite low and in most situations, the J8 wafts along quietly and comfortably just doing its thing – it’s much quieter than a CX-60, for example.

The J8 is also well featured with active safety features, including systems such as AEB, adaptive cruise control, adaptive lane guidance and traffic sign recognition. While the J7’s equivalent systems need work, the J8’s seem to have been improved with a gentler adaption of lane keeping assistance and a speed sign warning that can – thankfully – be turned off and it will stay turned off. The high beam needs a brighter light, however.

Service and warranty

The Jaecoo range is covered by an eight-year/unlimited km warranty with 12 months of roadside assistance that’s extended a further 12 months with each dealership service up to eight years in total.

The J8’s service intervals are once-yearly/every 15,000km and five years/75,000km of servicing costs $2025 (or, on average, $405 annually). In comparison, a CX-60’s warranty is three years shorter and its service costs are a lot more than the Jaecoo.

Verdict: should I buy a Jaecoo J8?

The Jaecoo J8 is an interesting product that provides a lot of luxury features for not a big price. Ventilated rear seats in a sub-$60k drive away car? That’s unheard of – and there’s more appeal to the J8 than just its pricing. Its cabin is genuinely plush with a lot of expensive-feeling materials and switchgear, it’s very well insulated from the outside and it’s also quite practical with a huge boot and spacious rear seat.

On the road, the J8 is less impressive, however, with an unrefined low-speed ride, while even imperfections such as road joints at higher speeds result in a thump, likely not helped by the huge 20-inch wheels. While its engine performs well, it can be thirsty and there’s no hybrid option yet to choose. However, there’s still quite a lot appeal in the Jaecoo J8 and we’re keen to see what comes from the brand in the future.

Jaecoo J8 rivals

Mazda CX-60
Genesis GV70

Volkswagen’s next-generation seven-seat SUV will arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the Tiguan Allspace-replacing Tayron confirmed for local release. Bigger and better equipped than the Allspace it replaces, pricing for the Tayron is yet to be announced. A considerable 230mm longer than the new Tiguan, the Tayron measures 4770mm long, 1852mm wide and 1660mm tall. That makes it longer and wider than the Tiguan Allspace, though its 2791mm long wheelbase is identical.

Seven seats are standard in all models bar the 150TSI Life, which has an even larger boot than seven-seat models at 885-litres (versus 850-litres) with the second row erected.

As in the Allspace, there are turbocharged 1.4-litre and 2.0-litre engines available in the Tayron, though upgraded compared to its predecessor. All models use a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with the 1.4-litre ‘110TSI’ making 110kW/250Nm outputs, the 2.0-litre ‘150TSI’ making 150kW/320Nm and the also-2.0 litre ‘195TSI’ making 195kW/400Nm.

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Volkswagen Tayron Australian line-up:

110TSI Life
150TSI Life
150TSI Elegance
195TSI R-Line

Volkswagen Tayron 110TSI Life standard equipment:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dusk- and rain-activated automatic LED exterior lighting
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Keyless entry and start
• Power tailgate
• Seven-seat layout
• 10.25-inch digital driver’s display
• 12.9-inch touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Wireless phone charger
• 9 x airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection assistance
• Lane keeping assistance with adaptive lane guidance
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Front and rear-cross traffic alert
• Door exit warning
• Automatic parking
• Traffic sign recognition
• 360-degree camera
• Front, side and rear parking sensors

Tayron 150TSI Life adds over 110TSI Life:

• Five-seat layout
• Larger engine with all-wheel drive
• Adaptive suspension

Tayron 150TSI Elegance model adds over 150TSI Life:

• Seven-seat layout
• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Higher-end LED lighting
• Leather upholstery
• Heated, ventilated, massaging and powered front seats
• Heated outboard rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Rear privacy glass

Tayron 195TSI R-Line model adds over 150TSI Elegance:

• More performance
• Sportier-looking R-Line styling
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Matrix LED lighting with adaptive high beam
• Scrolling rear indicators
• 15-inch touchscreen
• Head-up display
• Harman Kardon sound system

Tayron options:

• Sound and Vision Pack (150TSI Elegance): Matrix headlights with adaptive high beam, scrolling rear indicators, 15-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon sound system and head-up display
• Black Style Package (195TSI R-Line): Black exterior and interior details such as the mirrors, roof rails, bumper accents and wheels
• Panoramic sunroof (150TSI Elegance, 195TSI R-Line)
• Premium paint

The Volkswagen Tayron is due to arrive in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2025, with local pricing
to be announced before then.

Aston Martin and the Lego Group have unveiled their latest collaboration: the Lego Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie. Now on sale priced at $99.99 AUD, the set promises to deliver “an exciting and unique building experience for automotive enthusiasts”, according to Aston Martin.

Plus, the Valkyrie is also now available in the video game ‘Asphalt Legends Unite’, made by Gameloft and available on the App Store, Google Play, Microsoft Store, Steam, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 and 5. In the game, players will be able to drive both the production Valkyrie and the Lego version as well.

The 700-piece Lego Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie “boasts an aerodynamic design and the iconic ‘Podium Green’ livery that sports car fans will love.”

“With functional gullwing doors, steering controlled by a top-mounted lever, and a detailed V12 engine with moving pistons and a working differential, this is more than just a model – it’s a celebration of Aston Martin’s impressive feat of aerodynamics and engineering.”

Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin said: “The Aston Martin Valkyrie represents a triumph of engineering, design, and aerodynamic innovation – a true icon born from Aston Martin’s mastery in performance and beauty. Our collaboration with Lego Technic celebrates the impossible engineering and visionary thinking that brought Valkyrie to life.”

“By integrating it into the Gameloft Asphalt Legends Unite gaming platform, we’re not only immortalising its legacy, but also introducing this otherworldly machine to a new audience in a creative way.”

The real Valkyrie is a $4 million+ hypercar that uses a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine that’s supplemented by a hybrid system to make a massive 754kW of power – at a stratospheric 10,500rpm, no less. None were reportedly officially sold in Australia, though at least one is believed to be privately imported.

The Lego Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie is now available from the Lego website, and at participating Lego retailers.

MG Motor Australia has announced updated nationwide pricing for its award-winning MG4 EV, with changes set to take effect from July 1, 2025. The new driveaway price for the MY25 MG4 Excite 51 variant will be $37,990 – a $1000 increase from the current promotional rate.

However, customers eager to adopt electric power can still secure the existing price of $36,990 driveaway until June 30, offering a final window for cost savings. Despite the upcoming price increase, MG says that the MG4 remains one of the country’s most competitively priced electric vehicles, now retailing for $2000 less than its price point last year.

With rear-wheel drive, an ideal 50:50 weight distribution, and a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the MG4 EV continues to deliver strong value in the Australian EV segment. Peter Ciao, CEO of MG Motor Australia, emphasized the model’s appeal: “We set out to raise the bar for electric vehicles, and it’s clear to see we’ve done just that.”

Ciao also noted that the price increase from July marks the end of one of MG’s most generous discounts. “After 1 July, pricing will increase, and this level of discount won’t return. We’re proud to have helped thousands of Australians make the switch to EV with the MG4.”

In parallel with the MG4’s pricing update, MG Motor has also seen significant safety improvements in its MG5 sedan. Following enhancements to vehicles built from November 2024, the MG 5 has earned a three-star safety rating from ANCAP, a substantial upgrade from its initial zero-star assessment.

The initial rating highlighted critical safety feature omissions such as the lack of seatbelt pre-tensioners, load-limiters, and driver-assist technologies. However, the updated MG 5 now includes pre-tensioners for both front and rear outboard seats, lane support systems, enhanced autonomous emergency braking (AEB), and seatbelt reminders across all seating positions.

Fresh ANCAP tests – including frontal offset, full-width crash simulations, and on-track collision avoidance assessments – confirmed notable gains across all safety categories. Adult occupant protection rose to 62 per cent (from 37 per cent), child occupant protection improved to 68 per cent (from 58 per cent), vulnerable road user protection increased to 65 per cent (from 42 per cent), and safety assist scores surged to 59 per cent (from 13 per cent).

These improvements mark a significant step forward for MG, with the updated MG 5 models – available in Australia from June 2025 – now offering a much stronger safety profile for value-conscious buyers.

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Let’s clear up that name first. In MG-talk, ‘Super Hybrid’ is a plug-in hybrid that’s been specially tuned for the Australian market. In this instance, it’s stuck to the back of a MG HS, and will be sold alongside the non-plug-in HS Hybrid+ when it arrives in September.

The key takeaway? Rather than rinse its battery and then have you chugging along on internal combustion like most plug-in hybrids, this Super Hybrid system is a little smarter, by turns blending its power and harnessing energy to make the battery last a decent stretch. That’s a good thing because if there’s one thing that deters people from charging PHEVs, it’s the feeling that a whole night’s charging has been done for in 30 minutes or so.

Because this is a pre-production car, MG was understandably coy on exact trims and specs, but pricing has been announced. The Excite model wears a $52,990 driveaway price, with the flagship Essence pitched at $55,990. Given the avalanche of new models that MG has unleashed in recent months, it’s fair to say that their product managers are earning their corn.

The underlying attractions of the basic MG HS are fairly well documented, so rather than re-hash the basics on this spacious medium-range SUV, we’ll primarily concentrate on the new plug-in hybrid tech here. It’s been calibrated in this way in order to work better in a country where covering big distances is the norm rather than the exception. Charge the battery and fill the 55-litre tank and the HS Super Hybrid features a range in excess of 1000km.

Unlike previous HS hybrid models, the Super Hybrid has a 61kW generator and a 135kW traction motor pairing rather than merely reversing the flow of the main motor. This means that its ability to regenerate charge is a good deal more sophisticated. It shares its 24.7kWh LFP battery with UK spec cars, Chinese models getting a smaller battery to mirror their little and often urban charging habits. This Australian-spec car’s software encourages it to lean onto its internal combustion engine a little more.

In effect, the MG Super Hybrid offers up to a claimed 120km of range in pure EV mode, but unless switched into that mode, it’ll try to eke the battery out for as long as possible. The 1.5-litre turbo engine is good for 105kW and 230Nm on its own and that’s boosted by the single permanent magnet asynchronous motor up to a system output of 220kW/350Nm.

In practice, the engine is all but imperceptible. So impressive is the firewall soundproofing and so molten smooth is the handover between the electric motor and the engine that it’s hard to detect. Granted, our drive was in the torrential rain that has hit New South Wales in recent months, so a full judgment may have to be reserved for when that auditory distraction is removed, but the HS Super Hybrid offers a cultured and very well calibrated ICE-to-electric baton pass. That’s helped by the two-speed transmission which, when coupled with some clever software, replicates a nine-speed transmission.

It’s reasonably brisk too, getting to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds. Drive modes run through Comfort, Normal and Sport, with these settings replicated for the steering. There’s a binary Low and High setting for energy recovery, and power source is switchable between hybrid and EV. As it sits on a passive damper, changing the drive mode into Sport doesn’t affect the ride quality.

The fuel figures seemed to be stand up too. Because plug-in hybrids tend to bamboozle mandated fuel economy tests, the quoted fuel figure is a patently ridiculous 0.42L/100km. Real world? I got into a fully charged car in Sydney showing 134km of electric range and drove it in hybrid mode on highways to Camden in the city’s far south-west. After 93km of driving, it still showed 87km of electric range remaining with a fuel consumption figure of 3.0L/100km. On a more demanding 110km return leg, the car depleted its drive battery and returned 2.1L/100km. In other words, around 2.5L/100km for the entire round trip. Charge the battery overnight at 6.6kW AC and it’ll be at 100 per cent in little over four hours. On an off-peak plan, that’ll cost a couple of dollars.

It’s not perfect. There’s still some drumming from the 225/55 R19 Bridgestone Alenza tyres that permeates the cabin on open-pore surfaces. There’s no EV Hold or dedicated EV Charge functionality that offer flexibility about when and where you use electric power. The internal combustion engine is programmed to switch on at 80km/h, and also when the battery state of charge reduces to 30 per cent, which seems a bit prescriptive, but there are solid engineering reasons behind it. With an engine this quiet, it’s no great hardship either.

The old days of MG hybrids suddenly holding high revs for no apparent reason are firmly in the rear-view with this particular powertrain. It very rarely breaks a sweat and exceeds 2000rpm. One rather strange quirk of the Super Hybrid is that because of the way it regenerates power, the battery level can read zero per cent and the rev counter is also flatlined at zero but you’ll be happily proceeding for kilometres as if the Chinese have cracked perpetual motion. The less exciting reality is that it always holds some juice in reserve.

The ADAS functionality is well-judged too, with perfect traffic sign recognition on our drive route and a driver attention monitor that sounded once when I was probably futzing with the touch screen for a little longer than I should have been. We’re assured that there will be a custom button where you can set your preferred ADAS profile which you can switch to with one button press upon start-up. We approve.

It’s still a work in progress but the signs are extremely promising. A sizeable, well finished medium-range SUV with long legs and tiny running costs is a formula that ought to do very well here in Australia. Back it up with a 10-year warranty, capped-price servicing and a 10-year/250,000km battery warranty and it’s easy to see how the MG HS Super Hybrid could find favour, especially if – as is predicted – the next gen Toyota RAV4 Hybrid takes a step upwards in price.

Make no mistake, this looks to be a very impressive piece of engineering. We knew there would come a time when Chinese cars required little to nothing in the way of excuses. We’re looking at it now.

Specifications