The country that brought us Boaty McBoatface for a British research vessel has now chosen “Rubber Ducky” as the name for a new, bright yellow Volkswagen paint colour.

The bathtime-inspired name won 46 percent of the votes in a recent social media poll conducted by VW UK for the facelifted T-Cross compact SUV.

Two other new colours are spared the huge potential for puns: Clear Blue metallic and Kings Red metallic.

VW UK couldn’t resist bathing its press release in its own puns.

“Some might say putting a paint name to public vote is a quackers idea,” said Volkswagen UK’s T-Cross product manager, Oliver Lowe. “But we were confident people wouldn’t get in a flap while trying to decide on a new name, and we think Rubber Ducky yellow was a really eggs-cellent choice.”

While the updated T-Cross is making its way into UK showrooms, the Australian market has to wait until late 2024.

The optional yellow paint scheme will be known as its standard Grape Yellow here. If that doesn’t float your boat, then maybe get in touch with VW Australia’s social media team!

Sedan and wagon buyers, firstly, good on you. Secondly, those drawn to the Octavia range have a sporty new option available.

The new Octavia SportLine trim is available to order in both Liftback sedan and Wagon forms. It joins the existing Octavia Style as a no-cost package that adds a sportier look and feel, inside and out, along with a lower ride and a new Drive Mode selector.

As with the Style, the Sportline is priced from $40,590 before on-road costs, but Skoda also quotes national SportLine-specific drive-away prices of $42,490 for the Liftback and $43,990 for the Wagon.

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Features: Style & Sportline

Both Style and Sportline trims of the Octavia are equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights and adaptive high-beam, heated exterior mirrors with auto dimming on the driver’s side, a powered tailgate, keyless entry and start, and dual-zone climate control.

Infotainment is via a 10.25-inch ‘Virtual Cockpit’ driver display, 10-inch main display with integrated satellite navigation, and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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Safety features include front and rear parking sensors, Park Assist, Side Assist, Rear Traffic Alert, Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control.

Options include Velvet Red paint ($770 Liftback, $1170 Wagon), a $1900 panoramic sunroof for the Wagon, and a $3200 Premium Pack that adds Emergency Assist, Adaptive Lane Guidance, powered front seats, heated front and outboard rear seats, tri-zone climate control, DAB+ digital radio, and extra USB-C points including one behind the interior mirror for easy dashcam power.

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Features: Sportline

Enhancements to the SportLine grade are made up of 15 new extras, including a gloss-black treatment to the grille, mirrors, model badging, rear spoiler (Liftback) and roof rails (Wagon).

Taking inspiration from the hero Octavia RS, the SportLine also adds a front spoiler and rear diffuser, dual exhaust tips, a matte-black finish on the window trim and new SportLine badges on the front guards.

Inside you’ll find Skoda’s three-spoke, flat-bottomed, Sportline-badged steering wheel with paddle shifters, along with Sports Comfort front seats, aluminium pedals and a black trim to the headliner and pillars.

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All of this rides on a sports suspension package that lowers the car by 15mm, matched to Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes.

Power is provided by the same 110kW/250Nm 1.4-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine that drives the Style, likewise partnered with an eight-speed automatic transmission and a front-wheel drive configuration. But, while there’s no bumper in power or torque, the added Sport mode enhances steering, throttle and transmission responsiveness.

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2024 Skoda Octavia pricing: Style and SportLine

The Octavia Style and SportLine both list a retail price of $40,590, or for the SportLine specifically: $42,490 drive-away for the Liftback and $43,990 drive-away for the Wagon.

Pre-paid servicing is also available, at $2450 for five years / 75,000km, or $2800 for seven years / 105,000km.

All Skoda models are sold with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and seven years capped-price servicing. Skoda also offers a Guaranteed Future Value and finance program through its Skoda Choice service.

Update: Ford has added a new Sport trim to its mid-size Transit Custom range as well as a practical double cab variant.

Making a previously two-strong range double in size, the new Transit Custom Sport SWB starts at $59,990 before on-road costs, with the long-wheelbase version in double cab guise costing $62,990.

Additionally, the base Trend variants of the second-gen Transit Custom have climbed by another $600 since December last year.

Ford Australia has not confirmed local specifications of the Sport yet, however, some of the upgrades are obvious from the pictures provided.

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Expect a painted rear bumper, body-colour mirror caps and front valance, black alloy wheels, and a racey sticker pack. Inside, the Sport should feature cloth upholstery with contrast striping.

Premium paint colours will include Agate Black, Magnetic, Moondust Silver, Grey Matter and Digital Aqua Blue on top of no-cost Frozen White. More details will be announced closer to the Sport’s launch in Q3 2024.

Under the bonnet is the same 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder producing 125kW and 390Nm. The core diesel range will be joined by the electric E-Transit Custom by the end of the year.

Despite higher equipment levels, the three-seat Transit Custom Sport SWB retains a payload of 1023kg, thanks to a tare mass of 2002kh and 3025kg GVM. Its braked towing capacity is 2.5 tonnes.

The LWB model picks up two extra doors and seating for five, though that eats into its payload which drops to 854kg.

Still, the extra seats will enhance the Transit Custom’s ability to perform double duty as a family and work vehicle, which is exactly what’s made dual cab utes (such as the Ford Ranger) so popular.

Both Sport variants can have the standard barn doors switched to a liftgate for $700.

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The other features, including the second-gen Transit’s lower cargo area and flat cabin floor, carry over to the Sport and will eventually be seen on the Transit Custom’s Volkswagen Transport T7 platform share.

For the MY24.5 Transit Custom update, Ford has added standard roof racks that are rated to carry loads up to 155kg (across all three bars).

There’s also the new Secure Visibility Pack ($700) that swaps rear windows for full steel doors, while a metal bulkhead provides enhanced security. Offsetting the loss in visibility is a camera rear-view mirror with in-built dashcam.

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The Load Space Air Conditioning pack ($1500) adds climate control to the storage area.

Ford is clear this isn’t a substitute for refrigeration, but it will help customers maintain more stable load temperatures ideal for transporting “plants, florals, cakes, pets”, according to the carmaker.

✍? John Law

Our original story, below, continues unchanged

December 2023: The 2024 Ford Transit Custom mid-size van will land in Australia in the second quarter of next year.

Priced from $55,990 plus on-road costs – up $5600 over the current model – the latest Transit Custom is offered a single low-roof Trend grade in short- or long-wheelbase form.

It is powered by a carryover 125kW/390Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder single-turbo diesel – also found in base Ford Ranger and Volkswagen Amarok utes – matched to a new “high-efficiency” eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission exclusively sending power to the front wheels.

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As with the current Transit Custom, it has a claimed combined fuel efficiency of 8.0L/100km – compared to 7.0L/100km for a Hyundai Staria Load or 8.2L/100km for a Toyota HiAce van.

Despite looking like a reskin of the outgoing model that launched in 2012, Ford claims it is “designed from the ground up” with a lower cargo floor height. It is lighter than before, features independent rear suspension, and has an uprated 2.5-tonne braked towing capacity.

The new platform will also underpin the upcoming Volkswagen Transporter/Caravelle, as part of a commercial vehicle partnership that has spawned the Ford Ranger-based VW Amarok and the Europe-only, VW Caddy-based Ford Tourneo Connect.

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Both the Transit Custom and the new VW Transporter will be produced at Ford’s plant in Turkey.

An all-electric E-Transit Custom is due in Australia “later” next year. It harnesses a 400-volt electrical architecture with a 74kWh battery pack, enabling a WLTP-rated driving range of 380 kilometres.

The electric motor produces 160kW and 415Nm, and the E-Transit Custom has a DC charge rate of up to 124kW, allowing for a charge from 15 to 80 per cent in a claimed 41 minutes.

Short-wheelbase variants – with a 3100 millimetre wheelbase and 5050mm overall length – offer a 5.8 cubic metre maximum load volume and six tie-down points, while the 3500mm long-wheelbase variant extends this to 6.8 cubic metres and eight tie-down points. It has a 5450mm overall length.

The 2024 Ford Transit Custom diesel is due in Australia in the second quarter of next year (April-June inclusive).

“The all-new Transit Custom range will continue to expand with further variants, including the new E-Transit Custom, joining the line-up later in 2024,” said Ford Australia.

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2024 Ford Transit Custom pricing

All prices exclude on-road costs.

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2024 Ford Transit Custom features

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2024 Ford Transit Custom options

• SVO paint (58 colours) – $1400

• Dual side load doors, no windows – $1000

It doesn’t seem that long ago that to transport seven people in a single vehicle required either a leaf-sprung minibus, or simply outright breaking the law.

These days, however, car makers are helping soothe the deeply troubling introspection that used to come with buying a Toyota Tarago, and offering a seven-seat SUV instead. The question instead now is which one to get.

To help answer this, we’ve assembled four of the best seven-seat SUVs we could muster – two hailing from South Korea, one from Japan, and the other, the Land of the Free – all asking under, or about, $80,000.

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The seven-seat Jeep Grand Cherokee Night Eagle couldn’t be more American if you found it gently rotating in a hot dog warmer while singing the Star-Spangled Banner.

Under the bonnet is the familiar Pentastar 3.6-litre naturally aspirated V6, producing 210kW and 344Nm at a lofty 6400rpm and 4000rpm respectively. At 5204mm long, the big GC also has a very American-sized price – $77,950 before on-road costs to make it the second-most expensive vehicle here.

Where the Jeep is imposing, the classy, new Mazda CX-90 is handsome. Much like the Grand Cherokee Night Eagle, our D50E Touring is a base grade, coming in at $76,400 before on-roads.

That’s more expensive than even the flagship version of the CX-9 seven-seater SUV that is being discontinued at the end of 2023 (along with the CX-8). An all-new CX-80 SUV is set to be the CX-9’s direct replacement.

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With its long wheelbase and gently pumped tracks, the CX-90 wears a little badge on its front guards that reads, delightfully, “Inline-Six”.

Under the long bonnet is a 3.3-litre turbo-diesel unit, cranking out 187kW and the most torque (550Nm) of any seven-seater here. With its 48-volt architecture, Mazda calls it a ‘mild hybrid’, and the CX-90 uses a new, in-house developed, eight-speed wet multi-clutch automatic transmission.

There’s no guessing which market the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Sorento have in their sights – especially when you consider they have 19 cup-holders between them.

The Hyundai Palisade Highlander we had for testing has since been replaced with the very poshly-named Calligraphy trim grade – a relatively minor update, but with just as much exterior chrome.

Pricing and Features

The Palisade Highlander is a car with which you don’t merely glance over the standard equipment list; make a cup of tea and set aside an afternoon.

At $79,900 before on-road costs, it’s either a very expensive Hyundai or a very cheap luxury car – one they could have easily put a Genesis badge on, too.

Powering the Palisade is a 2.2-litre turbodiesel inline-four producing 147kW and a stout 440Nm, peak torque available from just 1750rpm. There’s an eight-speed torque converter auto and, like all the other cars here, the Palisade is all-wheel drive.

Parked amongst the other three, the Kia Sorento looks a size smaller – and indeed it is 394mm shorter than the Jeep. But this car is a seven-seat packaging masterclass, and amazing value on-paper.

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At $68,990 – drive-away – it’s like Kia’s accidentally printed the Sorento’s cost price and the finance department hasn’t yet noticed. That’s for the top-spec, full-fruit GT-Line, too, which packs a similar turbo-diesel, eight-speed powertrain as the Palisade, although with one curiously cheeky extra kW (148kW).

While a major facelift is imminent, the fundamentals remain the same and, even as it stands today, this is firmly the SUV to beat, fresh from winning an earlier seven-seat SUV comparison conducted by Wheels in 2023.

On-paper value is where the Sorento extends an early lead, too.

For what it asks, you get quilted Nappa leather-appointed seats, giant full-length sunroof, heated steering wheel, head-up display, wireless phone charger, Bose 12-speaker stereo… it goes on, and on.

The Palisade’s standard equipment list is just as mighty. Suede headlining is standard, as are second-row Captain’s Chairs, although you can opt for a second-row bench if you want, granting seating for eight.

Compared with the Palisade, especially, the Jeep and Mazda look decidedly less generous. And that’s no surprise, as to get sort-of-similar standard equipment would require paying extra for at least the Grand Cherokee Limited and CX-90 GT grades.

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Cabin and Seating

Jumping inside, if it’s outright luxury you’re after, the Palisade spoils the most. We love that suede headlining and the perforated, Nappa leather appointed-seats, even if the switchgear all does feel a bit Hyundai – which is to say, perfectly functional and forgettable.

There’s lots of storage cubbies and, in the middle of the dash, you’ll spot a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen – although points are deducted for needing a cable for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

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No such problem in the Grand Cherokee, which offers wireless connectivity of each.

We like the Jeep’s central 10.25-inch screen, which has a beautifully bright, crisp resolution; a standard 10.25-inch digital instrument display also lends the Jeep interior a high-tech feel.

Otherwise, this is a bit of a drab, base-model place. If you’re thinking of buying a Grand Cherokee, do not for the love of your chosen deity sit in a Summit Reserve – unless you have the extra cash to splash.

Even though it’s also a base model, the Mazda CX-90 makes a stronger first impression than the Jeep with its thoughtful design, classy user interfaces, slim 10.25-inch infotainment display and metal door inlays, although the initial delight fades when you notice the dash is a big slab of budget soft-touch trim.

There is also a notable dearth of storage space around the centre console, while the CX-90 is afflicted by Mazda’s irritating policy of forcing users to navigate Apple CarPlay using only the hand controller – even though the screen is within easy reach.

Compared with the Palisade and, to a lesser extent, the Mazda, the Kia Sorento’s current interior has become a chink in its armour.

It still works great with plenty of space, but there’s no escaping it’s a narrower cabin than the others.

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An abundance of black gives it a dark vibe, while its 10.25-inch infotainment display now seems a bit small for the richest grade. The menu graphics look a bit last-decade and the lack of USB-C outlets further betray its age – as does wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The updated interior can’t come soon enough – and should be here by Christmas.

All four cars have spacious second-rows. The CX-90’s rear doors, which open extremely wide, are a highlight; the Palisade’s and Jeep’s are so long, to open them fully you’d almost need to park beside an empty car spot.

The Palisade, however, is the place to be, with its heated and cooled second-row Captain’s Chairs with adjustable arm-rests, while there’s both forward and ceiling air-vents.

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If you owned one, you’d be tempted to pay someone to drive you around in it, as sitting in the back you feel like you’re the crown prince or princess of a small monarchical nation.

Each car has a decent third row – and all with third-row air-vents – although the spacious Jeep would be our pick if you often needed to transport seven people. The Kia’s is cosiest, and to seat seven in the Palisade would mean three in the third row, which would be a squeeze.

All four have enormous, deep boots – and all have standard electric tailgates – but if it’s ultimate luggage space you’re after, get the Palisade.

With the third row folded, gazing in from the rear it almost looks like you could load in a pallet with a forklift. The CX-90 gets an honourable mention for having a 220-volt outlet (like the wall at home), although a tut-tut for packaging a space-saver spare. All the others have full-size.

As for putting little tackers right up the back, it’s another win for the Kia which has two top tethers and, impressively, two third-row ISOFIX mounting points (for a total of five top tethers, and four ISOFIX points).

Next best is the Palisade with its single set of third-row ISOFIX points and two top tethers (for a total of four top tethers and three ISOFIX points).

While the Jeep has no third-row ISOFIX points, it has at least two top tethers (for a total of five top tethers) and redeems somewhat by granting three ISOFIX points in the second row.

The Mazda, meanwhile, makes do with two third-row top tethers (for a total of five) – and only two sets of ISOFIX points, both in the second row.

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Driving and Performance

On the road in the city, the Palisade is the nicest car here to drive. While it’s not as quiet and plush-riding as the luxe-looking interior had us hoping, it’s still very refined, smooth, easy and comfortable. The diesel is muscular yet polite, the transmission beautifully refined and invisibly smooth.

While the CX-90 comes closest to the Palisade for cabin ambience, it’s not quite as nice to drive.

The turbo-diesel is an absolute torque-rich peach – one wanting for a better, more refined transmission. The ride is also a bit firmer at times than we’d like, and some of the fuel-saving technologies need more calibration. The brake pedal also feels a bit dead.

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Like the Palisade, the Sorento’s 2.2-litre powertrain is muscular and smooth. It’s surprising how hard it’s becoming to find modern transmissions that switch quickly and smoothly from drive to reverse and back – as does the Sorento’s.

While the Kia’s ride quality, on 45-profile, 20-inch wheels, is merely good – we’re hard to please – it’s comfortable enough. Otherwise, the Kia is hard to fault, inoffensively so.

It’s much the same story in the Jeep. Ride quality and refinement is good, and there’s a lovely eagerness as you tip into the throttle – without feeling hyper. It’s just an easy car to drive around the city, even despite its size.

Break out of the urban jungle and find yourself on a winding road, and it’s curious how they all differ again, particularly the Mazda.

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Select Sport mode and the digital tacho turns red, and the diesel straight-six pulls hard from 1300rpm right to its 5125rpm redline. Select pseudo-manual mode and it’ll even bounce off the limiter, while the other cars here shift up. The inline-six even sounds kind of good, complemented by a little artificial noise.

The Mazda has the most natural-feeling controls of all the cars here, and easy-to-trust handling that seems to pivot around the middle of the car.

While it’s a big, heavy vehicle, the weight feels well located and it’s got that mysterious quality of inviting you to push it harder, where it seems to get better. There’s loads of grip from the 265-section tyres, and it feels quite fast for what it is – likely the fastest here in a straight line. Of this bunch, for hardcore dynamics, the CX-90 is the driver’s pick.

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It’s a different story in the Palisade which, when presented with a winding road, is ultimately disinterested. There is a flaccid Sport mode, and a manual mode, but the engine is too quiet, making it hard to know when to change up gears.

The handling is good up to about eight tenths, where it starts feeling its two-tonne weight and near three-metre wheelbase. It’s much happier cruising.

After driving the Palisade and CX-90, the Kia Sorento feels delightfully smaller, lighter and nimbler. The handling is sharp, even if it rolls more and feels bouncier than the well-composed Mazda. Unexpectedly, it turns its nose up at the world of understeer, preferring to feel ‘on-the-nose’ and loose.

One of our testers, Alex, experienced the rear-end starting to step out on one slippery, moss-covered corner, necessitating a big steering correction – with no apparent ESC intervention.

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While the Sorento and Palisade powertrains feel very similar – they both have a curiously narrow power-band, giving their best from 2000rpm before deciding to shift at 4000rpm, despite a 4500rpm redline – the 2.2 certainly feels livelier in the lighter Kia.

As for the Jeep, we’re sure that, in isolation, if you were coming out of an older car, it would feel amazing, the V6 having a good bit of sting around its 6500rpm redline and the 265-section tyres enabling an impressive amount of mid-corner grip. But swap into it from any of the other cars here and push it a little, and the Jeep feels huge, flustered and overwhelmed, neither of you having much fun.

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There’s plenty of incentive to wind things back and enjoy life at a more relaxed pace.

Away from the fantasy world where SUVs are driven like sports cars, for ownership costs it’s another win to the Sorento. At $2427, it’s the second-cheapest to service over five years; while its claimed combined fuel economy of 6.1L/100km is also really good. Its killer blow, however, might be its seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and the very positive effect it would have on depreciation.

Value has always been a Korean hallmark, so it’s not surprising the Palisade is the next most affordable car to run.

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It will cost you $2445 to service over five years while it has a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty and claims 7.3L/100km over the combined cycle.

The Jeep, meanwhile, is quoted at 10.6L/100km and will whack you the least at $1995 for five years of servicing, although you get slighted dudded on the warranty at five years or a limited 100,000km.

The CX-90’s $3217 for five years of servicing is pretty steep, although the five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty is about right. Its 5.4L/100km claimed combined consumption seems amazing, although it must be noted all these fuel figures are the questionably reliable ADR 81/02 test.

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WINNER: Kia Sorento

Price has a lot to do with picking a winner from this four.

With its $68,990 drive-away price-tag, the Kia Sorento makes us feel like we’re back in 2019, that heady time when a $16 pint was a fanciful proposition and everybody was blissfully unaware of that thing that would happen a year later.

While even in GT-Line grade it’s nowhere near as swanky as the Hyundai, nor as stylish as the Mazda, the Sorento does a lot with less and is amazing value. It’s our winner today – and it’s only going to get better with the facelift.

Second place would be a sort-of-tie between the Hyundai and Mazda. While it doesn’t quite drive as luxuriously as it looks, the Hyundai feels like a bit of a treat at $79,900.

The Mazda would have pipped it, but the engineers need to polish some aspects of its calibration and refinement.

As for the Jeep, the Night Eagle feels like a base model yet costs almost the same as the Palisade Highlander we have here, and offers less. While it’s got more space than a C-130 Hercules, the engine is thrashy in a bit of an uncouth, old-school way, the interior isn’t a patch on richer Grand Cherokee grades, and it’s dynamically a solid fourth in this test. You’d have to be a committed off-roader to buy it.

Although it’s night-and-day better than a Tarago.

• GUIDE: Best Large SUVs
• 2023 Best Large SUV: Overall Winner
• Best Large SUV under $50K
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• Best Off-Road Large SUV under $ 70K
• Best Large Luxury SUV
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Oh what might have been! What you’re looking at here is an official render of a Volkswagen Amarok-based SUV, shared by the company’s commercial design director on LinkedIn.

The image gives life to something lots of people have been asking: would Volkswagen build its own version of the Ford Everest given the two brands joined forces to co-develop Ranger and Amarok?

Spinning its own ute-based SUV out of the deal would seem to make sense for Volkswagen — and would likely sell in big numbers in Australia — but the company has long maintained an SUV version of the Amarok isn’t going to happen.

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““[A rugged wagon-body vehicle] was not a scope of the previous [commercial vehicle partnership] negotiations [with Ford], so it was really what we were telling them we are not interested in [that style of vehicle],” said Petr Sulc, a senior member of VW’s global product management team, at the Amarok’s international launch.

Other Volkswagen execs have told Wheels that between Amarok and the more road-biased Touareg SUV, they had both based covered already.

This new render, however, shows Volkswagen was at least exploring the concept of adding a rugged, off-road family 4X4 to its range.

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Shared to LinkedIn by the head of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles design Albert Kirzinger, the Amarok-based SUV sports a high-riding wagon bodystyle with chunky all-terrain tyres and a roof rack. We reckon it looks great.

“Exploring design ideas for the Amarok pickup truck!,” said Kirzinger in his post. “Our research phase back in the day took us on an off-road journey, and here’s a sneak peek with a rendering featuring a fully closed pickup bed. Ready for rugged adventures!”.

Kirzinger credited VW designer Simon T. Gorski with creating the concept, which looks more like a ute-based SUV than modified Amarok to our eyes.

The roofline continues unbroken, for example, and the rear doors are integrated into the body and extend into the wheel arches. An Amarok’s rear doors end before the rear wheels to allow the fitment of different trays/tubs.

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It’s unlikely the concept will ever make production, of course, but it’s cool to gain an insight into the different ideas that are generated by VW’s design team.

We wouldn’t write it off as pure fantasy, either. As Jez discovered at the Amarok’s launch in South Africa, there is a chance an Amarok-SUV could make production… if it’s powered by electricity rather than diesel.

UPDATE, January 2025: Golf 8.5 detailed for Australia

The refreshed ‘Mark 8.5’ Volkswagen Golf, unveiled in January 2024, is due in Australian showrooms this April.

January 2024: Golf 8.5 revealed

The 2025 Volkswagen Golf has debuted in Europe ahead of its Australian launch around 12 months from now.

A mid-life facelift to the current Mk8 Golf launched in 2019, the latest ‘8.5’ model becomes the last combustion-engined Golf, with the Mk9 model due around 2028 to be all-electric, based on the Volkswagen Group’s new unified Scalable Systems Platform (SSP).

Volkswagen Australia has confirmed the updated Golf hatch will enter production for our market in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October to December), with first arrivals likely at the start of 2025.

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Exterior design changes include a revised front end with sharper LED headlights, a new “high-performance” main beam for flagship versions fitted with matrix technology, new bumpers, a full-width light bar, and an illuminated Volkswagen badge.

There are also new alloy wheel designs and an updated internal signature for the 3D-effect LED tail-lights.

Inside, the Golf 8.5 receives an available 12.9-inch floating-look touchscreen – up from 10.0-inch in current models – running the brand’s latest infotainment system, which adds ChatGPT artificial intelligence within its built-in ‘IDA’ voice assistant.

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As with the latest Tiguan midsize SUV and ID.4 electric car, the larger screen has a revised menu structure and a permanent shortcut bar to access the climate controls.

The capacitive steering wheel found on Golf GTI and Golf R models has been replaced with the same version fitted to standard Golf variants, which sees a return to physical controls – in line with a shift away from touch-sensitive buttons across the Volkswagen line-up to address customer ‘frustration’.

While the touch-sensitive slider controls for volume and temperature adjustment remain below the infotainment system, it is now illuminated for easier use in dark environments.

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The Golf’s automatic parking system has been updated to also control acceleration and braking, while owners can “guide the vehicle in and out of parking spaces with their smartphone” in some markets. A 360-degree camera view is also now available.

Under the bonnet, the Golf GTI hot hatch receives a power boost with European outputs for the 2.0-litre ‘EA888’ turbo-petrol bumped from 180kW to 195kW. While the Golf GTI has been automatic-only in Australia since 2018, it now loses the availability of a manual transmission globally.

Like the 2023 ID.2all GTI electric concept car, the Mk8.5 Golf GTI swaps its red stripe on the front guard for more prominent ‘GTI’ badging fixed to the front doors.

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Volkswagen has confirmed the facelifted Golf R will debut in the second half of 2024, along with the not-for-Australia GTI Clubsport, which packs more power than the GTI but retains front-wheel drive – similar to the related Cupra Leon VZx.

In Australia, Volkswagen previously announced it hoped to introduce the GTE plug-in hybrid model with the facelift – however it has now backtracked on these plans, confirming electrified versions of the Golf and Tiguan won’t come here to instead focus on its ID-branded electric vehicle line-up.

The facelifted 2025 Volkswagen Golf will launch in Australia as a hatch only after Volkswagen’s local arm confirmed it’ll be axing the wagon body style – including the Golf R wagon.

The updated 2024 Toyota Yaris hatch and 2024 Toyota Yaris Cross light SUV have debuted in Japan, ahead of a potential Australian launch later this year.

Following similar updates applied to French-built Yaris models in Europe in 2023, the Japanese-built Yaris and Yaris Cross – where Australian models are sourced – receive a minor design tweak, a new infotainment system, and an updated active safety suite.

Wheels has contacted Toyota Australia to comment about local timing for the updated models.

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While the European Yaris is available with up to a 10.5-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, the Japanese Yaris and Yaris Cross retain an 8-inch touchscreen and switch to a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, replacing analogue dials and a 4.2-inch multi-function display.

The updated touchscreen runs Toyota’s latest infotainment system, which supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, over-the-air software updates, ‘Hey, Toyota’ voice control, and new Connected Services features in other Toyota vehicles.

Design tweaks for the Yaris hatch include a revised grille pattern and a new “synthetic leather” and “tweed-like fabric” for the Japanese flagship variant, while the Yaris Cross also features a new upper-grille pattern – excluding the GR Sport – and a soft-touch centre console armrest. A new ‘massive grey’ exterior colour has also been added for both vehicles.

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The updated ‘Toyota Safety Sense’ suite now detects both vehicles and motorcycles at intersections, though it isn’t as advanced as the system fitted to the latest European models, which now include acceleration suppression, low-speed steering assist, deceleration assist, an emergency stop system, safe exit assist, and child presence detection.

There are no updates to powertrains for Japan-built models, unlike European models, which received a new hybrid powertrain – badged ‘Hybrid 130’ – with a new transaxle, a more powerful electric motor, and updated software.

In December, Toyota Australia confirmed the Yaris Cross has gone hybrid-only, with petrol-only variants deleted from the line-up due to strong demand for the electrified powertrain.

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“Production of Yaris Cross petrol variants for global markets ended this month (December 2023) in response to overwhelming demand for hybrid-electric variants,” said a Toyota Australia spokesperson.

“As a result, Toyota Australia stopped taking orders on petrol variants. We have sufficient stock of petrol variants in dealer hands and in transit to meet current orders.”

The Toyota Yaris hatch remains available in Australia with the option of petrol or hybrid.

January 23: Mazda 6 axed in Japan, but production to continue for Australia

The Mazda 6 will be discontinued in Japan but will continue to be available in Australia and other markets.

In a media release, Mazda Japan confirmed the Mazda 6 sedan and wagon will no longer be sold in the Japanese domestic market, with production scheduled to end in mid-April 2024.

“Successive Atenzas and Mazda6s have been loved by many customers for a long time, with a cumulative total of 226,437 units sold in Japan,” said Mazda’s head of domestic sales Kazuyoshi Todo.

“The CX series of wagons will take over this role, and we will continue to deliver a lively experience to our customers through driving pleasure that is in tune with the times.”

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However, Mazda Australia has confirmed production of the Mazda 6 will continue for export markets at the brand’s Hofu factory in Japan.

“We will continue to build Mazda6 in Japan for Australia and some other markets. This also remains unchanged for its local assembly in Vietnam,” said a brand spokesperson.

In addition to Australia, the Japanese-built Mazda 6 is also sold in New Zealand, some Southeast Asian countries, and the Middle East.

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It remains unclear how long the Mazda 6 will continue to be produced in Japan for export markets, with no successor planned to replace the 12-year-old third-generation model.

The decision to axe the Mazda 6 in Japan follows its Toyota Camry rival, which ended sales for Japan in 2023 but continues to be produced there for export markets, including Australia.

Our earlier story, below, continues unchanged.

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January 18: Mazda 6 production reportedly ending, cloudy future for Australia

The future of the Mazda 6 sedan and wagon is uncertain, with an overseas report claiming that Japanese production will soon end.

Japanese newspaper Chungoku Shimbum [↗] – based in Hiroshima, where Mazda is headquartered – claims that the 12-year-old Mazda 6 medium car will end production at the brand’s Hofu Plant between March and May 2024.

The publication reports that production will continue at other factories outside of Japan, however, Creative Trend [↗] states Mazda 6 production also concluded in China at the end of 2023.

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The Australian-market Mazda 6 is sourced from the Hofu factory in Japan.

Mazda’s local arm has previously said it will only be able to sell the Mazda 6 “as long as it’s offered from Japan”, leaving a uncertain future for the 22-year-old nameplate.

A Mazda Australia spokesperson said the reports are “not what we (Mazda Corporation) have announced” and that future product plans for the Mazda 6 will be announced “at an appropriate later date”.

When asked about the future of the Mazda 6 in the brand’s local line-up, the spokesperson added that Mazda Australia cannot comment on speculation.

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Chungoku Shimbum reports the decision is due to increased SUV sales, with models such as the CX-30 and CX-5 between five and 10 times more popular than the Mazda 6.

The Mazda 6 was deleted from the brand’s North American range in 2021 – alongside the CX-3 – to focus on better-selling vehicles, including the CX-30, CX-5 and CX-50 SUVs.

The United Kingdom followed in January 2023, with no direct replacement planned.

“[The Mazda] 6 has been part of the portfolio now for a long time [and] as long as it’s offered from Japan, we’ll continue to offer it here,” said Mazda Australia’s marketing boss Alastair Doak at the media launch of the Mazda 6 20th Anniversary special in May 2023.

“We have a loyal group of customers who still want to drive sedans, or wagons for that matter, and we’ll continue to offer it in our portfolio.”

“As a business strategy, it’s our goal to offer choice to Australian consumers, so the default position is if it’s manufactured by Mazda Corporation, there has to be a really good reason for us not to take it,” added Mazda Australia managing director Vinesh Bhindi.

Mazda says around 25 per cent of new Mazda 6 buyers upgrade from an older model – while 40 per cent of buyers have owned another Mazda.

VFACTS new-car sales data reveals 1528 examples of the Mazda 6 were sold in Australia in 2023, making it one of the slowest-selling vehicles in the Mazda line-up, behind only the now-discontinued MX-30 (580), the CX-90 SUV that arrived in mid-2023 (603), and the MX-5 sports car (653).

In the medium car segment, the Mazda 6 was outsold by the electric Tesla Model 3 (17,347), the Toyota Camry (10,581), the BMW 3 Series (3147), the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (2625), the electric Polestar 2 (2463), and the Lexus ES (1727).

If Ford’s new infotainment system reminds you of the ‘Yo dawg’ meme, you probably aren’t alone. The big brains at Ford heard you like screens, so they’ve put screens behind screens so you can… well, the line writes itself.

Ford’s new-generation infotainment system leaves Blackberry QNX behind to embrace Android Automotive, and has debuted today in the new Lincoln Nautilus.

The ‘Ford and Lincoln Digital Experience’ is overflowing with Google features, including Maps and Assistant, along with Amazon Alexa and Amazon Prime Video – the latter features forming part of an ongoing partnership with the online retail giant.

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Most of this will be displayed on the massive curved 48-inch display – technically two screens butted together – and users will be able to control many of the features through voice command, although the smaller touch screen will remain the most direct path to the system’s full capability.

The rest of the massive display is effectively a dashboard of oversized phone widgets, with the demonstration showing a huge weather panel, an extra large version of the usual tyre pressure monitoring screen, and a huge clock.

In a sense, Ford has taken all the features you’d find on a ‘regular’ driver display – 12.3 inches seems to be the norm these days – enlarged each element, and plastered it across a canvas nearly four times wider.

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This isn’t especially unusual: Mercedes-Benz has recently made a similar land grab on its dashboard real estate – particularly in its flagship EQS sedan, with an even larger 55.5-inch system.

Screens are the new mark of progress and luxury.

It’s unclear just how big a role market demand is playing in the increasing size of and reliance on touchscreen systems, although a study in 2022 found physical buttons to be safer than screen and voice controls. (A ‘no shit’ moment for many in our Facebook comments.)

Are you for safety or aren’t you?

There’s a contradiction playing out in automotive at the moment, as brands claim a fierce commitment to safety, while loading cabins with increasingly distracting displays that wreak havoc on the most basic aspects of human attentiveness.

Some governments are moving to discourage interaction with phone screens and built-in displays, with Victoria making it illegal from 2023 to touch any screen unless the vehicle is parked.

Responsibility shift: Blaming the user

Focusing on driver responsibility leaves brands free to go wild on tech.

It’s clear that while government rightfully penalises road users for using their car’s features irresponsibly, there has been limited action in shaping policies around the capabilities of the screens themselves – beyond making it illegal to play video in view of the driver while the car is in motion.

What do you think of in-car infotainment systems and their capabilities?

Highway Patrol officers in New South Wales and the ACT will be handing out double demerit points for those caught breaking certain road rules over the Australia Day long weekend.

The double demerits period begins at 00:01 on Thursday 25 January and finishes at 11:59 on Sunday 28 January.

Any motorist caught speeding, drink driving, using their phone while driving, not wearing a seat belt, or not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle will incur double the number of demerit points.

Twice the points are allocated against your license, but fines remain the same. It means if you get caught exceeding the speed limit by less than 10km/h you will incur two demerit points and a $137 fine, while using a phone while driving will see you slapped with 10 demerits.

Double demerits only apply in NSW and the ACT over the Australia Day long weekend, with WA choosing to exempt this period. Other states and territories do not enforce double demerits over public holidays, though Queensland does use them for repeat offenders.

The next double demerits period will be for the Easter public holiday, between 28 March and 1 April 2024.

The NSW and ACT’s second rouble of double demerits for 2024 follows 2023’s 7.3 per cent increase of lives lost to 1266 and a devastating start to the year, with 17 people killed on our roads since 1 January [↗].