The biggest independent study of used EV batteries ever produced has found that models from Mercedes, BMW and Hyundai are best at retaining their battery health, with Tesla’s Y and 3 falling to the lower part of the field and Nissan, Renault and Mini cars bringing up the rear.

Austrian EV battery diagnostics company Aviloo amassed data from more than 500,000 State of Health (SoH) tests held around the world – including Australia – from 2022 to this year. The SoH reveals the share of a battery’s original usable capacity that is still left, meaning a pack with 90 per cent SoH can cover 90 per cent of its original range.

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Aviloo analysed 20 of the most popular models on the market and calculated their median SoH at distances of 50,000km, 100,000km and 150,000km. The results showed that EV batteries are lasting a lot longer than naysayers would have you believe, with none of the vehicles suffering a drop of more than 10 per cent in the first 50,000km.

The best performers at the 150,000km mark were the Mercedes EQA SUV (pictured above) with a 94 per cent SoH, followed by the Hyundai IONIQ 5 on 93.8 per cent and BMW i4 at 93.6 per cent, then the Hyundai Kona and Volvo XC40 Recharge. 

Tesla’s Model Y had a 150,000km SoH of 90.32 per cent, ahead of the Model 3 with 88.94 per cent. Many of the tested vehicles didn’t lose capacity in a linear fashion. For example, the Model 3 suffered most of its drop within the first 50,000km before levelling out, and the IONIQ 5 was the top performer with a 97.13 per cent result at 50,000km before being overtaken by the Merc and Beemer.

At the other end of the scale, the Nissan Leaf (pictured below) came last with 86.7 per cent after 150,000km, with the Mini Cooper SE at 87.1 per cent and Renault Zoe at 87.3 per cent. Going up from the bottom of the results, we then have the Model 3, Model Y, Audi Q4 e-tron and Opel Corsa-e.

Switching to the SoH after 50,000km gives us slightly different rankings, with the IONIQ 5 first on 97.1 per cent, the EQA on 96.6 per cent, and Kona on 96.3. The Leaf was last once again, but still turned in an impressive figure of 91.2 per cent.

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It should be stressed that the study also found that results varied between individual examples of the same model, and the way the vehicles were charged also played a key role, with the more frequent charging needed by cars with smaller battery packs contributing to their comparatively poorer results.

“Yes, EV batteries are ageing better than the ‘they’ll wear out fast’ myth suggests, but that’s not the most important thing this report tells you,” said Aviloo CEO Marcus Berger. “What matters is that battery health varies significantly between models, and even more between individual cars of the same model.”

Mazda’s new electric CX-6e SUV brings a lot of things you’d expect from the brand – distinctive new styling, a spacious and well-appointed cabin, for instance – but its modest range and charging performance leave it trailing some key rivals, and just doesn’t quite feel like a Mazda.

The new model sees Mazda expand its electric ambitions by blending the Japanese brand’s design language with technology and engineering sourced from Chinese partner Changan. The CX-6e is the second product born from the partnership after the Mazda 6e sedan and it shares much of its hardware with the Deepal S07. 

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Mazda has put its own stamp on the vehicle with that eye-catching and detailed exterior styling, combined with chassis tuning designed to give it a character of its own. It doesn’t altogether work, though.

Visually, the CX-6e pushes Mazda into new territory. The familiar ‘Signature Wing’ grille treatment is illuminated and flows into slim LED daytime running lights, while the main headlights sit lower in the front bumper alongside large air intakes.

Aerodynamic details include a small spoiler on the leading edge of the bonnet, concealed windscreen wipers and air channels incorporated into the rear pillars. Higher-spec versions also replace conventional mirrors with cameras, displaying their feeds on screens mounted inside the doors. Wheel sizes range from 19 to 21 inches, while available colours include Soul Red Crystal, Air Stream Blue and Nightfall Violet.

Unlike many electric SUVs, there’s only one drivetrain. A 78kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery feeds a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 190kW, with Mazda claiming up to 483km of driving range.

That figure falls short of several key competitors, while the CX-6e’s maximum DC charging rate of 165kW is also relatively modest. Mazda says a 10–80 per cent recharge takes 24 minutes, while a full charge at home can be completed in around eight hours.

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Performance is measured rather than spectacular. The rear-wheel drive CX-6e takes 7.9 seconds to reach 100km/h and has a top speed of around 249km/h. Power delivery is progressive rather than neck-snapping, with Normal, Sport and Individual drive modes available.

On the road, the rear-drive layout gives it clean, accurate steering, while good body control helps disguise the SUV’s size. The suspension can feel busy over rougher surfaces, though, suggesting there’s room for improvement in the damping. Refinement is a stronger point, however, with impressive suppression of road and wind noise at higher speeds.

Inside, a huge 26-inch widescreen display dominates the dashboard and is paired with a head-up display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, although some touchscreen functions are fiddly and the numerous driver-assistance systems can be a little too enthusiastic.

Passengers get plenty of space, particularly in the second row, with headroom and legroom among the CX-6e’s strengths. ISOFIX mounting points are fitted to both outer rear seats and the front passenger seat.

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Boot capacity is 486 litres, expanding to 1434 litres with the 60:40-split rear seats folded, while an additional 80-litre storage compartment sits beneath the bonnet. Braked towing capacity is rated at 1500kg.

The CX-6e is an intriguing alternative to the increasingly crowded field of electric SUVs. Its dramatic styling, spacious interior and refinement make a strong first impression, but middling range, charging performance and a driving experience that lacks some of Mazda’s traditional character prevent it from separating itself clearly from the pack.

It’s still one of Australia’s newest car brands, but the local expansion of Geely is about to shift up another gear. After launching here with the EX5 electric SUV in 2025, Geely has rapidly broadened its range with the Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid SUV and recently launched EX2 electric hatchback. But 2027 is shaping up to be its biggest year yet.

Geely has confirmed plans to launch at least one new model every quarter during 2027, expanding into several segments it currently doesn’t compete in. That will include the brand’s first Australian sedan, a larger five-seat SUV, a seven-seat family SUV and a rugged new model aimed at cars such as the Toyota Prado. So what’s coming and when?

Starray EM-i all-wheel drive: Later this month

The Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid medium SUV is due to get a more powerful all-wheel-drive flagship before Geely’s major model expansion really kicks off in 2027. Due in Australian showrooms from later this month, the new Starray EM-i Inspire AWD is priced from $44,990 plus on-road costs, or $3500 more than the equivalent front-wheel-drive Inspire Extended Range.

The big change is the addition of an 80kW/150Nm electric motor on the rear axle, which works with the existing 1.5-litre petrol engine and front electric motor to provide all-wheel drive. Combined outputs increase to 220kW and 412Nm, cutting the claimed 0-100km/h time from 8.2 seconds in the front-wheel-drive Inspire to a much quicker 6.3 seconds.

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The AWD mode uses the Inspire’s larger 29.8kWh battery, providing 130km of electric-only driving range on the WLTP cycle, which is only slightly less than the 136km claimed by the front-drive version. Geely has also fitted a 60-litre fuel tank (larger by nine litres), which increases the total claimed driving range to 1065km.

The AWD model also adopts a more sophisticated five-link rear suspension setup in place of the four-link arrangement used by front-drive models, while new Snow and Off-Road driving modes also feature. The first units of the all-wheel drive version will be landing at Geely dealerships in the next few weeks.

Emgrand L EM-i: First half of 2027

Geely will expand beyond SUVs and hatchbacks in early 2027 with the Emgrand L EM-i, a plug-in hybrid sedan aimed directly at the Toyota Camry. The Emgrand was shown at the Melbourne Motor Show earlier this year, with Geely confirming that the positive public reaction helped pave the way for its addition to the Australian line-up.

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It will return at the Everything Electric Show in Sydney from September 18-20 ahead of an Australian launch during the first half of 2027. At 4806mm long and 1886mm wide, the Emgrand sits somewhere between traditional small and medium sedans, while its 2756mm wheelbase helps provide a roomy cabin. There’s also a huge 609-litre boot.

Australian specifications are yet to be confirmed, but overseas models use Geely’s EM-i plug-in hybrid system, combining a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a 120kW electric motor driving the front wheels. Two battery sizes are available overseas, with the larger 17kWh unit providing up to 125km of electric driving range on the more lenient CLTC cycle, and DC charging at up to 35kW.

Monjaro: Likely first half of 2027

Another important addition to Geely’s Australian SUV range will be a larger five-seat model sitting above the current Starray EM-i. Geely Australia has confirmed it will arrive during the first half of 2027, and all signs point towards it being the new Monjaro – itself already confirmed for right-hand drive markets like the UK. At 4770mm long, the Monjaro is considerably larger than the Starray and would give Geely a rival for upper-medium SUVs such as the Mazda CX-60 and Mitsubishi Outlander.

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The latest international Monjaro is particularly relevant to Australia because it uses Geely’s EM-i plug-in hybrid technology, while its introduction to right-hand-drive markets makes an Australian launch considerably easier. We may not have long to wait for an official announcement: two new SUVs will be revealed at September’s Everything Electric Show.

Seven-seat SUV: Likely first half of 2027

Geely also plans to tackle Australia’s large family SUV market with a new seven-seater during the first half of 2027. The company has confirmed that it is working on a model offering hybrid and plug-in hybrid power, aimed at family SUVs such as the Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The company hasn’t specified which model will do the job, however.

The most obvious possibility is a derivative of the Galaxy M9, which Geely displayed at the Melbourne Motor Show earlier this year. At 5205mm long with a 3030mm wheelbase, the M9 is a huge six-seat flagship SUV in its Chinese-market form. In China, its most powerful plug-in hybrid drivetrain combines a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with three electric motors, producing around 650kW, while its substantial battery enables up to 230km of claimed CLTC electric range.

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Geely has previously indicated that the Australian seven-seater will be similar to the M9 rather than necessarily being the same vehicle, however, with seven seats required to better suit local buyers. Regardless of which option is chosen, the new model will give Geely a presence in another major Australian SUV segment and will likely increase its sales even further.

Galaxy Cruiser: Likely second half of 2027

Geely Australia has confirmed plans to introduce a rugged, boxy SUV during the second half of the year, and it’s expected to be the production version of the Galaxy Cruiser concept. Revealed at the 2025 Shanghai Motor Show, the Cruiser is aimed at serious off-road SUVs such as the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and GWM Tank 500.

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Unlike the road-focused EX5 and Starray, the Cruiser has been designed with off-road ability in mind, with a four-wheel drive system as standard. The concept also previewed some cool technology, including individual wheel control and the ability to continue driving after suffering a flat tyre.

The eventual production model is expected to use Geely’s latest electrified technology, although Australian drivetrain specifications are still a long way from being announced. Geely is also developing a ute under its Riddara sub-brand using the same architecture, giving the company another potential avenue into one of Australia’s largest new-car segments.

Geely’s rapid expansion isn’t expected to stop at the end of 2027 as a new ute is under development, and additional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models are quite likely. For now, 2027 will be a huge year for the brand, and one that leaves it with a vastly different line-up.

Australian pricing and specifications for the new Mitsubishi Pajero have landed just a day after the revamped SUV was first revealed. The initial Australian line-up will consist of three models, with pricing starting from $68,490 plus on-road costs for the entry-level GLS and reaching $84,990 +ORC for the top-spec GSR, leaving it well placed to compete with key rivals like the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest.

As revealed yesterday, the new Pajero uses the same ladder-frame chassis as its Triton ute sibling, and standard fit will be an upgraded version of the Triton’s turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder diesel engine. It makes 10Nm more torque than the Triton at 480Nm and the same 150kW of power.

A new eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard across the Pajero range, giving it two more gears than the Triton. Fuel consumption figures are yet to be announced, although it’s rated for Euro 6d emissions compliance, which is a first for a Mitsubishi engine.

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Mitsubishi’s Active Yaw Control and Super Select II four-wheel drive system with a low-range transfer case and rear differential lock are standard across the range. There are seven driving modes: Normal, eco, gravel, snow, mud, sand and rock. The Pajero range is also capable of towing a 3500kg braked trailer.

The new generation of the famous SUV, which opens for Aussie orders in December, gets a total of eight colours, while the GLS uses black cloth, Exceed black leather and the top-spec GSR receives a new tan and black combination.

Safety features have been significantly improved since the last Pajero, with standard safety kit across the range including eight airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, adaptive lane guidance, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beam, driver attention monitoring, traffic sign monitoring, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree camera with a see-through view.

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As with other new Mitsubishi products in Australia, the Pajero will be covered by a five-year/100,000km warranty that can be extended to up to 10 years/200,000km with annual dealer servicing. Both the capped-price servicing and roadside assistance is also available up to 10 years in total.

“For four generations, the Pajero has defined Mitsubishi. It has stood out for its capability,
comfort and sheer dependability, showcasing the best Mitsubishi has to offer,” said Mitsubishi-Motors Australia Limited CEO Shunichi Kihara.

2027 Mitsubishi Pajero pricing (excluding on-road costs):

• GLS 5-seat: $68,490
• GLS 7-seat: $69,990
• Exceed: $79,990
• GSR: $84,990

2027 Mitsubishi Pajero GLS standard features:

• Five- or seven-seats (+$1500)
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Dusk-sensing automatic all-LED exterior lighting
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Black roof rails
• Grey side steps
• Keyless entry with push button start
• Electric tailgate
• Privacy glass
• Tri-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents
• Waterproof black fabric seat trim
• 6-way manual front seat adjustment with electric lumbar support
• Dual 12.3-inch displays
• Mitsubishi Connect live services
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Six-speaker audio system
• Wireless phone charger
• 4x (5-seat) or 6x (7-seat) USB-C charging ports
• Rear differential lock
• 7x driving modes: Normal, eco, gravel, snow, mud, sand and rock
• 8x airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist and intersection assistance
• Rear autonomous emergency braking
• Lane keeping assistance with emergency lane keeping
• Adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Front and rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver attention monitoring
• Traffic sign recognition with speed limit warnings
• Auto high beam
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree camera with bonnet see-through functionality

Exceed model adds to GLS:

• Black leather upholstery
• Electric front seat adjustment
• Heated front and outboard middle rear seats
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Dual 14.3-inch displays
• Refrigerated console box
• Middle row sun shades
• 12-speaker Yamaha Ultimate audio system

GSR model adds to Exceed:

• Black 20-inch alloy wheels
• Upgraded lighting with adaptive high beam and animation
• Front grille LED lamp
• Dark bumpers and side steps
• Two-tone black and tan upholstery
• Memory settings for the front seats, mirrors and steering column
• Ventilated front seats
• Black headliner
• Panoramic sunroof
• Digital rear mirror
• Nanoe X air purification

Huge changes are coming to Mazda’s range of large SUVs due to poor sales. President Masahiro Moro revealed that the brand is working on an “unprecedented” range of revisions for its CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 models in a startling move, given it usually only alters its products every few model years.

Originally launched from 2022 for the CX-60 (June 2023 in Australia), the quartet of large SUVs debuted a new platform for Mazda. It was the first rear-wheel drive (or in all-wheel drive models, rear-biased) Mazda product that wasn’t the MX-5 roadster since the 929 ended production in 1999. In addition to a new platform, Mazda developed a range of new inline six-cylinder engines, a new plug-in hybrid system and a new in-house eight-speed automatic transmission as well.

Mazda set a global sales target of 200,000 units for the large SUV range when they were released, but in 2025, they sold 150,637 units as a whole or just shy of 50,000 units short of their target. In Australia, Mazda staff were quoted saying that it aimed to sell 6600 CX-60s, 720 CX-70s, 7800 CX-80s, and 1200 CX-90s annually but in 2025, each model fell short by a lot, particularly the CX-70 that sold only 379 units.

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In the first half of 2026, sales fell further with the CX-60 down 7.0 per cent on the same period in 2025, the CX-70 down 30.4 per cent, the CX-80 down by 30.1 per cent and the CX-90 down by 12.7 per cent. The company recently launched changes to each lineup with cheaper pricing by up to $8687 and pride parody for diesel variants, but it’s too early to tell if they’ve made any difference.

Moro told Hiroshima’s Chugoku Shimbun: “We will make changes to the exterior, interior and powertrain, and implement upgrades on a scale unprecedented to date. We will be working on the exterior, interior, and powertrain, and will be upgrading them on a scale never seen before. We will cultivate these into products that people will say are Mazda’s flagship. It will take time, but we will definitely achieve this.”

The president didn’t reveal further details, but mechanical changes such as a smoother transmission and more balanced ride quality are likely to be high on the list as the large SUVs have faced criticism over those two issues. Mazda even went as far as launching a ‘Series II’ update for the CX-60 with retuned suspension and a smoother gearbox in 2025, which improved it, but not completely.

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The company has also confirmed that the next generation of its SkyActiv engine family is in development with proper hybrid tech, and will reportedly debut next year on the CX-5 medium SUV. However, the new gear could also make it into the six-cylinder engines of the large SUV family. That means we could see SkyActiv-Z variants of the CX-60, CX-70, CX-80 and CX-90 around the same time, while we’re also expecting styling and interior changes, including possibly the large touchscreen from the new CX-5.

Whatever the updates for the Mazda large SUV range are, we’re likely to see them sometime in 2027 as the company will likely want to boost its sales as soon as it can and get a return on what should be a serious investment. Watch this space.

The latest VFACTS figures on Australia’s new vehicle market have revealed it remained exceptionally strong in August, with demand for battery electric vehicles playing a leading role in driving sales to 108,760, which is an increase of 0.4 per cent on the same month last year.

Chinese manufacturers took four spots in the top 10 brands list as 27,078 BEVs were sold, constituting 24.9 per cent of the entire new vehicle market. That’s an astounding increase of 171 per cent compared to August 2025 and sets a monthly record for battery-electric sales.

BEVs also outsold petrol (25,824 sales) and diesel vehicles (23,608) for the first time ever.

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Plug-in hybrids made up 10.5 per cent of the total vehicles moved, with conventional hybrids at 18.5 per cent, with the Toyota RAV4 coming second on the list of the top 10 models, behind the Tesla Model Y. They were followed by the HiLux, Prado, Ford Ranger and BYD Sealion 7.

Chinese automakers supplied four of the top 10 models: the Sealion 7, Chery Tiggo 4, Geely EX5, GWM Haval Jolion and the Zeeker 7X.

The VFACTS announcement revealed that Toyota remained Australia’s best-selling brand for the month, followed by BYD, Kia, Mazda, Hyundai, GWM and Ford. SUVs were easily the most popular class, recording 66,629 sales, followed by light commercial vehicles on 18,081, passenger vehicles with 13,592 sales, and heavy commercial with 2997.

“The sustained level of BEV sales, together with changing brand preferences, shows how quickly consumer choice and competition are reshaping Australia’s new-vehicle market,” said Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries CEO Tony Weber.

“These changes continue to reinforce the need for infrastructure settings that keep pace with the market. Accessible and dependable charging will remain critical to consumer confidence, particularly on highways, in rural and regional areas and for motorists without access to charging at home.”

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Top 10 brands (August 2026)

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Top 10 models (August 2026)

Tesla’s Model Y is being updated for the Chinese market with increased range and a new electric motor that ups its power – and there’s a good chance the revamped version will head down under.

The details were uncovered in information from the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology that shows the Y will have its range extended from 751km (CLTC) to 776km, with consumption falling from 12.8kWh/100km to 12.4kWh/100km. The improvement isn’t down to a new battery or a reduction in weight, however, with a report from China’s Sina publication stating that “core technology optimisations” are responsible.

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Tesla’s new TL2 electric motor, which drives the front wheels, is behind the power increase from 142kW in the current model to 176kW in the updated version. The newcomer will retain the Y’s current rear motor, which makes 198kW.

The report states that there are no other headline-grabbing changes to the Model Y, which will retain the same hardware and battery, but will benefit from “multiple key data optimisations”. The change in the front motor will also “significantly” improve initial response and acceleration, the publication claims.

Australia’s Model Ys and Model 3s are all made in China, so while Tesla hasn’t made any official announcement about the updated version making it to our showrooms, it’s reasonable to assume it will get a run down under. 

The most recent addition to the local line-up was the longer and more spacious Model Y L, which opened for Aussie orders in March. Priced from $74,900 plus on-road costs, it has been stretched to add a third row of seating and also gets a new 19-inch alloy wheel design.

Tesla’s Y led the way as Australia recorded another surge in EV deliveries in August, according to figures from the Electric Vehicle Council. The brand recorded 7685 deliveries for the month, up 163 per cent on the same time last year.

The Model Y was the vast bulk of that, with 6414 deliveries representing a 176 per cent increase year-on-year. Another 1271 sales came from the Model 3, which recorded its strongest monthly performance since January.

The Chinese government has brought in a raft of new rules governing how the country’s carmakers operate in overseas markets, warning companies like BYD against getting involved in price wars that could lead to the imposition of tariffs to combat anti-competitive behaviour.

Foreign sales are an increasingly important source of revenue for Chinese brands as numbers crumble in the saturated local market. For example, BYD made 53 per cent of its revenue overseas in the first half of 2026, with domestic registrations dropping by almost 46 per cent year on year.

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In order to safeguard the automakers’ market share and protect against retaliatory action by foreign regulators, China’s Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and State Administration for Market Regulation fired off a series of guidelines. They read like good news for established brands that are being hammered by the wave of cheap and popular Chinese products.

The rules – which seek to “promote orderly and healthy international development of China’s automotive industry” – are headlined by a directive that brands must price their products based on production costs and the state of the market instead of engaging in drastic discounts that hammer traditional carmakers.

Other rules will force China’s manufacturers to avoid large price fluctuations that disrupt foreign markets, stop engaging in any activities that could trigger trade disputes or damage the image of Chinese OEMs, and refrain from making overseas dealers set a nominated price for cars and instead create clear pricing levels for model grades.

Misleading and untruthful marketing and advertising is also being cracked down upon, and the directives state that the carmakers “must not improperly impose arbitrary surcharges beyond the displayed price or collect fees that have not been disclosed”.

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In June, Chinese regulators warned manufacturers about price wars that amounted to “irrational competition” in the domestic market, according to a statement from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. 

The move came on the back of news that NEV sales in China had fallen 14 per cent year on year in the first week of June. On Wednesday, the South China Morning Post reported that the number of EVs sold in the first 12 days of August was down 12 per cent from the same period last year.

Aussies who made the change to an electric vehicle in the first half of the year as petrol and diesel prices spiked due to the Iran war will save approximately $76 million on fuel by the end of 2026, a new report has found.

The findings from the National Automotive Leasing and Packaging Association (NALSPA) also show that Aussies who purchased a battery electric vehicle under the federal government’s Electric Car Discount scheme from January to June will keep saving $103.6 million a year from 2027 onwards if fuel costs remain at current levels.

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Despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding in June, which led to a temporary ceasefire, shipping through the all-important Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. A barrage of attacks in recent days has seen oil prices rise by more than $US4 a barrel, so the pain at the bowser looks set to continue.

NALSPA chief executive Rohan Martin said the sharp switch away from internal combustion vehicles has benefits for Australia that go far beyond motorists keeping more of their cash, noting that the transformation of the country’s new-car market is “strengthening our national energy security” and will put downward pressure on inflation.

“These savings mean more money stays in local economies instead of flowing to overseas energy suppliers,” he said. “More money in Australians’ pockets gives families extra room in their household budgets to cover everyday essentials during the cost-of-living crunch.”

The news comes just after the Electric Vehicle Council’s most recent monthly sales report revealed that Tesla and Polestar delivered a combined 7821 BEVs down under in August, up 148 per cent from the same period last year.

August’s result, which only includes the two brands, is second only to the numbers recorded in June, when Tesla and Polestar delivered 8924 vehicles in a sure sign that the EV market remains exceptionally strong.

The new Polestar 4 SUV has been unveiled as a more practical sibling to its existing coupe-style medium electric SUV ahead of Australian deliveries commencing before the end of the year. Rather than replacing the existing Polestar 4 Coupe, the newcomer will be sold alongside it, giving buyers the choice between the original model’s sleek, unconventional shape or a more traditional body.

The biggest talking point is obvious: the Polestar 4 finally has a rear window thanks to the new SUV variant. Controversially, the existing Polestar 4 Coupe does without rear glass entirely and instead uses a roof-mounted camera feeding a digital rear-view mirror. The SUV version reinstates a rear window and traditional mirror as standard, although the camera-based digital mirror remains available as a $1000 option.

Despite looking noticeably more upright, the SUV uses the same 4840mm overall length and 2999mm wheelbase as the 4 Coupe. Polestar says just 48 new parts were required to create the new body style, including a straighter roofline, upright tailgate and full-length roof rails.

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In a boost for practicality, the SUV’s design has unlocked more interior space. Rear headroom grows by 25mm, while cargo capacity has increased from 526 litres in the Coupe to 540L in the SUV with the rear seats up and from 1536L to 1665L with them folded.

There’s also a larger panoramic glass roof, while an optional electrochromic version can electronically switch between transparent, tinted and selectively shaded settings. The brand has also added a new camping mode for the central touchscreen, as well as Google Gemini AI voice control.

Underneath, the SUV uses the same architecture as the existing Polestar 4, but with a larger 100kWh battery. The entry-level Rear Motor produces 200kW and 343Nm, driving the rear wheels and offering up to 630km of WLTP-rated range. The Dual Motor adds a second electric motor for all-wheel drive and outputs of 400kW and 686Nm. Polestar claims up to 600km of range for the Dual Motor, while the 0-100km/h sprint takes just 3.9 seconds, or just one tenth slower than the equivalent Coupe.

The 4 SUV also receives an updated chassis tune with revised spring rates, higher-capacity dampers and altered anti-roll bar settings aimed at improving the balance between ride comfort and the brand’s usual sporty handling.

Australian pricing for the Polestar 4 SUV reveals it’s $4600 cheaper than the Coupe at $73,900 plus on-road costs. More surprising is that unlike the previously Chinese-made Polestar models, the 4 SUV will be sourced from South Korea.

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The top-spec Dual Motor is priced at $81,750 +ORC, which is $4600 less than the Coupe Dual Motor. Option packages include a $1200 Comfort Pack, $5700-$6100 Nappa leather upholstery, $6500 Plus Pack and for the Dual Motor, a $7200 Performance Pack.

Individual options include $900 uprated 22kW AC charging, a $2200 electrochromatic glass roof, the aforementioned $1000 digital rear mirror, $700 rear privacy glass and a $4070 electric-folding towbar.

2027 Polestar 4 pricing (excluding on-road costs):

• SUV Rear Motor: $73,900
• Coupe Rear Motor: $78,500
• SUV Dual Motor: $81,750
• Coupe Dual Motor: $86,350

Australian orders for the 2027 Polestar 4 SUV are open now, with the first deliveries expected during the fourth quarter of 2026.