WhichCar By Wheels

Nissan will establish its first Australian NISMO Performance Centre in Victoria next year, marking a significant expansion of the brand’s performance and heritage operations outside Japan.

The first facility is scheduled to open at Nissan Ferntree Gully in Melbourne’s east during the second half of 2026, with additional locations planned for other parts of Australia.

The centres will provide access to factory-backed NISMO parts, restoration programs and technical expertise previously available primarily through the famous NISMO Omori Factory in Yokohama, Japan.

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According to Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Co. (NMC), the Australian facilities will support restoration and servicing work for performance models including the Nissan Skyline GT-R R32, R33 and R34, which remain highly sought-after among enthusiasts locally and overseas.

Factory-certified “NISMO Meisters” trained under Nissan’s global program are also expected to form part of the local operation, offering specialist support for older GT-R models and other NISMO products.

Australia has long been considered one of Nissan’s strongest enthusiast markets, particularly for GT-R models imported during the 1990s and 2000s. Nissan says the expansion reflects growing demand for heritage support, performance parts and restoration services.

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The announcement coincides with the visit of NMC president and chief executive Yutaka Sanada to Sydney ahead of the annual GT-R Festival, one of Australia’s largest gatherings for Nissan performance cars.

The move follows NISMO’s broader global expansion strategy announced in late 2025, which outlined plans to grow the company’s restoration, restomod and motorsport-related businesses internationally.

The Australian centres are expected to operate similarly to Japan’s Omori Factory, which is known for full GT-R restorations, performance tuning and heritage vehicle support. However, the local facilities are unlikely to initially offer complete vehicle rebuilds at the same scale as the Japanese operation.

NMC was formed in 2022 through the merger of Nissan’s motorsport and customisation divisions, combining the NISMO performance brand with AUTECH’s vehicle modification expertise.

Nissan has not yet confirmed pricing, staffing numbers or what specific restoration services will be available when the first Australian NISMO Performance Centre opens next year.

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Volkswagen Australia has left the door open to introducing smaller and more affordable electric vehicles locally, although the brand says infrastructure and customer readiness remain major considerations for if they are introduced locally. The news comes as the brand recently revealed the new ID.Polo and ID.Polo GTI models, both of which are yet to be confirmed for local sales.

During an interview with WhichCar by Wheels about the company’s future EV strategy at the local launch of the plug-in hybrid variants in the Tiguan and Tayron ranges, local Volkswagen executives said that decision on introducing smaller variants would be made as the market develops.

“Strategically, in the future we need to be able to cover as many segments as possible,” said Volkswagen Australia Director of Passenger Vehicles PierGiorgio Minto. “If there is an opportunity and it makes sense from a brand perspective, why not? Our market research suggests that something like that isn’t necessary right now, but in the future, most likely.”

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The comments come as the brand recently revealed its fully electric ID.Polo hatchback. Just prior to that model’s reveal was the unveiling of the heavily upgraded version of the ID.3 hatchback, now called ID.3 Neo, while the production version of the ID.Cross small electric SUV – which will likely replace the current petrol-powered T-Cross – is due to be revealed soon. 

The brand says that part of the pause for its smaller EVs to be introduced is that because their owners are more likely to live in apartment buildings with no charging facility, smaller EVs tend to rely more heavily on public infrastructure which needs to be further improved locally. 

“There’s an infrastructure component to introducing smaller EVs too. If you’re getting a small electric vehicle, our research suggests that you’re more likely to be living somewhere like an apartment block without power in your garage or maybe no garage at all, so your infrastructure needs to be really strong and that takes a bigger component of decision making for us” said Minto.

Minto pointed to markets such as Norway, where EV adoption has surged thanks to decades of government support, incentives and infrastructure investment. Norway’s transition to electric vehicles was not immediate, with the first incentive for EV ownership launched way back in 1990, well before they were mainstream. 

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“Certainly having an electric Golf or Polo in Norway is going to be very different to what that will be in Australia for our customers, so we have to weigh that up. We can’t blindly say let’s bring it here without the infrastructure to effectively charge it.

“But they’re having subsidised EV sales and that’s why they’ve gotten to 98 per cent EV market share. If the government takes a different route here as well, it might open potential doors but for now, we’re continuing to monitor the market.”

Locally, the company says that it’s focused on helping customers move into electrified vehicles through partnerships and ownership programs, rather than waiting for policy intervention. One such program is Volkswagen Australia’s partnership with Ampol to provide discounted EV charging for the first 12 months of ownership, as well as installing an Ampol charger at each of Volkswagen’s 100+ Australian dealerships for ID customers to use.

Volkswagen’s latest electrified products, the plug-in hybrid variants of the Volkswagen Tiguan and Tayron, are now on sale with pricing starting at $62,390 plus on-road costs.

It’s almost the end of May, which means that we’re officially almost at the end of the 2026 financial year. Because of that, the car industry will be gearing up to push out as many units as it can before the 2027 FY hits. Given record fuel prices still hovering around and the current cost of living crisis continuing to bite into everybody’s budgets, there’s potential for even stronger deals than in the past.

Here are the best end of financial year deals we’ve seen so far, including the most popular brands like Toyota, Ford, BYD and Mazda:

BMW 

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BYD

4

Chery

1

Ford

Geely 

3

GWM

1

Honda 

Kia

3

KGM

Mahindra

Mazda

3

Mercedes-Benz 

MG

3

Mini

Omoda Jaecoo

3

Toyota 

Volvo

With one of the broadest brand portfolios in the automotive industry, Stellantis has just announced a major rationalisation program to help it reduce costs, speed development, and allow it to tailor products to the needs of the markets it sells in.

Called STLA One, the new modular platform is designed to underpin almost all of the group’s future B, C, and D segment cars. Everything from the Peugeot 208 and Opel Mokka up to three-row large SUVs like the Peugeot 5008 – a segment which most Stellantis brands don’t currently participate.

The multi-powertrain STLA One platform will support 800-volt electrical drivetrains, with cell-to-body construction to reduce cost and complexity, but will also span a variety of electrified drivetrains from plug-in hybrid to extended range to mild-hybrid, depending on its deployment.

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STLA One is destined to become one of three platforms that will make up 50 per cent of the company’s production volume, leaving room for specialised underpinnings for low-volume, high-margin products from brands like Maserati and Jeep. Between those three volume platforms, Stallantis is aiming for 70 per cent ‘component reuse’ to drive volume and reduce costs.

The new platform will be used in over 30 new models and, by 2035, is expected to underpin more than 2 million units.

Under the company’s new vision for its broad product range, four brands will become global pillars, with Fiat, Jeep (above), Peugeot, and Ram getting first access to new platforms, and taking a 70 per cent slice of Stellantis’ investment.

Brands like Alfa Romeo (below), Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, and Opel/Vauxhall will become ‘regional brands’. Outliers like Abarth, Lancia, and DS Automobiles will be viewed as ‘specialty brands’ to be managed as sub-brands of Fiat and Citroen, respectively.

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Maserati will sit outside the main brand group, with its own product plan to be announced later in the year. Despite having 15 brands to manage, Stellantis has opted to keep all in operation, quashing rumours that slow sellers like Chrysler, Lancia, and DS Automobiles were facing uncertain futures.

Stellantis also announced parallel product plans, including STLA SmartCockpit, in conjunction with robotics and automation specialist Applied Intuition, and STLA Brain; electronics, software and driver assist tech in partnership with Qualcomm.

These new systems will be integrated as part of the STLA One rollout, with the aim of providing a range of in-car tech, infotainment, and autonomous driving features with reduced development costs and faster product integration.

The platform and technology announcements fall under a five-year business plan called FaSTLAne 2030, which represents a €60 billion (A$97.47 billion) investment. The plan includes manufacturing optimisation, platform and powertrain changes, improved management of individual brands, and collaborative agreements with companies like Leapmotor, Dongfeng, and a recently announced Memorandum of Understanding with Jaguar Land Rover.

As electric vehicle ownership rates rise in Australia and new vehicle markets show a boost in electric and electrified vehicles, a new study highlights how overall market acceptance is shifting.

The study, commissioned by financial comparison site Savvy, is now in its third edition, having been published previously in 2021 and 2023, analysing the various attitudes towards future electric vehicle ownership.

Savvy’s data reveals that fewer buyers than before considered cost a barrier to EV ownership, although it was still the most commonly cited point of resistance for new vehicle intenders. In 2021 and 2023, 76 per cent of respondents said price was their biggest barrier to EV ownership; in 2026, that rate had fallen to 49 per cent.

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In the five years since the study began, the market has shifted from 17 brands offering at least one electric model to 40 in 2026. The cheapest EV when the study began, the MG ZS EV, started from $44,990 drive-away, compared to a selection of over 10 electric models priced from under $40,000 in 2026, and higher-priced models rapidly approaching price parity with combustion-engined (ICE) models in the same period.

To a lesser extent, attitudes towards range anxiety – how far a car can travel before charging – have also softened. In 2021, 39 per cent of people surveyed claimed range anxiety was an issue, rising to 41 per cent in the 2023 survey. The most recent data reveals that range issues are now only a concern for 29 per cent of respondents.

Despite the more willing acceptance of price and range in the evolving EV market, EV resistance rose according to the latest data, with more buyers than before suggesting they would rather stick to an ICE vehicle for their next car.

The latest survey indicated that over a quarter of those included in the study would prefer a fuel-based car (82 per cent), in 2023 that figure was 16 per cent, and in 2021, only 13 per cent.

Other standout data from the report indicated that 77 per cent of buyers weren’t aware of what it costs to charge at home, with 47 per cent overestimating the average charging cost, although this data is based on average charge cost figures and doesn’t take into account individual cost variations, which those surveyed may have based their calculations on.

Another 47 per cent of people surveyed were either renting or living in apartment buildings without the ability to install a dedicated EV charger. Here, the study overlooks access to trickle-charge options for overnight charging from a regular power outlet, which could impact that final figure, particularly for renters of freestanding homes.

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Finally, the data looked at the brands EV buyers were most interested in, with Toyota, BYD (above), and Tesla making up the top three. In 2021 Toyota was not included on the list, with no electric vehicles in market at that time, nor was BYD, having only launched as a low-volume brand in 2021, while Tesla dropped from second in 2021 to third place in 2026.

Hyundai dropped to fifth place, from first in 2021. Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Chery rounded out the top ten most desired EV brands in 2026.

Despite the high proportion of prestige brands, 31 per cent of buyers indicated their budget was under $25,000, while 41 per cent were aiming to spend between $25,000 and $50,000, with only 7 per cent looking to spend over $75,000.

Toyota Australia has confirmed that an updated version of the GR Yaris hot hatch is on its way, bringing a number of running changes to the sporty model.

The most noticeable change from the current GR Yaris is a new motorsport-inspired steering wheel, with a revised button layout for easier eye-off operation, albeit with a range of functions intended for road, rather than track use. Additional control illumination has been added to improve nighttime operation.

The new wheel also has a smaller rim, down from 365mm in diameter previously, to 360mm. A reprofiled inner rim surface that no longer contains the thumb grips of the earlier design, and a GR logo in place of the Toyota insignia on the hub have also been implemented.

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Beyond the wheel itself, the electric power steering itself has been tweaked with what Toyota describes as an “expanded operating range”. In overseas markets, this change has been made to ensure more even steering assistance under high-load cornering, and when used with high-grip tyres.

The top-spec GR Yaris GTS version also changes from Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres to Bridgestone Potenza Race tyres, while the entry-level GR Yaris GT retains its Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 rubber.

The move reflects a more motorsport-centric approach for the GTS, which keeps other equipment differences over the GT like lightweight forged BBS alloy wheels, ‘high performance’ suspension, and Torsen front and rear limited-slip differentials.

The upgraded Toyota GR Yaris is due in Australia from June, 2026.

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This latest update follows the introduction of a mid-life restyle, launched in early 2025, that added the option of an eight-speed automatic alongside the standard six-speed manual. In September 2025, Toyota added a GTS Aero Package model with a vented bonnet and front guards among the changes.

Toyota has not yet announced pricing for the updated GR Yaris GTS, with the current range priced from $55,490 plus on-road costs for the GR Yaris GT manual up to $67,490 +ORCs for the GR Yaris GTS equipped with the Aero Performance Package.

After gaining significant traction in the big population centres, the next focus for BYD in Australia will be regional and rural communities, says the brand’s local boss, Stephen Collins.

It’s been a strong two years for BYD in Australia. As it sits at the launch of the manufacturer’s latest iteration of the BYD Shark 6, BYD is the number one EV brand in Australia, the number one Chinese OEM in Australia, and occupies first, second and third position on the plug-in hybrid sales charts. Its Sealion 7 also sits in the number two position for electric vehicles overall.

“I’ll be disappointed if we don’t finish somewhere near the top three OEMs at the end of 2026,” Collins told WhichCar by Wheels. “I’m not out there saying that we’re here to knock off Toyota or here to be number one… but I think we’ve shown in the last few months that we can certainly be well and truly in the top five, if not the top three. And that’s where I want to be by the end of the year.”

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Since launch, BYD has sold more than 24,000 Shark 6 PHEVs, with that number set to climb thanks to the introduction of a cab-chassis and Performance variant to take the range to three models. However, tied in to a strengthening of the dealer network – the manufacturer had less than 50 in 2024 and will have 150 by the end of 2026 – is a key presence in rural and regional Australia. It’s something the boss of BYD in Australia thinks is critical to continued success.

Given BYD has made such significant inroads into the dual-cab segment in the cities, it follows that the outer urban and regional areas are the next opportunity for a brand well on the march in this country.

“One hundred per cent it’s an opportunity, but it’s also about supporting rural communities,” Collins said. “When I was a kid, I was Melbourne born and bred, but I was up at my grandparents’ place in the Riverina all the time. So I understand the connection to community and supporting rural communities, and that’s what we’re going be trying to do. We’re trying to do more of that with our corporate social responsibility, as well.”

In that sense, the growth into regional areas isn’t just about sales figures on a spread sheet. Rural buyers have deep connections to dealers, service centres and the vehicles they choose to buy. And, it’s why brands like Toyota, that have been building in those regional areas for decades, have such a head start.

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“So it’s not just about selling cars,” Collins said. “A lot of the vehicles we have coming on the vessel that’s on its way here now, a number of those are for rural and remote communities.”

Conquering the cities is one thing, of course, with buyers more likely to be transient, but also with more access to more variety in regard to both purchase ands service.

BYD’s sales success in the cities though has delivered a loyal cohort of owners keen to spruik the product.

“I think the product speaks for itself, now, and I think the coverage of our dealer network, and now after sales support, are all key parts of that jigsaw,” Collins told WhichCar by Wheels. “So I think absolutely that’s our next real big opportunity, rural and provincial Australia.”

With pricing announced and a new, three-model line-up locked in, the BYD Shark 6 is in a position to continue its already strong growth in the Australian new car market. Shark 6 was the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) dual-cab to enter the Australian market, and the range now comprises three separate models.

The regular dual-cab remains, called Premium ($57,900), while the range opens with the Dynamic Cab-Chassis ($55,900) and is topped out by the Performance ($62,900). Those prices exclude on-road costs.

While the top of the range Performance, which brings 350kW/700Nm outputs and a 3500kg braked towing capacity to the range, it’s the cab-chassis that provides the most scope for expansion to the range. If there’s demand for a dual-cab, cab-chassis, why not a single cab? Or a more rugged off-road variant to compete with the likes of 70-Series LandCruiser, Ford Ranger Super Duty? That’s the theory, at least.

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“I think there’s are always opportunities,” Stephen Collins told WhichCar by Wheels. “I think that the ute market and Ranger and HiLux have proven that, from performance models, right down to specific fleet and even mining-spec vehicles and everything in between. So there’s absolutely opportunity.”

The key for Shark 6 – and any further variants within the range – is the success of the model in Australia and the fact that local research and development is taken seriously back at head office in China. It’s something the export success of the model in this country has given BYD Australia, that it might not otherwise have had.

“We’ve got a sort of direct link into our R and D facility, so we’re looking at more options and we think there’s more scope,” Collins told WhichCar. “I think a lot of it is local engineering, local input. We have a close relationship with Iron Man, and we have for some time, but local engineering is, and local engineers and local testing is just, you know, it’s a proven formula. So, you know, that’s an area of our business we’re growing.”

Chief Product Office Sajid Hasan also agreed that the dual-cab segment is currently untapped in regard to what BYD could possibly do, given the time to develop the right products for the Australian market.

“Those are actually things that we’re actively studying,” Hasan said. “We can’t just develop everything at one go and it’s only been 14 months since we launched the model altogether. So this is kind of like the first branching out. And yes, we could go more fleet-focused derivatives and more private market focused derivatives. And we’re actually evaluating both sides.”

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The fleet market is fertile ground for any manufacturer with a dual-cab in the sales mix. With a target of 20 per cent sales into fleets, BYD is already at 18 per cent. Two new variants of the Shark 6 should ensure that numbers climbs further.

“We’ll have more to talk about this in the future and there’s nothing to announce today, but you’re open to these opportunities,” Hasan said. “We know… that there is a lot of opportunity. This segment is crucially important to Australia and to our brand, Shark is just so important for us.”

With sales approaching 25,000 in short order from launch, BYD Australia is the strongest market for Shark 6 and, perhaps even more impressively, has been achieved by a company that hadn’t even built a dual-cab before this model launched. As such, BYD Australia’s feedback and input is taken seriously back at HQ.

“It’s not only given us strong sales volumes, but a lot of brand recognition and experience as a company to develop models for Australia,” Hasan said. “It’s a challenge and an opportunity, and we need to scale up our operations and our network as well as our model portfolio in tandem.”

BYD has been given approval to sell a third sedan model in the Australian market.

Despite the sales superiority of SUVs, BYD appears to be making a concentrated effort in the sedan space, with the Seal 7 PHEV on its way to join the Seal EV and Seal 6 PHEV already offered here.

The larger Seal 7 comes in at 4980mm long, making it 140mm longer than the smaller Seal 6, and 60mm longer than the Toyota Camry.

Like the Seal 6 sedan, the Seal 7 looks set to arrive in a single trim level, but unlike the Seal 6, which also comes in a better-equipped wagon version, the Seal 7 will arrive as a sedan only. The two-model approach may be BYD’s way of providing a better-equipped sedan to sit alongside the Seal 6 Premium wagon.

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The Seal 7 will be powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine and an electric motor, driving the front wheels. Combined system output is rated at 197kW, higher than the 130kW combined for the non-turbo PHEV Seal 6 sedan.

Full details of potential battery capacity and EV driving range for Australia aren’t listed in the approval application, but Chinese-market versions of the Seal 7, known as the Seal 07 DM-i, are offered with either a 17.6kWh or 29.5kWh battery, larger than the Seal 6 sedan’s 10.1kWh capacity.

Chinese specifications list EV-only driving range of 110km to 180km, depending on the battery. The Seal 6 sedan, meanwhile, is rated to just 55km of EV range in Australia. The Seal 06 wagon has a larger 19kWh battery and can cover 100km on electric power alone.

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In its home market, the Seal 7 comes with equipment including an in-car refrigerator, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, adaptive suspension, and semi-autonomous driving capabilities.

Despite its more premium positioning, the Seal 7 still sits one rung below the newly-revealed Seal 08 in BYD’s domestic market hierarchy, and is one of 12 sedan models in BYD’s current line-up.

While the Seal 7 has received regulatory approval for sale in Australia, BYD has yet to officially announce the vehicle as a confirmed arrival.

The last time Australia faced a fuel crisis of the magnitude that it has in 2026 was in 1979 during the second oil shortage of that decade. The result of revolution in Iran, combined with prolonged industrial action at the Caltex Kurnell oil refinery in Sydney, it left motorists in a state of uncertainty.

If you’re too young to have experienced it, chances are you have relatives who remember it well and will tell you stories of how rationing worked, and how the government had decreed that consumers could only buy fuel every second day, based on car number plates. Exemptions were granted for essential workers like doctors, nurses and emergency service personnel. In short, though, the measures which lasted for several weeks were effective in reducing fuel use and seeing Australia through the crisis.

The message then was simple. Drive as little as possible, use public transport if you can, carpool if possible, and be as smooth behind the wheel as you can in order to use as little fuel as possible.

The reality in 2026 is very different, with significantly more Australians on the road on any given day, many of whom have to travel long distances in their car just to get to and from work. On its own, the sheer volume of cars is a huge difference from the late ’70s. And in many instances, we rely on the motor car more now than we did then.

As such, the ways in which you can save fuel extend well beyond how you drive and when you drive. Now, the type of car you own is effectively your gateway to using as little fuel as possible, and that’s what we’ve decoded here this month.

If you’re driving an electric vehicle for example, you’re currently smiling, using no fuel at all to go about your life as normal. The next step from there is the plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which is a clever part-time EV allowing you to drive for up to 120km (in some cases) on pure electric power alone. Cover the regular commute of most Aussies and you’ll be driving to and from work not using any fuel at all if you own a modern PHEV.

Many of us now, though, are driving incredibly efficient hybrid vehicles, technology popularised by Toyota more than two decades ago, thus using half as much (or even less) fuel to do the same work. In the 1970s the concept that you could drive the family car while using less than 5.0L/100km, for example, would have been a pipe dream. Yet that’s exactly what the likes of hybrid Camry, RAV4, Tucson or Sorento can do in 2026.

The concept of saving fuel is still as simple as it was in regard to your driving behaviour and the way you treat your vehicle. However, the options at your disposal are broader, more complex, and more capable than they’ve ever been.

Here, then, is Wheels’ guide to the best way to save fuel – and money – while still covering your essential driving needs.

Hybrid passenger cars

MG 3 Hybrid+

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Price: From $27,990 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: 3-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 155kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 128Nm
Fuel: 95 RON premium unleaded
Fuel tank: 36 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 4.3L/100km
Theoretical range from a single tank: 837km

Australia’s most affordable full hybrid (forget about the minimal benefits, if any, of mild hybrids) makes good use of its 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine, especially when paired with a 100kW electric motor driving the front wheels. Combined total outputs of 155kW provides punchy acceleration from standstill, especially when on the move.

Laboratory testing has decreed the MG 3 will sip 4.3L/100km of the more premium 95-octane unleaded, offering a theoretical driving range on a single tank of around 837km. Our real world testing has previously returned 4.8L/100km, dropping that range to 750km, still a decent return on investment. The only downside, of course, is the MG 3’s thirst for more expensive premium unleaded.

Toyota Yaris

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Price: From $28,990 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: CVT auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 85kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 120Nm
Fuel: 91 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 36 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 3.3L/100km
Theoretical range from a single tank: 1090km

The headline act here is Toyota’s claim of a miserly 3.3L/100km of regular unleaded on the combined fuel cycle. Real world testing by Wheels, however, returned a more realistic 4.1L/100km. That’s still an excellent number, and one that will provide around 878km of driving between refills.

It’s not the most powerful hybrid hatchback on the market – its combined output of just 85kW dwarfed by some of its rivals. But the raw numbers belie the Yaris’ peppy nature, especially in an urban environment where, let’s face it, most Yaris’ will spend the majority of their time.

Quick to move away from standstill and eager enough when on the move, the Yaris makes good use of the extra oomph provided by its single electric motor. And bonus points for only needing regular unleaded.

Hyundai i30 Sedan hybrid

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Price: From $33,250 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch, front-wheel drive
Power: 104kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 147Nm
Fuel: 91 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 42 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 3.9L/100km
Theoretical range from a single tank: 1076km

Hyundai took its time joining the hybrid party but when it arrived (unfashionably) late, it did so with aplomb.

The i30 sedan brings practicality, interior space and comfort in a way most hatchbacks can only dream of, its 474-litre cargo area a case in point.

The driving experience is refined, with the i30 happy to chug on electricity alone at anywhere up to 50km/h in traffic, providing you exercise circumspection with your right foot.

That helps the i30 sedan achieve a real-world fuel number of just 4.3L/100km (against a claim of 3.9L) which we have previously done in testing. And that means a range of around 976km between visits to the servo is achievable. Not bad.

Toyota Camry

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Price: From $39,990 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: CVT auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 170kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 221Nm
Fuel: 95 RON premium unleaded
Fuel tank: 50 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 4.0L/100km
Theoretical range from a single tank: 1250km

It’s impossible to leave out the Camry, a stalwart on our roads since 1983. But the Camry’s true calling came with the introduction of the first hybrid model in 2006, bringing previously unparalleled fuel economy to more families than ever before.

Today, the Camry remains the best-selling medium sedan with an engine (Tesla’s electric Model 3 is number one) and for good reason. While a quoted fuel economy of just 4.0L/100km looks good on paper, out in the real world mid-5s are more realistic. A recent Wheels road test returned 5.6L/100 over a week, giving a projected driving range of 892km between visits to the local servo.

The only downside is the Camry’s thirst for more expensive premium unleaded, something to consider in today’s oil shock climate.

Hybrid SUVs

MG ZS Hybrid+

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Price: From $30,990 driveaway
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: 3-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 158kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 250Nm
Fuel: 95 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 41 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 4.7L/100km
Theoretical range from a single tank: 872km

A Wheels Best Small SUV 2025 category winner, the MG ZS Hybrid+ was lauded for its spacious cabin, long list of standard equipment and accessibly low pricing.

Under the bonnet, a peppy 155kW 1.5-litre petrol-hybrid is perfectly suited for most driving conditions, the star attraction its claimed 4.7L/100km fuel use.

Realistically, you can expect numbers in the low fives, which is still decent and will provide around 780-800km of driving before needing a drink of premium petrol – the latter fact really the only blot on its copy book.

Chery Tiggo 4 Hybrid

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Price: From $29,990 driveaway
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: CVT auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 150kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 310Nm
Fuel: 91 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 51 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 5.4L/100km
Theoretical range from a single tank: 944km

Australia’s most affordable hybrid SUV is a decent option for buyers on a budget. A perky 150kW drivetrain offers enough performance for most situations, the Tiggo 4 never feeling sluggish. Inside, a practical cabin offers plenty of modern tech to keep most buyers happy.

A claimed fuel economy figure of 5.4L/100km seems ambitious, although we’ve yet to test the hybrid version of what has become – in petrol-only form – Australia’s number one-selling small SUV. Our experience with a vast armada of hybrids from a wide range of manufacturers, suggests a number in the low-sixes is more realistic, offering a theoretical range of around 830-850km between refills. Underscoring its appeal, the Tiggo 4 is happy to drink regular 91-octane unleaded.

Honda HR-V e:HEV

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Price: From $39,900 driveaway
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: CVT auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 96kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 253Nm
Fuel: 91 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 40 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 4.3L/100km
Theoretical range from a single tank: 930km

In a sea of new cars from Chinese challenger brands, the Honda HR-V brings a familiarity that will appeal to many buyers. So too its claimed 4.3L/100km fuel economy number which isn’t too far off the real world, Wheels achieving 4.7L/1200km over a week of testing. That’ll provide around 850km of driving between trips to the servo for some 91-octane regular unleaded.

Combined power outputs of 96kW might seem meagre on paper, but the HR-V has enough in the tank to ensure the driving experience is perfectly suitable to today’s motoring landscape. Bonus points for practicality too, with Honda’s ‘Magic Seats’ turning the compact SUV into a cargo carrier belying its compact dimensions. Buyers will love its $199 per visit servicing costs too.

GWM Haval H6 Hybrid

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Price: From $35,990
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: 2-speed auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 179kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 300Nm
Fuel: 91 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 61 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 5.2L/100km
Theoretical range from a single tank: 1173km

The GWM Haval H6 medium SUV was given a comprehensive makeover in the second half of 2025 which improved its styling and dynamics, gave it a new touchscreen system and improved its value equation.

A punchy hybrid system translates to willing performance on the road although ride comfort is a little on the firm side. A claimed fuel number of 5.2L/100km doesn’t stray too far from reality, with recent Wheels testing seeing a return of 6.1L/100km, good for a range of around 1000km per tank. The Haval H6 is happy to drink 91-octane unleaded.

Toyota Yaris Cross

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Price: From $31,790 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-hybrid
Transmission: CVT auto, front- or all-wheel drive
Power: 85kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 141Nm
Fuel: 91 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 36 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 3.8L/100km (FWD) / 4.0L/100km (AWD)
Theoretical range from a single tank: 947km (FWD) / 900km (AWD)

A Yaris hatchback on stilts, Toyota’s Yaris Cross blends city car dimensions with the high-riding comfort more and more buyers are demanding. On paper, the Yaris Cross is the most fuel-efficient SUV currently on sale in Australia, although its 3.8-4.0L/100km lab-tested claim is slightly ambitious, with previous Wheels testing seeing 4.7L/100km out in real-world driving conditions.

With a relatively small 36-litre tank, that’s good for around 765km of driving between refills of cheaper regular unleaded.

Plug-in hybrids

BYD Sealion 5

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Price: From $33,990 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid
Transmission: CVT auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 156kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 300Nm
Fuel: 91 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 52 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 1.2L/100km (full charge) 4.5L/100km (low charge)
Battery size: 12.9kWh
Electric range (claim): 71km (NEDC)

Currently the most affordable plug-in hybrid SUV in Australia, the BYD Sealion 5 brings some impressive stats, like a low $33,990 +ORC starting price, an efficient plug-in hybrid drivetrain with 71km of NEDC-tested electric driving range in a practical mid-size SUV body.

Keeping the battery topped up is key to achieving excellent fuel economy but BYD has engineered its plug-in hybrid system to act like a regular hybrid once the battery’s state-of-charge drops below 25 per cent. That means its quoted 4.5L/100km fuel economy is achievable, and a match for some of the best regular hybrids in the segment.

Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid

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Price: From $34,990 driveaway
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid
Transmission: CVT auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 150kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 310Nm
Fuel: 91 RON unleaded
Fuel tank: 60 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 1.4L/100km (full charge)
Battery size: 18.4kWh
Electric range (claim): 93km (NEDC)

Currently priced at $34,990 drive-away (until June 30), the Chery Tiggo 7 Super Hybrid (Chery-speak for plug-in hybrid) blends fuel efficiency with the sweet-spot medium SUV segment.

The Tiggo 7 makes up for its slightly frumpy looks with a decent list of standard equipment, including all the in-car tech buyers want, with real-world efficiency of around 4.0L/100km. Of course, ensuring the battery is always fully charged at the start of the day should allow most Australians to cover their daily commutes on electric power alone, leaving petrol in the tank for those rarer, longer drives.

BMW X1 xDrive 25e

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Price: From $79,500 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive
Power: 180kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 470Nm
Fuel: 95 RON premium unleaded
Fuel tank: 36 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 2.1L/100km (with charge) / 6.3L-7.1L/100km (no charge)
Battery size: 14.2kWh
Electric range (claim): 78km (WLTP)

The X1 plug-in hybrid is a decent option for those lucky enough to play in the luxury space. In regular ICE trim, the X1 is already one of the best small luxury SUVs on the market.

A claimed 78km range (WLTP claim) covers the daily commute. Things get interesting when the battery is depleted and the small SUV is hauling around a lot of extra (dead) weight. Here, BMW quotes 6.3L/100km which, when combined with a small 36-litre tank, combines for a range of around 570km. The lesson here? Keep your battery’s state-of-charge in the usable range, easy enough to do at home overnight.

Mazda CX-60 plug-in hybrid

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Price: From $63,790 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid:
Transmission: CVT auto, front-wheel drive
Power: 241kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 250Nm
Fuel: 95 RON premium unleaded
Fuel tank: 50 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 2.1L/100km (full charge)
Battery size: 17.8kWh
Electric range (claim): 78km (NEDC)

Mazda’s CX-60 is the first plug-in hybrid from the Japanese brand in Australia, blending PHEV technology with the brand’s semi-premium philosophy.

Mazda claims its first PHEV can cover up to 78km, but a more realistic figure – based on real-world testing – is around 50km.

Once the battery is depleted and the 2.5-litre petrol kicks in, consumption does climb rapidly, returning around 8.0L/100km. As a kicker, the CX-60 gulps 95-octane premium unleaded at
a minimum.

Still, Mazda’s cabin execution remains amongst the very best in this semi-premium space while the brand’s inherent sporty DNA will satisfy those who enjoy a decent drive.

BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid

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Price: From $57,900 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid
Transmission: Automatic, all-wheel drive
Power: 321kW (combined petrol-electric)
Torque: 650Nm
Fuel: 95 RON premium unleaded
Fuel tank: 60 litres
Fuel consumption (claim): 2.5L/100km (full charge)
Battery size: 29.6kWh
Electric range (claim): 100km (full charge)

BYD sent shockwaves through the dual-cab ute segment when it launched its plug-in hybrid Shark 6. And it’s been effective too, sitting third on the sales ladder for dual-cabs, behind only the rusted-on Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.

Wheels lauded the Shark 6’s take on the segment, awarding it the 2025-26 Wheels Ute of the Year gong. And while we acknowledged it wasn’t a ute for everyone, it did tick a lot of boxes for ute owners who have no need to tow or venture too far off-road.

Instead, with around 85km of real-world EV driving and a fuel economy number in the low 5s (forget the 2.5L claim), the Shark 6 is one of the most economical dual-cabs available today. Bonus points for having a petrol engine, unusual in the ute sphere, and something critics decried when diesel was around $1.20 per litre cheaper than it is today. Shark 6 owners are laughing all the way to the bank now.

Electric vehicles

BYD Atto 1

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Price: From $23,900 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: Single electric motor
Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive
Power: 65kW
Torque: 175Nm
Battery size: 30kWh
Electric range (claim): 220km (WLTP)
Maximum DC charge rate: 65kW
DC charge time: 34 minutes (10-80%)
AC charge time: 7kW 4.2 hours (0-100%)

BYD shocked the nation launching not just the cheapest electric car in Australia but one of the cheapest cars, period. Priced from just $23,990 plus on-road costs, the BYD Atto 1 is priced similarly to other light cars such as the Kia Picanto and MG 3, but it’s fully electric instead.

The entry-level Atto 1 Essential uses a small 30kWh battery for a claimed 220km of range, as well as a 65kW electric motor, which is more than enough for most urban-dwelling buyers – but those wanting more range and grunt can jump up to the Atto 1 Premium, which features a 115kW motor and a larger 43kWh battery for a healthier 310km of range. Regardless of the drivetrain, the Atto 1 is a well equipped, practical and darty city runabout.

BYD Atto 2

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Price: From $31,900 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: Single electric motor
Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive
Power: 130kW
Torque: 290Nm
Battery size: 51.1kWh
Electric range (claim): 345km (WLTP)
Maximum DC charge rate: 82kW
DC charge time: 39 minutes (10-80%)
AC charge time: 7kW 8 hours (est. 0-100%)

Launched late in 2025, the BYD Atto 2 has taken the mantle of Australia’s most affordable electric SUV. It’s priced from $31,990 plus on-road costs for the entry-level Dynamic and $35,990 (before on-road costs) for the better-specified Atto 2 Premium.

Both variants share the same drivetrain, a 130kW/290Nm electric motor driving the front wheels, fed by a 51kWh battery that’s good for a claimed WLTP-tested 345km range. Real-world testing by Wheels came close to achieving BYD’s claimed range, a feather in the Atto 2’s cap in a market where lab-tested range numbers are often a touch on the ambitious side.

Well-equipped for the money, the Atto 2 is a decent EV for urban dwellers.

Chery E5

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Price: From $37,900 drive-away
Drivetrain: Single electric motor
Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive
Power: 155kW
Torque: 280Nm
Battery size: 58.9kWh
Electric range (claim): 430km (WLTP)
Maximum DC charge rate: 80kW
DC charge time: 28 minutes (30-80%)
AC charge time: 7kW 8.5 hours (est. 0-100%)

Buyers looking to get into an affordable small electric SUV will be well-served by the Chery E5. Sharp driveaway pricing ($37,990 until June 30), is more expensive than some of its rivals but it does bring better driving range (430km on the WLTP testing cycle, translating to around 400km in the real world) and decent straight-line performance from its single electric motor.

The cabin is generously proportioned and brimming with technology while its seven-year warranty brings peace of mind for buyers. Its road manners could use some polish but as a daily urban runabout, the Chery E5 is worth considering, especially with that sharp driveaway deal currently on offer.

Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+

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Price: From $89,100 plus on-road costs
Drivetrain: Single electric motor
Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive
Power: 140kW
Torque: 385Nm
Battery size: 70.5kWh
Electric range (claim): 536km (WLTP)
Maximum DC charge rate: 102kW
DC charge time: 35 minutes (10-80%)
AC charge time: 7kW 10 hours (est. 0-100%)

The Mercedes-Benz EQB 250+ is the answer for those after a seven-seat electric SUV, one of the few currently available in Australia.

Driving range is decent at a claimed 536km, however, real-world testing reveals a figure closer to 450-500km, depending on driving style and whether Merc’s SUV is loaded up with seven people.

Performance from the single 140kW/385Nm electric motor (FWD) is decent but the star of the show is undoubtedly the cabin where typical Mercedes-Benz flourishes and equipment elevate it above the mainstream. But, that third row isn’t the most practical, certainly not for adults. One for small kids only.

Kia EV3

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Price: From $46,990 driveaway
Drivetrain: Single electric motor
Transmission: Single-speed, front-wheel drive
Power: 150kW
Torque: 283Nm
Battery size: 58.3kWh
Electric range (claim): 436km (WLTP)
Maximum DC charge rate: 100kW
DC charge time: 29 minutes (10-80%)
AC charge time: 7kW 8h20m (est. 0-100%)

The Kia EV3 is the Korean brand’s cheapest EV in Australia, but it’s also one of its best. Prices currently start at $46,990 driveaway for the entry-level Air.

Its 58.3kWh battery offers a claimed WLTP range of 436km, translating to around 400km in the real world. That’s more than enough for city driving.

The Kia EV3 is nicely equipped across its line-up, decent to drive, and with a useful driving range. Buyers who want to banish range anxiety to the rear-view mirror could look at the EV3 Long Range, its 81.4kWh battery bringing a claimed 604km to the table. Expect a more realistic 520-550km in the real world. Kia’s seven-year warranty is a plus, too.

This story first appeared in the May 2026 issue of Wheels magazine, now on sale. Subscribe here and gain access to 12 issues for $109 plus online access to every Wheels issue since 1953.