One variant conspicuousness in its absence from the new-generation Toyota HiLux line-up is the GR Sport.  

This isn’t necessarily surprising, as no doubt Toyota is keeping some aces up its sleeves to roll out across the ninth-generation HiLux’s lifespan; the GR Sport was only revealed locally in early 2023, almost eight years into the eighth-gen HiLux’s run, though the badge first appeared in Brazil in 2018. 

It’s almost certain to return; it’s been too successful not to. In the first 10 months of 2025 Toyota sold 2585 GR Sports, with Toyota Australia’s vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley recently telling media that it is an important part of its brand lineup. 

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So with its return a virtual certainty, what form will it take? Those wishing for a Ranger Raptor-baiting Dakar racer with number plates are likely to be disappointed, as if the new HiLux has taught us anything, it’s that Toyota believes in evolution, not revolution. It also pays to remember that the HiLux is a GR Sport model, rather than a fully-fledged GR product. 

One noticeable absence from our render (main pic) is the wider tracks that were such a feature of the previous model. While Toyota executives have hinted they may return, the Rogue has reappeared without them and making the investment for a single variant would be unusual. 

Part of the reason they have disappeared from the Rogue is that some of the previous wide-track chassis improvements have been incorporated into the new model, most notably four-wheel disc brakes, but there is still plenty of scope for upgrades. 

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Styling-wise our render features a blacked-out grille with better cooling, more extensive underbody protection and a more aggressive front bar. Without the wider body, it’s left to bigger wheels and off-road rubber to enhance the stance as well as a lift to increase the ground clearance over even the Rogue’s 229mm (the last GR Sport offered 265mm). 

Under the bonnet we’d expect the 165kW/550Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel to remain; Toyota hasn’t altered the base HiLux engine and the upgraded 1GD-FTV is pretty strong as far as the diesel crop goes, though mild-hybrid assistance would be welcome. 

Four-wheel disc brakes are now standard, but larger front rotors and calipers would improve braking performance in hard driving or when towing. New monotube shock absorbers and the fitment of a rear anti-roll bar round out the package. 

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Some might say these are all fairly mild upgrades, but that’s exactly the point. Toyota has taken the view that the HiLux ain’t broke so doesn’t need fixing and there’s no reason to believe it will alter that view for the GR Sport.  

This would also keep costs under control and with the new Rogue increasing by just $460 over its predecessor, we’d expect the GR Sport to sit above it and the identically priced Rugged X at around $75,000 plus on-road costs. 

It’s a tough time to be a car maker. Buyers’ tastes have shifted, as seen by the rise and rise in popularity of SUVs and dual-cab utes, their combined domination leaving what were once the bread-and-butter of new car sales falling out of favour and struggling to find new owners.

Sales of small cars have been hard hit in Australia with even the evergreen Toyota Corolla suffering major declines. As recently as 2013, Toyota shifted around 44,000 new Corollas. By 2024, that number had dwindled to just 24,000 or so as buyers continued to gravitate towards an ever-increasing range of SUVs.

Thankfully, Korean car maker Kia still sees value in the small car and in early 2025 launched the new K4 sedan, replacing the popular but increasingly outdated Kia Cerato sedan which had been around in its current generation since 2018. Equipment updates kept the Cerato fresh well into the middle of this decade but time eventually caught up with it.

Now, almost a year later, the Kia K4 hatchback has arrived in Australia to fill the hole. So can Kia’s newest hatchback reignite sales of small cars in Australia?

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Using Kia’s latest ‘Opposites United’ design language, the K4 hatchback marks a noticeable departure from the Cerato. Compared alongside the K4 sedan, the hatchback is 270mm shorter, though shares the three-box’s long wheelbase. Its stubby rear offers a hint of station wagon, while plastic wheel arches lend it the appearance of a slightly-lifted SUV. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Like the rest of Kia’s current range, the K4 hatch looks fresh and contemporary, and certainly stands out on the road.

Pricing for the 2026 K4 range starts at $32,090 plus on-road costs, which is right in the heart of the small car market. Key rivals like the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 start a little higher than the K4, though the Kia is larger. And despite being more expensive than the Cerato it replaces, Kia’s strong value proposition remains firmly in place with the K4. 

Features on the entry-level K4 S include 16-inch alloys, keyless entry with push-button start and remote start, automatic LED lighting, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, rear air vents along with safety features like seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection, auto high beam, a reversing camera and a speed limit chime that, mercifully, can be muted. 

A safety package can be optioned on the K4 S and brings with it a more sophisticated AEB system braking system as well dual-zone climate control with automatic window defogging and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. Optioning the Safety Pack also ups the K4’s ANCAP safety rating to five stars. We’d argue it should be standard… 

Move up the range to the Sport ($36,690 +ORC) to add larger 17-inch alloys, sat-nav with 10 years of map updates and semi-autonomous highway driving tech, while the Sport+ ($39,090 +ORC) adds synthetic leather, auto wipers, heated front seats and an auto-dimming rear mirror.

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Sitting atop the K4 range, the GT-Line ($43,790 +ORC) swaps out the 2.0-litre atmo four found lower down the range for Kia’s 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder. The range-topper also scores multi-link rear suspension, 18-inch alloys, a sunroof, ventilated front seats with 10-way electric adjustment and memory for the driver, a wireless charger, Harman Kardon audio and ambient cabin lighting. The GT-Line is the only K4 to feature a faux-leather-wrapped steering wheel, a bit of a slap in the face to anyone who spent circa $42,000 drive away for the Sport+ next step down in the range only to find a polyurethane steering wheel! 

As with the K4 sedan, two four-cylinder petrol engine options are available in the hatchback: either a 110kW/180Nm naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre found in S, Sport and Sport+ variants, or the GT-Line exclusive 142kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo. Kia Australia also has its hand up for a future hybrid drivetrain, most likely the 104kW 1.6-litre found in the Hyundai i30 sedan. We expect it to land sometime in 2026. 

Those familiar with the 2025 model year K4 sedan will note that it actually uses the same (and older) 2.0-litre engine and six-speed auto from the outgoing Cerato. However, all 2026 K4 2.0-litre models now use the upgraded Atkinson Cycle engine from the Hyundai i30 sedan with big benefits for fuel economy and emissions. The old engine was rated at 7.4L/100km and 167g/km, and now the K4 sedan is listed at just 6.0L/100km and 139g/km.

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We spent the majority of our time at the launch in the Sport+ with its 2.0-litre donk and came away impressed. While the engine could be more refined at higher revs, the K4’s CVT automatic is a revelation for the type. To quote another journo on the event, it’s the first CVT that “doesn’t piss me off”, a view that we share thanks to its defined and noticeable steps between artificial gears and generally smooth nature. 

It’s no powerhouse but the 2.0L four is perfectly adequate around town and fine at highway speeds as well. It was difficult to ascertain fuel economy for the drive, but highway sections impressively gave under 5L/100km results. 

The K4 GT-Line adds a noticeable uptick in performance, with its 142kW/265Nm just outplaying the 2.5-litre Mazda3’s 139kW/252Nm outputs. Peak torque hits at just 1700rpm and the shorter ratios of the eight-speed auto make it feel noticeably punchier than the Mazda3, as well as the 2.0-litre K4. If you’re already looking at the K4 Sport+, the jump to the GT-Line makes a lot of sense.

As we saw with the Cerato, the driving experience of the K4 is generally quite impressive for the small car segment. Thanks to Kia Australia’s local tuning, it rides and handles well and that’s across the range, not just the sporty GT-Line. Those who have experienced the Cerato GT will breathe a sigh of relief too as the GT-Line is far more comfortable than its too-firm predecessor, with a very compliant ride quality. Yet, despite the softer ride, it’s still fun from behind the wheel.

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Another big improvement is the K4’s cabin treatment, which is a big step up in design and quality. While it’s not as premium as a Mazda3, it’s now more modern and feels like a higher-end place to be than the Cerato, and far more spacious than the claustrophobic Corolla. All models use a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Kia’s latest ‘ccNC’ software, which is so easy to use and its graphics are sharp. The K4’s cabin is practical too with touches such as open tray storage with large cupholders and big door pockets for life’s trinkets. 

Moving rearward, thanks to the long 2720mm long wheelbase, the K4 is one of the most spacious small cars with plentiful legroom and thanks to the low seat base, good headroom for taller folks. Seat comfort is generally quite good as well, while the 438-litre boot is one of the largest in the segment, trailing only the Skoda Scala (467L) but more than doubling the non-ZR Toyota Corolla (217L). Unlike the Corolla, all K4 models feature a space-saver spare wheel.

Our early impressions of the K4 hatchback are good. Kia’s newest small car is a meaningful addition to the segment, especially in a time where passenger car sales are declining. It’s attractive to look at, drives well regardless of model, is spacious and is well equipped across the range.

Compared to the updated Stonic that we also drove on the same launch event, it’s better value, more practical and more satisfying to drive, which is common when comparing small cars to small SUVs. Again we ask, why do SUV sales keep increasing, when plenty of small cars are plainly better? And while the Kia K4 is unlikely to reignite small car sales to match the halcyon days, it is a perfectly good alternative to small SUVs.

Kia K4 hatchback specs:

Kia K4 S standard features:

• 16-inch alloys wheels with a space-saver spare
• Keyless entry with push button start
• Remote start
• Dusk-sensing automatic LED headlights
• LED front and rear daytime running lights
• Manual air-conditioning with rear air vents
• Cloth upholstery
• Height-adjustable front seats
• Heated and auto-folding mirrors
• 4.0-inch driver’s display
• 12.3-inch touchscreen with live services and over-the-air updates
• Kia Connect Telematics (eCalling, remote control, vehicle status monitoring, etc. from the Kia Connect smartphone app)
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Six-speaker sound system
• 4x USB-C ports

Kia K4 S safety features:

• 7x airbags (including a front centre unit)
• Automatic emergency braking with car, pedestrian, cyclist and intersection monitoring
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality
• Lane keep assist with adaptive lane guidance
• Blind-spot detection (with braking)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (with braking)
• Rear occupant alert
• Safe exit warning
• Traffic sign recognition
• Driver attention monitoring
• Auto high beam
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Burglar alarm

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K4 S Safety Pack adds:

• More advanced autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system with junction crossing and oncoming lane change detection
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display
• Dual-zone automatic climate control with a 5.0-inch touchscreen
• Automatic window defogging

K4 Sport adds to S Safety Pack:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Satellite navigation with 10 years of live traffic and map updates
• Semi-autonomous highway driving tech with lane change assist

K4 Sport+ adds to Sport:

• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Rain-sensing automatic aero blade wipers
• Auto-dimming rear mirror
• Solar glass windscreen

K4 GT-Line adds to Sport+:

• Turbocharged engine with eight-speed automatic transmission
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Multi-link independent rear suspension
• Sunroof
• Heated synthetic leather steering wheel
• Ventilated front seats
• 10-way electric driver’s seat with memory
• Eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
• Ambient cabin lighting
• Wireless phone charger

Small SUVs remain one of the strongest sales segments in Australia meaning that along with their mid-sized siblings, every brand worth its salt must have one in its line-up.

Kia knows this – that’s why it has four of them. The Stonic is the oldest in the range and it’s just been given a massive upgrade to keep it going, scoring new front and rear styling, new technology and more standard features across the line-up.

Compared with the pre-updated Kia Stonic, pricing for the facelifted model now starts $2040 higher for the S, $3000 higher for the Sport and $3260 more for the GT-Line. Considering that some brands like Toyota (the new HiLux is a great example) would call this Stonic facelift a new generation, and that it’s better equipped as well, that’s not a bad trade. But the days of the sub-$30k driveaway Kia SUV are now gone – as they are with competitor brands such as Mazda and Toyota.

2026 Kia Stonic pricing (plus on-road costs):

A full standard equipment list is at the bottom of this page, but highlights for the Kia Stonic S include 16-inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing automatic halogen headlights, LED front and rear daytime running lights, keyless entry with push button start, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, USB-C charging ports and safety features including autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors and a reversing camera.

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Stonic S

The mid-spec Sport adds larger 17s, rain-sensing automatic wipers, cloth and synthetic leather trim, a synthetic leather steering wheel, a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen with Kia Connect live services and sat-nav, automatic climate control, a more sophisticated AEB system and adaptive cruise control.

Finally, the top of the tree GT-Line gets a sunroof, a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, heated front seats and steering wheel, cabin ambient lighting and LED exterior lighting. Curiously though, no Stonic model features rear cross-traffic alert or a 360-degree camera, while no LED lighting on the S and Sport is a miss too. Otherwise, it’s quite well equipped across the range.

Kia has set national drive away pricing for the Stonic range too, with the S priced from $30,890, the Sport $34,490 and the GT-Line $37,990. With that in mind, the Sport is the value pick of the range as it adds quite a lot of equipment to justify the extra spend over the S. While pricing has risen, the Stonic remains good value for money, though we’d also consider the slightly larger K4 and Seltos too.

We don’t usually discuss styling as it’s a subjective matter, but the new front and rear design of the updated Kia Stonic is a big upgrade over the current model. It’s far more modern to look at, handsome and fits in well with the rest of the Kia range and that’s despite the Stonic being first released in 2017.

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Stonic GT-Line

What’s the interior like?

Inside the Stonic has also seen a big upgrade in the form of an entirely new dashboard that follows larger Kia models such as the Sportage. The new dashboard layout is more horizontal than before and makes the Stonic feel wider than it is, giving an impression of more space than previously. The switchable HVAC/audio controls from the Sportage have also made their way into the Stonic.

Material quality hasn’t improved though, with still mostly hard surfaces, but that’s hardly unique in the small SUV segment. Importantly, the Stonic feels well screwed together and the switchgear feels good quality.

Kia hasn’t fitted its latest ‘ccNc’ infotainment system to the Stonic, instead, it uses the same last-generation software as before but the screens on the Sport and GT-Line are now larger at 12.3-inches. Those screens also now employ Kia Connect live services so buyers can access their car’s location and so on through a smartphone app, while over-the-air updates and 10 years of map updates for the sat-nav also feature on the larger screen to keep it future proofed.

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Stonic GT-Line cabin shown

The Stonic S actually still uses the same 8.0-inch touchscreen as the pre-updated model and is still, bizarrely, the only model in the range to feature wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – the Sport and GT-Line’s larger screens are annoyingly wired only. But both systems are a breeze to use, and the 12.3-inch display is sharp too, but the 8.0-inch unit is a touch grainy.

The redesigned centre console is a big win for the Stonic: not only does it look more modern but there’s also more storage thanks to the adoption of an electronic parking brake. Above that is a new gear lever surround with a big open tray (with a wireless charger in the GT-Line), and overall, storage has been improved.

Moving rearward, aside from trim changes and a new USB-C charging port, the Stonic is unchanged. There’s good space for the segment for two adults and kids will be more than happy, though the lack of rear air vents would be frustrating for those sitting there. Aside from the lack of a central armrest, it’s a more appealing space than in the Mazda CX-3 and doesn’t feel anywhere near as claustrophobic.

Bootspace in the Stonic remains as before at 352 litres with the seats up and 1155 with them folded, but the 48V battery now sits in the spare wheel well so there’s disappointingly no longer a spare wheel, just a tyre repair kit. There is, however, a plusher boot floor cover that now launches upwards towards the base of the rear seat for a seamless floor – the pre-updated Stonic featured a big ridge between the boot floor and seat base that made loading longer items more difficult.

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What’s the drivetrain like?

Under the bonnet of the new Kia Stonic is the same 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine as before, though now it’s mated to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to aid fuel consumption and give a slight boost to performance. Making 88kW (+ 14kW) of power and the same 172Nm of torque, the three-pot is a winner of a drivetrain thanks to its characterful warble of an engine note, refinement and noticeable increase in grunt compared to the pre-facelifted model.

Kia doesn’t quote a 0-100km/h time, but it feels like a 10-second car, which is more than fine for its target market and far far quicker than the former naturally aspirated 1.4-litre petrol engine that the Stonic used to be available with in Australia. Still, we’d like to see a more powerful version offered as its chassis deserves more grunt.

What’s it like to drive?

We drove the Stonic on the Old Pacific Highway (or “Old Pac” for those who know it) north of Sydney as part of the launch program and it was a surprisingly fun companion. It’s a road known for endless corners in mostly quick succession, making it not a particularly fast road to drive on, which was kind of perfect for the Stonic.

It’s no rocketship, but it’s fun to drive with positive steering weighting with reasonable feel – a sign of its 2017 origins – and the ride and handling balance, which is still locally tuned and unchanged from the last Stonic, is fantastic. Bump absorption is excellent, as is body control, but it’s also not so stiff to rattle your fillings. Because of that, the chassis is tight and it feels nimble. A CX-3 is a bit more fun to drive, but the Stonic is far more comfortable in everyday driving.

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The new mild-hybrid drivetrain is interesting and – mostly – effective, based on our launch drive. It’s certainly not capable of launching from a start under electric power, but it will happily coast and even shut the engine off when braking. Compared to the non-MHEV drivetrain from the pre-updated model, fuel consumption has dropped from 5.4L/100km to 5.0L/100km – not massive, but significant. Our harder driving on the launch gave consumption around the 9L/100km mark, but that’s not accurate of what Stonic buyers will be doing with their cars.

Some might be turned off by the price rises for the Kia Stonic range, but that would be doing a disservice to it because not only does it look like a new generation, but importantly, it feels like one as well. The new exterior styling has made it more modern and appealing to look at, while the interior feels new and not its 2017 vintage.

The new mild-hybrid drivetrain is peppier and more efficient than before, and although there’s now no spare wheel, it’s not cheap to service and it’s now more expensive, overall Kia’s baby SUV has been revitalised in its fight for small SUV supremacy – but we’d also be considering the excellent Kia K4 small car, which is larger and better value for money.

Kia Stonic specifications:

Kia Stonic S standard features:

• 16-inch alloy wheels with a tyre repair kit
• Dusk-sensing automatic halogen projector headlights
• LED front and rear daytime running lights
• Keyless entry with push button start
• Heated/auto-folding mirrors
• Roof rails
• Cloth upholstery
• Height-adjustable driver’s seat
• Manual air-conditioning
• 4.3-inch driver’s display
• 8.0-inch touchscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• AM/FM radio
• 1 x USB-A and 2 x USB-C charging ports
• Six-speaker sound system
• Cruise control

Stonic S safety features:

• 6x airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking with car, pedestrian, and cyclist avoidance
• Lane keeping assistance with adaptive lane guidance
• Blind-spot monitoring (with braking)
• Door open warning
• Auto high beam
• Driver attention alert
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera

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Stonic Sport model adds to S:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Rear privacy glass with front solar glass
• LED front fog lights
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Cloth/synthetic leather upholstery
• Synthetic leather steering wheel and gear selector
• Adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality
• Automatic emergency braking with junction assistance
• 12.3-inch touchscreen with live services and over-the-air updates
• Kia Connect Telematics (eCall and remote control, vehicle status monitoring, etc from smartphone app)
• Satellite navigation
• Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• DAB+ digital radio
• Single-zone automatic climate control
• Extra USB-C port

Stonic GT-Line model adds to Sport:

• GT-Line exterior styling, including black mirror caps
• All-LED exterior lighting (including indicators and reverse lights) with dynamic welcome lighting
• Heated front seats and steering wheel
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display
• Sunroof
• Alloy sports pedals
• Ambient mood lighting
• Auto-dimming rear mirror

Toyota Australia has launched a new variant to the GR Yaris hot hatch range. Called the Aero Performance Package, it adds a new eight-piece aerodynamic package to the top-spec GTS model, including an adjustable rear spoiler and bonnet vent. Priced from $64,990 plus on-road costs, the new package is priced $4500 higher than the GTS on which it’s based.

At the front end, the new package adds a front lip spoiler to reduce the GR Yaris’ lift and add lateral grip for faster cornering. There’s also a new bonnet vent to improve cooling, as well as new vents on the front and rear bumper to aid overall stability, according to Toyota.

At the rear, the GR Yaris Aero Performance Package has added a new manually-adjustable rear spoiler to bring more downforce and stability, while there is also a new underfloor cover to smooth airflow.

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The GR Yaris Aero Performance Package is otherwise unchanged from the GTS on which it’s based, and its 221kW/400Nm 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine carries over with six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission options.

Other standard features on the Aero Performance Package include 18-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, a Torsen limited-slip differential, selectable all-wheel drive driving modes, heated suede and synthetic leather GR sports seats and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display with GR-specific displays.

The GR Yaris GTS Aero Performance Package variant is available with a choice of five exterior paint colours: Glacier White, Frosted White, Tarmac Black, Feverish Red and Liquid Mercury. All colours bar Glacier White attract an extra $575 charge.

2026 Toyota GR Yaris pricing (plus on-road costs):

The latest, and what is likely final round of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) testing for the year before new, stronger protocols kick-in in 2026, has seen five-star ratings awarded to the newest generations of the Toyota HiLux ute and Hyundai Palisade large SUV, along with two newcomers from China, the GAC Aion V electric car and Denza B5 plug-in hybrid SUV.

But another former favourite with Australian new car buyers, the Mitsubishi ASX, was awarded a four-star safety score, based on testing conducted by ANCAP’s European counterpart, Euro NCAP on what it says is “the closely-related Renault Captur and Renault Symbioz” pair of SUVs.

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The new Toyota HiLux fared well in crash-testing, earning scores of 84 per cent for adult occupant protection, 89 per cent child occupant and 82 per cent vulnerable road user. Its safety assist systems earned a score of 82 per cent.

“The HiLux provided consistently ‘Good’ performance in testing across all four assessment pillars,” said ANCAP in a statement.

ANCAP also noted that the HiLux’s five-star rating applied to all variants except for Rugged X which has been listed as ‘unrated’.

Hyundai Palisade’s five-star rating – which applies to both seven- and eight-seat variants – came off the back of scores of 84 per cent for adult occupant protection, 86 per cent child occupant, 71 per cent vulnerable road user and 73 for its safety assist systems. 

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“[Palisade] scored full points for Child Occupant Protection in frontal and side impact crash tests, and full points for adult protection in side impact and oblique pole tests,” said ANCAP adding that “a penalty was applied for a loss of footwell integrity in the frontal offset test.

“After the frontal offset test, a small opening was found in the seam between panels in the footwell. This loss of integrity in the footwell structure was penalised, with a deduction applied to the driver’s lower leg score.”

ANCAP praised Chinese newcomer GAC, noting that the Aion V “performed strongly in side-impact and far-side performance, positioning the Aion V among some of Australia’s top safety performers.”
It achieved scores of 88 per cent (adult occupant), 87 per cent (child occupant), 79 per cent (vulnerable road user), and 79 per cent (safety systems).

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The B5 plug-in hybrid SUV from another new brand from China, Denza – the luxury brand of established brand BYD – achieved results of 86 per cent for adult occupant, 95 per cent child occupant, 74 per cent vulnerable road user and 78 per cent for its safety assist technologies.

“The [Denza B5] achieved maximum points in side-impact testing and demonstrated good performance across most crash tests. Robust AEB capability was also seen for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists across most tested scenarios,” said ANCAP.

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Mitsubishi’s ASX small SUV was penalised for “Weak chest protection for the driver in the frontal offset crash test and the absence of a centre airbag,” according to ANCAP.

That resulted in an adult occupant protection score of 76 per cent, below the 80 per cent threshold required to earn a five-star rating. Other testing criteria saw the ASX achieve scores of 83 per cent (child occupant), 79 per cent (vulnerable road user) and 70 per cent (safety systems).

To achieve a maximum five-star safety rating, a vehicle needs to score at least 80 per cent for both adult and child occupant protection while a minimum score of 70 per cent is needed for vulnerable road user protection and safety assist systems.

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Next year, ANCAP will introduce its new testing protocols – Stage of Safety – that will assess vehicles across four pillars (Safe Driving, Crash Avoidance, Crash Protection and Post Crash). The new protocols will also penalise poorly-calibrated and overly-zealous safety assist systems, increasingly a bug-bear of new car buyers.

Legendary British sports car maker Lotus, now owned by Chinese giant Geely, has had pictures of its first hybrid model, which is based on the electric Eletre super SUV, leaked by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). 

Called the Lotus For Me – yes, seriously – the new plug-in hybrid performance SUV combines a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine with front and rear electric motors and a 70kWh battery.

The For Me produces a massive 710kW of power for a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.3 seconds, making it 15kW more powerful (but 0.8 seconds slower) than the electric Eletre. The total range for both electric and petrol power is over 1000km, with a CLTC-rated EV range of up to 355km.

The For Me uses a 900V architecture that underpins other Geely Group products and, according to Lotus, can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent as quickly as just eight minutes. By comparison, the Eletre that uses a slightly inferior – but still excellent – 800V architecture, can instead charge to the same level in around 20 minutes. That is still very fast in today’s market, but still not as quick as the For Me.

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With a reported kerb weight of around 2700kg, or at least 100kg heavier than the Eletre, Lotus engineers beefed up the suspension for the For Me to handle the extra weight. Adaptive dampers and active anti-roll bars are standard, as are Pirelli P Zero tyres and six-piston Brembo brakes on the flagship version, which also has an active rear spoiler.

Lotus, who previously confirmed an EV future, will likely launch the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain in the Emeya sedan, while the Emira sports car will also be given a PHEV drivetrain at some stage.

Lotus has confirmed that the For Me will be sold in European markets, though is yet to make an announcement regarding the Australian market for now.

Toyota Australia has revealed pricing and specifications for the bZ4X electric mid-size SUV, which follows its recently updated Subaru Solterra twin in launching locally. Priced from $55,990 plus on-road costs, the facelifted bZ4X is $10,010 less expensive than its predecessor, despite including more performance and range, design changes and more standard equipment across the range.

Revealed back in March 2025, the updated bZ4X has scored a new front end design with sleeker headlights, new bumper and wheel designs and an updated cabin with a larger 14.0-inch touchscreen (up from 12.3 inches), along with a new centre console design with dual wireless phone chargers.

Under the skin, the bZ4X now features a larger 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery and gruntier motors: 165kW/268.6Nm for the two-wheel drive version (+15kW/+2.6Nm) and 252kW/438Nm for the all-wheel drive (+92kW/101Nm).

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Because of the larger battery, the bZ4X can now travel further on a charge: 591km (+155km) for the front-driver and 517km (+106km) for the all-paw version. Both models can now AC charge at up to 22kW (+11kW) but DC fast charging remains capped at 150kW. The AWD’s braked towing capacity is now 1500kg, which is double what it used to be.

Despite the price cuts, new standard equipment is fitted across the range with the 2WD model now featuring the roof rails, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit alert and 360-degree camera already standard on the AWD, as well as a larger touchscreen, headlight washers, a driver’s knee airbag and puddle lamps across the range.

In addition to the added features and price drop, Toyota is also offering private buyers the choice of a free 7kW Jet Charge home charger or a 12 month/625kWh Chargefox voucher between now and the end of 2026 through the Toyota Go loyalty program.

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Private buyers who also choose to finance their bZ4X through Toyota Finance Australia will also receive a limited deposit contribution of $5000 for the 2WD bZ4X and $7500 for the AWD car.

2026 Toyota bZ4X pricing (plus on-road costs):

• FWD: $55,990
• AWD: $67,990

The updated Toyota bZ4X range is now on sale in Australia ahead of imminent local deliveries.

Ahead of a fourth quarter 2026 Australian release, the second-generation Kia Seltos has been revealed with a larger and sharper-looking body, more technology and, for the first time, a hybrid drivetrain. As with other new Kia models in Australia, the new Seltos will feature local suspension tuning for Australian conditions.

Like Kia’s other models launched over the past few years, the new Seltos unveils a striking aesthetic. Using the company’s current “Opposites United” design theme, it’s sharp from every angle, from the angular lighting to the wedge shape. It strongly resembles the larger EV5… though it’s not electric.

Inside, the new Seltos is a more modern and open dashboard with the same dual 12.3-inch touchscreens, 5.0-inch climate screen and open centre console as other Kia models like the EV3. Other available interior features include ambient lighting, reclining rear seats, a wireless charger, a panoramic sunroof, electric front seats with ‘relaxation’ mode for the driver and premium sound systems from either Bose or Harman Kardon.

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The new Seltos uses Kia’s new ‘K3’ platform also used by the K4. It measures 4430mm long, 1830mm wide, 1600mm tall and features a 2690mm long wheelbase, making it 45mm longer, 30mm wider, 35mm less tall and 60mm longer between the wheels than the current model. Its 536-litre boot is one of the largest in the small SUV segment, and 103 litres larger than the current Seltos.

Kia hasn’t actually detailed the hybrid drivetrain that will feature in the Seltos hybrid, but it’s likely to be similar to the 1.6-litre unit that’s used in cars like the Hyundai Kona and i30 sedan. Aside from hybrid drivetrains, we expect the same 2.0-litre naturally aspirated and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol options available in the current Seltos to carry over to the new model.

Kia Australia has confirmed that the second-generation Seltos will launch in Australia in the fourth quarter of 2026, with local pricing and specifications to be announced before then.

Stunt driver Travis Pastrana has launched his latest Gymkhana stunt driving video, this time in a more familiar location. Titled Aussie Shred, the film is set in various locations in Australia using a highly modified Subaru Brat ute, and is the final film in the Gymkhana series.

Made famous by the late Ken Block before Pastrana carried the flag, Gymkhana has made videos in many locations globally, including France, Dubai, San Francisco and Los Angeles. This time however, Australian locations such as Broken Hill, Mount Panorama and urban Sydney are used.

In this Gymkhana video, Pastrana uses a heavily modified 1978 Subaru Brat ute nicknamed the ‘Brataroo’. Sold in Australia as the iconic Brumby, this Brat pumps out a massive 500kW of power and 922Nm of torque from its turbocharged 2.0-litre Boxer engine that can rev north of 9500rpm.

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“The Brataroo is hands down the craziest Gymkhana car we’ve ever built,” said Pastrana. “Every part of this car was designed to take the abuse we threw at it while making this film. From hanging two tires off a pier to flying 160 feet across a 10-story deep canyon gap over a road train to skimming across a deep lake and scaring myself every step of the way.”

In true Gymkhana fashion, the film features a host of cameos from local motorsport icons, including two-time Dakar Rally champion Toby Price, Subaru WRC driver Chris Atkinson and Nitro Circus BMX riders Ryan Williams, Jaie Toohey and Will Brown.

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A field of V8 Supercars drivers challenge the Brataroo to a rolling drag race down Mount Panorama’s Conrod Straight, while the lineup also includes Moog and Marty from Mighty Car Mods, the last of the V8 Interceptors and the Mad Hueys performing the best of Aussie traditions: the shoey.  

Apple’s next iPhone software update is set to make CarPlay a little more flexible, especially for drivers using larger infotainment screens. iOS 26.2, expected to roll out to the public in mid-December 2025, builds on the redesign introduced with iOS 26 earlier this year and focuses on giving users more control over what appears on the dashboard display.

The headline change is for vehicles with wide or high-resolution CarPlay layouts. Where these cars previously supported two configurable widget tiles, iOS 26.2 allows a third. In practical terms, that means more glanceable information without jumping between apps. Apple’s widget system in CarPlay already supports things like music, navigation shortcuts, weather, calendar items and third-party Live Activities, and the extra slot should help reduce screen switching during a drive.

Live Activities – added to CarPlay in a prior iOS 26 update – remain part of the mix. Depending on what’s on an iPhone, these tiles can show real-time updates such as sports scores, delivery tracking or timers, alongside more traditional widgets. The idea is to keep short, time-sensitive info visible while leaving the main app area free for navigation or media.

A smaller but likely welcome tweak involves Messages. CarPlay currently mirrors the iPhone’s pinned conversations view, keeping selected threads at the top of the list. With iOS 26.2, drivers can disable that pinned section, returning Messages to a simple chronological list if they prefer.

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iOS 26.2 will be available for iPhone 11 and newer, so most current CarPlay users will be able to access the changes once the update lands.

None of this reaches the scope of CarPlay Ultra, Apple’s newer in-car system that takes over multiple displays and integrates vehicle controls. Ultra launched in 2025 starting with Aston Martin models, adding full-screen instrument-cluster themes and access to functions like climate and drive modes inside the CarPlay interface. For everyone else, though, iOS 26.2 is another nudge toward a more custom, less distracting CarPlay.