CAR ADVICE

Five of the brand’s off-road models have now completed the climb – one still on its standard road tyres – that challenges even modified four-wheel drives. GWM Tank 300 GWM has returned to Queensland’s Beer O’Clock Hill to complete the off-road challenge with its two new plug-in hybrid SUVs, the Tank 300 and Tank 500 Hi4-T. The brand is keen to point out that the off-roaders did so “without mechanical modifications, calibration changes, or software upgrades,” a reference to rival Denza’s use of in-development traction control software to tackle the climb. And the Tank 300 PHEV was able to climb the hill on standard road tyres, not requiring a switch to all-terrains. The Tank 300 PHEV and Tank 500 PHEV join three other GWM models, the Cannon XSR, Cannon Alpha Hi4-T PHEV and Tank 300 diesel, in completing the ascent. MORE: 2026 Denza B5 and B8 conquer Beer O’Clock Hill that stumped BYD GWM Tank 500 The Tank 500 PHEV, as well as the Denza B5 and B8 , and the th...

If you were waiting for the next-generation Nissan Leaf to arrive in Australia, don’t hold your breath. Nissan Leaf In a battle to secure the future of the brand, Nissan is betting on hybrid power being the most important and popular powertrain technology of the future. The Japanese brand is pulling back on it’s plans to introduce the next-generation Leaf EV car in Australia, hitting pause ‘indefinitely’ on the fully-electric SUV. And while the long-awaited Ariya electric SUV has only logged 18 sales so far in 2026, local boss Andrew Humberstone doesn’t see that as a cause for concern. “Ariya is arguably a premium product, if I can say, not the least expensive product in that space.” Humberstone, current Nissan Australia managing director, said. MORE: Nissan’s crucial new cars arriving in 2026 Nissan Ariya “So, we recognise where it (Ariya) is. It’s why we put an indefinite hold on Leaf , because we don’t want to tarnish that at this stage.” “I believe it’s necess...

An ongoing racket targeting Holden Special Vehicles has been busted, and an HSV Maloo recovered, says Victoria Police. HSV Maloo R8 A stolen Maloo utility recovered in Melbourne’s west was stolen as part of an ongoing racket targeting Gen-F Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) models, Victoria Police alleges, with a man and woman being charged in relation to the thefts. The stolen HSVs were allegedly stripped and sold for parts in Melton and surrounding areas. The Maloo recovered in Derimut was allegedly stolen Friday March 13 from a shopping centre carpark in Melton West, after being parked there for only a short time. A man was charged with seven counts of theft of a motor vehicle and five other related charges. A woman was charged with handling stolen goods, dealing with the proceeds of crime and other offences. Holden Commodore thefts in Victoria 2005-2025 Holden Commodores and Commodore-based models have consistently remained Victoria’s most stolen car for decades, desp...

The flagship dual-motor version of Skoda’s Zeekr 7X and Tesla Model Y competitor has been updated with revised styling and a much lower price. 2026 Skoda Enyaq RS pricing and specifications Dual-motor sports SUV updated with new face Larger battery and new interior features Priced from $75,490 before on-road costs The top-of-the-range 2026 Skoda Enyaq RS electric SUV will receive a $7500 price cut with the updated model, when showroom arrivals commence in the coming months. The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive Enyaq RS will now start from $75,490 plus on-road costs in regular-shape ‘SUV’ form – new for 2026 – and $76,490 plus on-roads in Skoda’s sleeker Coupe body style. The Coupe price is $7500 cheaper than the outgoing version, despite updated styling and a slightly longer range from a larger battery pack. MORE: Skoda Elroq RS and Enyaq RS electric cars confirmed for Australia It is not quite as affordable as the hefty discounts offered on the outgoing RS to clear...

New police intelligence estimates that up to one-in-three cars stolen involve key cloning, with 800 devices seized last year. Victoria Police seized more than 800 “key cloning devices” last year, as it says the devices are to blame for rising car thefts. Approximately one in three cars stolen in the state involve key cloning technology, according to Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner of Regional Operations, Bob Hill. “Our intelligence estimates as many as 30 cars are being stolen using key cloning technology in Victoria every day,” Hill said. On average, in the first nine months of 2025, about 90 motor vehicle theft offences were recorded each day in Victoria, a figure that also includes attempted motor vehicle theft offences, which historically account for around 14 per cent of total recorded offences. Motor vehicle theft offences in Victoria and New South Wales Victoria has experienced a rise in car theft in recent years, with the state now experiencing double the numb...

A fault in 34,377 Toyota Klugers could cause the second-row seats to not latch correctly when adjusted, and move in a crash, according to the recall notice. 2021 Toyota Kluger Toyota Australia has recalled 34,377 Kluger SUVs built from 2021 to 2023, citing a fault in the second-row seat mechanism. The recall notice , published by Toyota Australia, says: “The subject vehicles are equipped with second row seats that use recliner assemblies to unlock the seat backs, allow for seat back angle adjustment, and lock the seat back in place once adjustment is complete. “Due to a failure to consider the force balance between the locking spring and the return spring during a design change made by the supplier, a combination of recliner return spring orientation and outer clearance between the recliner guide and ratchet may cause the recliner teeth to not fully engage during seat back adjustment. “This may lead to the seat back not remaining in a locked position. A seat ...