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BMW admits heated seat subscriptions were a mistake

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The German giant will double down on subscriptions with a monthly fee to use the 360-degree camera, if you didn’t order it to begin with – but heated seat charges won’t return. BMW iX3 BMW has admitted that monthly charges to unlock the heated seats and steering wheel were “probably not the best way” to dip its toe into the burgeoning market for subscriptions to features in new cars. However, it has no plans to drop subscriptions altogether, and is instead doubling down in its latest models with fees to unlock additional driver-assistance technology. The new iX3 electric SUV will be available with a subscription to the 360-degree camera, as well as a Driving Assistant Pro package with assisted lane changes and hands-free motorway driving, plus semi-autonomous capabilities in urban areas, akin to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Supervised. Buyers can order these features prior to delivery, but BMW will fit the hardware powering them to every car that rolls off the production li...
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Hyundai Digital Key 2 review: Can a phone replace a car’s key fob?

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Phone car keys are more accessible than ever, with Hyundai recently launching its Digital Key 2 in Australia. Drive puts it to the ultimate test – leaving home without the physical key fob – to see how well it works. Hyundai is the latest brand to offer digital keys in Australia – allowing drivers to lock, unlock and start their car from their smartphone or smartwatch – years after launching earlier iterations of the technology overseas. The latest-generation Digital Key 2 system, which debuted in Australia in the $120,000 (before on-road costs) Hyundai Ioniq 9 electric SUV last year, has already begun filtering down into its more affordable SUVs, including the $38,000 Tucson and $54,000 Santa Fe . Available from Model Year 2026 (MY26) for these models, as well as in the new Palisade and Ioniq 5 , the technology supports an ultra-wideband (UWB) connection with a smartphone or smartwatch. A Hyundai Australia spokesperson could not confirm which additional models will rece...
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2027 Honda HR-V reveals a sharp new look under camouflage

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Honda’s compact SUV is set to get a redesign that should give the next-generation a sharp new look. A spy picture of a heavily camouflaged version of the 2027 Honda HR-V has emerged, giving a first look at what to expect from the next-generation model. The HR-V , as it is known in Australia, or the Vezel in Japan, will enter its fourth generation in 2027, with the current model first entering production in 2021. The engineering vehicle, spied testing in Japan, gives a first look at what to expect from the new model. Although the single rear image doesn’t offer a lot of info, it’s clear that Honda will move away from the horizontal rear light bar of the current model, opting for a much squarer and simpler design, with a vertical lighting signature at each side of the tailgate. MORE: 2025 Honda HR-V price and specs – facelifted model cheaper than before 2026 Honda HR-V The raked rear window from the current model appears to carry over, but the curved body edg...
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2026 Kia Sportage S Hybrid price confirmed, drive-away offers across the SUV range

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The Sportage S Hybrid entry level grade undercuts the most-affordable RAV4 and Tucson, as drive-away deals become available for the SX and GT-Line. Australian pricing for the 2026 Kia Sportage S Hybrid has been confirmed ahead of its imminent Australian showroom arrival. Officially priced from $44,450 before on-road costs, Kia Australia is currently running a special offer for the new Sportage HEV S front-wheel-drive variant at $44,490 drive-away until February 28, 2026, unless extended. The $44,490 drive-away deal – limited to 2025-built examples – undercuts the entry-level, front-wheel-drive 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, which is listed at $44,990 drive-away, but its official RRP is lower than the Kia, at $42,850. It is also more affordable than the new-generation 2026 Toyota RAV4 , which starts from $45,990 before on-road costs for the GX Hybrid FWD. The S hybrid reduces the cost-of-entry into the Sportage Hybrid range by $2000 compared to the SX, but it is $5960 dearer...
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2026 BMW X1 plug-in hybrid coming to Australia in reworked line-up, plus X2 update

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A reshuffle of BMW’s smallest SUVs has added plug-in hybrid power and simplified the line-up. BMW X1 sDrive18i pictured. Plug-in hybrid power is now available in the 2026 BMW X1 small SUV line-up in Australia, as part of a reshuffle of the model range for it and its coupe-styled X2 sibling. It will see BMW axe four-cylinder engines in all petrol models bar the M35i performance variants – which cop power cuts – in favour of more frugal three-cylinders with mild- or plug-in hybrid assistance. The new, entry-level X1 is $4300 dearer than before, while the cheapest X2 is now $5900 less expensive, with other models receiving price rises of up to $2900. MORE: 2025 BMW X1 Sport Collection arrivs BMW X1 sDrive18i pictured. Leading the upgrades is the introduction of the X1 xDrive25e, due in showrooms mid-year, which adds plug-in hybrid power to the line-up. It combines a 100kW/230Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with an 80kW electric motor to produce 18...
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Alexander Volkanovski’s daily driver is as tough as his jabs

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When Alexander Volkanovski isn’t busy beating his opponent in the UFC octagon, the 37-year-old can be found driving this heavy-duty custom dual-cab ute. Picture: Getty Images/Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC When you’re in the business of taking heads in the UFC octagon ring, you’d expect to ride around in the toughest car to reflect your hardcore personality. In the case of Alexander Volkanovski – or ‘Volk’ as he is affectionately known by his fans – the Australian UFC champion’s daily driver is as tough as his famous leg kicks and right jabs. RELATED: Carlos Alcaraz’s daily driver isn’t what you’d expect According to Volkanovski’s YouTube videos, his custom Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series VX dual-cab ute was a product of different businesses. Most notably, the fighter tapped TJM Chipping Norton – a Western Sydney-based four-wheel-drive accessories store – as the main collaborator on the project. While the 37-year-old MMA fighter didn’t say how long the process took, ...
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Chery Australia open to the idea of affordable electric hatch and sedan

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SUVs might not be the only EV body style on offer by Chery Australia as it studies the potential for hatchbacks and sedans. Chery dealership. Photo: iStock. Chery Australia is open to branching out from high-riding SUVs and could sell passenger car models, if there is market demand. Speaking to Drive , Chery Australia Chief Operating Officer Lucas Harris said the local division has been keeping a close eye on what products are being launched in its home market. “We’ve got in other markets, larger, medium sedans, which are a really cool,” Harris said. “In China they’ve got a Fulwin, it’s a large sedan. MORE: Omoda, Jaecoo, and now Lepas – Chery explains its multi-brand strategy Chery Fulwin A9 (Chinese model). Image credit: CarNewsChina “They come with the Super Hybrid technology, really keenly priced, I think that would be great for our market. “Look in that segment, there’s not many competitors either, and the options are a bit boring. “If we could have...
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