CAR ADVICE

The third-generation CX-5 will arrive in Australia mid-year with a sub-$40K entry price, a larger body, new tech and standard AWD – but no hybrid or turbo options. 2026 Mazda CX-5 pricing and specifications Third-generation SUV gets larger body, new technology Standard all-wheel-drive 2.5-litre non-turbo petrol power Priced from $39,990 before on-road costs 2026 Mazda CX-5 G25 Akera Australian details for the next-generation 2026 Mazda CX-5 – replacing the current nine-year-old model – have been confirmed ahead of local showroom arrivals mid-year. Priced from $39,990 before on-road costs, the CX-5 is now limited to an all-wheel-drive 2.5-litre non-turbo petrol configuration, with the front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre discontinued, along with the all-wheel-drive 2.5-litre turbo. Mazda Australia said its sub-$40K entry price is approximately $6000 cheaper than some hybrid competitors, such as the Toyota RAV4 , Hyundai Tucson , Kia Sportage and Honda CR-V . A...

Cars with annoying safety systems and hard-to-open door handles will be penalised in ANCAP’s new car-safety assessment rules. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and Euro NCAP have enacted a drastic change in its testing procedures that will better emphasis real-world usability of vehicles as well as crash-safety assessment. While the safety organisations will update their protocols every three years, and just introduced a new set of rules from 1 January, 2026, the latest overhaul is designed to lay the groundwork for the next set of changes due in 2029. Up until now, vehicles have been assessed on four key areas – adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, vulnerable road user protection, and safety assist – but these existing tests will be moved into four new pillars. MORE: ANCAP releases two new safety ratings without crashing any more cars On-road driving assessment (real-world testing) Now, an ANCAP assessment will involve safe driv...

Police say new cars should be harder to steal, but vehicle brands say thugs shouldn’t have access to car-stealing tech in the first place. Police in Victoria have pointed a finger at global car giants “acutely aware” of how to prevent their vehicles being stolen, as new statistics show car theft crimes are at their highest level in decades. The car industry argues the government has work to do in cracking down on criminals’ easy access to electronic tools that allow popular cars to be stolen in seconds. Figures released on Thursday show Victoria recorded 32,013 motor vehicle theft offences in 2025, a 10 per cent increase from 2024, and the highest number in more than 20 years. Victoria’s Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines, told media last week: “Car manufacturers have a role to play in making sure that the vehicles that they sell are more secure.” Total car theft offences in Victoria 2016-2025 Robert Hill, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner, said car companies have “m...

Thinking about getting an electric car? There’s one important cost you should know about before you make the leap. Petrol prices are going up due to the war in the Middle East, and people are panic-buying. The result? Interest in electric vehicles has rocketed. Between 28 February and 11 March, the Royal Automotive Club of Victoria (RACV) saw a 190 per cent spike in searches for EVs compared with the two weeks prior. According to James Pickering, National President of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA), “EVs have always been about fuel security”. “Australia now has over 120 different makes and models of EV, and many more light commercial vehicles to come. We have some of the world’s cheapest new EVs, and a growing second-hand market,” he said.  “Anyone with the means can now access an affordable vehicle, which runs on Australian electricity.” But before you panic-buy an EV to save money on fuel, or even if you have one already, ...