Automotive news - NewsLocker

2026 Mitsubishi ASX Exceed review

30-12-2025 11:00 via drive.com.au

The range-topping Exceed version of the Mitsubishi ASX has a big legacy to live up to. But the price? Are you sitting down?
Skip ahead:IntroductionInteriorPrice and cost to ownValue SafetyCompetitorsRunning costsSummary and verdictDriving comfort
Summary
The Mitsubishi ASX has owed its enduring success to a set of straightforward attributes. It was cheap, it offered more space than most of its rivals, and it carried the promise of bulletproof Japanese engineering. That has all changed with

My First Car: Actress Virginia Gay’s 1995 Honda Concerto

30-12-2025 01:55 via drive.com.au

Aussie actress Virginia Gay’s first car was a little-known Honda model with a name that was music to her ears.
When Australian actress Virginia Gay was cast in All Saints at the age of 24, she knew she had to finally get her driver’s licence and buy a car to get her to work and back. Enter the Honda Concerto. It was purchased just before the global financial crisis in 2006 from a second-hand dealer in the inner west of Sydney, accompanied by her parents – dad Rob and mothe

2026 Lexus RZ600e F Sport Performance revealed: More power, but no performance gains

30-12-2025 01:00 via drive.com.au

Lexus has revealed a more potent version of the Lexus RZ, with tweaked styling, brakes, wheels, suspension and more.Lexus has unveiled a new flagship version of its dedicated electric SUV, in the form of the 2026 Lexus RZ600e F Sport Performance.The RZ is only the third Lexus model to wear the F Sport Performance badge, after the RX500h and IS500, and an earlier version of the RZ450e, but despite a boost in power, the RZ600e F Sport Performance retains the same 4.4-second 0-100km/h time as the R

China calls for tighter standards on door handle designs

30-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

Confusing and potentially dangerous electronically operated door handles and their mechanical emergency releases have come under scrutiny from Chinese regulators.The rise of electronically operated door handles has prompted Chinese regulators to call for an overhaul of electronic latching systems as a required safety measure.The move to low-profile door handle designs that move to a flat or flush position when a vehicle is in motion, and safety features that prevent doors from being opened into

Toyota promised 30 new electric cars by 2030, and here’s a status update

29-12-2025 23:00 via drive.com.au

In an uncharacteristic move for Toyota, the brand revealed a detailed future product plan in late 2021 that encompassed a broad range of new cars for the next decade. Now, at the halfway mark, what’s the score?
Photo: iStock
In October 2021, Toyota took the unusual step of revealing to the world what its future portfolio would look like.Toyota usually operates with a high level of secrecy when it comes to future models, often only previewing cars that are close to production-ready.In a cha

Clean Car Standard changes take effect January 1

29-12-2025 22:00 via autotalk.co.nz

The automotive industry’s much-anticipated relief from Clean Car Standard penalties arrives on January 1 2026, with significantly reduced charges and new flexibility measures taking effect across New Zealand. For dealers and distributors, the changes deliver immediate operational benefits through an 80% reduction in penalty rates and the introduction of credit transfers between vehicle categories. Penalty […]
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2019-2025 Ford Transit Custom and Tourneo recalled in Australia

29-12-2025 22:00 via drive.com.au

The fault could cause the 12-volt battery vent to not operate as intended, potentially allowing toxic gases to leak into the cabin, according to the recall notice.Ford Australia has recalled 7509 examples of its 2021 to 2025 Ford Transit Custom and Tourneo, citing a potential fault with their 12-volt battery vent. The affected vehicles are stamped 2021 to 2025 models, but may have been sold at a later date.The recall notice, lodged with the Department of Infrastructure, says: “Due to

Aqua and Hilux retain most stolen titles

29-12-2025 21:58 via autotalk.co.nz

The Toyota Aqua and Toyota Hilux have maintained their positions as New Zealand’s most targeted vehicles by thieves, according to new data covering 2024. AMI Insurance data confirms the Toyota Aqua remains the country’s most frequently stolen car by volume for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, analysis of police data by MoneyHub shows the Toyota […]
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MG sales have slipped in 2025, despite five new models

29-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

2025 should have been MG’s year. New models in new market segments are a recipe for success for a growing brand, but somehow, MG’s sales marker moved backwards.2025 saw MG roll out more new products than ever before.A wave of new-generation models, or entirely new market segment representation, showed that the brand is fit, strong, and ambitious.With any new model, sales expectations are high. Entering new segements, like the three-row large SUV class, or Australia’s massive 4&

Auction Online Market Commentary

29-12-2025 20:43 via autotalk.co.nz

Despite a difficult and fast-changing market, Auction Online continues to hit record levels of business in an active market. The wholesale vehicle sector continues to surprise with strong growth and momentum in the digital space. Auction Online continued to post solid gains through the first half of the year, reflecting the resilience of dealer-to-dealer trading […]
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2026 Mini Cooper S review: JCW Sport

29-12-2025 14:00 via drive.com.au

The first new petrol-powered, three-door Mini in a decade isn’t all-new, but it still moves the game on for the model – and is as fun to drive as ever.
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Mini Cooper S JCW SportNext year will mark the 25th birthday of the modern Mini, rebooted by BMW in 2001 as a higher-priced, retro-styled city car inspired by the o

2026 MG S5 EV Essence 62 review

29-12-2025 04:12 via drive.com.au

MG’s long-range, high-spec small SUV boasts new technology and a dedicated EV platform, but does its charm as a city car erode as you move up the range?
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 MG S5 EV Essence 62The 2026 MG S5 EV brings a new name but a familiar concept to MG’s Australian line-up. Taking the place of the previous MG ZS EV, the new S5 EV

2026 Denza B5 review: Australian first road test

29-12-2025 02:00 via drive.com.au

The first of the off-roaders to arrive from BYD’s new Denza sub-brand is the B5, a five-seat SUV with BYD Shark 6 DNA. Should the Toyota Prado be worried?
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Denza B5Not content with the growth of its master brand – selling more than 80,000 cars in a little over three years – BYD is now mounting an attack on the

Family road trips: The summer survival guide

29-12-2025 01:55 via drive.com.au

If, like many Aussies, you’ve got plans to pack up the car and take the family on a road trip this summer, we’ve got you covered with tips to keep everyone happy (and sane) on your drive.I love a summer road trip. Give me good music, winding roads and stunning views of both land and water, and I’m in heaven. That is, until my kids pipe up with their whingeing.This is not exactly avoidable – they are kids after all, and don’t have the ability to regulate as well as (

Kia EV5 facelift due in 2026 with styling, technical changes

29-12-2025 00:30 via drive.com.au

Kia’s top-selling electric car is set for an overhaul in Australia, with the possibility of a revised appearance and longer driving range.
Current Kia EV5.
The Kia EV5 electric SUV will be treated to a mid-life makeover in Australia by the end of next year, to help close the gap to the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, and more.Details of the updated EV5 are yet to be revealed, but Kia has confirmed it is due in Australian showrooms in the second half of 2026, pending any delays.The EV5 will h

2027 KGM Musso ute revealed with HiLux-style makeover

29-12-2025 00:29 via drive.com.au

South Korea’s KGM has taken a leaf out of Toyota’s book with a new ute – wearing rugged, truck-like styling – that’s not quite all-new.The 2027 KGM Musso dual-cab ute has been revealed in South Korea by the brand formerly known as SsangYong, ahead of its Australian launch in mid-2026.The first new Musso in nearly eight years wears KGM’s new, more angular styling language, and gains an updated interior with the return of climate-control dials on high-grade mode

2026 Honda Super-One electric car to be safer than N-One donor kei car

29-12-2025 00:01 via drive.com.au

Export markets like Europe and Australia mean Honda’s Super-One EV will come under more safety scrutiny than its Japan-only donor car.Honda Australia’s first electric vehicle (EV) – the 2026 Super-One – may be based on Japan’s N-One kei car, but it was designed to meet international safety standards of larger cars, according to the brand.However, whether that means the Super-One will achieve a maximum five-star safety rating in Euro NCAP and Australasian New Car Ass

FBT exemption for electric cars to cost 18 times more than forecast in massive blowout

29-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

A huge miscalculation of the cost of popular electric-car tax breaks – now forecast to cost $1.35 billion in lost tax revenue this year – has been exposed in new data.The Federal Government has grossly underestimated the cost of a popular tax break for electric and plug-in hybrid cars in novated leases – which has found more than 100,000 takers in three years – new data reveals.Treasury figures released in recent weeks estimate the tax revenue lost through the Fringe Bene

Car makers to be exposed for missing tough emissions rules

28-12-2025 23:00 via drive.com.au

A list of the car brands that fell short of strict CO2 emissions targets for new vehicles – and are in line for hefty penalties – will be released next year.The car brands that met the first phase of the Australian Government’s tough CO2 emissions rules for new vehicles – and those that didn’t – without outside help will be revealed by federal regulators.Manufacturers in the latter camp may be on the hook for fines in excess of $5000 per vehicle sold, if they

China bans Tesla-style retractable door handles over safety concerns

28-12-2025 22:32 via autotalk.co.nz

China will ban retractable door handles on electric vehicles (EVs) from January 2027, citing safety concerns about electronic-only mechanisms that can trap occupants during crashes or power failures. The country’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released draft regulations requiring all vehicles under 3.5 tonnes to have both interior and exterior handles with mechanical […]
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HARMAN acquires ZF’s ADAS business for €1.5 billion

28-12-2025 22:31 via autotalk.co.nz

HARMAN International has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire ZF Group’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) business for €1.5 billion, the Samsung Electronics subsidiary announced. The acquisition includes ZF’s automotive compute solutions, smart cameras, radars and ADAS software functions, positioning HARMAN to compete in the growing software-defined vehicle (SDV) market. Approximately 3,750 ZF employees […]
The post HARMAN acquires ZF’s ADAS busin

China implements world’s first mandatory EV energy limits

28-12-2025 22:31 via autotalk.co.nz

China will enforce the world’s first mandatory energy consumption limits for electric passenger vehicles from January 1, 2026, according to China Central Television as cited by IT Home. The new national standard, formally titled “Energy Consumption Limits for Electric Vehicles Part 1 Passenger Cars” (GB 36980.1—2025), replaces previous voluntary guidelines and establishes binding electricity consumption […]
The post China implements world’s first mandatory EV

Vehicle registration costs rise from January 1

28-12-2025 22:02 via autotalk.co.nz

Vehicle owners face higher registration costs from January 1, with the standard 12-month licence fee increasing 20% from $144.22 to $172.97. The increases, announced by the Government in March, form part of funding for a $20 billion transport plan that includes 15 four-lane highways, a $500 million pothole fund and $2 billion for rail and […]
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Toyota’s 2026 could be a huge year due to upcoming models

28-12-2025 22:00 via drive.com.au

2025 has been a quiet year for new model launches from Toyota, but 2026 will see crucial new models arriving from Australia’s top-selling brand.Toyota’s sales tally for 2025 has held relatively steady, but the new year could see Australia’s top-selling brand pick up the pace with a number of new, key models.Over the course of 2025, Toyota made do with minor updates to cars like the GR Yaris, the introduction of the GR Corolla, and very little in the way of important new models.

Flood-damaged luxury cars face de-registration deadline

28-12-2025 22:00 via autotalk.co.nz

Owners of 66 luxury vehicles damaged in Auckland’s 2023 Anniversary Weekend flooding have been given three months to have their cars inspected and re-certified or face de-registration, following an administrative error that left the vehicles improperly registered. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has contacted owners of the water-damaged vehicles, which include a Porsche and […]
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2025’s biggest automotive disappointments according to Drive

28-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

Not everything was golden in the automotive world in 2025, here are Drive‘s biggest disappointments after another cycle around the sun.
The automotive industry can be fickle, and while there have been many highs in 2025, at the close of another year, there are still a number of trends and models that have left us feeling empty.While some of these disappoints are an easy enough fix, others not so much.Always the optimists though, here at Drive, these are the issues we’d like to see ad

Unlocking the value of mechanical & electrical breakdown insurance

28-12-2025 20:00 via autotalk.co.nz

When it comes to building trust and long-term customer relationships, genuine care and transparency are key. But beyond great service, true value is created when you help your customers protect their investment — and that’s exactly where Mechanical & Electrical Breakdown Insurance comes in. While many customers have heard of mechanical and electrical breakdown insurance, […]
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Thriving in Tough Times: Smart Marketing

28-12-2025 20:00 via autotalk.co.nz

Strategies for NZ Used Car Dealers Dealers who adapt to shifting buyer behaviour and digital trends are best positioned to thrive – even in tough times. The New Zealand used car market is enduring headwinds at the moment. Tightened lending criteria, cautious consumer spending and challenges importing vehicles, are making it harder to source and […]
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My First Car: Henry Wagons’ 1992 Ford Laser Ghia

28-12-2025 01:55 via drive.com.au

Australian alt-country singer/songwriter Henry Wagons’ first car was a ruby red coloured 1992 Ford Laser Ghia; it’s the one he learned to drive in as an L-plater. Growing up in the outer Melbourne suburb of Glen Waverley, Henry Wagons drove the trusted Laser down the Burwood Highway often; but eventually moved to Carlton to be closer to study philosophy at Melbourne University in the late 90s. The car came with him. “I drove my Ford Laser Ghia until the sun turned it

Kia Tasman SUV plans on the sidelines until ute succeeds

28-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

The uphill battle facing the Kia Tasman ute has pushed any intention to develop an SUV version onto the backburner.Illustration by Theottle.A five-door Kia Tasman SUV to rival the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest won’t come to showrooms until the ute hits its targets on the sales charts in Australia and overseas.Kia executives have previously expressed interest in a Tasman SUV, with a top engineer behind the ute’s development confirming such a vehicle is now under consideration.The firs

New cars in 2025 the Drive team would buy

27-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

There is no one-size-fits-all car for everyone, but if we had to buy a new vehicle from 2025, here is what Drive would pick.Being across all new-model launches in Australia means Drive gets to sample the bevy of fresh metal in local showrooms, but our reviews are all through the lens of what a prospective buyer would look for in market.However, with each of our own personal circumstances taken into consideration, there are a few new cars we’ve thought long and hard about buying ourselves.H

Beach day with your car: Salt, sand and staying damage-free

27-12-2025 02:46 via drive.com.au

Summer is here and with it comes the call of the sand-n-surf courtesy of your 4X4. Here’s how to safely drive on the beach without damaging your car.Yep, it’s beach driving season, folks. Any stock 4WD can do it, and all you really need is a means of tyre deflation and re-inflation and some basic recovery gear. RELATED: The Australian off-road road rules you don’t know aboutEven so, it’s not a risk-free undertaking but with a little awareness and knowledge you can sa

New cars with the most power per dollar – 2025 edition

27-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

Chinese electric cars now offer as much power for the price as the last Australian-made V8 sedans. Here’s what tops the list for 2025 – and it’s even faster than this BYD.Chinese electric cars now offer more power per dollar than the last of the Australian-made, V8-powered Holden muscle sedans.The first-placed finisher on Drive‘s ‘Cheap Speed’ list for 2025 – which ranks the 10 new cars that charge buyers the least for each kilowatt they produce –

Best looking cars of 2025, according to Drive

26-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

There has been a lot of fresh metal hit Australian showrooms this year, but from a purely aesthetic point of view, these are our favourites.Every year sees dozens of new models arrive in Australia, and while a ‘good’ car is measured on various factors like price, features, and how well it drives, the first judgement call is styling.Cars need to make an immediate impression, and looks will be subjective, but it is important that a potential buyers’ attention is captured and held

2026 Hyundai i30 N Premium DCT review

26-12-2025 02:00 via drive.com.au

There are newer, cheaper, faster, roomier and more advanced hot hatchbacks than the Hyundai i30 N, but few are more fun. Here’s why we’d still recommend one in a heartbeat.
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Hyundai i30 N Premium DCT hatchThe car in these photos should’ve been an all-new Hyundai i30 N, had things gone differently.Once mooted f

Japanese car brands refuse to back down against threats from China

26-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

Chinese automakers with seemingly endless budgets and quick engineering turnaround times, are playing the same game Japanese brands used to rise to prominence in the ‘70s and ‘80s, but Japan isn’t going to sit idle.
Toyota Corolla concept, Tokyo Motor Show
Chinese automotive brands in Australia have stamped their authority on just about every market segment in Australia’s new car market.The intention is clear, from established brands to newcomers, every carmaker from Chin

Australia’s love of plus-sized US pick-up trucks is waning

25-12-2025 23:00 via drive.com.au

The once-lucrative battleground for full-size pick-up trucks from the USA now has more brands officially represented than ever before – but sales are on the way down, not up.
Chevrolet Silverado, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Landcruiser 70, Ford f-150, Ram 1500
The appetite for big American utes has already started to slow as Aussie buyers ease up on full-size pick-up trucks.In what has become a vanity battle between brands, Chevrolet, Ford, Ram, and Toyota have all launched OEM-quality right-han

Sydney resident tries to claim street parking with homemade sign

25-12-2025 22:10 via drive.com.au

A Sydney resident has taken matters into their own hands after another motorist continued to park in front of their house, but is there any legal standing to this?Seeing an unknown car parked in front of your house can create a bit of unease for a homeowner.RELATED: The parking sign that could ruin your Christmas breakIn fact, Instagram star Luke Donkin recently posted a comedy skit to his Instagram about the thoughts most people go through when there is a random car parked out front.However, a

2026 could be a make-or-break year for Ford Australia

25-12-2025 22:00 via drive.com.au

Ford Australia has almost all its eggs in one basket, but regulatory changes and a refreshed rival could prove problematic for the Blue Oval.
Ford Ranger PlatinumToyota may be Australia’s biggest-selling brand, but to get there, it offers 20 different models.Number-two placed Ford offers just eight models to get where it is, and rather incredibly, two of those eight make up over 85 per cent of the brand’s sales volume.The Ford Ranger and Ford Everest are huge contributors to Ford&rsq

Game-changing cars of 2025 according to Drive

25-12-2025 21:00 via drive.com.au

Whether its affordable pricing, lifting the bar with capability, or just another solid option, these are the models that have the potential to change the automotive landscape the most.Every new car that arrives in Australian showrooms has the potential to change the game for an individual, but not all of them can affect the wider automotive landscape.There are a few, however, that could be deemed as true game-changers – ones that will impact the landscape and have their ramifications felt

‘A whole lot of circling’: The car park personas you’re likely to see during Christmas and Boxing Day

25-12-2025 20:00 via drive.com.au

Finding a free car park during the holidays can be frustrating for everyone, but did you know there are five types of holiday car parkers?You know the feeling. Inching your car closer as you trail another driver on their way to their parking spot at your local shopping centre.
You try not to look too eager, but after trailing for a minute or two, you see the person reverse out of the highly coveted free spot, the only one available on the lot.RELATED: ‘A battleground’: The shopping c

2026 Mazda CX-30 G25 Astina FWD review

25-12-2025 14:00 via drive.com.au

The Mazda CX-30 is no longer the freshest small SUV in town, but for singles or couples who value style and luxury over space and practicality, there’s a lot to like.
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Mazda CX-30 G25 AstinaThe Mazda CX-30 has been in Australian showrooms for close to six years, but it has still attracted more than 9000 sales so far this

Airline commemorates Aussie Formula One driver’s unbeatable record

25-12-2025 07:00 via drive.com.au

Very few times in the history of aviation has a person been commemorated on the side of a commercial aircraft. So you have to do something seriously important to end up on the side of one, and that’s what Jack Brabham did.Photo: Brisbane Airport
Alliance Airlines, based in Brisbane, Australia, has taken it upon itself to commemorate the late and great Sir John ‘Jack’ Arthur Brabham on the side of an Embraer 190 (a commercial e-jet slightly smaller than an Airbus 737).RELAT

Top 10 most-searched cars for sale on Drive Marketplace in 2025

25-12-2025 02:00 via drive.com.au

SUVs, utes and small cars dominate the list of most-searched vehicles on Drive Marketplace in 2025, along with a two-door V8 sports car.With 2025 drawing to a close, it’s time to take a look back at the year that was on Drive across our news, reviews, advice, social media and Marketplace content.In this edition, we’ve compiled a list of the most-searched cars for sale on our Drive Marketplace classifieds service in 2025.Our most-searched car for sale on Drive Marketplace was the Toyo

Small car sales are on the way down, but Australians love small SUVs

25-12-2025 00:00 via drive.com.au

Despite fresh metal in the segment, the writing is on the wall for Australia’s small car class.Australia’s small car segment, as defined by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), has suffered a rocky year in 2025.Sales are down across both the mainstream and premium small car segments.The slide is significant too. More than just a result of held-up deliveries or model cycle changeovers.To the end of November 2025, the Small Cars Under $40,000 sales class was down 23.6 p