• Can you convert a car to a hybrid?

    EV conversions have become popular in the past decade, but what if you don’t want to completely eliminate your petrol-powered engine? Can you convert a car to a hybrid?Electric vehicle (EV) conversions have been a popular option for those looking to convert their car to something greener, more reliable or even just for more performance. RELATED: Hybrids outsell electric cars, as regular new petrol and diesel vehicle sales declineHowever, there are still a few people who love the
  • Australian Government to announce electric Vehicle-to-Grid household standards today

    Households will soon be able to be powered by their electric car – or sell power from their electric vehicle back into the grid during peak demand – thanks to new standards from the Federal Government.Australians will soon be able to use their electric cars to not only power their homes, but also send energy back into the electric grid during peak periods.Drive understands Chris Bowen, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, will today announce new standards for Vehicle-to-Grid (
  • Toot toot, chugga chugga, Big Red Toyota HiLux: New car for The Wiggles

    Popular Australian music group The Wiggles has a new ride, and it’s one of the most popular models in the country.World-famous Australian kids’ music group The Wiggles, have traded in their Big Red Car for a new set of wheels courtesy of Toyota.Revealed in a new song and accompanying video titled ‘Big Red Ute’, the Wiggle-fied version of Toyota Australia’s second best-selling model – behind the RAV4 Hybrid – made its debut last month.Billed as “a l
  • After a new Toyota RAV4 hybrid? You won’t have to wait too long

    Wait times for Australia’s top-selling family SUV have continued to ease as supply for the Australian market increases.The wait time for Australia’s best-selling family SUV has lessened with Toyota currently estimating an average wait time of three months or less for the RAV4 hybrid. The drop is significant compared to this time last year when customers were beginning to cancel orders as wait times for the popular hybrid model pushed two years, depending specification.However, T
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  • Should you scrap your car?

    Do you have an old car that you’re weighing up whether to fix or scrap? Here are some things to consider before you make your decision.
    Photo: IStock/underworld111
    Are you wondering if it’s time to send your car to the scrap yard? You’re not alone. According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), Australians scrap a whopping 850,000 cars each year.RELATED: Should mechanics charge for a diagnosis?This scrappage causes around 1.36 million tonnes of waste. The ind
  • Tom Cruise considering ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel – report

    The classic NASCAR film Days of Thunder could be returning to the silver screen, but first, filmmakers need an original idea.Three and a half decades after the NASCAR film Days of Thunder was filmed, The Hollywood Reporter claims Tom Cruise is looking at the possibility of a sequel.On the back of the success of 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick – the sequel to the original Top Gun movie of 1986 – the report says Cruise is in talks with production studio Paramount for two big-budget film
  • Volvo offering low-rate finance offer on seven-seat XC90 models in runout

    Big on space and safety credentials, the seven-seat Volvo XC90 ups its value game with a low-rate finance offer in runout.Volvo’s family flagship, the seven-seat XC90 SUV, is now in runout ahead of a significant update due next year, and the Swedish brand is offering low-interest, guaranteed future-value finance on new MY24 XC90s to help encourage buyers.Available in three models, each with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and with either a mild-hybrid or plug-in-hybrid electrical sy
  • Land Rover Defender Works V8 70th Edition review: Quick drive

    You can now get a taste of this V8-powered forbidden fruit in Australia, if you’ve got deep enough pockets.
    Land Rover Defender Works V8 70th EditionIt’s arguably the ultimate iteration of Land Rover’s most iconic model. After production of Land Rover’s original Defender wound up in 2016, and wasn’t directly replaced by the thoroughly modernised model that wore the Defenderin 2019, the desire and respect for Land Rover’s most important model has skyrocketed.So
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  • More than 16,000 Honda models recalled in Australia

    Thousands of CR-V, Civic, Civic Type R and ZR-V models have been recalled for a fault that could cause problems with the car’s steering.Honda has recalled 16,001 examples of its MY24 CR-V, MY22-MY24 Civic, MY24 Civic Type R and MY23-MY24 ZR-V, citing a potential fault with the vehicle’s Electronic Power Steering system (EPS).The affected vehicles are stamped 2021 to 2024 models but may have been sold at a later date.The recall notice, lodged with the Dep
  • More than 16,000 Honda cars recalled in Australia due to steering fault

    Thousands of CR-V, Civic, Civic Type R and ZR-V models have been recalled for a fault that could cause problems with the car’s steering.Honda has recalled 16,001 examples of its MY24 CR-V, MY22-MY24 Civic, MY24 Civic Type R and MY23-MY24 ZR-V, citing a potential fault with the vehicle’s Electronic Power Steering system (EPS).The affected vehicles are stamped 2021 to 2024 builds – across the 2022 to 2024 model years – but may have been sold at
  • Honda CR-V, Civic, Accord, and ZR-V hybrid models recalled in Australia due to fuel pump fault

    The fault could cause a fuel leak and in the presence of an external ignition could lead to a vehicle fire, according to the recall notice.Honda has recalled 5362 examples of its MY24 Accord Hybrid, MY24 CR-V Hybrid, MY24 Civic Hybrid, and MY23-MY24 ZR-V Hybrid, citing a potential fault with the vehicle’s high-pressure fuel pump.The affected vehicles are stamped 2022 to 2024 models, but may have been sold at a later date.The recall notice, lodged with the Depa
  • Honda CR-V, Civic, Accord, and ZR-V hybrid models recalled in Australia

    The fault could cause a fuel leak and in the presence of an external ignition could lead to a vehicle fire, according to the recall notice.Honda has recalled 5362 examples of its MY24 Accord Hybrid, MY24 CR-V Hybrid, MY24 Civic Hybrid, and MY23-MY24 ZR-V Hybrid, citing a potential fault with the vehicle’s high-pressure fuel pump.The affected vehicles are stamped 2022 to 2024 models, but may have been sold at a later date.The recall notice, lodged with the Depa
  • Why does my car battery keep dying?

    If you frequently need to jump-start your car, you may be experiencing some issues. Here’s why your car battery keeps dying.
    Photo: IStock/Guillermo Spelucin Runciman
    A flat battery is one of the most common issues motorists in Australia experience. A 2022 survey by Budget Direct Insurance showed a whopping 43 per cent of all roadside assist callouts were battery-related issues.RELATED: When should you be using jumper leads?Even though it is an easy call out to have roadside assistance, yo
  • Drive Car of the Year 2025 awards are go!

    It’s that time of the year again! Assessment and judging to find the Drive Car of the Year 2025 is underway.It’s that time of the year, when the Drive team gets together to pool notes on what are the best new cars for Australian buyers. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the DCOTY awards, in a market that has seen unprecedented change over the past 12 months.20 years of DCOTY – all the winnersThe first Drive Car of the Year was conducted in December 2006 with a full gr
  • Hyundai cuts almost $3000 off price of i30 Sedan with new drive-away offer

    Buyers looking for a new Hyundai i30 can now save almost $3000, thanks to a new promotional deal from the South Korean car maker.Hyundai Australia has moved its non-hybrid powered 2024 i30 Sedan, excluding the high-performance N range, to promotional drive-away pricing until the end of the month.Buyers can save up to $2900 depending on the grade with the offer, kicking off with the entry-level unnamed grade for $29,990 drive-away.Stepping up to the Elite is now $35,490, while the Premium is
  • Stunning Mazda Iconic SP moves closer to showrooms, likely to become new MX-5

    Mazda states it has every intention of putting the Iconic SP concept into production, but chances are it morphs into the new-generation MX-5.Mazda has moved a step closer to bringing the Iconic SP concept car to showrooms, where it is expected to transform into the next-generation MX-5.Revealed at last year’s Tokyo motor show, the Iconic SP concept is a sleek coupe with design cues from the RX-7 including pop-up headlights and a rotary engine.While Mazda has not confirmed production plans,
  • 2026 Mazda CX-5 could debut new ‘Skyactiv Z’ engine, as more details emerge

    Mazda has announced a new ‘Skyactiv Z’ four-cylinder petrol engine family with a leaner combustion process – and it could appear first in the next-generation CX-5 family SUV.More details about the next-generation 2026 Mazda CX-5 have been confirmed by the brand – along with confirmation of a new engine family.Mazda announced overnight it aims to launch a ‘Skyactiv Z’ family of four-cylinder petrol engines in 2027 to succeed its current ‘Skyactiv G’
  • GWM Cannon Alpha nets five-star ANCAP crash-test result

    The GWM Cannon Alpha has become the first electrified dual-cab ute to be awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
    The GWM Cannon Alpha has become the first hybrid-powered dual-cab ute to achieve a five-star ANCAP safety result against the latest and most stringent test criteria.The five-star crash test covers both diesel and hybrid engine options. ANCAP said the test vehicle displayed “similar levels of performance to other dual-cab utes tested against 2023-2025 rating criteria”.The
  • 2025 Deepal S07 price and specs: New Chinese electric SUV undercuts Model Y

    Deepal – another Chinese electric-car brand coming to Australia – has launched its first model, a battery-powered family SUV more affordable than the top-selling Tesla.The 2025 Deepal S07 electric SUV will be the next mid-size electric SUV from China to challenge the top-selling Tesla Model Y in Australia, priced from $53,900 plus on-road costs.Prices for the new S07 SUV from Deepal – a sub-brand of large Chinese car giant Changan – were announced at an electric-car
  • New Toyota Prado given tough JAOS off-road treatment

    Japanese off-road specialist – with a kangaroo as its mascot – has loaded up a new Prado with serious go-anywhere hardware.The 2025 Toyota LandCruiser Prado has been given a toughened-up treatment with a new range of parts manufactured by famed Japanese off-road specialist JAOS.The latest generation Prado – due in Australian showrooms by the end of 2024 – has been a magnet for aftermarket and accessory brands with Australia’s ARB, Japan’s Wald and Toyota&rsquo
  • Kia Tasman eyes Toyota Prado and Nissan Patrol buyers

    Private and fleet buyers looking for a “tool of trade” ute are in the crosshairs of the new Tasman – but Kia dealers think it has wider appeal for off-road SUV customers.The 2025 Kia Tasman could potentially steal sales away from some of the most popular off-road SUVs on the market, according to those within the company.Speaking to Drive, Kia Australia’s General Manager of Product Planning Roland Rivero said the majority of initial interest in the Tasman will be from thos
  • Tasmania Police enlist the BMW M340i for duty

    The BMW 5 Series may be the vehicle of choice for highway patrol units in Victoria and NSW, but the smaller and quicker M340i has been called to action in Tasmania.Several 2024 BMW M340i xDrive Highway Patrol cars have begun service with Tasmania Police.A spokesperson for Tasmania Police told Drive the M340i was selected after “a number of vehicles were trialled” in 2023.The BMWs are powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine, sending 285kW and 500Nm to all four wheels t
  • What’s the real purpose of those black cables running across roads?

    You’ve likely spotted them running across suburban roads, but what exactly are those traffic tubes monitoring? And what do the authorities do with the information they collect?They’ve become as common a sight as mobile speed cameras, but less is known about the purpose of the black traffic tubes often laid across suburban roads in Australia.Known as ‘traffic tubes’, ‘traffic counting tubes’ or, in more technical terms, ‘pneumatic road tubes’, this
  • Beach driver training held back by costs and red tape, experts say, with safety taking back seat

    4WD trainers claim bureaucracy and high costs are holding them back from being able to make Aussies safer drivers on the sand.More people could learn how to safely drive on beaches if not for “barriers” preventing training specialists from teaching them on sand, Drive understands.In Queensland in particular, permits are required for anyone to drive on a beach – and this also applies to businesses such as tour guides and driver-training companies, which require a commercial perm
  • 2024 GWM Haval Jolion Lux review

    The GWM Haval Jolion promises to stretch your dollar further by offering an affordable small SUV with loads of equipment. Are there any compromises?
    Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
    2024 GWM Haval Jolion LuxTimes are tough. Everything from groceries to petrol, to interest rates and rent, are as expensive as ever – and that just plain sucks.But amid a cost-of
  • 2025 Mini Cooper JCW price and specs: European hot hatch performance available for less

    Mini’s new-generation Cooper JCW hatchback has dropped pricing, but the all-electric version with more go is expected later next year.2025 Mini Cooper JCW pricing and specificationsSignificant interior update for Mini Cooper JCWTwo trims available, Classic or FavouredPriced from $57,990 before on-road costsThe 2025 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works (JCW) hot hatch is now more affordable than before with the introduction of the new-generation model due in the second quarter (April to June) of 2
  • Who pays for the damage on a hire car?

    The aftermath of a car accident can be scary and complicated, even more so if you’re driving a rental car. But who is responsible for the repair fees? Here’s what the experts have to say.In October 2024, a Melbourne man was slugged with a $15,000 repair bill after hitting a kangaroo in a rental car during a holiday trip.According to a Herald Sun report, Mark Jensen was driving an MG SUV hired from a local car hire company when the incident occurred on the Sunshine Coast.RELATED: Can
  • 2025 GWM Haval H6 GT PHEV price and specs: Longest electric range, cheaper than Outlander and Sealion 6

    The GWM Haval H6 GT plug-in hybrid arrives in Australia early next year with a large battery and the longest electric-only driving range of any hybrid vehicle.The 2025 GWM H6 GT Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) has been detailed for Australia.Due in local showrooms between January and March 2025, the electrified GWM SUV is priced at $55,990 drive-away – making the H6 GT PHEV more affordable than an entry-level Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the all-wheel-drive BYD Sealion 6 Premium.It
  • 2025 Land Rover Discovery 35th Anniversary Edition announced

    Land Rover adds flagship mild-hybrid diesel party pack as part of the 2025 Discovery line-up.The 2025 Land Rover Discovery line-up will be headlined by a flagship 35th Anniversary Edition when it arrives in Australian showrooms in December 2024.Priced from $133,176 before on-road costs – making it the most expensive model in the Discovery line-up – the 35th Anniversary Edition seven-seat SUV is based upon the existing Dynamic SE version.The special edition commemorates the launch of
  • 2025 Mini Convertible price and specs: Second quarter arrival for unlimited headroom Mini

    Mini’s new-generation Convertible will land in Australian showrooms next year available with three 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines.2025 Mini Convertible pricing and specificationsSignificant interior update for Mini ConvertibleThree tunes available in C, S and JCWPriced from $51,990 before on-road costsThe new-generation 2025 Mini Convertible will arrive in Australian showrooms next year, with the style-first brand reshuffling pricing across the line-up.Available with a choice of three diff

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