Micro car sales have been on a downward trajectory since the category was introduced in 2014. But is now the time to start bidding farewell, or do the pint-sized heroes have some horsepower left in them yet?
Nowadays, it’s a rare sight to see a small hatch – or even a sedan – driving among the sea of SUVs and dual-cab utes on most Aussie roads.Since the micro car category was introduced in 2014, it has recorded a more than 50 per cent decline in the number sold, according to VF
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Micro car extinction watch: Countdown to zero
via drive.com.au
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Leapmotor C10 available with discounted drive-away pricing and up to $4000 factory bonus
via drive.com.auLeapmotor has discounted the drive-away price of its C10 SUV range, and offers further bonus offers of $2000 to $4000 off.Chinese ‘new energy’ brand, Leapmotor, has rolled out a summer discount program that pairs a discounted price with factory bonus offers.The Leapmotor C10 EV and Leapmotor C10 REEV range-extender hybrid models are both covered by the Summer Bonus program.Pricing for the entry-level Leapmotor C10 REEV Style starts from $44,990 drive-away, making the car $1000 less t
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Wholesome homework: The car act helping single parents travel
via drive.com.auThese United States high school students are turning forgotten old vehicles into dream cars for those in need.Picture: Facebook/Louisa County Public Schools
By the time you’re on the hunt for your next car, you rarely think about what happens to your used model beyond getting rid of it as soon as possible.
But high school students in Virginia in the US aren’t only fixing old and donated vehicles as part of their curriculum, but to help those in need.Students from Louisa County High S
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New Toyota HiLux: How the Drive team would order one – Configurator Challenge
via drive.com.auThe 2026 Toyota HiLux has launched with a new look inside and out, but ute owners rarely leave their vehicles stock. How would the Drive team equip theirs?
It is rare to see any Toyota HiLux model on the road without accessories, whether it is a bullbar, roof racks, or some sidesteps.The new look 2026 Toyota HiLux has launched with a detailed online configurator allowing you to mix-and-match your preferred HiLux model with your ideal accessories, and see what it would look like cruising on and o
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Deepal S07 electric SUV on sale with Lunar New Year discount
via drive.com.auFree public charging and a cashback offer are being used as showroom lures for the Deepal S07.Chinese brand Deepal has rolled out a discount offer on the Deepal S07 medium SUV.For the month of February, the Deepal S07 is offered with $6088 cashback and 12 months of free public charging on the Evie charging network.The offer applies to new Deepal S07s ordered and delivered between February 1 and February 28, 2026, or while stocks last.Deepal describes the offer as applying to ‘MY24’ v
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Nissan Pathfinder returning to its ute-based roots – report
via drive.com.auNissan’s Pathfinder could return to a body-on-frame chassis, rivalling the Toyota Prado, Ford Everest and Mitsubishi Pajero if it remains on sale in Australia.
Nissan Pathfinder
The next-generation Nissan Pathfinder will revert to a ute-based body-on-frame chassis – replacing the unibody car platform it has used for more than a decade – US dealers have reportedly been told.Automotive News reports Nissan confirmed at its 2026 dealer conference that it will launch five US-built m
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Highway Patrol drives on wrong side of the road to pull over P-plater for a badge
via drive.com.auNew South Wales Highway Patrol has come under scrutiny for pulling over a P-plater with an M badge on his vehicle.A New South Wales Highway Patrol officer has come under scrutiny online for his pull-over conduct of a green P-plate driver in Fairfield, west of Sydney.RELATED: Highway Patrol caught blocking footpath and drivewayPosted by user cust.bmw, the Highway Patrol officer can be seen entering his vehicle before the driver passes him.The officer flicks on his lights and sirens to chase down
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Kia Stonic, Sorento hybrid, and EV3 available with drive-away deals
via drive.com.auKia has introduced drive-away pricing across its Stonic, Sorento hybrid, and EV3 model lines, with prices reduced compared to pre-offer pricing.Kia has introduced a limited-time drive-away pricing offer on three of its SUV models during February 2026.The Stonic mild-hybrid, Sorento hybrid, and EV3 electric vehicle are included as part of the current promotion.The entry-level Stonic S small SUV moves to a starting price of $29,990 drive-away (before optional metallic paint) as part of the promoti
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2026 MG ZS Vibe: More affordable SUV returns, undercutting Chery Tiggo 4
via drive.com.auWith a non-turbo 1.5-litre engine, the MG ZS Vibe can now be had for $22,990 drive-away as part of promotional pricing.MG Australia has brought back a less potent version of its ZS small SUV three months after its axing, accompanied by lower pricing for a limited time to make the range more accessible than before.The 2026 MG ZS Vibe, powered by a 1.5-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine, is now available from $22,990 drive-away – $1000 less than where the variant was positioned last
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2026 Subaru Trailseeker confirmed for Australia as electric Outback alternative
via drive.com.auThe electric Subaru Trailseeker, an elongated version of the Solterra with an Outback-like wagon design, has been confirmed for Australia.Subaru’s electric Outback alternative – and the fastest-accelerating car it has built to date – has been locked-in for Australia.The 2026 Subaru Trailseeker – also known as the e-Outback in Europe – will arrive in local Subaru showrooms between April and June, the brand has confirmed.It is an elongated version of the Solterra with
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How Drive can help you find the right car, right now
via drive.com.auFinding and buying your next car doesn’t need to be hard; in fact, it should be as easy as ordering food at a Drive-Thru…
Welcome to Drive – how can we help you?Australia’s car market has never been broader or more complicated. There are now more than 70 new car brands, plus a handful of older ones, blended with more models, drivelines, power choices, colours, variants and options than ever before. So, yes, it can be tricky – but we are here to help!In 2026, we are
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How to add Drive as a preferred news source for Google search
via drive.com.auWant to get high-quality automotive news content from Drive at the top of your Google Search results? Here’s how to see more from Drive.You can now select favourite news publishers to see more of their content up top in Google Search, and it only takes a few seconds.Just click this link to add Drive as one of your preferred news sources.If you are logged into your Google account, this link will take you to the page shown in the image below. Type in drive.com.au in the section that says &ls
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2026 BYD Shark 6 2.0-litre specs revealed for Australia with 3500kg towing
via drive.com.auA much more powerful petrol engine – and a big uplift in braked towing abilities – have been outed ahead of schedule for the anticipated 2.0-litre version of BYD’s Shark 6 ute.
1.5-litre BYD Shark 6 pictured.
Technical details of the much-anticipated 2.0-litre version of the 2026 BYD Shark 6 ute – with 3500kg towing and more power – have been outed ahead of an expected launch later this year.Australian government homologation documents seen by Drive show the upgrade
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2026 Zeekr X power, battery upgrade approved for Australia
via drive.com.auZeekr’s smallest electric car looks set for a shot in the arm to make it even quicker – and charge faster – but exactly when is still unclear.
2026 Zeekr X (Chinese model).
A power boost for the Zeekr X small electric SUV has received the green light for sale in Australia – but the brand is remaining coy on when it is due in showrooms.Approval documents seen by Drive list three new variants of the Zeekr X homologated for sale locally, with unchanged dimensions but a new,
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Eight models achieve five-star ANCAP ratings as safety standards rise
via autotalk.co.nzANCAP Safety has awarded five-star safety ratings to eight vehicles entering the Australian and New Zealand market, reflecting what the organisation says are rising safety standards across both emerging and established manufacturers. The latest results include five new five-star ratings and three updated or extended ratings, all assessed under ANCAP’s 2023-2025 criteria ahead of a […]
The post Eight models achieve five-star ANCAP ratings as safety standards rise appeared first on Au
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2026 Mazda CX-60 G25 Pure review
via drive.com.auThe Mazda CX-60 G25 Pure combines the CX-60’s lowest trim level with its least-powerful engine. It leads the range on price, but can it assert dominance in any other area?
Skip ahead:IntroductionInteriorPrice and cost to ownValue SafetyCompetitorsRunning costsSummary and verdictDriving comfort
2026 Mazda CX-60 G25 PureThe Mazda CX-60 range offers the widest spread of powertrains of any current Mazda model.Available with mild-hybrid turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel six-cylinder engines, or a p
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Bentley Bentayga X concept hints at tough luxury future
via drive.com.auBentley has created an off-road-oriented version of its luxury SUV to assess customer demand.The Bentley X Concept was created by the British luxury brand to gather owner feedback on the potential market for an off-road-focused Bentayga.Launched at the FAT Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, the X is based on the Bentayga Speed – the high-performance model in Bentley’s line-up.The concept retains the Speed’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, producing 478kW and 850Nm, with permanent
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Car dealer convicted over death threats to partner
via autotalk.co.nzThe former owner of a Christchurch car dealership has been convicted of threatening to kill his partner and possessing a restricted weapon, after his business collapsed with $300,000 of debt. Tyson Peter Griffin Adams, 34, admitted charges of threatening to kill, possessing a Taser, and contravening a protection order when he appeared in Christchurch District […]
The post Car dealer convicted over death threats to partner appeared first on Autotalk.
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Mazda CX-5 becomes Australia’s third-best selling car, months before new model arrives
via drive.com.auThe CX-5’s best January sales in four years – and a slip in Toyota RAV4 deliveries – helped Mazda’s top seller place ahead of all other new cars bar the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.The Mazda CX-5 has capitalised on slow Toyota RAV4 sales to become Australia’s top-selling SUV in January 2026, behind only the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux as the third-best-selling new vehicle overall.It is despite six months to go until the launch of a new-generation CX-5, due mid-yea
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A car of one’s own: Why sharing a car with my husband grinds my gears
via drive.com.auEven though my husband and I have shared a car for the best part of two decades, there are still certain things about our ‘what’s mine is yours’ car arrangement that drive me up the wall.
Long-term, monogamous relationships are all about sharing. You likely share a home, maybe finances, perhaps some children and maybe even a surname. In most of those cases, you’re no doubt adept at sharing the use of the TV remote and even the space on the couch – but how many of yo
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GWM Ora 5: BYD Atto 2, Kia EV3 rival could replace the current electric hatch in Australia
via drive.com.auThe Australian future of the GWM Ora electric hatch is unclear, as it has been discontinued in Thailand, where it is built, to be replaced by the Ora 5 SUV.
GWM Ora 5 (Chinese model)
The GWM Ora has been discontinued in Thailand, where it has been built for Australia since mid-2025, raising questions about the future of the electric hatchback in local showrooms.Bangkok Post reports GWM Thailand vice president Wayne Zhou said the hatchback, sold there as the Ora Good Cat, will be discontinued to
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2026 Toyota Prado Altitude adds handy off-road feature
via drive.com.auToyota’s most off-road-capable 250 Series LandCruiser Prado has gained technology from other model grades at no direct cost.
Tyre pressure monitoring technology has been added to the most off-road-focused Toyota Prado variant, as part of a minor 2026 update.It is not accompanied by a price rise, though an unrelated $700 increase in the RRPs of all Prado variants – from the base GX to the now-$100,000-plus Kakadu – was applied on January 1, attributed to inflation.Altitude varia
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How BYD trounced Tesla and Toyota in plug-in vehicle sales
via drive.com.au‘New Energy Vehicles’ is the term BYD uses for anything you plug in to charge, whether EV or plug-in hybrid – and on that score, it’s now the number-one selling brand in Australia.In 2025, BYD sold more vehicles that accept charge from a plug than any other brand for sale in Australia.That’s quite a stat, given that the company has come from nothing to this point in just 38 months.“New Energy Vehicles are battery electric and plug-in PHEVs. The market [was] ar
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Opinion: Aussie pedestrians need to stop doing this immediately
via drive.com.auWe need to realise realise pedestrians and cyclists aren’t blameless in the scourge of road deaths in Australia in the past 12 months.Is it time to implement harsher road rules for pedestrians and cyclists?There is little question that Australian driving etiquette is on a downward spiral. Everyone is in a hurry, too many of us are distracted, and no one wants to give way, say thank you, merge or even indicate.However, if we truly want to pave the way for a future with zero road fatalities,
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2025 Ford Ranger Victoria Police divisional van fault discovered
via drive.com.auPower could be cut in 2025 Ford Rangers that have been converted to divisional vans if temperatures in the load area get too high.Victoria Police has flagged an issue with Ford Ranger models on active duty that could see them lose power.According to Victoria Police, the Ford Rangers outfitted to be divisional vans can lose “engine power when the air conditioner in the pod was off”, which could hamper the vehicle’s mobility.It is understood this is due to a faulty temperature se
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2026 Australian F1 Grand Prix: Limited tickets remaining
via drive.com.auThe Australian F1 Grand Prix is just one month away, and some limited ticket options remain for those who have left things to the last minute.
Photo: Getty Images
The Australian F1 Grand Prix is one month away, and limited ticket options across park passes, grandstands, and lounge experiences remain availble for fans. Park passes are still available for Thursday or Friday, and this option will set you back $45 and $90 respectively.The Park Pass allows general entry and does not includ
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2026 Cupra Terramar VZ review
via drive.com.auCupra’s mid-size SUV is wilfully unusual-looking and unapologetically sporty. Is this a super SUV worth paying attention to?
Skip ahead:IntroductionRunning costsPrice and specificationEnergy useInterior space and comfortOn-road assessmentConnectivity and infotainmentSummarySafety Next steps
2026 Cupra Terramar VZCupra’s three-year stint in the Australian market has been an eye-opener. From a standing start, a brand few people in Australia knew about has dropped 10,000 cars on drivewa
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MTF chief commercial officer joins Pernod Ricard Group
via autotalk.co.nzMotor Trade Finance chief commercial officer Natasha Callister has been appointed Commercial Director New Zealand for Pernod Ricard Group, ending a successful tenure helping to drive growth in the automotive finance company’s dealer channel. Callister joined MTF after leading NZME’s automotive efforts under the Driven brand, bringing industry experience that proved valuable during a period […]
The post MTF chief commercial officer joins Pernod Ricard Group appeared first on Au
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2026 Nissan Navara price and specs: More expensive than related Mitsubishi Triton
via drive.com.auPrices are up for Nissan’s new-generation Navara ute, which borrows heavily from the Mitsubishi Triton, but there are a number of key differences.Nissan Australia’s crucial new Navara ute will arrive in local showrooms from March this year with a significantly slimmed down line-up, and prices have crept up compared to the outgoing car and the related Mitsubishi Triton.Only four versions of the new-generation Navara will be available at launch – all automatic dual-cab 4×4
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EVs will ‘probably’ cost less than petrol cars within five years, Volvo CEO predicts
via autotalk.co.nzVolvo chief executive Håkan Samuelsson says electric vehicles will “most probably” cost less than petrol cars within five years, as the Swedish automaker claims its current electric vehicle (EV) lineup is already turning a profit. Speaking to reporters during a briefing in Stockholm, Samuelsson said “I think if you look five years ahead I would […]
The post EVs will ‘probably’ cost less than petrol cars within five years, Volvo CEO predicts appeared fir
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