Family Cars

A best-selling SUV and van have retained their five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) safety rating.

A new hybrid competitor could crack the 4WD market.

According to a new report from Autocar, which quotes industry insiders, Mercedes won’t be discontinuing its affordable range of A-Class hatchbacks when the current model ends production.As part of a wider reversal of electric-only plans by Europe’s automakers, a new A-Class hatch will be built on the same new MMA platform, which underpins the upcoming CLA sedan that was revealed in March of 2025, and is due in Australia in 2026.It was previously thought the A-Class hatch would be discontinued purely in favour of a GLA replacement based on the CLA, as the brand had aspirations to head more upmarket, chasing profitability over its more mainstream range of cars.However, these plans appear to have been reversed as Mercedes (among other European automakers) face multiple challenges both when it comes to electrification, and the threat of new China-based manufacturers challenging them on their own home turf and abroad.The MMA platform, which is said to be electric-first, will also be key to the model, as it offers both electric and hybrid drivetrain options (as opposed to a dedicated EV platform), which will broaden the model’s appeal.Locally, the A-Class is Mercedes’ most attainable model starting at $57,500 (A200) and remains a reasonable seller for the brand, moving 1329 units so far and only outranked by its GLA small, GLC mid-size and GLE large SUVs.The hatchback is down 12 per cent in an environment where Mercedes is up 14 per cent year-on-year.The brand’s expansive range of electric offerings in Australia only count for a few hundred units each, which may be of concern for the brand which is facing stiff competition not just from BMW and its well executed EV strategy and an almost entirely new line-up from Audi, but also new challengers in the form of Zeekr and Denza, the latter from BYD is due before the end of the year.While nothing is known about the A-Class replacement so far, don’t expect it to stray too far from the comparatively conservative design of the recently-revealed CLA sedan, as Mercedes seemingly doubles down on its current design direction. The CLA is slightly larger in every dimension than its predecessor, so expect that to continue, while larger screens adorn the interior.The fully electric CLA features an 800-volt architecture with a long driving range (up to 792km) from an 85kWh battery, with a 200kW/335Nm rear-mounted motor in the RWD version, with an additional 80kW on the front axle for total outputs of 260kW/515Nm in the all-wheel drive version.Meanwhile the hybrid version features a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic, driving either the front or all four wheels.Stay tuned for more on Mercedes MMA-based roll-out plans in the near future.

Geely's rapid expansion into Australia continues with its first plug-in hybrid. The memorably-named Starray EM-i will compete head-to-head with the likes of the BYD Sealion 6, Chery Tiggo 7, MG HS Super Hybrid and Jaecoo J7. But does it have what it takes to leave an impression on the crowded mid-size SUV market?

It might still be two years away from a scheduled appearance in Porsche showrooms but the German maker’s upcoming ‘K1’ upper large SUV has taken a late turn away from pure-electric propulsion to include internal-combustion (ICE) in its powertrain portfolio.

Ford is beefing up its 4WD range.

Skoda Australia has added the finishing touch to its new, second-generation Kodiaq line-up with confirmed pricing and specification for the RS performance flagship version of the large, seven-seat SUV.

BMW has just revealed one of its most critical models in decades, the all-new iX3.

MG wants to become one of the most popular brands in Australia - which means it needs a ute. The Chinese maker has taken assistance from its sister-brand, LDV, to rush the all-new U9 dual-cab ute into the market. But is it a case of too much too soon? Or is it the right ute at the right price? We drive it to find out if the U9 has what it takes to propel MG to the top.

Zeekr has outlined its bold ambitions for Australia, confirming a string of new models and the launch of the Lynk & Co brand, the latter of which will likely be wrapped under the Zeekr umbrella.