Andrew Chesterton

Pricing for the BYD Shark 6 has been confirmed in New Zealand, with the across-the-ditch RPP pointing to the game-changing ute being an absolute bargain in Australia.

The 2025 Kia Tasman has been unveiled at last, with the Korean brand promising its first-ever ute “redefines the pickup sector” currently dominated by the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in Australia.

It's fair to say reaction has been mixed to the new Kia Tasman, with the brand's first ute combining a unique exterior design with diesel engine outputs that sit somewhere around the middle of the dual-cab pack.

The Mazda CX-80 is the fourth member of the 'Mazda Premium' SUV range - a three-row, seven-seat family hauler that also acts as a spiritual successor to models like the CX-8 and CX-9. But can it really replace those two family staples? We put it to the test to find out.

The impending demise of diesel in Australia has been greatly exaggerated, at least according to Kia executives, who insists diesel engines have "got a lot of mileage left in our country."

Mazda calls the CX-70 its flagship five-seat SUV, while the brand's relentless push up market suggests the premium players, and their customers, are now its target.So is this plush and posh SUV a genuine rival for the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz? We put it to the test to find out.

Toyota has seemingly tapped into the world of science fiction in outlining its plan to take on Tesla and China in the race to deliver cheaper, better electric vehicles, with the brand’s “Area 35” plan to debut a new manufacturing process that will deliver some 3.5 million electric vehicles by 2030.

The CX-80 flagship doesn’t come cheap, with the Azami trim setting you back $74,150 (petrol), $76,150 (diesel) and $87,200 (plug-in hybrid). Like the GT and Touring trims, you can have your Azami with a choice of three powertrains, with the cheapest being a 3.3-litre, six-cylinder turbo petrol, producing 209kW and 450Nm.

Some cars just seem to inspire such blind loyalty – such frothing, furious devotion – that they can get away with anything. And sometimes that 'anything' becomes very clear once a rival product launches.

Toyota has been talking a huge game when it comes to projections for its mega-popular RAV4 Hybrid in 2025, suggesting the family friendly SUV will outsell everything from dual-cab utes to cheap Chinese EVs to become Australia's best-selling vehicle this year.