Why the Nissan X-Trail is a CarExpert choice winner
The mid-size SUV segment is teeming with compelling options, so why did we choose the Nissan X-Trail as the best in our inaugural 2025 CarExpert Choice awards?
Simple: it's an extremely capable all-rounder with all of the latest safety and tech features, and offers not only benchmark refinement and ride/handling but a wide range of configurations. You can get it with front- or all-wheel drive, five- or seven-seat configurations, petrol or hybrid power, and in multiple model grades.
In short, there's something for everyone.
'The Nissan X-Trail stands out from the plethora of mid-size SUVs on the market with top-class refinement, safety and multimedia, plus great packaging, competitive pricing, a very long warranty and a unique range-extender hybrid powertrain that none of its many rivals can match,' explained managing editor Marton Pettendy.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Here's what other members of the CarExpert team had to say about our pick for Best Affordable Mid-Size SUV:
'The latest Nissan X-Trail is a world away from its predecessor, and the new e-Power hybrid is my personal pick of the bunch,' said marketplace editor James Wong.
'Punchy yet refined performance from its electric motors, and improved fuel-efficiency bolster the X-Trail's strong suits which include a premium and practical cabin.
'In what is the most competitive new vehicle segment in Australia, the X-Trail e-Power stands out as a front-runner, and an easy recommendation to buyers.'
'The X-Trail is kind of at 'ol' faithful' status – it's been around a long time, it does the job well and you know what to expect with it,' said video producer Sean Lander. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'With this latest iteration, Nissan injected a lot of 'premium' into its trusty SUV, with even the lower-spec models getting nice exterior styling and a much-needed interior upgrade.
'Then there's the introduction of e-Power, Nissan's answer to Toyota's ever popular hybrids. e-Power is closer to an EV than a traditional hybrid, but it's a technology with a lot of promise – the smooth driveability of an EV with the range and ease of use of an internal combustion car.
'I spent six months behind the wheel of a Ti-L e-Power and I thoroughly enjoyed it (full story and video coming to CarExpert soon). Whilst there is some room for improvement with the system that will come with time and development, it's a good middle ground between what you're used to, and where cars are going.
'There may be vehicles in the segment with nicer interiors or more powerful drivetrains or more fuel-efficient engines, but the X-Trail does the best good job combining all three and, in doing so, deserves the award bestowed upon it.'
'In a segment full of unproven challengers, the X-Trail is a trustworthy mainstay that remains highly relevant thanks to recent upgrades,' said deputy marketplace editor Josh Nevett. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'The cabin is user-friendly and well-appointed, there's plenty of room for a growing family, and the e-Power hybrid system combines the quiet refinement of electric mobility with the flexibility of internal combustion power.
'Unlike many rivals, the X-Trail is a proper all-rounder that doesn't force buyers to compromise, and that counts for a lot when you're shopping for a vehicle that'll likely be exposed to the daily commute, school run, and weekend road trips.'
'The X-Trail formula is hard to argue against. It's one of the Japanese brand's best-known nameplates, and is still high on buyers' wish lists despite a flood of new competition and stubborn stalwarts,' said marketplace journalist Max Davies. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
'It may not be as modern as some of the others, but that means you get simpler tech that's easier to live with. There's a certain rugged dependability to the X-Trail too, a characteristic Nissan played into with the reintroduction of the rugged-looking N-Trek in recent years.
'The SUV received some minor updates heading into 2025, namely a larger touchscreen infotainment system and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. These elevated the cabin, which was already a nice place to spend time thanks to strong build quality and top-notch materials.
'Better yet, there's Nissan's clever e-Power powertrain available at the top of the range, which is a thoroughly competent system bringing fuel economy and driveability benefits. If that's too much to spend, there's plenty of value to be found across the range, which has a whopping 10 variants to choose from.
'There's a lot to like about the X-Trail, and it's undoubtedly capable of standing the test of time well into the later years of ownership.'
To see all the CarExpert Choice winners, click here.
MORE: Explore the Nissan X-Trail showroom
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Mercedes-AMG GT XX concept previews performance brand's electric future
At first glance the Mercedes-AMG GT XX is just another piece of concept car eye-candy. The active aero wheels with moveable blades between the spokes that close to reduce drag at speed and open to provide brake cooling when needed, light-up paint on the side sills, a configurable light panel between the tail-lights: We're not likely to see any of this stuff on a production Mercedes-Benz anytime soon. What's under that iridescent orange bodywork is another story, however. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The AMG GT XX previews an all-new, aluminium-intensive, electric vehicle architecture that will underpin a coming generation of electric-powered Mercedes-AMG supercars. The first of these, a four-door 'coupe' like the AMG GT XX, is expected to hit the road within a year, and Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will be joined by an SUV that's expected to appear in 2027. And they aren't the only models in the pipeline. "I'm pretty confident that there will be more cars to come on that platform," Mercedes-AMG boss Michael Schiebe told CarExpert at a preview of the AMG GT XX concept in Germany last month, "because we are very flexible. And it's not only our electric motors, but also the battery setup is flexible for different body types." You don't have to be Einstein to figure out what Mr Schiebe's really saying: An electric-powered AMG sports car is coming, too. The production version of the AMG GT XX will be quite a weapon, a four-door rocketship delivering more than 1000kW and a top speed of more than 360km/h, courtesy of three axial-flux e-motors engineered by Mercedes-Benz-owned subsidiary Yasa Ltd. They will be powered by a lightweight high-performance battery pack developed in-house at AMG with help from engineers at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth, England, where the hybrid powertrains for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 cars are designed and built. Axial-flux motors feature a disc-shaped stator at their centre rather than the tubular stator used in the radial-flux motors that power most modern EVs. This arrangement enables the magnetic flux to flow parallel to the motor shaft rather than perpendicular to it, dramatically improving efficiency. As a result, axial flux motors are 67 per cent lighter and 67 per cent smaller than comparable radial flux motors, says Yasa CEO Jörg Miska, delivering three times the power density and twice the torque density. The two rear motors are contained in a single electric drive unit (EDU) that also houses a planetary transmission and silicon carbide inverter for each motor, as well as pumps for the oil-based cooling system used for the motors and transmissions and the water-based system that cools the inverters. The rear EDU weighs just 140kg but produces well over 640kW, says Miska. The EDU at the front axle comprises a single axial-flux motor, a spur-gear transmission, and a single silicon carbide inverter. The motor has been designed to kick in only when additional power or traction is required at the front wheels for acceleration or recuperation. During steady and low load driving or coasting the front motor is decoupled from the front axle to reduce frictional losses and increase overall efficiency. The motors are already being made at Mercedes-Benz's plant in Marienfelde, Berlin. Manufacturing the motors requires about 100 different processes, 65 of them new to Mercedes-Benz and 35 of them world-firsts involving new forms of laser technology, innovative joining processes, and artificial intelligence systems. Powering the motors is a battery combining more than 3000 cells that combine a nickel cobalt manganese aluminium (NCMA) cathode with a silicon content anode. The tall and thin design of the cells allows them to be more effectively cooled by the electrically non-conductive oil that surrounds them (battery cells typically heat up from their centre outwards under load). The cells are in lightweight laser-welded aluminium housings which also provide better electrical and heat conductivity than the commonly used steel containers. The battery's cooling system and high voltage – more than 800V – means it can accept charge rates of more than 850kW over a wide range of its charging curve. Mercedes-Benz is working with Alpitronic, Europe's leader in high-power charging technologies, to develop a prototype ultra-fast charger that will enable the production version of the AMG GT XX to add 400km of range (as per Europe's WLTP measurement) in just five minutes. With all that power and all-wheel drive, the production version of the AMG GT XX promises to be as be spine-crushingly quick from 0 to 100km/h as other high-end, high-performance EVs such as the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach. But what will set it apart from the electric supercar pack, says Mr Schiebe, will be its ability to deliver its ultimate performance over a much longer time. Indeed, the AMG boss hints the production car will be capable of at least three flat-out laps of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschliefe. Okay, that's barely 65km, but as Mr Schiebe points out, most combustion-engined performance cars are past their peak after three laps through the Green Hell, too. "There is a myth that you can drive an internal combustion engine high-performance car forever on the track," he says. "You can maybe do three laps on the Nordschleife and then you must make a pit stop, because either the tyres are gone, or you're running out of fuel." One of the most intriguing details on the AMG GT XX concept is the fact it has a VIN number in the lower left-hand corner of the windscreen, just like any production Mercedes-Benz (it's the third car built of its type, in case you're wondering), along with fully functioning windscreen wipers, a detail most carmakers don't bother putting on concept cars. There's a real car underneath, but how much of what we see is likely to make production? "It's a good sneak into what the [production] car could look like," Mr Schiebe confirms. Though the AMG boss won't elaborate, we can tell you the production car will have a slightly higher roofline (though it will still be two inches lower than that of the current AMG GT 4-Door, despite the under-floor battery pack) and it will be a liftback with a rear window. The production front and rear bumper fascias will be different, though the concave grille with the signature AMG vertical bars will be retained, along with the six round tail-lights at the rear. The AMG GT XX concept has a claimed drag co-efficient of just 0.198Cd. Whether the production version will match that number remains to be seen, but we do know it will be available with an optional active rear diffuser that extends – like that on the Mercedes-Benz EQ XX concept – to further reduce drag, so it may not be just a tease. The production car will also roll on 21-inch wheels, with a staggered tyre setup – 275/35 ZR 21 front and 315/35 ZR21 at rear – to handle the prodigious power and torque funnelled through the rear axle. What will surprise people most about the production version of the AMG GT XX is how it's going to sound. The GT XX concept features a visceral V8 soundscape that plays back through the car's audio system – which includes exterior speakers behind the headlights – when it's driven. Carefully indexed to inputs like accelerator position and wheel speed, it sounds – from the brief preview played to the media – like an old-school 6.3-litre V8-powered C63 on steroids. "I'm super confident, and I mean really super, super confident, that we will convince the strongest petrol-heads with this car," said Mr Schiebe, who added that during a Mercedes-Benz executive drive of the production car prototype a few days before the preview of the AMG GT XX, one board member proclaimed: "this is the best V8 we have ever developed!". That board member's taking liberties, of course. But it will be fascinating to see if Mercedes-AMG can truly make its ultra-powerful, ultra-fast four-door electric coupe sound as exciting as it undoubtedly will be to drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG Content originally sourced from: At first glance the Mercedes-AMG GT XX is just another piece of concept car eye-candy. The active aero wheels with moveable blades between the spokes that close to reduce drag at speed and open to provide brake cooling when needed, light-up paint on the side sills, a configurable light panel between the tail-lights: We're not likely to see any of this stuff on a production Mercedes-Benz anytime soon. What's under that iridescent orange bodywork is another story, however. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The AMG GT XX previews an all-new, aluminium-intensive, electric vehicle architecture that will underpin a coming generation of electric-powered Mercedes-AMG supercars. The first of these, a four-door 'coupe' like the AMG GT XX, is expected to hit the road within a year, and Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will be joined by an SUV that's expected to appear in 2027. And they aren't the only models in the pipeline. "I'm pretty confident that there will be more cars to come on that platform," Mercedes-AMG boss Michael Schiebe told CarExpert at a preview of the AMG GT XX concept in Germany last month, "because we are very flexible. And it's not only our electric motors, but also the battery setup is flexible for different body types." You don't have to be Einstein to figure out what Mr Schiebe's really saying: An electric-powered AMG sports car is coming, too. The production version of the AMG GT XX will be quite a weapon, a four-door rocketship delivering more than 1000kW and a top speed of more than 360km/h, courtesy of three axial-flux e-motors engineered by Mercedes-Benz-owned subsidiary Yasa Ltd. They will be powered by a lightweight high-performance battery pack developed in-house at AMG with help from engineers at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth, England, where the hybrid powertrains for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 cars are designed and built. Axial-flux motors feature a disc-shaped stator at their centre rather than the tubular stator used in the radial-flux motors that power most modern EVs. This arrangement enables the magnetic flux to flow parallel to the motor shaft rather than perpendicular to it, dramatically improving efficiency. As a result, axial flux motors are 67 per cent lighter and 67 per cent smaller than comparable radial flux motors, says Yasa CEO Jörg Miska, delivering three times the power density and twice the torque density. The two rear motors are contained in a single electric drive unit (EDU) that also houses a planetary transmission and silicon carbide inverter for each motor, as well as pumps for the oil-based cooling system used for the motors and transmissions and the water-based system that cools the inverters. The rear EDU weighs just 140kg but produces well over 640kW, says Miska. The EDU at the front axle comprises a single axial-flux motor, a spur-gear transmission, and a single silicon carbide inverter. The motor has been designed to kick in only when additional power or traction is required at the front wheels for acceleration or recuperation. During steady and low load driving or coasting the front motor is decoupled from the front axle to reduce frictional losses and increase overall efficiency. The motors are already being made at Mercedes-Benz's plant in Marienfelde, Berlin. Manufacturing the motors requires about 100 different processes, 65 of them new to Mercedes-Benz and 35 of them world-firsts involving new forms of laser technology, innovative joining processes, and artificial intelligence systems. Powering the motors is a battery combining more than 3000 cells that combine a nickel cobalt manganese aluminium (NCMA) cathode with a silicon content anode. The tall and thin design of the cells allows them to be more effectively cooled by the electrically non-conductive oil that surrounds them (battery cells typically heat up from their centre outwards under load). The cells are in lightweight laser-welded aluminium housings which also provide better electrical and heat conductivity than the commonly used steel containers. The battery's cooling system and high voltage – more than 800V – means it can accept charge rates of more than 850kW over a wide range of its charging curve. Mercedes-Benz is working with Alpitronic, Europe's leader in high-power charging technologies, to develop a prototype ultra-fast charger that will enable the production version of the AMG GT XX to add 400km of range (as per Europe's WLTP measurement) in just five minutes. With all that power and all-wheel drive, the production version of the AMG GT XX promises to be as be spine-crushingly quick from 0 to 100km/h as other high-end, high-performance EVs such as the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach. But what will set it apart from the electric supercar pack, says Mr Schiebe, will be its ability to deliver its ultimate performance over a much longer time. Indeed, the AMG boss hints the production car will be capable of at least three flat-out laps of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschliefe. Okay, that's barely 65km, but as Mr Schiebe points out, most combustion-engined performance cars are past their peak after three laps through the Green Hell, too. "There is a myth that you can drive an internal combustion engine high-performance car forever on the track," he says. "You can maybe do three laps on the Nordschleife and then you must make a pit stop, because either the tyres are gone, or you're running out of fuel." One of the most intriguing details on the AMG GT XX concept is the fact it has a VIN number in the lower left-hand corner of the windscreen, just like any production Mercedes-Benz (it's the third car built of its type, in case you're wondering), along with fully functioning windscreen wipers, a detail most carmakers don't bother putting on concept cars. There's a real car underneath, but how much of what we see is likely to make production? "It's a good sneak into what the [production] car could look like," Mr Schiebe confirms. Though the AMG boss won't elaborate, we can tell you the production car will have a slightly higher roofline (though it will still be two inches lower than that of the current AMG GT 4-Door, despite the under-floor battery pack) and it will be a liftback with a rear window. The production front and rear bumper fascias will be different, though the concave grille with the signature AMG vertical bars will be retained, along with the six round tail-lights at the rear. The AMG GT XX concept has a claimed drag co-efficient of just 0.198Cd. Whether the production version will match that number remains to be seen, but we do know it will be available with an optional active rear diffuser that extends – like that on the Mercedes-Benz EQ XX concept – to further reduce drag, so it may not be just a tease. The production car will also roll on 21-inch wheels, with a staggered tyre setup – 275/35 ZR 21 front and 315/35 ZR21 at rear – to handle the prodigious power and torque funnelled through the rear axle. What will surprise people most about the production version of the AMG GT XX is how it's going to sound. The GT XX concept features a visceral V8 soundscape that plays back through the car's audio system – which includes exterior speakers behind the headlights – when it's driven. Carefully indexed to inputs like accelerator position and wheel speed, it sounds – from the brief preview played to the media – like an old-school 6.3-litre V8-powered C63 on steroids. "I'm super confident, and I mean really super, super confident, that we will convince the strongest petrol-heads with this car," said Mr Schiebe, who added that during a Mercedes-Benz executive drive of the production car prototype a few days before the preview of the AMG GT XX, one board member proclaimed: "this is the best V8 we have ever developed!". That board member's taking liberties, of course. But it will be fascinating to see if Mercedes-AMG can truly make its ultra-powerful, ultra-fast four-door electric coupe sound as exciting as it undoubtedly will be to drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG Content originally sourced from: At first glance the Mercedes-AMG GT XX is just another piece of concept car eye-candy. The active aero wheels with moveable blades between the spokes that close to reduce drag at speed and open to provide brake cooling when needed, light-up paint on the side sills, a configurable light panel between the tail-lights: We're not likely to see any of this stuff on a production Mercedes-Benz anytime soon. What's under that iridescent orange bodywork is another story, however. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The AMG GT XX previews an all-new, aluminium-intensive, electric vehicle architecture that will underpin a coming generation of electric-powered Mercedes-AMG supercars. The first of these, a four-door 'coupe' like the AMG GT XX, is expected to hit the road within a year, and Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will be joined by an SUV that's expected to appear in 2027. And they aren't the only models in the pipeline. "I'm pretty confident that there will be more cars to come on that platform," Mercedes-AMG boss Michael Schiebe told CarExpert at a preview of the AMG GT XX concept in Germany last month, "because we are very flexible. And it's not only our electric motors, but also the battery setup is flexible for different body types." You don't have to be Einstein to figure out what Mr Schiebe's really saying: An electric-powered AMG sports car is coming, too. The production version of the AMG GT XX will be quite a weapon, a four-door rocketship delivering more than 1000kW and a top speed of more than 360km/h, courtesy of three axial-flux e-motors engineered by Mercedes-Benz-owned subsidiary Yasa Ltd. They will be powered by a lightweight high-performance battery pack developed in-house at AMG with help from engineers at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth, England, where the hybrid powertrains for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 cars are designed and built. Axial-flux motors feature a disc-shaped stator at their centre rather than the tubular stator used in the radial-flux motors that power most modern EVs. This arrangement enables the magnetic flux to flow parallel to the motor shaft rather than perpendicular to it, dramatically improving efficiency. As a result, axial flux motors are 67 per cent lighter and 67 per cent smaller than comparable radial flux motors, says Yasa CEO Jörg Miska, delivering three times the power density and twice the torque density. The two rear motors are contained in a single electric drive unit (EDU) that also houses a planetary transmission and silicon carbide inverter for each motor, as well as pumps for the oil-based cooling system used for the motors and transmissions and the water-based system that cools the inverters. The rear EDU weighs just 140kg but produces well over 640kW, says Miska. The EDU at the front axle comprises a single axial-flux motor, a spur-gear transmission, and a single silicon carbide inverter. The motor has been designed to kick in only when additional power or traction is required at the front wheels for acceleration or recuperation. During steady and low load driving or coasting the front motor is decoupled from the front axle to reduce frictional losses and increase overall efficiency. The motors are already being made at Mercedes-Benz's plant in Marienfelde, Berlin. Manufacturing the motors requires about 100 different processes, 65 of them new to Mercedes-Benz and 35 of them world-firsts involving new forms of laser technology, innovative joining processes, and artificial intelligence systems. Powering the motors is a battery combining more than 3000 cells that combine a nickel cobalt manganese aluminium (NCMA) cathode with a silicon content anode. The tall and thin design of the cells allows them to be more effectively cooled by the electrically non-conductive oil that surrounds them (battery cells typically heat up from their centre outwards under load). The cells are in lightweight laser-welded aluminium housings which also provide better electrical and heat conductivity than the commonly used steel containers. The battery's cooling system and high voltage – more than 800V – means it can accept charge rates of more than 850kW over a wide range of its charging curve. Mercedes-Benz is working with Alpitronic, Europe's leader in high-power charging technologies, to develop a prototype ultra-fast charger that will enable the production version of the AMG GT XX to add 400km of range (as per Europe's WLTP measurement) in just five minutes. With all that power and all-wheel drive, the production version of the AMG GT XX promises to be as be spine-crushingly quick from 0 to 100km/h as other high-end, high-performance EVs such as the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach. But what will set it apart from the electric supercar pack, says Mr Schiebe, will be its ability to deliver its ultimate performance over a much longer time. Indeed, the AMG boss hints the production car will be capable of at least three flat-out laps of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschliefe. Okay, that's barely 65km, but as Mr Schiebe points out, most combustion-engined performance cars are past their peak after three laps through the Green Hell, too. "There is a myth that you can drive an internal combustion engine high-performance car forever on the track," he says. "You can maybe do three laps on the Nordschleife and then you must make a pit stop, because either the tyres are gone, or you're running out of fuel." One of the most intriguing details on the AMG GT XX concept is the fact it has a VIN number in the lower left-hand corner of the windscreen, just like any production Mercedes-Benz (it's the third car built of its type, in case you're wondering), along with fully functioning windscreen wipers, a detail most carmakers don't bother putting on concept cars. There's a real car underneath, but how much of what we see is likely to make production? "It's a good sneak into what the [production] car could look like," Mr Schiebe confirms. Though the AMG boss won't elaborate, we can tell you the production car will have a slightly higher roofline (though it will still be two inches lower than that of the current AMG GT 4-Door, despite the under-floor battery pack) and it will be a liftback with a rear window. The production front and rear bumper fascias will be different, though the concave grille with the signature AMG vertical bars will be retained, along with the six round tail-lights at the rear. The AMG GT XX concept has a claimed drag co-efficient of just 0.198Cd. Whether the production version will match that number remains to be seen, but we do know it will be available with an optional active rear diffuser that extends – like that on the Mercedes-Benz EQ XX concept – to further reduce drag, so it may not be just a tease. The production car will also roll on 21-inch wheels, with a staggered tyre setup – 275/35 ZR 21 front and 315/35 ZR21 at rear – to handle the prodigious power and torque funnelled through the rear axle. What will surprise people most about the production version of the AMG GT XX is how it's going to sound. The GT XX concept features a visceral V8 soundscape that plays back through the car's audio system – which includes exterior speakers behind the headlights – when it's driven. Carefully indexed to inputs like accelerator position and wheel speed, it sounds – from the brief preview played to the media – like an old-school 6.3-litre V8-powered C63 on steroids. "I'm super confident, and I mean really super, super confident, that we will convince the strongest petrol-heads with this car," said Mr Schiebe, who added that during a Mercedes-Benz executive drive of the production car prototype a few days before the preview of the AMG GT XX, one board member proclaimed: "this is the best V8 we have ever developed!". That board member's taking liberties, of course. But it will be fascinating to see if Mercedes-AMG can truly make its ultra-powerful, ultra-fast four-door electric coupe sound as exciting as it undoubtedly will be to drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG Content originally sourced from: At first glance the Mercedes-AMG GT XX is just another piece of concept car eye-candy. The active aero wheels with moveable blades between the spokes that close to reduce drag at speed and open to provide brake cooling when needed, light-up paint on the side sills, a configurable light panel between the tail-lights: We're not likely to see any of this stuff on a production Mercedes-Benz anytime soon. What's under that iridescent orange bodywork is another story, however. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The AMG GT XX previews an all-new, aluminium-intensive, electric vehicle architecture that will underpin a coming generation of electric-powered Mercedes-AMG supercars. The first of these, a four-door 'coupe' like the AMG GT XX, is expected to hit the road within a year, and Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will be joined by an SUV that's expected to appear in 2027. And they aren't the only models in the pipeline. "I'm pretty confident that there will be more cars to come on that platform," Mercedes-AMG boss Michael Schiebe told CarExpert at a preview of the AMG GT XX concept in Germany last month, "because we are very flexible. And it's not only our electric motors, but also the battery setup is flexible for different body types." You don't have to be Einstein to figure out what Mr Schiebe's really saying: An electric-powered AMG sports car is coming, too. The production version of the AMG GT XX will be quite a weapon, a four-door rocketship delivering more than 1000kW and a top speed of more than 360km/h, courtesy of three axial-flux e-motors engineered by Mercedes-Benz-owned subsidiary Yasa Ltd. They will be powered by a lightweight high-performance battery pack developed in-house at AMG with help from engineers at Mercedes-AMG High Performance Powertrains (HPP) in Brixworth, England, where the hybrid powertrains for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 cars are designed and built. Axial-flux motors feature a disc-shaped stator at their centre rather than the tubular stator used in the radial-flux motors that power most modern EVs. This arrangement enables the magnetic flux to flow parallel to the motor shaft rather than perpendicular to it, dramatically improving efficiency. As a result, axial flux motors are 67 per cent lighter and 67 per cent smaller than comparable radial flux motors, says Yasa CEO Jörg Miska, delivering three times the power density and twice the torque density. The two rear motors are contained in a single electric drive unit (EDU) that also houses a planetary transmission and silicon carbide inverter for each motor, as well as pumps for the oil-based cooling system used for the motors and transmissions and the water-based system that cools the inverters. The rear EDU weighs just 140kg but produces well over 640kW, says Miska. The EDU at the front axle comprises a single axial-flux motor, a spur-gear transmission, and a single silicon carbide inverter. The motor has been designed to kick in only when additional power or traction is required at the front wheels for acceleration or recuperation. During steady and low load driving or coasting the front motor is decoupled from the front axle to reduce frictional losses and increase overall efficiency. The motors are already being made at Mercedes-Benz's plant in Marienfelde, Berlin. Manufacturing the motors requires about 100 different processes, 65 of them new to Mercedes-Benz and 35 of them world-firsts involving new forms of laser technology, innovative joining processes, and artificial intelligence systems. Powering the motors is a battery combining more than 3000 cells that combine a nickel cobalt manganese aluminium (NCMA) cathode with a silicon content anode. The tall and thin design of the cells allows them to be more effectively cooled by the electrically non-conductive oil that surrounds them (battery cells typically heat up from their centre outwards under load). The cells are in lightweight laser-welded aluminium housings which also provide better electrical and heat conductivity than the commonly used steel containers. The battery's cooling system and high voltage – more than 800V – means it can accept charge rates of more than 850kW over a wide range of its charging curve. Mercedes-Benz is working with Alpitronic, Europe's leader in high-power charging technologies, to develop a prototype ultra-fast charger that will enable the production version of the AMG GT XX to add 400km of range (as per Europe's WLTP measurement) in just five minutes. With all that power and all-wheel drive, the production version of the AMG GT XX promises to be as be spine-crushingly quick from 0 to 100km/h as other high-end, high-performance EVs such as the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT Weissach. But what will set it apart from the electric supercar pack, says Mr Schiebe, will be its ability to deliver its ultimate performance over a much longer time. Indeed, the AMG boss hints the production car will be capable of at least three flat-out laps of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschliefe. Okay, that's barely 65km, but as Mr Schiebe points out, most combustion-engined performance cars are past their peak after three laps through the Green Hell, too. "There is a myth that you can drive an internal combustion engine high-performance car forever on the track," he says. "You can maybe do three laps on the Nordschleife and then you must make a pit stop, because either the tyres are gone, or you're running out of fuel." One of the most intriguing details on the AMG GT XX concept is the fact it has a VIN number in the lower left-hand corner of the windscreen, just like any production Mercedes-Benz (it's the third car built of its type, in case you're wondering), along with fully functioning windscreen wipers, a detail most carmakers don't bother putting on concept cars. There's a real car underneath, but how much of what we see is likely to make production? "It's a good sneak into what the [production] car could look like," Mr Schiebe confirms. Though the AMG boss won't elaborate, we can tell you the production car will have a slightly higher roofline (though it will still be two inches lower than that of the current AMG GT 4-Door, despite the under-floor battery pack) and it will be a liftback with a rear window. The production front and rear bumper fascias will be different, though the concave grille with the signature AMG vertical bars will be retained, along with the six round tail-lights at the rear. The AMG GT XX concept has a claimed drag co-efficient of just 0.198Cd. Whether the production version will match that number remains to be seen, but we do know it will be available with an optional active rear diffuser that extends – like that on the Mercedes-Benz EQ XX concept – to further reduce drag, so it may not be just a tease. The production car will also roll on 21-inch wheels, with a staggered tyre setup – 275/35 ZR 21 front and 315/35 ZR21 at rear – to handle the prodigious power and torque funnelled through the rear axle. What will surprise people most about the production version of the AMG GT XX is how it's going to sound. The GT XX concept features a visceral V8 soundscape that plays back through the car's audio system – which includes exterior speakers behind the headlights – when it's driven. Carefully indexed to inputs like accelerator position and wheel speed, it sounds – from the brief preview played to the media – like an old-school 6.3-litre V8-powered C63 on steroids. "I'm super confident, and I mean really super, super confident, that we will convince the strongest petrol-heads with this car," said Mr Schiebe, who added that during a Mercedes-Benz executive drive of the production car prototype a few days before the preview of the AMG GT XX, one board member proclaimed: "this is the best V8 we have ever developed!". That board member's taking liberties, of course. But it will be fascinating to see if Mercedes-AMG can truly make its ultra-powerful, ultra-fast four-door electric coupe sound as exciting as it undoubtedly will be to drive. MORE: Everything Mercedes-AMG Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
2026 Land Rover Defender prices: Upgrade brings more V8 options, new tech
UPDATE, 25/06/2025 3:30pm: Land Rover has confirmed pricing for the updated 2026 Defender lineup. We've updated this article with a list of prices. The Land Rover Defender is receiving a range of updates for model year 2026, ranging from larger screens to wider V8 engine availability. After initial details were announced late in May, pricing for the 2026 Defender lineup has now been announced ahead of first local deliveries in October. The range opens with the Defender 90 D250 S, priced at $98,400 before on-road costs – up $5774. All Defender 90, 110 and 130 variants gain a new headlight design plus new front and rear bumpers, and flush rear lights with smoked lenses. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. All variants get new gloss black Defender-branded wheel centre caps, plus a gloss black grille bar. There's also a new 22-inch diamond-turned dark grey alloy wheel design, as well as additional accessories such as a black-finish Expedition roof rack and cross bars. Deployable and fixed side steps will be available, along with an integrated air compressor for the Defender 130. There will also be a new Borasco Grey and Woolstone Green exterior finishes, plus a new Sargasso Blue finish exclusive to the high-performance OCTA. The OCTA also gets Textured Graphite exterior accents and available Chopped Carbon Fibre exterior and interior accents, including an optional 4500kg-rated winch. Inside, there's a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, up from 11.4 inches, while the dash-mounted shifter has been "ergonomically repositioned". A revised centre console incorporates a sliding section that allows you to conceal small items in a closed cubby, while removeable side pockets are optional. In big news under the bonnet, a supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine, referred to as P425, replaces the P400 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six in the Defender 90 and 110. This produces 313kW of power and 550Nm of torque, up from 294kW in the engine it replaces (if with an identical torque figure), and it propels the Defender 90 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.6 seconds. The Defender 110 also gains the option of the D250 six-cylinder mild-hybrid 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, producing 183kW and 570Nm. This is offered exclusively in S trim with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and electronic air suspension. This joins the D350 turbo-diesel six and the P400e plug-in hybrid petrol, as well as the P635 twin-turbo V8 in the OCTA. The Defender 90, in contrast, is offered exclusively with D250 diesel and P425 petrol powertrains. Newly available on the Defender range is adaptive off-road cruise control, allowing the vehicle to maintain a set speed while off-road, leaving the driver to concentrate on steering. A driver attention monitoring system with a driver-facing camera is optional. The Defender is far and away JLR's best seller in Australia. A total of 1277 examples have been delivered so far this year to the end of April, almost twice as many as the second-placed Range Rover Sport (693 examples). Defender 90 Defender 110 Defender 130 MORE: Everything Land Rover Defender Content originally sourced from: UPDATE, 25/06/2025 3:30pm: Land Rover has confirmed pricing for the updated 2026 Defender lineup. We've updated this article with a list of prices. The Land Rover Defender is receiving a range of updates for model year 2026, ranging from larger screens to wider V8 engine availability. After initial details were announced late in May, pricing for the 2026 Defender lineup has now been announced ahead of first local deliveries in October. The range opens with the Defender 90 D250 S, priced at $98,400 before on-road costs – up $5774. All Defender 90, 110 and 130 variants gain a new headlight design plus new front and rear bumpers, and flush rear lights with smoked lenses. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. All variants get new gloss black Defender-branded wheel centre caps, plus a gloss black grille bar. There's also a new 22-inch diamond-turned dark grey alloy wheel design, as well as additional accessories such as a black-finish Expedition roof rack and cross bars. Deployable and fixed side steps will be available, along with an integrated air compressor for the Defender 130. There will also be a new Borasco Grey and Woolstone Green exterior finishes, plus a new Sargasso Blue finish exclusive to the high-performance OCTA. The OCTA also gets Textured Graphite exterior accents and available Chopped Carbon Fibre exterior and interior accents, including an optional 4500kg-rated winch. Inside, there's a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, up from 11.4 inches, while the dash-mounted shifter has been "ergonomically repositioned". A revised centre console incorporates a sliding section that allows you to conceal small items in a closed cubby, while removeable side pockets are optional. In big news under the bonnet, a supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine, referred to as P425, replaces the P400 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six in the Defender 90 and 110. This produces 313kW of power and 550Nm of torque, up from 294kW in the engine it replaces (if with an identical torque figure), and it propels the Defender 90 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.6 seconds. The Defender 110 also gains the option of the D250 six-cylinder mild-hybrid 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, producing 183kW and 570Nm. This is offered exclusively in S trim with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and electronic air suspension. This joins the D350 turbo-diesel six and the P400e plug-in hybrid petrol, as well as the P635 twin-turbo V8 in the OCTA. The Defender 90, in contrast, is offered exclusively with D250 diesel and P425 petrol powertrains. Newly available on the Defender range is adaptive off-road cruise control, allowing the vehicle to maintain a set speed while off-road, leaving the driver to concentrate on steering. A driver attention monitoring system with a driver-facing camera is optional. The Defender is far and away JLR's best seller in Australia. A total of 1277 examples have been delivered so far this year to the end of April, almost twice as many as the second-placed Range Rover Sport (693 examples). Defender 90 Defender 110 Defender 130 MORE: Everything Land Rover Defender Content originally sourced from: UPDATE, 25/06/2025 3:30pm: Land Rover has confirmed pricing for the updated 2026 Defender lineup. We've updated this article with a list of prices. The Land Rover Defender is receiving a range of updates for model year 2026, ranging from larger screens to wider V8 engine availability. After initial details were announced late in May, pricing for the 2026 Defender lineup has now been announced ahead of first local deliveries in October. The range opens with the Defender 90 D250 S, priced at $98,400 before on-road costs – up $5774. All Defender 90, 110 and 130 variants gain a new headlight design plus new front and rear bumpers, and flush rear lights with smoked lenses. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. All variants get new gloss black Defender-branded wheel centre caps, plus a gloss black grille bar. There's also a new 22-inch diamond-turned dark grey alloy wheel design, as well as additional accessories such as a black-finish Expedition roof rack and cross bars. Deployable and fixed side steps will be available, along with an integrated air compressor for the Defender 130. There will also be a new Borasco Grey and Woolstone Green exterior finishes, plus a new Sargasso Blue finish exclusive to the high-performance OCTA. The OCTA also gets Textured Graphite exterior accents and available Chopped Carbon Fibre exterior and interior accents, including an optional 4500kg-rated winch. Inside, there's a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, up from 11.4 inches, while the dash-mounted shifter has been "ergonomically repositioned". A revised centre console incorporates a sliding section that allows you to conceal small items in a closed cubby, while removeable side pockets are optional. In big news under the bonnet, a supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine, referred to as P425, replaces the P400 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six in the Defender 90 and 110. This produces 313kW of power and 550Nm of torque, up from 294kW in the engine it replaces (if with an identical torque figure), and it propels the Defender 90 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.6 seconds. The Defender 110 also gains the option of the D250 six-cylinder mild-hybrid 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, producing 183kW and 570Nm. This is offered exclusively in S trim with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and electronic air suspension. This joins the D350 turbo-diesel six and the P400e plug-in hybrid petrol, as well as the P635 twin-turbo V8 in the OCTA. The Defender 90, in contrast, is offered exclusively with D250 diesel and P425 petrol powertrains. Newly available on the Defender range is adaptive off-road cruise control, allowing the vehicle to maintain a set speed while off-road, leaving the driver to concentrate on steering. A driver attention monitoring system with a driver-facing camera is optional. The Defender is far and away JLR's best seller in Australia. A total of 1277 examples have been delivered so far this year to the end of April, almost twice as many as the second-placed Range Rover Sport (693 examples). Defender 90 Defender 110 Defender 130 MORE: Everything Land Rover Defender Content originally sourced from: UPDATE, 25/06/2025 3:30pm: Land Rover has confirmed pricing for the updated 2026 Defender lineup. We've updated this article with a list of prices. The Land Rover Defender is receiving a range of updates for model year 2026, ranging from larger screens to wider V8 engine availability. After initial details were announced late in May, pricing for the 2026 Defender lineup has now been announced ahead of first local deliveries in October. The range opens with the Defender 90 D250 S, priced at $98,400 before on-road costs – up $5774. All Defender 90, 110 and 130 variants gain a new headlight design plus new front and rear bumpers, and flush rear lights with smoked lenses. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. All variants get new gloss black Defender-branded wheel centre caps, plus a gloss black grille bar. There's also a new 22-inch diamond-turned dark grey alloy wheel design, as well as additional accessories such as a black-finish Expedition roof rack and cross bars. Deployable and fixed side steps will be available, along with an integrated air compressor for the Defender 130. There will also be a new Borasco Grey and Woolstone Green exterior finishes, plus a new Sargasso Blue finish exclusive to the high-performance OCTA. The OCTA also gets Textured Graphite exterior accents and available Chopped Carbon Fibre exterior and interior accents, including an optional 4500kg-rated winch. Inside, there's a larger 13.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, up from 11.4 inches, while the dash-mounted shifter has been "ergonomically repositioned". A revised centre console incorporates a sliding section that allows you to conceal small items in a closed cubby, while removeable side pockets are optional. In big news under the bonnet, a supercharged 5.0-litre petrol V8 engine, referred to as P425, replaces the P400 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six in the Defender 90 and 110. This produces 313kW of power and 550Nm of torque, up from 294kW in the engine it replaces (if with an identical torque figure), and it propels the Defender 90 to 100km/h in a claimed 5.6 seconds. The Defender 110 also gains the option of the D250 six-cylinder mild-hybrid 3.0-litre turbo-diesel, producing 183kW and 570Nm. This is offered exclusively in S trim with standard 19-inch alloy wheels and electronic air suspension. This joins the D350 turbo-diesel six and the P400e plug-in hybrid petrol, as well as the P635 twin-turbo V8 in the OCTA. The Defender 90, in contrast, is offered exclusively with D250 diesel and P425 petrol powertrains. Newly available on the Defender range is adaptive off-road cruise control, allowing the vehicle to maintain a set speed while off-road, leaving the driver to concentrate on steering. A driver attention monitoring system with a driver-facing camera is optional. The Defender is far and away JLR's best seller in Australia. A total of 1277 examples have been delivered so far this year to the end of April, almost twice as many as the second-placed Range Rover Sport (693 examples). Defender 90 Defender 110 Defender 130 MORE: Everything Land Rover Defender Content originally sourced from:
The Advertiser
11 hours ago
- The Advertiser
2025 Skoda Superb price and specs
Skoda's fourth-generation Superb has arrived in Australia, bringing revised styling, a more advanced chassis, a different engine, fresh tech and increased prices over its predecessor. Available in a sole Sportline equipment grade in either sedan (liftback) or wagon body styles, the new Czech large car now starts at $73,990 drive-away for the former – up by $4000 on the previous model's list price of $69,990 before on-roads. The wagon, meanwhile, is priced at $74,990 drive-away, marking a $3000 increase over the outgoing wagon that was listed at $71,990 drive-away. Prices before on-roads are $67,990 and $69,690 for the sedan and wagon respectively. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Per industry classification, the Superb is Australia's only remaining mainstream (sub-$70,000) large car. However, it's actually shorter than sedans officially classified as medium passenger cars, and there aren't many of those to choose from anymore either. The only remaining mainstream (sub-$60k) mid-size sedans are Skoda's own Octavia and the soon-to-depart Mazda6 (both also available in wagon guise), the Hyundai Sonata, the hybrid Honda Accord, Lexus ES and Toyota Camry, and the electric BYD Seal. Changes for the new-generation Superb include a revised tune for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which now makes 195kW of power (down from 206kW) and 400Nm of torque – up from 350Nm for the previous generation. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has been swapped out for a seven-speed unit, resulting in a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time that's 0.3 seconds faster – as little as 5.6 seconds for the liftback. Outside, the Superb now sports 19-inch 'Torcular' alloy wheels and "second-generation" matrix LED headlights. Sports seats upholstered in perforated leather are standard inside, where there's a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. There's also a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear selector has been moved to the steering column. Several safety functions have been added too, including traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera and intelligent park assist, while the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control systems have been updated. The Volkswagen Group's Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC) system is now also standard, offering up to 15 levels of suspension damping. All up, Skoda Australia says the additions equate to more than $10,900 worth of extra equipment, despite the relatively low list price increase of $2400. While the Volkswagen Passat is dead in Australia, the fourth-generation Superb shares the same body panels as the Passat sold overseas, and wears only redesigned front and rear bumpers. It also has the same engine, which is shared with the Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line. Drive-away prices for the Superb have increased by $4000 and $3000 for the sedan and wagon respectively. Skoda Australia backs all of its models with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Superb servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Skoda offers capped-price service costs for the first seven scheduled services, as detailed below: Alternatively, customers can purchase a $3000 five-year service pack, which can be extended by two years for an additional $700. While the outgoing Superb boasted a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the new model has yet to be tested and is therefore unrated. It does, however, have a five-star Euro NCAP rating based on testing conducted on its Passat paternal twin in 2024. ABOVE: 2024 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Euro NCAP crash test. Standard safety equipment includes: The new Superb is once again available in only one premium Sportline equipment grade, which is offered in both sedan (liftback) and wagon body styles. 2025 Skoda Superb Sportline equipment highlights: A panoramic sunroof was standard on the previous-generation Superb, but is now a $1900 option for the wagon only. Seven exterior paint colours are available for the Superb. All are no-cost options bar the sole premium metallic option, which commands a $770 premium. 2025 Skoda Superb colours: MORE: Explore the Skoda Superb showroom Content originally sourced from: Skoda's fourth-generation Superb has arrived in Australia, bringing revised styling, a more advanced chassis, a different engine, fresh tech and increased prices over its predecessor. Available in a sole Sportline equipment grade in either sedan (liftback) or wagon body styles, the new Czech large car now starts at $73,990 drive-away for the former – up by $4000 on the previous model's list price of $69,990 before on-roads. The wagon, meanwhile, is priced at $74,990 drive-away, marking a $3000 increase over the outgoing wagon that was listed at $71,990 drive-away. Prices before on-roads are $67,990 and $69,690 for the sedan and wagon respectively. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Per industry classification, the Superb is Australia's only remaining mainstream (sub-$70,000) large car. However, it's actually shorter than sedans officially classified as medium passenger cars, and there aren't many of those to choose from anymore either. The only remaining mainstream (sub-$60k) mid-size sedans are Skoda's own Octavia and the soon-to-depart Mazda6 (both also available in wagon guise), the Hyundai Sonata, the hybrid Honda Accord, Lexus ES and Toyota Camry, and the electric BYD Seal. Changes for the new-generation Superb include a revised tune for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which now makes 195kW of power (down from 206kW) and 400Nm of torque – up from 350Nm for the previous generation. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has been swapped out for a seven-speed unit, resulting in a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time that's 0.3 seconds faster – as little as 5.6 seconds for the liftback. Outside, the Superb now sports 19-inch 'Torcular' alloy wheels and "second-generation" matrix LED headlights. Sports seats upholstered in perforated leather are standard inside, where there's a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. There's also a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear selector has been moved to the steering column. Several safety functions have been added too, including traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera and intelligent park assist, while the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control systems have been updated. The Volkswagen Group's Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC) system is now also standard, offering up to 15 levels of suspension damping. All up, Skoda Australia says the additions equate to more than $10,900 worth of extra equipment, despite the relatively low list price increase of $2400. While the Volkswagen Passat is dead in Australia, the fourth-generation Superb shares the same body panels as the Passat sold overseas, and wears only redesigned front and rear bumpers. It also has the same engine, which is shared with the Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line. Drive-away prices for the Superb have increased by $4000 and $3000 for the sedan and wagon respectively. Skoda Australia backs all of its models with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Superb servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Skoda offers capped-price service costs for the first seven scheduled services, as detailed below: Alternatively, customers can purchase a $3000 five-year service pack, which can be extended by two years for an additional $700. While the outgoing Superb boasted a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the new model has yet to be tested and is therefore unrated. It does, however, have a five-star Euro NCAP rating based on testing conducted on its Passat paternal twin in 2024. ABOVE: 2024 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Euro NCAP crash test. Standard safety equipment includes: The new Superb is once again available in only one premium Sportline equipment grade, which is offered in both sedan (liftback) and wagon body styles. 2025 Skoda Superb Sportline equipment highlights: A panoramic sunroof was standard on the previous-generation Superb, but is now a $1900 option for the wagon only. Seven exterior paint colours are available for the Superb. All are no-cost options bar the sole premium metallic option, which commands a $770 premium. 2025 Skoda Superb colours: MORE: Explore the Skoda Superb showroom Content originally sourced from: Skoda's fourth-generation Superb has arrived in Australia, bringing revised styling, a more advanced chassis, a different engine, fresh tech and increased prices over its predecessor. Available in a sole Sportline equipment grade in either sedan (liftback) or wagon body styles, the new Czech large car now starts at $73,990 drive-away for the former – up by $4000 on the previous model's list price of $69,990 before on-roads. The wagon, meanwhile, is priced at $74,990 drive-away, marking a $3000 increase over the outgoing wagon that was listed at $71,990 drive-away. Prices before on-roads are $67,990 and $69,690 for the sedan and wagon respectively. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Per industry classification, the Superb is Australia's only remaining mainstream (sub-$70,000) large car. However, it's actually shorter than sedans officially classified as medium passenger cars, and there aren't many of those to choose from anymore either. The only remaining mainstream (sub-$60k) mid-size sedans are Skoda's own Octavia and the soon-to-depart Mazda6 (both also available in wagon guise), the Hyundai Sonata, the hybrid Honda Accord, Lexus ES and Toyota Camry, and the electric BYD Seal. Changes for the new-generation Superb include a revised tune for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which now makes 195kW of power (down from 206kW) and 400Nm of torque – up from 350Nm for the previous generation. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has been swapped out for a seven-speed unit, resulting in a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time that's 0.3 seconds faster – as little as 5.6 seconds for the liftback. Outside, the Superb now sports 19-inch 'Torcular' alloy wheels and "second-generation" matrix LED headlights. Sports seats upholstered in perforated leather are standard inside, where there's a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. There's also a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear selector has been moved to the steering column. Several safety functions have been added too, including traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera and intelligent park assist, while the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control systems have been updated. The Volkswagen Group's Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC) system is now also standard, offering up to 15 levels of suspension damping. All up, Skoda Australia says the additions equate to more than $10,900 worth of extra equipment, despite the relatively low list price increase of $2400. While the Volkswagen Passat is dead in Australia, the fourth-generation Superb shares the same body panels as the Passat sold overseas, and wears only redesigned front and rear bumpers. It also has the same engine, which is shared with the Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line. Drive-away prices for the Superb have increased by $4000 and $3000 for the sedan and wagon respectively. Skoda Australia backs all of its models with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Superb servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Skoda offers capped-price service costs for the first seven scheduled services, as detailed below: Alternatively, customers can purchase a $3000 five-year service pack, which can be extended by two years for an additional $700. While the outgoing Superb boasted a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the new model has yet to be tested and is therefore unrated. It does, however, have a five-star Euro NCAP rating based on testing conducted on its Passat paternal twin in 2024. ABOVE: 2024 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Euro NCAP crash test. Standard safety equipment includes: The new Superb is once again available in only one premium Sportline equipment grade, which is offered in both sedan (liftback) and wagon body styles. 2025 Skoda Superb Sportline equipment highlights: A panoramic sunroof was standard on the previous-generation Superb, but is now a $1900 option for the wagon only. Seven exterior paint colours are available for the Superb. All are no-cost options bar the sole premium metallic option, which commands a $770 premium. 2025 Skoda Superb colours: MORE: Explore the Skoda Superb showroom Content originally sourced from: Skoda's fourth-generation Superb has arrived in Australia, bringing revised styling, a more advanced chassis, a different engine, fresh tech and increased prices over its predecessor. Available in a sole Sportline equipment grade in either sedan (liftback) or wagon body styles, the new Czech large car now starts at $73,990 drive-away for the former – up by $4000 on the previous model's list price of $69,990 before on-roads. The wagon, meanwhile, is priced at $74,990 drive-away, marking a $3000 increase over the outgoing wagon that was listed at $71,990 drive-away. Prices before on-roads are $67,990 and $69,690 for the sedan and wagon respectively. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Per industry classification, the Superb is Australia's only remaining mainstream (sub-$70,000) large car. However, it's actually shorter than sedans officially classified as medium passenger cars, and there aren't many of those to choose from anymore either. The only remaining mainstream (sub-$60k) mid-size sedans are Skoda's own Octavia and the soon-to-depart Mazda6 (both also available in wagon guise), the Hyundai Sonata, the hybrid Honda Accord, Lexus ES and Toyota Camry, and the electric BYD Seal. Changes for the new-generation Superb include a revised tune for its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, which now makes 195kW of power (down from 206kW) and 400Nm of torque – up from 350Nm for the previous generation. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has been swapped out for a seven-speed unit, resulting in a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time that's 0.3 seconds faster – as little as 5.6 seconds for the liftback. Outside, the Superb now sports 19-inch 'Torcular' alloy wheels and "second-generation" matrix LED headlights. Sports seats upholstered in perforated leather are standard inside, where there's a new 13-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. There's also a leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel, and the gear selector has been moved to the steering column. Several safety functions have been added too, including traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera and intelligent park assist, while the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and adaptive cruise control systems have been updated. The Volkswagen Group's Dynamic Chassis Control Plus (DCC) system is now also standard, offering up to 15 levels of suspension damping. All up, Skoda Australia says the additions equate to more than $10,900 worth of extra equipment, despite the relatively low list price increase of $2400. While the Volkswagen Passat is dead in Australia, the fourth-generation Superb shares the same body panels as the Passat sold overseas, and wears only redesigned front and rear bumpers. It also has the same engine, which is shared with the Golf GTI and Tiguan R-Line. Drive-away prices for the Superb have increased by $4000 and $3000 for the sedan and wagon respectively. Skoda Australia backs all of its models with a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Superb servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. Skoda offers capped-price service costs for the first seven scheduled services, as detailed below: Alternatively, customers can purchase a $3000 five-year service pack, which can be extended by two years for an additional $700. While the outgoing Superb boasted a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the new model has yet to be tested and is therefore unrated. It does, however, have a five-star Euro NCAP rating based on testing conducted on its Passat paternal twin in 2024. ABOVE: 2024 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Euro NCAP crash test. Standard safety equipment includes: The new Superb is once again available in only one premium Sportline equipment grade, which is offered in both sedan (liftback) and wagon body styles. 2025 Skoda Superb Sportline equipment highlights: A panoramic sunroof was standard on the previous-generation Superb, but is now a $1900 option for the wagon only. Seven exterior paint colours are available for the Superb. All are no-cost options bar the sole premium metallic option, which commands a $770 premium. 2025 Skoda Superb colours: MORE: Explore the Skoda Superb showroom Content originally sourced from:
