iCaur V27: Chery takes on Toyota LandCruiser with range-extender EV
The large SUV is more than five metres long and uses an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain for a claimed 200km of electric range, with pricing expected to be the equivalent of $43,000 to $54,000 in China, according toYiche.com.
Revealed in the United Arab Emirates, the V27 comes from Chery-owned brand iCar, renamed iCaur for countries outside China to avoid potential trademark issues.
The iCaur brand was confirmed for Australia by Chery International president Zhang Guibling at the 2025 Shanghai motor show in April.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
While the iCaur brand's local launch timing hasn't been revealed, the Suzuki Jimny-sized V23 small SUV (pictured below) is expected to be the first model in local showrooms – and the V27 could be next.
Chery Australia has been more circumspect about iCaur's future in Australia.
A company spokesperson told CarExpert: "We have no news to share on the iCaur brand in Australia, but we are constantly evaluating what is available from our extensive global model lineups that Australian buyers are looking for."
The brand exclusively offers electric vehicles (EVs) and EREVs, with the V27 launched with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and single-electric motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.
Chery confirmed the dual-motor AWD V27 will offer as much as 335kW of power and an estimated 200km range (CLTC) under electric power.
The V27's boxy styling apes the Land Rover Defender, with the squared-off body decorated with round LED headlights, wheel-arch flares and tailgate mounted 'squircle' spare wheel.
iCar/iCaur also offers the electric 03 SUV (pictured below), sold in Thailand as the Jaecoo 6 EV.
Omoda Jaecoo was introduced in Australia earlier this year as Chery's second brand here, but the Chinese automaker has a bevy of other ones overseas including not only iCar/iCaur but also Exeed, Jetour and Karry, among others.
Chery reported its best monthly sales yet in Australia in July 2025 – its fourth consecutive month of record sales – for its namesake brand. It recorded 267.4 per cent year-on-year growth to be the 11th most-popular brand, behind Subaru.
MORE: Explore the Chery showroom
MORE: What is Omoda Jaecoo, and how is this new brand different to Chery?
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Chery has taken the wraps off the 2026 iCaur V27 SUV, a flagship Toyota LandCruiser-sized SUV due on sale in China by the end of 2025 but not yet confirmed for Australia.
The large SUV is more than five metres long and uses an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain for a claimed 200km of electric range, with pricing expected to be the equivalent of $43,000 to $54,000 in China, according toYiche.com.
Revealed in the United Arab Emirates, the V27 comes from Chery-owned brand iCar, renamed iCaur for countries outside China to avoid potential trademark issues.
The iCaur brand was confirmed for Australia by Chery International president Zhang Guibling at the 2025 Shanghai motor show in April.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
While the iCaur brand's local launch timing hasn't been revealed, the Suzuki Jimny-sized V23 small SUV (pictured below) is expected to be the first model in local showrooms – and the V27 could be next.
Chery Australia has been more circumspect about iCaur's future in Australia.
A company spokesperson told CarExpert: "We have no news to share on the iCaur brand in Australia, but we are constantly evaluating what is available from our extensive global model lineups that Australian buyers are looking for."
The brand exclusively offers electric vehicles (EVs) and EREVs, with the V27 launched with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and single-electric motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.
Chery confirmed the dual-motor AWD V27 will offer as much as 335kW of power and an estimated 200km range (CLTC) under electric power.
The V27's boxy styling apes the Land Rover Defender, with the squared-off body decorated with round LED headlights, wheel-arch flares and tailgate mounted 'squircle' spare wheel.
iCar/iCaur also offers the electric 03 SUV (pictured below), sold in Thailand as the Jaecoo 6 EV.
Omoda Jaecoo was introduced in Australia earlier this year as Chery's second brand here, but the Chinese automaker has a bevy of other ones overseas including not only iCar/iCaur but also Exeed, Jetour and Karry, among others.
Chery reported its best monthly sales yet in Australia in July 2025 – its fourth consecutive month of record sales – for its namesake brand. It recorded 267.4 per cent year-on-year growth to be the 11th most-popular brand, behind Subaru.
MORE: Explore the Chery showroom
MORE: What is Omoda Jaecoo, and how is this new brand different to Chery?
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Chery has taken the wraps off the 2026 iCaur V27 SUV, a flagship Toyota LandCruiser-sized SUV due on sale in China by the end of 2025 but not yet confirmed for Australia.
The large SUV is more than five metres long and uses an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain for a claimed 200km of electric range, with pricing expected to be the equivalent of $43,000 to $54,000 in China, according toYiche.com.
Revealed in the United Arab Emirates, the V27 comes from Chery-owned brand iCar, renamed iCaur for countries outside China to avoid potential trademark issues.
The iCaur brand was confirmed for Australia by Chery International president Zhang Guibling at the 2025 Shanghai motor show in April.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
While the iCaur brand's local launch timing hasn't been revealed, the Suzuki Jimny-sized V23 small SUV (pictured below) is expected to be the first model in local showrooms – and the V27 could be next.
Chery Australia has been more circumspect about iCaur's future in Australia.
A company spokesperson told CarExpert: "We have no news to share on the iCaur brand in Australia, but we are constantly evaluating what is available from our extensive global model lineups that Australian buyers are looking for."
The brand exclusively offers electric vehicles (EVs) and EREVs, with the V27 launched with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and single-electric motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.
Chery confirmed the dual-motor AWD V27 will offer as much as 335kW of power and an estimated 200km range (CLTC) under electric power.
The V27's boxy styling apes the Land Rover Defender, with the squared-off body decorated with round LED headlights, wheel-arch flares and tailgate mounted 'squircle' spare wheel.
iCar/iCaur also offers the electric 03 SUV (pictured below), sold in Thailand as the Jaecoo 6 EV.
Omoda Jaecoo was introduced in Australia earlier this year as Chery's second brand here, but the Chinese automaker has a bevy of other ones overseas including not only iCar/iCaur but also Exeed, Jetour and Karry, among others.
Chery reported its best monthly sales yet in Australia in July 2025 – its fourth consecutive month of record sales – for its namesake brand. It recorded 267.4 per cent year-on-year growth to be the 11th most-popular brand, behind Subaru.
MORE: Explore the Chery showroom
MORE: What is Omoda Jaecoo, and how is this new brand different to Chery?
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Chery has taken the wraps off the 2026 iCaur V27 SUV, a flagship Toyota LandCruiser-sized SUV due on sale in China by the end of 2025 but not yet confirmed for Australia.
The large SUV is more than five metres long and uses an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrain for a claimed 200km of electric range, with pricing expected to be the equivalent of $43,000 to $54,000 in China, according toYiche.com.
Revealed in the United Arab Emirates, the V27 comes from Chery-owned brand iCar, renamed iCaur for countries outside China to avoid potential trademark issues.
The iCaur brand was confirmed for Australia by Chery International president Zhang Guibling at the 2025 Shanghai motor show in April.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
While the iCaur brand's local launch timing hasn't been revealed, the Suzuki Jimny-sized V23 small SUV (pictured below) is expected to be the first model in local showrooms – and the V27 could be next.
Chery Australia has been more circumspect about iCaur's future in Australia.
A company spokesperson told CarExpert: "We have no news to share on the iCaur brand in Australia, but we are constantly evaluating what is available from our extensive global model lineups that Australian buyers are looking for."
The brand exclusively offers electric vehicles (EVs) and EREVs, with the V27 launched with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and single-electric motor rear-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations.
Chery confirmed the dual-motor AWD V27 will offer as much as 335kW of power and an estimated 200km range (CLTC) under electric power.
The V27's boxy styling apes the Land Rover Defender, with the squared-off body decorated with round LED headlights, wheel-arch flares and tailgate mounted 'squircle' spare wheel.
iCar/iCaur also offers the electric 03 SUV (pictured below), sold in Thailand as the Jaecoo 6 EV.
Omoda Jaecoo was introduced in Australia earlier this year as Chery's second brand here, but the Chinese automaker has a bevy of other ones overseas including not only iCar/iCaur but also Exeed, Jetour and Karry, among others.
Chery reported its best monthly sales yet in Australia in July 2025 – its fourth consecutive month of record sales – for its namesake brand. It recorded 267.4 per cent year-on-year growth to be the 11th most-popular brand, behind Subaru.
MORE: Explore the Chery showroom
MORE: What is Omoda Jaecoo, and how is this new brand different to Chery?
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD review
The Kia EV5 has been something of a breakout success story for the Korean automaker Down Under, quickly becoming the brand's top-selling electric vehicle (EV) locally as well as one of this country's favourite EVs, period. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert After launching in October last year, the Chinese-built EV5's sales have steadily grown, to the point where in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fourth best-selling EV behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, as well as the BYD Sealion 7. To the end of July, Kia is sitting at 3227 deliveries for the EV5, which isn't far off the much cheaper, petrol-powered K4 small sedan and Stonic light SUV in terms of outright volume, which is impressive. What makes it so popular? Well, the trusted Kia brand no doubt helps attract foot traffic through dealer doors, as does the fact the EV5 lines up nicely as a zero-emissions companion to the already-popular Sportage mid-size SUV. Further, it's fairly well priced – starting from $56,770 drive-away – and it offers heaps of space courtesy of its boxy body, plus it's covered by Kia's lengthy seven-year warranty, roadside assistance and capped-price servicing program. Indeed, many mid-size electric SUV buyers may view this Chinese-made Kia as a safer bet than a relatively unknown Chinese-branded newcomer… Watch: Paul's video review of the Kia EV5 Earth On test here we have the 2025 Kia EV5 Earth (AWD Long Range), the penultimate variant in a four-strong range that starts inthe high $50,000s and tops out in the mid-$70,000s. Apart from adding all-wheel drive, it ups the featureset and aesthetics over the entry-level Air, and you also get the option of an eye-catching Nougat Brown interior, as tested, which isn't available on any other variant in the range. Could this be the Goldilocks of Kia's mid-size electric SUV lineup? Or are you better off choosing either the cheaper grades or the pricier but fully decked-out GT-Line flagship? The Earth AWD on test here is the second most expensive variant in the Australian EV5 range, starting from $64,770 before on-road costs or $68,990 drive-away. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool I have to give Kia props for keeping the production EV5 so close to the concept that previewed it. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert The EV5 continues Kia's pared back interior design that has been filtering out throughout its latest models, but the optional Nougat interior adds a pop of colour that's interesting while lightening up the cabin a bit. While it may not be to all tastes, it's far from boring and helps highlight the various design details throughout the cockpit, and also contrasts nicely with the grey accents on secondary surfaces. Up front you get Kia's ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) display module, housing twin 12.3-inch displays for the driver's instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, and bookending a 5.0-inch digital climate control pod. It's become standard fare for all new Kias, and as we've experienced previously it's easy to use, quick to respond, and fully featured with Kia Connect services, as well as wireless smartphone mirroring, DAB+ digital radio and online navigation. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert The retro-futuristic graphics are a nice touch, though I'd like to see the option of dial-aping meters for the driver's display. If you find touch controls for the climate controls too fiddly, there are physical toggles on the dash too. Kia's connected services suite extends to app compatibility and remote functions that you can toggle via your smartphone, and there's also an intelligent voice assistant that can input destinations, check the weather, and the like. The open plan-style cabin layout brings a lounge-like airiness, but to some that could make the EV5 feel a little… sparse. The floating centre console doesn't have a wireless phone charger in this specification, so there's just a tray that sees your stuff sliding about all the time. The bench-style front seat has carried over from the concept, but in lieu of a sixth perch between the driver and front passenger, there's an odd pocket nook that can be used to hide a phone or wallet, but not much else. Big-ish bottle holders and shallow door pockets bolster the front glovebox and the space ahead of the floating console for something like a handbag, but other than the soft-touch dash and door inserts, and the capacitive-style shortcuts at the base of the touchscreen embedded into the dash fascia, it can come off quite minimalist and almost too bare. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert This is reflected in the rear as well, where the boxy body and high roofline make for an open and airy feel, but there's not a whole lot in the way of design flair. It's very functional, though. Space for six-footers is plentiful, and there are amenities like air vents mounted to the B-pillars, as well as USB-C charge ports on the front seat backs. There's a fold-down centre armrest with two cupholders too, making for a generally comfortable space that can easily accommodate multiple passengers on longer drives. Rear-seat occupants are able to make use of the sliding storage tray, which resides behind the centre console under the front middle 'seat'. Kiddies are catered for with ISOFIX and top-tether child seat mounts, as you'd expect. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert The Kia EV5's boot measures a claimed 513 litres with the rear seats in use, expanding to a massive 1714 litres with them folded – and they fold pretty much flat. An underfloor tray offers room to put cables or hide things out of sight. On either side of the boot are movable pegs, which can be used for hanging small bags and other cargo. Kia has also fitted six mounting locations for these pegs on either side for greater versatility. There's a 250V household-type power outlet in the cargo areas as well, which is the EV5's V2L (vehicle-to-load) socket that can be used to power or charge electrical appliances or devices in the rear of the cabin. You'll notice there's no spare wheel though – just a tyre repair kit, sadly. To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The EV5 Earth is only offered locally with the flagship AWD Long Range drivetrain, which is shared with the GT-Line. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert The Earth's smaller wheel and tyre package means it delivers quicker acceleration and a longer range than the top-shelf GT-Line according to claimed performance and range metrics – ie: 6.1 seconds to 100km/h (versus 6.3s) and a claimed 500km of driving range (versus 470km). I think Kia Australia would be wise to offer the Earth-spec with the 2WD Long Range drivetrain, which sees driving range eclipse 500km and would likely bring down the asking price by a couple grand, too. It's also worth noting the EV5's lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are supplied by Chinese giant BYD, at least for the China-sourced vehicles we get in Australia. Overseas markets like South Korea and Europe get a Korean-made EV5 which utilises nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion batteries with different capacities. To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Kia Australia has subjected the EV5 to its extensive chassis localisation program, with the suspension and steering systems both tuned specifically for Australian roads and conditions, in addition to local ADAS tuning. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert This has been a key Kia selling point for years, and in the case of the EV5 it's up against numerous Chinese rivals which seem to receive common complaints around ride quality that's too soft and body control that's too flaccid. My daily drive between Melbourne's eastern suburbs and the Victorian CarExpert office in Docklands includes a multitude of road surfaces, posted speed limits and of course weather conditions; and in reality these are the kinds of scenarios most EV5 owners will drive in – unlike some launch programs that take us on flat, fast highways and tight and testing B-roads in the country. My colleague Max Davies was fairly complimentary of the EV5's on-road manners and dynamics at the local launch last year, so I was keen to see if Kia's first battery-powered medium SUV felt just like an electric Sportage. I didn't come away with that feeling, sorry to say. In town, the EV5's suspension communicates the lumps and bumps of inner city roads quite clearly, but the softness of the suspension also means it can send the body up and down in the process. Where a lot of Kia's locally tuned products – like the aforementioned Sportage – are usually able to settle after an initial impact like tram tracks, the EV5 felt like it needed one or two movements before settling. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert Not only does it feel a little loose, it's frankly somewhat annoying that you can spent a lot of time waiting for it to calm down. I'm not sure if the Earth's larger wheels (compared to the Air) play a role here, but the Earth just never really settled on roads arounds around the Melbourne CBD like I thought it should. The steering is quite light and pretty quick to respond, which also feels a little out of whack with the suspension tune. You're also perched quite high in the cabin – it feels like you're sitting on top of the car rather than in it – which exacerbates the issue. Perhaps I'm overly critical because I'm used to Kia normally getting the ride/handling balance just about perfect. And to be fair, the EV5 is far from the worst in its class in this respect. Many rivals either are too firm or too soft – this leans towards the latter. At least the steering feels more dialled in than some of the overly light and often inaccurate electrically assisted racks found in its rivals, particularly some of the cheaper Chinese alternatives. Once I hit the freeways and better surfaced roads of the suburbs, I was much more impressed. The EV5 Earth is very comfortable and settled at highway speeds, and does a good job at keeping ambient noise at bay despite the lack of powertrain noise. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert It also offers plenty of performance in this spec. 230kW and 480Nm is plenty for this class of car, and the immediacy of response from the dual-motor electric drivetrain makes quick overtakes a cinch. It's certainly peppier than any Sportage I've driven. Being all-wheel drive, you also won't light up the front tyres and test the traction control's friendship when you accelerate too hard off the line, which you can very easily do in FWD versions of the EV5. That said, the dual-motor version could be more efficient. After 760km we saw energy consumption of 22.3kWh/100km on the trip computer, which was admittedly skewed by the fact Paul Maric spent a lot of time driving it on the freeway between Geelong and Lang Lang – I regularly saw 17-19kWh/100km during my daily commute in mixed conditions. Still, when something like a Model Y can easily consume 13-14kWh/100km, it's like comparing a RAV4 Hybrid to a turbocharged Mazda CX-5 in terms of relative efficiency. At least the assistance systems work pretty well, which is another area where a lot of Chinese rivals fall flat. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert Kia's semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist 2 uses navigation data in concert with the adaptive cruise and lane-keeping systems to take the load off freeway stints, keeping the vehicle at a set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead and in the centre of its lane. It works well and doesn't have the tendency to slam on the brakes when someone cuts you off. At times the lane centring assist (or Lane Follow Assist) can be a touch overbearing, but it's very easily switched off via a button on the steering wheel. Hyundai and Kia's audible speed warnings can get a little annoying too, though in the EV5 they're not as loud as they once were, and can be easily switched off by holding down the mute button. Annoyingly, the Earth grade misses out on surround cameras and Kia's funky Blind Spot View Monitor features, which are reserved for the flagship GT-Line – boo. To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Earth sits between the entry-level Air and the flagship GT-Line grades in the EV5 lineup. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Air equipment highlights: 18-inch alloy wheels 225/60 R18 tyres Tyre mobility kit Tyre pressure monitoring LED headlights – reflector type Automatic high-beam LED daytime running lights LED tail-lights Matte plastic roof racks Satin Silver window surrounds Acoustic windscreen Solar glass – windscreen, front door Solar glass – rear windows, tailgate Auto up/down windows – front Cloth, artificial leather trim 8-way power driver's seat incl. 4-way lumbar 4-way manual front passenger seat 3-cell massage function – driver 2nd row centre armrest Shift by Wire – column type Paddle shifters – brake regen control 2 x USB-C charge ports – front 2 x USB-C charge ports – rear LED interior lighting Integrated Panoramic Display Kia Connect Over the air (OTA) updates Satellite navigation incl. 10 years traffic info, updates Wireless Apple CarPlay Wireless Android Auto 6-speaker sound system AM/FM/DAB radio Dual-zone climate control Heated front seats 2nd row air vents – door pillar-mounted i-Pedal one-pedal driving function V2L interior socket 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert EV5 Earth adds: 19-inch alloys 235/55 tyres Gloss black exterior accents Gloss black roof racks Gloss black window surrounds Powered child-proof rear door locks Artificial leather trim – Smoky Black or Nougat Beige Smart power tailgate Privacy glass – rear windows, tailgate V2L exterior socket EV5 GT-Line adds: Active Sound Design 20-inch alloy wheels 255/45 tyres Gloss black exterior mirrors Auto flush door-handles LED dynamic indicators Laminated glass – driver window GT-Line two-tone leatherette upholstery 4-way power front passenger seat incl. 4-way lumbar Premium Relaxation Seat – driver Driver seat memory function 6-cell massage function – driver 3-cell massage function – passenger Sports steering wheel Fingerprint authentication module Alloy sports pedals Auto up/down windows – front, rear Rear seatback table – passenger side Ambient mood lighting – 64 colours Wireless phone charger Heated, cooled rear sliding storage tray 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system Augmented reality head-up display Heated second row outer seats Ventilated front seats To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The Kia EV5 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on local testing conducted against 2024 criteria. This rating covers all variants sold in Australia and New Zealand. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert Standard safety kit includes: 7 airbags incl. front-centre Autonomous emergency braking Blind-spot assist Driver attention monitoring Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) Lane Following Assist (lane centring) Lane-keep assist Lead Vehicle Departure Alert Rear cross-traffic assist Rear occupant alert Reversing camera incl. dynamic guidelines Safe exit warning EV5 GT-Line adds: Blind Spot View Monitor Parking Collision Avoidance Assist – reverse, side, forward Surround cameras incl. 3D mode To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The EV5 is covered by the same seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as the wider Kia range. However, the high-voltage EV battery and related componentry is warranted for 150,000km. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool The EV5 has quickly become a popular choice in the Australian EV space, and it's pretty easy to see why. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert Distinctive looks, a spacious interior, a well-known badge on the nose and a good suite of on-board tech make the EV5 a familiar experience for any existing Hyundai or Kia owner looking to move to zero tailpipe emissions transport. While the driving experience could be better, especially given the Korean brand's recent form, it's far from off the pace in this segment and there are many some strong points like effortless power, decent range and a well-tuned driver assistance suite. The Earth specification should, in theory, be the pick of the EV5 bunch, but Kia has made it quite expensive while also withholding key features like surround cameras, Blind Spot View Monitor, a wireless phone charger and the ventilated front seats from the flagship GT-Line – which is a whole $7000 pricier. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert At nearly $70,000 on the road, I think the Earth variant should be cheaper and some of those features should be standard, or at least available as an option pack. I'm also of the mindset that most EVs, and especially electric SUVs, don't need high-output dual-motor drivetrains. Yes, you get the peace of mind that AWD traction offers in wet conditions, but for the most part you're just sapping range and adding weight. I think the Earth spec with a single-motor drivetrain for around $65,000 drive-away would make a lot of sense for many more buyers. While the EV5 Earth is good for what it is, I'd suggest the best EV5 is the cheapest one. But if money is no object and you want everything this solid nameplate has to offer, the GT-Line range-topper is where it's at. 2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Credit: CarExpert CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Kia EV5. Click here to get a great deal. MORE: Explore the Kia EV5 showroom Practical, spacious cabin Familiar feel to layout and tech Achievable claimed driving range Wobbly urban ride Annoying equipment omissions Energy efficiency could be better Power: 230kW Fuel Type: Electric Economy: 0.0L/100km CO2 Emissions: 0g/km ANCAP Safety Rating: Untested
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
BYD Seal 06: Mid-size PHEV sedan with 2100km range spied in Australia
A right-hand drive version of the BYD Seal 06 has been spied in Sydney, following comments from the Chinese brand the plug-in hybrid mid-size sedan could work in our market. The camouflaged right-hand drive Seal 06 DM-i was spotted by a member of the BYD Seal Australia Facebook group, who got a clear view of the exterior and the cabin, including its rotating 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The model hasn't been confirmed by BYD Australia, but is already produced in right-hand drive – like the vehicle spotted – and has been announced for the BYD lineup in the UK. While the vehicle spied locally was wearing a camouflage wrap, the Seal 06 DM-i has been on sale in China since May 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It was launched as a sedan only with the automaker's fifth-generation hybrid powertrain, but earlier this year gained a station wagon variant called the Travel Edition as well as a pure electric version. The plug-in hybrid sedan and wagon are part of a growing range of Seal-badged products in BYD's lineup. These also include the smaller Seal 05 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan and Seal 06 GT electric hatch, among others. "The Seal 06, being a DM [PHEV] product, there's a very strong appetite for plug-in hybrids in Australia, so something like that in our lineup would be fantastic," BYD Australia product lead Sajid Hasan told CarExpert earlier this year. It sits on a different platform compared to the Seal EV currently sold in Australia, with a 130mm shorter wheelbase but the same width and a 30mm longer body. It's priced from ¥99,800 ($A21,324) to ¥139,800 ($A29,863) across five model grades in China, with the electric version priced from ¥109,900 ($23,476). This compares to a starting price of $46,990 before on-road costs for the cheapest of three Seal EV model grades in Australia, the Dynamic. The Seal 06 DM-i sedan offers a claimed 2100km of combined range. It features a 74kW/126Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 120kW/210Nm front-axle mounted electric motor. Two 'Blade' battery packs are offered in China, with a 10.08kWh version offering 80km (CLTC) of electric-only driving and 2.9L/100km combined fuel economy. A 15.87kWh version extends electric range to 120km, with 3.08L/100km combined economy and a 0.4 second improvement in the 0-100km/h sprint, down to 7.5 seconds. Fuel consumption figures of 2.9L/100km, although on the more optimistic NEDC standard, give the entry-level Seal 06 DM-i a range of more than 2100km. BYD Australia took over distribution of the brand here in July and told CarExpert it was looking at every vehicle from the automaker's portfolio of brands – which extends to Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang – for local showrooms. In July, the BYD Sealion 7 outsold the Tesla Model Y to become Australia's best-selling EV for the month, with the brand also announcing a bigger battery to extend the range of its Sealion 6 PHEV SUV. MORE: Explore the BYD showroom Content originally sourced from: A right-hand drive version of the BYD Seal 06 has been spied in Sydney, following comments from the Chinese brand the plug-in hybrid mid-size sedan could work in our market. The camouflaged right-hand drive Seal 06 DM-i was spotted by a member of the BYD Seal Australia Facebook group, who got a clear view of the exterior and the cabin, including its rotating 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The model hasn't been confirmed by BYD Australia, but is already produced in right-hand drive – like the vehicle spotted – and has been announced for the BYD lineup in the UK. While the vehicle spied locally was wearing a camouflage wrap, the Seal 06 DM-i has been on sale in China since May 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It was launched as a sedan only with the automaker's fifth-generation hybrid powertrain, but earlier this year gained a station wagon variant called the Travel Edition as well as a pure electric version. The plug-in hybrid sedan and wagon are part of a growing range of Seal-badged products in BYD's lineup. These also include the smaller Seal 05 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan and Seal 06 GT electric hatch, among others. "The Seal 06, being a DM [PHEV] product, there's a very strong appetite for plug-in hybrids in Australia, so something like that in our lineup would be fantastic," BYD Australia product lead Sajid Hasan told CarExpert earlier this year. It sits on a different platform compared to the Seal EV currently sold in Australia, with a 130mm shorter wheelbase but the same width and a 30mm longer body. It's priced from ¥99,800 ($A21,324) to ¥139,800 ($A29,863) across five model grades in China, with the electric version priced from ¥109,900 ($23,476). This compares to a starting price of $46,990 before on-road costs for the cheapest of three Seal EV model grades in Australia, the Dynamic. The Seal 06 DM-i sedan offers a claimed 2100km of combined range. It features a 74kW/126Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 120kW/210Nm front-axle mounted electric motor. Two 'Blade' battery packs are offered in China, with a 10.08kWh version offering 80km (CLTC) of electric-only driving and 2.9L/100km combined fuel economy. A 15.87kWh version extends electric range to 120km, with 3.08L/100km combined economy and a 0.4 second improvement in the 0-100km/h sprint, down to 7.5 seconds. Fuel consumption figures of 2.9L/100km, although on the more optimistic NEDC standard, give the entry-level Seal 06 DM-i a range of more than 2100km. BYD Australia took over distribution of the brand here in July and told CarExpert it was looking at every vehicle from the automaker's portfolio of brands – which extends to Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang – for local showrooms. In July, the BYD Sealion 7 outsold the Tesla Model Y to become Australia's best-selling EV for the month, with the brand also announcing a bigger battery to extend the range of its Sealion 6 PHEV SUV. MORE: Explore the BYD showroom Content originally sourced from: A right-hand drive version of the BYD Seal 06 has been spied in Sydney, following comments from the Chinese brand the plug-in hybrid mid-size sedan could work in our market. The camouflaged right-hand drive Seal 06 DM-i was spotted by a member of the BYD Seal Australia Facebook group, who got a clear view of the exterior and the cabin, including its rotating 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The model hasn't been confirmed by BYD Australia, but is already produced in right-hand drive – like the vehicle spotted – and has been announced for the BYD lineup in the UK. While the vehicle spied locally was wearing a camouflage wrap, the Seal 06 DM-i has been on sale in China since May 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It was launched as a sedan only with the automaker's fifth-generation hybrid powertrain, but earlier this year gained a station wagon variant called the Travel Edition as well as a pure electric version. The plug-in hybrid sedan and wagon are part of a growing range of Seal-badged products in BYD's lineup. These also include the smaller Seal 05 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan and Seal 06 GT electric hatch, among others. "The Seal 06, being a DM [PHEV] product, there's a very strong appetite for plug-in hybrids in Australia, so something like that in our lineup would be fantastic," BYD Australia product lead Sajid Hasan told CarExpert earlier this year. It sits on a different platform compared to the Seal EV currently sold in Australia, with a 130mm shorter wheelbase but the same width and a 30mm longer body. It's priced from ¥99,800 ($A21,324) to ¥139,800 ($A29,863) across five model grades in China, with the electric version priced from ¥109,900 ($23,476). This compares to a starting price of $46,990 before on-road costs for the cheapest of three Seal EV model grades in Australia, the Dynamic. The Seal 06 DM-i sedan offers a claimed 2100km of combined range. It features a 74kW/126Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 120kW/210Nm front-axle mounted electric motor. Two 'Blade' battery packs are offered in China, with a 10.08kWh version offering 80km (CLTC) of electric-only driving and 2.9L/100km combined fuel economy. A 15.87kWh version extends electric range to 120km, with 3.08L/100km combined economy and a 0.4 second improvement in the 0-100km/h sprint, down to 7.5 seconds. Fuel consumption figures of 2.9L/100km, although on the more optimistic NEDC standard, give the entry-level Seal 06 DM-i a range of more than 2100km. BYD Australia took over distribution of the brand here in July and told CarExpert it was looking at every vehicle from the automaker's portfolio of brands – which extends to Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang – for local showrooms. In July, the BYD Sealion 7 outsold the Tesla Model Y to become Australia's best-selling EV for the month, with the brand also announcing a bigger battery to extend the range of its Sealion 6 PHEV SUV. MORE: Explore the BYD showroom Content originally sourced from: A right-hand drive version of the BYD Seal 06 has been spied in Sydney, following comments from the Chinese brand the plug-in hybrid mid-size sedan could work in our market. The camouflaged right-hand drive Seal 06 DM-i was spotted by a member of the BYD Seal Australia Facebook group, who got a clear view of the exterior and the cabin, including its rotating 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. The model hasn't been confirmed by BYD Australia, but is already produced in right-hand drive – like the vehicle spotted – and has been announced for the BYD lineup in the UK. While the vehicle spied locally was wearing a camouflage wrap, the Seal 06 DM-i has been on sale in China since May 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. It was launched as a sedan only with the automaker's fifth-generation hybrid powertrain, but earlier this year gained a station wagon variant called the Travel Edition as well as a pure electric version. The plug-in hybrid sedan and wagon are part of a growing range of Seal-badged products in BYD's lineup. These also include the smaller Seal 05 DM-i plug-in hybrid sedan and Seal 06 GT electric hatch, among others. "The Seal 06, being a DM [PHEV] product, there's a very strong appetite for plug-in hybrids in Australia, so something like that in our lineup would be fantastic," BYD Australia product lead Sajid Hasan told CarExpert earlier this year. It sits on a different platform compared to the Seal EV currently sold in Australia, with a 130mm shorter wheelbase but the same width and a 30mm longer body. It's priced from ¥99,800 ($A21,324) to ¥139,800 ($A29,863) across five model grades in China, with the electric version priced from ¥109,900 ($23,476). This compares to a starting price of $46,990 before on-road costs for the cheapest of three Seal EV model grades in Australia, the Dynamic. The Seal 06 DM-i sedan offers a claimed 2100km of combined range. It features a 74kW/126Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 120kW/210Nm front-axle mounted electric motor. Two 'Blade' battery packs are offered in China, with a 10.08kWh version offering 80km (CLTC) of electric-only driving and 2.9L/100km combined fuel economy. A 15.87kWh version extends electric range to 120km, with 3.08L/100km combined economy and a 0.4 second improvement in the 0-100km/h sprint, down to 7.5 seconds. Fuel consumption figures of 2.9L/100km, although on the more optimistic NEDC standard, give the entry-level Seal 06 DM-i a range of more than 2100km. BYD Australia took over distribution of the brand here in July and told CarExpert it was looking at every vehicle from the automaker's portfolio of brands – which extends to Denza, Fangchengbao and Yangwang – for local showrooms. In July, the BYD Sealion 7 outsold the Tesla Model Y to become Australia's best-selling EV for the month, with the brand also announcing a bigger battery to extend the range of its Sealion 6 PHEV SUV. MORE: Explore the BYD showroom Content originally sourced from:
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9 hours ago
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Suzuki Australia cancels Jimny XL orders, return deposits
Suzuki Australia has instructed its dealers to cancel existing customer orders and return deposits for the popular five-door Suzuki Jimny XL, following a stop-sale order issued for the same model last month. A Suzuki dealer bulletin issued late last week and obtained by CarExpert today extended the previous advice to pause sales of the Jimny XL, to now cancel previous orders from customers who are still awaiting delivery of their vehicle. The bulletin advises dealers that customers who wish to remain in the queue for a Jimny XL may do so, but Suzuki Australia is urging its retailers to return typically non-refundable deposits to customers who placed orders. The advice – which does not impact the Japanese-built Jimny three-door – comes amid the ongoing stop-sale order for the Jimny five-door, which is bult exclusively by Maruti Suzuki in India. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Suzuki Australia has not disclosed the reason for the Jimny XL's stop-sale order and says its parent company in Japan is still investigating. "I'm hoping I get something this week [with an end date]," Suzuki Australia managing director, Michael Pachota, told CarExpert. "We still don't have an outcome from Suzuki Motor Corporation head office in Japan on what the quality control issue actually is," the Suzuki boss added. "Obviously, they haven't asked customers to take cars off the road, so it's not a safety issue. "I believe this is the most transparent and customer-centric course of action at this time and the best thing to do for our customers that are waiting on delivery of a new Jimny XL." "It's customer service first, and our customers are not only the end users of our cars, but also our dealers – they need to know they have our full support." The Jimny – which has gathered a cult-like following since its launch in Australia in 2019 – is Suzuki Australia's most popular model, with the stop-sale stalling sales locally. "There's peaks and troughs," Mr Pachota told CarExpert."It is a bit of a slowdown for us; we have cars on grass that we'd love to park in customer driveways ASAP." Sales of the Jimny were down 12.9 per cent in July. The stop-sale order was issued on July 25, so its impact is set to be more significant in August. It's unclear whether Suzuki could shift production of the Jimny XL from India to Japan to rectify the issue. MORE: Explore the Suzuki Jimny showroom Content originally sourced from: Suzuki Australia has instructed its dealers to cancel existing customer orders and return deposits for the popular five-door Suzuki Jimny XL, following a stop-sale order issued for the same model last month. A Suzuki dealer bulletin issued late last week and obtained by CarExpert today extended the previous advice to pause sales of the Jimny XL, to now cancel previous orders from customers who are still awaiting delivery of their vehicle. The bulletin advises dealers that customers who wish to remain in the queue for a Jimny XL may do so, but Suzuki Australia is urging its retailers to return typically non-refundable deposits to customers who placed orders. The advice – which does not impact the Japanese-built Jimny three-door – comes amid the ongoing stop-sale order for the Jimny five-door, which is bult exclusively by Maruti Suzuki in India. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Suzuki Australia has not disclosed the reason for the Jimny XL's stop-sale order and says its parent company in Japan is still investigating. "I'm hoping I get something this week [with an end date]," Suzuki Australia managing director, Michael Pachota, told CarExpert. "We still don't have an outcome from Suzuki Motor Corporation head office in Japan on what the quality control issue actually is," the Suzuki boss added. "Obviously, they haven't asked customers to take cars off the road, so it's not a safety issue. "I believe this is the most transparent and customer-centric course of action at this time and the best thing to do for our customers that are waiting on delivery of a new Jimny XL." "It's customer service first, and our customers are not only the end users of our cars, but also our dealers – they need to know they have our full support." The Jimny – which has gathered a cult-like following since its launch in Australia in 2019 – is Suzuki Australia's most popular model, with the stop-sale stalling sales locally. "There's peaks and troughs," Mr Pachota told CarExpert."It is a bit of a slowdown for us; we have cars on grass that we'd love to park in customer driveways ASAP." Sales of the Jimny were down 12.9 per cent in July. The stop-sale order was issued on July 25, so its impact is set to be more significant in August. It's unclear whether Suzuki could shift production of the Jimny XL from India to Japan to rectify the issue. MORE: Explore the Suzuki Jimny showroom Content originally sourced from: Suzuki Australia has instructed its dealers to cancel existing customer orders and return deposits for the popular five-door Suzuki Jimny XL, following a stop-sale order issued for the same model last month. A Suzuki dealer bulletin issued late last week and obtained by CarExpert today extended the previous advice to pause sales of the Jimny XL, to now cancel previous orders from customers who are still awaiting delivery of their vehicle. The bulletin advises dealers that customers who wish to remain in the queue for a Jimny XL may do so, but Suzuki Australia is urging its retailers to return typically non-refundable deposits to customers who placed orders. The advice – which does not impact the Japanese-built Jimny three-door – comes amid the ongoing stop-sale order for the Jimny five-door, which is bult exclusively by Maruti Suzuki in India. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Suzuki Australia has not disclosed the reason for the Jimny XL's stop-sale order and says its parent company in Japan is still investigating. "I'm hoping I get something this week [with an end date]," Suzuki Australia managing director, Michael Pachota, told CarExpert. "We still don't have an outcome from Suzuki Motor Corporation head office in Japan on what the quality control issue actually is," the Suzuki boss added. "Obviously, they haven't asked customers to take cars off the road, so it's not a safety issue. "I believe this is the most transparent and customer-centric course of action at this time and the best thing to do for our customers that are waiting on delivery of a new Jimny XL." "It's customer service first, and our customers are not only the end users of our cars, but also our dealers – they need to know they have our full support." The Jimny – which has gathered a cult-like following since its launch in Australia in 2019 – is Suzuki Australia's most popular model, with the stop-sale stalling sales locally. "There's peaks and troughs," Mr Pachota told CarExpert."It is a bit of a slowdown for us; we have cars on grass that we'd love to park in customer driveways ASAP." Sales of the Jimny were down 12.9 per cent in July. The stop-sale order was issued on July 25, so its impact is set to be more significant in August. It's unclear whether Suzuki could shift production of the Jimny XL from India to Japan to rectify the issue. MORE: Explore the Suzuki Jimny showroom Content originally sourced from: Suzuki Australia has instructed its dealers to cancel existing customer orders and return deposits for the popular five-door Suzuki Jimny XL, following a stop-sale order issued for the same model last month. A Suzuki dealer bulletin issued late last week and obtained by CarExpert today extended the previous advice to pause sales of the Jimny XL, to now cancel previous orders from customers who are still awaiting delivery of their vehicle. The bulletin advises dealers that customers who wish to remain in the queue for a Jimny XL may do so, but Suzuki Australia is urging its retailers to return typically non-refundable deposits to customers who placed orders. The advice – which does not impact the Japanese-built Jimny three-door – comes amid the ongoing stop-sale order for the Jimny five-door, which is bult exclusively by Maruti Suzuki in India. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Suzuki Australia has not disclosed the reason for the Jimny XL's stop-sale order and says its parent company in Japan is still investigating. "I'm hoping I get something this week [with an end date]," Suzuki Australia managing director, Michael Pachota, told CarExpert. "We still don't have an outcome from Suzuki Motor Corporation head office in Japan on what the quality control issue actually is," the Suzuki boss added. "Obviously, they haven't asked customers to take cars off the road, so it's not a safety issue. "I believe this is the most transparent and customer-centric course of action at this time and the best thing to do for our customers that are waiting on delivery of a new Jimny XL." "It's customer service first, and our customers are not only the end users of our cars, but also our dealers – they need to know they have our full support." The Jimny – which has gathered a cult-like following since its launch in Australia in 2019 – is Suzuki Australia's most popular model, with the stop-sale stalling sales locally. "There's peaks and troughs," Mr Pachota told CarExpert."It is a bit of a slowdown for us; we have cars on grass that we'd love to park in customer driveways ASAP." Sales of the Jimny were down 12.9 per cent in July. The stop-sale order was issued on July 25, so its impact is set to be more significant in August. It's unclear whether Suzuki could shift production of the Jimny XL from India to Japan to rectify the issue. MORE: Explore the Suzuki Jimny showroom Content originally sourced from:
