2026 Hyundai Santa Fe drops troublesome transmission
The US market's petrol-powered Santa Fe previously employed an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) made by the Korean automaker's affiliate, Hyundai Transys, which has been the subject of multiple recalls in North America.
The most recent US recall impacted more than 12,000 vehicles with an estimated defect rate of 100 per cent. Affected Santa Fe vehicles could unexpectedly shift themselves from Park to Neutral and roll away.
This followed a previous October 2022 recall and stop-sale in the US, impacting 61,861 vehicles including the 2021-2022 Santa Fe.
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For the 2026 model year, Hyundai Motor America has replaced the DCT in 2.5-litre petrol Santa Fe with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic.
There's no change for the Santa Fe Hybrid also offered in US showrooms, which continues to use a six-speed torque-converter automatic.
The news doesn't impact the Santa Fe sold in Australia, which is manufactured in South Korea. The US-market version is produced in the US state of Alabama.
The Santa Fe has had only one transmission-related recall in Australia, where owners were warned of a potential loss of power while driving.
An Australian recall issued in January 2023 impacted 4469 Hyundai vehicles fitted with the eight-speed DCT, including the previous-generation Santa Fe as well as the Kona small SUV, Sonata N Line sedan, and the hot i30 N hatch and sedan.
Hyundai Australia confirmed to CarExpert it has no plans to replace the eight-speed DCT that has been in the current-generation Santa Fe since it was released here in 2024.
Transmissions for Hyundai and Kia, which is also part of the broader Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), are made in the US as well as South Korea, China, and the Czech Republic.
The Kia Sorento sold in the US also uses the same eight-speed DCT, which is codenamed D8LF1, and was included in the latest US recall due to the same issues.
Despite this, the US arm of the automaker told Car and Driver it won't follow Hyundai in switching to a conventional automatic for the Sorento.
Dual-clutch transmissions are designed to reduce fuel consumption and improve responsiveness by pre-selecting the next ratio and producing faster, smoother gear shifts when operating correctly.
Several manufacturers have faced challenges after faulty DCTs in their vehicles resulted in jerkiness and even total transmission failure.
The most prominent were from the Volkswagen Group, including its Audi brand, and Ford Australia – which is facing an ongoing class-action law suit following a record $10 million fine from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in 2018 for its mishandling of the customer complaints about its 'Powershift' DCTs.
Hyundai first offered a dual-clutch transmission in its Veloster sports hatch in Australia in 2012.
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2025 Mahindra XUV 3X0 vs Chery Tiggo 4: Spec battle
The race for Australia's cheapest SUV recently got a new entrant with the arrival of the Mahindra XUV 3X0. The Indian automaker has temporarily overtaken Chinese rival Chery and its popular Tiggo 4 at the head of the small SUV pack with its first city-sized soft-roader. Both compact SUVs offer exceptional value for money, generous levels of standard equipment and the latest in advanced safety systems, and both have affordable long-term ownership credentials. So, let's dig a little deeper to see how they stack up against each other. The Mahindra XUV 3X0 launched in Australia last month with a special introductory price that expires on August 31, 2025. It is available in two model grades, the AX5L and AX7L, which currently cost $23,490 and $26,490 drive-away. But both will increase by $500 from September 1. When that happens, the Mahindra will line-up exactly on price with the updated Chery Tiggo 4, which arrived in Australian showrooms earlier this year. It is also offered in two variants, Urban and Ultimate, which sell for $23,990 and $26,990 respectively, also including all on-road statutory costs. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Considering their price, the entry-level variants of both the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mahindra XUV3X0 come with a decent level of standard equipment. ABOVE: Mahindra XUV 3X0 (left), Chery Tiggo 4 (right) The extensive list of standard features in both models includes: The Mahindra also comes with a standard glass sunroof and a cooled glovebox. For the top-spec variants, both get leather trim and larger alloy wheels (from 16- to 17-inch with the Mahindra and from 17- to 18-inch with the Chery), but there are a host more unique differences. The Mahindra XUV 300 AX7L picks up a larger 'Sky Roof', a premium Harman Kardon sound system with amplifier and sub-woofer, and the option of a two-tone paint scheme with a black roof for certain exterior colours. Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate has power adjustment and heating for the front seats, colour interior ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger and a sunroof. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Both the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mahindra XUV 3X0 are equipped with a comprehensive array of advanced driver aids and safety features in all model variants. Standard safety equipment across both models includes: The Chery does go a little further with seven airbags, including a centre airbag between the front-seat occupants, as well as driver fatigue monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and collision avoidance, and door-opening warning. But the Mahindra has a 360-degree parking display in both variants, whereas this is only available in the top-spec Tiggo 4 Ultimate. The Tiggo 4 was given a maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2024, while the XUV 300 has yet to be tested by the independent safety authority. Mahindra does, however, claim the vehicle has been designed to perform at the highest level in real-world scenarios, and the XUV 300 did receive a five-star rating last year from the India's ANCAP equivalent, Bharat NCAP. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. For small SUVs, both the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Chery Tiggo 4 are surprisingly spacious and well suited to small families thanks to excellent interior ride on a wheelbase with roughly the same space between the front and rear axles, but the Chery is longer in overall length and fractionally wider and taller. But not by enough that makes a significant difference inside the cabin, as both offer room for five with decent headroom and more legroom in the second row than you'd imagine. Both cars have 60:40-split folding rear seats, three top-tether and two ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a space-saver spare tyre under the floor of the boot, which are also surprisingly generous and offer enough cargo capacity to cater for weekly family duties and longer holiday road trips. As for the overall aesthetic, the Tiggo 4 is a little more modern with its asymmetric dash top that highlights the floating twin-screen configuration with a separate touchscreen for the climate control system on the curving centre stack. ABOVE: Mahindra XUV 3X0 (left), Chery Tiggo 4 (right) The Mahindra is more conservative with a digital instrument cluster under its own cowl while the tablet-style infotainment screen juts out at the top of the centre of the dashboard with a row of physical buttons, and a traditional volume knob for the audio within easy reach. It also has rotary dials for the climate control and a convenient bin at the base of the console for small items or mobile devices, with a pair of cupholders behind the upright gear lever. Both the Mahindra and Chery offer decent small-item storage spaces throughout the cabin, with deep door pockets, covered bins in the centre console and flip-down arm rests in the centre of the back seat. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Considering the size and focus on value for money here, both the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Chery Tiggo 4 have relatively simple powertrains with no variations between Mahindra is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 82kW of power and 200Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through a conventional six-speed automatic transmission. The Chery has an extra cylinder and a larger-capacity 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that, naturally, delivers higher outputs of 108kW and 210Nm. It too drives the front wheels, but via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Both engines are optimised to run on the most affordable standard unleaded petrol, and the Mahindra is more efficient with a claimed average of 6.5L/100km compared to the Chery's 7.4L/100km , neither of which is particularly exceptional for small cars like these. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. There's not much separating these two when it comes to ownership credentials either, as both are covered by seven-year warranties with free roadside assistance and capped-price servicing packages. However, the Mahindra's coverage is limited to the first 150,000km and its capped-price service offer extends to only six years, whereas the Chery has unlimited mileage coverage and service prices set for the duration of the warranty. In terms of maintenance costs, both are reasonably affordable, with the Chery's yearly average slightly lower than the Mahindra ($310 versus $332), and both require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. The reality is there's not much to separate these two and pick a definitive winner. Both provide Australians affordable access to a new car with the latest safety tech and digital conveniences, and both come equipped with a decent array of standard equipment. Plus, they're relatively cheap to own and have excellent aftersales provisions that provide plenty of peace of mind. If anything, small families and first-time car buyers are the real winners with either choice here. Interested in buying a Mahindra XUV 3X0? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereInterested in buying a Chery Tiggo 4? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Mahindra XUV3X0 showroomMORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: The race for Australia's cheapest SUV recently got a new entrant with the arrival of the Mahindra XUV 3X0. The Indian automaker has temporarily overtaken Chinese rival Chery and its popular Tiggo 4 at the head of the small SUV pack with its first city-sized soft-roader. Both compact SUVs offer exceptional value for money, generous levels of standard equipment and the latest in advanced safety systems, and both have affordable long-term ownership credentials. So, let's dig a little deeper to see how they stack up against each other. The Mahindra XUV 3X0 launched in Australia last month with a special introductory price that expires on August 31, 2025. It is available in two model grades, the AX5L and AX7L, which currently cost $23,490 and $26,490 drive-away. But both will increase by $500 from September 1. When that happens, the Mahindra will line-up exactly on price with the updated Chery Tiggo 4, which arrived in Australian showrooms earlier this year. It is also offered in two variants, Urban and Ultimate, which sell for $23,990 and $26,990 respectively, also including all on-road statutory costs. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Considering their price, the entry-level variants of both the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mahindra XUV3X0 come with a decent level of standard equipment. ABOVE: Mahindra XUV 3X0 (left), Chery Tiggo 4 (right) The extensive list of standard features in both models includes: The Mahindra also comes with a standard glass sunroof and a cooled glovebox. For the top-spec variants, both get leather trim and larger alloy wheels (from 16- to 17-inch with the Mahindra and from 17- to 18-inch with the Chery), but there are a host more unique differences. The Mahindra XUV 300 AX7L picks up a larger 'Sky Roof', a premium Harman Kardon sound system with amplifier and sub-woofer, and the option of a two-tone paint scheme with a black roof for certain exterior colours. Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate has power adjustment and heating for the front seats, colour interior ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger and a sunroof. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Both the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mahindra XUV 3X0 are equipped with a comprehensive array of advanced driver aids and safety features in all model variants. Standard safety equipment across both models includes: The Chery does go a little further with seven airbags, including a centre airbag between the front-seat occupants, as well as driver fatigue monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and collision avoidance, and door-opening warning. But the Mahindra has a 360-degree parking display in both variants, whereas this is only available in the top-spec Tiggo 4 Ultimate. The Tiggo 4 was given a maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2024, while the XUV 300 has yet to be tested by the independent safety authority. Mahindra does, however, claim the vehicle has been designed to perform at the highest level in real-world scenarios, and the XUV 300 did receive a five-star rating last year from the India's ANCAP equivalent, Bharat NCAP. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. For small SUVs, both the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Chery Tiggo 4 are surprisingly spacious and well suited to small families thanks to excellent interior ride on a wheelbase with roughly the same space between the front and rear axles, but the Chery is longer in overall length and fractionally wider and taller. But not by enough that makes a significant difference inside the cabin, as both offer room for five with decent headroom and more legroom in the second row than you'd imagine. Both cars have 60:40-split folding rear seats, three top-tether and two ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a space-saver spare tyre under the floor of the boot, which are also surprisingly generous and offer enough cargo capacity to cater for weekly family duties and longer holiday road trips. As for the overall aesthetic, the Tiggo 4 is a little more modern with its asymmetric dash top that highlights the floating twin-screen configuration with a separate touchscreen for the climate control system on the curving centre stack. ABOVE: Mahindra XUV 3X0 (left), Chery Tiggo 4 (right) The Mahindra is more conservative with a digital instrument cluster under its own cowl while the tablet-style infotainment screen juts out at the top of the centre of the dashboard with a row of physical buttons, and a traditional volume knob for the audio within easy reach. It also has rotary dials for the climate control and a convenient bin at the base of the console for small items or mobile devices, with a pair of cupholders behind the upright gear lever. Both the Mahindra and Chery offer decent small-item storage spaces throughout the cabin, with deep door pockets, covered bins in the centre console and flip-down arm rests in the centre of the back seat. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Considering the size and focus on value for money here, both the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Chery Tiggo 4 have relatively simple powertrains with no variations between Mahindra is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 82kW of power and 200Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through a conventional six-speed automatic transmission. The Chery has an extra cylinder and a larger-capacity 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that, naturally, delivers higher outputs of 108kW and 210Nm. It too drives the front wheels, but via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Both engines are optimised to run on the most affordable standard unleaded petrol, and the Mahindra is more efficient with a claimed average of 6.5L/100km compared to the Chery's 7.4L/100km , neither of which is particularly exceptional for small cars like these. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. There's not much separating these two when it comes to ownership credentials either, as both are covered by seven-year warranties with free roadside assistance and capped-price servicing packages. However, the Mahindra's coverage is limited to the first 150,000km and its capped-price service offer extends to only six years, whereas the Chery has unlimited mileage coverage and service prices set for the duration of the warranty. In terms of maintenance costs, both are reasonably affordable, with the Chery's yearly average slightly lower than the Mahindra ($310 versus $332), and both require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. The reality is there's not much to separate these two and pick a definitive winner. Both provide Australians affordable access to a new car with the latest safety tech and digital conveniences, and both come equipped with a decent array of standard equipment. Plus, they're relatively cheap to own and have excellent aftersales provisions that provide plenty of peace of mind. If anything, small families and first-time car buyers are the real winners with either choice here. Interested in buying a Mahindra XUV 3X0? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereInterested in buying a Chery Tiggo 4? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Mahindra XUV3X0 showroomMORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: The race for Australia's cheapest SUV recently got a new entrant with the arrival of the Mahindra XUV 3X0. The Indian automaker has temporarily overtaken Chinese rival Chery and its popular Tiggo 4 at the head of the small SUV pack with its first city-sized soft-roader. Both compact SUVs offer exceptional value for money, generous levels of standard equipment and the latest in advanced safety systems, and both have affordable long-term ownership credentials. So, let's dig a little deeper to see how they stack up against each other. The Mahindra XUV 3X0 launched in Australia last month with a special introductory price that expires on August 31, 2025. It is available in two model grades, the AX5L and AX7L, which currently cost $23,490 and $26,490 drive-away. But both will increase by $500 from September 1. When that happens, the Mahindra will line-up exactly on price with the updated Chery Tiggo 4, which arrived in Australian showrooms earlier this year. It is also offered in two variants, Urban and Ultimate, which sell for $23,990 and $26,990 respectively, also including all on-road statutory costs. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Considering their price, the entry-level variants of both the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mahindra XUV3X0 come with a decent level of standard equipment. ABOVE: Mahindra XUV 3X0 (left), Chery Tiggo 4 (right) The extensive list of standard features in both models includes: The Mahindra also comes with a standard glass sunroof and a cooled glovebox. For the top-spec variants, both get leather trim and larger alloy wheels (from 16- to 17-inch with the Mahindra and from 17- to 18-inch with the Chery), but there are a host more unique differences. The Mahindra XUV 300 AX7L picks up a larger 'Sky Roof', a premium Harman Kardon sound system with amplifier and sub-woofer, and the option of a two-tone paint scheme with a black roof for certain exterior colours. Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate has power adjustment and heating for the front seats, colour interior ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger and a sunroof. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Both the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mahindra XUV 3X0 are equipped with a comprehensive array of advanced driver aids and safety features in all model variants. Standard safety equipment across both models includes: The Chery does go a little further with seven airbags, including a centre airbag between the front-seat occupants, as well as driver fatigue monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and collision avoidance, and door-opening warning. But the Mahindra has a 360-degree parking display in both variants, whereas this is only available in the top-spec Tiggo 4 Ultimate. The Tiggo 4 was given a maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2024, while the XUV 300 has yet to be tested by the independent safety authority. Mahindra does, however, claim the vehicle has been designed to perform at the highest level in real-world scenarios, and the XUV 300 did receive a five-star rating last year from the India's ANCAP equivalent, Bharat NCAP. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. For small SUVs, both the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Chery Tiggo 4 are surprisingly spacious and well suited to small families thanks to excellent interior ride on a wheelbase with roughly the same space between the front and rear axles, but the Chery is longer in overall length and fractionally wider and taller. But not by enough that makes a significant difference inside the cabin, as both offer room for five with decent headroom and more legroom in the second row than you'd imagine. Both cars have 60:40-split folding rear seats, three top-tether and two ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a space-saver spare tyre under the floor of the boot, which are also surprisingly generous and offer enough cargo capacity to cater for weekly family duties and longer holiday road trips. As for the overall aesthetic, the Tiggo 4 is a little more modern with its asymmetric dash top that highlights the floating twin-screen configuration with a separate touchscreen for the climate control system on the curving centre stack. ABOVE: Mahindra XUV 3X0 (left), Chery Tiggo 4 (right) The Mahindra is more conservative with a digital instrument cluster under its own cowl while the tablet-style infotainment screen juts out at the top of the centre of the dashboard with a row of physical buttons, and a traditional volume knob for the audio within easy reach. It also has rotary dials for the climate control and a convenient bin at the base of the console for small items or mobile devices, with a pair of cupholders behind the upright gear lever. Both the Mahindra and Chery offer decent small-item storage spaces throughout the cabin, with deep door pockets, covered bins in the centre console and flip-down arm rests in the centre of the back seat. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Considering the size and focus on value for money here, both the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Chery Tiggo 4 have relatively simple powertrains with no variations between Mahindra is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 82kW of power and 200Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through a conventional six-speed automatic transmission. The Chery has an extra cylinder and a larger-capacity 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that, naturally, delivers higher outputs of 108kW and 210Nm. It too drives the front wheels, but via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Both engines are optimised to run on the most affordable standard unleaded petrol, and the Mahindra is more efficient with a claimed average of 6.5L/100km compared to the Chery's 7.4L/100km , neither of which is particularly exceptional for small cars like these. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. There's not much separating these two when it comes to ownership credentials either, as both are covered by seven-year warranties with free roadside assistance and capped-price servicing packages. However, the Mahindra's coverage is limited to the first 150,000km and its capped-price service offer extends to only six years, whereas the Chery has unlimited mileage coverage and service prices set for the duration of the warranty. In terms of maintenance costs, both are reasonably affordable, with the Chery's yearly average slightly lower than the Mahindra ($310 versus $332), and both require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. The reality is there's not much to separate these two and pick a definitive winner. Both provide Australians affordable access to a new car with the latest safety tech and digital conveniences, and both come equipped with a decent array of standard equipment. Plus, they're relatively cheap to own and have excellent aftersales provisions that provide plenty of peace of mind. If anything, small families and first-time car buyers are the real winners with either choice here. Interested in buying a Mahindra XUV 3X0? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereInterested in buying a Chery Tiggo 4? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Mahindra XUV3X0 showroomMORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 4 showroom Content originally sourced from: The race for Australia's cheapest SUV recently got a new entrant with the arrival of the Mahindra XUV 3X0. The Indian automaker has temporarily overtaken Chinese rival Chery and its popular Tiggo 4 at the head of the small SUV pack with its first city-sized soft-roader. Both compact SUVs offer exceptional value for money, generous levels of standard equipment and the latest in advanced safety systems, and both have affordable long-term ownership credentials. So, let's dig a little deeper to see how they stack up against each other. The Mahindra XUV 3X0 launched in Australia last month with a special introductory price that expires on August 31, 2025. It is available in two model grades, the AX5L and AX7L, which currently cost $23,490 and $26,490 drive-away. But both will increase by $500 from September 1. When that happens, the Mahindra will line-up exactly on price with the updated Chery Tiggo 4, which arrived in Australian showrooms earlier this year. It is also offered in two variants, Urban and Ultimate, which sell for $23,990 and $26,990 respectively, also including all on-road statutory costs. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Considering their price, the entry-level variants of both the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mahindra XUV3X0 come with a decent level of standard equipment. ABOVE: Mahindra XUV 3X0 (left), Chery Tiggo 4 (right) The extensive list of standard features in both models includes: The Mahindra also comes with a standard glass sunroof and a cooled glovebox. For the top-spec variants, both get leather trim and larger alloy wheels (from 16- to 17-inch with the Mahindra and from 17- to 18-inch with the Chery), but there are a host more unique differences. The Mahindra XUV 300 AX7L picks up a larger 'Sky Roof', a premium Harman Kardon sound system with amplifier and sub-woofer, and the option of a two-tone paint scheme with a black roof for certain exterior colours. Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate has power adjustment and heating for the front seats, colour interior ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger and a sunroof. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Both the Chery Tiggo 4 and Mahindra XUV 3X0 are equipped with a comprehensive array of advanced driver aids and safety features in all model variants. Standard safety equipment across both models includes: The Chery does go a little further with seven airbags, including a centre airbag between the front-seat occupants, as well as driver fatigue monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and collision avoidance, and door-opening warning. But the Mahindra has a 360-degree parking display in both variants, whereas this is only available in the top-spec Tiggo 4 Ultimate. The Tiggo 4 was given a maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2024, while the XUV 300 has yet to be tested by the independent safety authority. Mahindra does, however, claim the vehicle has been designed to perform at the highest level in real-world scenarios, and the XUV 300 did receive a five-star rating last year from the India's ANCAP equivalent, Bharat NCAP. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. For small SUVs, both the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Chery Tiggo 4 are surprisingly spacious and well suited to small families thanks to excellent interior ride on a wheelbase with roughly the same space between the front and rear axles, but the Chery is longer in overall length and fractionally wider and taller. But not by enough that makes a significant difference inside the cabin, as both offer room for five with decent headroom and more legroom in the second row than you'd imagine. Both cars have 60:40-split folding rear seats, three top-tether and two ISOFIX child seat anchors, and a space-saver spare tyre under the floor of the boot, which are also surprisingly generous and offer enough cargo capacity to cater for weekly family duties and longer holiday road trips. As for the overall aesthetic, the Tiggo 4 is a little more modern with its asymmetric dash top that highlights the floating twin-screen configuration with a separate touchscreen for the climate control system on the curving centre stack. ABOVE: Mahindra XUV 3X0 (left), Chery Tiggo 4 (right) The Mahindra is more conservative with a digital instrument cluster under its own cowl while the tablet-style infotainment screen juts out at the top of the centre of the dashboard with a row of physical buttons, and a traditional volume knob for the audio within easy reach. It also has rotary dials for the climate control and a convenient bin at the base of the console for small items or mobile devices, with a pair of cupholders behind the upright gear lever. Both the Mahindra and Chery offer decent small-item storage spaces throughout the cabin, with deep door pockets, covered bins in the centre console and flip-down arm rests in the centre of the back seat. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. Considering the size and focus on value for money here, both the Mahindra XUV 3X0 and Chery Tiggo 4 have relatively simple powertrains with no variations between Mahindra is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that produces 82kW of power and 200Nm of torque, driving the front wheels through a conventional six-speed automatic transmission. The Chery has an extra cylinder and a larger-capacity 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that, naturally, delivers higher outputs of 108kW and 210Nm. It too drives the front wheels, but via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Both engines are optimised to run on the most affordable standard unleaded petrol, and the Mahindra is more efficient with a claimed average of 6.5L/100km compared to the Chery's 7.4L/100km , neither of which is particularly exceptional for small cars like these. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. There's not much separating these two when it comes to ownership credentials either, as both are covered by seven-year warranties with free roadside assistance and capped-price servicing packages. However, the Mahindra's coverage is limited to the first 150,000km and its capped-price service offer extends to only six years, whereas the Chery has unlimited mileage coverage and service prices set for the duration of the warranty. In terms of maintenance costs, both are reasonably affordable, with the Chery's yearly average slightly lower than the Mahindra ($310 versus $332), and both require servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Mahindra XUV 3X0. Click here to get a great can save you thousands on a new Chery Tiggo 4. Click here to get a great deal. The reality is there's not much to separate these two and pick a definitive winner. Both provide Australians affordable access to a new car with the latest safety tech and digital conveniences, and both come equipped with a decent array of standard equipment. Plus, they're relatively cheap to own and have excellent aftersales provisions that provide plenty of peace of mind. If anything, small families and first-time car buyers are the real winners with either choice here. Interested in buying a Mahindra XUV 3X0? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereInterested in buying a Chery Tiggo 4? Let CarExpert find you the best deal hereMORE: Explore the Mahindra XUV3X0 showroomMORE: Explore the Chery Tiggo 4 showroom Content originally sourced from:
7NEWS
11 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Audi Australia culls more passenger cars in increasingly SUV-heavy lineup
The Audi A7 Sportback and S8 limousine are the latest passenger models from the German luxury brand to become unavailable to order in Australia. Audi Australia has updated its website to confirm orders for the large five-door liftback and even larger four-door sedan are now closed. While the A7 is at the end of its lifecycle – it's understood the latest A6 replaces both the outgoing A6 and A7 – the S8 hasn't been discontinued globally. The S8 also continues to be offered in the UK, another major right-hand drive market, as well as in its home market of Germany. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. ABOVE: Audi A7 However, the A8 and S8 family entered production late in 2017, which means they're close to a decade old now, and yet no replacement has been announced, combustion-powered or otherwise. 'The S8 is no longer available in showrooms at this stage,' confirmed an Audi Australia spokesperson. 'While the A8 range is currently unavailable, the Audi Australia team constantly evaluates all models available to us from the factory, ensuring that we have a broad range of models available here to meet customer's needs.' The removal of the A7 and S8 from Australian order books comes after the 'regular' A8 was retired locally, and orders were closed for the high-riding A6 allroad wagon, the S6 sports sedan and the S7 Sportback after the 2024 model year. That leaves Audi's large passenger model range consisting of only the high-performance RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback, plus the outgoing A6 sedan and the recently updated S and RS e-tron GT electric sedans. If you want a large, combustion-powered Audi without the RS treatment, you now have just one option: the A6 45 TFSI quattro S line, priced at $124,950 before on-roads. ABOVE: New-generation Audi A6 (left), outgoing model (right) A look at Audi's German website confirms the outgoing A6 and A7, including their sportier S and RS variants, are no longer available to order. Audi is replacing the outgoing A6 with a new-generation sedan and Avant wagon based on the company's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which will be complemented by the electric A6 e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Both of these model lines are already on sale in Europe but Audi has yet to officially lock them in for Australian release. Instead, it says these vehicles are 'currently under evaluation for the Australian market'. 'Our product team are constantly evaluating each model line and the specific models within the range to determine the mix, pricing, and specification for everything we offer here in Australia,' said the spokesperson. Should Audi not bring the new-generation A6 to Australia, including its inevitable hotted-up RS flagship, the recently launched A5/S5 would become the brand's largest combustion-powered passenger car available in Australia. ABOVE: Audi S8 The discontinuation of the S8 locally now leaves Audi without a model in the so-called 'Upper Large' passenger car segment, which also contains vehicles like the rival BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, after 30 years. Audi delivered just three S8s in the first half of this year, but even looking at full-year sales of the A8/S8 in 2024 – when the flagship was still available to order – it notched up only 10 deliveries, down 47.4 per cent on the previous year and behind the LS (11), S-Class (43) and 7 Series (49). It isn't just the Upper Large segment from which Audi is withdrawing. The four-ringed brand no longer offers any coupe or convertible models, neither here nor abroad, following the axing of the R8 supercar and TT sports car, and the introduction of the new-generation of A5 without any two-door variants.
Perth Now
11 hours ago
- Perth Now
Audi Australia culls more passenger cars in increasingly SUV-heavy lineup
The Audi A7 Sportback and S8 limousine are the latest passenger models from the German luxury brand to become unavailable to order in Australia. Audi Australia has updated its website to confirm orders for the large five-door liftback and even larger four-door sedan are now closed. While the A7 is at the end of its lifecycle – it's understood the latest A6 replaces both the outgoing A6 and A7 – the S8 hasn't been discontinued globally. The S8 also continues to be offered in the UK, another major right-hand drive market, as well as in its home market of Germany. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert ABOVE: Audi A7 However, the A8 and S8 family entered production late in 2017, which means they're close to a decade old now, and yet no replacement has been announced, combustion-powered or otherwise. 'The S8 is no longer available in showrooms at this stage,' confirmed an Audi Australia spokesperson. 'While the A8 range is currently unavailable, the Audi Australia team constantly evaluates all models available to us from the factory, ensuring that we have a broad range of models available here to meet customer's needs.' The removal of the A7 and S8 from Australian order books comes after the 'regular' A8 was retired locally, and orders were closed for the high-riding A6 allroad wagon, the S6 sports sedan and the S7 Sportback after the 2024 model year. That leaves Audi's large passenger model range consisting of only the high-performance RS6 Avant and RS7 Sportback, plus the outgoing A6 sedan and the recently updated S and RS e-tron GT electric sedans. If you want a large, combustion-powered Audi without the RS treatment, you now have just one option: the A6 45 TFSI quattro S line, priced at $124,950 before on-roads. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert ABOVE: New-generation Audi A6 (left), outgoing model (right) A look at Audi's German website confirms the outgoing A6 and A7, including their sportier S and RS variants, are no longer available to order. Audi is replacing the outgoing A6 with a new-generation sedan and Avant wagon based on the company's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which will be complemented by the electric A6 e-tron and A6 Avant e-tron based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE). Both of these model lines are already on sale in Europe but Audi has yet to officially lock them in for Australian release. Instead, it says these vehicles are 'currently under evaluation for the Australian market'. 'Our product team are constantly evaluating each model line and the specific models within the range to determine the mix, pricing, and specification for everything we offer here in Australia,' said the spokesperson. Should Audi not bring the new-generation A6 to Australia, including its inevitable hotted-up RS flagship, the recently launched A5/S5 would become the brand's largest combustion-powered passenger car available in Australia. Supplied Credit: CarExpert ABOVE: Audi S8 The discontinuation of the S8 locally now leaves Audi without a model in the so-called 'Upper Large' passenger car segment, which also contains vehicles like the rival BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes-Benz S-Class, after 30 years. Audi delivered just three S8s in the first half of this year, but even looking at full-year sales of the A8/S8 in 2024 – when the flagship was still available to order – it notched up only 10 deliveries, down 47.4 per cent on the previous year and behind the LS (11), S-Class (43) and 7 Series (49). It isn't just the Upper Large segment from which Audi is withdrawing. The four-ringed brand no longer offers any coupe or convertible models, neither here nor abroad, following the axing of the R8 supercar and TT sports car, and the introduction of the new-generation of A5 without any two-door variants. MORE: Everything Audi A6 • S6 • RS6 • A7 • S7 • RS7 • A8 • S8
