Tag Archives: Australia

News

Nissan’s Two-Pronged Pickup Plan: Navara Reborn, Frontier Pro PHEV Incoming for Australia

For years, Nissan’s Australian pickup story has been a simple one: the Navara, and only the Navara. But that era is ending. With the debut of the latest-generation Navara still echoing through showrooms, Nissan has confirmed a second utility is gearing up for an Australian arrival—and it’s aimed squarely at the fast-crowding plug-in hybrid battlefield.

The newcomer is the Frontier Pro PHEV, a Chinese-built, Dongfeng-developed pickup that quietly surfaced earlier this year. Nissan plans to launch it locally in 2027, a strategic play that acknowledges a reality the brand can no longer ignore: the next frontier of pickups is electrified, and the competition is already here.

PHEV Heat Rising

Plug-in pickups are suddenly everywhere. BYD’s Shark 6 is leading the early charge, GWM sells the Cannon Alpha PHEV, and Ford has confirmed the Ranger PHEV is on the way. Next year, Chery and JAC will jump in as well. By the time the Frontier Pro hits local soil, this once-niche category could be one of the most important segments in the Australian market.

Australia’s dealers got the news shortly after the new Navara’s reveal, according to Carsales. Nissan Australia confirmed the Frontier Pro is part of its future product mix, though right-hand-drive engineering still stands between it and local roads—a roughly six-month conversion job, Nissan says.

Power With a Plug

If specs were weapons, the Frontier Pro wouldn’t arrive unarmed. Its hybrid system pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with an electric motor integrated into the transmission. Combined output? A stout 402 horsepower (300 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque—figures that should grab the attention of both light-duty work crews and weekend adventurers.

An 84-mile (135-km) all-electric range puts it right in line with its BYD and GWM rivals. The chassis hardware looks equally promising, with vehicle-to-load capability, a 3,500-kg braked towing rating, and an electro-mechanically locking rear differential for off-road work. On paper, this thing is dressed for success.

A Cabin That Knows the Assignment

Inside, Nissan follows the formula laid out by Chinese brands dominating the tech-value equation. The Frontier Pro’s cabin pairs a 10-inch digital cluster with a 14.6-inch central touchscreen, ambient lighting, and an unexpectedly posh set of front seats offering heating, ventilation, and even massage. A two-spoke steering wheel rounds out the modern, almost EV-like interior vibe.

In short, Nissan didn’t mail this one in.

Strategy, Not Cannibalization

When we spoke with Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone earlier this year, he emphasized that the Frontier Pro isn’t meant to replace the Navara—it’s meant to balance it. The Navara’s diesel remains essential for traditional buyers, but the PHEV can help offset fleet emissions and appeal to a new generation of ute shoppers.

“I see no problem with that running in parallel to the new Navara,” Humberstone said. “It’s about ‘does the business case work?’ I think it takes about six months to get right-hand drive. I think it could potentially work for the market.”

The Big Picture

With the Navara and Frontier Pro sharing the stage by decade’s end, Nissan’s pickup strategy looks more layered—and more future-proof—than it has in years. Electrified utes won’t stay optional for long, and Nissan seems determined not to watch the segment evolve without it.

Whether the Frontier Pro PHEV has the muscle to take on the Shark 6 and Ranger PHEV remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Nissan is finally gearing up for a fight.

Source: Nissan

NEW CARS

2026 Hyundai Elexio Aims to Electrify Australia’s Mid-Size SUV Market

Hyundai’s latest EV isn’t an Ioniq—but it might just be its next big hit.

When Hyundai unveiled the Elexio, an electric SUV born from its joint venture with Chinese automaker BAIC, most observers assumed it would stay confined to China’s borders. After all, cars from such collaborations often serve as regional experiments, not global exports.

Turns out, Hyundai had other plans. The company has now confirmed that the Elexio is heading for Australia, with a launch penciled in for next year. Once it lands, the Elexio will slot neatly between the Kona Electric and the Ioniq 5, giving Hyundai a three-pronged EV lineup that covers nearly every corner of the electric SUV map.

Between Two Worlds

The Elexio isn’t a rebadged Ioniq or a regional variant—it’s something different. Sitting on the E-GMP platform, it shares its bones with the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and Kia EV6, but wears its own sheetmetal and interior styling. Think of it as Hyundai’s bridge between its Korean roots and China’s rapidly evolving EV design language.

And yes, it looks like it. The Elexio’s styling is distinct—angular, assertive, and unapologetically Chinese in influence. Whether Australian buyers embrace it is anyone’s guess, but in a market that’s warming up to Chinese-built electric SUVs, its odds look better than you’d think.

Powertrain and Range

Hyundai plans to offer three variants for Australia:

  • Single-motor standard range
  • Single-motor long range
  • Dual-motor all-wheel drive long range

The two rear-wheel-drive versions will each use a 160 kW (215 hp) motor, while the all-wheel-drive model gets bumped to 230 kW (308 hp). If that sounds familiar, it’s because those numbers line up neatly with the Kia EV5, another E-GMP-based sibling.

All models will use an 88.1-kWh battery pack, good for a claimed 722 km (449 miles) in China’s testing cycle. Expect something closer to 500 km (311 miles) under the stricter WLTP standard—still competitive for the segment. Fast charging isn’t quite Ioniq 5-fast; a 30-to-80 percent top-up takes about 27 minutes, compared to the Ioniq 5’s impressive 18-minute sprint from 10 to 80 percent.

Cabin Tech and Design

Step inside, and you’ll find an interior that’s more Shanghai chic than Seoul minimalist. A 27-inch widescreen panel stretches across the dashboard, blending the driver display, infotainment, and even a dedicated passenger screen into one seamless expanse.

Below that, Hyundai has kept things refreshingly uncluttered. Wireless charging pads, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, and plenty of soft-touch materials create a cabin that feels more premium than its price tag might suggest. A small secondary display sits close to the windshield, serving as a minimalist gauge cluster.

Pricing and Positioning

In China, the Elexio starts at 119,800 yuan (around US$16,900) and tops out around 149,800 yuan (about US$21,100). Don’t get too excited—those prices will balloon once the Elexio crosses the Pacific.

Australian pricing hasn’t been confirmed, but industry chatter points to something in the AU$55,000 to AU$65,000 range (US$36,000–$42,600). That would place the Elexio right in the thick of the mid-size electric SUV fight, squaring off against the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5, and MG Marvel R.

Our Take

Hyundai is betting that the Elexio can serve as a gateway EV—something stylish enough to stand out, yet affordable enough to bring new buyers into the fold. The design might divide opinions, and its slower charging times won’t thrill road-trippers, but if Hyundai nails the local pricing, the Elexio could easily become a common sight on Australian roads.

Because in a segment where value and range matter more than badge prestige, Hyundai just might have found the sweet spot between Korean engineering and Chinese efficiency.

Source: Hyundai

News

Kia Hits One Million Sales in Australia, With the Tasman Pickup Leading the Charge

Kia has just crossed a major milestone Down Under: its one-millionth vehicle sold in Australia. The landmark model? A Tasman X-Pro Dual Cab pickup, handed over at Motorama Kia in Queensland—a fitting symbol of how far the brand has come since first touching Australian soil in 1988.

Back then, Kia’s lineup started with the boxy, off-road–leaning Rocsta. It was a niche beginning, and it took the automaker thirty years to clock 500,000 sales. But what followed was nothing short of a surge. In just seven more years, Kia doubled that figure, cementing its place as a serious contender in one of the world’s most competitive automotive markets.

“The Tasman’s strong reception shows the value of developing vehicles tailored to the needs of each region,” said Tae-Hun (Ted) Lee, Executive VP and Head of Kia’s Global Operations Division. And he’s not wrong. Australia is a country that loves its utes, and the Tasman—the brand’s first true pickup designed for rugged, everyday use—represents Kia’s recognition of that.

Damien Meredith, CEO of Kia Australia, called the achievement both a milestone and a launchpad: “Kia has thrived in a competitive and dynamic market, backed by products that have evolved to meet changing expectations and a brand that has earned the trust of Australian customers. With a fresh wave of innovative models on the horizon, today’s celebration marks an exciting starting point for our next chapter.”

Kia’s growth hasn’t just been about volume. In 2022, the brand topped the nationwide Dealer Satisfaction Survey, a nod to its customer-first approach. Last year, it sold more than 80,000 vehicles in a single year for the first time—a clear sign of momentum.

And the lineup speaks for itself: the Picanto, still a segment leader in the city-car category; the Carnival, Australia’s best-selling people mover; and now the Tasman, aimed squarely at one of the most fiercely loyal buyer bases in the country. Add to that Kia’s expanding electric portfolio, bolstered by its “Platform Beyond Vehicle” strategy, and the trajectory is obvious: this is a company looking to lock in long-term relevance.

One million sales may be a reason to celebrate, but for Kia, it’s also a reminder that Australia has become more than just another export market—it’s a proving ground. With the Tasman leading the latest charge and an electrified future looming, the brand’s next million might come even faster.

Source: Kia