WhichCar
Rating

Things we like

  • Distinctive and characterful design
  • Value pricing, loaded with kit
  • Surprisingly capable off-road

Not so much

  • Not a true mid-size SUV, cozy rear seat and boot
  • Cumbersome touchscreen, few physical buttons
  • Inconsistent cruise control


While some car enthusiasts may disagree, the Australian new car market is at a fascinating crosssroads at the moment with a seemingly endless list of mostly Chinese brands launching onto our shores.

Chery was one of the better known names when it relaunched here in 2023 and now it’s launched another brand of its own: Jaecoo. Its first cab off its rank, the J7 small-to-mid-sized SUV, is right with the times and available with both petrol and plug-in hybrid drivetrains.

Jaecoo is Chery’s more premium arm, much like Audi is to the Volkswagen Group, and like the German giant uses mechanicals from its parent: in this case, the J7 uses its platform and drivetrain from the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. Of course, Jaecoo isn’t positioned to be an Audi rival but it does sit above Chery. Priced from just $34,990 drive away – $5,000 more than the Tiggo 7 Pro – the J7 offers strong value for money across the range, and here we’re testing the all-wheel drive Ridge.

Price and equipment

The Jaecoo J7 is available in four versions in Australia:

Core 2WD$34,990
Track 2WD$37,990
Ridge AWD$42,990
Summit PHEV 2WD$47,990

The Jaecoo J7 Ridge AWD is equipped with:

J7 Ridge AWD safety features:

The Jaecoo J7 is yet to be tested by ANCAP, however, it received a five-star rating in testing by
Euro NCAP with scores of 81 percent in adult protection, 80 percent in child protection, 80 percent
in road user protection and 80 percent in safety assistance.

Performance and economy

The J7 uses the same 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine as its Chery Tiggo 7 Pro
cousin, making 137kW of power (at 5500rpm) and 275Nm of torque (between 2000rpm and
4000rpm). That’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and either front-wheel drive, or
in the case of this Ridge model, a reactive all-wheel drive system. A plug-in hybrid sits above.

Chery claims combined fuel consumption of 7.8L/100km with CO2 emissions of 181g/km for the
Ridge, which is an increase of 0.8L/100km and 18g/km on front-drive models. The entire J7 range
uses minimum 95RON premium unleaded fuel and the Ridge features a larger 57L fuel tank. We averaged 7.7L/100km in our 1280km with the J7, a lot of which was motorway driving (we saw as low as 6.6L/100km in that environment) but also urban commuting.

Interior comfort, practicality and boot space

On the inside of the Jaecoo J7 is an interior with very little in the way of shape: steering wheel and
drive mode selector aside, it’s a very rectangular cabin. Despite that sounding pretty unimaginative, it’s a genuinely interesting and quality place to spend time. Compared to most other Chinese vehicles, there’s an extra layer of finishing inside the J7 – higher quality materials and character in the design, such as the big and masculine door handles and crosshatched synthetic leather trim on the dashboard fascia.

It’s also a practical cabin with big door bins, a useful and effective wireless charger on the centre
console bridge – though, why not have two there? – with a big tray underneath the bridge and a
large box underneath the central armrest with a handy tissue slot.

Front seat comfort is generally sound, though like pretty much every other Chinese car we’ve
driven, there’s no under-thigh angle adjustment that would make the driving position even better.

Thankfully, there is lumbar adjustment for the driver, and while the belt line is high, visibility is
otherwise decent thanks to the largely square dimensions. The driver’s mirror wouldn’t adjust far
enough right for taller folk, however, and we thought that Chery had killed the strange fisheye
centre mirror but apparently not because it’s now in the J7.

Centre of the cabin is a huge 14.8-inch touchscreen with features such as wireless smartphone
mirroring and satellite navigation. It’s quick to use and quite bright, but it needs an extra layer of
shortcuts as – for example – going from smartphone mirroring to adjust the driver assist settings
takes too many screen touches and can be distracting.

The bar at the bottom of the screen that adjusts the temperature should sit there permanently and
not disappear with CarPlay connected as that would make it a lot easier to use – as would physical
buttons, including a volume knob.

Move to the rear seat and things aren’t great for the J7. Jaecoo officially brands this as as a mid-
size SUV but in reality, it sits in the mid-way point like a Nissan Qashqai or Honda ZR-V. At
4500mm long, a proper mid-sizer like a Hyundai Tucson is a full 150mm longer and it shows in the
rear legroom and boot: they’re both tight. Two six-foot adults will fit fine in the rear seat, but
legroom will be tight – headroom will be great, however.

It’s the same story with the boot because at just 349 litres, the J7’s boot is smaller than that of a
Volkswagen Polo – the front-drive models have an 84L larger boot but also a space saver spare
wheel if you want more space. It also has a high boot lip, though its actual bootspace is flat and
square. Under the boot floor is a full-sized alloy spare wheel (bravo, Jaecoo!) and it also features a
few hooks and a quick electric tailgate.

On the road

Like the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro that it shares almost everything mechanically with, the Jaecoo J7 is a
fairly solid car to drive. It likes to roll in corners – not that its maker says that it’s sporty in any way,
so that’s understood – and the steering doesn’t offer much feel, but it’s otherwise quite comfortable and refined. It found the very wet Sydney to Coffs Harbour trip we did in it easy and thanks to its good frontal visibility and great wipers, it was no chore. The engine is punchy enough and handles highways well, though the dual-clutch transmission’s low speed behaviour needs altering because it’s too hesitant.

What also needs refinement are the active safety systems as they can be sensitive and overreactive, for example on motorways when the lane keeping assistance likes to take over a bit too much. The inconsistent cruise control also proved to be annoying as it would be set to 110km/h but show anywhere from 105km/h to 116km/h with nobody else around. In speed camera-obsessed Australia, we think it should be more precise.

At the J7 AWD’s local launch earlier this year the company was keen to show off its off-road credentials. Nobody is claiming that it’s able to cross the Simpson Desert, but we would surprised at how well it handled the muddy roads we took it on in the Promised Lands near Coffs Harbour. It even helped rescue a P-plater in a Mk6 VW Golf that really shouldn’t have been out there.

The J7 features various off-road modes like mud and snow that adapt the all-wheel drive system and traction control to the terrain and they work well. There were a few tough sections that it got itself out of quite well and even though it’s front-drive most of the time and reacts to slip by engaging the rear wheels, you can feel it doing so off-road. There’s even a handy display you can use to see to see which wheel is doing what. Only the 200mm of ground clearance gave us slight concern. Of course, nobody will buy a J7 to take it off-road, but it went much further than a lot of the cars it competes with would be able to manage.

Service and warranty

The Jaecoo range is covered by an excellent eight-year/unlimited km warranty with 12 months of roadside assistance that can be extended up to eight years in total if serviced at a Jaecoo dealership.

The J7 uses annual/15,000km service intervals (whichever comes first) and the first five years/75,000km of servicing costs a reasonable $1,925 ($385 per year).

Verdict: Should I buy a 2025 Jaecoo J7 Ridge?

Overall, we were pleasantly surprised by the Jaecoo J7 Ridge in our week with it. It manages to stand out from the crowd thanks to its character and its off-road ability – the styling is smart, while the interior uses good quality materials as well. It’s also fairly loaded with standard equipment and it’s very good value for money too, topping out at a pricepoint that a mid-spec Qashqai starts at. Finally, its eight-year warranty is long and its service pricing is reasonably priced as well.

There does need to be some more refinements made to the J7 however, with its inconsistent
cruise control and overactive safety features – plus its cumbersome touchscreen software –
needing more work to be more useful and safer. The boot and rear seat are not big, and the transmission could be better at lower speeds. These issues aside, however, the J7 makes a strong first impression on its arrival and strikes Jaecoo as a brand to watch.

Jaecoo J7 rivals

Nissan Qashqai
Honda ZR-V
Skoda Karoq

Rating

Things we like

  • Finally a reasonably priced hybrid people mover
  • Humungous inside and insanely practical
  • Good to drive, despite its size

Not so much

  • Big price premium for the hybrid
  • Middle row of seats can’t be easily removed
  • No spare wheel for the hybrid

The Kia Carnival is the undisputed sales king of the people mover segment in Australia. Whereas the Toyota Tarago used to be the default in this class, the Carnival slowly ate up its sales and now remains one of the few available in our market, with over 10,000 vehicles sold in 2024.

Until last year, the Carnival was only available with either V6 petrol or four-cylinder diesel drivetrains but the brand added a new hybrid along with its mid-life facelift. Has the hybrid added appeal to the Kia Carnival and will it continue its sales dominance? 

Price and equipment

The Kia Carnival is available in a number of versions in Australia and we tested the most expensive model available, though the company recently added new lower-spec hybrid variants for the base S and mid-spec Sport+ for those with more modest budgets.

2025 Kia Carnival pricing: 

Carnival S petrol$50,570
Carnival S diesel$52,800
Carnival S hybrid$56,100
Carnival Sport petrol$56,470
Carnival Sport diesel$58,700
Carnival Sport+ petrol$62,800
Carnival Sport+ diesel$65,030
Carnival Sport+ hybrid$68,330
Carnival GT-Line Lite petrol$66,770
Carnival GT-Line Lite diesel$69,000
Carnival GT-Line petrol$71,100
Carnival GT-Line diesel$73,330
Carnival GT-Line hybrid$76,630

The Carnival GT-Line hybrid is equipped with:

Performance and economy

Like its Sorento Hybrid sibling, the Kia Carnival Hybrid uses a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s combined with an electric motor, sending power only to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The electric motor draws power from a 1.49kWh battery and total system outputs are 180kW of power and 366Nm of torque – more than the Sorento’s 169kW/350Nm outputs thanks to a beefed up electric motor.

Kia claims combined fuel consumption of 5.8L/100km with combined CO2 emissions of 132g/km, and we achieved 6.7L/100km in our week with it in mixed driving. Importantly, its 4.2L/100km urban claim is less than one third of the thirsty V6 (13.2L/100km) and you’d likely see an even bigger difference in the real world. The Carnival Hybrid features a big 72-litre fuel tank and runs on 91RON regular unleaded fuel.

Interior comfort, practicality and boot space

If you’re buying a people mover, chances are that you’re already well aware of just how practical they are and the Carnival is a great example of that. Sure, a Hyundai Staria is even more practical for storage but that’s an even larger vehicle – probably too large for many buyers. The Carnival’s front cabin is great for storage with a big open centre console, central box and door bins, while material quality is good as well with lots of soft touch plastics throughout.

The middle row of the Carnival is huge and three taller adults will be more than comfortable. Amenities include a separate zone of climate, USB-C ports in the back of the front seats, heated outboard seats, blinds in the door, bottle holders and – with the middle seat folded – a huge arm rest. The middle row slides and reclines easily, and getting into the third row is very easy.

While the third row of a lot of SUVs is largely kids-only, the Carnival says no and welcomes even taller adults with open arms. It’s more spacious in there than the second row of a lot of mid-size SUVs and with a separate glass roof panel, air vents, USB-C ports and cup holders, there are more features too. Importantly for child seats, both the second and third rows of seating feature both ISOFIX and top-tether points.

Behind the third row of seats is a huge 627 litres of space and the third row of seats can be easily folded in to the floor to create a flat load bay. Doing so opens up a huge 2827L of space – or more than double that of something like a Mazda CX-5, yet still with five seats in use. Kia doesn’t quote a middle row folded figure, but it’s probably something over the 4000L mark. You just know that Kia had a picture of an Ikea showroom as inspiration for when this Carnival was designed. 

Back at the front, the new 12.3-inch touchscreen uses the brand’s new ‘ccNc’ software and it’s a breeze to use, while also being well featured with wireless and wired smartphone mirroring, satellite navigation and digital radio. The screen is a bit dark, but the screen quality is excellent and overall, there’s very little wrong with the Carnival’s cabin.

On the road

In its current generation, the Kia Carnival has always impressed on the road thanks to an excellent ride quality that was honed by Kia’s local engineers, and the new hybrid is no different. Weighing 93kg more than the diesel and 128kg more than the V6 petrol variants, the Carnival Hybrid’s extra weight can be felt a bit in corners but the reality is that no Carnival is a sports car, and with that in mind, it drives quite well.

The ride is soft and comfortable, the handling is reasonable and noise suppression is largely excellent. It also hides its size well, with light steering weighting at lower speeds and a very useful surround view camera system to help with parking.

The hybrid drivetrain is smooth and is an excellent urban companion. Whereas the diesel has turbo lag and the V6 doesn’t make its peak torque until 5500rpm, the hybrid electric motor’s 304Nm peak torque is available from 0rpm and it feels much quicker off the mark as a result.

At higher speeds, it doesn’t feel quite as fast as it’s the petrol engine doing most of the work, but it’s still got more than enough grunt and is still able to drive electrically at that speed for short bursts.

Service and warranty

Like other new Kia models, the Carnival GT-Line Hybrid is covered by a seven-year/unlimited km warranty with up to eight years of roadside assistance if serviced through a Kia dealership. A seven-year/150,000km warranty covers the hybrid battery.

The Carnival Hybrid’s annual service intervals are a short 10,000km, and five years/50,000km of servicing costs $2967 or $596 annually. For those considering the diesel Carnival, its five-year service cost is slightly better at $2851 ($570 annually) but its 15,000km intervals mean that it can travel 5000km further annually before needing a service.

Safety

Carnival GT-Line safety features:

The Carnival received a five-seat ANCAP safety rating in 2021, and the company has added more safety features since then, like an upgraded AEB system.

Verdict: Should I buy a 2025 Kia Carnival GT-Line Hybrid?

Firstly, if you’re considering a people mover: well done, they’re much more practical and efficient than an equivalent SUV like a Sorento that shares showroom space with the Carnival. Secondly, if you are considering one, chances are that the Carnival is high on your shortlist and deservedly so, because in our opinion, this is a product that does so much correctly and it’s no surprise to see why it’s so popular in Australia.

Is the hybrid variant worth it over the other Carnival drivetrains? That depends on your driving. If you do a lot of highway miles, we’d suggest the diesel as it costs less to buy and can travel further before needing a service. But against the thirsty and $5530-cheaper V6? We’d say that it’s a no-brainer as it’s significantly more fuel efficient in the real world and you would likely make the considerable cost difference back within five years. While it isn’t for every buyer, the new hybrid drivetrain adds more appeal to the Kia Carnival for likely even more market domination.

Kia Carnival rivals

Hyundai Staria

LDV MIFA

Volkswagen Multivan

MG Motor Australia has announced a round of specials on MY24 stock as part of its end
of financial year sales. Customers will be able to secure great savings from May 1 while stocks
last on some of MG Australia’s most popular models, such as the MG3 hatchback and MG4 EV. 

Available on MY24 cars already in stock, the $1000 factory bonus lowers pricing on a range of MG
products, including the MG3 Excite to $22,888 drive away and the MG4 Excite 51kWh to $36,990
drive away.

Buyers looking to get into a value-packed mid-size SUV will be pleased to know that the HS Vibe is
now just $35,888 drive away, and the MG5 small sedan is now available from just $23,888 drive
away.

MG Motor Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Ciao, commented, “It is exciting to announce
our EOFY 25 sale for Australian motorists. This is a great opportunity to get behind the wheel of a
new vehicle with our $1000 factory bonus across MY24 stock. This is a perfect time to test drive
and take home a new car before the end of the financial year.” 

The whole MG range is covered by a 10-year/250,000km warranty.

MG EOFY sale pricing (drive away):

The MG EOFY bonus is now available on a range of MY24 MG models in stock.

MG Motor Australia has launched the new MG3 Vibe, which is the new entry point to the MG range in Australia. Priced from $21,990 drive away, the small hatchback eschews some equipment to the now-mid-spec Excite like alloy wheels and blind-spot monitoring.

However, it’s still well equipped with features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance retained as standard equipment. A front centre airbag has been added to the Vibe – but according to the spec sheet on MG’s website, curiously not the Excite or top-spec Essence.

The MG3 Vibe is powered by the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the other petrol
models in the range, making 81kW of power and 142Nm of torque. That sends power to the front
wheels via a CVT automatic transmission. It uses a claimed 6.0L/100km of fuel on the combined
cycle, features a 40-litre fuel tank and can run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel. The Vibe is not yet
available with the 158kW MG3 Hybrid+, which is rated at just 4.3L/100km.

2025 MG3 pricing (drive away):

Vibe petrol$21,990
Excite petrol$22,888
Essence petrol$24,990
Excite hybrid$27,888
Essence hybrid$30,990

MG3 Vibe standard equipment:

MG3 Excite model adds:

MG3 Essence model adds:

The MG3 Vibe will enter local MG showrooms this week, with deliveries due to commence soon.

Indian giant Mahindra’s reliable, good value vehicles have quickly established a foothold in the Australian market, primarily via the XUV700 and its heavier-duty Scorpio sibling tested here.

Competing against cars such as the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu MU-X, the Mahindra Scorpio is a heavy-duty off-road SUV that seats up to seven people. But priced from just $41,990 drive away for the entry-level Z8, the Scorpio is at least $10,000 less expensive than its main rivals and the positives don’t end there.

Standard equipment on the entry-level Scorpio Z8 includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, dusk-sensing LED headlights, rain-sensing automatic wipers, power-folding mirrors, a leather steering wheel and gearknob, synthetic leather upholstery, cruise control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control and keyless entry with push button start.

The four-wheel drive system includes a mechanical rear diff lock, low range, selectable terrain modes like snow, mud and ruts and sand, while safety kit includes six airbags, stability control and a reversing camera with rear parking sensors.

The upper-spec Scorpio Z8L ($46,990 drive away) adds seven seats, side steps, a 12-speaker Sony sound system, a six-way electric driver’s seat, a 7.0-inch digital display for the driver and a front camera with front parking sensors.

Under the bonnet of the Scorpio is a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel making 129kW of power (at 3,500rpm) and 400Nm of torque (between 1,750rpm and 2,750rpm), mated to a six-speed torque converter automatic transmission sending power to all four wheels. Combined fuel consumption is rated at just 7.2L/100km, which is efficient for a large SUV.

The cabin of the Scorpio is practical and well equipped. While the Z8 features a six-seat layout with a walk-through section where a middle seat would usually be, the Z8L adds an extra seat for better practicality. Front and middle seat space is healthy – we particularly like the elevated middle row – while the third row is best described as kids only, the Scorpio is hardly alone in that regard.

The dashboard features an 8.0-inch touchscreen that’s easy to use and features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, though not native satellite navigation or digital radio. There’s a good amount of storage in the cabin too, and the driving position is easy to adjust.

On the road, the Scorpio impresses with a comfortable driving experience – the ride is well damped, the steering gives reasonable feel and its visibility is good too. The diesel engine isn’t the punchiest in the segment, but like the Pajero Sport, it happily gets the job done with no fuss. Like its rivals, the Scorpio features impressive off-road capability thanks to its four-wheel drive system, which features low range and features like an auto-locking rear differential and selectable off-road modes like snow and mud to adapt to the terrain it’s being driven over.

The Scorpio is covered by a seven-year/150,000km warranty with seven years of roadside assistance and five years of capped price servicing costs a reasonable $2,358 – not bad for a heavy-duty off-road SUV.

Overall, the Mahindra Scorpio presents a great value and interesting alternative to the usual large SUV suspects. Its pricing is low, it’s well equipped, it drives well for the segment, its engine is punchy and it’s covered by a great warranty. Based on it, we think that Mahindra’s expansion beyond commercial products in Australia will be successful.

Millions of drivers are being warned ahead of a road rule change being introduced on July 1, 2025 in Victoria, with motorists now required to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary assist vehicles by the roadside.

Previously already applied to stopped emergency response vehicles with sirens on such as police cars and ambulances, the new mandate will now be extended to tow trucks, mechanics and roadside assist vehicles as well.

A recent RACV (Royal Automobile Club of Victoria) survey found that 83 per cent of its roadside workers experience a near miss with another motorist at least once a week and the change in rule has come after a consistent campaign from the group.

RACV General Manager of Automotive Services Makarla Cole said the amendment addresses a safety issue in the Victorian road rules and aligns Victoria with other Australian states.

“Since 2017, drivers on Victorian roads have had to slow down to 40 kms per hour when passing emergency services vehicles at the side of the road,” said Ms Cole.

“Victoria’s emergency roadside workers and tow truck drivers are often the first and only responders to an incident or breakdown and are exposed to the same risks to other responders, such as police and paramedics. From July 1, 2025, Road Rule 79A will be extended to include accident towing, breakdown towing, roadside assistance, Peninsula Link Incident Response, Eastlink Incident Response and Transurban Incident Response vehicles.”

If drivers don’t comply with the rule, the standard penalty for non-compliance is $346 with a potential maximum of $961. However, there will be no demerit points attached to the offence.

Do you support the change in road rules for Victoria? Let us know in the comments.

That satisfying click as your car unlocks without fumbling for keys? It’s the kind of modern magic we’ve quickly come to love. 

Keyless entry and start systems offer sleek convenience, but this very technology exposes a hidden vulnerability: sophisticated car theft. Welcome to the age of the ‘relay attack’. 

It sounds like science fiction, but it’s a disturbing reality across Australia. Thieves, armed with inexpensive signal-boosting devices (sometimes costing as little as $20), can capture the radio frequency signal your key fob constantly emits. They amplify it, tricking your car into thinking the key is nearby, allowing them to unlock and even drive away your vehicle in seconds – all without the original key. Even top brands have proven susceptible.

1

Data reveals the alarming frequency of car theft in Australia, with a vehicle stolen approximately every 11 minutes. Vehicle theft soared by nearly 27 per cent across Australia in the 12 months leading up to March 2024, totalling almost 70,000 stolen vehicles.

So, how do you protect yourself from this invisible threat? The solution is surprisingly straightforward: Fight technology with technology. The Aus Security Products Key Fob Faraday Pouch acts as a personal shield for your key fob. Utilising proven Faraday cage principles, this pouch creates an impenetrable barrier, blocking 100 per cent of the RFID, Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth signals thieves try to exploit. Simply place your fob inside the specially lined main pocket, seal the reliable Velcro closure, and your car’s security system remains uncompromised.

Crafted from durable, water-resistant PU leather, the pouch is designed for daily life. Its compact size fits most fobs comfortably. Beyond vehicle security, a secondary front pocket offers RFID protection for bank cards, shielding them from remote skimming.

In a world where digital threats are ever-evolving, taking simple, effective precautions is key. Investing in a Faraday pouch offers significant peace of mind, ensuring your vehicle remains exactly where you left it.

MORE Buy one now!
Rating

Things we like:

  • Handsome styling inside and out
  • Efficient hybrid drivetrain the one to choose
  • Great locally-tuned ride and handling balance

Things we don’t like:

  • Third row not huge
  • Hybrid only available at the top of the range
  • Short 10,000km service intervals

It’s no secret that vehicles comprising the seven-seat large SUV market are in high demand right now in Australia, with more options becoming available for a wide range of budgets.

At the cheaper end of the market are cars like the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro. Add considerable dollars to the equation gets you to the Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7. In the middle are cars such as the Kia Sorento, which give buyers a wide range of models and powertrains to choose from. Is the Sorento, in top-spec GT-Line Hybrid form – one of the best seven-seat SUV options out there?

While the larger Telluride exists overseas, the Sorento is Kia’s flagship ICE SUV in Australia and has long been one its biggest sellers too. In its current fourth-generation form, the Sorento is available with petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains to suit a wide range of buyers. Pricing starts at under $60,000 drive away, and hits over $90,000 for the plug-in hybrid.

Pricing

While there are multiple Sorento grades that have petrol and diesel engines, the hybrid drivetrain is only available in top-spec GT-Line form for now:

Sorento GT-Line Hybrid FWD$70,330
Sorento GT-Line Hybrid AWD$73,330

Standard equipment

The Sorento GT-Line Hybrid is equipped with:

Performance and economy

Under the bonnet of the Kia Sorento Hybrid is a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that’s combined with an electric motor. Either just the front or, optionally, all four wheels are sent power through a six-speed automatic transmission. The 44kW electric motor draws power from a 1.49kWh lithium ion battery, and combined outputs are 169kW of power and 350Nm of torque.

Kia claims combined fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km with claimed combined CO2 emissions of 129g/km – we achieved 6.9L/100km in our week of testing. The Sorento Hybrid can run on 91RON regular unleaded fuel, and has a 67-litre fuel tank.

Interior comfort, practicality and boot space

Kia gave the Sorento’s cabin a comprehensive revamp at its mid-life update with a new dashboard layout that’s more modern and simpler to use. Quality is excellent with plenty of soft touch materials – especially the lovely quilted Nappa leather trim – though only black colouring is available, making the cabin a bit dark. That is until you open the huge panoramic sunroof, which floods the interior with light.

Part of the cabin revamp was the introduction of a huge single screen across the dashboard incorporating dual 12.3-inch screens: one for the driver and a touchscreen for controlling the infotainment system. The touchscreen uses the brand’s new ‘ccNc’ software and it’s a breeze to use, while also being well featured with wireless and wired smartphone mirroring, satellite navigation and digital radio. The screen is a bit dark, but the quality is excellent.

There are plenty of places to store items in the front seat, and seat comfort is excellent – especially in the driver’s seat with its seemingly endless electric adjustment. Move to the middle row and it’s also positive with plenty of space for two tall adults and features such as charging ports, bottle holders in the doors, door pockets, heated outboard seats and air vents.

The rear seat is definitely designed for children, but six-footers should be okay on a short trip. Rear seat amenities include charging ports, cup holders and a fan speed controller. The middle row of seats slides and reclines for extra comfort or space, though access to the third row could be easier like the Hyundai Santa Fe.

The boot of the Sorento measures 179 litres with the rear row up, 608L with the rear seats folded and 1996L with the second row folded as well. With the seats all folded, it’s a huge space and could easily take the worst an Ikea trip could throw at it. Impressively, the Sorento GT-Line Hybrid features a full-sized alloy spare wheel.

On the road

One of Kia’s biggest achievements for the Australian market has been its local tuning program, which ensures that every Kia model rides and handles well on our often rubbish roads and the Sorento is no different. Put simply, the Sorento is great to drive for such a large car: it can be a fun handler for such a large car, reasonably balanced in corners and the quick steering is satisfying to use.

The ride quality is excellent – it’s taut and body control is well controlled, and while it’s a bit firmer than its Santa Fe cousin, it is slightly more fun to drive. It’s definitely more comfortable than the too-firm Mazda CX-80. Road noise levels are well kept and the active safety features are well tuned, as you’d expect for a Kia product – though the annoying active speed limit warning must be turned off every time you drive the car.

Service and warranty

The entire Kia range is backed by a seven-year/unlimited km warranty with up to eight years of roadside assistance if serviced through a Kia dealership. The hybrid battery is covered for seven years or 150,000km, whichever comes first.

The Sorento Hybrid has short 10,000km service intervals and its five-year/50,000km service price is $2,973 ($594 per service on average).

Verdict: Should I buy a 2025 Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid?

If you’re in the market for a seven-seat large hybrid SUV, there are now a surprising amount of contenders and we think that the Kia Sorento is one of the best. While it’s not the newest in the segment, Kia has kept it nicely updated with freshened exterior styling, a new dashboard and new features and because of that, it remains one of the best.

The hybrid drivetrain is efficient and performs well, while the driving experience is excellent thanks to Kia’s local tuning program. Its cabin is practical, comfortable and great quality, and the in-car tech is plentiful and easy to use. It could be cheaper, however, and we hope the brand adds cheaper hybrid models in the future. That aside, the Kia Sorento GT-Line Hybrid should definitely be on your shortlist in this segment.

Sorento Hybrid rivals

Hyundai Santa Fe

Mazda CX-80

Skoda Kodiaq

MG Motor Australia has revealed launch dates and pricing for its new, all-electric MGS5 EV – one of a number of upcoming launches for the brand.

The MGS5 EV Excite 49kWh will be priced from $40,490 drive away with prospective customers able to pre-order now before deliveries are expected as early as May. 

Replacing the smaller and cheaper ZS EV in the range, the MGS5 will be offered in two specifications and two battery sizes with up to 430km of range (WLTP).

Debuting at the Melbourne Motor Show earlier this month alongside the U9 ute, the MGS5 uses the same platform as the popular MG4 hatchback and will be available with either 49kWh battery or 62kWh LFP battery sizes.

The claimed WLTP range for the 49kWh battery is between 335km and 340km, with the larger 62kWh unit giving a range of between 425km and 430km. The smaller battery can charge at up to 120kW and the larger one 150kW for a 30 to 80 per cent charge time in as little as 19 minutes.

Both models use a 125kW/250Nm rear-mounted electric motor and sprint to 100km/h in as little as 8.0 seconds and hit a top speed of 170km/h.

Measuring 4476mm long, 1849mm wide, 1621mm tall and riding on a 2730mm long wheelbase, the MGS5’s boot measures 453 litres with the seats up and 1441L with them folded.

2025 MGS5 pricing (drive away):

Excite 49kWh$40,490
Essence 49kWh$42,990
Excite 62kWh$44,990
Essence 62kWh$47,990

2025 MGS5 Excite standard equipment:

MGS5 Essence model adds:

The MGS5 will launch into local MG dealerships next month and pre-orders are now open.

The family is growing… and growing up. The kids have sport, music and catch-ups with friends here, there and everywhere. It’s time for a second car to be able to meet all the demands yet buying one needs to make sense in terms of the family budget.

It’s time to consider the MG4, MG’s accessible electric five-door hatchback. Here are a few of the compelling reasons it makes the ideal second car for growing families.

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Price and features

Starting at $36,990 (drive away) for the entry-level Excite 51 model, the MG4 tops out at $59,990 for the top-of-the-range XPOWER.

That price range encompasses five MG4 models available in Australia: the entry-level Excite 51 and Excite 64, top-spec Essence 64 and Long Range 77, and the performance 300kW XPOWER model.

But it’s the value for money proposition that stands out. Even on the base Excite 51 model, standard features include 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, one-pedal driving, vehicle-to-load functionality and safety features such as AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assistance and a reversing camera.

Opting for the Essence 64, for example, adds extra safety features such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as well as synthetic leather and fabric upholstery, heated front seats, an electric driver’s seat, auto-folding mirrors and larger 18-inch wheels.

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Electric efficiency and range

The big attraction of the MG4? How cheap it is to run. There are three different battery sizes across the range – 51kWh, 64kWh and 77kWh – so depending on the model you choose, the MG4 offers between 350km and 530km of electric-only driving range.

For the busy family using the MG4 for shorter local trips – perhaps only 50km a week all up – charging only once a week is probably enough. That’s undoubtedly a huge saving over fuel for a combustion engine hatchback.

Charge the MG4 off the power generated by a home solar set-up and you’re looking at next to nothing to keep your vehicle powered and on the road.

Plus there’s the convenience of charging the MG4. The Excite 51, for instance, can be fully recharged for 350km of range in 7.5 hours using just a home wall socket. On a DC public fast recharger, the MG4 Excite 64 can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 28 minutes.

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Comfort and space

It’s a hatch, is there enough room for kids and all their stuff? Yep, the MG4’s cabin is modern, practical, comfortable and designed with good quality, durable materials. It’s also full of practical touches like a big centre console tray.

The rear seat of the MG4 is also roomy enough for two adults, with occupants able to store things in door and map pockets and keep devices charged via a USB-A port.

Importantly for families, three child seats could be fitted across the back seat, or two baby seats if the kids are younger, with a dual set of ISOFIX mounting points and three top tether anchorages that be reached through the boot. 

Whether they’re babies, toddlers or teens, kids come with stuff. The MG4’s boot holds an impressive – for a hatch – 363 litres with seats up and between 1,165L and 1,177L with 60:40 folding seats down, along with side storage. Models from the Essence 64 and above also include a dual-level floor for a flat loading bay with the rear seats folded.

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Easy driving

The MG4 sits on a new rear-drive platform which makes it a stable and enjoyable drive.

The 51kWh battery is equipped with a 125kW/250Nm electric motor for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.7-second – enough power to dart into the next line in busy city traffic. The 64kWh model ups the power to 150kW and the 77kWh model increases that to 180kW/350Nm. The top-of-the-range XPOWER adds a second motor on the front axle, delivering an impressive 320kW of power and 600Nm of torque for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds, if that’s what you need.

The drive feels well balanced, light on its feet and with satisfyingly weighted steering.

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Safety and reliability

All rear-wheel drive models of the MG4 have been awarded the full five-star safety rating from independent crash-testing authority ANCAP. In addition, MG’s Pilot system delivers the latest in active driver safety technology, including lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Plus the family is protected by front-side and dual driver and passenger airbags, along with curtain airbags. 

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Peace of mind

When it comes to warranty and servicing, a busy family wants a set-and-forget type arrangement which MG offers through their extraordinary 10-year/250,000km warranty and six years/120,000km of servicing costs just $1,676.42 (working out at $279 per year).

Practical, cheap to run, roomy for this size of car and safe – the MG4 ticks all the boxes for that family second car. Discover more here.

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