VW’s partnership with Xpeng in China has started to bear fruit. Less than two years after the two car manufacturers joined forces to develop new EVs, production of the full-size ID. Unyx 08 has just started. It’s been priced very reasonably, too.

Pre-sales have started to coincide with the production of the ID. Unyx 08, starting at 239,900 yuan ($34,700) and topping out at 299,900 yuan ($43,400). To put those prices into perspective, a new ID.4 starts at $45,095 in the US, yet the ID. Unyx 08 blows it out of the water in terms of performance and technology.

Read: VW’s First Electric SUV With Xpeng Has A Glowing Wolf Logo

The design of the new SUV is unlike any VW sold in the West, which is no bad thing. The front is sleek with intricate LED daytime running lights and black elements. Flowing sides taper off to a modern rear-end with an illuminated VW logo. All up, it is 5,000 mm (196.8 inches) long, 1,954 mm (76.9 inches) wide, and 1,672 mm (65.8 inches) tall, with a 3,030 mm (112.9-inch) wheelbase.

Efficiency And Power

Autohome

Importantly, the ID. Unyx 08 is underpinned by an 800-volt electrical architecture and offered with 82 kWh and 95 kWh battery packs, both sourced from CATL. Chinese buyers can order the SUV with either a 308 hp (230 kW) motor at the rear wheels, or in all-wheel drive configuration, which includes a 188 hp (140 kW) motor at the front wheels, making for a combined 496 hp (370 kW). This model can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.9 seconds.

VW has yet to release range estimates for all powertrain configurations, but we know versions with the 95 kWh pack will be able to drive up to 730 km on the CLTC cycle. The battery packs also support 315 kW DC fast charging, meaning the pack can be topped up from 10-80 percent in roughly 20 minutes.

The EV is also equipped with Xpeng’s Level 2 intelligent driving assistance system and has a modern interior that appears just as tech-focused as some Chinese competitors. Positioned behind the steering wheel is a relatively traditional digital instrument cluster, but the ID. Unyx 08 also includes two huge screens, consisting of one for the infotainment system and another for the passenger.

Other key features include massaging seats, an optional in-car fridge, an electrochromatic panoramic glass roof, and a 20-speaker audio system.

Thanks to a new platform, more advanced batteries, and better electric motors, the all-new Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ is shaping up to be the firm’s most capable EV yet, at least based on early impressions. With a credible rival to the BMW iX3, along with increasing competition from Chinese EVs, Mercedes is clearly intent on expanding its electric GLC lineup.

Just a single version of the SUV has been unveiled so far, officially known as the GLC 400 4Matic with EQ Technology, producing 483 hp thanks to a pair of electric motors. In times gone by, that figure would have been enough for an AMG badge, but things have changed, and EV buyers now expect supercar-levels of performance.

Read: Can AMG Add Some Excitement To The Underwhelming GLC EV?

Mercedes’ solution will be a proper AMG version of the GLC EQ. Pictured in these spy shots, the SUV will combine more menacing looks with significant performance gains, pushing it into a whole new stratosphere.

Design Changes

SH Proshots

This prototype, pictured in a deep shade of matte black, has camouflage across its front and rear, hiding some of the changes being made. Chief among these will be a more aggressive front bumper, tweaked air intakes, and a new grille. You’ll also notice it is sitting on a set of new blacked-out wheels with upgraded cross-drilled brake rotors and beefed-up calipers.

Perhaps the most intriguing detail is at the rear, where an active spoiler appears to be part of the package. Normally it would sit flush when parked, but this prototype was caught with it fully raised, giving a clear look at what’s to come. With the kind of power it promises to offer, there will be no shortage of airflow for it to work with.

Further down, the taillights should carry over from the standard electric GLC, but a new rear bumper will tie the look together with the revised front end.

Supercar Power

According to sources, the AMG version of the GLC will follow the same path as the GT 4-Door EV and the brand’s dedicated electric SUV, pairing three of YASA’s advanced axial-flux motors. The target is over 900 hp, which should be enough to reach 60 mph (96 km/h) in under three seconds.

Elsewhere, the AMG model could use new prismatic battery cells, rather than the cylindrical ones of the standard GLC, improving power density and thermal performance. These cells may also enable DC fast-charging speeds of up to 400 kW, an improvement over the standard SUV’s 330 kW, and matching the iX3.

As for when it will debut, there’s a good chance it breaks cover this fall at the Paris Motor Show in October, with sales likely to follow not long after.

SH Proshots

A new Chinese sports car is on the way, and it’s aiming straight at one of the most recognizable nameplates in the business. Denza, BYD’s premium offshoot that began as a joint venture with Mercedes before it sold its stake in 2024, is preparing to unveil its long-anticipated Porsche 911 rival, and it has enlisted a certain former secret agent to attract eyeballs.

Read: What Looks Like A DIY Disaster Is China’s Answer To Porsche

Denza’s flagship sports car was previewed with the eye-catching Z Concept in April last year, and now we’re getting an early look at the production version ahead of its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The preview image puts a bright orange Z front and center, sitting just behind BYD executive vice president Stella Li and former James Bond actor Daniel Craig, and from what’s visible, it clearly sticks true to the concept.

This new model is set to crown Denza’s lineup, positioned above the Z9 GT, D9 MPV, and B5 SUV as the brand’s top-tier performance offering.

Partially visible at the front are the sharp, diamond-shaped headlights and an aggressive front bumper, not dissimilar to what you’ll find on the Lotus Emira. Notably, the production model ditches the concept’s sharp splitter, though that may be present on a higher-performance version of the car.

Little else of the car can be seen, though you will notice it has silver-and-black wheels and does without the concept’s large fixed rear wing. Earlier prototypes have already been spotted testing at the Nürburgring, suggesting serious performance intent and perhaps even a push for a headline lap time.

Near Four-Digit Horsepower

Denza Z Concept

Powertrain details have yet to be confirmed, and Denza never actually said what was powering the concept. However, all signs point towards the Z getting the same powertrain as the all-electric Z9 GT. That car uses a 100-kWh Blade battery and a trio of electric motors that combine to deliver more than 952 hp. Obviously, this would easily outmuscle the Porsche 911, which isn’t available in an all-electric configuration.

Beyond raw output, Denza has also pointed to a suite of advanced hardware, including magnetorheological suspension and steer-by-wire. It’s also likely to inherit some trick features from the brand’s Z9 GT, such as crab-walk, slow-motion drifting into parking spaces, and tighter turning capability.

According to Stella Li, BYD has partnered with Daniel Craig for a promotional campaign for Denza, helping to expand its presence across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The firm already has Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser Prado rivals with the B8 and B5 off-roaders, and is now targeting the pinnacle of sports cars.

Baldauf

Sales of battery-electric vehicles across the European Union continue to rise and are now nipping at the heels of petrol-powered cars. Due to the ongoing war in Iran and spiking oil prices, EV demand could jump even further. However, market conditions remain mixed, with total car registrations across the EU, Britain, and EFTA rising just 1.7 percent in February to 979,321 units, signaling only modest overall growth.

Registration data from Europe’s ACEA reveals that EVs accounted for 18.8 percent of the new car market across January and February, a notable increase from 15.2 percent over the same period last year. A total of 312,369 EVs were registered in the first two months of the year, thanks in part to France (38.5 percent increase) and Germany (26.3 percent increase).

Read: EV Buyers Didn’t Disappear, They Just Moved Somewhere Automakers Don’t Love

This growth has been supported by a surge of more affordable EV models and national incentive programs that continue to encourage adoption. However, not every European country bought more electric vehicles. In fact, EV sales declined by a significant 34.9 percent in the Netherlands and 11 percent in Belgium.

Notably, Tesla’s registrations rose 11.8 percent year-on-year, snapping a prolonged decline, though it still trailed BYD by a slim margin. Both brands held a 1.8 percent market share, while BYD’s sales more than doubled over the same period, highlighting growing pressure at the top of the EV segment.

Hybrid Boost

Hybrid vehicles remain the most popular powertrain choice in Europe, accounting for 38.7 percent of the market. This placed HEVs well ahead of cars powered solely by petrol, which have accounted for 22.5 percent of new car registrations this year.

Across February alone, battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicles together represented 67 percent of registrations, up from 58.5 percent a year earlier.

Petrol car sales are also on a downward trajectory, dropping 23.3 percent in February, with France reporting a massive 48.5 percent decrease. Registrations also dropped 22.8 percent in Germany, 20.8 percent in Spain, and 18.6 percent in Italy. Last year, petrol cars had a 29 percent share of the market, and this time next year, EVs may have overtaken them if current trends continue.

Plug-in hybrids were behind HEVs, petrol cars, and EVs as the fourth most popular powertrain choice, securing a 9.8 percent share of the market, over 7.4 percent last year. Sales reached 162,751 in the first two months, thanks in part to Italy (116.1 percent increase), Spain (71.5 percent increase), and Germany (23.8 percent increase). Trailing behind PHEVs are diesel vehicles with an 8.1 percent share, down 17.7 percent, and ‘others’ with a 2.2 percent share.

Porsche and Audi have collaborated numerous times over the decades, but the relationship has often been fraught as engineers and executives butted heads over shared goals. Now, the two car companies are planning to deepen their ties, not just to cut costs but also to help ensure their survival.

The two companies are under increased pressure from declining demand, tariffs, and product strategy mistakes. Porsche has had a particularly trying time after backing away from its plan to target 80 percent EV sales by 2030, and amid a collapse in demand for its models in China.

Read: Porsche Profit Crash Suddenly Makes A New Sports Car Above The 911 Likely

Industry veteran Michael Leiters was recently named as Porsche’s new chief executive, and according to Auto News, he traveled to Audi’s headquarters to meet with boss Gernot Döllner within days. According to Leiters, “Audi is a key partner for us,” noting that “we want to leverage shared potential even more.”

More Shared Platforms

Porsche is aiming to restore margins to as much as 10 percent as it shifts its focus back to combustion-powered vehicles, and hopes to do so by using more Audi platforms and parts. For example, the next-generation Macan – which will include ICE models – will share the same Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture as the Audi Q5. Porsche also still has plans for an SUV to sit above the Cayenne, currently known as the K1, which itself will be derived from the upcoming Audi Q9.

The future of Porsche’s planned electric 718 Boxster and Cayman models is also important for Audi. While Porsche has backed away from its initial plans to sell these models as EVs only, switching to a multi-energy plan with combustion engines included, they’ll offer the platform for the next-generation Audi TT. The new TT will be sold exclusively as an EV with batteries placed behind the driver to allow for a lower seating position and mid-engined driving dynamics.

German Frictions

Porsche and Audi worked together on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings used by models like the Macan Electric, A6 e-tron, and Q6 e-tron, but according to reports, there was fierce internal rivalry between the companies and disputes over development leadership, forcing VW boss Oliver Blume to step in and act as mediator. Neither Porsche nor Audi can afford to have disputes like these moving forward.

Following a spate of fatal incidents involving Tesla models with door handles that allegedly couldn’t be opened after a crash, and several lawsuits, we now have our first chance to see the new inner door handles that Tesla has developed. Perhaps surprisingly, these new handles have premiered on the self-driving Cybercab.

Development of Tesla’s mass-market robotaxi is continuing, and the carmaker continues to make changes to the car. Recently, a pair of YouTubers had the chance to take an in-depth look at a new Cybercab prototype, revealing the new handles and a slew of other features.

Read: Cybercab Spotted Up Close, Steering Wheel, Panel Gaps And All

In the current Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck, there are individual interior buttons to open the doors, and then physical pulls incorporated into the handles. At the rear, the emergency releases are generally located in the door pockets, beneath a plastic panel, possibly making them hard to find in an emergency, particularly for someone unfamiliar with the car.

Tesla’s solution has been to switch to a small latch that can be lifted lightly to trigger the electronic release, opening the door. If you then pull the same latch harder, it will serve as the manual release. It’s a much better system than the one currently used and is similar to the door latches used by companies like Audi and Lexus, where the electronic and manual releases share the same switch or handle.

Tesla has also gone to the trouble of adding braille to the release, helping those with visual impairments to find it. That’ll be particularly useful in the Cybercab, where people will be driven around by the car’s advanced self-driving suite without anyone else on board. This new door pull is presumably the same one that will be added across all other existing Tesla models.

What Else Is New?

Several other changes have been made to the Cybercab. For example, it now includes a charging port at the rear, despite initially being presented without one because Tesla only wanted them to be charged wirelessly. However, the more significant change made on a prototype Carscoops recently spied was the presence of a steering wheel, which given the autonomous nature of the Cybercab was a surprise.

Photos Robert G. | Lead screenshot Kim Java / YouTube

The Tesla Cybertruck’s Long Range RWD variant was short-lived, produced for less than six months, yet that rarity has done little to shield it from steep depreciation. Just look at this 2025 example, which recently changed hands for just $56,500.

Tesla introduced the Cybertruck Long Range RWD last year, pricing it from $69,990 and undercutting the All-Wheel Drive model by $10,000. However, it never proved particularly popular as Tesla cut out some important features to achieve the somewhat more approachable price tag.

To get there, Tesla stripped back more than just an electric motor. The front axle is left unpowered, and buyers also miss out on a powered tonneau cover, 120/240V outlets, and the premium 15-speaker sound system, replaced here by a basic seven-speaker setup. The interior takes another step down with textile seats instead of leather and no rear touchscreen.

Capability takes a hit too. Towing drops from 11,000 lbs (4,989 kg) to 7,500 lbs (3,401 kg), while payload falls from 2,500 lbs (1,133 kg) to 2,006 lbs (910 kg). It’s a long list, and not the kind that quietly disappears once you’ve signed the paperwork.

Read: New Video Shows Tesla Nearly Going Off Overpass With Mom And Baby Inside

With this in mind, it’s perhaps no surprise that demand for used examples isn’t particularly strong. This Cybertruck was sold on Cars & Bids earlier this week, falling well short of its original price tag of $73,490, which included optional $3,500 20-inch Cyber wheels with 35-inch tires.

The Least Desirable Cybertruck?

Cars & Bids

The fact that the owner also spent several thousand dollars to wrap the truck in Halo Green, add aftermarket side steps, and fit leather seat covers doesn’t seem to have boosted interest. It has just 5,800 miles (9,334 km) on the clock, which should have helped its value, but clearly hasn’t made much difference.

There is, at least, one clear strength. The RWD Long Range model carries a sizeable 123 kWh battery pack, giving it the best range of any Cybertruck at an EPA-rated 350 miles (563 km). That should be a headline advantage. Still, pairing that range with a rear-wheel-drive setup in a pickup limits how useful it feels in the real world, especially for buyers who expect capability to match the look.

In the end, this version lands in an awkward middle ground. It is cheaper, yet not cheap enough. It goes farther, yet gives up too much along the way. And in a segment where image and ability matter just as much as numbers, that balance does not seem to be working.

Cars & Bids

The new Audi RS e-tron GT Performance is a road-going rocket ship, blending hypercar-level acceleration with genuine long-distance comfort. It delivers extraordinary pace alongside impressive Grand Touring ability, yet like the model it replaces, it’s already shedding value quickly in the US. That makes now a surprisingly sensible moment to snag yourself a bargain.

The RS e-tron GT starts at $170,500, though that figure climbs past $180,000 once a few options are added. With 912 hp and 757 lb-ft (1,027 Nm) of torque available, that pricing isn’t outlandish on paper, but the market is clearly suggesting it’s too steep for a luxury EV.

Read: 2025 Audi e-tron GT Is $19,000 Pricier But Much Faster This Year

A quick scan of current classifieds shows dozens of 2025 and 2026 RS e-tron GT models listed across the United States, many showing minimal or delivery mileage and asking prices already below MSRP. The cheapest example we found is a lightly used 2025 model with 1,930 miles (3,106 km) listed by Audi Beverly Hills.

Prices Are Going Down, Down, Down

Audi Beverly Hills

That listing doesn’t specify the original MSRP, but with the $5,900 forged carbon package included, it would have cost at least $180,000 new. It’s now listed at just $123,993.

If you’re shopping for a new one, it’s worth checking out a 2025 model listed at Audi Las Vegas for $124,590, down from an MSRP of $178,595. It has just 13 miles (21 km) on the clock, essentially delivery mileage, and has already shed $54,005 in value without ever being registered. The gods of depreciation have clearly taken a liking to this electric Audi.

Audi Las Vegas

Despite the upgrades to the refreshed RS e-tron GT, it’s likely going to suffer the same fate as the original model, plummeting in value the moment it’s driven off the showroom floor. Some examples of the pre-facelift RS e-tron GT, which offers up to 637 hp and 612 lb-ft (830 Nm), have asking prices under the $50,000 mark, and the facelifted model is trending in that direction.

Audi Beverly Hills

Few car manufacturers have had a history as turbulent as Faraday Future. Founded more than a decade ago as one of America’s most promising EV startups, it’s been teetering on the edge of financial collapse for years, but has just reported one of its most significant wins.

Over the weekend, Faraday Future revealed that the US Securities and Exchange Commission has concluded its four-year investigation into the company and has decided not to take any action against it. Founder and co-CEO Jia Yueting, as well as Faraday Future President Jerry Wang, have also avoided the court room.

Read: After Failing At Cars, Faraday Is Now Building Robots

The SEC had been investigating Faraday Future over its 2021 merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that allowed it to go public, alleging the company made several false and misleading statements. Throughout the SEC’s investigation, it subpoenaed the company and took depositions from multiple former employees and executives.

The Troubles Don’t Stop Here

Last year, it appeared the SEC was stepping up its action against Faraday Future, issuing ‘Wells Notices’ to Yueting and other executives, notices usually issued when the SEC has been recommended to take enforcement action. According to Tech Crunch, approximately 85 percent of cases where Wells Notices are issued result in the individuals facing the SEC in court.

“The conclusion of the SEC’s investigation means that the long-standing overhang and sources of instability that had constrained the Company have now been removed,” Faraday Future said in a statement. “This is the strongest and cleanest response to potential illegal short sellers. Some short sellers used the time when the investigation was still open to spread rumors, defame the Company, create panic, and profit illegally. Now, the SEC’s conclusion means FF’s reputation is being restored, and confidence is coming back.”

Admittedly, Faraday Future isn’t out of hot water yet, as it recently received a notice from Nasdaq for failing to meet the minimum $1-per-share price requirement over 180 days. It now has 180 days to boost its shares to over $1 and hopes to do so without issuing a reverse stock split.

Fresh off the Kia EV2’s global premiere in Brussels earlier this year, the brand has opened order books for its latest all-electric SUV in Germany and other European markets, revealing a starting price of just €26,600 ($30,800 at current exchange rates). At that level, it feels like a missed opportunity that the EV2 isn’t headed to the United States, though tariffs would likely erode much of its affordability if it ever made the trip across the Atlantic.

Read: Kia’s Smallest Electric SUV Might Get A GT Version, But Not The Kind You’re Expecting

For European shoppers who’d rather not pay upfront for the EV2, the new car can be leased for as little as €239 ($275) per month. There are also plenty of versions on offer, ensuring there’s an EV2 to suit everyone.

The base version is known as the Light and comes equipped with a 42.2 kWh battery pack and a single electric motor rated at 146 hp. This model has a relatively limited range of 197 miles (317 km), but that should be enough for most Europeans, particularly those living in large urban centers. Helping to further lower the cost of this version is the fact that it’s sold exclusively as a four-seater.

What Else Is On Offer?

Sitting above the EV2 Light is the Air, which is a five-seater. It retains the same battery and motor as the Light in standard guise, but starts at €28,990 ($33,600). Kia also sells it with a larger 61 kWh battery pack and a 135 hp motor, boosting the range to 281 miles (453 km). This version starts at €33,490 ($38,800).

Kia will also sell the EV2 in Earth and GT-Line configurations. The Earth is available as either a four-seater or five-seater with the 42.2 kWh pack and 146 hp motor, priced from €31,290 ($36,200), topping out at €31,590 ($36,600), and both with a 191-mile (308 km) driving range.

The GT-Line then starts at €36,890 ($42,700) for the five-seater with the 61 kWh pack and 135 hp motor, and tops out at €37,190 ($43,100) for the four-seater with the same powertrain. Both versions have a claimed driving range of 256 miles (413 km).

It’s not just the EV2 that the US misses out on. Kia originally intended to sell the EV4 in the United States but axed those plans late last year, likely due to concerns that it wouldn’t sell well.

The standard Leapmotor C10 is an electric SUV that could be best described as adequate. It’s not exciting or engaging to drive, but aside from a few tech gremlins, it drives quite nicely and is well priced. Now, a new version of the C10 has been launched, and it might be enough to get people excited.

Known as the Leapmotor C10 AWD Sports+ Special Edition and just introduced in Australia, the power on offer and the SUV’s price tag are simply absurd. Whereas the standard C10 has a single electric motor with 215 hp (160 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque, the AWD version has a pair of upgraded motors delivering 590 hp (440 kW) and 561 lb-ft (760 Nm).

Read: Stellantis’ Leapmotor Found An Unlikely Ally In Germany’s Tuning Scene

To put those figures into perspective, the original Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 had 602 hp and 413 lb-ft (560 Nm), while the rear-wheel drive only LP 580-2 was rated at 572 hp and 398 lb-ft (540 Nm). Leapmotor says its new flagship needs just 4 seconds to hit 100 km/h (62 mph), which is impressive, but perhaps a little slower than we’d expect given the horsepower and torque figures.

A Price To Stun

Arguably just as impressive as the C10’s performance is the fact that it’ll start at just AU$53,888 ($37,600) plus on-road costs, or just AU$10,000 ($7,000) more than the standard model. This allows it to easily undercut the BYD Sealion 7 Performance that starts at AU$63,990 ($44,700), and even undercuts less powerful, rear-wheel drive versions of the Tesla Model Y (AU$58,900 / $41,100) and Zeekr 7X (AU$57,600 / $40,200).

Complementing the more powerful motors is a larger 81.9 kWh LFP battery that provides the oddly-named C10 AWD Sports+ Special Edition with up to 272 miles (437 km) of WLTP range. It supports DC charging speeds of up to 180 kW, meaning the battery can charge from 30-80 percent in 22 minutes, which is below par in this segment despite the C10 having an 800-volt architecture.

Leapmotor has failed to mention if any upgrades have been made to the C10’s suspension or braking systems to cope with almost triple the power of the standard model.

Nearly 12,000 examples of Jeep’s all-electric Wagoneer S are being recalled in the United States, highlighting a quality lapse that arguably should have been caught earlier. Now, owners will need to visit a dealership to have their vehicles inspected and the faulty component repaired or replaced.

A recall notice issued by the NHTSA states that 2024–2026 Wagoneer S models may have been built with a liftgate hinge cover that lacks sufficient design tolerances. Stellantis explains that in some cases, the rear liftgate hinge cover may not clip securely into place and could detach from the vehicle, creating a potential road hazard.

Owners might get an early warning. The company notes that occupants could hear a rattling noise or notice that one or both hinge covers aren’t sitting flush.

Review: The 2026 Jeep Wagoneer S Is Fast, Comfortable, And Wearing The Wrong Badge

FCA’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance team opened an investigation on January 8. Over the next five weeks, it worked with FCA US Engineering and Manufacturing to review production data and design revisions tied to the hinge cover, focusing on pinpointing the root cause of the issue.

Warranty Claims Start Piling Up

Jeep says that as of February 18, it had logged two customer assistance cases, 17 warranty claims, and 32 field reports potentially tied to the issue. In total, 11,767 vehicles are being recalled, all built between March 21, 2024, and July 24, 2025. The automaker estimates that 6.7 percent of them may actually have the defect in question.

The problematic component comes from Magna International, with owner notifications set to go out starting May 1. Dealers have been told to inspect the hinge cover and, if needed, repair or replace it with an updated version that stays put.

This isn’t the only recall recently issued by Jeep in the US. In February, more than 80,000 Grand Cherokees were called in for repairs because the rear coil springs may have been installed incorrectly as part of a previous recall. In this case, Jeep revealed the spring could detach from the vehicle entirely, presenting a serious safety risk.

The all-electric SUV space has transformed at a remarkable pace in recent years, shifting from niche curiosity to mainstream battleground. Over the past five years in particular, growth has been rapid, driven in no small part by a surge of ambitious entrants from China.

If you’re a Carscoops regular, you’ll no doubt be familiar with all of the new and compelling EVs coming out of the People’s Republic. It’s bad news for those living in the US, as none of them are available, but across Europe, Asia Pacific, and elsewhere, these EVs have forced legacy carmakers to up their game and cut prices, which is great news for consumers.

Read: Geely’s Swimming Defender Wants Land Rover’s Lunch

One of the country’s key players is the Geely Group, which continues to expand the reach of its core brand alongside a portfolio that includes Lotus, Volvo, Polestar, and Zeekr. In markets such as Australia, its most significant new EV is the Geely EX5, aimed squarely at the Tesla Model Y and competing Chinese models like the Xpeng G6 and BYD Sealion 7. It may not turn many heads or deliver an especially engaging drive, but it does tick loads of boxes.

QUICK FACTS

*Manufacturer

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

What Do You Get For Your Money?

Two versions of the Geely EX5 are currently available in Australia – the Complete and the Inspire. Last month, we lived with the flagship Inspire for a week. Prices start at AU$41,990 ($29,600) for the Complete and rise to AU$45,990 ($32,500) for the Inspire, which translates to AU$50,061 ($35,300) when factoring in on-road costs.

Neither the Complete nor the Inspire offers any optional extras. All customers must choose from one of six available paint finishes and two available interior colors.

The EX5 is slightly smaller than a Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7, but it’s also considerably cheaper. The new Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive starts at AU$58,900 ($41,600), a difference of AU$16,910 ($12,000), while the larger Sealion 7 kicks off from AU$54,990 ($38,800). The EX5 also undercuts the Xpeng G6, starting at AU$54,800 ($38,700), and the Leapmotor C10, priced from AU$47,990 ($33,900).

The EX5 is based on Geely’s GEA architecture and features a compact 60.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack with a single electric motor driving the front wheels. Both versions deliver the same 160 kW (215 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque.

Due to the small battery pack, the 430 km (267 miles) quoted range of the Complete and the 410 km (255 miles) driving range of the Inspire aren’t all that impressive, but the EX5 does promise to be pretty efficient, averaging as low as 15.8 kWh/100 km.

A Sleek Cabin

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

I stepped into my week with the EX5 just after handing back the keys to Geely’s new Starray EM-i plug-in hybrid. From behind the wheel, the two look and almost feel the same, which is certainly no bad thing.

The EX5’s basic dashboard, steering wheel, door panels, and floating center console are all virtually identical to the Starray. While it’d be nice to have a little more differentiation between the two models, I can’t imagine there’ll be any EX5 buyers not completely satisfied with the fit and finish of the cabin.

Perched in the center of the dashboard is a 15.4-inch infotainment display using Geely’s Flyme OS. It’s an excellent system, using a snappy processor and having logical and easy-to-understand menus. I especially liked the ability to customize which functions remained fixed to the taskbar at the base of the screen, such as temperature controls, fan speed, and seat adjustments.

A large 10.2-inch digital cluster is also used. Just like in the Starray EM-i, only the right side of it can be configured to display things like your media and trip functions. The rest of the screen remains unconfigurable.

Review: The 2026 Geely Starray EM-i Undercuts RAV4 By $5K And Feels Twice The Price

Our tester had the available black interior finish, and it felt more premium than the price tag would suggest. There are some areas with piano black plastic, including the steering wheel and parts of the door panels, but Geely hasn’t gone overboard with them. Found on the floating center console are climate-control shortcuts and a configurable scroll wheel.

The Good And The Bad

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Sliding into the driver’s seat for the first time, I was relieved that the faux leather felt very real and was beautifully soft to the touch. However, I was disappointed that, like in the Starray, there is no ability to adjust the lumbar support. This is an odd exclusion, particularly given that Geely has gone to the trouble of fitting ventilated, heated, and massaging front seats.

Speaking of the massage seats, they are superb and remarkably forceful, unlike most other cars in this price range with massage seats.

When launched, the EX5 only included wireless Apple CarPlay, but no Android Auto connectivity. Thankfully, our test car benefited from a software update just before we collected it, adding wireless Android Auto, which worked seamlessly. The Inspire also comes standard with a panoramic sunroof and a solid 16-speaker audio system.

Externally, the EX5 looks quite small, but much to my surprise, there’s plenty of room for adults in the second-row, including plenty of legroom and headroom. However, it seems Geely has robbed some cargo volume to make the rear seats as spacious as they are.

As such, there’s just 302 liters (10.6 cubic feet) of space in the rear, although this does increase to 410 liters (14.5 cubic feet) if you include the generous under-floor storage area. Fold the seats down, and you’re looking at 1,877 liters (66.2 cubic feet), or about 200 liters (7 cubic feet) less than the Starray.

Smooth And Sharp

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Spend any amount of time behind the wheel of the EX5, and it’s obvious that it feels just as polished as some of the more expensive competition.

As an EV like this should, it’s quiet on the open road, but it does have an especially loud pedestrian warning hum when driving at lower speeds. Figures of 160 kW (215 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) are largely par for the course for a vehicle like this, and just so happen to be identical to the recently-launched Hyundai Elexio.

Review: Hyundai’s Chinese 2026 Elexio Gets So Much Right, And That’s The Frustrating Part

Power feels absolutely adequate. Were this a combustion-powered SUV, it may feel a little underpowered, but as all of the grunt is available the moment you stab the throttle, the EX5 gets going surprisingly well. Indeed, it can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 6.9 seconds, which is very respectable. Geely has also done a good job of ironing out any hints of torque steer under hard acceleration.

Efficiency is also good. I averaged 16.2 kWh/100 km during my time with it, a lot better than I recently averaged in the larger and admittedly heavier Hyundai Elexio.

The ride also feels polished and plush, and that’s not something that can be said about many EVs. Given these vehicles have heavy battery packs in the floor, carmakers often give them quite harsh suspension setups. That’s not the case here as the EX5 eases over bumps smoothly and comfortably. Similarly, the steering is light and direct with several different settings to tweak the weighting.

What Could Be Improved?

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

Just like we found in the Starray, most of the frustrations with driving the EX5 can be traced back to overzealous safety systems, like the speed limit warning and the driver monitoring system. In the more expensive Zeekr 7X, also from the Geely Group, these systems can be easily and quickly disengaged by swiping down from the top of the central screen and pressing on the large shortcut settings. Additionally, they stay off, even after you’ve left the car.

Things aren’t so easy in the EX5, as you have to dive into the menu in a process that can take 10-15 seconds. Whenever I would get ready to drive off, I’d have to disable them. It’d be nice to see Geely tap some of Zeekr’s UX engineers on the shoulder for some advice on how to incorporate similar shortcut toggles.

Is the EX5 particularly fun or engaging to drive? No, as it simply doesn’t have the performance or suspension setup to thrill, but it handles well, thanks in large part to the fact that it’s relatively light.

Shortly after we returned the keys to our 2025 model, Geely presented the 2026 EX5 in Australia, complete with a slightly larger 68.39 kWh battery, but retaining the same 160 kW (215 hp) front-mounted motor. In the future, we’d like to see Geely broaden the EX5’s appeal further, perhaps by launching a more powerful all-wheel drive version.

Verdict

As it stands, the Geely EX5 is a very solid choice for those in the market for an all-electric, mid-sized SUV. While it’d be nice for some of the safety systems to be calibrated more accurately, the minor niggles they have aren’t a deal-breaker.

For growing families, the EX5 could prove to be a little too small, so it would be best suited to couples and those with young children. It’s well-priced, reasonably efficient, and comfortable to drive daily. However, even though the model we drove is known as the EX5 Inspired, it felt a little uninspired and isn’t the type of vehicle that tugs at the heartstrings, as is the case with a number of alternatives.

Photos Brad Anderson/Carscoops

The NHTSA has intensified its scrutiny of Tesla’s Full-Self Driving system, focusing on how it copes when visibility drops. That escalation pushes the probe closer to a potential recall, one that could affect more than 3.2 million vehicles across the United States.

The agency first opened a preliminary evaluation in October 2024 to assess FSD’s ability to detect and respond appropriately in reduced roadway visibility. That probe has now been upgraded to an engineering analysis, which will examine how the vision-only system behaves in adverse conditions and whether it can alert drivers with enough time to react.

Read: Tesla Owners Furious After FSD Transfer Rules Change Again

According to regulators, Tesla developed and implemented a degradation detection system after transitioning to its camera-based vision setup in mid-2021, abandoning radar and other sensors. The company began working on an update to this system in June 2024, following a report of a fatal crash involving one of its vehicles on November 28, 2023

Rain Is FSD’s Enemy

In its preliminary evaluation, the NHTSA began piecing together how Tesla’s Full Self-Driving system behaves in less-than-ideal conditions. The agency learned from Tesla that FSD’s ability to detect and respond to poor road conditions may have contributed to 3 of the 9 incidents identified by the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

In the crashes reviewed, the system failed to recognize common roadway conditions that affected camera visibility and did not issue alerts when camera performance degraded until just before impact.

A subsequent review of Tesla’s responses uncovered other crashes that occurred under similar circumstances. In these cases, the FSD system also lost track or “never detected a lead vehicle in its path.” The NHTSA also notes that Tesla says internal data and labeling limitations have prevented a uniform identification and analysis of crash events with the system engaged, meaning there is a possibility of under-reporting crashes.

The probe covers an estimated 3,203,754 Tesla vehicles, including the 2016-2026 Model S and X, 2017-2026 Model 3, 2020-2026 Model Y, and 2023-2026 Cybertruck models equipped with FSD.

Jaguar’s radical pivot to electric vehicles, anchored by a four-door GT sedan, has proven deeply controversial. And once you learn about some of the planned future Jaguar models that had to be killed to make way for the Type 00, you may deride Jaguar’s EV shift even more.

For years, it was known that Jaguar had been developing an all-new XJ before abruptly changing course, cancelling the project mere months before it was ready. The car was going to be electric, but the platform was flexible enough to support a six-cylinder engine if the market demanded it.

Read: Secrets Of The Ill-Fated Jaguar XJ Revealed

In a recent chat on the Road to Success Podcast, Jaguar’s former design director Ian Callum revealed he had also designed a new XF sedan and an F-Pace SUV before departing the company in 2019. Both were scrapped to clear the path for the Type 00. The most painful revelation, perhaps, is that a successor to the F-Type was also in development.

What Could Have Been

Callum didn’t say how far work on a second-generation F-Type had progressed when he left. He considers the original one of the last great Jaguars, before the company’s strategy shifted beneath it. At a time when sleek, front-engined two-door sports cars are disappearing from the market, losing the F-Type to make room for a grand touring EV is a difficult pill to swallow.

Speaking about the company’s new EV, Callum described it as a “handsome car,” adding that “it’s bold, it’s brave, and it’s got a lot of good design attributes about it, but it’s not beautiful and Jaguars need to be beautiful.” He also said the Type 00 is “too retro.”

What Can We Expect From The Type 00?

Jaguar wants to establish itself as a legitimate rival to Bentley and Rolls-Royce with the Type 00, abandoning its pursuit of volume sales and chasing the likes of BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz. The production model will stick true to the concept’s radical design, though it will add two extra doors and have a longer wheelbase.

Power comes from three motors, a 350 hp unit up front and two at the rear producing a combined 950hp, with Jaguar promising at least 1,000 hp total along with just over 1,000lb ft of torque. According to Top Gear, that translates to a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint in around 3.3 seconds, a limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h), and a driving range of approximately 430 miles (692 km).

The high-end EV market is facing some struggles, but despite this, Ferrari is plowing ahead with its first-ever electric car, the aptly named Luce. While the brand is perhaps the last you’d ever expect to enter the EV world, it’s confident the model will offer all the driving thrills expected of a Prancing Horse.

During a recent interview, Ferrari chief executive Benedetto Vigna insisted that the Luce will deliver each of the five key drivers of driving thrills, ensuring it is befitting of the brand’s badge and can succeed where some EVs have failed: to tug at the emotional heartstrings.

Read: Ferrari Breaks Its Silence On Luce Trademark Rights After Mazda Filing

Speaking with Autocar India, Vigna said one element “is longitudinal acceleration,” agreeing with the interviewer that perhaps this acceleration in EVs is too linear, and also “too much, because sometimes it’s disturbing our brain.” He went on to reveal that Ferrari has worked with NASA to “understand what is the level of acceleration that is disturbing people,” and that too much acceleration is not a good thing.

Sounds And Shifts

SHProshots

Another important contributor to driving thrills is “transversal acceleration, followed by the braking experience, the gearshift, and the sound. As recent images of the Luce’s interior revealed, it will include paddle shifters, and unlike some EVs, these won’t be used to adjust the level of brake regeneration but instead to adjust the level of torque engagement.

Vigna stopped short of confirming that the system will mimic traditional shifts, as in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, but it certainly sounds like that is what Ferrari is aiming for. Then there’s the all-important sound.

As patents have revealed, Ferrari won’t aim to mimic the sound of an internal combustion engine with the Luce, and instead will amplify the sounds of the electric motor.

“The electric motor is not silent,” he said, “there is a sound there. The problem sometimes today [is that] most of us associate the sound of electric motor with something high frequency that is disturbing. But, there are also low frequency, there are also ways to pick up the sound in an authentic way, in the original way, to avoid the two looking like a DJ.”

Vigna went on to add that the Luce will have a driving range of over 311 miles (500 km), and while that may not sound all that impressive, he noted it has not been designed with track use in mind, indicating that the battery technology is not in a place to make such cars achievable.

It’s been only two years since the Xiaomi SU7 hit the market, and it has quickly become one of the most popular electric sedans in China. An updated version has just been launched, and it promises to be even better while still remaining an absolute bargain.

Ordinarily, it takes car manufacturers four or five years to update a model, but Xiaomi is more like Apple than a traditional car brand, and it’s used to updating its products on a yearly basis, so it’s perhaps no surprise the SU7 has already been refreshed. Like before, it’ll continue to be sold in Standard, Pro, and Max configurations, and it took just 8 hours for local enthusiasts to place 15,000 orders.

Read: Xiaomi Finally Fixed A Feature Owners Said Was Fake, For Real This Time

The base SU7 Standard is equipped with a 73 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery and a rear-mounted motor with 315 hp (235 kW). It has a claimed CLTC range of 447 miles (720 km), and starts at just 219,900 yuan or around $31,900. Sitting above it is the SU7 Pro, fitted with a larger 96.3 kWh LFP battery and the same 315 hp (235 kW) motor, boosting its range to 560 miles (902 km) and bumping up the price to 249,900 yuan, roughly $36,200.

The SU7 Max comes equipped with a 101.7 kWh ternary lithium battery, dual motors delivering 681 hp (508 kW), and a 519-mile (835 km) range. It starts at 303,900 yuan or $44,000. There’s no word on whether an update is also being readied for the hypercar-rivaling SU7 Ultra, but changes are likely in the works.

Visually, the new model looks largely the same as the outgoing SU7, though all versions now come with a roof-mounted LiDAR, a 4D millimeter-wave radar, and the Nvidia Thor-U computing system. A new radar has also been added up front, and the rear tires are slightly wider, perhaps to improve grip and reduce the risk of crashes like this.

An Important Door Solution

Xiaomi has also added a new door unlocking mechanism with a triple-redundancy system, no doubt to ensure drivers don’t get stuck inside should they be involved in a serious accident. The mechanical release on the front passenger doors is also now finished in bright red, making it easier to spot in an emergency.

The rest of the interior is familiar, although the infotainment screen is slightly bigger at 16.1 inches. The dual wireless phone chargers have been retained, but Xiaomi has repositioned the cupholders from a vertical configuration to a horizontal one. It’s also removed the vertical row of buttons that had been fitted to the console, instead shifting them between the charging pads and the cupholders.

Geely has begun taking the necessary steps to launch its vehicles in Canada and could start sales as early as this year. The move places it in direct competition with BYD, as both aim to become among the first Chinese EV-focused brands to enter the Canadian market following a recent trade deal between the two countries.

They are both locked in a race against Tesla, which appears positioned to secure, if not all, then most of the first batch of 24,500 Chinese-made EV permits available at a reduced tariff rate.

Geely Group chief executive Andy An says the company expects to secure the required certifications from Canadian officials soon, clearing the way for local sales. The automaker has been steadily climbing the ranks among the world’s largest car manufacturers and is now setting its sights on expansion across several key markets.

Read: Canada Could Give China’s Biggest Carmaker A Backdoor Into The US Market

“We’re not only considering the Canadian market, but also Brazil, South America, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia,” An told Bloomberg. “Geely’s globalization is mostly through exports right now, but we will look to localize production.”

Geely ranks just behind BYD as China’s second-largest car manufacturer, and it already has a foothold in both Canada and the United States through Polestar and Volvo. Even so, steep 100 percent tariffs have long made exporting additional China-built models to Canada a tough business case.

Things are changing. Earlier this year, Canada and China agreed to a pivotal new trade deal, announcing that up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs will be eligible for importation into the country at a reduced tariff rate of just 6.1 percent. That ceiling is expected to climb over time, reaching roughly 70,000 vehicles annually.

With those barriers easing, Geely, along with rivals like BYD and Chery, is lining up a Canadian market entry. The simplest route is to ship existing EVs from China, but local production, either through partnerships or independent operations, is very much on the table. Chery, for its part, is already recruiting in Canada as it prepares for its own arrival.

BMW may have just revealed the new i3 sedan, but behinds the scenes, it’s already working on another EV. A redesigned iX1 is on the way, and fresh spy shots make one thing clear, it is moving in a very different visual direction.

The brand’s smallest electric SUV now appears to be taking heavy inspiration from the iX3, effectively shrinking down that model’s look while adopting the Neue Klasse design language that is gradually rolling out across the brand’s lineup.

Read: BMW’s New Compact SUV Spills Its Innermost Secrets

While the company has gone to the trouble of wrapping the prototype in its typical black-and-white camouflage, there’s no hiding some of the biggest design changes. Most notably, we can see that the large kidney grilles of the outgoing EV have been ditched in favor of small, vertical units, similar to the iX3, which are also being added to the new X5.

Trick Tech And Quick Charging

Baldauf

The new grille will be joined by new headlights and a redesigned bumper. The side profile also looks noticeably cleaner than the outgoing iX1, and includes flush door handles. The rear is hidden from view, but we can see parts of the new LED taillights.

Based on early reviews, it looks like the second-generation iX3 is BMW’s first competitive offering against the tidal wave of Chinese electric SUVs. It’s equipped with the company’s sixth-generation battery pack and electric motors, providing it with class-leading range and performance.

Baldauf

The new iX1 will use similarly innovative tech for a, hopefully, dramatic improvement over the existing model. We don’t know yet if it will have the same 108.7 kWh battery as the iX3, given its smaller size, but if it shares its 800-volt electrical architecture, it will enable charging speeds of up to 400 kW.

These images don’t show the cabin of the new iX1, but earlier ones from December did, revealing the same basic interior setup as the iX3, including BMW’s new Panoramic iDrive system and tilted central infotainment display. In all likelihood, the iX3’s odd four-spoke steering wheel will also come standard, like in the all-new i3 sedan.

Baldauf

Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, oil prices have surged to a four-year high and are fast approaching $100 per barrel. Regardless of where you live, this means that if you’re driving an ICE-powered car, you’ll be paying more to fill it up. It’s perhaps the perfect time to own an EV instead.

A recent study indicates that last year’s increased adoption rate of EVs reduced oil consumption by 2.3 million barrels per day, and these fuel savings will continue to grow as more EVs are sold. By 2030, EVs could help to reduce global oil consumption by 5.25 million barrels per day.

Read: The $8 Gallon Is Here, If You’re Dumb Enough To Pay For It

As noted by BloombergNEF, a key contributor to the reduced oil demand is two- and three-wheeled EVs, which have surged in popularity, particularly across Asia. A separate, more conservative study that factors in how often plug-in hybrid vehicles run on fossil fuels pegged last year’s daily oil savings at 1.7 million barrels.

At this rate, and with average prices of $80 per barrel, the analysis says that China would save more than $28 billion a year in oil imports thanks to its massive EV industry. Similarly, Europe would save $8 billion, and India could save $600 million per year.

Is This The Break EVs Need?

The war in Iran has made regular fill-ups for ICE drivers far more expensive. Just this week, Bloomberg expects US drivers to pay an additional $1.65 billion at the pump. With gas prices showing no signs of stopping, it should come as no surprise that interest in EVs has jumped this month.

CarEdge reports that search traffic for electric vehicles jumped 20 percent in the week following the attack on Iran. Search traffic also nearly doubled for many of the market’s most popular EVs, including the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Tesla Model Y.

Of course, surging oil prices will likely also lead to increased electricity costs, meaning charging an EV could become more expensive. However, electricity rates won’t rise by as much, as only roughly a quarter of a typical US power bill is directly tied to fuel costs.