Today in Cars: Australia Sets Another Sales Record, Hyundai’s Elexio Undercuts Ioniq 5, Qashqai Goes Hybrid-Only, and a $4.5M Bugatti Tries Aftermarket Wheels

Some days the car world feels like a busy forecourt at 5pm—everyone jostling for attention, a few shouting about price rises, and one very fancy hypercar quietly trying on shoes it absolutely doesn’t need. I spent the morning sifting through fresh announcements from Australia’s VFACTS ledger to boutique hypercar shenanigans, and there’s a clear theme: even in a record year, the market is shifting under our feet.

Australia: Record Sales, Modest Growth, and Some Big Winners and Losers

Australia closed 2025 with another record year for new-vehicle sales, though growth was modest. That’s the headliner. Dig into the VFACTS detail and you see a more nuanced picture: while the overall pie grew, several brands suffered notable drops. In other words, the tide came in, but a few boats still took on water.

Two takeaways stuck with me from talking to dealers last week:

• Availability and pricing discipline mattered more than flashy launches. If you could deliver, you sold.
• Electrified crossovers stayed hot—especially where fuel prices bite—but buyers are increasingly price-sensitive.

Hyundai’s 2026 Elexio: Aussie-Tuned, China-Built, Priced Beneath Ioniq 5

Hyundai’s new Elexio is the sort of stealth move that shifts segments. It’s a Chinese-built EV that’s been tuned for Australian roads and, crucially, it’s positioned under the Ioniq 5 on price. I’ve driven plenty of “Aussie-tuned” Hyundais over the years—think sharper rebound control and less float on the Great Western Highway—and when done right, that local calibration really does take the fidget out of coarse-chip bitumen.

• Aussie-specific chassis tune aimed at rougher country roads
• Slots below Ioniq 5 in Hyundai’s EV lineup (and pricing)
• Targets value-seeking EV buyers without feeling bargain-bin

If Hyundai nails cabin refinement and charging consistency here, the Elexio could become the new “default” electric family car for people who don’t want to stretch to an Ioniq 5.

2026 Nissan Qashqai: Hybrid-Only, With a Price Hike

Nissan is taking a decisive swing with the 2026 Qashqai: hybrid-only, and it’ll cost more. I’ve spent plenty of time in the current Qashqai, and it’s always been about ease—easy size, easy to park, easy to live with. Going hybrid-only should improve real-world consumption in traffic, but it has to justify the price bump with genuine refinement and performance gains.

• Hybrid-only lineup for 2026
• Significant price increase versus the outgoing range
• Appeals to urban commuters and rideshare drivers looking to cut fuel spend

If you’ve got a long freeway commute, the quietness and low-RPM torque of a good hybrid can make the daily grind gentler—provided the e-motor handoff is smooth. I’ll be curious to see how Nissan’s calibration feels on coarse Aussie asphalt.

Mahindra XUV 7XO: New Look, Same Price

Mahindra’s updated XUV700 now wears XUV 7XO badges and a fresher suit, but keeps its price steady. That’s smart. The outgoing model I drove surprised me with cabin space and long-haul comfort; this update looks aimed at polishing the first impression without scaring off budget-conscious buyers.

• Revised styling and cabin touchpoints
• Pricing held at previous XUV700 levels
• Family-sized value play, especially for regional buyers

Report: Toyota Tarago Could Return

A whisper out of Japan and Australia suggests the beloved Tarago people mover (known elsewhere as Previa/Estima) might be on a comeback tour. If Toyota does it, expect space-first packaging and family-friendly sensibility. Picture Saturday-morning sport runs, mountain bikes swallowed whole, and the dog asleep in row three. The only question is powertrain: hybrid seems a lock; a full EV would be interesting, especially for airport shuttle fleets.

Quick Comparison: New and Notable for Aussie Families in 2026

Elsewhere: Bugatti’s Shoe Fitting, VW’s Sales Oddities, and Honda Prelude’s Slow Start

A $4.5M Bugatti Already Flirting with Aftermarket Wheels

Bugatti’s new hypercar—think multi-million-dollar craftsmanship and engineering precision—isn’t even in customer driveways yet, and someone’s trialing aftermarket wheels for it. On a car engineered to the micron, swapping rolling stock before the ink’s dry on homologation feels like wearing hiking boots with a tux. Will it look wild? Of course. Would I do it? On a $4.5M machine that’s essentially a watchmaker’s movement on wheels… I’d stick with factory-spec and a torque wrench calibrated by a priest.

Volkswagen: Most Models Down, A Couple of Curveballs Up

Sales data shows nearly every VW model took a hit—except for two unexpected risers. That’s classic market volatility: when supply chains normalize and incentives shuffle, oddballs can suddenly find new fans. If you’ve been eyeing a mainstream VW, it might be a buyer’s market on the forecourt, while those surprise gainers could be thin on the ground.

Honda Prelude: Only 174 Sold in Its First Full Month

The revived Honda Prelude clocked just 174 sales in its first full month. That’s a trickle for a name with such 90s poster cred. It’s a reminder that nostalgia is loud on the internet but quiet at the dealership if pricing and positioning don’t line up. I’m rooting for it—Honda knows how to make a sweet-handling coupe—but it may need sharper packaging or clearer storytelling to cut through today’s crossover din.

Also in “You Don’t See That Everyday”

A two-faced Chrysler minivan—half American, half Canadian—welded together as a rolling commentary on cross-border trade. It’s absurd, kind of brilliant, and exactly the sort of thing that makes car culture fun on a Tuesday afternoon.

What It Means If You’re Shopping

• Chasing value EV? Keep an eye on the Hyundai Elexio; it’s designed to undercut the Ioniq 5 without feeling cheap.
• Want hybrid ease? The Qashqai goes all-in, but budget for the price lift.
• Big family, tight wallet? The Mahindra XUV 7XO’s “new look, same price” pitch is compelling.
• Hauling people and gear? If the Tarago returns, it could reset the people-mover segment—again.
• Collectors and tinkerers: maybe leave the Bugatti’s wheels alone, at least until the factory says “okay.”

Conclusion

Another record year proves buyers are still out there, but they’re choosy. Undercut the segment, electrify smartly, keep the spec honest—and you’ll sell. Miss the brief, and even a storied nameplate can stumble out of the gate. Today’s sheet says Hyundai’s leaning in, Nissan’s committing, Mahindra’s steadying, Toyota’s teasing, and Bugatti is—well—doing Bugatti things.

FAQ

When is the Hyundai Elexio coming to Australia, and where does it sit?

It’s slated for 2026 and sits below the Ioniq 5 on price and positioning, with Australian-specific tuning.

Is the 2026 Nissan Qashqai hybrid-only?

Yes. The new range goes hybrid-only and brings a notable price increase over the outgoing lineup.

What’s changed with the Mahindra XUV 7XO?

It’s essentially an updated XUV700 with revised styling while keeping the same pricing strategy.

Is Toyota really bringing back the Tarago?

A return has been reported but not formally confirmed. If it happens, expect family-first packaging and likely hybrid power.

How did the new Honda Prelude sell out of the gate?

It recorded 174 sales in its first full month—an underwhelming start for a revived icon.