Today in Cars: Mercedes’ 2027 SUV shake-up, Xpeng’s flagship heads Down Under, Mazda trims CX-80 prices, and the Z Nismo finally goes manual

I woke up to a very German kind of news day: a neat row of Mercedes SUVs marching toward 2027 with new badges, new prices, and a clear intent to own the school run and the autobahn in one swipe. Sprinkle in a sharp-priced Mazda family hauler, an electric Range Rover horizon, a Chinese flagship EV for Australia, and—because joy matters—a Nissan Z Nismo that finally adds a stick. It’s a good day to love cars.

Mercedes re-stacks the SUV deck for Australia in 2027

Mercedes-Benz is doing a wide-body overhaul of its big sellers in Australia for 2027. There’s fresh pricing for the updated GLE and GLS ranges (yes, AMG and Maybach variants included), a new AMG GLC53 that replaces both the four-cylinder GLC43 and the old GLC63 in one hot six-cylinder swing, and a GLC400 Electric positioned squarely at BMW’s iX3. That’s a lot of chess moves on one board.

• 2027 GLE: Updated styling and tech; AMG versions confirmed for Australia.
• 2027 GLS: The sofa-on-22s gets a facelift and pricing, with AMG and plush Maybach trims in tow.
• 2027 AMG GLC53: New six-cylinder performance hero replaces both GLC43 and GLC63 locally.
• 2027 GLC400 Electric: New EV variant priced to take on the BMW iX3.

Having lived with the outgoing GLE for a few weeks last year, I’ll say this: the bones are excellent. The way it cocoons you on corrugated country B-roads is very E-Class wagon, but taller. The new car’s value will hinge on software polish—infotainment responsiveness and driver-assist tuning are the real lux markers now. As for the GLS, I’ve shuttled a kid’s soccer team in one and the third row impressed adults, too. A gentle facelift is all that giant really needs; the trick is keeping Maybach quiet enough to feel like its own mini brand.

Quick guide: 2027 luxury SUV shuffle for Australia

Two notes from the driver’s seat. One: the AMG GLC consolidating the 43 and 63 ladders into a single 53-badged six might ruffle spec-sheet feathers, but if the chassis breathes like the best AMGs, most buyers will care more about balance than badges. Two: the GLC400 Electric landing with “iX3” in its sights tells you exactly how Mercedes sees Australian EV demand—premium midsize, urban-favored, long-weekend capable.

Range Rover EVs set for Australia in 2027

Land Rover has circled 2027 for the arrival of fully electric Range Rover models in Australia. Having taken a current Range Rover up to the Snowies last winter, I’m itching to feel that wafty, gliding character with instant electric torque. The Range Rover formula—quiet isolation with imperious ride quality—feels tailor-made for electrons. The big unknowns are range (towing a ski trailer matters to buyers here) and charging curve. If they get both right, it’ll be a silent stampede.

Xpeng GX confirmed for Australia: China’s luxury EV push intensifies

Xpeng’s new GX—positioned as a flagship SUV and a rival for Zeekr’s 9X—is officially heading Down Under. This matters. The latest wave of premium Chinese EVs has been coming at established brands with long-range claims, feature-rich cabins, and pricing that undercuts the Europeans just enough to sting.

• Flagship positioning means premium materials and big-battery expectations.
• Expect the usual Chinese EV party tricks: smart driver aids and speedy over-the-air updates.
• Rival targets include Zeekr’s 9X and—functionally—Euro midsizers on buyer shortlists.

I tried Xpeng’s driver-assistance setup on rougher suburban roads during a quick demo last year; the lane-keeping was confident but not grabby, which bodes well if that tuning carries over. The real question will be dealer support and resale confidence. Early adopters will want clear warranty pathways.

2026 Mazda CX-80: Diesels and PHEVs now more affordable

Mazda has trimmed pricing on the 2026 CX-80’s diesel and plug-in hybrid variants. If you’ve been juggling seven seats, fuel costs, and that tricky garage length, the CX-80 hits a sweet spot between city civility and country-weekender range.

• Three-row flexibility without the “bus” feeling of full-size SUVs.
• Diesel for long-haul efficiency; PHEV for school-week electric commuting.
• Mazda’s cabin ergonomics remain a benchmark—simple, tactile, unfussy.

On my last family road trip in a CX-80 sibling, the third row was perfectly fine for teens, and the PHEV’s EV mode took care of the entire weekday routine. Pack two soft bags instead of one hard suitcase, though—the boot floor shape favors flexibility.

Enthusiast corner: Nissan Z Nismo adds a manual; Cadillac Blackwing future teased

For 2027, the Nissan Z Nismo finally gains a six-speed manual—and with it, a higher sticker. That math makes sense to me. The Z’s shifter feel and clutch take-up are half the thrill in this car; the Nismo chassis deserves full driver engagement. I had a long dawn run in a previous Z on a coastal B-road—the car just wakes up when you’re timing heel-and-toe to the sunrise.

Also in the rumor mill: a new CT5-V Blackwing successor is coming, but whether it keeps a V8 and a manual is very much in question. As someone who has burned through more than a few sets of Michelins in a manual Blackwing, I’ll say this: the engagement tax is worth paying. If Cadillac goes twin-turbo V6 and auto-only, the chassis will need to sing to keep hearts as well as heads.

What I’ll be watching next

• AMG GLC53 local tune: ride quality on coarse-chip Aussie tarmac.
• GLC400 Electric range and charging times—particularly repeat fast-charging on summer road trips.
• Range Rover EV towing range and thermal management in heat.
• Xpeng GX aftersales support and software update cadence.
• Nissan Z Nismo manual gearing and final-drive choices for track vs. street.

Final lap

Australia’s 2027 SUV landscape is shaping up fast: Mercedes is tightening its lineup, Range Rover is plugging in, and Chinese premium EVs are stepping confidently onto the field. Meanwhile, Mazda is doing the sensible-family thing with lower prices, and the Z Nismo reminds us the best drives still involve your left foot. It’s going to be a busy test-drive calendar—and that’s exactly how I like it.

FAQ

• When are electric Range Rovers due in Australia?
  Range Rover EVs are confirmed for a 2027 Australian launch.
• What’s changing with the Mercedes GLC lineup in 2027?
  A new AMG GLC53 with a six-cylinder replaces the local GLC43 and GLC63, and a GLC400 Electric joins the range to target the BMW iX3.
• Is the 2027 Nissan Z Nismo really getting a manual?
  Yes, it gains a six-speed manual, along with a notable price increase.
• Has Mazda reduced CX-80 prices?
  Yes—diesel and PHEV versions of the 2026 CX-80 are now more affordable.
• What is the Xpeng GX and why does it matter?
  It’s Xpeng’s flagship SUV confirmed for Australia, positioned against premium EV rivals like the Zeekr 9X, signaling stronger competition in the luxury EV space.