Daily Drive: New Aussie-Bound PHEVs, HiLux vs Raptor, Durango’s V6 Comeback, and F1’s Latest Plot Twists
Some mornings the news hits like a triple espresso. Today’s one of those—plug-in SUVs are lining up for Australia, Toyota’s sharpening the HiLux to punch at the Raptor, Dodge brings back the sensible Durango, Volvo smooths its roofline, and the F1 paddock can’t stop talking. Let’s take a lap.
The new plug-in pile-on: MG, GAC, Omoda, and KGM aim at the family sweet spot
Australia’s about to be awash with electrified mid- and large-size SUVs. In the space of a few hours we had a leaked look at MG’s Sorento-rivalling PHEV, a formal Australian unveiling of GAC’s S7 PHEV as a potential Kluger rival, confirmation the Omoda 7 is locked in for 2026, and a sharp-value hybrid from Korea in the KGM Torres.
I don’t need a press release to tell me what works in this segment: seven usable seats, a boot that still swallows a pram with the third row up, and an EV-mode range that actually makes school runs fuel-free. When I ran a Sorento PHEV up to Falls Creek last winter, the difference between “spec-sheet good” and “real-world good” came down to cabin heat efficiency and where the charge port sits when you nose-in at public chargers.
| Model | Type | Target | Australia timing | Key talking point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MG large SUV (leaked) | PHEV | Kia Sorento, Toyota Kluger | TBA | Seven-seat family packaging with MG’s value punch |
| GAC S7 | PHEV | Toyota Kluger | Previewed in AU | New brand promising “middle premier” pricing, not bargain-basement |
| Omoda 7 | PHEV | Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, BYD Sealion 6 | 2026 | Locked for Australia with a focus on mainstream plug-in appeal |
| KGM Torres Hybrid | Hybrid (non-plug) | Toyota RAV4 | 2026 | Value-first rival from Korea with honest, boxy practicality |
Two quick notes from my notebook: GAC says it won’t get sucked into price wars—it wants to be a “middle premier brand,” read: nicer than the bargain crowd, cheaper than the blue-bloods. That can work if the cabin quality and dealer experience feel a cut above. And MG’s leaked big PHEV? If they’ve learned from the HS plug-in’s EV-mode throttle tuning (too sleepy in traffic), they’ll have a serious school-run champ on their hands.
Utes and the arms race: New HiLux GR Sport eyes Ranger Raptor, and GAC circles 2027
Toyota is cooking a new HiLux GR Sport aimed squarely at Ford’s Ranger Raptor. I’ve pounded a Raptor across corrugations so rough my smartwatch thought I’d taken up percussion—what sets it apart is the chassis sophistication, not just the noise. If Toyota brings real suspension smarts, proper tires, and a power bump rather than just decals and a bull bar, this rivalry gets properly spicy.
Meanwhile, GAC is planning a 2027 Australian launch for a pickup to rival BYD’s Shark 6. The Chinese ute front is getting crowded—and fast. If GAC sticks to its “middle premier” pitch, expect a spec sheet heavy on safety and cabin tech with pricing aimed just under the Japanese stalwarts, not rock-bottom.
US quick hits: Durango shows restraint, Ford’s work van gets clever, Maserati lives on special editions
Dodge Durango: V6 returns
- After a Hemi-only heartbeat, the V6 is back—good news for fleets and families who want space without the premium-fuel bills.
- I’ve run a V6 Durango on long interstate slogs; it’s quiet, torquey enough, and easier on consumables. The Hemi’s theatre is brilliant; the V6’s balance is better.
Ford’s smarter work van (but bring your wallet)
- Ford has given its work van a brain boost—think improved driver-assist, richer telematics, and smarter upfit integrations.
- Downside? The bill. I’ve watched small operators do the math: better uptime and safety can offset the price creep, but the monthly nut still stings.
- Quirk to watch: some of these systems bury simple HVAC or radio tweaks in touch menus—fine on the highway, fiddly with gloves at a job site.
Maserati’s special-edition treadmill
- Stellantis continues to keep Maserati buzzy with special editions—Grecale variants are the current candy.
- I get the appeal—fresh colors, curated trims—but owners I spoke with last month worry about residuals when every quarter brings a “limited” run.
Tech corner: Volvo smooths the roof, LiDAR partner fumes
Volvo is binning the roof-mounted LiDAR “bump” for good, and Luminar—its sensor partner—isn’t thrilled. From the driver’s seat, I’m torn. The periscope roof pod always shouted “science project,” but it gave superb high vantage. Flush-mounting or relocating sensors cleans the look and likely trims cost and wind noise. The question is coverage: the magic is in how well the software stitches the views. If the updated setup keeps night-time pedestrian detection as eerily good as I’ve experienced on early EX90 demos, owners won’t miss the shark fin.
Pit wall chatter: Numbers, favorites, and philosophy in F1
- Max Verstappen is eyeing a race-number change—if the rulebook allows. Petty? Maybe. But drivers are superstitious, and numbers become identity.
- Lando Norris is suddenly the 2025 title favorite in some corners after rescuing his season. Momentum matters; so does mistake-free Sunday execution.
- Charles Leclerc clarified that John Elkann’s “talk less” line was meant as a positive nudge to Ferrari. Fewer proclamations, more points—fair.
- Fernando Alonso sees a bit of himself in Verstappen—“not the good guy.” Translation: ruthless edge wins trophies, not popularity contests.
- LEGO will release an F1 Academy car and even field a team in 2026. Somewhere a young fan just picked a future career path.
- Oscar Piastri’s Brazil GP penalty—labeled “unacceptable” by some—has triggered more talks on racing guidelines. Consistency is the eternal white whale.
What it all means
If you’re shopping a family SUV in 2026, your test-drive calendar just got very busy—and that’s great for buyers. Toyota’s HiLux gets the challenge it deserves, Dodge remembers we like fuel economy, and Volvo quietly does the right thing by making tech less shouty. In F1, the personalities are as compelling as the lap times. Same as it ever was.
Feature highlights to watch for in coming launches
- Seven-seat PHEV packaging: third-row space with battery underfloor—watch for raised hip points and cargo compromises.
- Real EV range: can you do a week of commuting without starting the engine? Ask for a long test drive; try it.
- Ute suspension upgrades: it’s not just lift kits—damper tuning, unsprung mass, and tire choice make or break ride control on corrugations.
- Van tech that actually helps: lane-keeping that doesn’t ping-pong, camera views that don’t lag, physical buttons for core tasks.
FAQ
When will the new MG large PHEV SUV arrive in Australia?
It’s been leaked but not formally dated. Expect more detail soon, with positioning against Kia Sorento and Toyota Kluger.
Is the new Toyota HiLux GR Sport really a Ranger Raptor rival?
That’s the brief. Whether it lands will depend on true chassis upgrades and a meaningful power bump—not just styling and tires.
What does GAC mean by “middle premier brand” pricing?
Positioning above budget rivals but below traditional premium badges—aiming for nicer materials and tech without top-shelf prices.
Is the KGM Torres Hybrid a plug-in?
No, it’s a conventional hybrid aimed at the Toyota RAV4’s sweet spot of efficiency and value.
Why is Volvo dropping the roof LiDAR bump?
To improve design, aero, and likely cost. The goal is to retain sensor performance with less visual clutter.
