Today’s Drive: Aussie utes go feral, Toyota shuffles hybrids, BMW blows hydrogen back into the room

I spent the morning bouncing between press calls and coffee refills, and the theme is clear: Australia’s ute wars just got spicier, Toyota’s big 4x4 hybrid plan is slipping a little, Mazda’s new EV is gunning for value, and BMW is reminding everyone that hydrogen isn’t dead—it’s just been at the gym.

Toyota’s hybrid timetable: LandCruiser delays, Prado hybrid still off in the scrub

From Toyota’s side of the campfire, the LandCruiser hybrid program is being pushed back, and anyone hoping for a Prado hybrid in the immediate future will need more patience. No, Toyota hasn’t lost its hybrid mojo—it’s likely a juggling act of calibration, certification, and supply. Heavy-duty hybrids are tricky: you’ve got to cool batteries in desert heat, preserve tow ratings, and still give owners that low-speed torque we love inching over rocks. I’ve driven enough hybrid 4x4s on washboard roads to know the tech helps with smooth throttle tip-in, but it needs bulletproof thermal management when you’re hauling a camper up a red-dust climb.

If you tow, tour, or live remote, the upside is that Toyota tends to ship these things right, not fast. The downside? You’ll be waiting longer than anyone hoped.

Mitsubishi Triton Raider lands; Raptor-rival talk bubbles; fuel squeeze pinches production

Mitsubishi’s launched the Triton Raider, a locally tuned, tougher-spec ute aimed squarely at Ford’s Ranger Tremor and Nissan’s Navara Warrior. Think: Aussie-developed suspension tweaks, chunkier rubber, and hardware that looks ready for a long weekend of ruts and roos. I spent time in the latest-gen Triton earlier this year on corrugated backroads; the new chassis is a big step forward in body control and steering calm, so a factory-blessed off-road pack is exactly the right move.

Two subplots here. First, Mitsubishi says the Triton line-up could sprout an even more hardcore variant to stare down Ranger Raptor. No promises yet, but the appetite’s clearly there. Second, there’s a fuel supply crunch nudging production for both the Triton Raider and the Navara Warrior. Dealers aren’t crying shortage today, but upstream output is being leaned on—so if you’re thinking of ordering, maybe don’t dawdle.

What the Triton Raider likely brings to the paddock

• Local suspension tune tailored to Australian tracks and payloads
• All-terrain tyres and tougher underbody protection
• Recovery points and a more confident stance (without going full desert-racer)
• Positioned as a factory-friendly alternative to pricey aftermarket builds

Australia’s first plug-in hybrid diesel ute: Chery shows the cabin

Chery has peeled the covers off the interior of what’s billed as Australia’s first plug-in hybrid diesel ute. That’s a mouthful—and quietly fascinating. On paper, a PHEV diesel balances long-haul frugality with short-trip electric running. In practice, you’re juggling dual powertrains in a workhorse body. The images show a clean, modern cabin with a large central touchscreen and a fully digital driver display—tidy, and a far cry from the vinyl-bench, hose-out era.

Questions I’ll want answered on a test drive: How seamless is the diesel-to-electric handoff when you’re towing? Where do you stash the charging cable so it doesn’t rattle across a worksite? And does regen feel natural on corrugations or too grabby? I’ve had PHEVs that shine around town and then get flustered on steep descents. This one has to nail both worlds.

Mazda CX-6e pricing undercuts Tesla and BYD

Mazda’s 2026 CX-6e—an all-electric SUV—will come in below mainstream EV rivals from Tesla and BYD on price, at least in Australia. That’s the headline, and it matters. Mazda’s secret sauce has always been everyday polish: the way the wheel rim feels right, the seats support you for hours, the cabin keeps noise at bay. If the CX-6e carries that DNA into an EV at a keener price, families doing school runs and ski weekends will give it a very long look.

Range and charging specs weren’t the star of today’s chatter, but the brand’s recent efforts suggest sensible numbers and a user-friendly interface. I’ll be watching ride quality closely; Mazda usually tunes for real roads, not glass-smooth proving grounds.

Hydrogen check-in: BMW iX5 Hydrogen teased with 385 miles of range

BMW’s hydrogen prototype refuses to fade, and now there’s a fresh tease: an iX5 Hydrogen claiming up to 385 miles of range. That’s proper road-trip territory. The hook, as ever, is refuelling time measured in minutes, not episodes of a podcast. The catch? Hydrogen stations remain rarer than an empty freeway on Friday at 5.

When I ran a fuel-cell car in LA a while back, the five-minute refill was a dream—until two stations were offline the same afternoon. If the network grows, hydrogen for SUVs and long-haul use makes sense; for now, it’s a compelling tech demo searching for infrastructure.

Small-car corner: Nissan Micra reminder

Autocar’s update on the Micra nudged a thought: not every buyer wants a towering crossover. Europe still loves a tidy supermini that slips into skinny streets and sips fuel. The Micra remains a reminder that smart packaging and light weight are virtues, even if Instagram prefers SUVs with roof tents.

Odd lot: Valet foils a supercar heist, McLaren bins itself

File this under “you can’t make it up.” A quick-thinking Manhattan parking attendant reportedly stopped thieves from making off with multiple luxury cars—and in the chaos, the McLaren managed to crash itself. Moral of the story? Modern keyless systems are brilliant until they aren’t, and supercars don’t do slapstick well.

• Always double-check key fobs and valet modes.
• Park with the wheels turned and, if it’s a manual, in gear and on a proper brake.
• If you daily a supercar in the city, consider a discreet tracker. Or three.

Today at a glance

What it means if you’re shopping

• Waiting on a hybrid LandCruiser/Prado? Budget time, not just dollars. If you need a rig now, consider diesel or mild-hybrid options and reassess later.
• Eyeing an off-road ute? Test-drive the Triton Raider against Ranger Tremor/Navara Warrior on the roughest demo loop you can find. Tyre noise and secondary ride will separate pretenders from contenders.
• Considering an EV family SUV? Keep the CX-6e on your shortlist if pricing lands as promised. Cross-shop cabin comfort and charging speeds, not just brochure range.
• Curious about hydrogen? Great tech, limited pumps. Unless you live near stations, wait and watch.

Conclusion

Today feels like the market taking a deep breath. Toyota’s pacing its heavy-duty hybrids; Mitsubishi is pressing its advantage in the ute mud-wrestle; Mazda’s chasing value in EVs; BMW’s keeping hydrogen on the whiteboard. If you’re buying in the next six months, the smart play is to test, compare, and keep an ear to the ground—because the spec you want might be a production hiccup or a pricing update away.

FAQ

When is the Toyota LandCruiser hybrid coming?

Toyota has pushed back timing. Exact dates aren’t confirmed; expect the brand to prioritise robust calibration for towing and hot-climate duty before launch.

What exactly is the Mitsubishi Triton Raider?

A locally tuned off-road-oriented Triton variant positioned against Ranger Tremor and Navara Warrior, with suspension and hardware upgrades aimed at Aussie conditions.

Is the Mazda CX-6e really cheaper than a Tesla or BYD?

In Australia, Mazda says CX-6e pricing undercuts mainstream rivals from Tesla and BYD. Final value depends on trim, range, and equipment—so compare specs when order books open.

Does a plug-in hybrid diesel ute make sense?

Potentially. You get EV running for short trips and diesel efficiency for long hauls. The trade-offs are complexity, payload considerations, and making sure the hybrid system feels natural off-road and when towing.

Is hydrogen practical today?

Only if you live near refuelling stations. The tech delivers quick fills and strong range (BMW cites up to 385 miles for its iX5 Hydrogen), but infrastructure is the limiting factor right now.