Car news, 31 March ’25: Chasing Cars passes new milestone, Australian enhanced Navara Warrior to be sold overseas
Lukas Foyle
Contributor
Thanks for joining us this Monday March 31st 2025. Notably in car news today: Chasing Cars passes 200,000 YouTube subscribers, Australian enhanced Navara ready for international release.
Chasing Cars has hit an incredible milestone this week, reaching 200,000 YouTube subscribers. This is an extraordinary achievement for Australia’s most independent car reviewing organisation.
First established in 2014 — over 11 years ago — It took Chasing Cars years of hard work, dedication and refinement to reach 100,000 subscribers, and this trend has continued in the three year lead-up to 200,000.
Left to right: Tom Baker – Founder, Jez Spinks – Editor, Nathan Ponchard – Long-term contributor
The Chasing Cars YouTube channel has generated some astounding statistics over its life. Notably, over 1300 videos have been published accruing more than 93 million video views with watch hours exceeding 6.0 million!
Chasing Cars will continue to work with Budget Direct to bring high quality independent content to Australia for years to come. We hope this milestone will be the first of many for 2025 and beyond.
Nissan has finally confirmed the Australian-developed Warrior pack will make its way overseas, starting with South Africa and the Navara Pro-4X Warrior by local outfit Premcar.
The Navara Pro-4X Warrior will launch in South Africa in late April 2025, and receives several upgrades over the standard Navara. Upgrades include: new suspension springs and dampers, 17-inch alloy wheels equipped with all terrain tyres, and a Warrior redesigned front bumper with protection.
2025 Premcar / Nissan Navara Pro4X Warrior
Premcar began enhancing Nissan vehicles as part of a Nissan Australia-lead design brief focusing on building a product which is suited to Australia’s bushland conditions, and improving overall off-road capability.
Currently, Premcar offers three ‘Warrior’ Nissans: Navara SL Warrior, Navara Pro-4X Warrior, and Patrol Warrior. To date, over 12,000 Nissan Warrior examples have been produced.
The latest cars to receive a five-star ANCAP safety rating
Independent vehicle safety body the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has handed out its latest bout of ratings.
Recent Electric vehicles to collect a five-star ANCAP medal include the Mini Cooper E, Mini Countryman, and Audi Q6 e-tron. All three vehicles scored over 80 percent for both adult and child occupant protection.
BYD Shark 6 Premium ANCAP Side impact crash test
In the combustion-engined and hybrid market, the newly released Skoda Kodiaq received a 5-star ANCAP safety, as well as the BYD Shark 6. The results for the Shark have been highly anticipated since its October 2024 release.
The Cherry Tiggo 4 also received a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, based on the testing of the larger, heavier Tiggo 7. ANCAP evaluated the autonomous emergency braking and lane support systems of the Tiggo 4 but did not conduct destructive tests on Australia’s cheapest SUV.
Skoda Australia has prepared a wealth of new and revised models to hit local showrooms by the end of 2025, beginning with an all new model: the family-oriented Skoda Elroq EV, coming in June.
Brand new releases from the Czech automaker include the new generation Superb sedan and wagon, which will be released in July, and an RS variant of the new Kodiaq, which will be available from September.
2025 Skoda Elroq (overseas model shown)
Skoda has also placed a Q3 2025 release date on the Facelifted Skoda Enyaq coupe and wagon, which has been on sale in Europe since January. The Enyaq facelift features a more aerodynamic exterior and a slightly longer range.
Skoda Australia has also teased its plans for the future, with the Skoda Epiq full-electric compact SUV and Vision 7S full-electric large SUV. Both models have not yet received an official release date.
Chasing Cars Editor Jez Spink’s review of the 2025 Toyota Prado Kakadu was published, including praise for its incredible off-road prowess and criticism of its driving experience at slow speeds and around town.
Spinks praised the Prado Kakadu for its comfortable and spacious rear seats, which are ample in both head and leg room. He also noted the touring capabilities of the car, thanks to a 110L fuel tank and silky eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Prado Kakadu left a bit to be desired around town. The steering felt indirect and leaden, whilst the brake pedal felt wooden and lacked progression through the pedal.
The Prado Kakadu is undoubtedly one of the best four-wheel drive vehicles in the segment, but, with a drive-away price of over $100,000, Kakadu in particular is difficult to justify as a family SUV against fierce rivals like the Ford Everest Platinum.
