Car news today: Nissan outlines key model updates, Kia preparing dual-motor EV3 GT, and more – 27 March 2025

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Thanks for joining us this Thursday, March 27th 2025. Notably in car news today: First look at Nissan’s future plans for Australia, Kia preparing dual-motor and GT versions of EV3.

Browse this issue:

• First look at Nissan’s future plans for Australia
• Kia preparing dual-motor and GT versions of EV3
• Skoda takes on Mitsubishi and BYD in ever-growing PHEV market
• Jaecoo J7 pricing revealed

• Reviewed: 2025 Cupra Tavascan Endurance
• Reviewed: 2025 Skoda Enyaq RS Coupe

First look at Nissan’s future plans for Australia

• Nissan has released a comprehensive overview of several future models coming to the global market, as well as a first look at new innovations from the longstanding Japanese company.  

• Excitingly in the Nissan 4WD segment, the highly anticipated Y63 Patrol large 4WD has been confirmed to release locally by the end of 2026, and Nissan has teased an all-new one-tonne ute built in collaboration with Mitsubishi. 

• Passenger vehicles confirmed for the Australian market include: the Ariya EV crossover, which will make its debut later this year. Meanwhile, the third-generation Leaf EV commuter, and a new Qashqai compact hybrid, both of which are expected by the end of 2026. 

• Nissan has also confirmed the start of a worldwide rollout for its third-generation ‘e-Power’. The e-Power series-parallel hybrid system made its debut in 2016, with the technology centralising around small displacement petrol engine and lithium battery working in tandem to send power to the wheels through an electric motor. 

READ: 2026 Nissan Leaf revealed: crossover styling and reports of 600km range

WATCH: This is just the beginning! 2025 Y63 Nissan Patrol Nismo and Warrior: everything you need to know

Kia preparing dual-motor and GT versions of EV3

• Kia Australia revealed to Chasing Cars at the recent launch of the EV3 small SUV that all-wheel-drive and GT variants are likely to bolster the fledgling four-variant model range’s local line-up in future.

• “All-wheel drive and GT [are] on the cards and in planning for later in the lifecycle,” explained Kia product chief Roland Rivero, “so the answer is ‘yes’.”

• Currently the all-front-driven EV3 line-up (from $48,990 driveaway) tops out with the GT-Line at $68,490 D/A. A higher-grade dual-motor version, let alone a high-performance GT variant, would easily push into a high-$70K price tier, making it a one very pricey small electric SUV. Feasibility for the local market remains to be seen.

• Kia Australia is forecasting that of the forecast 90,000 sales for 2025, around 11,000 units will be EV-branded electrics, with EV5 (5000-6000 units) and EV3 (around 400 units) projected to be the brand’s electric volume sellers. 

READ: Kia EV3 2025 pricing locked-in: BYD Atto 3 and Hyundai Kona rival undercuts EV5 and offers more than 600km driving range

Skoda takes on Mitsubishi and BYD in ever-growing PHEV market

• Skoda has unveiled a new plug-in hybrid version of the Kodiaq large SUV – the iV, which boasts a 110km EV range. The new Kodiaq iV is expected to be released early 2026. 

• The new Kodiaq iV powertrain develops a reasonable 150kW/350Nm, features a 25.7kWh battery, and supports 50kW DC fast-charging. Strangely, in PHEV form, the renowned seven-seater Kodiaq will only be available in a five-seat configuration.

• Whilst the Kodiaq iV beats both the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and BYD Sealion 6 PHEV on EV range (86km and 92km WLTP range respectively), the big Czechian’s price will make or break the model. Currently, the equivalent Outlander PHEV costs $63,790 and BYD Sealion 6 $52,990. 

• New director of Skoda Australia, Lucie Kuhn, revealed that a lack of hybrid and plug-in hybrid offerings from Skoda has resulted in low sales figures nationally. “missing hybrids; it’s also not helping sales.”

READ: Headache for Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and BYD Sealion 6: 2025 Skoda Kodiaq plug-in hybrid to offer 110km EV range from next year

Jaecoo J7 pricing revealed 

• Jaecoo has priced its new midsize SUV, the J7, ahead of its expected launch in May 2025. The J7 will be initially released with four variants: the Core FWD base model, Track FWD mid-ranger, the high-spec Ridge AWD, and SHS Plug-in hybrid FWD range-topper. 

• The Core is priced at $34,990 driveaway, the Track at $37,990 driveaway, the Ridge $42,990 driveaway, and topping the range, the SHS at $47,990 driveaway.

• All dedicated petrol J7’s will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four cylinder mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Peak performance figures are 137kW/275Nm. The SHS hybrid uses a 105kW/215Nm 1.5-litre turbo-petrol and a 150kW/310Nm single electric motor alongside a single-speed “hybrid transmission”. 

• With drive-away pricing beginning at $34,990, the J7 is set to rival the MG HS, Haval H6, and Australian crowd favourite Mazda CX-5. 

READ: Jaecoo J7 Track 2025 review

WATCH: A new Chinese car that isn’t an EV – Jaecoo J7

Reviewed: 2025 Cupra Tavascan Endurance

• Chasing Cars road test editor John Law’s review of the 2025 Cupra Tavascan Endurance was published, and includes praise for the vehicle’s agile chassis, crisp steering, and daring styling.

• Law described the Tavascan as a “handsome thing”, with unique styling to stand out in an ever-growing EV market. He went on to commend the starting price of $60,990, before on-road costs.

• Unfortunately, the Cupra Tavascan was troubled by an inconsistent brake feel and overly stiff ride, which Law stipulated “quickly grew tiring”. Common with all current VAG vehicles, the Tavascan also falls short on phone connectivity.

• The Cupra Tavascan should be considered as a European-styled alternative to close rival Tesla Model Y, particularly the base RWD variant. 

READ: Cupra Tavascan Endurance 2025 review

WATCH: Full test of Cupra’s Tesla Model Y challenger (Cupra Tavascan 2025 review)

The next issue of Car News Today will be published on Friday 28th March at 4.30pm Sydney time.