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At a glance
The gradual drip-feed of EVs into Australia is starting to look more like a cascade, as carmakers announce several new models due in 2026 within the space of a few days.
From legacy carmakers like Hyundai, Honda and Škoda, to EV juggernaut BYD, newcomer GAC and the recently renamed KGM (nee Ssangyong), specs for more and more new battery electric and plug-in hybrid options are locked in as timelines sharpen. Across family haulers, sleek fastbacks and value-focused mid-sizers, the market is getting broader, though details like final pricing and WLTP driving range conversions remain unconfirmed.
BYD’s Sealion 5 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) aims squarely at budget-minded families and fleets that want EV kilometres without range anxiety.
Two grades are expected for Australia, Essential and Premium, with system outputs up to 156kW and an EV-only claim of up to 100km on the larger battery based on overseas test cycles. Local WLTP numbers will follow. It uses BYD’s DM-i hybrid system with a 1.5-litre petrol engine but promises less than 2litres/km fuel consumption on a fully charged battery.
With an all-electric range of 71km (NEDC) for the Essential trim from a 12.9kWh battery, this means charging it on the regular, as real-world pure EV range will likely be more like 50km – enough for a daily commute.
The Premium gets a larger 18.3kWh battery which takes NEDC EV range to 100km – expect around 70km pure EV range in real world conditions.
Inside, a roomy five-seat cabin is complemented with a 463L boot, growing to 1410L with the rear seats folded, plus BYD’s usual tech touches like a rotating 12.8-inch touchscreen, 8.8-inch instrument diplay and wireless phone charging on the Premium trims.
Convenient additions like keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay (Premium only) and Android Auto are also on the list.
AC charging only is slated for Australia, with BYD guidance pointing to a home top-up in roughly 4.5 to 6 hours depending on battery size. Safety spec includes a 360-degree camera (Premium only) and a full ADAS suite, though ANCAP timing is still to be confirmed.
While pricing is not yet announced, BYD hints the Sealion 5 will have a sharp sticker designed to undercut current PHEV rivals. Orders are scheduled to open in December for arrivals in early 2026.
The Jaecoo J5 EV is tracking for local launch with a straightforward pitch, a compact SUV body, a claimed 402km WLTP range and quick-ish DC top-ups.
While official specs have not yet been released, its appearance at Everything Electric in Melbourne last month revealed a single variant with 60.9kWh battery, 155kW/288Nm, and 130kW charging for a 30-80 per cent DC charge time in 30 minutes (dependent on charging conditions like temperature) according to dealer specs.
Practical features include 480L boot and familiar cabin tech centred on a 13.2-inch portrait screen with a 360-degree camera. Overseas specs likely to carry over locally include 200mm ground clearance, 450mm wading depth, power tailgate, and an eight-speaker sound system.
The brand is also leaning into lifestyle touches, including TÜV SÜD-certified “pet-friendly” seat materials and a panoramic glass roof. Additional pet accessories are available through dealers. Safety is said to include seven airbags and the expected active-safety stack.
Local pricing is as yet unannounced, but pre-orders are open and launch timing suggests an early-2026 showroom arrival. As ever, we’ll want to validate final Australian specification, but can confirm warranties for both the vehicle and battery are eight-years/unlimited kilometres and the vehicle comes with eight years’ roadside assistance.
KGM’s Torres EVX lands squarely in the medium-SUV sweet spot with one single variant priced from $58,000 before on-roads. Under the floor sits an 80.6kWh lithium-iron-phosphate pack that offers WLTP range up to 462km.
The onboard AC charger is rated at 10.5kW, with a 0 to 100 per cent fill listed at about nine hours on an 11kW wallbox. On DC, KGM quotes 10 to 80 per cent in around 37 minutes on a 300kW unit, and 5 minutes slower on a 100kW charger (and is opaque on what the top charge rate actually is.)
In the back, cargo volume is quoted at 465L with seats up, expanding to 1526L seats-down. Towing is listed at 1500kg braked and 500kg unbraked with a 150kg towball download, while the roof rails carry up to 100kg. Rolling stock is a set of 18-inch diamond-cut alloys on 225/60 R18 tyres, and the brake package pairs ventilated fronts with solid rears.
Cabin spec reads well for the class. You get a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with integrated climate controls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six speakers, heated leather steering wheel, dual-zone climate, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outer rear seats, a powered tailgate with smart open and close, ambient lighting and plenty of useful storage. There are two rear USB-C charge ports, an electrochromatic rear-view mirror and an upright, easy-to-see driving position that suits long stints.
Safety kit includes ESC, ABS and traction control, as well as autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, junction-turning and junction-crossing AEB, forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise, lane-keeping assist with centring, emergency lane-keeping with steering assist, blind-spot warning and assist, rear cross-traffic warning with brake intervention, safe-exit warning, multi-collision braking, trailer stability assist, front and rear parking sensors and a 3D 360-degree around-view monitor. Airbags cover driver and passenger, front side, curtain, a driver knee airbag and a front-centre airbag, with ISOFIX and top-tether anchors in the second row.
On paper this new entrant is appealing, though up against mainstays like the Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7, it will need to prove its worth.
Hyundai has trimmed the Ioniq 5 range and nudged it upmarket, with premium pricing and a clearer walk-up. The 2026 line now runs Ioniq 5, Elite and N Line Premium, while the Ioniq 5 N becomes a single, fully loaded grade. Manufacturer’s list prices are $76,200 for Ioniq 5, $81,200 for Elite, $91,700 for N Line Premium AWD and $115,000 for the Ioniq 5 N, positioning the car squarely in premium territory. The entry 63kWh variant is gone, as are digital side mirrors, which tidies the range but raises the floor for buyers.
Every 2026 Ioniq 5 now carries the larger 84kWh battery. The RWD versions make 168kW and claim up to 570km WLTP on 19-inch wheels, or 530km on 20s. The N Line Premium uses a dual-motor AWD package, effectively 239kW combined, with a 495km WLTP claim on its wheel package. The Ioniq 5 N keeps its 84kWh battery and dual motors, quoting 448kW peak in Boost Mode and 448km WLTP, with the Vision Roof now standard. Charging hardware and thermal logic continue to favour quick top-ups, while a battery conditioning function is included across the board.
Key upgrades over the previous model year include Digital Key 2.0 across the range, allowing compatible phones and watches to lock, unlock and start the car, with UWB convenience where supported and shareable access for up to 15 devices. The 5 N also folds in the MY25 improvements, LED headlights with Intelligent Front Lighting System, a haptic-feedback steering wheel and full auto up-down windows, then adds software refinements, updated N Drift Optimiser Pro and revised N Active Sound logic. Trim names align with Hyundai’s broader naming, Dynamiq becomes Elite and Epiq becomes N Line Premium.
Standard safety remains comprehensive, Highway Driving Assist 2, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 with junction functions, Blind-Spot View Monitor, 3D Surround View, seven airbags including a front-centre unit, while the 5 N layers in bigger brakes, e-LSD and the brand’s track-focused drive systems. Servicing sits on two- and four-year pre-paid plans, and warranty moves to seven years for the vehicle when serviced with Hyundai, with the high-voltage battery covered for eight years or 160,000 kilometres.
BYD is expanding into the seven-seat arena with the Sealion 8, a plug-in hybrid that pairs everyday electric driving with a petrol back-up for the long hauls.
A trio of variants is listed for Australia: Dynamic FWD, Dynamic AWD and Premium AWD; with the latter two using the DM-p layout with e-motors front and rear and DiSus-C adaptive damping. Headline figures include system outputs up to 359 kW and 675 Nm, and a 0 to 100 km/h claim of 4.9 seconds on AWD grades.
Meanwhile, the FWD model outputs 205kW/315Nm, by no means shabby numbers that will catch attention in any family SUV.
Inside, the spec sheet reads like a wish list, a 15.6-inch centre screen, a 10.25-inch driver display and a 21-speaker audio system, plus massage seats. BYD says local suspension tuning has been carried out for Australian roads – a sensible move in this class. Orders open in December 2025, with pricing to be announced closer to launch.
A 2950mm wheelbase sits within a 5040mm overall length, with the Sealion 8’s boot space able to expand from 270 litres to 960 litres with the back row down. Up to 1960 litres of cargo space is available with both rearward rows down.
Battery capacities are 19kWh in the Dynamic FWD and 35.6kWh in the AWD grades, plus a 60-litre tank to fuel the combustion engine system. Electric-only figures are quoted at 103 km for FWD and 152 km for AWD, however, they have been calculated on the NEDC cycle which can inflate range by around 30 per cent compared to what is achieved in real-world driving.
Feature details are thin on the ground, but comfort, connectivity and entertainment are covered by massage seats in both rows, a 50-watt wireless charging pad, and a 21-speaker surround sound system. Safety kit hits the key boxes including nine airbags and a 360-degree surround-view camera, backed by a " full array of intelligent driver assistance technologies”, with specifics yet to be announced.
Hyundai’s Elexio lands as a clean-sheet, E-GMP-based SUV that targets families with space, charging speed and a tech-forward cabin. The South Korean carmaker says it will land locally in early 2026 with an 88.1kWh battery that charges from 30 to 80 per cent in about 27 minutes. A 722 km driving range figure, calculated via China’s CLTC standard, should translate to an WLTP range in the circa-550-kilometre bracket.
Luggage space is listed at 506L, expandable up to 1540L, with 46 stowage areas dotted through the cabin. Audio consists of a Dolby Atmos system with eight BOSE speakers, while a 27-inch 4K widescreen, running on Qualcomm’s nimble Snapdragon 8295, takes the lion’s share of dashboard space.
Inside, the spec sheet reads family-first. Active comfort features ranging from “Family Brake Mode” to side bolsters that hug on demand. Safety kit stretches to nine airbags and extensive high-strength steel, with emergency door access hardware called out in the release.
While some of the language and figures are tailored to the Chinese launch, the Elexio’s hardware foundation is familiar and proven, which bodes well for Australian tuning. Details to watch for include official WLTP range figures, power and torque, pricing, and seeing how the ride tuning copes with Australian roads.
After confirming it intends to enter the Australian market in November with models across three drivetrains, GAC has set out Australian specifications for its all-electric Aion V. The five-seat medium SUV will be offered in two variants, both leaning on 400-volt architecture, an LFP (lithium-ion phosphate) battery pack, and a decent WLTP range claim.
Details include a battery with a capacity of 75.26kWh, a single electric motor sending 150kW and 210Nm to the front axle, and a WLTP driving range of 510 km. Charging rates include 11 kW AC for the home or shopping centre, and up to 180kW DC for public fast chargers.
The company quotes an enviable 30 to 80 per cent in 16 minutes, or 10 to 80 per cent in 24 minutes. A heat pump is standard across the range, designed to improve energy consumption in cooler regions.
The spec sheet reveals a 14.6-inch centre display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, driver monitoring, DAB, an eight-point massage function on Luxury grade, and a panoramic sunroof. Boot capacity ranges from 427 litres to 978 litres with the seats down, and there’s a smart sensor tailgate that opens when a key is detected behind the vehicle for three seconds. The ability to charge your laptop or other device is also on-tap, thanks to V2L (vehicle-to-load) functionality.
One detail likely to get attention over summer is the 6.6-litre armrest fridge on the Luxury trim, which can chill to –15°C or heat to 50°C using just 0.5 kWh of electricity over 24 hours according to GAC.
GAC’s “Magazine Battery 2.0” also claims added safety via flame-retardant electrolytes, enhanced liquid cooling and integrated fire management hardware. Pricing and warranty will be announced with market launch later in November.
Perhaps the biggest surprise announcement is that Honda has confirmed the tiny Super-ONE “kei car” EV for Australia in the second half of 2026, positioning it as a playful, compact option for dense inner-city environments.
Unveiled at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, Honda leans into the drive experience, putting the spotlight on “a Boost Mode” that sharpens response and pipes a synthesised engine note to match the sensation of stepped acceleration.
The tone is unmistakably urban, with development drawing on Japenese kei-car concepts and a focus on light, direct steering.
Dimensionally, the Super-ONE is less than 3.6 metres in length, and less than 1.6 metres wide, so it should slot into tight parking bays and thread through narrow streets with ease.
While little is known in regard to actual specs and features, Honda makes a big deal out of promising a local testing program to ensure ride and handling suits Australian roads.
The brand also flags broad charging compatibility as part of the program, so expect the ability to charge at home, at kerbside AC and at public DC charging.
With detailed specifications, battery size and WLTP driving range yet to come, for now the brief is clear: a tiny footprint, a bit of Honda fun, and a commitment to local tuning before keys change hands.
Škoda is expanding its electrified range, adding a plug-in hybrid option to its new-generation Kodiaq range in early 2026, positioning the Select PHEV between the Sportline and the RS with a comfort-leaning brief.
Power comes from a 1.5 TSI petrol paired with an 85kW electric motor for a system output of 150KW and 350 Nm. The company quotes 0 to 100 kilometres per hour in 8.4 seconds.
A key figure for family buyers, electric-only driving range (via a not-yet specified battery capacity) is claimed at up to 112 kilometres on the WLTP cycle, also backed by 11kW AC and 50kW DC charging. Škoda lists a frugal combined fuel use of 1.85L/100km (based on ADR 81/02 lab testing).
The Select PHEV carries a five-seat layout with a generous 745 litre boot. Inside, it mirrors the strong equipment baseline of the Select grade, 19-inch alloys, keyless access, heated and power-folding mirrors, a power driver’s seat, heated fronts, tri-zone climate control and a 13-inch infotainment system with DAB+ and navigation.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, joined by twin wireless phone chargers with active ventilation and five USB-C ports – including one on the rear-view mirror. On the driver-assist side, adaptive cruise control comes fitted with travel and traffic jam assist, side and lane assists with adaptive lane guidance, turn and front assist, emergency assist, traffic sign recognition and nine airbags are included as standard.
A new Select with Signature Package will also be on offer, adding massage seats, surround view, Matrix LED headlights, an illuminated grille, head-up display and more.
Škoda says the Kodiaq Select PHEV will reach showrooms in the first quarter of 2026, joining the broader updated Kodiaq range already on sale. For families seeking long electric running without stepping out of the large-SUV class, it might shape up as a tidy fit.
Zeekr used the Sydney International EV Show to pull the covers off a left-hand drive version of its 7GT, a low-slung shooting brake with serious numbers. While not yet confirmed for Australia, Zeekr says the 7GT is being evaluated for the local market. If it gets the nod from HQ, it would join the X electric compact SUV and 7X medium electric SUV, and the 009 people mover.
The brand cites dual-motor traction and sub-three-second 0 to 100 km/h performance, while the long-range rear-drive version on display pairs a 100kWh battery with an 825 km CLTC figure (notionally 630km WLTP). The car features the company’s 800-volt “Golden Battery” architecture with very short 10 to 80 per cent charge claims, though real-world Australian times will hinge on charger power levels and thermal strategy.
Design talk centres on a very slippery body, with a quoted 0.198 drag coefficient, and a premium cabin aligned with Zeekr’s Sweden-based design studio.
The near-term takeaway is simple: it’s one to watch if right-hand drive is approved. Until then, the 7GT serves as a marker of where high-performance BEVs are heading, big batteries, fast charging, and aero that pays dividends at highway speeds.
Australia’s EV landscape is widening, from family-friendly plug-in hybrids with genuine electric range to dedicated BEVs spanning value to premium, and even a cute kei city car.
Some figures are early and based on non-WLTP test cycles, some details like pricing still need to fleshed out, but the trajectory is clear: yet more choice is imminent across a compelling range of vehicles.
