-
1 week ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
Personalised advertising and content, advertising and content measurement, audience research and services developmentStore and/or access information on a deviceYou can choose how your personal data is used.
-
1 week ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
Amid a deluge of new electric vehicle brands setting up shop in New Zealand, another ‘new marque’ (note the air quotes) has been spotted testing a car in Auckland. IM Motors is the recently formed premium arm of Chinese carmaker MG. The marque has already been confirmed for a berth in Australia, where it is preparing to sell its IM5 electric sedan and IM6 electric SUV.
-
1 week ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
It might not be the newest mid-size SUV on the market, but the Mazda CX-5 remains one of the Japanese carmaker’s most popular nameplates in this part of the world. And those hanging out for a new one might not have to wait too much longer. A grainy image of what appears to be the next generation 2026 CX-5 has appeared online via an Instagram account called Car Design News, and has since done the rounds on numerous other websites.
-
1 week ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
Having released a few images of its new Leaf electric vehicle in recent months, Nissan has now unveiled the third-generation plug-in in full. The new images confirm that, as speculated, the Leaf has morphed from being a hatchback to being a compact crossover, making it a more logical rival for the likes of the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3. The Leaf’s styling itself leans heavily on the larger Ariya, with a similar silhouette and even a tail end with a hint of Nissan Z sports car detailing.
-
1 week ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
The Kia Tasman is an incredibly intriguing vehicle. Regardless of your thoughts on its looks (and plenty of you have thoughts) it is arguably the best stab any carmaker has had at trying to rattle the ‘triopoly’ that dominates the ute market in Australia and New Zealand. These were my thoughts before first hopping behind the wheel of one in Seoul, the South Korea capital, then getting a surprise drive in Auckland. And, these remained my thoughts afterwards.
-
1 week ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
Chinese carmaker Chery has confirmed that it will launch the hybrid version of its smallest crossover, the Tiggo 4, in New Zealand next month. The update follows Chery’s previous news about the non-hybrid Tiggo 4 hitting our market also in July. The new-to-New-Zealand brand has been issuing press releases about its range of models thick and fast as it tries to build its local profile prior to launch.
-
1 week ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
We’re probably as guilty as anyone of playing up the importance of certain cars. But, the language and discourse around this new Tesla Model Y can’t be underestimated. This actually is one of the most important cars in Tesla’s relatively young history. The Model Y has been a sales juggernaut for Tesla. It was the best-selling car in the world last year and has been New Zealand’s most popular new EV since its inception a few years ago.
-
1 week ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
Following five years at the helm of French carmaker Renault, it has announced that Luca de Meo has elected to step down from his role as chief executive. In a brief statement, Renault said that de Meo is set to “pursue new challenges outside the automotive sector”. It has been speculated that those new challenges are headlined by a pivot to the fashion sector. The Financial Times have linked de Meo to a new role as CEO of Kering — a French luxury brand firm which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent.
-
2 weeks ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
The press releases continue to roll out from New Zealand’s newest carmaker, Chery. The Chinese manufacturer’s local arm has now detailed pricing for its second and third models destined for our market; the 5-seater Tiggo 7 and 7-seater Tiggo 8. The first models set to arrive in the country, and thus the only models priced thus far, are the ‘Super Hybrid’ plug-in hybrid versions of the Tiggo 7 and Tiggo 8.
-
2 weeks ago | 
stuff.co.nz | Matthew Hansen
Much like a Farmers catalogue, the motoring world often goes through seasons. But instead of floral print autumn or pastel hue spring, the biggest car brands are currently going through a plug-in hybrid summer. If 2025 has a prevalent motoring season, it’s the ‘super hybrid’ — plug-in hybrids with enormous, three-figure electric range claims and over 1000km of total range. The so-called ultimate answer to the EV versus petrol debate, an apparent best of both worlds.
