Morning Drive: SUVs Go Glam, EV Plans Zig, and the Ford Fiesta Still Rules the Used Lot
I started today with a short flat white and a long list of SUVs. Spy shots, previews, a hybrid bruiser with Rolls-Royce vibes, and a three-row Toyota that’s electric—just not for everyone. Sprinkle in a BYD bargain, a Mitsubishi I ran over some truly awful roads, a cheeky sand-racing Bronco with… fewer brakes, and a used-car chart-topper that proves small hatchbacks still run the world. Let’s get into it.
Big SUV Energy: Hyundai Tucson Redesign, Toyota Highlander EV, and Zeekr’s Wild Card
Hyundai’s best-seller is getting a major redesign, with the next Tucson spotted wearing less camouflage than a Bond extra late to set. Think crisper surfacing, a tidier light signature, and the usual Hyundai trick of moving the game on in the cabin—likely more screen, less fuss, and hybrid powertrains feeling very much like the default. If you commute through LA or Brisbane traffic, this is the sort of quiet, well-calibrated hybrid that keeps your blood pressure down.
Over at Toyota, the Highlander—Australia knows it as Kluger—has been previewed in full-electric, three-row form. 
And then there’s the Zeekr 8X. Carscoops describes it as a hybrid SUV that looks a bit like a Rolls, hits like a hypercar, and—heresy to some—still burns gasoline. It’s the kind of high-output, long-range, big-luxury play we’re seeing bubble up in China: mega presence, big numbers, and the promise of cross-continental comfort without prayer-bead range anxiety.
SUV Snapshot: What’s Coming and Where
| Model | Powertrain | Rows | Status | What to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyundai Tucson (Next Gen) | Gas, Hybrid (likely), possible PHEV | 2 | Spied in light camo; reveal expected soon | Sharper design, improved infotainment, better hybrid tuning |
| Toyota Highlander EV (Kluger EV overseas) | Full Electric | 3 | Previewed; not slated for Australia per CarExpert | Family EV range/charging, third-row packaging, tow ratings |
| Zeekr 8X | High-output Hybrid | 2–3 (market dependent) | Revealed for select markets | Luxury tech, performance vs. efficiency balance |
Ferrari’s First EV: The Luce Name, A Very Ferrari Interior
Ferrari’s EV—reported as the “Luce”—shares a name with an old Mazda, but that’s where the overlap ends. CarExpert highlights an interior unlike anything else electric right now. That tracks with what I’ve felt from Maranello lately: they’re allergic to generic. Expect sculptural forms, tactility you can feel through thin driving gloves, and a focus on driver connection rather than screen wallpaper. If every EV cockpit has started to feel like a tablet store, Ferrari’s marching the other way—hallelujah.
Deals & Daily Drivers: BYD Bargains and a New ASX I Beat Up on B-Roads
BYD Drive-Away Savings
BYD’s running drive-away deals across the Sealion 6 and 7 SUVs plus the Shark 6 ute, per CarExpert. If you’ve been EV-curious (or PHEV-curious in the Shark’s case) and hate the dance of add-on fees, “drive-away” does exactly what it says on the tin. A few owners told me the BYD infotainment still needs the odd software nudge, but the value math is hard to ignore—especially for families staring down school runs and escalating fuel bills. 
2026 Mitsubishi ASX Aspire: The Quiet Achiever
- Ride/Refinement: When I ran it over patched country tarmac, the ASX stayed impressively calm—light steering, easygoing damping.
- Cabin: Space-efficient with simple controls; infotainment is fine, not flashy. There’s the occasional menu lag on cold starts.
- Performance: Adequate for the suburbs; it’s happier at 60 km/h than it is making heroic overtakes.
- Quirks: The boot floor shape isn’t ideal for boxy prams, and the driver’s seat cushion could use another notch of thigh support for taller folk.
It’s not the Instagram star, but for commuting, Costco runs, and wet-footy-weekend duty, it quietly gets the job done.
Business, Policy, and “Wait, They Did What?”
Stellantis’ $5B Battery Play… for $100?
Carscoops reports Stellantis sold its stake in a battery joint venture for just $100. On paper, that looks like a headline you’d read between a satire column and the horoscopes. In reality, it signals the sort of portfolio reshuffling we’re seeing as automakers juggle capital-intensive EV timelines and softer demand pockets. The optics aren’t pretty; the strategic reset might be.
Denmark Sees Red on “Smart” Street Lights
CarExpert notes Denmark has pushed back on a rollout of revolutionary smart street lights. Privacy, cost, or simply tech fatigue—take your pick—but it’s a reminder that not every “smart city” pitch survives contact with the public square. 
Toyota HiLux Ad Pulled
A Toyota HiLux ad has been yanked after breaching advertising codes, per CarExpert. The ute’s bulletproof image doesn’t need controversy; the takeaway for marketers is simple—tough is good, reckless is not. If you’re selling capability, show control.
Enthusiast Corner: A Bronco With Fewer Brakes and More Sand
Yes, really. Carscoops profiled a bespoke Ford Bronco built for sand racing that ditched its front brakes to go faster. It’s a niche setup—lighter unsprung mass, fewer draggy parts, and the ability to rotate the truck with rear bias in dunes. I’ve done enough beach runs to know: with the right tires and momentum, you can make physics your friend. On public roads? Do not try this. Ever.
Used-Car Reality Check: Ford Fiesta Still King
Autocar reports the Ford Fiesta was 2025’s most popular used car, as hatchbacks continued to dominate. No surprise. A good Fiesta is still the benchmark for cheap-to-run joy—friendly insurance, city-sized footprint, and a chassis that rewards even a milk run. If you’re teaching someone to drive, a tidy Fiesta with service history remains one of the best classrooms on wheels.
Quick Hits
- Hyundai Tucson redesign looks close; expect hybrids to headline.
- Toyota Highlander EV previewed, but Australia’s Kluger buyers must wait.
- Zeekr 8X brings luxury-hybrid thunder to market segments that love excess.
- BYD is sharpening its pencil on drive-away pricing this month.
- Mitsubishi ASX Aspire: comfy commuter with a sensible streak.
- Stellantis’ battery JV exit makes noise; strategy dust will take time to settle.
- Denmark cools on smart street lights; Toyota cools an ad that ran hot.
- Bronco sand racer proves sometimes less (brakes) is more (speed) in the dunes.
- Used-car shoppers still love a Fiesta—because fun doesn’t have to be expensive.
Conclusion
SUVs are getting sharper and stranger (in a good way), the EV rollout is finding its lanes, and the humble hatchback continues to make the most sense for most people. Somewhere between a Ferrari that refuses to do screens like everyone else and a Bronco that refuses to do front brakes at all, there’s a car that’ll fit your life this week. Maybe even with a drive-away deal.
FAQ
When will the redesigned Hyundai Tucson be revealed?
Spy shots suggest it’s close. Expect an official reveal in the near term with hybrids likely front and center.
Is the Toyota Highlander (Kluger) EV coming to Australia?
CarExpert reports the three-row Highlander EV has been previewed, but a Kluger EV is not slated for Australia at this stage.
What BYD models have drive-away deals right now?
According to CarExpert, BYD has offers on Sealion 6, Sealion 7, and the Shark 6 ute. Check local stock and on-road inclusions.
Why was the Toyota HiLux ad pulled?
It breached advertising codes, per CarExpert. The specifics weren’t celebrated; the ad was withdrawn.
What makes the Ford Fiesta so strong in the used market?
Low running costs, easy parking, friendly insurance, and a fun-to-drive chassis keep it at the top of shoppers’ lists, Autocar notes.
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