Today in Cars: Ute wars heat up, recall alerts, Lamborghini pivots, and the coziest van you’ve ever seen

Some days the car world feels like a quiet country road. Today? More like a busy B-double rolling down the Hume. Australia’s ute market is getting spicy, family SUVs are chasing value again, a few big-name recalls demand attention, Lamborghini’s gone pragmatic (and fast) with a plug-in GT, and NASCAR’s season opener momentum keeps thundering. Grab a flat white—let’s go.

Australia’s ute moment: Chery tunes a Ranger PHEV/BYD Shark 6 rival, Hyundai still in the oven

According to CarExpert, Chery is actively tuning a new ute for Australia aimed straight at the Ford Ranger PHEV and BYD’s Shark 6. That’s a brave target list—and a smart one. The ute aisle is no longer just about leaf springs and diesel torque; it’s about electrified punch, quiet cruising, and the ability to punch out a school run without waking the neighbor’s dog.

I’ve spent enough time bouncing utes over corrugations to know: get the suspension wrong and Aussies will roast you at Bunnings before the first snag flips. So if Chery’s fettling ride, calibration, and towing manners here, that’s the right play.

On the other side of the paddock, Hyundai’s first Australia-focused ute is, per CarExpert, “still a work in progress.” Translation: the team’s not ready to put a bow on payload, powertrain, and local tune just yet. Fair. Better to launch late and right than early and ordinary.

• Why it matters: More choice, electrified torque, and—potentially—lower running costs for tradies and families.
• Watch this space: How plug-in ute range and payload coexist once the tub’s loaded.
• Early rivals to watch: Ford Ranger PHEV, BYD Shark 6, with Chery sharpening its pencil.

Hyundai’s range news: New Elexio base model priced, and a long-running sedan won’t return

Hyundai’s week is a mixed bag. CarExpert reports the 2026 Elexio gets a new base model for Australia with sharpened pricing—useful if you’ve been waiting for a more accessible entry point into a fresh nameplate. I haven’t lived with the Elexio (yet), but if Hyundai follows its usual brief, expect a tidy balance of tech and value.

Less rosy for sedan tragics: Hyundai won’t revive a long-running sedan badge in Australia. The market’s been marching SUV-ward for years, and this is one more step in that direction. I still miss a good three-box for a Sunday backroad—guess we’ll keep the memories and the old photos.

Family SUVs on a value kick: 2026 Skoda Kodiaq mild-hybrid priced low

Skoda’s Kodiaq mild-hybrid, says CarExpert, lands as the brand’s cheapest large SUV in years. That’s a shrewd move. The Kodiaq’s always played the pragmatic Euro card: calm ride, honest space, and a cabin that feels like someone actually thought about school bags and Saturday sport.

• Mild-hybrid assist for smoother take-offs and better real-world economy.
• Big-boot practicality and family-friendly packaging.
• Value positioning that could worry mainstream rivals.

If you run a busy household and need a sensible all-rounder, this nudges its way onto the shortlist.

Recall roundup: Lexus LX and Toyota LandCruiser 300 fire-risk alerts; Ford Puma also recalled

CarExpert flags fire-risk recalls for the Lexus LX and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, plus a separate recall notice for the Ford Puma. If you own one, this is your cue to check your VIN and speak to your dealer.

Quick advice if your car’s affected

• Have your VIN handy and call your dealer—repairs are typically free under recalls.
• Ask about parts availability and loan cars if downtime is expected.
• Follow any interim-use guidance from the brand while you wait.

Supercar shuffle: Lamborghini drops its first EV plan for a plug-in hybrid GT

Lamborghini, per CarExpert, has shelved its first full EV and pivoted to a new plug-in hybrid GT. Honestly, that tracks. A PHEV lets a brand like Lambo layer electric punch over a characterful engine, keeping drama intact while trimming tailpipe nasties. When I’ve driven performance hybrids, the instant torque fills the low-rev gap beautifully—like tightening a drumhead.

• What to expect: Grand-touring comfort with silent city creep and explosive combined shove.
• Why it makes sense now: Charging realities, weight targets, and keeping the brand’s aural identity alive.

Concept corner: Isuzu Elf van’s gullwing door hides a lounge on wheels

Carscoops spotlighted a wonderful oddball: the Isuzu Elf concept van with a single gullwing door that opens to what might be the coziest room on wheels. Think rolling studio apartment vibes—big open access, airy lounge energy. I can already picture it parked nose-out at a surf break, kettle on, watching the sets roll in.

• Signature touch: One massive gullwing side opening for instant indoor-outdoor flow.
• Use case: Pop-up retail, mobile studio, slow-travel camping, or just the world’s best beach day base.

Policy and roads: San Diego eyes lower speed limits on a big chunk of streets

Carscoops reports more than 20 percent of San Diego’s roads could see speed limits drop, potentially overnight. Expect the usual trade-off debate: calmer, safer streets versus longer trips. I’ve driven enough city miles to know that consistency often beats raw speed—less stop-start, fewer close calls, and fewer bent rims.

Road & ownership: Theft headlines remind us to lock it down

CarExpert notes a spate of vehicle thefts involving models like the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux, and Holden Caprice, with offenders reportedly on bail. Beyond the headlines, it’s a nudge to revisit the boring-but-useful stuff:

• Add a visible deterrent (wheel lock, pedal lock) and keep keys well away from doors/windows.
• Consider a discreet tracker—handy for recovery and sometimes insurance perks.
• For utes: lockable roller covers or hard lids; don’t leave tools on display.

Motorsport minute: Tyler Reddick goes back-to-back to open the NASCAR season

Road & Track reports Tyler Reddick wrangled a damaged car to his second straight NASCAR Cup Series win to start the season—this time at Atlanta. That’s the kind of gritty, elbows-out form that echoes through a garage. When you’re winning with bent panels, the rest of the field starts checking their mirrors a little more often.

The take-away

Electrified utes are coming in hot (Chery’s tuning one to square up to Ranger PHEV and Shark 6), Hyundai’s shoring up its lineup while shelving an old sedan badge, Skoda’s chasing families with a value-led Kodiaq, and a trio of recalls deserve quick action. Meanwhile, Lamborghini’s going PHEV for its next GT, an Isuzu concept van turns into a living room, San Diego might slow down a notch, and Tyler Reddick is in that unstoppable groove. Busy week. Lots to like.

FAQ

• Is Chery’s new ute confirmed for Australia?
  CarExpert reports Chery is actively tuning a ute for Australia aimed at Ranger PHEV and BYD Shark 6. Timeline and full specs are still to come.
• Is Hyundai’s Aussie-focused ute close to launch?
  Not yet—CarExpert says it’s still a work in progress. Expect more news once local tuning and specs are locked.
• Which models were recalled this week?
  Lexus LX and Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series for fire-risk concerns, plus Ford Puma in a separate recall, per CarExpert. Contact your dealer with your VIN.
• What’s the deal with Lamborghini’s EV?
  Per CarExpert, Lamborghini has ditched its first full EV plan in favor of a new plug-in hybrid GT—aiming for performance with a pragmatic powertrain.
• What is the Isuzu Elf concept van?
  Highlighted by Carscoops, it’s a concept with a giant gullwing side door revealing a cozy, lounge-like interior—essentially a stylish tiny room on wheels.