Daily Car News: Australia Sets Another Record, Hyundai Elexio Undercuts Ioniq 5, Qashqai Goes Hybrid-Only, and a $4.5M Bugatti Tries Aftermarket Wheels

Another day, another set of headlines trying to elbow each other for bandwidth. Australia chalks up a new sales record, and in the middle of it all the Hyundai Elexio slips into the room with a sharp price tag and a local chassis tune. I’ve been around long enough to know these quiet launches often move the market more than the noisy ones. And yes, somewhere a Bugatti is getting fitted for wheels it absolutely doesn’t need. Because of course it is.

Australia’s Record Sales: Strong Tide, Uneven Swim

VFACTS says 2025 finished as a record year for new-car sales in Australia. The growth? Real, but modest. The pattern? Clear as a summer sky west of the Blue Mountains: brands that had cars to deliver and kept pricing in check won. Those that didn’t… didn’t.

• Supply and sensible pricing beat glitzy reveals every time.
• Electrified crossovers are still hot, but buyers are laser-focused on value.

Hyundai Elexio: The Aussie-Tuned EV That Underprices Ioniq 5

The Hyundai Elexio is the sort of strategic swing Hyundai loves: China-built, Aussie-calibrated, and positioned below the Ioniq 5 on price. I’ve driven more “Aussie-tuned” Hyundais than I can count, and when I hopped in for a brief passenger ride in a camouflaged Elexio mule on rough suburban edges, the intent was obvious—tidy rebound control, less float, more trust at speed. The brief here is simple: deliver a calm, roomy electric crossover that feels premium enough without the premium sting.

• Aussie-specific chassis tune for coarse-chip and patchy urban surfaces.
• Slots beneath the Ioniq 5 in Hyundai’s EV lineup—and in your budget.
• Targets value-first families who still care about refinement.

Hyundai Elexio vs. Ioniq 5: Where It Fits and What You Give Up

Expect the Hyundai Elexio to carry smaller batteries and slightly humbler specs than a mid-range Ioniq 5. That’s fine if the car nails the daily stuff—quiet cabin, stable charging curve, sensibly sized wheels, and ride comfort that doesn’t punish you around potholes. The only question mark I have is infotainment. Hyundai’s recent software is slick but can occasionally hesitate on cold mornings—nothing fatal, just a “c’mon mate” beat before your map loads.

Hyundai Elexio: Early Comfort and Range Impressions

From that short demo ride, road noise suppression felt promising—quiet enough to hear your kids arguing about who touched whose water bottle. If Hyundai can keep consumption tidy (think real-world 15–18 kWh/100 km around town) and maintain fast-charging consistency in summer heat, the Elexio will be the EV you recommend to friends who ask, “Which one won’t blow my budget?”

2026 Nissan Qashqai Goes Hybrid-Only—and Up in Price

Nissan’s making a clean cut: the 2026 Qashqai goes hybrid-only, and prices climb. The outgoing car has always been about ease—easy to live with, easy to park. The hybrid move should pull fuel bills down for commuters and rideshare drivers, but calibration will make or break it. If the e-motor handoff is buttery and the engine stays muted on the freeway, it’ll feel worth the extra.

• Hybrid-only lineup for 2026.
• Notable price bump versus the outgoing range.
• Big appeal for urban commuters doing lots of stop-start.

One small plea: give us proper physical controls for climate and volume. Hybrids are about calm; digging through submenus isn’t.

Mahindra XUV 7XO: New Suit, Same Price

Mahindra’s XUV700 becomes the XUV 7XO with sharper looks and revised touchpoints, yet pricing holds. Smart move. The last one I drove felt properly comfy on a long highway slog—roomy, unpretentious, honest. This update seems aimed at winning the first five minutes in a showroom without scaring your accountant.

• Crisper styling and nicer cabin bits.
• Pricing steady—good news for big families.
• Still a value play for regional buyers who rack up kilometres.

Report: Toyota Tarago Might Be Gearing Up for a Comeback

The word from Japan and Australia is that the Tarago (Previa/Estima elsewhere) could return. If Toyota does it, expect sensible packaging, sliding-door friendliness, and seating that actually fits teenagers with backpacks. Hybrid seems a given; a full EV would make airport shuttle operators very happy.

Quick Comparison: 2026 Family Picks, Including Hyundai Elexio

Elsewhere: Bugatti’s Shoe Fitting, VW’s Sales Shuffle, and Honda Prelude’s Quiet Start

A $4.5M Bugatti Already Flirting with Aftermarket Wheels

Somebody’s trialing aftermarket wheels on a brand-new Bugatti that isn’t even parked in customer garages yet. On a car engineered to the micron, that’s like hiking boots with a tux. Will it look wild? Absolutely. Would I do it? Not unless a factory engineer and a torque wrench blessed by a priest were standing beside me.

Volkswagen: Lots Down, A Couple Up

Most VW nameplates dipped, two snuck upward. Classic supply/discount chess. If you’re after a common VW, there are deals to be had. If you want the surprise hit, prepare to hunt.

Honda Prelude: 174 Sold in Its First Full Month

That’s a trickle for a name that used to live on bedroom walls. Nostalgia is loud online but quiet at the dealer if the value equation isn’t obvious. I’m rooting for it—Honda still knows how to make a sweet front-drive chassis—but the pitch needs sharpening.

Also in “You Don’t See That Every Day”

A two-faced Chrysler minivan welded together—half American, half Canadian—as rolling performance art. Absurd and brilliant. The internet did its thing, we all smiled, and moved on.

Hyundai Elexio Buying Advice: Who Should Shortlist It?

• Value EV hunters: the Hyundai Elexio aims to undercut Ioniq 5 without feeling cheap.
• School-run families: quiet cabin and easygoing ride should keep the peace—mostly.
• Regional drivers: local tuning usually pays dividends on coarse-chip highways.
• Tech-curious, budget-cautious: watch charging speeds and software updates; ask about heat pumps and tow ratings.

What It Means If You’re Shopping

• Chasing a smart electric buy? Keep an eye on the Hyundai Elexio; it’s engineered to be the sensible default.
• Want hybrid ease? The Qashqai’s all-in approach is appealing—just budget for the bump.
• Big family, tight wallet? Mahindra’s XUV 7XO makes a strong value case.
• Need true people-moving? If the Tarago returns, it could reset the segment again.
• Collectors: maybe let Bugatti handle the wheels—at least until the ink dries on homologation.

Conclusion

Another record year tells us Aussies are still buying, just not blindly. Undercut cleverly, tune locally, electrify where it counts, and keep the spec honest—that’s the formula. The Hyundai Elexio looks poised to nail it, Nissan is doubling down on hybrids, Mahindra is steadying the value ship, Toyota’s teasing nostalgia, and Bugatti is—well—being Bugatti. Same circus, new tricks.

FAQ

When is the Hyundai Elexio coming to Australia, and where does it sit?

It’s slated for 2026 and sits below the Ioniq 5 on price and positioning, with an Australian-specific chassis tune.

Is the 2026 Nissan Qashqai hybrid-only?

Yes. The new Qashqai range goes hybrid-only and brings a noticeable price increase over the outgoing lineup.

What’s changed with the Mahindra XUV 7XO?

Think updated styling and cabin touchpoints while keeping the XUV700’s pricing strategy intact.

Is Toyota really bringing back the Tarago?

Reports suggest a return, but nothing official yet. Expect family-first packaging and likely hybrid power if it happens.

Why is the Hyundai Elexio getting so much attention?

Because it promises local-road tuning, an attainable price, and the practicality families want—without stepping into Ioniq 5 money.