Waqas Afzal

Founder and Senior Automotive Editor at AussieMotor, covering automotive news, new car launches, vehicle pricing, buying guides, reviews, and market insights. I oversee editorial quality, fact-checking, SEO, and content strategy, with a focus on providing accurate, practical information that helps car buyers make better informed decisions.

Founder & Senior Automotive Editor

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Articles

Buying a Used Electric Car in Australia: Battery Health, Warranty and Inspection Guide

Waqas Afzal15 Min Read

Buying a used electric car in Australia can save you thousands, but how do you know whether you're getting a good deal? This guide explains how to check EV battery health, understand battery-health reports, verify remaining warranty coverage and identify potential problems before buying. Discover the essential inspection checks, charging considerations and ownership costs to help you choose a reliable second-hand EV and avoid expensive surprises.

BYD Shark 6 Performance vs Ford Ranger PHEV: Which PHEV Ute Makes More Sense?

Waqas Afzal20 Min Read

The 2026 BYD Shark 6 Performance changes the argument between BYD's plug-in hybrid ute and the Ford Ranger PHEV. With a 3,500 kg braked towing capacity, the new Performance finally matches the Ranger's headline towing figure, while its 350 kW and 700 Nm petrol-electric powertrain, 29.58 kWh battery and 80 km WLTP electric range give it considerably more electrical capability than the Ford. Towing capacity, however, is only part of the story. The Shark 6 Performance has a 725 kg payload, compared with approximately 815 kg for the current Ranger PHEV Sport, and that difference becomes important after passengers, accessories, cargo and tow-ball download are included. The BYD starts at $62,900 before on-road costs, while the current MY26.5 Ranger PHEV range starts at $61,000 before on-road costs for the work-focused XL, with Sport at $68,000 and Wildtrak at $72,000.

GAC Aion UT vs MG4 EV Urban Australia 2026: Which Affordable Electric Hatch Should You Buy?

Waqas Afzal22 Min Read

The GAC Aion UT and MG4 EV Urban are two of Australia's most interesting affordable electric hatchbacks, with entry pricing around the low-$30,000 mark. The Aion UT Premium stands out with a large 60 kWh LFP battery, a 430 km WLTP range and a 150 kW motor for $31,990 before on-road costs, while the MG4 EV Urban counters with a larger boot, a current five-star ANCAP rating and a more established Australian sales and servicing network. The comparison becomes particularly close when the Aion UT Premium is placed against the MG4 EV Urban Essence 54. The MG offers 405 km WLTP range, only 25 km behind the GAC, while retaining 382 L of boot space and a stronger claimed DC charging capability. For buyers chasing maximum battery and range for their money, the Aion UT has a compelling specification, while the MG makes a strong case for families and buyers who place greater weight on safety evidence, luggage space and established local support.

MG S6 EV vs Geely EX5 Australia: Which Electric Family SUV Gives You More for Your Money?

Waqas Afzal15 Min Read

The MG MGS6 EV and Geely EX5 take two different approaches to affordable electric family SUVs in Australia. The updated Geely EX5 starts at $41,990 before on-road costs, while MG currently advertises the larger MGS6 EV Essence RWD at $49,990 drive-away. Those prices are not directly comparable because one excludes on-road costs and the other includes them. For the extra spend, the rear-wheel-drive MG brings a larger 77 kWh battery, a 530 km WLTP range, a 180 kW motor, a larger body and a faster 144 kW peak DC charging. The EX5 Complete counters with a lower entry price, 475 km WLTP range from its updated 68.39 kWh LFP battery, lower claimed energy consumption and an eight-year/unlimited-kilometre battery warranty for eligible private use. Both have five-star ANCAP ratings under 2025 criteria.

Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid vs Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Australia 2026: Which 7-Seat PHEV?

Waqas Afzal23 Min Read

The Chery Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are two of Australia's relatively rare plug-in hybrid SUVs available with seven seats, but there is an important catch: every Tiggo 8 Super Hybrid is a seven-seater, while only the updated 2026 Outlander PHEV Aspire has seven seats. The Chery Urban has recently been advertised at $45,990 drive-away, while the Ultimate has been advertised at $49,990 drive-away. Those figures were attached to Chery's September 2026 campaign, which officially ended on 30 September, so buyers shopping from 1 October should confirm whether Chery has extended or replaced the offer before relying on it. The seven-seat Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Aspire costs $66,790 before on-road costs. It is considerably more expensive but provides standard twin-motor AWD, a larger 22.7 kWh battery, around 103–105 km of official electric range depending on the published Australian test figure, a 221 kW system output, a 1,600 kg braked towing capacity and Mitsubishi's conditional Diamond Advantage warranty that can extend to 10 years/200,000 km. For families, however, the decision goes beyond price and battery capacity. Neither vehicle provides a genuinely adult-sized third row. The Chery's rear seats are best treated as occasional seating and do not have ISOFIX or top-tether child-seat anchorages. The Mitsubishi Aspire is also a 5+2 rather than a full-size seven-seat people mover, but it combines that occasional third row with AWD and substantially stronger towing capability.

Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV vs Geely Starray EM-i Australia: Which Electrified SUV Suits You?

Waqas Afzal20 Min Read

The Leapmotor B10 Hybrid EV and Geely Starray EM-i start within $398 of each other in Australia, but their drivetrains work differently. The $37,888 B10 Style is a rear-wheel-drive range-extender EV: its 160 kW electric motor always drives the wheels while its 1.5-litre petrol engine acts only as an electricity generator. The $37,490 Starray Complete is a front-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid with a 193 kW system output. Both prices are before on-road costs. The B10 offers an 84 km WLTP electric range from an 18.8 kWh battery, while the Starray Complete claims 83 km WLTP from 18.4 kWh. Move to the $41,490 Starray Inspire Extended Range, and its 29.8 kWh battery stretches that to 136 km. Buyers who rarely charge should look beyond the low headline fuel figures: European homologation data puts the B10 at 6.1 L/100 km with a depleted battery, while Australian Starray testing has returned roughly mid-to-high 5.0 L/100 km in low-charge driving. Those figures come from different tests and are not directly comparable.

BYD Seal 6 vs Toyota Camry Hybrid Australia: Which Sedan Fits Your Driving?

Waqas Afzal13 Min Read

The BYD Seal 6 Essential and Toyota Camry Ascent approach efficient family motoring in two very different ways. The Seal 6 is a plug-in hybrid that starts at $34,990 before on-road costs and can cover about 55 km on electricity under the WLTP test cycle before relying more heavily on its petrol-hybrid system. The Camry Ascent starts at $39,990 before on-road costs and uses a conventional hybrid system that never needs plugging in. If you can conveniently charge at home or work and most daily trips fit inside the BYD's electric range, the Seal 6 can use substantially less petrol. If you cannot or do not want to charge regularly, the comparison becomes much closer: the Camry's official 4.0 L/100 km is achieved without external electricity, while BYD's headline 1.1 L/100 km figure specifically assumes a sufficient battery state of charge.

MG4 Urban vs MG4 Australia: What is the Difference in 2026?

Waqas Afzal13 Min Read

The MG4 Urban and MG4 may share almost the same name, but Australian buyers should not think of the Urban as simply a cheaper trim level of the regular MG4. They are substantially different electric hatchbacks. The MG4 Urban uses front-wheel drive and comes with either a 43 kWh or 54 kWh LFP battery, while the current MG4 range uses a 64 kWh battery with rear-wheel drive in the Essence 64 or dual-motor all-wheel drive in the high-performance XPOWER. The differences extend to range, performance, platform, cabin packaging and price. If you are comparing the MG4 Urban vs MG4 in Australia, here is what you actually need to know.

Geely EX5 vs BYD Sealion 7 Australia 2026: Is the Bigger SUV Worth Paying More For?

Waqas Afzal21 Min Read

The Geely EX5 and BYD Sealion 7 are both five-seat electric SUVs, but the price difference between them is substantial. The updated Geely EX5 Complete starts at $41,990 before on-road costs, while the BYD Sealion 7 Premium is $54,990 before on-road costs, creating a $13,000 list-price gap. The interesting part is that paying more for the BYD does not buy dramatically more official range. The EX5 Complete is rated at 475 km WLTP, compared with 482 km WLTP for the Sealion 7 Premium. Instead, the BYD's extra money primarily buys a physically larger SUV, a bigger conventional boot plus a front storage compartment, rear-wheel drive, substantially more power and faster 150 kW DC charging. The EX5 counters with lower purchase cost, competitive range, lower claimed energy consumption and longer headline vehicle warranty coverage. For buyers focused on value and normal family driving, the Geely makes a strong case. The Sealion 7 becomes easier to justify if its additional cabin space, performance, faster public charging and more premium standard equipment will actually be used.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs PHEV: Is the Plug In Worth $5,000 More?

Waqas Afzal9 Min Read

The Toyota RAV4 XSE AWD plug-in hybrid costs $5,000 more than the matching conventional hybrid before on-road costs. Recovering that premium depends on your annual kilometres, how much driving you complete electrically, and your charging tariff. Our disclosed examples show why cheap charging can make the PHEV competitive, while occasional charging or expensive public electricity can favour the standard hybrid.

MG4 Urban vs BYD Atto 1 Australia 2026: Which Affordable EV Fits Your Budget Better?

Waqas Afzal18 Min Read

The BYD Atto 1 and MG4 EV Urban are two of Australia's most affordable new electric cars, but they suit very different buyers. The Atto 1 Essential is currently available for $19,990 drive-away under a limited-time BYD promotion, making it the obvious starting point for buyers who want to spend as little as possible on a new EV. The MG4 Urban costs substantially more, but it is also a much larger and more versatile car. It has five seats instead of four, a larger boot, up to 405km of WLTP range and significantly faster maximum DC charging. For buyers looking for an inexpensive second car or urban commuter, the Atto 1 makes a strong case. For households wanting one EV to handle commuting, passengers and longer trips, the MG4 Urban's additional capability can justify the extra money.

BYD Sealion 7 Premium vs Performance Australia 2026: Is the $9,000 Upgrade Worth It?

Waqas Afzal16 Min Read

The BYD Sealion 7 Premium and Performance share the same 82.56 kWh Blade Battery, spacious five-seat cabin, 150 kW DC charging capability, and much of the same standard equipment, but the Performance costs $9,000 more before on-road costs. That extra money buys dual-motor all-wheel drive, a substantial jump from 230kW to 390kW, 0–100km/h acceleration dropping from 6.7 to 4.5 seconds, 20-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. The trade-off is an extra 115 kg of curb weight and a shorter official WLTP range of 456 km versus 482 km. For Australian buyers, the important question is therefore not whether the performance is quicker — it clearly is — but whether AWD and its additional performance justify paying more upfront while accepting slightly less range and potentially higher tyre and energy costs.