Total sales for the first seven months of the year are up 1.6 per cent year on year.

Toyota remained comfortably Australia’s best-selling brand. Followed by BYD, Ford, Kia and Mazda.

The next top five brands are Hyundai, GWM, Chery, Mitsubishi and MG.

SUVs remain the most popular choice of vehicle and Utes are still a buyer favourite.

Toyota RAV 4 was the top selling model followed by two Utes.

Hybrids, PHEVs continue to grow in popularity and pure EVs are having a moment on the sun.

What we are seeing is a shift in buyer choices.

For those that have been around for a while and can remember when Japanese brands first started to be imported, the quality wasn’t the best, they improved. The same with the Korean brands, the original Hyundai excels were terrible, they improved. We are seeing this with the Chinese brands that are making rapid progress in quality.

They are starting to dominate the smaller EV and Hybrid sales. The shift to EVs levels the engineering playing field a touch, where engine tuning becomes irrelevant.

Where the Chinese brands have the real advantage is price. The next five months are going to be very interesting indeed.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

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Palisade comes in one highly specified model. The Calligraphy.

Performance comes from a 2.5-litre petrol hybrid engine paired with a six-speed transmission. For a large SUV, it feels surprisingly smooth and economical, especially around town — which is where most of my driving seems to happen these days.

The all-wheel drive system also adds a layer of reassurance in wet or slippery conditions, something I definitely value more now that I’ve got precious cargo on board.

For a large SUV, and it is large, it doesn’t feel that big when driving it. That comes from how quiet and smooth the hybrid engine is and how well it responds to driver inputs.

Tight  suburban car parks aren’t an issue, and the surround view monitor makes reversing into carparks so easy.

One thing I haven’t mentioned is the audio quality. While a 14-speaker BOSE sound system might be slightly over the top for nursery rhymes, I have to admit it does make those baby playlists sound beautifully soothing on longer drives.

Pricing for the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy is from around $90,000 dollars plus the usual costs. That’s a lot, but you get a lot for your money.

Overall, the Palisade is a safe, comfortable and pleasant vehicle to drove. It definitely gets the mum and bub tick of approval.

Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid is Mum life Upgraded

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Im Brianna Fraser

All the specifications can be found HERE 

Readers can find more details about the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid– RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Hyundai Palisade – Buyers could also look at:

Buyers of the Hyundai Palisade could look at :

• Mazda CX-90, 
• Nissan Pathfinder, 
• Peugeot 5008 GT Hybrid, 
• Subaru Outback, 
• Lexus RX, 
• Toyota Kluger Grande

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

In today’s fast paced world, Listeners often want a quick update or a piece of quirky Automotive news. Listening to Motoring Minute provides that as well as the latest Automotive news and reviews.

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 120 radio channels. 

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners. 

Listeners will find Motoring Minute syndicated through various news sites around Australia. Additionally on the Community Radio Network across Australia.

The post Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid Baby Duties week three appeared first on Motoring Minute.

It comes in one beautifully finished luxury model, the Calligraphy, and my first impressions were incredibly positive.

As a new mum, comfort suddenly isn’t a “nice to have” — it’s essential. The front seats are supportive and seriously comfortable, with both heating and ventilation (which feels like a small miracle after sleepless nights).

I’ve also really come to appreciate the little things.

Automatic headlights and wipers mean one less thing for my tired brain to think about.

The digital rear-view mirror is genius — even if the boot is completely packed with pram, nappy bag and everything else that seems to travel with a baby, I can still clearly see what’s behind me.

One feature I genuinely love is the full-size alloy spare wheel. Getting a flat tyre is stressful enough without also trying to figure out where to put a bulky damaged wheel when your boot is already full of baby gear. It’s practical details like this that really matter.

Another clever addition is the rear camera cleaning system, so you’re never reversing blind because of dirt on the lens — especially helpful during messy winter weather.

From a new mum’s perspective, the Palisade feels safe, practical, and just that little bit luxurious — which makes everyday outings feel a whole lot easier.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Brianna Fraser

All the specifications can be found HERE 

Readers can find more details about the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Hyundai Palisade – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Hyundai Palisade – Buyers could also look at:

Buyers of the Hyundai Palisade could look at :

• Mazda CX-90, 
• Nissan Pathfinder, 
• Peugeot 5008 GT Hybrid, 
• Subaru Outback, 
• Lexus RX, 
• Toyota Kluger Grande

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

In today’s fast paced world, Listeners often want a quick update or a piece of quirky Automotive news. Listening to Motoring Minute provides that as well as the latest Automotive news and reviews.

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 120 radio channels. 

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners. 

Listeners will find Motoring Minute syndicated through various news sites around Australia. Additionally on the Community Radio Network across Australia.

The post Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Baby Duties week two – Safety appeared first on Motoring Minute.

The Palisade is available in one beautifully appointed model, the Calligraphy. You can choose between seven or eight seats, and we tested the seven-seat version with mid-row captain’s chairs.

There’s one petrol hybrid engine option, and it strikes a lovely balance between being powerful enough for family road trips while still remaining economical for everyday mum life.

Inside, the Palisade feels spacious thanks to its long wheelbase and large SUV design. The rear doors open wide, which makes installing a baby seat and putting a sleeping bub in the seat much easier — something every mum will appreciate.

Of course, there are ISOFIX and top tether points for added safety and peace of mind.

There are even pull-up window shades to help protect little ones from the harsh sun.

If you need to sit in the second row, the captain’s chairs mean you’re slightly further away from the other seat, but they’re roomy, comfortable, and supportive — ideal for longer trips.

The third row is surprisingly practical too.

With slide and recline functions, plus heated seats, it doesn’t feel like an afterthought.

It’s clearly designed for regular use, whether that’s older kids, grandparents, or carpooling.

When used as a four-seater, there’s plenty of boot space for prams, nappy bags and all the baby gear that somehow multiplies overnight.

If you’re using all seven or eight seats, luggage space does reduce, but it’s still better than many other large SUVs.

Around town, it can feel big in tight car parks. Otherwise, it’s smooth, quiet, and easy to drive, which is exactly what you want when you’ve finally got a sleeping baby in the back.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Brianna Fraser

Readers can find more details about the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Hyundai Palisade – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Hyundai Palisade – Buyers could also look at:

Buyers of the Hyundai Palisade could look at :  Mazda CX-90, Nissan Pathfinder, Peugeot 5008 GT Hybrid, Subaru Outback, Lexus RX, Toyota Kluger Grande

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

In today’s fast paced world, Listeners often want a quick update or a piece of quirky Automotive news. Listening to Motoring Minute provides that as well as the latest Automotive news and reviews.

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 120 radio channels. 

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners. 

Listeners will find Motoring Minute syndicated through various news sites around Australia. Additionally on the Community Radio Network across Australia.

The post Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Hybrid – baby duties week 1 appeared first on Motoring Minute.

There are four models. These include the work style V7 in both 2wd and 4WD versions. The V9 comes in two different 4WD spec versions.

All comes with the same 2.0L 48V mild hybrid turbo diesel engine. This provides 120kW of power and 450Nm of torque from a low 1500rpm.

This is combined with a specially calibrated 8 speed ZF Automatic Transmission.

Some would say that 120kW isn’t enough power. And im amongst them, But for all but very few situations its adequate. Interestingly with the draconian NVES legislation, many Ute manufacturers are now offering a 120kW version.

Over the last four weeks I’ve driven each version.

For testing I’ve towed a smaller camper trailer, driven them on forest trails and the beach. Taken a longer motorway based trip. Used them for everyday transport and moved heavy loads in the Ute tub.

I’ve used the tailgate as a picnic table to watch sunsets over the beach and even put the grandsons baby seat in the back.

With a SUV like interior and abundant space for five occupants the FOTON Tunland is definitely different.

The big surprise if the stunning pricing. From $39,990 through to $49,990 plus the usual costs its outstanding value.

Overall, the FOTON Tunland may just be the perfect lifestyle Ute.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the FOTON Tunland  – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE FOTON Tunland – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Foton Tunland Buyers could also look at:

While the Ute segment is growing in terms of participants, there is a definite development of subsections.

The first is on size. The mid-sized segment includes the: MGU9, GWM Cannon Alpha and LDV Terron9,

However, if you also look at pricing and engine figures there are some other alternatives such as: KGM Musso XLV Ultimate, the new Isuzu D-MAX 2.2L powered Utes and the same for 2.2L Mazda BT-50,

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

In today’s fast paced world, Listeners often want a quick update or a piece of quirky Automotive news. Listening to Motoring Minute provides that as well as the latest Automotive news and reviews.

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 120 radio channels. 

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners. 

Listeners will find Motoring Minute syndicated through various news sites around Australia. Additionally on the Community Radio Network across Australia.

The post FOTON Tunland V7 and V9 review 2026 appeared first on Motoring Minute.