BestTechAdvisor

2026 Kia Stonic: What Australians Can Expect from the Refreshed Compact SUV

News /

Kia has unveiled the updated Stonic, bringing design changes, upgraded tech, and more safety features to its compact crossover. Positioned in the highly competitive small SUV market — a segment that accounts for more than 15% of new vehicle sales in Australia — the Stonic remains an entry-level choice for buyers wanting SUV practicality without […]

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AI in cars: new tech boosts driver experience but brings challenges, study shows

News /

A new J.D. Power study highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping in-car technology, with smart features making vehicles easier to use but also introducing new frustrations. The 2025 U.S. Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study, now in its 10th year, analysed 76,230 owners of 2025 model-year vehicles, surveyed after 90 days of ownership. While it’s

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2026 Haval Raptor PHEV revealed in China with updated design and more power

Off Road /

Great Wall Motor has launched the 2026 Haval Raptor plug-in hybrid (PHEV), also known as the Raptor Hi4, in China. The model is offered in six variants, with official pricing starting at ¥173,800 (around $38,000 AUD). A limited-time offer drops entry pricing to ¥153,800 (about $33,500 AUD), factoring in cash and trade-in incentives. Updated styling

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BYD opens $1.07 billion all-terrain racetrack in Zhengzhou

Off Road /

Chinese carmaker BYD has opened a massive all-terrain race track in Zhengzhou, investing around 5 billion yuan ($1.07 billion AUD) into a facility covering more than 150,000 square metres. Opened on 14 August, the complex is designed to bring motorsport experiences to the general public, with BYD aiming for “millions on the track” rather than

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Kia rules out car-derived ute as Korean competitor steps up

News /

Kia has categorically ruled out the development of a car-derived utility vehicle, extinguishing hopes it might follow Hyundai’s lead with its Santa Cruz. When questioned by Drive whether a monocoque-based ute — one that shares more in common with a passenger car than a traditional pickup — was under consideration, Dong Hoon Kang, Vice President

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42dot Secures ₩500.3 Billion Investment to Strengthen Software-Defined Vehicle Bid

Industry /

42dot, a Seoul-based developer of software-defined vehicle (SDV) platforms, has obtained ₩500.3 billion from Hyundai Motor Company and Kia. The injection is intended to bolster the firm’s international competitiveness, attract engineering talent, enhance AI infrastructure, and refine its proprietary systems. Software-defined vehicles rely on software-centric architectures—rather than bespoke hardware—to manage core systems such as powertrain

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Hyundai N pivots to hybrid performance models alongside electric flagships

News /

Hyundai’s high-performance N division is revising its development strategy, adding petrol-electric hybrid models to its portfolio alongside fully electric vehicles. Speaking to Auto Express, Joon Park, Vice-President of Hyundai’s N Management Group, said the shift would allow the brand to build performance cars that combine the immediacy of electric torque with the responsiveness of internal

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