Thomas Nismenth
2026-01-19T08:34:19+02:00

Kia EV4 Undercuts Tesla Model 3: Today’s Auto Brief from the Road

I started the day with two press calls, one lukewarm flat white, and a nagging thought: the Kia EV4 has just changed the affordable EV conversation in Australia by sneaking under the Tesla Model 3 on price. Toss in a bigger-screen Model Y, a tantalising Volvo EX60 leak, heavy Ford Ranger deals, an Audi headline that made my eyebrows disappear, and Toyota’s HiAce doing what it’s always done—keep the economy moving—and you’ve got a news cycle that smells like wet bitumen and fresh spreadsheets.

Kia EV4 vs Tesla Model 3: the value punch that actually stings

First, the headline. The Kia EV4 is a sedan (yes, a sedan), and early guidance says it undercuts the Model 3 in Australia. That’s not a rounding error; that’s the difference between dream and driveway. If Kia sticks to the template I’ve seen in the EV6 and Niro EV—clear trims, an honest long-range option, and a cabin that doesn’t need a UX degree—you’ll have an electric four-door that feels designed for Monday mornings, not motor shows. When I ran an EV6 through a week of winter downpours, I appreciated that everything important was two taps away, not buried under a party trick.

Tesla’s 2026 Model Y keeps prices steady in Australia but upgrades the screen. I did a long-term stint in a Y and learned quickly: when your touchscreen is the switchboard for everything—from wipers to glovebox—a bigger panel isn’t bling, it’s fewer fat-finger moments over corrugations. Less aimless poking, more eyes up.

And that leaked Volvo EX60? It looks like peak Volvo: calm surfacing, those “Thor’s Hammer” lights, and a vibe that says Scandi living room rather than techno rave. Volvos have a knack for smoothing out rubbishy suburban scars without drama. If the EX60 carries that gene, it’ll be the sensible child in a class full of show-offs.

Model | Segment | Key Update | Pricing Headline (AU) | Why You’d Care
Kia EV4 (2026) | Electric sedan | All-new model | Undercuts Tesla Model 3 | Premium feel on a sensible budget; controls that don’t fight you
Tesla Model Y (2026) | Electric midsize SUV | Bigger screen, tidier details | Prices unchanged | Quality-of-life upgrade without the bill shock
Volvo EX60 (leaked) | Electric midsize SUV | Design peeks pre-reveal | TBA | Quiet confidence for family duty and long commutes

Did you know? Sedans like the Kia EV4 naturally sip less juice than equivalent SUVs thanks to better aerodynamics. Smaller frontal area = more range from the same battery.

Kia EV4: things I noticed on the move

Cabin flow: Kia’s recent EVs respond crisply and keep key functions within easy reach. If the Kia EV4 follows suit, weekday rush hours become less shouty.

Storage smarts: Expect an underfloor cubby for cables. Boring? Yes. Useful when you’re soaked and late? Absolutely.

Ride and hush: Volvos are libraries; Teslas feel like efficient co-working spaces. Lately, Kia is like your favourite trainers—soft where it counts, supportive when you push.

Seats: Kia’s newer buckets support without clamping. I logged a four-hour run in an EV6 and climbed out feeling more “stretch and go” than “where’s the physio.”

Ford Ranger deals now, Bronco-flavoured family SUV later

Australia, listen up: Ford is carving serious dollars off the Ranger. On chopped-up gravel, the current truck feels tidier with a bit of load in the tray—especially mid-spec trims where tyres and springs aren’t arguing. If you’ve been teetering between the XLT (weekday hero) and Wildtrak (weekend bragger with a tow-eye), these discounts might be the nudge you needed.

Side tip: Bring your trailer to the test drive. Some Rangers ride better with 200–300 kg on the hitch. And double-check GCM/braked limits in the fine print, not the sales pitch.

Further out, Ford’s teasing a Bronco-badged, Kodiaq-sized family SUV for 2027. Translation: three-row politeness with a whiff of campfire. If they nail easy steering in tight carparks, serenity at 110 km/h, and driver aids that don’t nag, Ford could have the Euro-friendly family hauler it’s been missing.

Audi’s week: 226 km/h foolishness meets clever yaw magic

Australian police nabbed a learner in an Audi TT allegedly doing 226 km/h—with a so-called supervisor (reportedly disqualified) onboard. I’ve done proper big speed—but only where there are marshals, tyre warmers, and medics. Keep it on track. The highway is not your Nürburgring tourist lap.

Meanwhile, Audi’s stability trickery keeps evolving, quietly shuffling torque like a seasoned rally coach sitting alongside you. I tried a similar system at a handling day and it felt like the car had read the road two corners ahead. Brilliant, and at its best surrounded by cones, not gum trees.

Toyota HiAce: the van that refuses to retire (and we love it)

Two decades in, the Japan-market HiAce keeps collecting meaningful tweaks—safety, usability, the unglamorous stuff that keeps businesses alive. I once moved an entire apartment in one and finished with a shrug instead of an ice pack. That’s the HiAce party trick: durable, unflappable, and weirdly soothing over battered city shortcuts.

Fun fact: HiAce longevity isn’t nostalgia—it’s economics. Uptime rules, parts are everywhere, and every second workshop can fix one with a torch and a cup of tea.

Dodge at two models: how to keep the snarl without the shouting

Dodge is down to two nameplates, and the playbook has to be smart: emissions rising, tastes shifting, tolerance for cheap cabins gone. If I had the marker:

Build a compact performance crossover with real steering feel and a punchy hybrid. Keep it light, add great seats, and make every touchpoint feel a tier up.

Create a rear-drive-biased electric muscle car that tunes throttle mapping and slip angle—not just noise. Character from dynamics first, soundtrack second.

Price with intent: shave the headline number under the big names, then overdeliver on warranty and materials.

Fix the dealership journey: straight trade-ins, swift finance, and service loaners you won’t hide behind the supermarket.

Quick hits: Kia EV4, Model Y, EX60, and more

Kia EV4 is shaping up as the value benchmark among electric sedans in Australia. If you were waiting for the maths to work, this could be it.

Tesla Model Y’s bigger screen is a real usability win—and prices haven’t moved.

Volvo EX60 looks like the calm adult in a noisy EV playground.

Ford Ranger discounts are genuine—confirm build dates/spec and watch for dealer add-ons before you shake hands.

Toyota HiAce continues to do the quietly heroic work most of us take for granted.

Conclusion: where the Kia EV4 lands in a split-personality market

Today’s news wall reads like an automotive mood board: EVs iterating fast, utes sharpening pencils, and the HiAce quietly hauling civilisation. The Kia EV4 matters because it shifts the EV sedan from “someday” to “we could actually do this.” Take your time, drive the contenders on the roads you live with, and listen to what the car tells you. It’s honest, even when the brochure isn’t.

FAQ

Is the Kia EV4 cheaper than a Tesla Model 3 in Australia?
Based on current guidance, yes—the Kia EV4 is positioned to undercut the Model 3.

Did Tesla raise 2026 Model Y prices in Australia?
No—pricing holds, but you get a larger screen and some tidy tweaks.

When will Volvo fully reveal the EX60?
It’s leaked ahead of an official reveal; timing looks close, but final details remain under wraps.

Are Ford Ranger deals worth it right now?
For many trims, yes. Savings can reach into the thousands—verify build dates, spec, and any dealer-fit extras.

What’s new with the Toyota HiAce after all these years?
Ongoing updates in Japan focus on safety and cabin usability, keeping the workhorse relevant and dependable.