In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Honda's decision to backtrack from some of its more ambitious EV goals. Is this a smart realignment, or another episode in what has been a worryingly scattershot approach to BEVs ?

We also cover the (finally) good looking Audi RS 5, and speculate on whether yet another new Chinese brand, Avatr, heralds a new dawn in the luxury EV space in Australia.

Show notes:

-Honda's revised EV strategy: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/honda-revises-ev-strategy-after-posting-fourth-straight-quarterly-loss

-Audi RS 5: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2026-audi-rs5-to-punch-out-470kw-825nm-thanks-to-plug-in-hybrid-powertrain/

-Avatr 12: https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/2026-avatr-12-review-international-quick-drive/

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss the interior reveal of the Ferrari Luce, the storied Italian brand's first EV, and first collaboration with former Apple designer Jony Ive. We also discuss news that ANCAP, Australia's unofficial vehicle safety agency, will be advocating against flush door handles. Finally, we discuss more disappointing news about the Mazda CX-5, notably that a cost-cutting drive has led to a drop in interior quality.

Show notes:

- Ferrari Luce: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ferrari-luce-debut-evs-name-and-iphone-style-interior-revealed

- Jony Ive's thoughts on interior design: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/touchscreens-wrong-technology-main-car-controls-says-iphone-designer

- ANCAP calls for flush door handle ban: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/ancap-calls-for-australian-ban-on-door-handles-used-by-tesla-byd-and-others

- Mazda CX-5 cost cutting: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2026-mazda-cx-5-buyers-wont-notice-cost-cutting-measures-executive/

In this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Genesis making a bold decision to develop a bespoke new platform just for itself, that covers the full gamut of electric, hybrid and range-extender powertrain options.

We also discuss Stellantis continuing its chaotic track record with yet another multi-billion dollar strategic error, as the European giant backtracks from going all-in on EVs.

Finally, we contrast this with Jaguar, which remains committed to an electric-only future as it aims to create its own niche between the premium Germans and ultra-luxury marques such as Bentley.

Show notes:

Genesis bespoke architecture: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/genesis-eyes-premium-dynamics-bespoke-platform-evs-hybrids

Stellantis loses money: https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/stellantis-writes-down-billions-resets-ev-strategy-jeep-chrysler-ram

Jaguar Type 00: https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/jaguar/type-00-prototype/first-drive

When Elon rolled out his master plan for Tesla, he infamously revealed that his model naming strategy was to have a lineup of vehicles that spelt 'SEXY.'

To paraphrase a famous song from Justin Timberlake, in this week's episode of the Hook Turn podcast, we discuss Musk's failure to bring S3XY back by ditching the S and X. We also discuss Mercedes continuing to infest as many screens as humanly possible in its latest S-Class, and talk about our picks for proper luxury cars under $50k with another iteration of the Carsales challenge.

Show notes:

- Tesla stops Model S and Model X production: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/28/tesla-ending-model-s-x-production.html

- New Mercedes-Benz S-Class: https://www.whichcar.com.au/news/mercedes-benz-unveils-updated-s-class-new-tech-revised-v8

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, Sanbib comes up with an extremely dull choice for his favourite Aussie-made car. We also discuss Volvo's attempt to banish range anxiety with the all-new EX60, as well as Bugatti unveiling the ultimate Veyron as a one-off for a very special customer.

Show notes:

-Volvo EX60: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2026-volvo-ex60-electric-suv-with-810km-range-due-in-australia-from-this-year/

-Bugatti F.K.P. Hommage: https://www.drive.com.au/news/bugatti-veyron-revived-with-one-off-fkp-hommage-tribute/

-Toyota Aurion TRD: https://redriven.com/reviews/toyota/aurion/used-toyota-aurion-trd-review/

-Holden Monaro: https://www.tradeuniquecars.com.au/holden-monaro-cv8-z-review/

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Australian pricing and specs for Kia's oddball EV4. Can it successfully take on the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal? We also look at autonomous driving specialist Waymo making a local entrance, and cover BMW's latest drip-feed of info about its mighty new electric M3.

Show notes

- Kia EV4 pricing & specs: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2026-kia-ev4-price-and-specs-tesla-model-3-byd-seal-rival-arrives-in-australia/

- Waymo enters Australia: https://thesizzle.com.au/p/waymo-australia-self-driving-cars-trial-2026

- BMW's electric M3: https://www.bmwblog.com/2026/01/13/2027-bmw-m3-electric-four-motors/

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss some of the winners and losers in our recap of Australian new car sales in 2025. We also talk about two new Chinese electric SUVs from non-Chinese brands, namely the Hyundai Elexio and the Mazda CX-6e.

Show notes:

-2025 Australian new car sales: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/big-auto-brands-are-losing-share-as-australias-new-car-market-fragments

-Hyundai Elexio: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2026-hyundai-elexio-price-and-specs-aussie-tuned-chinese-ev-slots-in-under-ioniq-5

-Mazda CX-6e: https://www.carthrottle.com/news/mazda-cx-6e-specs-details-and-features

Happy New Year everyone! In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Tesla once again having an annual decline in sales. We also chat about what to look out for if you want to buy an ex-police car (very good value for money!) and our pick of brand new cars under $25,000.

Show notes:

- Tesla sales decline: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2026/01/tesla-sales-fell-by-9-percent-in-2025-its-second-yearly-decline/

- Redbook: Brand new cars under $25k: https://www.redbook.com.au/cars/results/?q=(And.Price.range(..25000)._.CurrentRelease.True.)&sort=MakeModel

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss Kia's new Tasman ute failing to meet its lofty sales expectations. We also chat about what the atrocious 1 star ANCAP safety rating means for the future of the Suzuki Fronx in Australia. Finally, we wrap up the year by discussing the cars that impressed us the most.

Show notes:

- Kia Tasman sales: https://www.drive.com.au/news/kia-walks-back-ambitious-tasman-sales-goal-for-2026-which-helped-it-get-into-showrooms/

- Suzuki Fronx safety: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/official-safety-recall-for-suzuki-fronx-after-seatbelt-failure-sparks-urgent-investigation

In this week's episode of The Hook Turn Podcast, we discuss why the EU has broken its commitment to ban tailpipe emissions from new vehicles entirely by 2035, and what this could mean for consumers. We also talk about BYD bringing some (very) cheap dreams to market with the new Sealion 5, Australia's cheapest new PHEV. Finally, we undertake another iteration of the Carsales challenge - this time, hot hatches under $20k.

Show notes:

- EU drops 100% tailpipe emissions reduction target: https://www.spglobal.com/automotive-insights/en/blogs/2025/12/europe-shifts-into-reverse-on-eu-2035-ice-ban

- BYD Sealion 5: https://www.drive.com.au/news/2026-byd-sealion-5-price-and-specs-australias-cheapest-plug-in-hybrid-due-early-next-year/