Your questions answered: Is diesel on the way out for cars such as the Toyota LandCruiser?

Our first reader question this week looks at whether the mighty Toyota LandCruiser is going to continue with diesel power.

It’ll no doubt fire up the interweb!

We’ve also got another reader wondering whether to go with a hybrid or an electric car… the ultimate EV versus ICE showdown.

And for those wanting a cool-looking delivery van, there’s one that looks like coming soon from Korea that could turn plenty of heads Down Under.

Plus we delve into the question of how much of a discount you can expect when negotiating on a used car (spoiler alert: the answer is not clear cut).

And one reader is keen on an electric SUV, as long as it’s not made in China.

Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au

Question: I’m thinking of buying new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series GR Sport. I’ve had each 80, 100 and 200 Series, all great. Just wondering if diesel is on the way out – is waiting wise? – Robin

Answer: Sounds like you love your LandCruisers.

As for whether diesel is on the way out, there’s no easy answer.

Yes, is the short story, but it’ll take a long time to disappear. And maybe there will always be a market for diesels of some sort in lower volumes.

Diesel engines work beautifully in big vehicles that need to haul a lot of weight. And buyers love them.

Electric motors do an even better job of hauling heavy loads, but the battery back-up they need to do it makes them challenging for the long distances many Aussies love to travel.

That’s where hybrid tech is starting to fill the void. As well as regular hybrids, plug-in hybrids are also starting to prove useful for off-roaders and utes.

Toyota has already promised electrified versions of its Prado, LandCruiser and HiLux by the end of the decade. It’s a fair bet some sort of hybrid tech will be in there and it’s an even safer bet it’ll be petrol rather than diesel.

But, when it arrives, I’d also expect the diesel versions to continue, given the market demand for them.

So, yes, longer term expect diesels to drop off in terms of pure sales and viable petrol alternatives to become more prolific.

But don’t expect diesel to die off in the short (or medium) term … possibly even the long term.

Question: I’m up for a new car, small-ish, probably an SUV. I’m probably looking to buy later this year or early the next. But I’m wondering whether to go for an EV or a hybrid.

I keep hearing lots of negative about EVs. Am I better off looking at a hybrid?

I’ll be parking it in a garage that has easy access to electricity. – Jane

Answer: There are pros and cons to any drivetrain tech.

Talking broadly, EVs generally win on performance, efficiency, running costs and servicing requirements.

Hybrids typically win on a lower cost of entry (although the gap is narrowing and in some instances EVs are cheaper) and obviously have the advantage of not having to be recharged.

There’s no shortage of misinformation about EVs, something perpetuated by social media.

But on the whole an EV has more positives than negatives, especially if you can charge it at home.

So I’d be heading down the EV path. There will be an adjustment period getting used to it, but as long as you remember to plug it in regularly and you don’t need to travel 500-plus-kilometres each day, you should find it a fun and hassle-free ownership experience.

As for which one to buy, drop us an email closer to when you’re ready to buy with any that interest you and a rough budget and we’ll come up with a shortlist.

Question: Do you have any contact details to enquire about pre-orders and/or further details for the PV5 in Australia?

We are in the market for an electric-wheelchair-accessible van for our family. We have contacted Kia Australia and they have been mute, unable to give us any details on the matter.

If possible, we would like to check the specs to make sure it is suitable for our needs and pre-order. Do you have anyone at Kia we could take this further with?

Any assistance would be appreciated. – Caroline

Answer: Kia hasn’t confirmed the PV5 for Australia yet, other than to say they’re keen to get it. All the signs are pointing to it arriving here sometime in 2026.

But there are no doubt still boxes to be ticked and work to be done in getting it Down Under. And, of course, final details about pricing and specifications are yet to be confirmed; it would seem to make sense for Kia to focus on the two-seat van versions for Australia rather than the people-mover versions, given it already has the Carnival playing very successfully in the people-mover space.

Like all electric vans, the pricing will be crucial, too.

The good news for you is that Kia will also do a wheelchair-accessible version of the PV5, which will hopefully come here. And whereas many wheelchair-ready vans have a ramp from the tailgate, with the PV5 it’s from the side sliding door, which makes it far easier to get from the kerb to the car.

As for finding out more information, it doesn’t sound like there’s a lot of Australia-specific stuff, other than what we’ve seen globally.

Either way, your best bet would be to pop into a Kia dealer and let them know you’re interested and would like to be kept informed.

Question: I am keen to buy an EV mid-size SUV that is not made in China. These days I expect some components will inevitably be made in China but I want the key components and majority of assembly and control of the software to be from elsewhere.

Where can I find a list of such models, or other useful information source? – Rod

Answer: Finding where any car is made can be something of a challenge. Unlike socks, food, electronic gadgets and just about everything else we buy, cars typically don’t have a ‘made-in’ sticker anywhere on them.

The easiest way is to look at a car’s 17-digit alpha-numeric VIN (vehicle identification number), which is usually in one of the front door jambs or at the base of the windscreen on the passenger side (you’ll also find it under the bonnet).

The first one or two letters/numbers shows where the car was built. You’ll then need to do an online search, such as Wikipedia, to learn what that combo references.

Redbook also lists the country of origin.

As for mid-sized electric SUVs not made in China, try the Audi Q4 e-tron, Volkswagen ID.Buzz, Cupra Tavascan, Skoda Enyaq, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Lexus RZ, Porsche Macan, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. They are all made somewhere other than China.

Others that are made in China include the Tesla Model Y, Polestar 4, Kia EV5, BMW iX3, Deepal S07, Geely EX5, XPeng G6, BYD Sealion 7 and Zeekr X.

Question: I’m looking at a used EV and have been eyeing off a BYD Atto 3. I’m wondering what you think of it?

And if I’m buying from a dealer, how much will the dealer negotiate? – Kevin

Answer: The Atto 3 is one of the better electric SUVs for its price. It’s great value and decent to drive, although the dynamics are a tad sloppy compared with something like a Kia EV3. And there are plenty of second-hand ones on the used car market.

As for how much a dealer will negotiate, it depends on a lot of factors. The short answer is they’ll shave as little as they can off the price in order to maximise their margin.

Often used car sellers will put big prices on to give them some wriggle room and hopefully get a decent profit.

But others will advertise the car much closer to what someone is prepared to pay.

I’d be looking at what other similar cars are being advertised for. If the particular one you’re looking at is way higher then point that out to the dealer and suggest they get closer to the market.

And remember, there’s no harm in making a lower offer – the worst they can say is no.

The end of financial year is also a great time to be negotiating. Dealers will often be keen to shift floor stock to make their numbers look better.

Happy shopping!

Got a question but don’t know where to find the information you need? Email us at editor@carsales.com.au

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