News 8 April 2026 5 min read

What's New in April 2026: The Biggest Australian Car News This Month

Written by Uzzi, CarSorted Editorial Team · 8 April 2026

April 2026 has been a busy month for the Australian car market. A new PHEV sedan that undercuts the Camry, another Chinese brand confirmed for local sale, record EV market share, and two popular models getting significant price changes. Here is the rundown of everything that matters.

BYD Seal 6 PHEV Launches From $34,990

BYD has officially confirmed Australian pricing for the Seal 6, a plug-in hybrid mid-sizer available as both a sedan and a Touring wagon. The Essential sedan starts at $34,990 before on-road costs, while the Touring wagon is $39,990. Both use BYD's DM 5.0 Super Hybrid system with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, electric motor, and Blade Battery.

The numbers are impressive. The sedan has 55km of electric-only range and over 1,400km of combined range. The wagon bumps EV range to 100km with 1,300km combined. For context, the Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $39,990 and cannot drive on electricity alone. Orders open April 9 with deliveries expected mid-year.

Forthing Taikon 5 Confirmed for June 2026

Another Chinese brand is heading to Australia. Forthing, a subsidiary of Dongfeng Motor, has confirmed the Taikon 5 mid-size SUV for a June 2026 launch. It will be available in two flavours: a pure EV and a range-extender (REEV) that pairs an electric motor with a small petrol engine used solely to charge the battery.

The REEV version is the headline act with up to 1,150km of combined range. Australian pricing has not been confirmed yet, but the Taikon 5 is expected to target the $40,000 to $55,000 bracket, putting it up against the likes of the MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3. If Forthing can nail the pricing, this is one to watch.

EV Sales Hit Record 17.9% Market Share

The March 2026 VFACTS data is in, and it tells a clear story: Australians are buying more electric and electrified vehicles than ever before. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) combined for a record 17.9% market share in March, up from around 10% a year ago. Tesla's Model Y led the charge, but BYD and Hyundai both posted strong numbers.

Fuel price uncertainty continues to be a major driver. With petrol hovering near $2/L in most capital cities, the running cost advantage of EVs and PHEVs is becoming harder to ignore. Traditional hybrids also had a strong month, with Toyota's Corolla Cross Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid ranking among the top sellers.

New-Generation Toyota RAV4 Arrives With PHEV Option

Toyota has rolled out the new-generation RAV4 in Australia, and there is good news and bad news. The good news: the RAV4 finally gets a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option, giving buyers genuine electric-only driving capability for the first time. The cabin has been overhauled with better materials and a larger touchscreen, and the hybrid powertrain has been refined for improved efficiency.

The bad news: prices have gone up across the range. The entry-level GX Hybrid is noticeably more expensive than the outgoing model, and the new PHEV variant sits at a premium above the standard hybrid. Toyota argues the extra equipment and technology justify the increases, but for budget-conscious buyers, the RAV4 is no longer quite the value proposition it once was.

Hyundai Ioniq 5 Range Reshuffled, Base Price Up $6,400

Hyundai has quietly restructured the Ioniq 5 lineup for 2026, and the biggest change is the price tag. The base model now starts at $76,200, a jump of $6,400 over the previous entry price. That repositions the Ioniq 5 further upmarket and opens up a gap between it and more affordable EVs like the BYD Sealion 7 and MG MG4.

In fairness, the updated Ioniq 5 comes with an 84kWh battery, 800V architecture supporting 350kW DC charging, and up to 570km of WLTP range. It remains one of the most technically capable EVs on sale in Australia. But at this price point, the value equation is shifting, and buyers who were on the fence may start looking elsewhere.

The Takeaway

The theme of April 2026 is clear: electrification is accelerating, but it is no longer just about pure EVs. PHEVs and range-extenders are filling the gap for buyers who want to cut fuel costs without committing to full electric. The BYD Seal 6 and Forthing Taikon 5 REEV are proof that Chinese manufacturers are reading the room, while Toyota and Hyundai are adjusting pricing as their models mature.

We will keep covering every major launch, price change, and sales milestone as it happens. Bookmark the CarSorted blog to stay across it all.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest car news in Australia in April 2026?

The BYD Seal 6 PHEV launching from $34,990 is arguably the headline story. It is the cheapest plug-in hybrid mid-sizer in Australia, available as both a sedan and a Touring wagon with over 1400km of combined range.

What percentage of cars sold in Australia are electric?

In March 2026, electric vehicles (BEVs and PHEVs combined) accounted for a record 17.9% of all new car sales in Australia, according to VFACTS data. That is up from around 10% a year earlier.

Is the Toyota RAV4 getting more expensive in 2026?

Yes. The new-generation Toyota RAV4 arrived in early 2026 with price increases across the range. It also gains a PHEV option for the first time in Australia, but the entry price has gone up compared to the outgoing model.

How much has the Hyundai Ioniq 5 gone up in price?

The base Hyundai Ioniq 5 now starts at $76,200, which is $6,400 more than the previous entry price. Hyundai has reshuffled the variant lineup and repositioned the Ioniq 5 further upmarket.

What is the Forthing Taikon 5?

The Forthing Taikon 5 is a mid-size SUV from Chinese manufacturer Forthing (part of Dongfeng Motor). It is confirmed for an Australian launch in June 2026, and will be available as both a pure EV and a range-extender (REEV) with up to 1150km of combined range.

Disclaimer: All information in this article was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (8 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Specifications, government incentives, and rebates can change without notice. Always verify details with the manufacturer or relevant authority before making a purchase decision. Running cost estimates are based on average Australian driving conditions at 15,000 km/year. All opinions are editorial and independent. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations or rankings.

Written by Uzzi, CarSorted Editorial Team · 8 April 2026

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