Today’s Drive: Lexus sharpens its SUVs, Australia gets fresh metal, and the EV pickup party slows

I spent the morning bouncing between spy shots, Aussie pricing whispers, and one delightfully odd electric two-wheeler that pretends it’s a bicycle. It’s a proper mixed bag—luxury SUVs stretching to three rows, a cult off-roader staging a comeback, and Ford dropping a race-bred unicorn into Australian garages. Grab a coffee; let’s lap the headlines.

Lexus: A two-pronged SUV push—sleeker NX, bigger three-row EV

Two Lexuses (Lexi?) are making quiet noise in the background. First, the facelifted 2027 Lexus NX has been spied, the brand’s Audi Q5 rival set for a mid-life nip and tuck. Don’t expect revolution—think refinement. When I last lived with an NX for a week, its calm cabin and grown-up ride were the standouts; a careful refresh could make that composure feel even more expensive without scaring off current owners.

More intriguing is the larger, three-row electric Lexus SUV also caught testing. It’s clearly pointed at American-size luxury—Cadillac- and Volvo-baiting scale with Lexus hush. If Lexus marries that serene NVH with true three-row space and an easy charging experience, it could be the brand’s most convincing EV to date. Family ski trip to Falls Creek in silent comfort? That’s the dream brief.

• 2027 Lexus NX: Facelift spied; expect design tweaks and tech polish.
• Lexus three-row EV: Prototype seen testing; aimed at luxury family duty.

Australia watch: Jolion Max, Everest Wildtrak, Pajero returns—and a Mustang GTD lands

Australia’s lineup card for late 2026/2027 is filling out nicely:

GWM Haval Jolion Max

GWM’s bringing a bigger, more sophisticated Jolion Max to Australia in late 2026 with EV and hybrid choices on the menu. If pricing lands where GWM usually does—keen—this could be the school-run special that quietly empties rival showrooms. I’ve chatted with a few Jolion owners who love the value but wish for slicker software; here’s hoping the Max sorts that.

Ford Everest Wildtrak (2026)

The Wildtrak badge returns to the Everest SUV for 2026 with a higher sticker and new colours. I’ve put real miles on the current Everest and it’s a rare thing: an honest ladder-frame SUV that still feels civilised in city grind. If Wildtrak adds the right toys and a dose of attitude, expect long waitlists in tradie carparks and school gates alike.

Mitsubishi Pajero comeback (2026)

The Pajero nameplate is due back in 2026, gunning for Toyota Prado and Ford Everest. Cue the nostalgia. The old Paj was the road-trip hero of many families (mine included, towing a temperamental boat that never once started on the first try). The new one will need real off-road chops and credible safety tech to relight that fire.

Ford Mustang GTD confirmed for Australia

One GTD is officially headed to Australia. That’s the track-bred, mega-intense Mustang built to turn lap times and heads. If you snag the allocation, be ready for valet staff to take selfies and your tyres to live a very short, very exciting life.

• GWM Jolion Max: Australia late-2026, EV and hybrid powertrains.
• Ford Everest Wildtrak: Back for 2026 with price rise and fresh paint.
• Mitsubishi Pajero: Returning in 2026 to tackle Prado and Everest.
• Ford Mustang GTD: First Aussie allocation confirmed.

Stateside tremor: Another automaker eases off electric pickups

Per fresh reporting, yet another American brand is tapping the brakes on electric pickups. Not a shock. The segment’s been a tug-of-war between jaw-dropping torque and real-world realities—charging infrastructure, payload/ towing range penalties, and price sensitivity. The EV truck isn’t dead; it’s just catching its breath.

Jeep trims the lineup: One you forgot is gone for 2026

Jeep is shelving a model for 2026—the one even diehards might not remember. The message: focus and profitability. With the brand pushing electrified SUVs and trying to restore trail-badge credibility, pruning the family tree makes sense.

Two wheels, big grin: Honda’s “Bulldog” and the pint-sized Olto

Honda’s dusted off the “Bulldog” name and plastered it proudly on doors. It’s cheeky, a wink to the brand’s playful side. Not everything needs to be solemn and wind-tunnel-sculpted.

Then there’s the Olto: all of 175 pounds and good for 33 mph, yet regulators call it an e-bike. Let that sink in. It’s the kind of urban dart that could slice commute times, though I’d like to see how it handles potholes and panic stops. Helmet on. Eyes up.

From the pod-booth: A new Audi A2, the Morris Marina, and optimism

Autocar’s latest conversation wanders from a “new Audi A2” idea to the much-memed Morris Marina and the kind of innate optimism only car people possess. Is a modern A2—light, clever, space-savvy—the sustainable hatch we secretly want back? I’m listening.

Quick look: What’s coming and why it matters

What I’m watching next

• Lexus NX tech suite: Infotainment speed and driver-assist smoothness can make or break mid-cycle updates.
• Jolion Max pricing: If GWM stays aggressive, rivals will scramble.
• Pajero off-road hardware: Lockers, low-range logic, and suspension tuning will define credibility.
• Mustang GTD allocation drama: Who gets it, and how quickly do they put track rubber on it?
• EV pickup math: Real-world towing range data will decide buyers more than any spec sheet.

Conclusion

It’s a “measure twice, cut once” kind of day in carland. Lexus is sharpening quietly, Australia’s SUV scene is heating up with value and nostalgia in equal parts, and the EV pickup curve is flattening a hair while brands catch their breath. Meanwhile, Honda plays with names, the Olto blurs categories, and Jeep trims fat. Plenty to chew on before the next spy shot drops.

FAQ