The Beep Weekly Roundup: BMW iX3, Nissan Navara, Tesla Model Y L and major SUV price cuts

It's been one of the most eventful weeks in the Australian new car market so far in 2026. Two models have been discontinued, seven new ones confirmed or launched, and some of the sharpest SUV price cuts in recent memory have landed across Mazda, GWM and Hyundai.

New electric options at every price point

BMW's all-new iX3 arrives in Australia priced from $109,900 before on-roads in iX3 50 xDrive form. The sixth-generation eDrive system brings 800-volt architecture, cylindrical battery cells and a claimed WLTP range of 805km. Fast charging peaks at 400kW, adding over 350km of range in around 10 minutes, with a 10-80 per cent charge taking just 21 minutes. Three-phase 22kW AC charging is standard for Australia.

At the other end of the spectrum, GAC has opened orders for the Aion UT from $31,990 RRP. During the launch phase, buyers can secure one from $30,990 driveaway, and the first 600 orders receive a portable charger and 22kW wall charger included. Two grades are available, with the Luxury topping out at $35,990.

Tesla has opened orders for the Model Y L, a longer three-row version of its popular SUV priced from $74,900 before on-roads. It seats six in a 2+2+2 layout, features a higher roofline and debuts Vehicle-to-Load functionality for Australian buyers. First deliveries are expected in Q2 2026.

Performance and special editions

Cupra's Formentor VZ5 is the brand's most intense production model to date. The 287kW, 480Nm 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo is paired with a seven-speed DSG and torque-vectoring AWD. Fewer than 100 units are allocated to Australia at $94,990 RRP, with deliveries expected between December 2026 and early 2027.

Porsche confirmed the Cayenne S Electric, producing 400kW and up to 490kW with overboost, reaching 100km/h in 3.8 seconds. Australian pricing hasn't been confirmed yet.

Discontinuations

Two nameplates are gone. BMW has confirmed the 8 Series is discontinued, ending one of the brand's flagship grand touring lines. Kia has also quietly wound up the Niro in Australia.

Nissan's big week

The all-new Navara is now in showrooms from $53,348, available across four grades. All variants share a 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel producing 150kW and 470Nm, a six-speed automatic and 3500kg braked towing. Suspension was developed and tuned specifically for Australian conditions by Premcar across 18,000km of local testing.

The MY26 Qashqai drops conventional petrol entirely, moving to an all e-POWER lineup from $45,640. Fuel consumption improves to 4.1L/100km and the cabin is 5.6dB quieter than before. Notably, key powertrain components are manufactured in Dandenong, Victoria.

Price cuts worth knowing about

Several major SUVs received significant price reductions this week. The Mazda CX-70 dropped $6,814 and the CX-90 fell $6,427, making both considerably more competitive in the large SUV segment. GWM cut prices across multiple Haval H6 variants and the Jolion Vanta Hybrid. The Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy is now $79,990 driveaway, nearly $4,000 less than before.

Offers and special editions

Rounding out the week: the Audi RS3 Competition Limited and Foundation Prize Draw are both live, the Subaru WRX AWD Club Spec EVO has been announced, and Zeekr has launched the 7X Black Edition alongside its "This Is Your Moment" campaign. Ford is also offering a driveaway deal on remaining MY24 F-150 stock, and Nissan has finance offers available on the new Navara.

Between new launches at every price point, a significantly updated ute range and price cuts that would have been headline news on their own, this is the kind of week that makes sitting on a purchase decision an expensive habit.