The January 2026 issue of NZ Autocar is now on sale

The January issue of NZ Autocar magazine is now on sale. What’s inside? Check out all the features below.

Ford Ranger Super Duty 

Ford has built a super tough, super ready Ranger for the most demanding customers. We get it dirty on the launch in Oz. 

Nissan Navara 

Another new ute release this month, the Navara arrives looking a lot like its Mitsubishi twin. So what’s the diff? 

Xpeng 

Xpeng is set for a New Zealand launch soon. It will lead its assault with the G6. We check it out in China ahead of its arrival here. 

BAIC 

Chinese car makers aren’t just chasing the weekday commute anymore. They are now looking squarely at the weekend, and BAIC’s arrival through Armstrong’s suggests the SUV segment is about to get more crowded.

MG U9 Explore Pro 

MG ventures into the competitive and often parochial territory of the double cab ute segment. Is the U9 up to the challenge?  

Zeekr X & 009 

While the 7X has been grabbing headlines, the first wave of the Zeekr invasion is already here. We drive the hyper-value Zeekr X and the palatial 009 to see if this new premium player can walk the walk.

Skoda Kodiaq RS TSI 

You can get the kids to school even faster with the arrival of the new Kodiaq RS variant. But is this family-friendly SUV, named after a large bear, a sensible school bus or a crazy train?

Audi Q5 TFSI quattro S Line vs BMW X3 20 xDrive M Sport 

BMW and Audi compete in all the key market segments, none perhaps more vital than the ‘medium SUV’ battle ground. The Q5 has recently been updated, and here we compare it with the X3.  

GWM Tank 500 Ultra PHEV 

GWM adds a plug-in hybrid powertrain to the capable Tank 500. And incredibly, it’s cheaper than the regular hybrid version. Is this the best value in the large SUV set? 

Dongfeng Box 

Dongfeng is another recent arrival, its first local offering being the Box. It’s an affordable five-door, but how’s the substance?

Ford Transit Custom 320 Sport AWD 

The Transit is rather dynamic in the realm of vans. So does this AWD version live up to its Sport billing?   

Subaru WRX tS Spec B 

It’s something most of us like to do this time of the year. And it’s especially fun getting there taking roads less travelled in a driver’s car like the Subaru WRX Spec B.  

Holden Commodore VP  

Peter Brock stands tall among the Australian touring car legends. And so his former race cars are among the most desirable. Thanks to a Kiwi enthusiast, one of Brocks ex-racers now calls New Zealand home.

Triumph Scrambler 400 XC 

The 2025 Triumph Scrambler 400 XC seems made for touring New Zealand’s often unpredictable roading network. So is it indeed excellent?