New Tesla Model 3 2026 Long Range RWD drives up to 750km on a single charge, beating BYD Seal and Polestar 2

Tesla has confirmed a new Long Range RWD Model 3 and range improvements for range-topping Performance

The 2026 Tesla Model 3 becomes Australia’s longest driving range electric car with the addition of a new Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) trim. 

With 750km WLTP combined range when fitted with standard 18-inch alloy wheels, the new Model 3 Long Range RWD beats the Polestar 3 Long Range Single Motor (706km) and Polestar 2 (659km). 

The new Long Range RWD variant is priced from a competitive $61,900, before on-road costs, slipping between the Standard Range ($54,900) and Long Range AWD ($64,900, all before on-road costs) in the range. 

That’s dearer than the BYD Seal Premium but undercuts the entry-level Polestar 2. 

Tesla has also upgraded the Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery pack in the Model 3 Performance, resulting in range bumping from 528km to 571km, for a price of $80,900 — no change from MY25.

Performance remains otherwise consistent, with 0-100km/h in 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 261km/h thanks to 343kW from a pair of electric motors. 

These changes follow those made last month to China-market Model 3s (Australian cars are manufactured there), where the Long Range RWD is known as the Model 3+. 

Typically Tesla does not disclose the capacity of its batteries, but filings with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) reveal the new LG-made battery has a 78.4kWh capacity. The current Long Range AWD has a circa-75kWh battery capacity.

The new Long Range RWD in China is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds, about eight tenths slower than the AWD. 

Model 3 LR RWD features are based on the Standard Range, listed below:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED head and tail lights
• Power-adjust front seats
• Black vinyl upholstery
• Heated and ventilated sets
• Tri-zone climate control
• 15.4-inch central touchscreen
• 8.0-inch rear touchscreen
• Bluetooth phone connectivity
• No Apple CarPlay or Android Auto
• Onboard internet connectivity with downloadable apps
• Over-the-air software updates (SOTA)
• Two wireless smartphone chargers
• Two USB-C charge points
• 12-volt socket

The only major change moving up to the LR AWD is the addition of a 17-speaker sound system, instead of nine speakers. 

Optional extras include white upholstery, premium paint, and 19-inch alloy wheels which lower the range to 691km. 

These new models will be capable of Tesla’s newly-released Full Self Driving (Supervised) driver assistance suite, which appears to be turning Tesla sales around locally with Model Y placing third in September sales figures, according to data from the FCAI and EV Council. 

This tech is available for a one-off fee of $10,900, or $149 monthly in Australia. 

Tesla’s supercharging sites continue to expand with over 1000 plus at 163 locations across Australia. 

The revised Model 3 Performance and new Model 3 Long Range RWD are available to order now. 

Hyundai’s new Palisade goes hybrid-only, gains $90,000 sticker price to battle Toyota Kluger and Kia Sorento rivals

1 week ago

Lukas Foyle

Contributor

Next-generation Palisade ditches V6 petrol and turbo-diesel powertrains, with hybrid power now leading the range

Hyundai has revealed pricing for its 2026 Palisade, which will start at $89,900 before on-road costs, for the sole ‘Calligraphy hybrid’ grade available at launch.

On sale now as Hyundai’s largest, most powerful and most fuel-efficient Palisade to date, the new model offers a peak combined output of 245kW/460Nm and combined fuel economy of 6.8L/100km. 

Its size increases to 5065mm in length (up 70mm), 1980mm in width (up 5mm), and up to 1805mm in height (up 55mm, figure shown includes roof racks), compared to the outgoing model. Its wheelbase also increases from 2900mm to 2970mm. 

The new Palisade’s larger exterior dimensions have resulted in a roomier interior, which now offers additional occupant legroom and headroom. Boot space increases to 729L (up 25L) with the third-row folded.

The new exterior better represents Hyundai’s ‘Art of Steel’ design language, which combines concepts of futurism and precision with unbroken geometric lines. Visual stand-outs include hidden headlights matched with vertical DRLs, 21-inch wheels, subtly flared wheel arches, and pronounced chromed D-pillars.

New additions in equipment over the 2025 Palisade Calligraphy include a 14-speaker Bose sound system, dual powered sunroofs, power-adjustable steering wheel, fingerprint recognition, 18-way driver and 12-way passenger power-adjust seats, and V2L functionality. 

Australian market Palisades also benefits from a local steering and suspension tune.

The new Palisade will continue to offer a choice of seven or eight seats, both in a three-row configuration, with the former incurring an additional $1000 upcharge. 

Hyundai’s Palisade grade walk and options list will simplify dramatically for 2026. The entry-level ‘Elite’ model grade, as well as current 2.2-litre diesel and 3.8-litre petrol drivetrains, will be discontinued. 

This means the entry price for a new Palisade rises from $66,800 for the once base model 3.8-litre Palisade Elite seven-seater to $89,990 for the single variant Calligraphy. 

The Calligraphy moniker itself also sees significant price hikes. Once from $75,900 and topping at $81,719, Calligraphy models now start at $89,900 and top out at $92,035 – an increase of $14,090 and $10,316 respectively, or, 18.6 and 12.6 percent. 

As a result, the 2026 Palisade asks a hefty premium of $4855 or $16,660 compared to equivalent range topping rivals Toyota Kluger Grande Hybrid AWD and sister brand Kia’s Sorento GT-Line Hybrid AWD. Those start at $85,135 and $73,330 respectively. 

All prices shown are before-on road costs plus Luxury Car Tax, where applicable.

While currently untested, it is likely that the 2026 Hyundai Palisade will soon attain a five-star ANCAP rating, improving over the outgoing model’s four star score. Stand-out safety equipment includes:

• Eight airbags
• Forward collision avoidance assist
• Blind-spot collision avoidance assist
• Blind-spot view monitor
• Intelligent speed limit assist
• Safe exit assist
• Highway driving assist 
• Lane following assist 
• Navigation-based smart cruise control
• Parking distance warning
• Remote smart parking assist

In terms of towing, the braked capacity for the Palisade has decreased from 2200kg to 2000kg.

2026 Hyundai Palisade hybrid powertrain

Rather than retaining a choice of two combustion-only drivetrains, the new Hyundai Palisade will instead offer one sole powertrain – a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol ‘four, mated to a six-speed automatic and plugless hybrid system with dual electric motors. 

The drivetrain sends power to all four wheels, with a total system output of 245kW/460Nm.

Hyundai’s new plugless hybrid dedicates one electric motor for regeneration, while a second electric motor solely powers the driven wheels. The Korean brand claims its new HEV system can drive a typical daily commute on pure EV power, with a combined fuel consumption of 6.8L/100km. 

What does the new 2026 Palisade include?

Hyundai will offer its 2026 Palisade in just one trim grade – Calligraphy – with a sole powertrain offering: a 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated to a six-speed automatic, dual electric motors, and AWD.

Key standard equipment on the Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy includes:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
• Dual tilt and slide power sunroof 
• LED brightwork front and rear
• Roof rails
• Rear camera sensor cleaning system
• Nappa leather interior 
• Suede roof lining
• 18-way power adjustable driver seat with memory
• 12-way power-adjustable passenger seat
• Power 2nd and 3rd row seats (7-seat variant)
• Heated steering wheel 
• Heated front, 2nd & 3rd row outboard seats 
• Ventilated front & 2nd row outboard seats
• 6x 100W USB-C ports
• Fingerprint recognition
• Power-adjustable steering wheel
• Wireless charging 
• Head-up display 
• Full-size alloy spare wheel
• 12.3-inch digital cluster
• 12.3-inch digital multimedia screen
• 14 Speaker Bose sound system