Toyota bZ4X versus Chinese EVs

Toyota bZ4X Interior View Toyota bZ4X Front View Toyota bZ4X Side View Toyota bZ4X Back View Toyota bZ4X Night View After a 300 km drive in Toyota’s first EV into Malaysia, I came away impressed by its power, ride and handling. I had been anticipating how Toyota — the company that has spent decades perfecting the combustion engine, automatic transmission and legends like the Corolla and Hilux — would translate all that experience into an electric vehicle. The answer for Malaysia might just be the bZ4X. And perhaps the most interesting thing about it is not what Toyota has put…

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MY CAMEL TROPHY INSTINCTS MEET THE TOYOTA HILUX EV

I approached the Toyota Hilux BEV test drive with more than a little curiosity. After all, as a veteran of three Camel Trophies and a veteran off-road enthusiast, I’ve spent enough time in jungles, mud and rain to know that when the going gets tough, you normally want a diesel engine, a big set of tyres and a recovery winch. Not a puny battery in an EV. So, the concept of taking an electric Hilux off-road was irresistible. Could the Hilux BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) live up to the reputation of Toyota’s legendary diesel light truck? And could there even…

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BYD Sealion 7 gets a new Entry Level for Malaysia

The popular BYD Sealion 7 range gets a new entry-level Dynamic variant with rear-wheel drive. It joins the Premium RWD and Performance AWD variants. The fastback SUV has the same sleek Ocean X styling on BYD’s e-Platform and Blade battery. It delivers a comfortable, responsive ride paired with a high-tech cabin, 15.6-inch rotating screen, and impressive electric range. Date launched July 30, 2026 Make & model BYD Sealion 7 Variant Dynamic RWD Bodystyle 5-Door SUV Price at launch RM163,800 Origin China Distributor BYD Sime Motors     Length/width/height 4830 mm x 1925 mm x 1620 mm Wheelbase 2930 Ground clearance…

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Ford Ranger Platinum 3.0L

As flagship of the current Ford Ranger range, the Platinum 3.0L offers a premium cabin with high-quality materials and comprehensive equipment list. Besides the robust and proven 3-litre V6 turbodiesel engine, the Ranger Platinum is also class-leading in safety (although the current generation has not been assessed by ASEAN NCAP). Date launched July 23, 2026 Make & model Ford Ranger Variant Platinum 3.0L Bodystyle Double cab pick-up truck Price at launch RM205,888 Origin Thailand Distributor Sime Darby Auto ConneXion Sdn Bhd     Length/width/height 5370 mm x 1918 mm x 1884 mm Wheelbase 3270 mm Ground clearance 230 mm Turning…

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Ford Ranger Sport 2.0L

The Ranger Sport 2.0L comes with a smaller 2-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine with a single turbo (instead of the previous bi-turbo). The drivetrain is also part-time 4×4, unlike the 3.0L which has full-time 4WD. Date launched July 23, 2026 Make & model Ford Ranger Variant Sport 2.0L Bodystyle Double cab pick-up truck Price at launch RM145,888 Origin Thailand Distributor Sime Darby Auto ConneXion Sdn Bhd     Length/width/height 5370 mm x 1918 mm x 1884 mm Wheelbase 3270 mm Ground clearance 230 mm Turning radius 6.45 metres Kerb weight (kgs) 2,227 kgs Seating capacity 5     Powertrain 4-cylinder turbodiesel…

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Ford Ranger Sport 3.0L

For those who want a sportier look with V6 3-litre power, Ford offers the Ranger Sport with dark athletic styling. The 250 ps turbodiesel engine generates up to 600 Nm of torque and delivers power to all wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission with e-shifter control. Date launched July 23, 2026 Make & model Ford Ranger Variant Sport 3.0L Bodystyle Double cab pick-up truck Price at launch RM159,888 Origin Thailand Distributor Sime Darby Auto ConneXion Sdn Bhd     Length/width/height 5370 mm x 1918 mm x 1884 mm Wheelbase 3270 mm Ground clearance 230 mm Turning radius 6.45 metres Kerb…

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Ford Ranger XL 2.0L New Launch with a proven 2-litre Turbodiesel Powertrain

The Ranger XL 2.0L is the workhorse of the range, Built Ford Tough to take on all kinds of heavy-duty work off-road or on construction sites. It uses a proven 2-litre turbodiesel powertrain with a robust part-time 4×4 system. Date launched July 23, 2026 Make & model Ford Ranger Variant XL 2.0L Bodystyle Double cab pick-up truck Price at launch RM127,888 Origin Thailand Distributor Sime Darby Auto ConneXion Sdn Bhd     Length/width/height 5370 mm x 1918 mm x 1884 mm Wheelbase 3270 mm Ground clearance 230 mm Turning radius 6.45 metres Kerb weight (kgs) 2,227 kgs Seating capacity 5…

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JETOUR T1 1.5 Second Locally-assembled Model for the Malaysian market

Second locally-assembled model in the JETOUR T-series for the Malaysian market. Unlike the Dashing, the T1 is a more off-road capable vehicle with to handle challenging terrain. This version has a 1.5-litre petrol engine which drives only the front wheels. Confident of its engineering, JETOUR Malaysia offers a 7-year/150,000 kms vehicle warranty and a powertrain warranty of up to 10 years/1 million kms. Date launched July 22, 2026 Make & model JETOUR T1 Variant 1.5L TGDI 2WD Bodystyle Crossover Price at launch RM129,800 Origin Malaysia Distributor Chery Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd     Length/width/height 4705 mm/1967 mm/1840 mm Wheelbase 2800…

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JETOUR T1 2.0 is a more Off-Road Capable Vehicle with to Handle Challenging Terrain.

Second locally-assembled model in the JETOUR T-series for the Malaysian market. Unlike the Dashing, the T1 is a more off-road capable vehicle with to handle challenging terrain. This version has a 2.0-litre petrol engine with intelligent all-wheel drive. Confident of its engineering, JETOUR Malaysia offers a 7-year/150,000 kms vehicle warranty and a powertrain warranty of up to 10 years/1 million kms. Date launched July 22, 2026 Make & model JETOUR T1 Variant 2.0L TGDI XWD Bodystyle SUV Price at launch RM146,800 Origin Malaysia Distributor Chery Auto Malaysia Sdn Bhd     Length/width/height 4705 mm/1967 mm/1840 mm Wheelbase 2800 mm Ground…

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Malaysia Car of the Year judges visit MIROS/ASEAN NCAP

Representatives of the Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) judging panel visited MIROS (Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research) to gain insights into ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program), an independent vehicle safety rating program conducted in a collaboration between MIROS and Global NCAP. ASEAN NCAP is one of the regional NCAPs which assesses new models in a specific region, with focus on the conditions typical of the region. As safety is a major element in the assessment of new models, the MCOTY judges wanted to have a better understanding of the procedures and standards (referred to as protocols) used…

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