Reviews

Toyota bZ4X Interior ViewToyota bZ4X Front ViewToyota bZ4X Side ViewToyota bZ4X Back ViewToyota 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 into the car, but what it has …

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 be a meaningful comparison …

Driving impressions of Zeekr 7X RWD Long RangeBy Dr. Long See PinI have always wondered how higher powered BEVs these days handle twin motors or even triple DC electric motors set up. Some advanced hybrid systems like in the Omoda C9 PHEV have triple DC motors plus a turbo-petrol engine as well, thereby equaling four propulsion forces working in tandem or parallel.Imagine a bullock-cart being pulled by one or two horses at the front, while a muscular buffalo is pushing it from the rear. While these three creatures may be instinctive enough to make sure their hard work of tugging …

Review of OMODA C9 PHEVBy Dr SP LongLaunched in Malaysia in March 2026, the OMODA C9 PHEV by Omoda | JAECOO is arguably one of the most impressive plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUVs around. It combines EV technology with the back-up of an ICE 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo petrol to extend long-distance capability and therefore, dependability.The stand-out feature is Super Hybrid System (SHS) pairing EV propulsion in a triple-DC motor configuration mated to a 3-speed dedicated hybrid transmission. Producing a total output of 395 kW/530 hp and a maximum torque of 650 Nm, the C9 accelerates with effortless gusto, doing 4.9 seconds …

By Dr. Long See PinI have always had a soft spot for affordable and value-for-money automobiles (battery electric vehicles or BEVs included and even more so). Of course, many will digress on this automotive preference: upscale neighbours, professional associates, sportscar club friends (fiends?), blood relatives and even some car companies’ bosses – grinning or smirking with puzzled or even subtly disdainful expressions. Or just painful silence, on their part.Understandably, most if not all, have been indoctrinated over the past half a century to think that cheap equals nasty. Shopping for a good ‘base model’ – usually from the B-segment – …

Malaysia Car of the Year Gala Dinner 2025Vote now for a chance to enjoy a priceless dinner for two at the Malaysia Car of the Year Awards Gala Dinner The Malaysia Car of the Year Gala Dinner is an exclusive, invitation-only celebration that brings together the nation’s most influential automotive leaders, innovators, media representatives and distinguished guests for one extraordinary evening.This prestigious gala represents the pinnacle of Malaysia’s automotive calendar, where excellence in engineering, design and innovation is formally recognised and celebrated on a grand stage through a meticulously curated awards ceremony and premium dining experience.All voters will stand a change …

BY COTY JUDGE YAMIN VONG Since its Malaysian debut earlier this year, the GWM Tank 300 has drawn strong interest from SUV buyers looking for something modern, rugged, and relatively affordable. Great Wall Motor positions the Tank 300 as a rival to established 4×4 icons such as the Toyota FJ Cruiser, the Jeep Wrangler, and even the latest monocoque Land Rover Defender (L663). With those benchmarks in mind, we took the Tank 300 to our Grade 4 rock-crawl test track to see how it performs when pushed beyond the typical showroom test drive. Under our off-road rating scheme, Grade 1 is mild …

Article by Lisa Kuok The Xpeng was the least boxy-looking of the three EV Executive MPVs we reviewed. Wedge-shaped front with an angular posterior line, the star-ship inspired Xpeng X9 has an acute rake to both its front and rear windscreens, making it the most unconventional and distinctive new design in the Executive MPV segment in several decades. Designed with optimised aerodynamics from the angles of the windscreens to the design elements on the body and window glass flush to the pillars in order to maximise slip, the X9 boasts a drag coefficient of 0.236 Cd compared to the Zeekr 009 at …

Article by Lisa Kuok One aspect of Executive MPVs not usually considered after the comfort of the Captain Chairs is accessibility. We had the six-seater Zeekr 009 and seven-seaters, Denza D9 and Xpeng X9. With their doors closed, they all appear to have low ground clearance, making entry a small step up into the cabin. However, the exterior appearance is deceptive. The suspension, EV powertrain and other mechanicals as well as the mechanism for the large sliding doors are sandwiched in the space between the undercarriage plate and the cabin floor. In the Zeekr, that’s an additional 23cm between the …

Article by Yamin Vong During our recent comparison test of 3 business-class MPVs that represent the pinnacle of Chinese EVs, it was very difficult to judge what were essentially incomparable: one was all about power and the fun of driving, one was a big all-rounder EV that was like a Japanese petrol-MPV, and one was a techno MPV. Then there was the 4th eMPV. This was a BYD M6 compact eMPV that wasn’t in the comparo but anyway stole the hearts of the judges for its nippiness. These business-class eMPVs also incorporated a variety of technology and innovations. It is …