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More on the Mazda Mazda3
News, buying guides and owner reviews relevant to this model.
Skoda Scala Axed in Australia: MY26 Stock Is the Last of the Czech Hatch
Skoda Australia has confirmed the Scala will not carry into MY27, so remaining MY26 stock is the last shot at a new Czech-built small hatch here. The 85TSI Select stays at $33,990 driveaway with an 85kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo, 5.4 L/100km and a 10.1-second 0 to 100km/h. The 110TSI Monte Carlo holds at $45,990 driveaway with a 110kW 1.5-litre turbo, 5.2 L/100km and an 8.2-second sprint. Both are seven-speed DSG and front-wheel drive. Just 59 Scalas were registered YTD 2026, with two units in June alone, down 88 per cent for the month and 22.4 per cent for the year. Rivals in the small hatch bracket ran much stronger: Toyota Corolla 7,314, Kia K4 4,467 (up 67.7 per cent) and Mazda 3 4,080. The smaller Skoda Fabia continues into MY27, as do the Kamiq, Karoq, Kodiaq, Octavia and Superb, with the Elroq and Enyaq EVs incoming. Five-star ANCAP from 2019 still applies to Australian cars sold from February 2021 (97/87/81/76 pillar scores). Skoda's seven-year warranty and capped-price servicing carry over on the run-out cars.
2026 Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy Black Ink Priced for Australia: $92,400 Hybrid Flagship, In Dealers This Month
Hyundai Australia relaunches the Palisade Calligraphy Black Ink on the second-generation body from $92,400 before on-roads for the eight-seater, or $93,400 with the captain-chair seven-seat layout. About $2,572 above the standard Calligraphy Hybrid at $89,828 and $15,900 above the base Elite at $76,500. Same 2.5L turbo hybrid AWD as the rest of the range: 245kW/460Nm combined, six-speed automatic, claimed 6.8 L/100km. Black theme adds gloss black 21-inch alloys, blacked-out grille, badges, window surrounds, roof rails, mirror caps and lower bumpers, with two paint choices only, Abyss Black and Creamy White. Cabin sticks with dual 12.3-inch displays, 14-speaker sound, Nappa leather with metallic black trim, satellite navigation, power front seats and V2L. Palisade sales are up 38.1 per cent for the first half of 2026 and this Black Ink is the visual halo. ANCAP not yet rated on the second-generation car. LCT slug is around $3,470 on the eight-seat because the hybrid does not qualify as fuel-efficient. Cross-shop the Kluger Grande Hybrid ($85,135), Sorento GT-Line Hybrid ($74,540) and Mazda CX-80 GT before signing.
Mazda CX-5, BMW X3, MG S6 EV and Cupra Formentor All Score Five Stars With ANCAP
ANCAP hands maximum ratings to four family SUVs in a single sweep under its outgoing 2023-25 protocols. The all-new Mazda CX-5 posts a 93 per cent vulnerable road user score, the highest of any car tested in the entire 2023-25 protocol era. The MG S6 EV tops the batch for adult occupant protection at 92 per cent. The updated Cupra Formentor five-star result covers cars built from December 2025 onwards but excludes both the five-cylinder VZ5 and any four-cylinder ordered with the Extreme Package (the Sabelt bucket seats stop the centre airbag from fitting). BMW X3 (petrol G45) also confirmed at five stars, ratings apply to the current on-sale shape. Everything here sits under the older protocols, the tougher 2026 rules kicked in earlier this month and the BMW iX3 has become the first car to clear them.
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Mazda Mazda3 head-to-head
Stack two models side-by-side. Price, range, towing, ANCAP and ownership cost in one view.