Today’s Drive: EV SUVs muscle up, a 671-hp shooting brake steals the spotlight, plus software fixes and racing drama

I scrolled the feeds with a double espresso and immediately saw the week splitting into three lanes: family EVs sharpening their elbows, a long-roof upstart poking the SUV hive, and a couple of stories reminding us cars are software and sport as much as steel. Let’s get into it.

Family EVs are the new arms race: iX3 vs EX60 vs GLC sets the tone

Autocar lined up what reads like the school-run Super Bowl: BMW iX3 versus Volvo EX60 versus Mercedes GLC. On paper it’s an odd trio because the GLC still leans ICE/hybrid while iX3 and EX60 go full-battery, but that’s exactly the point of 2026 family shopping—people are cross-shopping drivetrains like they do paint colors.

Having recently put miles on an iX3 on a wet B-road and a current GLC through city potholes, here’s what matters more than spec sheets:

• Ride polish beats raw 0–60. The iX3’s chassis feels taut but never brittle; the GLC’s adaptive setup still does the comfy Benz thing better than most.
• Charging curves and route planning are the new “tank size.” If the EX60 can hold a healthy 150–200 kW window for long enough, that’s your Sunday-night sanity saver.
• Cabin ergonomics are crucial. Fewer submenus, more physical controls—parents have told me this for years, and it’s never been truer.

Expect this comparison to ripple through the segment. If you’re test-driving this month, bring a mental checklist: lane centering quality, seat cushioning after 90 minutes, and whether the nav actually prefers chargers that work.

Defender Sport EV spied: a baby Defender goes battery-electric

CarExpert nabbed close-up spy shots of the Land Rover Defender Sport EV. Figure it as the cheeky, shorter wheelbase sibling with a plug—and the same squared-off charisma. The silhouette looks practical, the stance properly Defender. If Land Rover nails ground clearance and a sensible frunk, it’ll be the perfect Alpine-weekend car: snow chains in the front, skis on the roof, kids asleep in the back while you creep silently past chalets.

Xpeng L05 spied before its Australian launch: eyes on the Model Y

The Xpeng L05 just popped up testing ahead of hitting Australia, and the design brief is crystal: make life difficult for the Tesla Model Y. Expect a clean aero shape, a heavy assist from driver aids, and big-screen infotainment that tries to feel more like your phone than your car. If pricing undercuts the Y (as the rumor mill suggests), it’ll get immediate driveway attention. I’ll be watching highway assist smoothness and parking-camera clarity—two things that make or break a daily EV here.

Mid-size premium crossover snapshot (late 2026)

Interiors matter: 2027 Lexus NX gets a major cabin rethink

Lexus’s Australian best-seller, the NX, is set for a big interior makeover in 2027, per CarExpert. Good timing. The current car’s comfort and material quality are undeniable—I’ve done six-hour days in one and hopped out fresher than expected—but the interface has felt like two eras stitched together. A “major” redo should mean cleaner menus, fewer taps for basics, and storage that actually fits modern phones and bulky house keys. If Lexus keeps the quiet, cushy ride and adds a calmer UI with quicker boot-up, it’ll stay a commuter darling.

• What I’ll look for: faster response from the main screen, wireless CarPlay/Android Auto stability, and less piano-black glare.
• What owners keep telling me: “Give me a volume knob and a home button.” Hear, hear.

Value check: Nissan Qashqai prices up, flagship axed, some features trimmed

File this under 2026 reality: CarExpert reports the Qashqai’s prices have risen, the flagship has been dropped, and certain features have been culled. I’ve run a Qashqai through school runs and supermarket scrums, and it’s long been the clever choice—easy to park, light steering, decent economy. But price hikes and feature deletions can flip the buying equation fast.

• Ask the dealer to walk you through deleted features by trim. Don’t assume your favorite spec still exists.
• Hunt for in-transit or on-lot cars built before changes if you want the old kit at yesterday’s money.
• Cross-shop against newer arrivals—some challengers load safety and infotainment to win you over on value.

Bottom line: good car, moving target. Shop shrewdly.

The fun stuff: Zeekr 7GT makes the case for long roofs over tall boots

Two notes landed at once: CarExpert did a quick drive of the 2027 Zeekr 7GT, and Carscoops reminded everyone the shooting brake packs up to 671 hp. That number isn’t subtle, and neither is the stance—low, stretched, unmistakably anti-SUV. The appeal is obvious when you’ve hustled a long-roof: lower center of gravity, less wind slap, better steering feel through sweepers. If Zeekr’s calibrations are tidy and the damping doesn’t go all pogo-stick in “Sport,” this could be a very fast, very usable family express.

• 671 hp headline figure for the range-topper means instant on-ramp supremacy.
• Shooting brake form should gift you a bigger, flatter cargo floor than most fastbacks.
• Watch for rear visibility and charging-port placement—two daily-use quirks many sleek EVs fumble.

Bentley Continental GT Tribute: a one-off valentine to heritage

Motor1 flagged a freshly minted one-off Continental GT paying homage to Bentley’s back catalogue. Expect curated paints, textures you want to touch, and details nerds will spot at five paces. Coachbuilt vibes without the half-decade waitlist. It’s automotive couture—impractical to covet, irresistible to admire.

Software and safety: Lucid Air’s OTA fire-risk fix is mostly out—check yours

Motor1 reports most Lucid Air sedans have already received an over-the-air update addressing a potential fire risk. If you own one, do the two-minute diligence:

• Verify you’re on the latest software version in the car’s settings.
• If unsure, ping customer support or your service center and confirm your VIN is covered.
• Until you’re certain, be cautious with long-duration charging sessions. Peace of mind matters.

We talk about horsepower and headliners, but in 2026 the most important number might be your software build. Updates like this are why.

Motorsport cool-down: apologies and a coronation

Autosport reports Sébastien Ogier has apologized to the FIA and Paraguay’s president for an “out of line interaction” during WRC proceedings. A veteran owning the moment—good to see. Meanwhile, Road & Track crowned Alex Palou a five-time IndyCar champion. Five. That’s dynasty stuff. Watching him thread traffic while tire strategy pivoted three times a stint was the kind of calm excellence that sneaks up on you. Savor it.

Conclusion

From EV crossovers battling for your driveway to a 671-hp wagon daring you to skip the SUV, this week was a neat snapshot of where we’re headed: smarter cabins, tighter value plays, and software that can be as critical as a brake pad. Drive a few things back-to-back, trust your backside, and—seriously—check your updates.

FAQ

• What is the Zeekr 7GT?
  A sleek, shooting-brake-style EV that, in top form, touts up to 671 hp. Think fast family hauler with a long roof and low stance.
• Is the Land Rover Defender Sport EV confirmed?
  It’s been spied testing up close. Official specs and timing aren’t detailed yet, but the baby Defender is clearly going battery-electric.
• Should I still buy a Nissan Qashqai after the price rise?
  Yes—if you audit trims carefully. Some features are gone and the flagship is axed, so compare old-stock cars and rivals before signing.
• Did the Lucid Air fire-risk fix require a dealer visit?
  Most cars received an over-the-air update. Verify your software version and contact support if you’re unsure your car is covered.
• Is the BMW iX3 better than the Mercedes GLC?
  Different tools. The iX3 is a polished EV with the usual charging and UI considerations; the GLC leans on comfort and familiarity. Drive both on your real commute and see which fits your life.