Friday Drive: EV Surge in Australia, Porsche Flat-Six Rumors, and the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra Recall Due to Software Bug

I’ve spent the week chasing sales charts, sipping regrettable servo coffee, and chatting with owners in dealer lots. Australia’s car market is properly spicy right now. EVs are no longer the weird kids at lunch, ladder-frame SUVs are flexing, and in Europe someone’s about to open a garage door and make collectors weep. Also—don’t scroll past this—there’s the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra recall due to software bug that you should actually act on. If you own one, keep reading. If you don’t, well, the rest is a decent Friday read, promise.

Australia’s September shake-up: EVs up, utes still king, and a fresh SUV pecking order

September’s VFACTS felt like someone shuffled the playlist mid-drive. Toyota HiLux? Still the country’s favorite workmate. But the interesting bit is Tesla punching into the monthly top three with a record EV share. When I dropped by two metro dealers this week, I clocked the change instantly. Last year, salespeople talked about EVs like a side hustle. Now they’re walking customers through charger installs, tariff plans, and how to explain one-pedal driving to Grandpa. The confidence is different—less theory, more “here’s how we live with it.”

BYD Sealion 7 EV elbows past the mid-size regulars

The eyebrow-raiser? BYD’s Sealion 7 EV outsold staples like the Mitsubishi Outlander, Mazda CX-5, and Hyundai Tucson. That’s not a niche victory. That’s the suburban nucleus. I took a short loop in one earlier this month—hushed, tidy over speed humps, and effortless around-town torque. Steering feel is nothing to write poetry about, but for school runs, Costco raids, and the occasional Sunday beach dash, it makes life very easy. And buyers are clearly feeling the same vibe.

Ford Everest edges Toyota RAV4—touring chops win weekends

Another twist: Everest gets its nose in front of RAV4. When I last rattled an Everest along corrugations out past Dubbo, it felt unflustered—like a big dog that’s seen a few storms. The diesel torque suits long-distance schleps and towing trailers full of lifestyle gear. This sales flip says a lot about Aussies wanting something that looks ready for the Cape, even if it spends Tuesday at Bunnings.

2026 Tesla Model 3: Australia’s longest-range EV

Tesla’s fettled Model 3 now claims the longest range of any EV you can buy here. I haven’t done the classic Brisbane–Byron–back run yet, but even on paper, that number calms nerves. Range anxiety isn’t heroic—it’s just annoying. Pair the new claim with Superchargers peppered where people actually go, and it’s the default choice for long commutes or couples who collect Airbnbs like coffee stamps.

Volvo’s pace: let locals decide when to go full-electric

Volvo’s taking a “we’ll follow the customer” stance on going all-electric in Australia. Sensible, frankly. A few XC40 and XC60 owners told me they love the calm of the mild-hybrid setup but want ironclad towing confidence and bulletproof highway charging before they ditch petrol completely. Volvo’s read the room: decaf now, espresso later.

Chery’s first Aussie ute: work boots first, diesel PHEV likely

Chery’s incoming ute looks properly work-first, with whispers of a diesel plug-in hybrid down the line. That combo could be gold for tradies who spend weekdays off-grid and like silent early-morning departures at home. They’ll need to nail payload and tray practicality, plus dealer coverage in the sticks. If they do, the usual suspects will feel the breeze.

Porsche whispers: Cayman and Boxster flirting with a flat-six again?

Word from Stuttgart (via Autocar) suggests the next Cayman and Boxster could borrow a 911-adjacent flat-six. If true, cue the goosebumps. The four-cylinder turbo does the job, sure, but there’s a buttery linearity and harmonic honesty in a Porsche six that no compressor can fake. I still remember a dawn run in a 981—the way second gear at 5000 rpm turned the steering rim into a tuning fork. If the new cars bring back that sensation with modern polish, I’ll be the one at Cars and Coffee grinning like an idiot.

Ownership alert: Toyota Tacoma and Tundra Recall Due to Software Bug

Nearly 400,000 Toyota trucks—Tacoma and Tundra—are under recall for a software issue, according to recent reports. If you’re in that camp, don’t sit on it. Book the fix, keep the paperwork, and move on with your life. I keep a ratty little logbook in the glovebox—old-school, yes—but it once saved a warranty claim when a service date went missing in the dealership ether.

How to handle the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra recall due to software bug

• Check your VIN on Toyota’s owner portal or your local regulator’s recall site.
• Call your dealer; ask for the recall reference and earliest appointment.
• Back up your phone presets and nav favorites just in case (software updates can be… capricious).
• Keep the receipt and any dealer notes with your maintenance records.

What to expect at the dealer

Typically, a software-related recall means a diagnostic check and an update. It’s straightforward, but be honest about any symptoms you’ve felt—noises, warning lights, odd behavior. If something feels off, say so. And yes, this recall should be performed at no cost to you.

Collector corner: a hidden supercar stash goes under the hammer

There’s chat about a “quiet” European collection surfacing for auction—one of those once-in-a-decade lineups. These events are catnip for market watchers because a single surprise result can yank values in unexpected directions. I once watched a supposedly “niche” manual V12 sail past its estimate because two bidders decided pride was worth more than prudence. That’s the thing about cars: hearts write the cheques, not spreadsheets.

Motorsport quick hits

• F1: George Russell’s contract delay looks like the usual dance—performance clauses meet marketing math. The stopwatch rules… until a sponsor deck lands on the table.
• MotoGP: VR46 all but admitted Bagnaia tried Morbidelli’s bike. Call it development by proxy—common, slightly cheeky, and undeniably effective when tenths are hiding in plain sight.

Feature highlights

• EV momentum is reshaping even Australia’s most conservative segments.
• Ford Everest overtaking RAV4 shows a taste for tow-ready, go-far family rigs.
• Tesla stretches range leadership; Volvo takes a measured path to full-electric.
• Porsche’s flat-six rumor has enthusiasts dusting off their chequebooks.
• Toyota Tacoma and Tundra recall due to software bug: check your VIN, book the fix, keep records.

Conclusion

The market feels split—but in a good way. Whisper-quiet EVs now own school runs while tough, tow-happy SUVs still rule the wide brown land. Somewhere between those poles, brands are finding a balance: more range, more utility, fewer excuses. If Porsche really revives the six and Toyota wraps up the Tacoma and Tundra recall due to software bug cleanly, we can have it both ways—silence when you want it, soundtrack when you don’t, and a tow hitch ready for Saturday.

FAQ

• What exactly is the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra recall due to software bug? Recent reports say nearly 400,000 trucks are being recalled for a software-related issue. Toyota dealers can confirm if your VIN is affected and perform the fix.
• How do I check if my Tacoma or Tundra is part of the recall? Enter your VIN on Toyota’s owner portal or your local safety regulator’s recall checker, or ring your dealer with your rego handy.
• Is it safe to keep driving before the recall is done? Follow Toyota’s guidance; if you notice warnings or unusual behavior, park it and contact your dealer for advice.
• Which EV just took Australia’s range crown? The updated 2026 Tesla Model 3 currently claims the longest driving range of any EV on sale locally.
• Are the next Porsche Cayman and Boxster getting a flat-six? Reports suggest a 911-derived flat-six is in the cards, promising a return to that classic, spine-tingling character.