2025 Mercedes-Benz C350e priced for Australia: PHEV sedan has 100km of range

The current W206-series Mercedes-Benz C-Class was launched here in 2022 only with petrol power, despite PHEVs being offered overseas. While the hot Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance arrived later, there was no replacement for the old C300e.

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7NEWS

2 hours ago

• 7NEWS

2025 Honda Accord e:HEV RS review

Darwin's theory of evolution doesn't just apply to the natural world. You can also use its basic principle of 'only the toughest survive' against the rapid changes across the automotive landscape too. A perfect case study is the latest, 11th-generation Honda Accord and how it has weathered the erosion of the traditional mid-size sedan segment against the rising tide of SUVs, which have taken over as the default choice for modern family cars. The Accord has been a mainstay of Honda's local lineup for nearly 50 years, beginning its life as a smaller, affordable, and more efficient alternative to the likes of the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. But today, the Accord is playing a different role for Honda. It is now the Japanese brand's flagship – and most expensive – model that challenges the ground floor of the luxury market including established European players such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi and more. So, how has Honda Accord evolved and is it tough enough to survive? Let's find out… How much does the Honda Accord cost? Honda Australia only offers a single specification of the latest Accord – the fully loaded e:HEV RS you see here, which costs $64,900 drive-away. That's a fair chunk of change and positions it above the small group of conventional mid-size sedans that still remain available from mainstream brands, such as the Hyundai Sonata N Line ($55,500), Mazda 6 Atenza ($52,590), Skoda Octavia RS ($59,990) and its most direct rival, the Toyota Camry SL ($53,990). It does, however, put it in a white space between entry-level luxury sedans like the new Audi A5 (from $79,900), BMW 3 Series (from $92,900), Genesis G70 (from $87,114) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class (from $89,900). To see how the Honda Accord lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What is the Honda Accord like on the inside? There's a lot to like about Honda Accord's cabin, as it nails the fundamentals and feels genuinely luxurious without any pomp or pretence. It's not overly flashy or modern, with a monotonous dark grey colour palette only broken up by the contrasting red stitching, aluminium-look highlights and subtle LED ambient lighting strips throughout the cabin. But it does feel exceptionally well built, with good quality materials and tactile surfaces and switchgear. The only unconventional elements are the honeycomb grille that runs across the middle of the dashboard with protruding joysticks to change the direction of ventilation from the air vents, and the round digital multi-function screen in the centre of the dash. Otherwise, it's fairly conservative with a large centre console that features a decent-size tray with a wireless phone charger at the front, two large cupholders next to the 'normal' gearlever and drive mode selector switch in the centre, and a large covered bin between the seats. There are, of course, twin digital screens including a 10.2-inch instrument cluster ahead of the driver and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen unit for the infotainment, both of which are crisp and bright – although prone to glare in harsh sunlight. The infotainment system is easy to use with a logical menu structure and large widgets for each of its functions, as well as a host of convenient shortcut buttons on the right-hand side for quick access to the home screen, the embedded Google Assistant, smartphone mirroring and radio. Its split-screen layout also provides a clear display to the left of the temperature and fan settings, volume controls and current audio input. But there are also easy up/down toggles on either side of the rotary controller below to physically alter the temperature for each side of the cabin, which is nice. During our test period, we found the wireless smartphone mirroring to be quick to activate each time we started the car, but it did drop out occasionally while on the move. A common problem was if the system read out an incoming text message, the audio would disappear from whatever track was playing when the text was completed. To recover it, we had to switch off CarPlay in the phone settings and re-activate it each time, which was annoying. When it was playing, the 12-speaker Bose system was crystal clear with excellent staging through the surround sound and great depth. As for the rest of the package, the front seats are super comfortable and there is plenty of adjustment to find the right relationship between the steering wheel and pedals to suit all types, with great all-round vision. Even with the glass sunroof, the Accord has more than enough headroom in the front for tall drivers. For those in the back, there is acres of space with plenty of legroom – more than most mid-size SUVs – and a commanding view ahead. Plus, there are dual rear air vents, two USB-C power outlets, cupholders in the flip-down armrest, bottle holders in the door pockets and built-in sunshade blinds for the windows. It'd definitely a comfortable place for a long road trip. While there is room enough for three across the bench, the middle seat is higher and there's a tunnel through the centre on the floor, along with the extruding rear of the centre console, making it better suited for smaller kids or occasional use. But the boot is huge, with 570 litres of cargo space, cargo hooks on each side and a wide aperture for easy loading. To see how the Honda Accord lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What's under the bonnet? With only one variant to choose from, the Accord e:HEV RS is powered by a lean-burning Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that is assisted by Honda's latest advanced hybrid system. This unique configuration sandwiches two electric motors into the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with a small generator unit that is used primarily to recharge the 1.06kWh battery pack behind the seats, which in turn provides power to the larger traction motor in the back of the gearbox. The net result is decent – but hardly earth-shattering – outputs of 135kW and 335Nm. However, considering the advanced hybrid system can decouple the petrol engine while at cruising speeds, this Honda is all about efficiency. And, in that regard, its claimed average of 4.3L/100km is easily matched in the real world. It might not beat the Camry's lower claimed average of 4.0L/100km, but it is still remarkably efficient for such a large sedan. Plus, the engine is tuned to run on the most affordable 91RON standard unleaded, which counteracts its rival's potential advantage over a longer period of ownership. To see how the Honda Accord lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the Honda Accord drive? Here's where the Accord can justify its pricetag. Put simply, this is a very, very nice car to drive. There's no fancy suspension or myriad of settings to fiddle with. Instead, it just rides beautifully by ironing out any road imperfections, with crisp and precise steering and a sure-footed balance between comfort and confidence-inspiring handling. Sure, it's not as fast or as exciting as its RS (presumably an acronmyn for Race Sport) badge suggests, but it is extremely well sorted and just as refined as any European alternative. It is clearly built by people that know what they're doing. The same goes for the hybrid powertrain. As you'd expect, the electric motors do most of the heavy lifting at low speeds and when moving away from a standstill, which makes it feel effortless and smooth to drive around town in heavy traffic. And it's barely perceptible when the engine kicks into life, with a seamless transition between EV and hybrid modes. Here, with all three motors providing maximum torque under heavy acceleration, the Accord feels more powerful than its numbers suggest, with almost no indication via tugging through the steering wheel that it is front-wheel drive. What's even more telling – especially compared to cars from newer brands – is the superb calibration of Honda's advanced safety systems, which never feel overzealous or hyperactive. They work, for sure, but more like they're guiding the driver rather than taking over the controls haphazardly. To see how the Honda Accord lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? With only one Accord grade, and a high sticker price, you'd expect to get the works, which you do… mostly. 2025 Honda Accord e:HEV RS equipment highlights: 18-inch black-finish alloy wheels in Michelin e-Primacy tyres Tyre repair kit Tyre pressure monitoring Adaptive LED headlights Active cornering lights Rain-sensing wipers with integrated washer nozzle Power-folding exterior mirrors Keyless entry and start Remote start Alloy paddle shifters Economy, Normal, Sport and Individual drive modes 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster Head-up display 12.3-inch Google built-in touchscreen infotainment system Embedded Google apps including Maps, Assistant Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto DAB+ digital radio 4 x USB-C outlets 12-speaker Bose sound system Wireless phone charger Active Noise Control Auto-dimming rear-view mirror Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment Ambient lighting 8-way power-adjustable front seats Fold-down rear centre armrest with cupholders Leather-appointed upholstery Leather-appointed dash, centre console and doors Leather-wrapped steering wheel Leather-wrapped shifter Honda also offers a five-year Honda Connect connected services subscription, which includes: Remote adjustment for climate control, locks, lights and horn Automatic collision detection Emergency call button Geofencing and speed alerts Vehicle diagnostics The one little luxury that's notably absent from that list, especially for the money, is heated and/or ventilated seats. To see how the Honda Accord lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the Honda Accord safe? The latest generation Accord hasn't been given an independent safety score from ANCAP, but it does come equipped with an extensive array of advanced driver assistance functions. Standard safety equipment includes: 8 airbags Autonomous emergency braking Adaptive cruise control with stop/go Blind-spot monitoring Lane-keep assist Rear cross-traffic alert Driver attention monitoring Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors On top of that, the Accord is fitted with Honda Connect, the company's on-board telematics service with a free subscription for the first five years. This allows owners, through a smartphone app, to remotely access features such as lock/unlock the vehicle, and activate the climate control, lights and horn. Owners can also choose to use their phone as a digital key, search for its exact location, and set speed limit alerts and geofenced location alerts. In the event of the car being involved in a collision, the system will automatically detect an impact and contact the Honda call centre which can communicate with the driver or assist emergency services. To see how the Honda Accord lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the Honda Accord cost to run? Like all Honda vehicles, the Honda Accord e:HEV RS is covered by a standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with free roadside assistance over the same period. This, however, can be extended by a further three years if the vehicle is maintained according to its prescribed maintenance schedule within the Honda dealer network, and if it meets certain criteria. Honda requires the Accord to be serviced every 12 months or 10,000km and subsidises the first five visits at just $199 each, which is one of the most affordable capped-price service schemes in the market. To see how the Honda Accord lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert's Take on the Honda Accord The traditional three-box sedan might be a dying breed, but the Accord is an excellent choice for those who still want a 'proper' car. It is spacious, comfortable, quiet and ultra-efficient, and what it lacks in wow factor or brand cache it certainly makes up for with a level of refinement and build quality that matches even the best European brands. Interested in buying a Honda Accord? Let CarExpert find you the best deal here Pros Comfortable ride quality Spacious interior Efficient hybrid powertrain Cons Lacks brand cache No heated seats Conservative styling Top Line Specs Power: 108kW Fuel Type: Premium Unleaded/Electric Economy: 4.3L/100km CO2 Emissions: 98g/km

The Age

6 days ago

• The Age

‘Glad I didn't ruin his race': Inside the stunning Norris v Piastri crash that set the F1 world alight

Oscar Piastri expects McLaren will still allow both he and teammate Lando Norris to fight for this year's Formula 1 world drivers' championship despite a nightmare collision between the two in the closing laps of the Canadian Grand Prix. In a move of pure desperation down the inside of the track as the cars crossed the start-finish line on lap 67 of the 70-lap race, Norris made contact with the rear of Piastri's car, and then the wall, as his race came to a dramatic stop in front of a raucous Montreal crowd. Incredibly, Piastri continued on. Mercedes' George Russell won the race from four-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen (a battle in which there's no love lost) and teenage rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli, but it was the disastrous McLaren crash that stole the attention. Norris, who now trails Piastri by 22 points in the drivers' championship, admitted full responsibility for his attempted overtake. '[I've got] no one to blame but myself, so I apologised to the whole team, and to Oscar as well for attempting something probably a bit too silly. [I'm] glad I didn't ruin his race,' he said on the Sky F1 coverage in the post-race. The McLaren pair were in fourth and fifth on the road at the time of the crash, with Norris behind but showing greater late-race pace. But he insisted he never asked the team to issue team orders to let him pass Piastri in an attempt to climb onto the podium. McLaren famously goes by 'papaya rules', meaning their drivers are allowed to race head-to-head from start to finish, as long as they don't make contact with each other and jeopardise the team result. 'Obviously it's not ideal for anyone… if Lando's taken full responsibility then that's how it goes, I guess,' Piastri said on Sky. 'He [Norris] made quite a large move into turn 10, I held my own into the chicane and it was definitely a tough battle but a clean one until that point. 'I don't think there was any bad intentions involved – I think it was just unfortunate, really. 'We're both fighting for a world championship and very thankful to the team that they allow us to race – I don't expect this to change anything in terms of that. 'We'll keep going racing until the end.' Piastri, who finished fourth, said there was more pace in his car than he was able to show throughout the race, but still not enough to overtake the Mercedes or Red Bull racers ahead of him. Ironically, after he qualified on the second row of the grid, this always loomed as a race of damage limitation for him. 'For me this weekend wasn't good enough and it's still far, far too early to think that's a comfortable advantage [in the title race] or anything like that,' Piastri said. 'There's a long way to go in the season.' McLaren team principal Andrea Stella was at his straight-down-the-line best when describing arguably the biggest moment of the season so far, which came straight after Piastri and Norris had cleanly raced wheel-to-wheel in the corners prior. 'We never want to see a McLaren involved in an accident, and definitely we never want to see the two McLarens touching each other,' he said on Sky. 'It's something, definitely, that we need to review because this is a very clear principle. 'At the same time, it's a contact that happened because of a midjudgment – Lando misjudged the distance to the car ahead and, of course, there was no malintent. 'Lando owned [it], immediately, and took responsibility for that, which we appreciate. 'That said, there is something to discuss and review, and the principles are already in place – I think our drivers will have something to learn farther, and we'll go racing again.' In the drivers' cooldown room ahead of the podium presentation, Russell could clearly be seen on-camera telling Verstappen and Antonelli after watching a replay of the Piastri and Norris incident: 'There was not really a gap there, was there?' In the aftermath of the race, former F1 racer and renowned analyst Karun Chandhok made it clear that this was Norris' mistake and his alone. 'Lando's chosen to go to the left [the inside of the track],' Chandhok explained on Sky. 'At this point, really, when Oscar went this way [left], if he [Norris] wanted to have a go, he needed to go there [right]. 'The trajectory of Oscar's car is going left – he clearly indicated 'I'm moving to the left'. 'It's quite clear that [the gap available on the inside] is not the width of a McLaren. Really, with the slipstream effect, he's gotten too close and just misjudged it.' Fellow analyst, former world champion Nico Rosberg gave his own unique insight into just what Norris could be feeling following the collision that stunned the F1 world. Rosberg retired after finally beating his own teammate Lewis Hamilton to the drivers' title, and spoke about the psyche of a racer in Norris' shoes. 'I'm making mistakes, I'm not good enough, I'm making mistakes – it gets to you, in your head, and it can get pretty dark then,' Rosberg explained. 'I've been through this, so it gets really dark – especially when you're making mistakes like today where everybody can see. 'It's difficult for Lando to get back out there.' Following the race, Red Bull launched a protest against Russell for erratic driving behind the safety car, and for trailing too far behind it. It's the second time Red Bull have protested in the span of five races, and both have been against Russell. The Formula 1 circus next heads to Austria in a fortnight. Canada finishing order George Russell (Mercedes) 1:31:52.688 Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.228 seconds Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +1.014s Oscar Piastri (McLaren) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) Esteban Ocon (Haas) +1 lap Carlos Sainz jnr (Williams) +1 lap Oliver Bearman (Haas) +1 lap Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) +1 lap Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +1 lap Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) +1 lap Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +1 lap Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) +1 lap Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +1 lap Lando Norris (McLaren) DNF Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) DNF Alexander Albon (Williams) DNF

7NEWS

7 days ago

• 7NEWS

Mercedes-Benz GLE and GLS recalled

Mercedes-Benz is recalling a handful of GLE and GLS large SUVs due to an issue that could prevent their safety technologies from working properly. 'Due to a manufacturing defect, the multi-purpose camera and/or the interior rear-view mirror on the windscreen may not have been bonded correctly and could detach,' the company says in its recall notice. 'If this occurs, the advanced driver assistance systems may not operate as intended and the driver's rear vision may be impaired. 'A loss of these systems or an impaired rear vision could increase the risk of an accident, causing serious injury or death vehicle occupants, other road users and any persons located behind the vehicle.' Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. A total of five vehicles are affected from 2024 The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) list is attached here The original recall notice is attached here If you own an affected vehicle, you'll need to make an appointment with a Mercedes-Benz dealership to have the free fix carried out. If you have any further questions, you can contact the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Centre on 1300 762 718.