Nissan MY 2026 X-Trail is 'tougher and more connected'

For 25 years, the Nissan X-Trail has been one of Nissan’s most successful global SUVs, synonymous with rugged capability, writes Trish Whelan. 

Nissan has now presented the tougher and more connected 2026 X-Trail with a sturdier, redesigned front fascia with a wider grille to give greater visual presence. It is also loaded with standard specification and high tech features that includes seamless connectivity with Google built-in infotainment offered for the first time on X-Trail, and 3D Around View Monitor. 

The cabin has also been upgraded for more comfort and quality while staying true to its durable, adventurous nature, with new materials including chestnut brown premium quilted leather upholstery, brown wood console trim, and a high-quality synthetic leather option. Across the range, comfort-enhancing features include heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, three-zone air conditioning, 12.3-inch infotainment screen and enhanced trims. A sliding 40/20/40 second row adds flexible space for passengers or larger gear. Optional equipment such as a BOSE 10-speaker premium audio system, heated windscreen and towing hitch receiver increase practicality for adventurous lifestyles. 

The upgraded N-Trek grade - the most adventurous X-Trail to date - has been given a tougher stance, bespoke detailing and materials are chosen for harsher, more frequent use. Both 2WD and 4WD versions are offered, with max power of 204hp and 213hp respectively, and max torque of 330Nm. This model year update for Spring 2026 strengthens its core character with a more assertive look, enhanced onboard comfort and greater connected technology and Nissan’s unique e-POWER technology available on Qashqai and X-Trail; e-POWER delivers full electric motor drive for instant torque, smooth acceleration, and EV-like quietness without the need for charging. 

The updated 2026 Nissan X-Trail will be available to order in the second half of 2026.

New INEOS MEDIC vehicle for Kerry Mountain Rescue Team

A new specialist rescue vehicle based on the INEOS Grenadier 4x4 platform has been officially launched for Kerry Mountain rescue Team in Killarney National Park, writes Trish Whelan. Members of the Kerry Mountain Rescue, including John Hussey and Mike Finn, were present at the launch alongside local representatives and government ministers. 

The INEOS Medic vehicle has been developed to support search and rescue operations across some of Ireland’s most challenging terrain and will play a key role in helping the 35 active volunteer team respond to incidents in remote mountain environments and adverse weather conditions, safely transporting casualties to road access points to be transferred to fully equipped ambulances for onward treatment. 

Equipment includes front, centre, and rear differential locks; raised air intake, heavy-duty 5.5-tonne winch, full underbody protection, rock sliders, roof rack, auxiliary lighting and communications capability. Additional equipment includes snow chains, fire extinguishers, specialised stretcher conversion and a Starlink connectivity system to ensure reliable communications where mobile phone coverage is limited. 

The INEOS Medic was supplied by Orangeworks Automotive following a competitive tender process last year. The purchase was funded through grant support secured by Kerry Mountain Rescue Team with additional equipment provided by Orangeworks Automotive.

Pictured at the event are Cllr Tommy Cahill, TD Michael Cahill, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary; Minister Normal Foley, Cllr and Deputy Cathaoirleach Marie Moloney, Cllr Anne O’Sullivan and Cllr Niall Kelliher. TD Michael Healy-Rae was also in attendance. 

Kia launches K4 hatchback from €31,500

Kia has launched the K4 hatchback in Ireland with prices starting from €31,500, writes Trish Whelan. 

Designed to meet the demands of modern drivers, the K4 offers generous interior space, premium features and advanced technologies. Key features include the floating roofline that slips stylishly into the rear of the hatch, Star Map Signature Lighting inspired by their EV9 and rear hidden door handles integrated into the C-pillar. Boot space is a decent 328 litres, expandable with folding down the rear seats. 

Three trim levels are offered. The entry level K2 (from €31,500) includes Kia’s triple panoramic display of 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch climate control screen, and 12.3-inch digital drivers cluster, 16-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision avoidance assist, heated steering wheel and front seats, LED headlights. K3 (from €34,000) adds 17-inch alloys, vegan leather seats, black and chrome exterior detailing, LED headlights, rear blind spot collision avoidance assist, power driver’s seat with lumbar support, wireless charging and rear privacy glass. The range topping GT-Line (from €38,500) adds a digital key 2.0, driver memory seat, glass sunroof, GT-Line exterior and interior styling, highway driving assist 2, smart cruise control 2, ventilated front and heated rear seats. Customers have a choice of seven exterior colours including two non-metallic colours. 

K4 launches with 1.0 T-GDI Mild-Hybrid petrol engine outputting 115hp coupled with a six-speed manual transmission or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). A 1.6 GDI Hybrid (HEV) version with 154hp will arrive before the end of the year also. 

Vehicles are now available to test drive at Kia dealerships nationwide.

Kia EV5 review: Brian Byrne, Irish Car

Kia may be suffering from a model naming issue, albeit achieving considerable success with its electric vehicle range, writes Brian Byrne. While EV6 and EV9 were manageable at the start of the 'EV' moniker, there are now so many that it's confusing — EV3, EV4, EV5, and an EV2 upcoming. Add to that the way the company marks specification grades in 'K' designations, K1-K4, the soon-arriving combustion engine car, model name K4, is going to add to the perplexity. Just saying.

None of which takes away from the quality of the Korean brand's cars, which helped the Irish distributor to achieve over 10,000 sales in 2025 across its range. My latest review model was the EV5, a mid-size SUV close enough in size to the latest generation of the Sportage to be its electric equivalent. Though the EV is slightly larger in every dimension. Against competitor brands, it sits in size between Nissan's Ariya and Opel's Grandland.

The EV5 follows the boxy style of the much larger EV9, and the smaller EV3 debuted in Ireland this time last year, a theme which gives the latest car a similar strong presence even when parked. The front is marked by an even more distinctive lighting signature than the highly individualistic ones which the brand has been developing in previous models. The profile view features brawny sculpting and pronounced wheel arch curves, while the rear has a deep overhang spoiler element, which the company says helps to keep the rear screen from getting dirty. Kia and Hyundai cars in recent years have ditched the rear wiper, depending on this feature. The customer jury is divided on its effectiveness, but the Kia designers say it helps with aerodynamics, key to extending the range of an electric car.

There are no design surprises inside for anyone who has driven Kia EVs; strong style elements in the dashboard and trims, the very wide screen integrating the three elements of driver information, climate, and infotainment. On all three, the graphics and info are clear, as they also are on the steering wheel controls. Temperature and radio volume use real switchgear, and the buttons for the seat heating and ventilation are on the doors. While setting up the preferred driver assistance features can be shortcut-accessed by linking them to a * button on the steering wheel, it still takes five taps on the screen to deal with them every time you start up. Note to all carmakers: the Dacia single-button system is the one to emulate here.

The seats are similar to what we've seen in other Kia EV models, nicely bolstered and finished in a leather-type material that's easy to keep clean, and both front and rear are heated. With an extended wheelbase, there's plenty of room for the three rear passengers, though the centre one could feel it as too cosy, depending on fellow travellers' bulk. The 566L boot is second only to Skoda's Enyaq in the class. Lowering the back seats provides a two-metre-long, absolutely flat floor. 

Kia's own app can enable digital key entry via smartphone, and also allows remote digital key sharing. A fingerprint authentication system helps prevent unauthorised access to the car. An entertainment package can include Netflix and YouTube—obviously not for front-seat use.

Three grades share the same 81.4kWh battery, with a rated range of 505-530km, the lower figure for the top-spec and presumably heavier GT-line model. The motor delivers up to 215hp and allows the 2-tonne car to reach 100km/h in 8.4 seconds, a reasonable acceleration that should be enough for anyone. The 16.4kWh/100km I got on a typical morning 50km commute was notably efficient.

The drive is smooth and quiet, as we expect from EVs of any decent quality. Last year, the EV3 led Kia Ireland to its own record car sales. This year, because of interest, they've already had to negotiate further EV5 supply. A good space for a car company to be smiling in.

PRICE: From €47,625-€54,000. WHAT I LIKED: The current Kia way. 

New MGS6 provides generous all-electric range

MG's new MGS6 EV is now on sale in the brand’s showrooms nationwide priced from €39,495-€46,495, writes Trish Whelan. Powered by a 77 kWh battery and available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive, this is a spacious, refined and generously equipped mid-size SUV that has already achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. 

Three variants are offered, Excite Long Range with a single motor and power output of 180kW and a combined range of 530km; the Exclusive Long Range with the same 530km capability, power and rear wheel drive configuration but with a high level of specification and more comfort and technology features, and the Exclusive Dual Motor with a power output to 266kW and with a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds. This performance-focused variant achieves a claimed range of 485km. All three models can charge from 10-80 per cent in 38 minutes using rapid public chargers. Five drive modes and five regeneration modes, including One-Pedal mode, also feature across all variants. 

Boot capacity with rear seats up is 674 litres and up to 1,910 litres with them folded. The Exclusive single motor variant has up to 124 litres of frunk space. Standard equipment includes MG Pilot safety systems, heated front seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, dual screens, wireless smartphone connectivity and satellite navigation. Higher trims add features such as a head-up display, panoramic roof, ventilated seats and a 360 deg camera. MG offers an eight-year/150,000km warranty. 

MG has announced the appointment of two new dealers, Frank Keane Drogheda, located on North Road, Drogheda, Co Louth; and Doyle’s Garage on Coast Road, Courtown, Gorey, Co. Wexford. 

Polestar 5 makes its Irish debut

Polestar, the Swedish electric car brand, unveiled the Polestar 5, four-door performance Grand Tourer last week, writes Trish Whelan. 

Available to order now, Polestar 5 Dual motor Launch edition (550kW, 812Nm, 0-100km/h 3.9 secs) is priced from €130,700. The Polestar 5 Performance Launch edition (650kW, 1,015Nm) is available from €145,700. 

Polestar Ireland Brand Director, Jordan Killen, says this is the purest Polestar yet and completes the current line-up. 

Launching in Ireland in Summer 2026, full specification and pricing is available at polestar.com/ie.

New BYD Seal 6 Super Hybrid saloon and touring models

BYD has introduced their family-sized Seal 6 Super Hybrid - a plug-in hybrid with intelligent BYD Super DM-i technology, writes Trish Whelan. 

The model arrives in Ireland both as a saloon version and, in a new body style for BYD in Europe, an estate version named the BYD Seal 6 Super Hybrid Touring. 

With its compact petrol engine, the combination of battery and motorised power translates into over 100km of pure-electric driving, and a combined range of 1,505kms on the saloon ‘Boost’ variant, with a full charge and full tank of fuel. Boot space is a decent 491 litres increasing to 1,370 litres with rear seat backs folded; the Touring model has 675 litres, extendable to 1,535 litres. The car is capable of 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds, has peak torque of 300Nm. 

The new Seal 6 Super Hybrid is the second BYD to come to Ireland equipped with their DM-i dual mode technology and is the first of six new models to arrive here this year. It is available in Ireland in ‘Boost’ and ‘Comfort’ trim variants and comes equipped with a big array of standard specifications. 

A short test drive in the saloon version on launch day, proved this is quite an upmarket car, comfortable and spacious. The car provides an efficient, practical and eco-conscious solution for daily mobility and long worry-free journeys. 

Both versions are capable of 0-100km/h in 8.5 seconds. Peak torque is 300Nm. 

Awarded a full five-star Euro NCAP rating, safety fitments include numerous advanced driver assistance systems such as front parking sensors, rear radar, 360-degree camera, sensors and reversing camera. 

Prices start at €37,490 for the saloon body style, and from €38,999 for the Touring model (pictured below).