Daily Car News: BMW alerts owners to Takata airbag risks, Aussie SUVs go big, and a minivan goes full Type R

Busy week. Between the school run and a windy press loop out near the ranges, the headline that kept pinging my phone was this: BMW alerts owners to Takata airbag risks. Important, serious, not the sexy stuff—but genuinely life-or-death. Around that, Australia’s getting fresh family SUVs, Ford’s tinkering with powertrains, AMG pulled a rare value move, and someone put a manual in a Honda Odyssey because of course they did. Let’s get stuck in.

Top story: BMW alerts owners to Takata airbag risks

If you—or your parents—are running an older BMW, take five minutes today to run a VIN check. Some cars still carry Takata airbags that can rupture in a crash. It’s a free fix, but only if you book it. I’ve had a few owners swear they were in the clear until the dealer checked and… surprise. Don’t guess. Confirm.

Australia’s SUV moment: new metal, familiar priorities

2026 Hyundai Palisade: family first, still

CarExpert’s early take on the 2026 Palisade lines up with what I’ve felt in previous models: it’s the big, calming hug of the family SUV world. When I ran one up a rutted country shortcut last year, it floated along like a lounge chair on a lazy river—no drama, just hush. It’s not about apex hunting; it’s about arriving less frazzled.

• Cabin likely remains a standout: quiet, cleverly packaged, and full of kid-proof cubbies.
• Tech-forward without the “giant tablet jammed on top” vibe—Hyundai usually nails ergonomics.
• Perfect for long Hume or Bruce Highway slogs with a boot full of weekend gear.

2026 Skoda Kodiaq RS: the driver’s family bus

The Kodiaq RS has long been the stealth performance pick for school runs. The new Australian-spec model seems to keep that balance: light on its feet but not crashy. I like it because it lets you enjoy a winding detour without punishing the folks in row two. And it still eats an IKEA run with room for meatballs.

• Sporty stance without the brittle ride—Skoda tends to keep a smidge of compliance.
• Practical touches: smart second row, easy-fold third row, rubber mats that laugh at muddy footy boots.
• Infotainment should be quick enough—fingers crossed for fewer laggy moments than some VAG cousins.

Powertrains in flux: Ford Ranger and Everest drop a popular engine

Bookmark this if you’re pricing a 2026 Ford Ranger or Everest in Australia: CarExpert says a much-liked engine is on the way out. Which one? We’ll let Ford’s local comms drop the fine print, but from years of driveway chats, here’s my advice—if there’s a particular donk you love for towing, touring, or that relaxed highway lope, find a dealer allocation now. Hesitate and you might miss.

• Match your needs: towing capacity, fuel type, and service intervals can change the game.
• Resale can swing both ways—some outgoing engines become cult heroes, some quietly disappear.
• Drive back-to-back before deciding. Your right foot will tell you more than any brochure.

Facelifts and pricing: Solterra arrives, X-Trail gets dearer

2026 Subaru Solterra: facelifted and priced for Australia

Subaru’s refreshed Solterra EV touches down with cleaner styling and (hopefully) tidier charging smarts. In the city grind, I’ve always liked its mellow demeanor and easy visibility. If Subaru’s improved range and DC charging speed, it’ll make more sense for coastal weekends and gravel driveways too.

• Classic Subaru friendliness: intuitive controls and a seating position that suits long legs.
• Traction confidence in the wet—handy when the Pacific Highway goes greasy.
• Keep that charging cable neatly stowed; messy boots and cables don’t mix.

2026 Nissan X-Trail facelift: locked for Australia, prices up

X-Trail’s update is confirmed, and the price needle moves north across the range. The current car nails family-first packaging without drowning you in tech. If the facelift brings better materials and smarter safety, the uplift might wash. But yeah—household budgets will notice.

• Multiple powertrains remain a draw, including electrified options depending on variant.
• Cabin practicality stays strong; watch for tweaks to the second-row slide and cargo floor.
• Dealer tip: sniff around for runout stock to dodge the price rise.

Solterra vs X-Trail at a glance

Market pulse: VFACTS October 2025

Short version: Chinese brands and hybrids keep climbing. Longer version: buyers want long warranties, modern cabins, and lower running costs—and they’re finding them. On a freeway run last weekend I counted a mini-convoy of Chinese-badged SUVs towing jet skis. Not a novelty anymore. Just normal life.

• Hybrids win suburbia: cheap to run, easy to fuel, zero lifestyle upheaval.
• Utes and SUVs still rule. Australia loves cargo room and a tall driving position.
• EV uptake is brisk where home charging is simple; slower where street parking rules.

AMG value shock: 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Carbon Edition

Words I don’t often type: more kit for less money. The GLC43 Carbon Edition bundles tasty options—carbon bits, useful tech—while sharpening the sticker. I’ve always considered the GLC43 the “real-world AMG”: fast enough to make you grin, comfy enough for Monday traffic. Just remember, AMG tires and brakes are still spendy consumables. Ask me how I know.

• Great spec for badge-curious buyers who still want daily-driver civility.
• Less option-box anxiety, more time to enjoy the drive.

Safety first: BMW alerts owners to Takata airbag risks (again—please check yours)

BMW has re-upped the warning on vehicles still carrying Takata inflators that can rupture without warning. If you’ve got an older BMW and haven’t checked, do it today. I spoke with a long-time 3 Series owner who assumed the recall was done years ago; a quick VIN check proved otherwise. Five minutes now beats regret later.

• Action plan: check your VIN, call a dealer, book the free fix.
• Don’t wait—these are safety-critical parts.
• Spread the word to parents, mates, and new drivers in older cars.

Enthusiast corner: the minivan hero and a Fox-body fever dream

Honda Odyssey Type R (manual) build

Someone wonderful and unhinged built a manual, Type R-flavored Odyssey and the internet is rightly losing its mind. I’ve hustled a minivan up a mountain pass (journalist life), and it’s hilarious: big glass, thin pillars, and a stick that lets you ride the torque wave. Every school drop-off becomes a qualifying lap. Allegedly.

Fox-body Mustang restomod

Think your favorite ’90s mixtape—nostalgia with modern punch. This Fox-body’s stance, thrum, and subtle aero make you hunt for an empty industrial street at dusk just to listen to the overrun. It’s tasteful, tough, and weirdly wearable in 2025 traffic.

What it means for your driveway (and why BMW alerts owners to Takata airbag risks matters)

Australia’s SUV landscape is getting fresher—and pricier in patches—while powertrains shuffle beneath our feet. Shortlist by lifestyle: EV calm (Solterra), flexible family utility (X-Trail), swift premium SUV vibes (GLC43), or maximum lounge-on-wheels (Palisade). If you tow, keep eyes on Ford’s engine changes. And if there’s one task to do today? Heed the headline: BMW alerts owners to Takata airbag risks. Make the call, book the fix, keep the people you love safe. The fun stuff—winged minivans and squared-off Mustangs—can wait five minutes.

FAQ

• Why is BMW warning about Takata airbags again?
  Because some cars are still out there with affected inflators. A quick VIN check with BMW will confirm your status, and the fix is free.
• Is the 2026 Subaru Solterra a good family EV for Australia?
  Yes if most of your life is urban/suburban with the odd weekend away. Check home charging options and compare dealer pricing against other midsize EVs.
• What should Ranger/Everest buyers do about the engine change?
  Verify availability with your dealer, drive the alternatives back-to-back, and secure an allocation if you’re set on a specific engine.
• Are X-Trail price increases worth it?
  Depends on the upgrade bits you’ll actually use—materials, safety, and tech. Otherwise, chase runout deals.
• Kodiaq RS or Palisade for a growing family?
  Palisade if you want quiet comfort and space; Kodiaq RS if you want a driver’s edge with similar practicality. Bring the kids and do the same test loop—your spine will choose for you.