Daily Drive: Hydrogen iX5, EV utes heating up, Smart’s comeback, and a reality check for self-driving

Some days in this job feel like shuffling a fat deck of powertrains while dodging strong opinions at the petrol station. Today’s brief is exactly that: hydrogen sneaks back into the BMW showroom, Mercedes flips on the A-Class again, Australia’s ute market edges electric, and a 4x4 ambulance reminds us that not all heroes wear scrubs. Also, Tesla’s “no-hands” dream met a very real guardrail 60 miles in. Buckle up.

Hydrogen refuses to quit: BMW iX5 joins the family

BMW’s putting a hydrogen-powered iX5 alongside a full smorgasbord of petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric X5s. On paper, it’s a smart hedge: EV smoothness without long charging stops, and a refuel time that makes coffee the slowest part of the journey.

• Refueling time: about as quick as petrol when the station exists.
• Use case: high-mileage fleets, cold climates, or anyone allergic to 30–60 minute fast charges.
• Caveat: the hydrogen map is more whisper than atlas in most countries.

I’ve driven fuel-cell cars on winter mornings where they felt blissfully normal—heat straight away, no range panic. The snag is always the same: the nearest pump is often a rumor.

Small cars, big stakes: Mercedes A-Class revival and the Smart #4

After hinting it might sunset the A-Class, Mercedes reportedly will replace it after all. Translation: the brand still wants volume in the hatch/sedan entry zone, where you catch buyers early and (hopefully) keep them in the family through life’s upgrade ladder.

Meanwhile, Smart’s cooking the #4 as a successor to the ForFour, aimed squarely at urban runabouts like the Renault Twingo. Expect a city-friendly footprint, EV-first thinking, and the kind of tight turning circle that makes parallel parking feel like a party trick.

City living note: cars like these shine when your weekday life is 4 miles of errands and a sliver of curb space. Weekend road trip? Rent big, live small the other six days.

Ute nation: EVs inbound, PHEVs benched

Australia’s dual-cab faithful got a mixed bag today. Jeep has canned the Gladiator 4xe PHEV plan for the ute, sticking to the familiar V6 and V8 formula—for now. Over in Korea, KGM’s Musso EV is nearly at the Aussie starting line with key specs revealed. And Geely? It’s being coy about an RD6 EV/PHEV ute, although the local team says it’s open to Aussie-specific chassis tuning. That last bit matters; our corrugations don’t play nice with globally “one-size-fits-most” dampers.

If you tow long and heavy, diesel still makes a stubbornly good case. But don’t sleep on electric utes: instant torque is addictive in stop-start jobs, and low running costs are catnip to fleet managers. When I’ve driven EV pickups off-road, the throttle precision alone made me look like a better driver than I am.

Corporate chess: GM’s culture pivot and Stellantis dealer awkwardness

GM’s chief is doing some public reflection on reshaping a very large ship—think software-first thinking, quicker decision loops, and less bureaucracy. Culture rarely makes headlines, but it’s the difference between building the right car this year or the almost-right one next year.

Over at Stellantis, some dealers are reportedly embracing BYD franchises. That’s a spicy dinner table: your showroom sells Stellantis products and a fast-rising Chinese EV brand, often under the same roofline. In the real world, dealers follow the customers—and customers are browsing EVs with calculators out.

Autonomy meets reality: FSD “coast-to-coast” trip ends after 60 miles

A crew attempting a coast-to-coast run on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving reportedly crashed 60 miles in. The lesson (again): driver-assist is still driver-assist. I’ve used these systems on empty nighttime highways—brilliant until they aren’t. The human has to be the fail-safe, not the spectator.

Overland medicine: Torsus Terrastorm 4x4 Ambulance

Torsus, the company that treats vans like mountain goats, has built a 4x4 ambulance for the places maps fade to grayscale. Think raised ride height, big rubber, and kit tailored for medics who need to climb rutted trails without rattling their patient to bits. As someone who’s ridden shotgun in a rough-country rescue rig, suspension tuning here isn’t a luxury—it’s the difference between help and harm.

Quick take: 2026 Geely Starray EM-i review lands

Geely’s Starray EM-i is getting reviewed with early signs pointing to a polished, family-first hybrid that majors on refinement and efficiency. If Geely follows through with local chassis tuning in Australia, expect ride and steering feel to get the regional finesse they’ll need to win buyers out of established Japanese and Korean favorites.

Buyer’s cheat sheet

• Long commutes, no driveway charger? Keep an eye on BMW’s hydrogen play—or a traditional hybrid.
• City dweller, tight parking: the next A-Class and Smart #4 could be your sweet spot.
• Tradie or weekend warrior: diesel still hauls, but the Musso EV hints at a cheaper-to-run future.
• Tech-curious: treat driver-assist like a co-pilot who occasionally naps.

Highlights I noticed today

• Hydrogen’s back—from a blue-and-white badge that knows how to scale tech.
• Entry-lux is not dead; Merc wants the rung back on the ladder.
• Ute electrification is messy, not linear—some go EV, some double down on ICE.
• Dealers will chase demand, even if it gets awkward at brand HQ.

Conclusion

Electrification isn’t a straight line; it’s a braid. Hydrogen here, EV there, hybrids everywhere, and plenty of good old ICE where the work is hard and the distances long. Today’s news just underlines the point: choice is widening, not narrowing—and that’s good news for buyers who don’t fit into neat marketing boxes.

FAQ

Is the BMW iX5 hydrogen actually coming to showrooms?

BMW says a hydrogen X5 is set to join its existing petrol, diesel, PHEV, and EV lineup. Expect market-by-market availability and a cautious rollout given fueling infrastructure.

Will Mercedes really replace the A-Class?

Reports indicate Mercedes will launch an A-Class successor after all, aiming to maintain entry-level volume and keep younger buyers in the fold.

Is the Jeep Gladiator getting a 4xe hybrid?

No—Jeep has canceled the Gladiator 4xe PHEV plan. The ute sticks with V6 and V8 options for now.

When is the KGM Musso EV arriving in Australia?

It’s nearing launch with key specifications outlined. Final timing and local details will be confirmed as the rollout approaches.

What is the Smart #4?

An upcoming small Smart that’s set to replace the ForFour, targeting urban rivals like the Renault Twingo with an EV-first approach.