Innholdsfortegnelse for No. 49 i Australian New Car Buyer

In this issue of Australian New Car Buyer, our newmodel coverage includes everything from Hyundai’s cheap and very cheerful i30 to Lamborghini’s million-dollar (really, by the time you get it on the road, that’s pretty close to what it costs) Lamborghini Aventador S supercar. No matter what car you’re buying or how much you’re spending, the deal is the same. If a manufacturer or dealer advertises a price on a new car, that price must be drive-away. This has been the law for several years now, and is designed to stop dealers and manufacturers advertising attractive prices, then adding extra charges to inflate the final figure that you pay. The law does not apply to the prices quoted in this magazine. Manufacturers are allowed to list a price that excludes…

In Australian New Car Buyer, we include trade-in values for every model in our Showroom section. These are provided to us by Redbook, Australia’s leading authority on used car values. Each model we test includes three- and five-year retained values, expressed as a percentage. These are based on what the wholesale price — ie, the price that a dealer would pay for the car — would be for a car in average condition with average kilometres for its age. You’ll find Redbook’s three- and five-year retained values in the Spex box. Typically, cars with the best retained values show 55–60 per cent after three years, and 40-something per cent after five years. The cars nobody wants are worth that after three years, and 20-something per cent after five. When you’re…

Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta is a fivedoor hatch similar in size to the Volkswagen Golf. At $29,900, the base Giulietta Super runs Fiat’s 110kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine with a six-speed manual. The 125kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol Super is $34,900 with a six-speed twin-clutch automated manual TCT transmission. In practice, it’s a surprisingly uninspiring, sluggish drive, even when you flick the “dial a digital tune” toggle to Dynamic and go hunting for some Alfa-style topend zip. It’s there, but in a fairly sedated state, sadly. Dynamically, the Giulietta feels tight and agile in day-to-day driving, but flatters to deceive. When pushed through a set of tight corners the heavy front end resists turning and the Alfa drive deteriorates into hard work. The Giulietta Veloce, though, is a different story. At $41,900 with TCT,…

Modern-day icons are rare, but this is an accurate label to attach to the Audi TT. Now in its third generation with an R8 supercar-style front end and more chiselled lines, the TT kicks off at $73,950 for the 169kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol TFSI/sixspeed manual with front-wheel drive — just like the VW Golf, with which it shares familial DNA. Another $3405 scores you the six-speed dual-clutch transmission known as S-Tronic, while the best-selling quattro all-wheel drive with S-Tronic auto combination will set you back $80,355. The popular S-line package (from $7055) brings a surprisingly subtle body kit, full LED headlights, LED arrow-style rear indicators, better audio, digital radio, brilliant body-hugging sports seats with pneumatic adjustment and 19-inch alloys. The TT Roadster, with quattro and a folding soft top, costs $83,905.…

Hot hatches are something of a numbers game, with performance figures and price tags topping the columns of key comparison points. Looked at this way, Audi’s new RS3 isn’t an obvious star. This five-door fire-breather is the least costly car ever to wear the RS badge of Audi’s quattro GmbH performance division, and its $78,616 sticker is precisely targeted at the $78,315 A45 hatchback from Mercedes- Benz’s AMG fast-car outfit. When the RS3 launched in Europe early in 2015, the 270kW maximum power output of its 2.5-litre turbo engine was 5kW more than the A45, so AMG coolly and cruelly responded by upping the output of its 2.0-litre donk to 280kW. This power hike, combined with gearing changes inside its seven-speed double-clutch transmission, meant the A45 beat the RS3 for…

AUDI A6 FROM $80,355 The 1.8-litre turbopetrol TFSi seven-speed S-Tronic with 140kW of power and front-wheel drive costs $80,355. The 140kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel is $82,855, or $97,855 with quattro. The 160kW 3.0 TDi quattro S-Tronic is $102,355. In the Allroad quattro it’s $112,855. The twin turbodiesel version, with 235kW, is $124,855 in the top-of-the-range 3.0 TDi Biturbo sedan, which features a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The A6 flows naturally through a corner; previous models put up fierce resistance to any deviation from a straight trajectory. Ride comfort on the standard suspension and base-model 18- inch wheels is fine; optional air suspension and 19- or 20-inch alloys with lower-profile tyres would be questionable value. The base 1.8TFSi front driver is a pretty dull device, a bit like a German Camry, but…

BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer (which we will call the 2AT for brevity) kicks off from $44,400 for the base 218i, powered by a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre threecylinder turbopetrol engine/sixspeed automatic drivetrain also found in the latest Mini Cooper. In fact, both cars share basic architecture and chassis hardware. A trio of 2.0-litre fourcylinder turbopower engines rounds out the 2AT range: there’s the $47,800 110kW/330Nm 218d diesel, the $50,900 141kW/280Nm 220i petrol and the $54,900 170kW/350Nm 225i petrol. All are matched with an eight-speed auto and are also found in the Mini. The handsome 2AT is resolutely German in its presentation, prioritising interior space and practicality thanks to a tall five-door wagon body with elevated SUV style seating. The surprise package is the 218i’s rorty yet frugal 1.5-turbopetrol, the pick of…

Priced from $74,900, the M240i is the sole six-cylinder 2 Series model. The M240i convertible is priced at $83,900. The M240i Coupe boasts the latest version of BMW’s iconic 3.0-litre in-line turbocharged six-cylinder engine, running the same 250kW/500Nm tune as in the M140i. Also in the spec is BMW’s effective Adaptive M suspension system, which brings a more extreme range of adjustable damper settings to improve both handling and ride. Although the 220i/230i coupes are engaging steers, the M Performance mods make the M240i’s helm reactions immediately faster from the outset, turning in with the desired urgency promised by the potent exhaust soundtrack. However, it unfortunately lacks the natural, progressive feel of the more linear standard arrangement. Meanwhile, a mechanical limited-slip differential splits drive between the rear wheels. The resulting…

BMW’s 4 Series replaced the previous 3 Series coupe and convertible models in 2014. The 420i coupe, with a 135kW/270Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol four, kicks off the 4 series range at $68,900. The mid-range 430i, at $79,900, delivers 185kW/ 350Nm from its 2.0-litre turbopetrol four. The range-topping 440i runs the familiar 240kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo straight six, priced at $99,900. The 4 Series convertible range opens with the 420i at $85,900. The 430i is $96,900 and the 440i is $117,900. The 4 Series Gran Coupe, with a four-door body, opens with the 420i at $68,900. The 430i is $79,900 and the 440i is $99,900. The 4 Series range, with an eight-speed automatic as standard, doesn’t present anything new in the powertrain department. Indeed, the 4 is essentially a 3 Series in two-door…

The second-generation BMW X1 shares much of its core technology, including its basic structure, with the latest versions of the Mini (a brand that is owned by BMW) as well as BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer. The range opens with the sDrive 18d at $49,900. The sDrive20i is $52,900 and the xDrive25i is $59,900. Popular sDrive versions are now front-wheel drive instead of rear-wheel drive. xDrive variants still use an all-wheel drivetrain. So the latest X1 may be technically heretical in the eyes of long-term BMW loyalists, but it’s likely that compact SUV buyers will embrace it. The advantages of the new direction are plain to see, especially inside the car. Penned by young, Sydneyborn designer Calvin Luk, the second-generation X1 is better proportioned and with the space-efficient crossways engine/front-wheel-drive…

It might not look like it, but this is Ferrari’s answer to the Toyota Prius. Well, sort of. The Italian supercar maker has been forced to join the rest of the car industry and downsize its engines to meet strict new emissions regulations in Europe. And this is what the Italians ingeniously came up with: the Ferrari 488 GTB. Saving the planet — at 330km/h. The 488 GTB is $469,988, while the 488 Spyder is $526,888. As is the case with most brands, Ferrari has embraced turbocharger technology to make up for the switch to smaller engines. In economy cars, turbochargers are used to help small engines breathe more efficiently, to deliver low fuel consumption and emissions with the performance of a bigger, naturally-aspirated motor. In fast cars, the technology…

The Ford Fiesta hatch range opens with the 82kW 1.5-litre/ five-speed manual Ambiente at $15,825; a six-speed automated manual adds $2000. Trend specification (as tested) adds a further $2000. The 92kW 1.0-litre turbopetrol Fiesta Sport EcoBoost is priced at $20,525, or $22,525 with the six-speed automated transmission. This award-winning engine produces remarkable performance for its capacity and averages just 4.9L/100km. The hot rod Fiesta ST, with a 134kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol/ six-speed manual drivetrain, is a great drive, the pick of the baby hot hatch class and great value for money at $27,490. Unfortunately, that’s not quite the case with the 1.5-litre powered models. The 1.5 has less power and torque than the 1.6 it replaced, so although it goes OK with a few revs on board, it’s pretty gutless and…

The Focus RS is highly capable and one of the best fast Fords to roam our streets. But for reasons I am yet to fathom, I did not come away with the same degree of amazement about the car as have other motoring writers around the world. To get behind the wheel before the Focus RS arrived in Australia, I did 2000km of real-world driving over a week in Germany, on speed-unlimited autobahns, scenic backroads and suburban streets. The car I drove didn’t feel as quick as has been reported by others. I had just swapped out of an Audi RS3 and Mercedes A45 AMG, both low 4.0-second 0–100km/h cars, according to the precision timing equipment we used. Ford claims the Focus RS, which is powered by a 257kW 2.3-litre…

Ford’s Kuga has now been renamed the Escape, the name it carries in most other world markets. The 2017 range range opens with the 110kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol/six-speed manual/front-wheel-drive Ambiente, priced at $28,490. The six-speed auto is $29,990. All-wheel-drive models begin with the 134kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol Ambiente, with a sixspeed automatic, at $32,990. Trend specification opens with the 134kW 1.5-litre/six-speed auto/front-wheel-drive variant at $32,990. A 178kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol/six-speed auto/ all-wheel drive is $35,990, and a 132kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel/ six-speed dual-clutch automated manual is $38,490. Top-of-the-range Titanium is available with the same 2.0-litre drivetrains and is priced at $44,990 and $47,490. Escape brings a European design and drive to a segment dominated by Japanese and Korean brands. The fuel-efficient 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine, in both 110kW and 134kW tunes, produces the same 240Nm…

The South Korean-built Captiva’s success is based on the fact that it’s a budget-priced family SUV, especially the seven-seaters. Regularly advertised drive-away offers further strengthen its appeal. The five-seater Captiva 5 LS with front-wheel drive is available with a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with 123kW of power and 230Nm of torque. Transmission choices are six-speed manual at $26,490 or automatic at $28,690. The Captiva 5 also offers a 2.2-litre turbodiesel option with 135kW and 400Nm, only with the automatic all-wheel drivetrain, priced at $31,690 for LS. Both of these engines, plus the 3.0-litre direct-injection petrol V6 as used in the Commodore, are also offered in the seven-seater Captiva 7. The base Captiva 7 LS is front-wheel drive with either the 2.4-litre petrol ($30,490) or 2.2-litre turbodiesel ($33,490), both with the…

Holden’s VFII Commodore SS 6.2-litre V8/six-speed manual sedan costs $47,490. The six-speed auto SS is priced at $49,690. The SS-V Redline is priced at $54,990 (man) and $57,190 (auto). SS and SSV variants are also available as the Sportwagon, with the auto as standard, at a price premium of $2000. The SS and SSV interiors are the most attractive in the VF range. You get a big, supportive, luxurious driver’s seat, pukka dark trim with red lighting, plus piano black dash and fake carbon fibre trim. Redline is loaded with navigation, sunroof and Bose sound. Commodore SS and SS-V get FE2 sports suspension, plus a faster steering ratio just off centre for improved turn-in response, precision and agility. Redline adds paddle shifters for the auto, FE3 performance suspension, 245/40-19 (front)…

Honda’s HRV, a compact five-door SUV, combines extraordinary interior flexibility with a punchy drivetrain and handsome styling inside and out. The base 1.8-litre petrol/ continuously variable automatic (CVT) VTi model costs $24,990. Then it’s the same drivetrain with more fruit as you move up to the VTi-S (from $27,990), followed by the VT-L (from $33,340) and then the VTi-L with ADAS flagship (from $34,340). The latter is Honda-speak for Advanced Driver Assist System and brings brand-first forward collision and lane-departure warning technology as well as an automatic high-beam headlight dipping system. While the 1799cc single-cam i-VTEC unit has seen dependable service in the Civic for years, its pairing with the latest-generation CVT has given the 1.8 a fresh lease on life. The HR-V is unexpectedly perky off the line and…

Honda’s Accord range opens with the 129kW 2.4-litre petrol/ five-speed automatic VTi-S, priced at $32,990. The Accord VTi-L, as tested here, is $43,990. The 206kW 3.5-litre V6/six-speed automatic Accord V6L costs $52,590. The 2.4 is a dull engine that shows its age in its lack of sparkle, tractability and refinement. It’s also pretty thirsty in real-world driving, especially compared with the 2.5-litre engine in the Mazda6. A simple, stylish, conservative interior feels like $30,000 worth, not $45,000. The Accord does have a oncepopular feature that you just don’t get in many new cars these days: an ashtray! It even has a lighter. There’s another ashtray in each of the rear doors — so everybody can light up and have fun … Rear-seat space is fine for adults; the seat is…

HSV’s GTS range could, and probably should, ink the history books as Australia’s greatest performance car, period. The 430kW of power and 740Nm of torque generated by its supercharged LSA 6.2-litre V8 is a huge leap above and beyond any other local product, past or present. HSV is sending it out, though, with even more performance in the form of the GTSR model, which ups the power ante to 435kW, with the same 740Nm of torque. The GTS sedan costs $98,990 in six-speed manual form. The six-speed auto is $101,490. GTSR Maloo manual is $96,990 and GTSR sedan is $109,490. The auto adds $2500. Specific GTSR features include an AP Racing sixpiston brake package, with monoblock calipers and 410mm front rotors, 20-inch Hyper Dark Stainless five-spoke alloy wheels shod with…

You don’t mess around with a winning formula, so Hyundai’s third-generation i30 offers more of the same: a strong value-formoney proposition, excellent quality and reliability backed up by a generous warranty. Its styling has become more conservative, inside and out, to more closely resemble its Kia stablemate’s Euro hatch aesthetic. So the new i30 hatch is a bland, rather dated-looking box that doesn’t look as stylish as its predecessor. Prices open at $20,950 for the 120kW 2.0-litre/six-speed manual Active. That’s excluding on-road costs, but Hyundai is renowned for its aggressive drive-away deals, so expect a drive-away price close to this before long, which will save you about $2500. A six-speed auto adds $2300. Active manual is also available with a 100kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel, at $23,450; a sevenspeed dual-clutch transmission adds…

Hyundai’s Mk7 Sonata range comprises the $30,590 Active, the midrange Elite at $38,350 and top-spec Premium, priced at an ambitious $45,490. The Active alone employs the 138kW/241Nm 2.4-litre directinjection four-cylinder petrol engine. As with all variants, it drives the front wheels via a sixspeed automatic transmission. Nicely smooth at take-off, it offers sufficient oomph around town and is able to really pick up speed quickly on the open road. But the 2.4 sounds vocal at higher revs and trails the class champ (Mazda 6) for average fuel consumption at 8.2L/100km. Elite and Premium also deliver significantly punchier urge thanks to a 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre four-pot turbopetrol engine. However, the lardy Hyundai with the extra huff still lacks enough puff when loaded up for truly effortless touring and overtaking capabilities. It’s also…

Infiniti’s Q30 hatch is a product of the Nissan (Infiniti’s parent) and Daimler joint venture. It’s a Mercedes A-Class with different sheetmetal, seats and suspension tuning. Q30 is front-wheel drive and QX30 is all-wheel drive. The range opens at $38,900 for the 115kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol/ seven-speed automatic GT. The 155kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol 2.0t Sports is $44,900 and the fully loaded Sports Premium is $52,900. Mercedes’ 2.1-litre turbodiesel powers the $46,900 2.2d Sports and the $54,900 Sports Premium. QX30 runs the 2.0-litre turbopetrol drivetrain, in GT and GT Premium specification, priced at $48,900 and $56,900 respectively. Q30 is a competent, well-made luxury hatch, but it does beg the question: why would you buy a Mercedes with an Infiniti badge? Because that’s exactly what it is. Infiniti’s prices aren’t significantly cheaper either…

Kia’s third-generation Carnival people mover starts at $41,490 for the 206kW 3.3-litre V6 petrol/six-speed automatic S model. Si grade is $45,490, SLi is $49,990 and Platinum is $58,290. The 147kW 2.2-litre fourcylinder turbodiesel/six-speed automatic is available in the same model grades as above but at a $2500 premium. Carnival is a big, heavy wagon with a long wheelbase and ostensibly eight seats, so the relatively high power and torque outputs of both engines are well suited to shifting a full load of people and gear with ease. The 2.2-litre turbodiesel, with 440Nm of torque from just 1750rpm, is one of the best around at any price and perfect for this application. It’s very smooth and quiet for a diesel too, and works well with the six-speed auto. Only the occasional…

The Lexus IS range opens with the 180kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol four-cylinder IS 200t, available in Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury grades, priced at $59,340, $67,480 and $78,040 respectively. The 233kW 3.6-litre V6 IS 350 is available in the same grades, priced at $65,390, $73,540 and $84,160. Hybrid power is also available as an alternative to diesel with the IS300h, priced at $61,890 for the Luxury, $70,310 for F Sport and $81,160 for Sports Luxury. The Lexus petrol/electric drivetrain, which uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, develops 164kW, drives the IS to 100km/h in a respectable, if hardly sporty, 8.5 seconds and averages fuel consumption of 4.9L/100km. The hybrid is a pretty slow, stodgy drive compared with its Infiniti Q50 rival and BMW’s 3 Series Active Hybrid, both of which manage…

The Lexus GS range opens with the 180kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol GS 200t, priced at $76,220, and tops out at $151,490 for the GS-F, with the same 351kW 5.0-litre atmo V8 that powers the RC-F coupe. GS300h and GS450h hybrids are priced from $79,520. The GS350 F-Sport model is priced at $95,600. The GS350’s atmo-style performance is strong and enjoyable, especially with rearwheel drive, but it’s not exactly a state-of-the-art engine. In fact, the 3.5-litre V6 is the same donk used in the Toyota Aurion sedan and Kluger SUV, albeit with an extra 20–30kW of power. It goes pretty hard in the top half of the rev range, but below 3500rpm is a non-event, and it’s also relatively thirsty. Lexus is still ultra-conservative in its definition of “Sport”, so the 350’s…

JOHN CAREY One of Australia’s most accomplished motoring writers, over three decades, John is a long-time contributor to Wheels magazine, where he is a Car of the Year judge, and publications in the USA and UK. He lives in Bergamo, Italy, and covers new European models for us so we have the story by the time they go on sale here. John would rather question an engineer than a designer as an engineer’s answers tend to make a lot more sense. John rates a vehicle’s value, efficiency, user-friendliness and dependability as being much more important than the badge it wears or what the neighbours think of it. In this issue, John tests the BMW 5 Series, Lexus LC500 and Mini Countryman. PHIL KING Phil King is Motoring Editor of The…

Abarth is a name you may not have heard of. It belongs to Karl Abarth, an Austrian engineer who, in 1955, built his first car, the 750GT, and during the 1960s had much success with his Fiat 500-based 595 rally cars. In 1971 his company was bought by Fiat, which still owns it today. Karl Abarth died in 1979. The Abarth 124, which in its styling pays homage to legendary designer Pininfarina’s 1966 Fiat 124 roadster, is the product of a model-sharing arrangement between Fiat and Mazda. It’s a Mazda MX-5 — made on the same production line in Hiroshima — with a longer, wider body and a 125kW 1.4-litre fourcylinder turbopetrol engine from Fiat, matched with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. It’s equipped with premium hardware too, including…

Is the Audi A1 worth around $10,000 more than its Volkswagen Polo twin? The four-ringed marque’s smallest four-door is never going to win any value for money awards — not when the People’s Car version provides essentially the same experience. Yet there are a number of reasons why the A1 shouldn’t be so easily dismissed. For starters, it shares absolutely nothing that you can actually see or touch with the Polo. Indeed, as the still-fresh styling suggests after a half decade on sale, the broad shoulder stance, clean surfacing and pleasing proportions make the Belgian-built Mazda2- size Audi a lasting piece of industrial design. As always, the interior is a textbook study of classy minimalism that has been aped by more than a few rivals. The stand-proud central screen, precision…

Audi’s B9 A4 sedan range opens with two front-wheeldrive models. The 1.4TFSi ($55,500) runs the same 110kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol/sevenspeed dual-clutch S-Tronic drivetrain used in the VW Golf. The 140kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol 2.0 TFSi is $60,900 and the Avant wagon is $63,900. All-wheel drive is offered in the 140kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel 2.0TDi quattro ($66,900). Top of the range, and the variant that has usually been the pick of the A4s to drive, is the 2.0-litre turbopetrol 2.0TFSi quattro ($69,900, or $72,900 Avant), with 185kW of power. Allroad models include the 2.0TDi quattro at $71,400 and the 2.0TFSi quattro at $74,400. The hero S4 quattro sedan, with a 260kW 3.0-litre turbopetrol, is $99,900; the Avant is $102,900. It may look just like the previous model, but there’s a lot of brand-new technology…

Audi’s Sportback body style works beautifully on the A7, a car that’s nearly as long in the wheelbase as the A8 limo and offers comparable interior space, but comes with significantly lower pricetags. Base model is a 160kW 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel TDi, at $115,855 and the 235kW 3.0-litre V6 twinturbodiesel Bi-turbo is priced at $144,855. Quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automated manual with stop/start are standard on the TDI, while the Bi-turbo has an eight-speed automatic. The S7, with a 331kW 4.0-litre twin-turbopetrol V8, is $180,716. The A7’s dynamics benefit from relatively lightweight construction (with 30 per cent aluminium components) and fine balance. The A7 is an agile and involving drive, in a class where size and weight usually mitigate against a high enjoyment factor. The S7, though, is…

The Audi Q3 range opens with the 110kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol TFSi, with a sixspeed twin-clutch S-Tronic transmission and front-wheel drive, priced at $42,900. Quattro all-wheel-drive models start with the 110kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel/seven-speed S-Tronic TDi at $48,500. The high-performance 2.0-litre turbodiesel, with 135kW, is priced at $57,500. The Q3’s 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine is the successor to the EA189 that got VW into such a mess. It is not subject to any legality issues. The 132kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol TFSi seven-speed S-Tronic quattro is $52,900. The 280kW 2.5-litre fivecylinder turbopetrol RS Q3 tops the range at $84,216. It takes on the Mercedes AMG GLA45. The numbers suggest that you’re not that much better off if you choose the more powerful version of the 2.0-litre turbodiesel, particularly in real-world driving. It’s got a sizeable…

BMW’S 1 Series is now the only small hatchback in the world that still uses rear-wheel drive. Is this a big deal? BMW used to argue, forcefully, that rear-wheel drive produces a better-balanced car that has more neutral handling characteristics and steering that’s uncorrupted by the engine’s torque interfering with the front wheels, as is the case on front-wheel-drive layouts. However, BMW now makes the front-wheel-drive Mini and 2 Series Active Tourer, the first front-wheel drive to wear a BMW badge. It’s gone strangely quiet on the advantages of rear-wheel drive, for obvious reasons. The major attraction of rearwheel drive is totally natural steering. The 1 Series points into and out of corners with responsiveness and precision you just don’t get when the engine’s torque is trying to turn the…

Welcome to the future of sustainable urban motoring as BMW envisions it. The i3 is offered in two distinct versions dubbed BEV (code for Battery Electric Vehicle). It is priced from $68,100 for the 94 Amp hour battery model, and $74,100 for the REX (code for Range Extender). The i3 BEV uses a lithiumion battery pack and electric motor, driving the rear wheels via a single reduction gear transmission. So too does the REX, though it adds a 28kW 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine to charge the batteries (quite noisily at times) as required, but never to power the wheels directly. BMW claims a real-world range of 200km for the 94Ah model. With the REX variant, this increases to 330km. Acceleration is immediate, strong and silent. City-friendly thanks to a tight…

BMW’s M division cars have been somewhat hit and miss in recent years — epic on a track, but not so enjoyable in day-to-day driving, where their overreliance on electronics produces a remote, uninvolving driving experience amplified by artificially weighted steering, constipated twin-clutch gearboxes and a frustrating inability to get power to the ground. Well, BMW may have finally seen and remedied the errors of its ways with its latest model, the M2. It starts at $90,500 for the sixspeed manual “M2 Pure” edition and $99,500 for the seven-speed twin-clutch auto fully-fledged M2. Aside from the transmission (said to trim 0.2 seconds from the manual in the 0–100km/h dash, to a claimed 4.3 seconds in launch mode), the $9000 premium also buys electrically adjustable heated seats, a sensor key, richer…

BMW’s iconic M3, now in its fifth generation, is available as a four-door sedan only. The coupe wears an M4 badge in line with a revamped naming regime. Though mechanically identical, the sedan lands in Oz starting from $139,900. The coupe commands a $10,000 premium and you’ll fork out an extra $22,000 for the convertible. The Competition variant, tested here as the M4 coupe, adds $5000 to all three. As the name implies, the Competition is a hard-edged performance upgrade, including more stiffly sprung and firmly damped adaptive M suspension. Twenty-inch forged, polished alloys with wider rubber (265/30 front, 285/30 rear) are also fitted, with the Active M Differential and traction control recalibrated to complement the car’s higher grip levels. Firepower from the 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six is up an…

At the pinnacle of the Ferrari road range, in power and price, sits the F12berlinetta. It’s all yours for $690,745. As you slide into the F12’s shell-like, supportive and very firm driver’s seat, upholstered in silken, fragrant leather, you naturally assume the race position. Frivolities such as navigation, voice and Bluetooth are provided; otherwise, instrumentation is minimal. Most controls, including indicators and wipers, are on the wheel. Vision is fine to all corners and the rear, a rare commodity in supercar territory. A button lifts the front end so you don’t demolish it on driveways and ramps. This is the most powerful Ferrari you can buy and the most powerful V12 the factory has ever built. Hit the red button on the F12’s carbon fibre steering wheel and it erupts…

The Ford EcoSport kicks off from $20,790 for the 1.5-litre petrol Ambiente manual, which makes this model the cheapest in the class. Other variants include the Trend (from $22,290) and rangetopping Titanium (from $27,790). Two petrol engines are available in the EcoSport: Ford’s high-tech 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost turbo, delivering 92kW of power at 6000rpm and 190Nm of torque between 1400 and 4500rpm, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated Duratec unit with 82kW at 6300rpm and 140Nm at 4400rpm. Belying its tiny capacity, and famously compact enough to sit within an A4-sized piece of paper, the sophisticated, refined 1.0-litre turbo is an International Engine of the Year winner. Paired only to a slick-shifting five-speed manual, it provides spirited step-off acceleration, backed up by a wide spread of torque for excellent response.…

Falcon is now dead and buried so the European-designed and -built Mondeo is, effectively, Ford Australia’s new flagship family and fleet car. There are three spec levels (Ambiente, Trend, Titanium), available in hatch or wagon, with a choice of two turbopetrol engines and a turbodiesel. Ambiente starts at $33,190 for the 149kW/345Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol/six-speed auto hatch. Trend, with the 177kW/345Nm chip, is $37,790 and Titanium is priced at $44,790. The 132kW/ 400Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel, with a six-speed dual clutch gearbox, adds $4000 to Ambiente and $3200 to Trend and Titanium. The 149kW engine is the only turbopetrol available in Mondeo wagon, at $35,040 for Ambiente. The turbodiesel Ambiente is $39,040, Trend is $42,840 and Titanium is $49,840. The Mondeo manages to combine superb handling and sharp dynamics with a magic…

The cheapest cars are often the hardest to make. Believe it or not, it costs just as much to design, engineer and develop a $13,990 hatchback like the Holden Spark as it does a $19,990 small car, but the profits are much slimmer. It’s a fine balance between scrimping on every penny put into the vehicle and delivering the quality, safety and equipment that buyers demand. Holden Spark pricing starts at $13,990 for the Spark LS five-speed manual and $15,690 for the CVT auto. As this article was written, Holden was doing drive-away pricing of $14,990 and $16,690 respectively, so aim for that or wait until this deal comes around again, which is likely. One other tip: set aside another $550 if you want metallic paint. In a segment where…

Holden’s Trax is a small SUV based on the Barina hatchback. It’s only available as a front-wheel drive, so think of it as an interesting take on the compact hatch with an SUV’s easy access and high, comfortable seating position. The base LS 1.8-litre, fivespeed manual is $23,990. The 1.4-litre turbopetrol six-speed auto 1.4T LS is $26,490. LT 1.4T is $28,890 and LTZ 1.4T is $30,490. GM’s 103kW/175Nm 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is an ageing slugger but in this application it’s OK, offering reasonable mid-range pulling power (assisted by quite short gearing), reasonable fuel economy on regular unleaded and greater refinement than expected. The 103kW/200Nm 1.4-litre turbopetrol is a sweet little engine, much more refined, tractable and responsive than the 1.8, but it’s also thirsty in town and requires premium…

The VFII reinforces the Holden ute’s position as the world’s most sophisticated, capable and safe pickup, a unique vehicle that, when Holden ceases local manufacture in October 2017, will surely become a collectable, as evidenced by strengthening resale values on V8s. The VFII ute, particularly the SV6 and SS variants, is Holden’s two-door sports car. It just happens to have a very big boot. VFII ute prices start at $33,490 for the 3.6-litre V6/six-speed automatic. The 3.6-litre SV6 automatic is $37,190. The 6.2-litre V8 SS manual is $43,990 and SS-V Redline is $52,490. A last hurrah model, the Magnum, at $59,290 for the manual, gets the 6.2-litre V8 with sedan-tuned FE3 performance suspension, cross drilled brake rotors with charcoal Brembo calipers, 20-inch Split forged alloy wheels, a hard tonneau cover,…

The 2017 Civic is the 10th generation since 1973 of Honda’s signature model. We’re testing the 1.8-litre VTi-S sedan which, at $24,490, sits one step above the base 1.8-litre VTi model, priced at $22,390, and below three 1.5-litre turbo variants: the $27,790 VTi-L, the sports-flavoured $31,790 RS and the $33,590 VTi-LX. Civic hatch, pictured below, is available with the same drivetrains at the same prices, except RS, which is $32,290. Civic sedan has always been one of the largest cars in its class and this model almost qualifies as a medium-sizer. Four adults can spread out and relax in it. There is a twin cockpit-style front cabin, a driving position adjustable for any physique and luxurious front seats. There’s also plenty of rear-seat legroom and reasonable headroom despite the raked,…

The CRV range starts with the 114kW/190Nm 2.0-litre sixspeed manual front-wheel-drive VTi, at $27,490. The five-speed automatic is $29,790, the VTi-S is $32,290 and the VTi-L is $39,290. The 140kW/222Nm 2.4-litre five-speed automatic all-wheeldrive VTi is $32,790. The VTi-S is $35,290 and the VTi-L, as tested, is $42,290. The 2.4-litre is one of the most powerful in this class, but as is often the case with Honda engines, it doesn’t feel like it’s got as much power as the specification says. This is probably because the full 140kW kicks in only at 7000rpm, where the engine is screaming its head off. If the concept of torque is foreign to you, you’re probably not going to get an understanding of it here either. Econ mode slows things right down and the…

Hyundai’s Accent is cleverly designed to offer generous interior space in a compact body and comes as a sedan or hatchback. Prices start at $14,990 for the base 74kW 1.4-litre petrol Active sedan or hatch. A CVT transmission adds $2000. The 103kW direct-injection 1.6-litre petrol Accent SR hatch is $16,990. A six-speed manual is standard and a six-speed auto adds $2000. Don’t expect stellar performance from either engine, but both of them work fine in the city context and return excellent fuel economy running on regular unleaded. Handling is vice-free given the Accent’s purpose in life, while the ride is comfortable and compliant. The driver sits high on a saggy cushion, with no steering-wheel reach adjustment available. Rear vision is partially blocked by the rear-seat head restraints and thick rear…

No wonder small cars are now the biggest segment of the market. The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is almost as big the original Holden Commodore. Bumper to bumper, the Elantra sedan is just 20cm shorter than the 1978 VB Commodore, but the Hyundai has a bigger cabin and boot. Pricing kicks off at $21,950 for the 2.0-litre petrol Elantra Active six-speed manual, and $24,250 for the six-speed auto. Elite auto is $26,990. At base model level, these prices are irrelevant. Hyundai and Toyota have gone toe to toe for years now with drive-away deals on their base models in this class, notably the previous i30 and the Corolla Ascent, and the Elantra Active manual is also discounted on an almost permanent basis to $20,990 drive away. If your dealer tells you…

Hyundai’s Tucson mid-size SUV range opens with the 121kW/203Nm 2.0-litre fourcylinder direct-injection petrol/ six-speed manual front-wheeldrive Active at $28,590. With a six-speed auto, it’s $31,090. Tucson ActiveX is priced at $31,150 and $33,650 with the automatic, as tested here. Front-wheel drive Elite is $36,250. All-wheel-drive variants kick off with the 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbopetrol/sevenspeed dual-clutch-automated manual Elite at $39,250. In top-of-the-range Highlander specification, it’s $45,450. The 135kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel/six-speed automatic all-wheel-drive Active is $35,090. Elite is $41,250 and Highlander is $47,450. Hyundai is pitching Tucson ActiveX as the value-for-money variant, with 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-faced seats, dynamic parking guidelines on the rear camera and a big touchscreen infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto compatibility are standard across the range. Hyundai’s five years/unlimitedkilometres warranty is another value-add on ActiveX. However,…

Infiniti’s Q50 range opens with the Daimler-sourced 155kW/ 350Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol/ seven-speed automatic/rearwheel- drive 2.0t GT at $53,900. The S Premium is $61,900. Also from Daimler, the 125kW/400Nm 2.1-litre fourcylinder turbodiesel/seven-speed auto/rear-wheel-drive 2.2d GT is priced at $54,900 and the S Premium is $62,500. The Q50 Hybrid runs a 3.5-litre V6 petrol/electric-motor parallel hybrid drivetrain with combined outputs of 268kW/546Nm. It’s priced at $72,900 for the rear-wheel-drive S Premium and $74,900 for the all-wheel-drive S Premium variant. Both run a seven-speed dualclutch transmission. The hero Q50 models run a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, with 224kW of power in the $69,900 3.0tt S Premium and 298kW in the $79,900 3.0tt Red Sport. That’s serious bang for your bucks indeed compared with the German brands. The Hybrid is no slouch either. It gets…

Jaguar has priced and equipped the XF for battle with its Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class rivals. Prices start at $82,755 for the 132kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel Prestige 20d. An eight-speed automatic is standard with paddle shifters and drive goes to the rear wheels. Eco, Normal and Dynamic drivetrain/electric steering weighting modes are selectable via centre console buttons. R-Sport 20d is priced at $88,755. R-Sport 25t, at $89,516, runs a 177kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol four, a Ford engine carried over from the previous model. It’s also available in Portfolio 25t specification, priced at $97,516. Six-cylinder power opens at $104,516 for the R-Sport 35t, with a 250kW 3.0-litre supercharged petrol V6. Portfolio 35t is priced at $112,516. The same engine, chipped for 280kW, is fitted to the $129,066 XF…

In its bones, Kia’s Cerato is basically the same car as Hyundai’s Elantra/i30. The Kia gets a bespoke Euro-style interior and a powerful 2.0-litre directinjection petrol engine option. The range opens with the 110kW 1.8-litre petrol S, with a six-speed manual, priced at $19,990. A sixspeed auto adds $2300. S Premium, with the auto as standard, is $24,990. Si grade has the 129kW 2.0-litre engine with the six-speed auto transmission, priced at $28,990. SLi, with the same drivetrain but more fruit, is $32,490. The 2.0-litre engine is a strong, willing device that returns good economy on regular unleaded and is a neat fit with the automatic transmission. It’s one of the best performers in the class at the moment. Kia’s suspension is tailored for our rough roads, so it’s pretty…

Kia’s Sportage SUV, which shares architecture with Hyundai’s Tucson and, sizewise, bridges the gap between compact and medium wagons, starts at $28,990 for the Si front-wheel drive. This model is powered by a 2.0-litre petrol engine with a modest 114kW of power and an even more modest 192Nm of torque. The base drivetrain is also offered in the SLi, priced at $34,690. A 2.0-litre turbodiesel (with 136kW and 400Nm) with on-demand all-wheel drive is available across all grades at $33,990 for the Si, $39,690 for the SLi and $45,990 for the GT Line, while a 2.4-litre petrol (with 135kW and 237Nm) all-wheel drivetrain is available only in the top-end GT Line at $43,490. A six-speed auto is standard. The attraction of the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is impossible to dismiss. It is…

Priced at $151,490 with Alcantara trim, or $154,450 with leather, the 5.0-litre V8 Lexus GS F is a very different car to its German rivals, which is arguably its greatest attraction. The naturally-aspirated 32-valve 5.0-litre V8 is matched with a smooth, efficient eight-speed auto. When you turn the drive mode dial to Sport or Sport+ and give the accelerator a jab, the engine changes from mild-mannered cruiser to serious bruiser. Peak torque of 530Nm kicks in at 4800rpm, which is at least 3000rpm higher than most turbocharged V8s, so in the lower half of the Lexus rev range things are fairly sedate. This engine isn’t about grunt, it’s about power, of which it has plenty between 4000rpm and the 7300rpm redline. Lexus has taken the traditional route to sports handling:…

The Maserati Ghibli range opens with a 3.0-litre twin-turbodiesel V6, producing 202kW of power and 600Nm of torque, with an eight-speed auto. Of much more interest to traditionalists is the pair of Ferrari-designed and -built 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6s. The base petrol Ghibli, priced at $143,990, puts down 243kW at 5000rpm and 500Nm from 1750rpm for a 0–100km/h run of 5.6 seconds, before achieving an impressive 263km/h. A number of upgrades (including different cam lobes, ECU and fuel injectors) up the ante considerably in the $179,990 Ghibli S, resulting in 301kW at 5500rpm and 550Nm from 4500rpm. Consequently, the 0–100km/h time plummets to 5.0 seconds and 285km/h is possible. Much of the Ghibli’s underpinnings are based on the bigger Quattroporte’s architecture. But, despite the part-aluminium body, the S weighs in…

MAZDA’S fourth-generation MX-5 kicks off at just $33,340 for the base model 1.5-litre Roadster. A smaller and lighter engine, mounted further back behind the axle for an optimal 50:50 weight distribution, is in keeping with both the MX-5’s driving purity and affordability goals, Mazda reckons, although fans demanding more power can still have a 2.0-litre option for an extra $1510. A six-speed automatic adds $2000 to both variants. Weighing just 1009kg, the most aluminium-intensive MX-5 ever is also the shortest, but careful packaging (and 20mm lower seating) means there is no less legroom. The boot is slightly smaller, though. The base model features four airbags (with head protection), LED headlights, cruise control, tyre-pressure monitors, 16-inch alloys, keyless start, Bluetooth with audio streaming, USB connector, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob…

If we leave fleets and tradies out of the picture and look only at private customers who pay for their cars with cold, hard, nontax- deductible cash, the Mazda3 is Australia’s most popular car. Why? It delivers what Australian car buyers want: value for money, outstanding quality and reliability, fuel efficiency, conservative yet expressive design and five-star safety. The fact that the Mazda argues with the VW Golf for best drive in class status is the icing on the cake. Available as a sedan and hatch, base models are powered by the 114kW 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol Skyactiv-G engine, kicking off at $20,490 for the Neo. The Maxx is $22,890 and the Touring is $25,290. The SP25 line runs the same 138kW 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine used in the Mazda6. Prices…

The CX-3 gives Mazda an offering in the hotly contested compact SUV segment. With a choice of two fourcylinder engines — 77kW/250Nm 1.5-litre turbodiesel or 109kW/ 192Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol — the CX-3 is up against more than 20 contenders including Honda’s HRV, Nissan’s Qashqai and the Renault Captur. Depending on spec, the CX-3 also offers the option of front- or all-wheel drive (the latter being a true rarity at this end of the market), as well as the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions. There are four spec levels — base Neo, next-step Maxx, premium sTouring and top-shelf Akari. As expected, pricing is sharp, with the entry-point of $19,990 (Neo petrol FWD manual) running across a close-to-$18K spread up to the top-spec Akari diesel AWD auto…

Alfa Romeo’s Giulia is aggressively priced and generously equipped. It deserves to disrupt your Audi A4/BMW 3 Series/Mercedes C Class buying decision. Start money is $59,895 for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol Giulia, with 147kW of power and an eight-speed automatic, in a rear-wheel drive layout. Giulia Super, with more fruit and the same drivetrain, is $64,195; with a 132kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel, it’s $65,895. Veloce, at $71,895, looks like the value/performance/equipment sweet spot in the Giulia line-up. It gets a 206kW version of the 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine, plus premium performance hardware including adjustable suspension, a limited slip rear differential and exquisite traditional Alfa five-hole 19-inch alloy wheels. Alfa also needs to make a heroic, forceful statement of intent with the Giulia, and that it certainly does with the top-of-the-range Quadrifoglio, priced…

Audi’s current A3 range, like its predecessors, shares its architecture and most of its componentry with parent brand Volkswagen’s Golf. Prices for the five-door A3 Sportback start at $35,900 for the 85kW 1.0-litre turbopetrol threecylinder/ seven-speed automated twin-clutch S-Tronic. The 110kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol four, with cylinder-ondemand technology (COD) that automatically shuts down two cylinders under light loads to save fuel, is $39,900. The 140kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol Sport is $45,900; with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drivetrain, it’s $49,500. The 81kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel, with front-wheel drive, is $38,500. Sedans start at $41,500 for the 1.4-litre/seven-speed S-Tronic; Sport variants, with the same 2.0-litre front-wheel drive and quattro drivetrains as the Sportback, cost $47,500 and $51,100 respectively. Cabrios start at $49,000 for the 1.4-litre turbopetrol COD. The 2.0-litre turbopetrol Sport models are $55,000 with front-wheel…

Since 2007, few cars have been as seductive standing still as the Audi A5 Coupe. Now, in (some say too timidly) a redesigned and re-engineered second-generation guise, can it captivate on the move, too? Based on the medium-sized A4 range, the swoopy two-door three-box four-seater grand tourer grows ever so slightly, paying palpable cabin space dividends. It’s also lighter yet stronger, promising raised driving dynamics and refinement levels. The least-expensive model is the 2.0 TFSI S-Tronic, from a bit less than $70,000. Far from being sparsely equipped, it includes autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, a reverse camera, satellite navigation, adaptive LED headlights, digital radio, electrically adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, three-zone climate control and 18-inch alloys. Also standard is an electronic instrumentation system Audi dubs “Virtual Cockpit”, as…

Just as the original R8 was an engineering twin with the Lamborghini Gallardo, this second-generation model shares its underpinnings with the Lambo Huracán, including its hybrid construction (aluminium alloy/carbon fibre reinforced polymer) space frame, V10 powerplant, sevenspeed dual-clutch gearbox, double-wishbone suspension and all-wheel-drive system. And in an age of emissionsdriven engine downsizing, the Audi flagship’s 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10, mounted longitudinally in the centre of the car, is quite literally a breath of fresh air. There are no turbos or superchargers to force induction here, just pure, free-revving, atmo joy. All new, this R8 is still instantly recognisable as a design descendant of the model it replaces. The wheelbase is identical, although the new car is marginally shorter overall, thanks to 9mm taken out of the front overhang. It’s also…

Audi’s second-generation Q7 is a huge improvement over the first. That model’s whalelike scale made it a daunting vehicle to drive in the city and its high weight meant it had the handling agility of a humpback. The 2017 Q7 is only slightly shorter and a fraction narrower, but Audi’s engineers found ways to shed around 300kg without affecting strength or compromising safety. The Q7 is now among the more pleasant large, premium SUVs to drive. There’s little steering feel, a trait common to the breed, but the Audi copes gracefully with corners, ride comfort is very good and noise levels are low. The Q7 — in this guise at least — doesn’t pretend to be a sportster and this is to its credit. Audi’s engineers offer the 3.0-litre V6…

Remember the 2002 of the 1960s? It’s where modern BMW began. Boxy yet sporty, the compact two-door sedan was the precursor to the first 3 Series of 1975, establishing the brand as ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’. The Bavarian carmaker is keen to cash in on the 2002’s cachet with the F22 2 Series Coupe. The range kicks off from $51,300 for the 135kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol 220i. The 185kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol 230i is $61,900 while the $74,900 M240i (covered separately in this issue) is the only six-cylinder variant on offer. Proving there’s nothing new under the sun, the F22 actually follows on from the conceptually identical E82 1 Series Coupe, now discontinued. Though familiarlooking, every panel is different, with subtly more tapered proportions thanks to a faster windscreen rake, (slightly) lower…

BMW’s M badge used to adorn only its elite performance cars, such as the M3 and M5, but M also stands for Money and now BMW is cashing in on its badge cachet. A second tier of M models, called M Performance, now sits below the weaponsgrade hardware. The M140i runs BMW’s 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six, with 250kW and a mighty 500Nm of turbo-torque, available from 1520rpm. The M135i automatic, which costs the same as the six-speed manual, smokes the 100km/h dash in 4.6 seconds. Gunmetal alloys, blue enamel brake calipers, a rear diffuser and dark window tinting complete one very tough, stylish package. The exquisite balance, agility and poise of the four-cylinder 1 Series — BMW’s best handling car — are not compromised by the bigger, heavier engine. The…

Since 1975, the 3 Series has set the pace at the affordable end of the premium Euro field. It defined BMW’s “Sheer Driving Pleasure” promise. Recently, though, the 3 Series has struggled against the Mercedes C Class. The F30 model, which arrived in 2012, failed to impress, especially its handling, which is distinctly non-sporty. The problem is BMW’s standard suspension, tuned too lightly to compensate for the harsh ride generated by runflat tyres. On our rough roads the F30 failed to deliver disciplined body control and roadholding. To get it to handle like a BMW should, you had to pay extra for adaptive M suspension. Now at the mid-point in its life, the 3 Series has had a refresh which includes the M suspension as standard on all models bar…

BMW’s seventh-generation 5 Series is the latest shot in a battle that’s been going on for a century. It’s 100 years since the Bavarian brand’s first-ever product, an in-line six-cylinder engine for World War I fighter planes, earned rave reviews. It was better than Mercedes-Benz’s similar engine, according to critical, leather-helmeted flying aces. The deadly rival of the latest 5 Series is the Mercedes E-Class. When launched in 2016, it was the most technically advanced car in the Mercedes-Benz catalogue. BMW’s objective with the 5 Series was to match the sophistication of the E-Class, and beat it for driving pleasure. And it may have done it … Every model in the 5 Series line-up comes standard with the suite of radar- and camera-reliant aids BMW calls Driving Assistant Plus. Key…

The third generation of the world’s top-selling luxury wagon, BMW’s F15 maintains the X5’s reputation as the top drive in big SUVs. The range opens with the rear-wheel-drive X5 sDrive25d 160kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, which costs $89,200. The 190kW 3.0-litre xDrive30d turbodiesel costs $108,000, the 230kW twin turbodiesel 40d is $124,200 and the 330kW 4.4-litre twin turbopetrol V8 50i is $138,900. The xDrive M50d, with a 280kW 3.0-litre triple turbodiesel, is priced at $152,000. Top gun in petrol is the X5 M, with the 4.4 tuned for 423kW and 750Nm. It’s priced at $189,300. The xDrive40e petrol/electric hybrid is priced at $124,200. It runs a 2.0-litre fourcylinder turbopetrol/83kW electric motor/9kWh lithium ion battery and can travel up to 31km on electricity alone. In hybrid mode, its claimed fuel consumption is…

The Fiat 500 range opens with the 51kW 1.2-litre Pop, priced at $18,000 with a five-speed manual or $19,500 with the fivespeed Dualogic transmission. The 74kW 1.4-litre/six-speed manual Lounge is $21,000 and the Dualogic is $22,500. Like the reincarnated Mini, the 500 is a retro car inspired by the model of the same name that Fiat built from 1957–1975 as affordable transport in Italy. The 500 is a solid little tacker but it has no sports pretensions whatsoever. The 1.4-litre petrol engine is a curious device. It requires a few revs to wake up (the electronic accelerator mapping needs adjustment to make it more responsive in the initial stages of pedal travel), but across the midrange it offers decent pulling power and is quite smooth. So far this is all…

Ford’s Focus was overhauled in July 2015 with a new, more fuel-efficient EcoBoost 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol engine being the headline change. The base model is the $23,390 Trend hatch, with a six-speed manual. A six-speed automatic adds $1000. Trend sedan, with the auto as standard, is $24,390. The Sport man/auto hatch is $26,490/$27,490. Titanium auto hatch (as tested) and sedan are both $32,690. The Focus ST hot hatch, with the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol engine as the Falcon, tuned for 184kW and with a sixspeed manual, is $38,990. The 1.5-litre turbopetrol makes the Focus a viable alternative to VW’s 1.4-litre turbopetrol Golf. In fact it’s arguably a better alternative because the Ford engine produces 132kW of power — that’s 22kW more than the Golf 110TSi. You also get a conventional…

Mustang prices kick off at $45,990 for the 2.3-litre turbopetrol/six-speed manual EcoBoost Fastback. A six-speed auto adds $2500 and the auto convertible is $54,990. With 233kW and 432Nm it’s hardly underdone, but it sounds like a vacuum cleaner and, let’s face it, a four-cylinder Mustang is against the laws of nature. The model you really want is the 5.0-litre V8 GT, which opens at $57,490 for the six-speed manual Fastback. The six-speed auto is $59,990 and the GT Convertible auto is $66,205. Consider the hardware you get for that: a 306kW/530Nm 5.0-litre, 32-valve alloy V8 with independent variable camshaft timing; limited slip differential; sophisticated independent suspension at both ends; sixpiston front Brembo calipers; 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels with 255/40 front and 275/40 rear Pirelli PZero rubber. Then there’s the…

Holden’s Astra hatchback is sourced from General Motors’ Opel factory in Poland, although it was designed and engineered by Opel in Germany. It recently won the European Car of the Year award. Prices start at $21,490 for the 110kW 1.4-litre turbo R six-speed manual. A six-speed auto adds $1000 to all variants. The 147kW 1.6-litre turbo RS manual is $26,240 and the RS-V manual is $30,740. No doubt the company is hoping the 235,000 Australians who bought a European-made Astra from 1996 to 2009 will welcome its return. Some may have less-than-fond memories, however. Those Astras were notoriously unreliable and servicing was costly. Hopefully reliability will be better this time around. It has a long way to go to match the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai i30 and Mazda3, all of which…

Holden’s VFII Commodore will see the car through until its demise in October 2017, when Holden ceases manufacturing in Australia. The VFII Commodore sedan range opens with the 3.0-litre V6/six-speed automatic Evoke, priced at $35,490. The Evoke Sportwagon costs $37,490. The same $2000 premium applies to all Sportwagons over their sedan equivalents. The 3.6-litre V6/six-speed auto SV6 is $40,490. The Calais, with the same 3.6-litre V6/six-speed auto drivetrain as SV6, is priced at $42,540. Calais V is $48,750 and the Calais V 6.2-litre V8/six-speed automatic is $56,750. The Holden 3.0-litre V6 engine does a workmanlike job and is kept busy by the six-speed automatic, however it lacks the bottom end and lower mid-range shove you expect from a V6 in a large car. If six-cylinder power is your preference, the…

Kicking off from $14,990 for the VTi, the latest GK-series Honda Jazz hatch brings fewer variants, lower prices and — bar one backward step — more for your money. For example, you’ll find a reversing camera, emergencybraking indicator flashes, hill-start assist, LED lighting and a central touchscreen with integrated Bluetooth phone/audio streaming (at last) and ports for 12-volt/USB/ HDMI/MP4 connectivity. That’s on top of six airbags, stability control, cruise control, reach- and tilt-adjustable steering, trip computer, electric windows, remote central locking, air-conditioning and 15-inch steel wheels. Note, however, that drums now replace discs for the rear brakes — a retrograde step for usually reputable Honda. Another $2000 will buy you a CVT (continuously variable transmission — replacing the previous five-speed automatic gearbox) in lieu of the standard five-speed manual. Next…

Honda’s Odyssey is priced from a sharp $37,610 for the base VTi. The more generously equipped VTi-L is $46,490. Brandishing van-like electric sliding doors and a high roof for ultra-easy entry, the Odyssey’s floor is lower than usual, with an extended wheelbase and wheelsat- each-corner stance. The result is outstanding interior space, with high-set, eight-person seating in the VTi or a seven-person arrangement in the plusher VTi-L. The latter ditches a three-seat second-row bench for a pair of very comfortable airline-style reclinable chairs with armrests and an ottoman. Uniquely, they can slide sideways and back for limousine levels of legroom. Like the previous model, Odyssey’s practicality as a kid carrier is tarnished by the fact that, in the continued absence of ISOFIX restraint mounts, child-restraint tether straps for the VTi’s…

Holden’s performance car division has emptied out its big guns in the lead-up to the end of Commodore production in late 2017, with its 30 Years range receiving a swag of updates and extras. The 6.2-litre supercharged LSA V8 gets a power boost to 410kW, and torque is up to 691Nm, in all models Torque vectoring, previously reserved for the GTS, is now standard across the range. It uses automatic braking on the inside rear wheel to minimise understeer under power. The bi-modal exhaust system’s “aural experience” is “boosted” which is code for louder, and the loud mode happens earlier in the rev range. You also get 30 Years floor mats, fender badges, sill plates, rear window sticker and a unique engine build plate. A lightweight, wide SV Rimfire 20-inch…

Hyundai’s Veloster isn’t the first car with two doors on one side and one on the other. Mini tried it with the Clubman. They sold, oh, not very many at all, so it’s safe to assume it’s an idea that’s not going to catch on. The base Veloster, with a 103kW atmo 1.6 petrol/six-speed manual, costs $29,590. The SR Turbo is $30,650. A six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) adds $2500 to both. The turbocharged 1.6 produces 150kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm from 1750–4500rpm. That’s slightly below Euro hot hatch ballpark numbers today, but it’s certainly enough and the engine has a lovely smooth turbo rush that comes on strong from about 2000rpm. The SR Turbo handles fine and its steering is sharper, meatier and more tactile than the standard model, but…

The Hyundai Santa Fe Series II features seven seats in all models. The lineup opens with the frontwheel- drive 138kW 2.4-litre directinjection four-cylinder petrol/sixspeed manual Active at $39,350. The six-speed auto is $41,850. Active X, with a 199kW 3.3-litre V6 petrol/six-speed auto/frontwheel drivedrain, is $40,990. The 147kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel/six-speed manual/ all-wheel drive Active is $42,350. A six-speed auto adds $2500. Elite 2.2 turbodiesel automatic is $50,990, Highlander is $57,090 and SR is $64,250. The 2.2 turbodiesel produces hefty outputs for its size, especially its impressive 440Nm of torque from 1750–2750rpm. The same engine is also used in the Santa Fe’s twin under the skin, the Kia Sorento. Its numbers are superior to any Japanese rival, including Toyota’s new 2.8-litre turbodiesel in the LandCruiser, Prado and Fortuner. The Hyundai pulls easily…

It’s 16 years since Jaguar last took on the Audi A4/BMW 3 Series/Mercedes C-Class with the exceptionally forgettable Ford Mondeo-derived X-Type. The contrast in approach is stark: X-type short-cut its way to market with borrowed underpinnings from the Ford Mondeo; the XE is constructed in the same manner as more expensive Jags and shares parts with the F-type sportster. In fact, its front wishbone suspension comes straight from the F-type while the rear is a complex integral link set-up that delivers better road contact than its rivals, says Jaguar. It all sits on a stiff, lightweight chassis that’s mainly aluminium, like the flagship XJ. Prices are comparable with the Germans. Start money is $60,400 for the 147kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol 20t in Prestige trim; R Sport grade kicks off at $64,119;…

Jaguar’s new F-Pace is the first-ever SUV to wear the leaping cat badge. Its mostly aluminium body draws on the basic elements of Jaguar’s XE and XF sedans. Size-wise, the F-Pace is something of an inbetweenie. It’s larger than a BMW X3, for example, but not as big as an X5. It’s certainly spacious enough to be a very useful family wagon. The 650-litre cargo compartment is a whopper and the rear seat, which features a three-piece folding backrest, is roomy. Considering its size and equipment, F-Pace prices aren’t outrageous. They begin at $75,860 for the 2.0-litre turbodiesel four in Prestige grade. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel range opens at $86,325 for the Prestige. The sole petrol engine for now is a supercharged 3.0-litre V6. It’s priced from $85,605 for the…

Kia’s baby Picanto has been available in Europe for five years and Kia has brought it to Australia to get the name established prior to the arrival of a new model later in 2017. There’s only one variant, priced at $14,990 drive-away. This includes a four-speed automatic transmission; an auto is usually an option on other tiddlers. Powered by a 1.25-litre fourcylinder petrol engine, the Picanto ain’t quick but it gets along fine in the city and doesn’t have to be thrashed to keep up with the traffic. The engine is smoother and quieter than most rivals and a happy match with the auto. The seven-years/unlimited kilometres warranty — the best in the business — says that Picanto is a solid, well-built little car, and it is. Handling is fine,…

Kia’s Sorento is comparable in size with Toyota’s Kluger and the Nissan Pathfinder, with vast interior space for seven. Petrol-powered models are front-wheel drive. The range opens with the 199kW 3.3-litre V6/six-speed automatic Si at $40,990; SLi petrol is $45,990. Sorento’s 147kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel is a superb engine, as strong, frugal and refined as any German equivalent. It’s also matched with a sixspeed automatic. The all-wheel drivetrain includes a lockable centre differential. Prices start at $44,490 for the Si, tested here. SLi is $49,490 and Platinum, with a suite of driver aids including lane departure warning, radar cruise control and blind spot detection, is priced at $56,590. Top of the range GT Line, at $58,490, adds automatic emergency braking and a bunch of bling. Sorento’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel is so refined…

The Lexus ES starts at $63,750 for the petrol/electric hybrid ES 300h Luxury. The ES350 V6 petrol is $64,700. Sports Luxury versions of both, with extra gear, cost $71,910 and $72,650 respectively. Looking every inch a contemporary Lexus, the exquisitely made cabin is swathed in lush materials. It is the sheer expanse of rear-seat space — with one metre of legroom — that sets the Lexus apart. Aimed at luring premium Euro buyers who don’t like or want a diesel, the 300h runs Toyota’s 118kW/213Nm 2.5-litre fourcylinder petrol unit, as used in the Camry Hybrid, combined with a 105kW/270Nm electric motor and a 244.8-volt nickel-metal hydride battery. Silent at first thanks to electric-only power, the fourpot petrol steps in seamlessly as speeds rise, but the revs flare up incongruously if…

The NX is Lexus’ smallest SUV yet and, like many modern SUVs, it targets urban buyers. Entry models are front-wheel drive rather than all-wheel drive because, according to research, many buyers really don’t know or care which wheels put the power to the road. NX’s aggressive, exaggerated proportions suggest an attempt to appeal to younger buyers — and there are pleasing details in its lights and garnish — but the result seems too tall for its width and too big for its wheels. In official sales charts, NX sits in the compact SUV category alongside the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes GLA. However, at 4.6m long, it’s actually a whole size larger and a more realistic rival for the Audi Q5, BMW X3/X4, Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes GLC and the…

This is the third generation of Mazda’s massively popular 2, targeted at first-time new car buyers as well as “empty nesters” looking for a quality sub-compact five-door. The Mazda2 hatch is offered with a choice of two 1.5-litre/ four-cylinder naturally aspirated, direct-injection petrol engines across four spec levels: Neo, Maxx, Genki and GT. Pricing starts at a superaggressive $14,990 for the Neo manual. Maxx is $17,690, Genki is $20,690 and GT is $21,680. A sixspeed auto adds $2000. Neo, Maxx and GT are also available as a sedan, at the same prices and specification. All models are well equipped. Neo gets low speed (from speeds up to 30km/h) automatic emergency braking, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors, but no reversing camera. From Maxx grade up, auto emergency braking in reverse is…

Mazda’s mid-size 6 is available as a sedan and wagon. Prices start at $32,490 for the 138kW 2.5-litre fourcylinder petrol/six-speed automatic Sport sedan. The Touring is $37,290, the GT is $42,690 and the top-of-therange Atenza is $45,390. Wagon versions add $1300. Mazda’s 129kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, also with a six-speed auto, adds an extra $2850 to Touring, GT and Atenza sedan and wagon. The 2.5-litre petrol is the pick of the engines. Whereas most naturally aspirated petrol fours, including Mazda’s 2.0-litre, just don’t have the bottom-end and midrange performance of their turbocharged rivals, the 2.5 is sufficiently strong and responsive across the rev range to work nicely in town or on the highway, aided by the Mazda’s relatively light weight, wellchosen gearing in the automatic and switchable drivetrain modes. It’s…

Evolution is the name of the game for Australia’s most popular SUV. Starting from $28,690, the front-wheel drive Mazda CX-5 Maxx has the best safety specification of any base model in this class, with autonomous emergency braking front and rear as standard, plus rear crosstraffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, LED headlights, reversing camera and rear-parking sensors. Some luxury SUVs at twice the price don’t have this much safety technology. Maxx Sport from $34,390 is also front-wheel drive. Touring specification, from $38,990, offers an all-wheel drivetrain, as does GT, from $44,390, which puts you into luxury equipment territory with a powered tailgate, sunroof, 19-inch alloys, adaptive front headlights (that “see” through corners), heated and powered front seats with driver’s-side memory, leather, a Bose audio upgrade and a head-up display. Finally, the flagship…