Innholdsfortegnelse for No. 48 i Australian New Car Buyer

In this issue of Australian New Car Buyer, we say goodbye to the mighty Ford Falcon. Along with the Falconute and the Territory, the Falcon ceased production in October when Ford Australia closed its Geelong and Broadmeadows plants in Victoria, ending 91 years of car making in this country. Holden has also ceased production of the Cruze small car in Elizabeth, SA. Future versions will be imported, probably from South Korea. Holden and Toyota will shut up shop at the end of 2017 and become import-only operations. Holden’s next Commodore, due in early 2018, will be sourced from GM’s German subsidiary Opel. It will use 2.0-litre four cylinder turbopetrol and turbodiesel engines with front-wheel drive, and a 230kW V6 petrol flagship with a nine-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. There will…

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. When you’re selling your car privately, trading it in or buying a car, a Redbook Valuation is money well spent. When selling your car privately, a Redbook personalised valuation will help you get a clearer understanding of what your…

Audi’s A6 sedan and wagon are serious, albeit struggling, rivals to the BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF and the Mercedes-Benz E Class. 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…

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. This Q7 is only slightly shorter and a fraction narrower, but Audi’s engineers have 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…

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 frontwheel 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…

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 $89,615 for the sixspeed manual “M2 Pure” edition and $98,615 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 $10,000 premium also buys electrically adjustable heated seats, a sensor key, richer…

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…

The price of BMW’s F10 M5 was effectively discounted by almost $45,000 in mid-2015 with the arrival of the Pure version, which sits alongside the full fruit model at $230,615. The Pure gets “only” 412kW, just 11kW less than the more expensive model. Whichever you choose, there is no distinction whatsoever between earth-shaking torque and atomic power in the BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. You get shedloads of both. Two M buttons on the wheel let you dial one set of “make it go” data into suburbia mode and the other to your secret I’m-goingfor- a-drive-by-myself setting. All the adjustable stuff is there — engine mapping, transmission, dampers, variable ratio steering (still old-world hydraulic) and the very clever Active M rear diff lock — and it works as a coherent…

BMW’s X3, introduced in early 2011, is now much closer in size to the X5 and unless you need seven seats, it’s a greatvalue alternative. The X3 lineup opens with the xDrive 20i, priced at a very attractive $62,200. It runs BMW’s 2.0-litre direct-injection turbopetrol four-cylinder with a standard eight-speed automatic. The engine produces 135kW of power, 270Nm of torque and averages 7.5L/100km. The xDrive20d is priced at $65,800. As is often the case with BMW, it’s this model that looks like the pick of the range. It runs a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 140kW and 400Nm. Average fuel consumption is just 5.4L/100km and it will reach the 100km/h mark in a claimed time of 8.1 seconds. The xDrive30d, at $79,100, runs the 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel with 190kW and 560Nm. It’s…

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 five-speed 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…

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.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 a massive 40kW more than the 92TSi Golf and 22kW more than the…

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 $66,490. 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; six-piston 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 $21,990 for the 110kW 1.4-litre turbo R six-speed manual. A six-speed auto adds $2200 to all variants. The 147kW 1.6-litre turbo RS manual is $26,490 and the RS-V manual is $30,990. 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 SV6 3.6-litre V6/six-speed manual sedan is $37,290 and the six-speed auto SV6 is $39,490. The Calais, with the same 3.6-litre V6/six-speed auto drivetrain as SV6, is priced at $41,290. Calais V is $47,990 and the Calais V 6.2-litre V8/six-speed automatic is $55,990. 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…

Kicking off from $14,990 for the VTi, the latest GKseries 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.…

Honda’s Odyssey is priced from a sharp $37,610 for the base VTi. The more generously equipped but mechanically identical VTi-L is $46,040. 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 wheels-at-each-corner stance. The result is outstanding interior space, with high-set, eightperson 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, childrestraint tether straps for…

Holden’s performance car division has emptied out its big guns and ramped its prices in the lead-up to the end of Commodore production in late 2017. Until the Holden Commodore VFII update, the 6.2-litre supercharged “LSA” V8 was reserved for the flagship Holden Special Vehicles GTS, having originally been developed for top-end versions of the Chevrolet Camaro and Cadillac in the US. Now power really is coming to the people, with the supercharged V8 fitted right across the HSV lineup. Talk about going out with a bang. Compared with the 430kW and 740Nm outputs for the GTS (which remain unchanged for the GEN-F2 update), the Clubsport LSA and Maloo LSA are tuned to deliver 400kW and 671Nm. Contrary to popular belief, HSV didn’t “put a brick under the accelerator” —…

Would you pay $60,000 for the base-model Hyundai Genesis? How about $71,000 with the Sensory Pack? Or (cue deep intake of breath …) $82,000 for the bells-and-whistles Ultimate? Sure, the Genesis is beautifully built and as luxurious and refined as an Audi A6, BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class — all of which can now be had from around $80,000 — but although its chiselled profile could easily (and intentionally) be mistaken for a BMW 5 Series, it isn’t one of those. As a drive, the Genesis is $60,000 worth. No question. Its feisty, responsive, 3.8-litre direct-injection V6 is one of the best engines around and a welcome change from the tepid turbo fours you get in the Euros at these prices. It runs on 91 octane but chews through…

The Hyundai Santa Fe Series II features seven seats in all models. The lineup opens with the front-wheel-drive 138kW 2.4-litre direct-injection four-cylinder petrol/six-speed manual Active at $39,350. The six-speed auto is $41,850. The 147kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel/six-speed manual 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 from low revs, is exceptionally smooth and strong in the midrange and pulls hard across…

Infiniti’s Q50 range opens with the Daimler-sourced 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol/seven-speed automatic/rear-wheel-drive 2.0t GT at $51,900. The S is $56,900 and the S Premium is $61,500. Also from Daimler, the 125kW/400Nm 2.1-litre fourcylinder turbodiesel/seven-speed auto/rear-wheel-drive 2.2d GT is priced at $52,900, while the 2.2d S is $57,900 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 $68,900 for the rear-wheel-drive S and $74,400 for the all-wheel-drive S Premium. Both run a sevenspeed dual-clutch 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…

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…

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 a significantly bigger wagon than its predecessor, comparable 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 $55,990. Sorento’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel has been improved to the point where you actually can’t pick it as a diesel because it…

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 $58,650, $66,530 and $77,750 respectively. The 233kW 3.6-litre V6 IS 350 is available in the same grades, priced at $64,700, $72,650 and $83,870. Hybrid power is also available as an alternative to diesel with the IS300h, priced at $61,200 for the Luxury, $69,360 for F Sport and $80,540 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…

If we leave fleets and tradies out of the picture and look only at private customers who pay for their cars with cold, hard, non-tax-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 start…

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 Aston Martin DB11, Audi Q2, Maserati Levante and Porsche Panamera. PHIL KING Phil King is Motoring Editor…

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 may be the least costly car ever to wear the RS badge of Audi’s quattro GmbH performance division, but its $78,900 sticker is around $4000 more than the 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 now beats the…

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 185kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol TFSi at $113,116. The 160kW 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel TDi is $115,855 and the 235kW 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbodiesel Biturbo 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…

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 $81,510. 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…

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) l…

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…

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 420d, with a 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel four, is $71,200. The mid-range 430i, at $79,855, delivers 185kW/ 350Nm from its 2.0-litre turbopetrol four. The rangetopping 440i runs the familiar 240kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbo straight six, priced at $99,855. The 4 Series convertible range opens with the 420i at $85,855. The 420d is $88,155. The 430i is $96,855 and the 440i is $117,655. The 4 Series Gran Coupe, with a four-door body, opens with the 420i at $68,900. The 420d is $71,200. The 430i is $79,855 and the 440i is $99,855. The 4 Series range, with an eight-speed automatic as standard,…

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 rearwheel- drive X5 sDrive25d 160kW four-cylinder turbodiesel, which costs $86,200. The all-wheel-drive xDrive25d is priced at $91,200. The 190kW 3.0-litre xDrive30d turbodiesel costs $102,900, the 225kW 35i turbopetrol is $109,900, the 230kW twin turbodiesel 40d Sport is $118,900 and the 330kW 4.4-litre twin turbopetrol V8 50i is $135,900. The xDrive M50d, with a 280kW 3.0-litre triple turbodiesel, is priced at $149,900. Top gun in petrol is the X5 M, with the 4.4 tuned for 423kW and 750Nm. It’s priced at $185,510. The xDrive40e petrol/electric hybrid is priced at $118,900. It runs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol/83kW electric motor/9kWh lithium ion battery and can travel…

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 $469,888, 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 a dead-set bargain at $25,990. 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 unresponsive…

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 just 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/frontwheel- 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 six-speed automatic, at $32,990. Trend specification opens with the 110kW 1.5-litre/six-speed auto/front-wheel-drive variant at $32,990. A 178kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol/six-speed auto/allwheel drive is $35,990, and a 132kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel/sixspeed 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. It’s certainly something different. The fuel-efficient 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine, in both 110kW and 134kW tunes,…

The South Korean-built Captiva’s success is based on the fact that it’s a good-value family SUV, especially the seven-seaters. Regularly advertised drive-away offers further strengthen its appeal. The five-seater Captiva 5 LT 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. LT-Z auto is $31,690. The Captiva 5 also offers a 2.2-litre turbodiesel option with 135kW and 400Nm, only with the automatic all-wheel drivetrain, priced at $32,690 for LT and $35,690 for LT-Z. Both of these engines, plus the 3.0-litre direct-injection petrol V6 as used in the Commodore, are also offered in the sevenseater Captiva 7. The base Captiva 7 LS is frontwheel drive with either the 2.4-litre petrol…

Holden’s VFII Commodore SS 6.2-litre V8/six-speed manual sedan costs $44,990. The six-speed auto SS is priced at $47,190. New for the last hurrah VFII is the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 previously reserved for HSV, a bi-model exhaust and engine noise piping into the cabin, passive entry and starting, a facelift, bonnet vents, new-look 18-inch alloys and LED tail lights on the Sportwagon. The SS-V is priced at $48,490 (man) and $50,690 (auto.) It picks up a colour head-up display and new 19-inch alloys. SS-V Redline, at $54,490/ $56,690, adds four-piston rear Brembo brakes. All automatic variants are also available as the Sportwagon, 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…

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 it a fresh lease on life. The HR-V is unexpectedly perky off the line and will…

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 Gen-F2 GTS sedan could, and probably should, ink the history books as Australia’s greatest performance car, period. The outrageous 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. These outputs are comparable with other world supersports sedan benchmarks such as the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S and Porsche Panamera Turbo GT, which command up to $400,000. The HSV GTS, however, costs just $95,990 in six-speed manual form. The six-speed auto variant is $98,490. The GTS is underpinned with solid Holden VFII Commodore DNA, treated to the most comprehensive powertrain, handling and braking enhancement program of any Australian muscle car to date, and delivers impressive realworld numbers — numbers that…

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 fourpot turbopetrol engine, with much stronger acceleration combined with more instantaneous rolling response. However, the lardy Hyundai with the extra huff still lacks enough puff when loaded…

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…

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…

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 $74,340 for the 2.0-litre turbodiesel four in Prestige grade. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel range opens at $84,590 for the Prestige. The sole petrol engine for now is a supercharged 3.0-litre V6. It’s priced from $84,030 for the…

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…

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…

MAZDA’S fourth-generation MX-5 kicks off at just $31,990 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 $2500. 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. Equipment levels remain healthy with the base model featuring 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…

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. It may look just like the previous model, but there’s a lot of brandnew technology in this car, too. When you begin to open the driver’s door, you will…

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…

A udi’s Q5 has been a Goldilocks family-freighter choice for many parents around the world and it leads the midsize premium SUV field. The 169kW 2.0 TFSi turbopetrol quattro Q5 is $63,966. The 140kW 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel quattro is $63,600. This is an updated, emissionscompliant version of the EA189 cheater engine fitted to earlier Q5s and withdrawn from sale. The 200kW 3.0 V6 TFSi twinsupercharged petrol quattro is $76,816 and the 190kW 3.0 V6 TDi turbodiesel quattro is $78,555. The SQ5, with a 240kW 3.0-litre V6 twin turbopetrol, is $92,955. The SQ5 Plus, with a 250kW chip, is $108,855. It’s got more stomp than a herd of elephants but the 2.0-litre petrol engine delivers willing and pretty rapid performance, too. The 3.0 V6 TDi is a mighty thing with an…

Welcome to the future of sustainable urban motoring as BMW envisions it. The i3 is the Bavarian brand’s first electric vehicle. Shorter than a Mazda2, it is offered in two distinct versions dubbed BEV (code for Battery Electric Vehicle). It is priced from $63,900 for the 60 Amp hour battery model, and $69,900 for the REX (code for Range Extender). The 94 Amp hour battery model is $65,900, or $71,900 in REX specification. The BMW is no run-of-themill design. Recycled materials abound, from the exposed plantfibre extract interior lining and eucalyptus wood dash and door trim, to lightweight seats that accommodate four adults in space and comfort. All controls operate with familiar intuitiveness. Bouquets are also earned for the near- SUV lofty seating, panoramic windscreen, beautifully sculpted steering wheel and…

BMW purists may need to look away now. The 2 Series Active Tourer is the company’s first BMW-branded front-wheel-drive model and is completely unrelated to the rorty coupe/convertible models also using the same 2 Series designation. Created to take on the popular Mercedes-Benz B-Class (along with an armada of versatile, compact people movers popular in Europe), the 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 four-cylinder 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…

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 limitedslip differential splits drive between the rear wheels.The resulting grip…

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 $139,615. 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…

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 $49,500. The sDrive20i is $51,600, the xDrive20d is $56,500 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…

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 into…

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 $25,790). 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 $37,290 and Titanium is priced at $44,290. 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 $42,340 and Titanium is $49,340. 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 five-speed manual is $23,990 and the six-speed auto LS is $26,190. Active specification adds $1000 to the price tag. Trax LS and Active are powered by GM’s 1.8-litre fourcylinder petrol engine, which also does service in the Cruze. It’s an ageing slugger but in this application it’s pretty good, offering reasonable mid-range pulling power (assisted by quite short gearing), good fuel economy on regular unleaded and greater refinement than expected. The six-speed automatic does the job smoothly enough, with a wider ratio spread for more economical top-gear…

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 extremely strong resale values already. 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 six-speed manual is $33,990. The 6.2-litre V8 SS is $41,490, SS-V is $44,990 and SS-V Redline is $50,990. The auto adds $2200. VFII ute gets all of the VFII Commodore sedan improvements detailed on previous pages and its equipment levels are comparable with the equivalent Commodore sedan and Sportwagon. Like its manual…

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 top-spec VTi-LX. Civic 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 rearseat legroom and reasonable headroom despite the raked, coupe-style roofline. The wide, deep boot can be extended with 60/40 split rear seat backs. Materials, fit and finish…

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 Tucson mid-size SUV range opens with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol/ six-speed manual front-wheeldrive Active at $28,590. With a six-speed auto, it’s $31,090. Elite is $35,990. The 2.0-litre direct-injection engine, with 121kW/203Nm and the same transmission choices, is fitted to Tucson ActiveX, priced at $31,150 and $33,650, as tested here. All-wheel-drive variants kick off with the 130kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbopetrol/seven-speed dual-clutch-automated manual Elite at $39,750. In top-of-therange 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 $41,750 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 with Apple CarPlay connectivity and Google Android Auto. Strangely, neither is available on Elite and Highlander…

This is the most competitive class in the market today, with some outstanding cars being offered at super-sharp prices. The Hyundai i30 five-door hatchback range opens with the 107kW 1.8-litre petrol/six-speed manual Active at $21,450; a sixspeed auto adds $2300. Active X, with 16-inch alloys, leather-faced seats and extra bling, is $22,590. The SR model, with a 124kW 2.0-litre petrol engine, is $25,990 with a six-speed manual or $28,290 with a six-speed automatic. SR Premium, with the same drivetrain and extra equipment, is $30,590. The 100kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel/six-speed manual Active is $24,050, while the sevenspeed dual clutch transmission adds $2300. ActiveX specification is $25,190 and the top-of-the-range Premium is $35,190. The 1.8-litre petrol four lacks torque and is gutless below 4000rpm or so. Around town, it’s not a major issue…

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…

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…

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 $33,990. 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, $38,990 for the SLi and $45,990 for the Platinum, while a 2.4-litre petrol (with 135kW and 237Nm) all-wheel drivetrain is available only in the top-end Platinum at $43,490. A six-speed auto is standard. The attraction of the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is impossible to dismiss. It is relatively quiet…

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 leg room — 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…

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 FPace, 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 is offered with a choice of two 1.5-litre/fourcylinder naturally aspirated, direct-injection petrol engines across three spec levels: Neo, Maxx and Genki. Pricing starts at a superaggressive $14,990 for the Neo manual. Maxx manual is $17,690 and Genki manual is $20,690. A six-speed auto adds $2000. Neo and Maxx are also available as a sedan, at the same prices and specification. All models are well equipped. Neo gets cruise, Bluetooth and rear parking sensors, but no reversing camera. Maxx and Genki pick up the 3’s MZD Connect connectivity system incorporating web access (via your device), Bluetooth and Internet radio, with a…