Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 61 i Australian New Car Buyer

In our tests on the following pages and in the Showroom, we have used symbols to give you a quick indication of the strengths of each car, and star ratings to indicate in more detail how each car stacks up in its class. Here’s what the symbols and stars mean: Our piggybank indicates a car that we think represents good value for money against the others in its class. It may not necessarily be the cheapest, but taking into account factors like standard equipment, safety, the way it drives, resale values and quality, it shapes up as a good deal. A capital S indicates a car that scores five stars out of five for occupant protection in ANCAP crash tests and has stability control plus six airbags as standard or…

Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio now kicks off at a hefty $82,950 in Veloce specification, following the deletion of the $69,950 Sport in 2022. That’s a shame, but at least the Veloce gets the performance chipped version of the 2.0-litre turbopetrol, with 206kW/400Nm. It’s matched to an eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive. The headline-stealing act in the Stelvio lineup remains the thumping 2.9-litre bi-turbo petrol V6 that lives exclusively in the performance-focused Quadrifoglio (or Q for short) model. It’s priced at $160,700. The same engine that powers the brand’s fire-breathing Giulia QV, the V6 churns out 375kW and a whopping 600Nm — enough to see 100km/h whip by the windows in just 3.8 seconds. We’re testing the Veloce. It overdelivers on performance and luxe at this price compared with German rivals. Claimed…

Audi’s A4 sedan range opens with the front-wheel-drive 35TFSi S-Line ($66,300) running a 110kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol/seven-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic drivetrain. The variant that has usually been the pick of the A4s to drive, is the 183kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol 45TFSi quattro, at $75,700 for the sedan and $78,200 for the Avant wagon. The 45TFSi quattro allroad, a faux SUV that’s basically a jacked up Avant with more clearance, is $79,700 and the 40TDi quattro allroad, with a 140kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel, is $78,000. The S4 quattro sedan, with a 260kW 3.0-litre turbopetrol, is $106,200; the Avant is $108,700. The RS4 Avant, with a 331kW/600Nm 2.9-litre twin turbo V6/eight speed auto and a claimed 0-100km/h time of just 4.1 seconds, is priced at $157,600. This A4 may look just like the previous model, but…

Audi’s five seater Q8 is based on the seven-seater Q7, but with a sleeker, sharper profile, a coupe roofline, a few dimensional adjustments and whopper 21 inch alloy wheels to give it a sportier stance. The Q8 55TFSi quattro, priced at $135,100, runs a 3.0-litre V6 turbopetrol engine with 250kW of power and 500Nm of torque, matched with an eight-speed automatic and all wheel drive. It’s a mild hybrid, with 48-volt electrics, a lithium ion battery and a starter motor that can also give the engine a high voltage boost of up to 6kW of power and 60Nm of torque, for five seconds, when you plant the accelerator. The engine is also switched off and decoupled from the transmission in “coasting” mode, on a light throttle between 55-160km/h, yielding fuel…

BMW’s 2011-2019 One Series was the last rear wheel drive hatchback on the market. The latest 118i, tested here, uses the same body architecture and front wheel drivetrain as the five door Mini (a brand owned by BMW) and the X1/X2 small SUVs. It’s priced at $53,900. That’s big money for a 1.5-litre hatchback with a mere 103kW of power. A Toyota Corolla, with 125kW up front, can be had for less than $30,000. The Mini Cooper five door – same car, different box, remember – costs $40,180. The 128ti, also front-wheel drive, with a 180kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol, is $61,900. The M135i xDrive, at $75,300, runs a 225kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol, matched with an all-wheel drivetrain. Climb into the 118i and your money appears well spent. There’s no whiff of poverty…

The X1 is the most affordable SUV from BMW. Now in its third generation, it’s priced from $53,900 plus on-road costs for the sDrive 18i that gets a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol engine driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. There is also a $65,900 X1 xDrive 20i, which gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol/all-wheel drivetrain. An electric version, badged iX1, is also available. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone air, powered tailgate, head-up display, wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto presented on a 10.7-inch curved central display that flows into a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Driver assist technology includes adaptive cruise, blind spot warning, door exit warning and lane departure warning. You can spend plenty more than the base price if you choose…

BMW’s fourth generation X5 range opens with the xDrive 30d, the top selling variant with a 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre straight six turbodiesel, priced at $126,900. The xDrive 40i, with a 250kW/450Nm turbopetrol six, is $130,900, the xDrive 45e hybrid is $139,900 and the M50i, with a 390kW/750Nm twin turbopetrol 4.4-litre V8 is $164,900, or $149,900 in Pure specification, with the same drivetain but less bling. This X5 expanded in all directions, notably in width and wheelbase. It’s still a five seater as standard, with a third row option. Serious effort has gone into upgrading infotainment and connectivity on this model, in response to sophisticated new interfaces from Audi and Mercedes. Live Cockpit Professional, as BMW calls it, includes digital instruments, the seventh iteration of iDrive, a built-in SIM card that accesses…

The badge resembles an alien and some of the styling appears to be inspired by Lamborghini. Meet Cupra, the performance offshoot of Volkswagen-owned Spanish brand Seat. Like another VW-owned brand, Skoda, the Cupra range is underpinned by VW platforms and mechanicals, including drivetrains. However Cupra is pitched as a much sportier brand than the relatively prosaic Skoda. You just have to look at the different styling to work that out. In many ways it’s a case of same chocolates, but in very different boxes. You’ll also find a lot of VW bits under the bonnet of an Audi, but that’s something VW – and certainly Audi – don’t advertise. Formentor is a mid-size SUV that, like VW’s Tiguan, uses Golf underpinnings. Formentor V, with a 140kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol/seven-speed dual clutch…

Genesis is Hyundai’s luxury brand, created in the same way, and for the same reasons, that Lexus was spawned in the early 1990s as Toyota’s upper class moneymaker. Straight from the Lexus textbook, Genesis is aiming to get its new GV70 mid-size SUV on buyers’ radar with prices that undercut German rivals such as Audi’s Q5 and BMW’s X3 by thousands of dollars and include more generous luxe and tech, plus sweeteners such as five years servicing, valet pickup/delivery and a loan car. You also get more go for less money than anything else in the class. The GV70 lineup opens at $68,500 plus on road costs for the G2.5T, tested here, with a 224kW/422Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol that’s good for 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.1 seconds. BMW’s base X3,…

Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 is the latest addition to the brand’s EV portfolio. Sharing its electrical architecture with the Ioniq 5 SUV, Ioniq 6 has more of a traditional sedan layout with a boot, albeit one with a futuristic vibe. Think of it as Hyundai’s answer to the popular Tesla Model 3. Its slippery shape makes for a distinctive design, one that occasionally prioritises aerodynamic efficiency over practicalities. Prices start at $74,000 plus on-road costs for the Dynamiq, which gets a single electric motor that produces 168kW/350Nm, driving the rear wheels and a claimed range of 614km. It gets heated and powered front seats, Bose audio, head-up display, wireless phone charging, matrix LED headlights, smart key, dual 12.3-inch screens and a comprehensive suite of active safety systems. It’s also the first…

The i30N received a significant update in mid 2021, designed to sharpen its performance credentials and, at the same time, make it more appealing to a wider audience. An eight-speed dual clutch automatic option is now offered in the base model, at $49,200, alongside the six-speed manual, which costs $46,200. Premium manual is $49,200, or $53,700 with DCT. Premium sedan is $50,200 with either the manual or DCT transmissions. The 2.0-litre turbo now produces 206kW of power and 392Nm of torque, increases of 4kW and 39Nm, in large part thanks to a bigger turbo. It has lost a little bottom end grunt, with peak torque now kicking in at 2100rpm rather than the previous model’s 1400rpm, but the delivery remains broad and very strong, with serious top end kick from…

Hyundai’s Santa Fe range opens with the 200kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol/eight-speed automatic/front-wheel-drive Wagon, at $46,050. Active is $50,250, Elite is $56,500 and Highlander is $63,050. The 148kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic/all-wheel drive Wagon, tested here, is $49,550. Active is $53,750, Elite is $60,000 and Highlander is $66,550. Santa Fe Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre turbopetrol/44.2kW electric motor all-wheel drivetrain, is priced at $63,000 for the seven-seater Elite and $69,550 in six or seven seater Highlander specification. The 2.2-litre engine is one of the best four-cylinder turbodiesels in the business, matching (or beating) the best German engines in performance, refinement and fuel efficiency. Eco, Comfort, Sport and Smart (adaptive) drivetrain modes can be selected, and auto stop/start is fitted. The eight-speed dual clutch automatic is a seamless fit with the engine, and shifts…

Seven years ago Jaguar decided it needed a competitor in the premium compact SUV segment, where models including the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque were boosting their brands’ sales. Getting the E-Pace to market as quickly as possible was a priority for the latecomer, according to vehicle line director, Alan Volkaerts. For this reason, it uses technology already developed for other models in the Jaguar Land Rover portfolio. D8 won’t mean anything to potential customers, but inside JLR it’s the codename for the set of building blocks used to make both the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport. The E-Pace is built on the same foundations. Jaguar was able to create an SUV that’s a little larger than Evoque but substantially smaller than the Discovery…

Although they look slightly different, as far as the hardware you can’t see is concerned, including the EV drivetrains, Kia’s EV6 is the same car as Hyundai’s Ioniq5. Kia prices start at $72,590 for the 168 kW single motor/rear Kia claims a range of up to 528km; with the identical drivetrain, Hyundai claims 507km for the Ioniq 5 Dynamiq. In the GT-Line dual electric motor/all-wheel drive model tested here, most numbers are the same as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 Techniq and Epiq. Both produce 239kW of power and 605Nm of torque and claim a pretty rapid 5.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint. EV6 also has a the same capacity battery (77.4kWh) but a claimed maximum range of 484km vs the Hyundai’s 454km. The Kia, at $87,590, is significantly pricier than…

Kia’s Cerato hatch range opens with the 112kW/192Nm 2.0-litre petrol S, with a six-speed auto, priced at $26,290. Sport is $28,390 and Sport+ is $31,440. The 150kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbo/seven-speed dual clutch automatic GT i $36,090. Cerato sedan is available in the same models grades at the same prices. 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. Kia’s suspension is tailored for our rough roads, so it’s pretty firm. The Cerato is a classy, comfortable piece inside, albeit rather dark and understated in its attempt to mimic a Euro. Autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist and parking sensors are standard. Blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert and other safety tech is a $1000 option on S…

Kia’s fourth generation Sorento seven-seater SUV kicks off at $47,650 for the 200kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol/eight-speed automatic/front wheel drive S model. Sport is $50,270, Sport Plus is $54,850 and GT Line is $62,070. A 148kW 2.2-litre four cylinder turbodiesel is paired with a dual clutch eight-speed transmission and all-wheel drive in the same model grades: S, at $50,650; Sport at $53,270; Sport Plus at $57,850 (tested here) and GT Line at $65,070. Sorento hybrid, with a 1.6-litre turbopetrol four/44kW electric motor drivetrain, starts at $66,750 for the GT Line frontwheel drive. AWD is $69,750. A plug-in hybrid AWD variant tops the range at $81,080. The 2.2 turbodiesel goes nicely, with big grunt off idle and through the midrange that makes for completely effortless progress in the higher gears, even when…

The second generation Lexus NX makes several steps forward in terms of a more user-friendly infotainment system and advanced safety aids across the range. Build quality inside and out – as well as the overall presentation of the vehicle – remain first-class. There’s also more room in the cabin and cargo hold than before, plus a greater choice of drivetrain options – including a plug-in hybrid. Under the skin it shares architecture and mechanicals with the Toyota RAV4, though a couple of variants are bespoke. NX prices start from $61,900 for the base NX250 Luxury and rise to $90,923 for the NX450+ F Sport hybrid AWD The NX250 front-wheel drive is powered by a non-turbo 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (with 152kW of power and 243Nm of torque), NX350 AWD uses a…

MAZDA’S fourth-generation MX-5 was updated in late 2021 with anti-roll suspension technology--that it didn’t really need--and the deletion of the base 1.5-litre models. That’s a shame because although the 1.5 was obviously not the most powerful engine in the world, it worked beautifully in the lightweight Mazda. Still, the all-2.0-litre 2023 lineup starts at a very reasonable $38,460 for the manual Roadster. A six-speed auto adds $2000. The 2.0-litre GT manual is $45,090; the auto is $47,090. GT RS manual is $48,090. Stowing the lightweight roof opens up an endless sky that no sunroof can match. With the side windows up, heater on and the standard rear deflector in place, alfresco cruising is possible even on a cold night. At speed, conversation requires no raised voices, while lifting and securing…

Mazda’s mid-size 6 is available as a sedan and wagon. Prices start at $35,540 for the 140kW/250Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol/six-speed automatic Sport sedan. The Touring is $40,210. GT SP, with a 170kW/420Nm 2.5-litre engine, is $48,440 and the top-of-the-range Atenza is $51,840. Wagon versions add $1300. Whereas most naturally aspirated petrol fours just don’t have the bottom-end and midrange performance of their turbocharged rivals, Mazda’s 2.5 is sufficiently strong and responsive across the rev range to work well in town or on the highway and returns great fuel economy. The 6 is a pretty big unit, though, so the 2.5-litre turbo’s 170kW of power – and a hefty 420Nm of torque--are close to Goldilocks numbers for its layout and purpose. A broad, muscular delivery, accompanied by a lovely growly note…

Mazda’s CX30 shares architecture, front wheel drivetrains and dash layouts with the 3 sedan and hatch, so you could accurately describe it as a Mazda3 wagon. Prices start at $30,210 for the G20 Pure, with a 114kW 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol four/six-speed manual. The six-speed automatic is $31,210; it’s standard in Evolve, at $32,910, Touring at $36,810 and Astina, tested here, at $41,810. G25 variants, with a 139kW 2.5-litre engine, start at $38,310 for the Touring; the Astina is $43,310. All-wheel drive adds $2000 to both G25 models. The X20 Astina all-wheel drive mild hybrid is priced at $48,310. It uses Mazda’s revolutionary new Skyactiv-X engine, the first petrol engine to employ both spark and diesel-style compression ignition. The G20E Evolve mild hybrid, with the conventional 2.0-litre Skyactive engine, is $36,660.…

McLaren’s 720S coupe range opens at $508,650. Luxury specification is $524,580, as is the Performance variant. The Spider is $566,650; Luxury and Performance are $582,580. The McLaren is a relatively practical mid-engined supercar. The luggage compartment between its front wheels has a capacity of 110L and there’s also space for stuff on the shelf behind its pair of seats. The slimmed-down A-pillars of its all-new carbon-fibre body structure mean the view ahead is good and its low-mounted engine clears the way for a reasonable look at what’s behind. Not that there’s likely to be anything to see back there if you drive the 720S on a wideopen throttle. According to McLaren, the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 in the 1.4-tonne 720S churns out 530kW (or 720hp, the number that gives the car…

Mercedes’ second generation CLA four door coupe, released in 2019, kicks off at $69,900 for the 120kW 1.3-litre turbo-petrol/seven-speed dual clutch automatic/front-wheel drive CLA200. The CLA250, with a 165kW 2.0-litre turbo and all-wheel drive, is $80,100. AMG variants open with the $98,600 CLA35, tested, here, powered by a 225kW 2.0-litre turbo, while the ferocious CLA45S, with the world’s most powerful series production four cylinder engine – a 310kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol – is $128,000. As with the previous model, the CLA sits on the A Class platform, however the second generation has a 30mm longer wheelbase, and the body has grown in width and length as well in the pursuit of greater interior space. Wider tracks at both ends improve stability at speed, while the adoption of multilink rear suspension also…

The shape of things to come from Mercedes-Benz has a familiar form. The German car maker’s first pure EV, the EQC 400 is, surprise, surprise, a family sized SUV, priced from $128,000. Mercedes hiked the price by $5000-plus for 2023. While SUVs are hugely popular, there are other reasons car makers favour an SUV-like shape for upmarket EVs. Their tall bodies accommodate a massive slab of underfloor batteries, while leaving space for a roomy passenger compartment above, and without looking weird. The EQC has a lithium-ion battery pack weighing 650kg. Protected by a strong impact-absorbing perimeter, it’s almost as wide as the vehicle and takes up most of the underfloor space between the front and rear axles. Each axle is driven by a 150kW electric motor via a fixed-ratio gear,…

It has an MG badge, so even though it’s a mid-sized SUV, it should be on the sporty side, right? Guess again. Now owned by Chinese-State giant SAIC Motor, the MG badge is just that--a badge. There’s no pukka Brit sports car DNA in the HS-not a shred-but MG’s current owners admit as much and believe the HS is worth your attention on its gear-for-the-money equation rather than its driving experience. And when it comes to that value story, well, the MG makes a pretty convicincing case. The range kicks off with the 119kW/250Nm 1.5-litre four cylinder turbopetrol/seven-speed dual clutch auto/front wheel drive Vibe at $31,990. Excite is $34,990 and Essence is $37,990. HS Plus Excite 1.5-litre plug-in hybrid, which has combined outputs of 189kW/370Nm and claims a range of…

Mini’s first production EV – a three door hatch in Cooper S specification – comes to Australia with an ambitious pricetag of $55,650 for the Classic. That’s about $10,000 more than the 2.0-litre turbo petrol Cooper S. The Mini Yours, with more gear, is $62,825. Mini Electric inherits drivetrain componentry from parent BMW’s EV, the i3. This includes the 135kW electric motor, which drives the front wheels rather than the rears as in the i3. The 32.6 kWh battery pack is good for a claimed 233km. Mini warrants the battery for eight years and claims a recharging time of 35 minutes (to 80 percent) from a 50kW public DC fast charger. Plugged into an 11kW wall-mounted charger in your garage ($2595, plus installation) it takes two and a half hours…

The Eclipse Cross slots into Mitsubishi’s SUV portfolio between the compact ASX and midsize Outlander. Powered by a 1.5-litre four cylinder turbopetrol/continuously variable transmission (CVT), the range opens with the front-wheel drive ES at $31,490. LS is $34,240, or $36,740 with all-wheel drive. Aspire front-wheel drive is $36,490. We’re testing the top-spec Exceed, at $40,490; it’s also available with all-wheel drive, at $42,990. A 2.4-litre plug-in hybrid, priced from $47,290 for the ES, is claimed to offer up to 55km of driving range running on the 13.8kW battery. It has an electric motor at each axle and a 2.4-litre petrol engine. Exceed specification covers most of what a family needs and wants in a wagon; it also adds bonus luxe, such as a double-sized sunroof, heated, leather-faced, power-adjustable front seats…

The second generation of the world’s best-selling electric car features sharper looks, stronger performance and, most important of all, increased driving range. Priced from $50,990, the base model Leaf has a 40kWh lithiumion battery pack beneath the floor of its cabin, an increase of 10kWh over the 2012 original. This is enough for a reliable real-world 200-plus km driving range. According to the WLTP energy-consumption test, the Nissan’s driving range is 270 km. Careful, efficiency-minded drivers should get close to this. The Leaf e+ has a 62kWh battery and a WLTP range of up to 385km. It’s priced at $61,490. Beneath the flip up cover in the Nissan’s nose are two plugs. One is for charging the battery using a 6.6kW AC wallbox in your garage, which costs around $1000.…

Many people are now asking themselves not if, but when, they should make the switch from petrol to electric power. There’s no single answer. If you live a capital city, in a house with a garage and solar on the roof, and you leave town infrequently, via the airport rather than the highway, then an EV is certainly a viable choice right now. Used EV values, as predicted by Redbook, are now stronger than a few years ago, as it becomes obvious that EVs are here to stay. So buying an EV is no longer the depreciation disaster it once was. However if you don’t have access to a home charger, and/or your driving often includes extended trips out of town, then Australia’s lack of public EV charging infrastructure 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. Typically, cars with the best retained values show 55%-60% after three years, and 40-something percent after five years. The cars nobody wants are worth that after three years, and 20-something percent after five. When you’re selling your car privately, trading it in…

The e-tron is Audi’s first EV and is priced from $147,400 for the 55 quattro wagon. As the name suggests, it drives all four wheels using two electric motors and a 95kWh battery. There’s also loads of gear, including smart key entry, powered tailgate, heated front seats, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 20-inch wheels. There are two infotainment screens – 10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower-catering to everything from the navigation and audio functions to ventilation. There’s also six years of servicing and charging across the Chargefox network. And, as with all Audis, there’s a vast assortment of options that can further drain your bank balance. Stay away from the “virtual mirrors” that replace glass with screens; they may be more aerodynamic but they’re frustrating to use. There’s also a tri-motor…

The RS5 sits at the top of Audi’s A5 coupe line-up. In typical Audi RS fashion, this car goes softly, but carries a very big stick. It features the 2.9-litre, twin turbo V6, developed with Porsche (where it’s also found in the Panamera and new Cayenne); VW’s rigid, lightweight MLB platform architecture; fivelink suspension with adaptive, adjustable dampers at both ends and an eight-speed automatic, mated to to Audi’s signature quattro all wheel drive system, with a mechanical centre differential, and active torque vectoring between the rear wheels. RS5 is available as a two door coupe and a five door Sportback, both priced at $160,600. Sliding into the luxurious, supportive, Nappa leather sports driver’s seat, you face Audi’s virtual cockpit, with configurable digital instruments, including specific RS displays for engine…

Audi Q5 prices kick off from $67,900 for the 120kW/370Nm, 2.0-litre turbodiesel, front-wheel drive 35 TDi. You’ll pay $75,500 for the 150kW/400Nm 2.0-litre 40 TDI diesel quattro and $75,800 for the 183kW/370Nm 2.0-litre 45 TFSI petrol quattro. Coupe-style Sportback versions of the 40 and 45 cost $83,400 and $92,000 respectively. The second generation Q5 features mild hybrid drivetrains, a significantly lighter yet stronger body than before, the adoption of sophisticated five-link independent suspension (with optional air springs for a smooth, supple ride) and enough driver-assist safety to make a Volvo engineer blush. Clean surfaces, obsessive quality, precision shutlines — all are expected Audi hallmarks, yet the Q5 ups the ante anyway with a spacious and airy cabin boasting designer textures, exquisite materials, cocooning silence and exceptional tactility. Thankfully there is…

BMW’s first built from the ground-up electric SUV, the iX, fits between the X5 and X6, so it’s a big unit. Despite its proportions, this is a five-seater only. Out of the box, the BMW has the driving range to challenge Tesla and the luxury to rival Porsche. The iX xDrive40, priced at $135,900, and Sport, priced at $141,900, have a 76.6kWh battery pack (with 71.0kWh of usable capacity), while iX xDrive50, priced at $174,900, has a 112kWh battery pack (with 105.2kWh of usable capacity). At the top of the lineup, the M60, with 455kW and 1100Nm, is priced at $222,900. It takes just 3.8 seconds to reach 100km/h and its 112kWh battery has a claimed range of up to 566km. According to official European standard tests, the iX xDrive40…

BMW 3 Series prices were recently hiked by $7000-$13,500 as part of a mid-life facelift. Start money is now $78,900 for the 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol 320i, with a standard eight-speed automatic. The 330i sedan is $93,400. The 330i Touring is $97,400. Up front is a 2.0-litre turbopetrol with 190kW and 400Nm, sufficient to launch the sedan’s lithe 1433kg to 100km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds. The 330e plug-in hybrid sedan, with a claimed electric-only range of up to 60km, is $97,400. The M340i xDrive, with BMW’s signature 3.0-litre turbo straight six tuned for 285kW/500Nm, plus all-wheel drive, is $104,900. The upgrades are minor and drivetrains are unchanged. There’s the latest version of BMW’s kidney grille as part of a nose job, an elegantly curved, widescreen all digital dash and overdue…

Chinese brand BYD’s compact Atto 3 SUV is priced from $48,011 before on-road costs, making it eligible for EV rebates in most parts of the country. It’s well equipped at that price, with smart key entry, digital instruments, 18-inch alloys, panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, adaptive cruise, ambient lighting and fake leather. The brand’s full name-Build Your Dreams-is spelled out across the electronically-operated tailgate, although we’re not sure if that’s an asset… There’s also near-field communication that will soon allow owners to use their smartphone as a key. It’s one of many tech touches that appear inspired by Tesla. BYD’s local website also looks like a cut-’n’-paste of Mr Musk’s. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were missing at the time of writing, so there’s no navigation on the 12.8-inch touchscreen.…

OK, before we get into the car, we have to deconstruct the brands. What is Cupra? It’s a subsidiary brand of SEAT, which itself is a Spanish brand owned by Volkswagen. Cupra was created in 2018 by the marketing department because it needed a fresh approach to attract Gen Ys and millennials, who don’t want to drive the same brands as their parents and grandparents. So Cupras, just like Skodas and the more affordable Audis, are basically bespoke-styled vehicles that roll on Volkswagen hardware, and software, underneath. Leon is a Golf with much sportier, more rakish lines, a lower stance, and a kind of cyborg design theme going on, especially in the brand logo. Leon’s closest VW siblings are Golf GTi and Golf R. It uses VW’s 2.0-litre turbopetrol/seven-speed DSG/front…

The Ford Escape makes a serious pitch for the performance buyer, with a 183kW/387Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol standard across the range and 0-100km/h in under six seconds. No rival offers anywhere near that amount of performance; in fact most are decidedly unsporty. It’s worth noting that the base Porsche Macan, which will set you back $89,300, also has a 2.0-litre turbopetrol that produces 183kW/370Nm. Escape, then, is a performance SUV bargain, kicking off at $37,990 for the front-wheel drive base model, with an eight-speed auto as standard. ST Line is $39,990 and Vignale is $48,590. ST Line and Vignale are also available with all-wheel drive, priced at $42,990 and $51,590 respectively. A plug-in ST Line hybrid, with a 2.5-litre petrol engine, front wheel drive and claimed EV range “in excess” of…

Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 mid-size electric SUV is available in three variants. Ioniq 5 Dynamiq has a 168kW/350Nm electric motor that drives the rear wheels. It’s priced at $72,000. Ioniq 5 Techniq, tested here at $79,500, has a 165kW electric motor driving the rear axle and a 74kW motor on the front, for a combined output of 239kW, plus a hefty 605Nm of torque. Epiq, with the same AWD drivetrain, digital side mirrors, high-efficiency heat pump and battery conditioning electronics, is $85,000. Power comes from a 77.4 kWh battery that’s good for a claimed range of 507km in the 2WD and 454km in the AWD. Ioniq can be plugged into a 350kW fast charger, which takes 18 minutes to recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent. On a typical 50kW…

Hyundai’s Venue, a small SUV, starts at $21,900 (plus on road costs) for the six-speed manual; a six-speed automatic adds $2000. Powered by a 90kW 1.6-litre petrol four, driving the front wheels, Venue’s standard equipment list includes 15-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, a camera, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, voice control (only via either of these apps), wireless phone charging, front USB A and C ports, Bluetooth and cruise control. Active specification, at $26,000 (automatic only, tested here) adds 17-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, power folding side mirrors and a leather wrapped steering wheel and gear lever. The auto-only Elite, with a sunroof, tinted rear glass, two rear USB C ports, navigation with live traffic updates, digital radio and automatic air-con, is $28,500. Hyundai’s Bluelink, a subscription based…

Hyundai’s Palisade is a monster-sized, US sourced, luxury SUV that’s still a bargain compared with German brand seven or eight seater wagons, even though Hyundai hiked the entry price by $10,000 as part of a mid-2022 update. Prices now kick off at $65,900 for the 217kW 3.8-litre petrol/eight-speed automatic/front wheel drive Palisade Elite; the 147kW 2.2-litre four cylinder turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic/all-wheel drive is $69,900. Eight seats, arranged in a 2-3-3 layout, are standard. Highlander drivetrain variants are $75,900/$79,900 respectively. Elite and Highlander also offer the no cost option of substituting two individual middle row seats, with a walk through to the rear bench, for a seven seat layout. Palisade is built to the highest quality standards, exceptionally spacious and comfortable, and loaded with equipment, especially at Highlander level where it rivals…

Jaguar’s F-Pace’s mostly aluminium body draws on the basic elements of Jaguar’s XE and XF sedans. Size-wise, the F-Pace is something of an in-betweenie. 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. F-Pace prices begin at $82,200 for the 184kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol four P250 R-Dynamic S, with an eight-speed auto and all wheel drive. The SE is $87,000. The 221kW 3.0-litre straight six twin turbodiesel D300 R-Dynamic SE is $103,200. The 294kW 3.0-litre straight six P400, with an electric compressor-driven turbo, is $105,700 in SE specification and $116,800 in HSE trim. Both straight…

The Kia Niro is a mid size SUV with electrified drivetrains, comparable in size to Kia’s petrol-powered Seltos and Hyundai’s Kona. Prices open at $44,380 for the hybrid S, with a 1.6-litre petrol four/six-speed dual clutch automatic and electric motor. Combined outputs are 104kW of power and 265Nm of torque, and claimed fuel consumption is 4.0L/100km. It’s a conventional series/parallel hybrid in which the engine does most of the work but its performance and efficiency are boosted by the electric motor. It can’t run for any distance on electricity alone. Niro Hybrid GT Line is $50,030. Pure EV Niro models kick off at $65,300 for the S, tested here. A 68.4kWh battery powers a 150kW/255Nm electric motor and drive is sent to the front wheels via a single speed transmission.…

Kia’s top selling Picanto starts at $16,290 with a 62kW 1.25-litre four cylinder/five-speed manual. GT Line, with extra equipment and sporty bling, is $17,740. The auto adds $1600 to S and X-Line. Picanto GT, with a 74kW 1.0-litre turbo triple/five-speed manual, is $20,790. The Picanto isn’t exactly loaded. It does, however, include everything you need to be comfortable, connected and content. Infotainment includes Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility, so you can do just about everything by voice with your phone, including navigation, on the eight-inch touchscreen. Wireless phone charging is also standard in Picanto. Typical of the class, the back seat has limited legroom and is only wide enough for two. A deep boot is the biggest in the class. Automatic emergency braking (to a stop from speeds…

Kia’s compact Seltos SUV opens at $29,500 for the 110kW 2.0 litre petrol/continuously variable auto/front-wheel drive Seltos S. Seltos Sport is $32,700, Sport+ is $35,800 and GT-Line is $41,500. All-wheel drive models start at $39,300 for the 146kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol/eight-speed automatic transmission Seltos Sport+, which we’re testing here. Top spec Seltos GT-Line, with the same drivetrain, is $44,900. A huge 10.25 inch touchscreen sits atop the dash and instruments are digital. There’s no stand alone voice control, so unless you pair your phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, (wireless in S; wired on other models) you have to do almost everything by touch. The driver’s seat lacks upper body support and the head restraint is intrusive if you like the backrest upright. Back stalls feature plenty of legroom and…

The base Discovery Sport P250 R-Dynamic SE, with a 184kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol/nine-speed automatic/all-wheel drivetrain, costs $80,970. That’s a circa $18,000 hike from the entry point to this model in 2020, so the Land Rover has now lost its once considerable value for money advantage over its Audi Q5/BMW X3/Mercedes GLC rivals. That said, you do still get higher levels of capability and convenience. Seven seats are standard; rivals have five. Discovery also has credible, as opposed to pretend, off road chops. Sure, it lacks the low range transfer case of the big Landies, but it does have all-wheel drive (as does the Audi; the BMW and Mercedes are rear-wheel drive), with Terrain Response 2 off-road drivetrain software that maximises traction on tricky surfaces, steep climbs and perilous descents. Ground clearance…

The fifth generation Lexus RX range opens with the RX350h Luxury, at $87,500, with a 184kW 2.4-litre turbopetrol/series parallel hybrid electric/CVT/front wheel drivetrain. All wheel drive adds $4500 and Sports Luxury specification is $111,900. F-Sport, tested here at $99,900, runs a 205kW/430Nm 2.4-litre turbopetrol engine matched with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The Sports Luxury variant is $105,900. RX500h F-Sport Performance has a 273kW 2.4-litre turbopetrol/parallel hybrid electric/six-speed automatic/all-wheel drivetrain, priced at $126,000. Two pure EV models are also available, both with a 71.4kWh battery, an electric motor on each axle--giving a combined power outut of 230kW--and all-wheel drive. Claimed maximum range is 470km. RZ450e Luxury is $123,000 and RZ450e Sports Luxury is $135,000. Prices include a single phase 7kW home wallcharger, supplied and installed by Jet Charge. Owning…

This the third generation of Mazda’s popular small car. The Mazda2 hatch is offered with a 1.5-litre/four-cylinder naturally aspirated, direct-injection petrol engine across three spec levels: Pure, Evolve and GT. Pricing starts at $22,290 for the Puremanual. Asix-speed auto adds $2000 and is standard on other models. Pure SP is $25,090, Evolve is $25,790 and GT is $27,490. Pure and GT are also available as a sedan, at the same prices and specification. All models are well equipped. Pure gets low speed (from speeds up to 30km/h) automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane keep assist, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. From Evolve grade up, auto emergency braking in reverse is standard, while the GT adds four camaras that provide a 360 degree bird’s eye view…

The term “hybrid” now refers to several different drivetrain technologies. Some buyers are not aware of this, and end up with a relatively thirsty car when they were expecting a fuel miser. The Mazda MX-30 M Hybrid runs a petrol engine with an upgraded alternator and a 24-volt lithium-ion battery pack. It means the Mazda MX-30 M Hybrid doesn’t have the ability to be driven on electric power, either alone or in combination with the petrol engine. The battery pack has just enough juice to run the ancillaries as the petrol engine shuts down when coasting or coming to a stop. As a result, real-world fuel economy is not as frugal as you might expect. Mazda says the MX-30 M Hybrid consumes 6.4L/100km in lab tests; during our real world…

Evolution is the name of the game for one of Australia’s most popular SUVs. It’s had more facelifts, nips and tucks than the Kardashians. Starting from $35,510, the front-wheel drive Mazda CX-5 Maxx vies with Nissan’s X-Trail, Subaru’s Forester and Toyota’s RAV4 for safety honours, but as the new favourite family freighter class, these mid-size SUVs are all very safe kid carriers. Maxx Sport is $39,310 with front-wheel drive or $41,810 with all-wheel drive. Touring specification, from $43,700, offers an all-wheel drivetrain, as does GT SP, from $49,310, 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 and a Bose audio upgrade. The flagship Akera, from $51,500, adds LED…

Some car makers want to make a big statement with their new EVs, so they go for styling that’s different to your olde worlde internal combustion engine (ICE) car or SUV. The nerdmobile – Nissan’s Leaf being a prime example – and the futuristic techno-wow transformer look – think Jaguar iPace – are two distinctive EV designs. But Mercedes’ EQA looks like just another version of the GLA compact SUV, because that’s what it is. You wouldn’t know it’s an EV until you push the start button and wonder why it’s not making any noise. Like BMW with its “i” brand, and Volkswagen’s “ID”, Mercedes has adopted EQ – a wordplay on IQ – to denote its EVs. The last letter references a connection to Mercedes’ ICE model lines. EQA250…

Mercedes-Benz fourth generation GLE range opens with the 300d at $120,500. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder, with a healthy 180kW of power and 500Nm of torque. The GLE 450 at $135,200 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbopetrol in-line six-cylinder paired to a mild hybrid system (270kW/500Nm), and the GLE 400d at $143,200 is powered by a 243kW/700Nm 3.0-litre turbo diesel in-line six-cylinder. The AMG GLE 53 wagon features the 3.0-litre in line twin turbopetrol, tweaked for 320kW/520Nm and fed by an electric compressor. It costs $181,400. Finally, the ballistic AMG GLE 63 S, with a 450kW/850Nm twin turbopetrol 4.0-litre V8, is $256,800. Coupes includes GLE450 ($158,000), GLE53 AMG ($192,300) and GLE63 AMG S, at $259,500. Standard fare includes dual zone air-conditioning with vents to the second-row seats,…

The mid-size MG ZS EV starts at $43,990 plus on road costs for the Excite variant. So it’s at the cheap end of the EV field, with the BYD Atto3, which starts at $48,011, and the GWM Ora, at $44,490-$47,891 drive away. However, it’s worth noting that the ZS EV is not far off double the cost of the cheapest petrol-powered ZS, which starts at $25,990. That said, it comes well equipped with the latest driver assist safety tech and a practical and comfortable cabin. The back seat has a USB connector, two Isofix child restraint locators and three top tether points. No vents are provided. The boot is quite small by class standards. The test car had a few gremlins. Apple Car Play worked intermittently on some trips, and…

Mini’s SUV range, powered by BMW drivetrains, opens with the 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol/seven-speed dual clutch automatic/front-wheel-drive Countryman Cooper, priced at $46,405. The 2.0-litre turbopetrol Cooper S is $55,070. The all-wheel drive John Cooper Works Essential model, the performance variant with a 225kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine, costs $65,745 with an eight-speed automatic. With adaptive suspension, 19-inch alloys and a bit of extra bling, the fully loaded John Cooper Works Countryman model is $73,850. A plug-in hybrid, priced from $64,000, claims an electric-only range of 60km or so, but based on our test of the previous model you should take that claim with a grain of salt. It also has an all-wheel drivetrain. The original 2011 Countryman was the first family-size Mini. It won new customers and retained owners who otherwise would…

There are five models in the Outlander line-up – ES, LS, Aspire, Exceed, and Exceed Tourer – with a mix of five-or seven-seats and front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. Prices start at $36,240 for the base ES front-wheel drive five-seater and top out at $53,490 for the Exceed Tourer AWD seven-seater. All variants are powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and eight-step CVT auto developed with new partner Nissan. The plug-in hybrid Outlander, with a claimed EV range of up to 84km, and an exceptionally optimistic claimed fuel consumption of just 1.5L/100km, starts at $55,590 for the ES five seater and runs to $69,990 for the Exceed Tourer seven seater. Disappointingly, Mitsubishi does not make rear cross-traffic alert and rear AEB – two of the most useful and accurate safety aids…

Nissan’s Juke is a compact SUV, close in size to the class best seller, Mitsubishi’s ASX. All variants are powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbopetrol engine with just 85kW of power – most rivals have 100kW or more. It’s matched to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. There are no all-wheel drive models, so it’s fair to say that the Juke has no off-bitumen pretensions whatsoever. Prices start at $28,390 for the ST; ST+ is $31,140, ST-L (tested here) is $34,440, ST-L+ is $35,540 and Ti is $36,890. Juke is certainly one of the more stylish SUVs out there, with a rakish profile and the obligatory huge alloy wheels that suggest it’s a lot sportier than it actually is. A bulging, bloated, plastic wrapped dash that’s trying…

Nissan’s fourth generation X-Trail, a product of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, now shares drivetrains and platform architecture with Mitsubishi’s Outlander. All variants are powered by an updated, carryover 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with 135kW of power and 244Nm of torque, matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Drive goes to the front or all wheels, depending upon model grade. The X-Trail range opens with the ST, at $36,750. ST-L is $43,190. All-wheel drive, plus two extra rear seats, adds $3040 to ST and $3100 to ST-L. Standard equipment includes comprehensive safety tech, automatic LED headlights, eight-inch touch screen infotainment with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and 17-inch alloys. ST-L adds lane keep assist, sliding rear seats, a clever dual-panel, multiple configuration boot, surround monitor and 18-inch alloys. Ti spec,…

Alfa Romeo’s Giulia is aggressively priced and generously equipped. It deserves more attention against its German rivals. Start money is $74,950 for the Giulia Veloce. It gets a 206kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine, matched with an eight-speed automatic and rear wheel drive, plus premium performance hardware including adjustable suspension, a limited slip rear differential and exquisite traditional Alfa five-hole 19-inch alloy wheels. It reaches 100km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds, which ain’t exactly hanging around. It’s main rival, BMW’s M Sport 330i, is priced at $93,400. Its 2.0-litre turbo produces 190kW/400Nm and it takes 5.8 seconds to hit the 100km/h mark. Alfa also wanted to make a heroic, forceful statement of intent with the Giulia, and that it certainly does with the Quadrifoglio, priced at $151,700. Up against Audi’s RS5, BMW’s…

The base model Audi A1 30 TFSi, priced at $34,250, is a redecorated Volkswagen Polo. Audi is a subsidiary brand of VW. Nearly all of the hardware, including the body, running gear and 85kW 1.0-litre three cylinder turbopetrol/seven speed dual clutch drivetrain, is the same; the sheetmetal and interior design are different. Oh, and the price. The Polo Life with the same drivetrain costs $28,750 – that’s $5500 less than the Audi. We’re testing the mid-spec A1 35 TFSi, with a 110kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol four/sevenspeed dual clutch drivetrain, a combination not available in the Polo. It costs $36,850. It’s worth noting, though, that you can get into the VW Golf, a larger car with a 110kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol/eight-speed automatic, from $35,190. The A1 40 TFSi, with a 147kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol…

Audi’s A6 starts from $95,500 for the 40 TFSi S-Line, powered by a 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine matched to a seven-speed twin clutch automatic gearbox and front-wheel-drive. A6 45 TFSI S Line quattro, priced from $115,000, gets a 180kW/370Nm variant with the same transmission. The A6 55 TFSI S Line, tested here and priced from $125,000, is powered by a 250kW/500Nm turbopetrol V6. The A6 Allroad quattro faux SUV, with a 183kW/600Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, is $117,700. Top of the range RS6 Avant wagon, with a 441kW/800Nm twin turbo 4.0-litre V8, is $232,200. The A6 dash is dominated by two large touchscreens (10.1-and 8.6-inch) that control infotainment and air-conditioning systems. In front of the driver is Audi’s 12.3-inch “virtual cockpit” display which can be viewed in several modes. Thanks to…

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. Audi’s engineers found ways to shed around 300kg without affecting strength or compromising occupant safety. The Q7 is now among the more pleasant and capable 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 (thanks to adjustable air suspension) and noise, vibration and harshness levels are very low. The Q7 doesn’t pretend to be a sportster and this is to its credit. The range opens with the 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel 45TDi, with 170kW/500Nm, priced at…

The BMW i4 is a quick ’n’ easy way for the German brand to bring electric motoring to its heartland. Priced from $99,900, the i4 shares its body with the petrol-powered 4-Series Gran Coupe, which itself shares plenty with the 3-Series that is BMW’s most iconic model. Design differences between the regular 4-Series and i4 include the enclosed grille and blue highlights, complete with blue rings around the badges. In entry-level eDrive40 guise the i4 has a single electric motor driving the rear wheels. The $129,900 i4 M50 adds a front motor for all-wheel drive and an extra whack of power. Five years of free charging across the Chargefox network is included. Options include the Executive pack (Harman Kardon audio and dashcam), Comfort pack (lumbar support and heated seats/steering wheel)…

BMW’s seventh-generation 5 Series range opens with the $105,700 520i, with a 135kW/290Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol four, matched with an eight-speed automatic. The $126,300 530i, tested here, has a 185kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol four. Six cylinder power starts with the $129,400 530d, with a 195kW/620Nm 3.0-litre turbodiesel straight six. The 530e, a 2.0-litre petrol-electric plug-in hybrid that can travel up to 67km on electricity alone, is also $125,400. The 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre V8 M5 Competition, also with all-wheel drive, costs $269,600. Every model in the 5 Series line-up comes standard with the suite of radar-and camera-reliant aids BMW calls Driving Assistant Plus. These deliver a level of semi-autonomous driving much like the equivalent systems included under Mercedes’ Intelligent Drive umbrella. The BMW’s active cruise is fine, but its lane-keeping can annoy with its…

Citroen’s gorgeous C5 X is one of those wagons that blurs the line between car and SUV. It’s a sizeable five seater, with a longer wheelbase than some seven seaters, and a low, sleek, almost coupe style roofline. There’s one model only – in Shine specification – priced at $56,670, which is not bad for an SUV of this size that packs every piece of driver assist safety tech in the book--including intelligent adaptive cruise, 360 degree cameras, lane keeping, detailed head-up display and long range blind spot monitoring – plus lots of luxe in a very French, very chic cabin. There’s real leather upholstery (instead of the fake stuff the Germans use), heated front seats, adjustable cabin lighting, a big sunroof, 12-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and…

Fact: Ferrari’s first plug-in hybrid sports car has an electric motor that’s more powerful than the V12s of the brand’s earliest road cars. The compact axial-flux e-motor in the 296 GTB has an output higher than the 2.0-litre V12 of the famed 166 racer from the late 1940s-early 1950s, for example. The e-motor of the 296 GTB produces 122kW, but it’s definitely the sidekick of the car’s double-act drivetrain. The star of the show is Ferrari’s first road car V6. (The company points out that the lovely 246 of the ‘70s wore a Dino badge, not the prancing horse). Codenamed F163, the new V6’s 120-degree angle is unusual; 60-or 90-degrees are the V6 norms. But Ferrari’s engineers point to the advantages: plenty of room for a pair of turbochargers in…

Ford gave the Mustang a major rework in 2018 and produced the car it should have when it launched the first factory right hand drive model in 2015. In response to the criticism that the original model was too stiff over bumps, Ford engineers retuned the suspension and fitted better shock absorbers. Magnetically-controlled dampers, which improve comfort even further, are a $1180 option. On 5.0-litre V8 models, a switch to Michelin Pilot Sport rubber from the original Pirelli P Zeros also aids cushioning over bumps. Ford fitted a louder bi-modal exhaust, which, at the press of a button, transforms the Mustang from hush quiet to 1970s musclecar loud. The V8 also gained 33kW and now produces 339kW. In early 2020, the 2.3-litre four gained a new twin scroll turbocharger and…

Honda’s CR-V lost its way for a while but is now back in serious contention with the fifth generation since 1997. Priced from $35,900 drive-away for the Vi front-drive auto, the latest version has expanded its repertoire with seven-seat availability as part of an expanded range that also includes all-wheel drive. Beneath the contemporary styling is Honda’s latest ‘Earth Dreams’ architecture — a sophisticated low-centre-of-gravity platform plus a four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, multi-link rear suspension and a clever fuel-saving all-wheel-drive system that cuts in and out only when required. This CRV is pleasingly spacious, easy to drive, comfortable, quiet, powerful, economical and agile. So it shares many of the attributes of its better competitors. Let’s take the packaging. This is a true five-seater with heaps of space up front in…

You don’t mess around with a winning formula, so Hyundai’s third-generation i30 offers more of the same: a strong value-for-money proposition, excellent quality and reliability backed up by a generous warranty. Its styling has been updated for 2021, with sharper lines and a sportier profile. Prices open at $23,720 for the 120kW 2.0-litre/six-speed manual i30. A six-speed auto adds $2000. Active auto is $27,220 and Elite auto is $30,520. A punchy 150kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol powers the N Line hatch, priced at $29,720. Premium is $34,520. The seven-speed transmission adds $2000 to both models. The i30 sedan, with a longer wheelbase and a 117kW 2.0-litre, starts at $25,690 for the Active; a six-speed auto adds $2000 and auto Elite is $31,690. N-Line manual sedan is $31,190; the seven-speed DCT adds $2000…

The Hyundai Tucson range starts from $34,900 and tops out at $52,900. There are three model grades. The base model is simply called Tucson, and then there is the Tucson Elite (from $39,900) and Tucson Highlander (from $46,900). An optional N-Line pack – which adds larger alloy wheels and upgraded interior appointments – is available on all three model grades. The base model comes exclusively with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine matched to a six-speed automatic and front-wheel-drive. Elite and Highlander also offer a 1.6-litre turbopetrol and seven-speed twin clutch auto, or a 2.0-litre turbo diesel paired to an eight-speed auto. Both are matched to all-wheel-drive, and run on regular unleaded. Both petrol versions of the Hyundai Tucson run on on regular unleaded but the 1.6 turbo has shorter service…

Jaguar aimed ambitiously high with its I-Pace mid-size luxury SUV. “The target was to create the best electric vehicle on the planet,” says Jaguar technical design director, Wolfgang Ziebart. I-Pace, launched in 2018, was one of the first built from the ground up performance luxury SUV EVs, and five years on, with several newer rivals, it still stands up. It’s better designed and built than anything from the audacious American company adored by EV evangelists. Mercedes EQC is similar in size, but slightly less powerful (330kW), slower and with a shorter range, claimed to be up to 350km. Audi’s e-tron 55 produces 300kW and claims a range of 400km. BMW’s iX3 claims up to 460km. Against the new Kia EV6 GT, though, the Jaguar does look underdone and overpriced. So…

EVs are not usually associated with high performance motoring. Virtuous but dull is a more common perception. However there is no reason why electricity can’t deliver just as many thrills, and pointy end performance, as petrol. The old petrol-power adage, though, applies also to EVs: “Performance costs money. How fast do you want to go?” Porsche was the first to answer this question in 2020 with its revolutionary Taycan EV. Now Kia has joined the high-performance EV contest with its new EV6 GT, priced at $99,590. A pair of electric motors--front-axle mounted 160kW and 270kW rear mounted – deliver a combined 430kW of power and 740Nm of torque. That’s 80 percent more poke than the most powerful of the regular EV6 models, the 239kW AWD dual motor variant. EV6 GT…

Kia’s Stinger, a big, sporty, four-door coupe, opens at $52,750 for the 200S, with a 182kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol four/eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. Stinger GT Line is $60,430. More serious performance lives under the bonnet of the 330S, priced at $56,530. Its 3.3-litre twin turbo V6 generates 274kW of power, put to the road via the same drivetrain. The top of the range GT, tested here, is $66,460. Stinger is Kia’s first attempt at a genuine GT performance car, and it shares architecture and mechanicals with the Genesis G70. Stinger’s handsome, distinctive sheetmetal is in marked contrast to its plain interior, which has perhaps too much in common with Kia’s humble hatchbacks. GT is loaded though, with luxurious heated and cooled front seats, upholstered in Nappa leather, plus a full…

Kia’s fourth-generation Carnival people mover starts at $47,480 for the 216kW 3.5-litre V6 petrol/eight-speed automatic S model. Si grade is $52,980, SLi is $57,780 and Platinum is $65,580. The 148kW 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel is available in the same model grades at a $2000 premium. Carnival is a big, heavy wagon with a long wheelbase and ostensibly eight seats, so the relatively high 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 eight-speed auto. You can fit eight passengers, with each in an…

Kia’s latest Sportage is a twin under the skin with Hyundai’s Tucson. Both are much improved SUVs compared with their predecessors, and have effectively moved up a size too, offering greater interior space. This, plus comprehensive driver assist safety tech, now puts the Hyundai and Kia firmly into the family SUV category, where they compete against Nissan’s X-Trail, Subaru’s Forester and the Toyota RAV4. Value for money is still a key part of the Kia’s appeal, as is its seven years warranty – two years longer than Hyundai. Fifth generation Sportage kicks off at $32,795 for the carryover 115kW/192Nm 2.0-litre petrol/six-speed manual/front wheel drive S model. A six-speed auto variant, tested here, adds $2000. This drivetrain tops out at $41,850 for the SX+. A 132kW/265Nm 1.6-litre turbopetrol/seven-speed dual clutch automatic/all-wheel…

Based on Toyota’s “New Global Architecture” that also underpins the closely related C-HR and Corolla, the Lexus UX (for Urban Explorer) slots in beneath the NX, though it’s really less a pure SUV than a hatch-on-stilts, Mercedes GLA-style. Indeed, the Merc seems to have informed the UX’s positioning as well as proportioning, starting from $46,085 for the 2.0-litre, front-wheel drive turbopetrol Luxury. Even the base model is generously equipped, with navigation, a huge display screen, digital radio, LED headlights, powered steering column, heated front seats, keyless entry/start and adaptive cruise control. Next up is the $56,850 Sports Luxury, adding 18-inch alloys with runflat tyres (so no spare), leather, vented front seats, upgraded audio, better camera and jazzier trim. The F Sport flagship, at $57,495, scores a body kit, racier front…

Now in its fourth iteration since 2004, the Japanese-built Mazda 3 hatch and sedan series is nowadays a wholly more upmarket proposition, trespassing on the Volkswagen Golf’s turf. Pricing starts from $27,160 for the 114kW/200Nm 2.0-litre Pure six-speed manual hatch and sedan. A six-speed automatic adds $1000. Safety is a highlight, with blind-spot monitoring, forward obstruction warning, lane departure alert, lane-keep assist, active cruise control with full stop/go, rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, autonomous emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring and seven airbags. Add sophisticated infotainment with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, digital radio and navigation, plus digital instrumentation, a head-up display and rain-sensing wipers to the usual spec of rear sensors and a reverse camera and it’s clear that the base model is hardly bare bones in specification. The Evolve,…

The CX-3 is Mazda’s ageing offering in the hotly contested compact SUV segment. Powered by a 110kW/195Nm 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, the CX-3 is up against more than 20 contenders including Hyundai’s Venue, Toyota’s CH-R and the Kia Stonic. 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 petrol powered spec levels — base Neo Sport, Maxx Sport, premium sTouring and top-shelf Akari. Prices kick off at $23,510 for the Neo Sport front wheel drive manual; Maxx Sport manual is $25,510, STouring is $30,210 and Akari is $37,310. The six-speed automatic adds $2000 and the all wheel drive…

Mazda’s CX-8 SUV slots between the mid-size CX-5 five-seater and family-sized CX-9 seven-seater. There are four model grades: base Sport front-wheel drive from $42,060, Touring from $48,960, GT from $58,560 and the Asaki from $61,810. Standard fare includes low speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind zone warning, rear-cross traffic alert (and rear AEB), and built-in navigation. Mazda’s infotainment — with a large dial and buttons that fall neatly within reach of your hand in the centre console — is one of the better systems we’ve used, but does take a bit of practice. A 10.25 inch screen, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Rear cargo space is generous in the right configuration, though there is only a space-saver spare tyre under the boot floor. The second-row seat tilts…

Mercedes-AMG’s A45S hatchback, and its CLA45S sedan counterpart, are priced respectively at $106,900 and $128,000. Big money for small cars. But their party trick is, well, pretty impressive. It’s the world’s most powerful series production four cylinder engine, a 2.0-litre turbopetrol that produces an astonishing 310kW of power and 500Nm of torque. That’s sufficient to fling the A45 from rest to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, en route to a top speed of 270km/h. Its specific power output of 155kW per litre is comparable to or better than many supercar engines. Peak torque is at 5000-5250rpm, while peak power kicks in at 6750rpm, en route to a 7200rpm redline. Power gets to the road via an eight-speed dual clutch automated manual gearbox and all-wheel drive, with torque distributed in any…

The W213 Mercedes E-Class is an exceptionally sophisticated, complicated piece of rolling digital technology. Great. But as a car, is it any good? We’re in the base-model 145kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol E200, priced at $106,600. The 155kW E300e plug-in hybrid, which can run for up to 52km on battery power, is $130,900, while the 220kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol/mild hybrid E350 is $134,900. The 320kW 3.0-litre twin turbo, all-wheel drive AMG E53 4Matic is $175,400. The 450kW 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 AMG E 63 S 4Matic is $272,000. Coupe variants start at $114,500 for the E200 and cabriolets start at $153,100 for the E350. The E Class cabin is dominated by the beautiful widescreen dash, two upright, hi-res LCD screens bonded together to create a customisable instrument and infotainment display that’s dazzling in…

With its third generation GLS, Mercedes has turned luxury up a notch – and the vehicle has grown in every dimension to behemoth proportions. It now has one of the largest cabins and cargo holds in the class. The 270kW/500Nm 3.0-litre straight six turbopetrol GLS 450 is priced at $171,700. The 243kW/700Nm 3.0-litre straight six turbodiesel GLS 400d, tested here, is $179,500. The AMG GLS63, with a 450kW/850Nm twin turbopetrol 4.0-litre V8 mild hybrid drivetrain, is $289,800 while the Maybach GLS600 luxo bomber, tuned for 410kW, is $395,500. The first thing you notice when you open the door is the massive widescreen display that stretches across more than half the dash. Two 12.3-inch high-resolution screens side-by-side make it feel like you’re in a cockpit not a car. The model we…

The base ASX 110kW 2.0-litre petrol/five-speed manual front-wheel-drive GS is $23,990. With a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission it’s $26,240, while in ES specification, with CVT as standard, it’s $27,490. MR, also with CVT, is $29,240 and LS is $29,990. A 123kW 2.4-litre petrol engine powers the $32,240 MR Plus, the $31,990 GSR, the $33,640 XLS Plus and the top spec Exceed, at $34,740. We haven’t driven the 2.0-litre petrol engine in the ASX--we tested the 2.2-litre turbodiesel in 2017--but we have in Peugeot’s now superseded model share 3008 (since replaced by a new bespoke SUV from the French brand), where it was gutless, noisy, thirsty and as slow as a week of Tuesdays. Given that it’s more like a car than an SUV in its stance, weight and suspension…

The seventh-generation Nissan Zed is a reskin of the 2008 model, now with a 298kW/475Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 (borrowed from its Infiniti luxury division) and nine-speed automatic transmission replacing its predecessor’s 245kW/363Nm 3.7-litre atmo V6/seven-speed auto. It’s still rear wheel drive, of course. That’s the whole point. The Z has always been pitched as an old school purist’s sportscar, so the six-speed manual also carries over. The flagship Proto (pictured), priced at $80,700 (with either transmission) is a limited launch edition that Nissan says is sold out, for now. It features 19-inch bronze forged alloy wheels, yellow brake calipers and black leather upholstery with yellow stitching. It’s available exclusively in yellow bodywork with a black roof. Both the Proto and the regular Zed, priced at $73,300, have the same power…

Nissan’s Qashqai is a Euro-designed and engineered compact SUV that, in its previous iteration, was an ordinary drive and a long way from the front of this crowded, competitive class, where the Honda HRV, Kia Seltos, Skoda Kamiq, Subaru Crosstrek, Toyota Corolla Cross and VW T-Roc are the leaders. The 2023 Qashqai runs a 110kW/250Nm 1.3-litre four cylinder turbopetrol/continuously variable automatic/front wheel drivetrain. Prices open at $33,890 for the base ST; ST+ is $37,890, ST-L is $42,190 and top spec Ti, tested here, is $47,390. That’s a hefty whack, but this Qashqai takes a significant step up in quality, refinement, engineering sophistication and standard equipment. Ti includes, for example, leather upholstery, heated front seats with a massage function, 12.3-inch touch screen infotainment with navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay, a full…