Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 62 i Australian New Car Buyer

Car dealers have a well-earned reputation for unscrupulous behaviour, and as the market emerges from a long post-Covid hangover it’s obvious that some are still trying to con buyers into paying inflated peak Covid prices. Cars were expensive during Covid because supply was tight and demand was high, but this situation is now doing a U-turn as tough economic times begin to bite and factories return to full production capacity. A few brands are still having supply issues, but most dealers now have well stocked showrooms and are willing to discount if you’re a serious buyer. One sneaky tactic to inflate prices on models that are in short supply is to register a new car as a demonstrator, which then allows the dealer to sell it for thousands more than…

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 $146,075 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…

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 $133,569, 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…

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…

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 fourcylinder turbopetrol that’s good for 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.1 seconds. BMW’s base X3,…

Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 EV shares 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 Hyundai with over-the-air software updates and Bluelink remote…

The Hyundai Tucson range starts from $35,150 and tops out at $54,650. There are three model grades. The base model is simply called Tucson, and then there is the Tucson Elite (from $40,150) and Tucson Highlander (from $47,150). 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…

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 $44,930 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 $50,580. Pure EV Niro models kick off at $66,950 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. 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 up to 80km/h; partial from speeds above 80km/h) is standard. Picanto is the most affordable car on the…

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, at $57,495, scores a body kit, racier front seats,…

The Lexus RZ 450e is the first Toyota-engineered dedicated EV to land in Australia. Similar in size to the RX petrol/electric hybrid, you pay a hefty premium for pure EV power. Prices start at $123,000 for Luxury grade; Sports Luxury is $135,000. RX starts at $86,904. Powering the RZ is a 71.4kWh battery that Lexus claims will still be capable of 90 percent capacity retention after 10 years. Electric motors on front and rear axles have combined outputs of 230kW and 435Nm, and in Sport mode the RZ can reach 100km/h from rest in a rapid 5.3 seconds. Maximum claimed driving range is a claimed 470km, but that’s according to the outdated Australian standard. In the real world, expect closer to 350km in Normal mode. Range mode will extend this…

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 $39,060 for the manual Roadster. A six-speed auto adds $2000. The 2.0-litre GT manual is $45,690; the auto is $47,690. GT RS manual is $48,690. 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,…

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 $30,610 for the G20 Pure, with a 114kW 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated petrol four/six-speed manual. The six-speed automatic is $31,610; it’s standard in Evolve, at $33,310, Touring at $37,210 and Astina, tested here, at $42,210. G25 variants, with a 139kW 2.5-litre engine, start at $38,710 for the Touring; the Astina is $43,710. All-wheel drive adds $2000 to both G25 models. The X20 Astina all-wheel drive mild hybrid is priced at $48,710. It uses Mazda’s revolutionary 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 $37,060. CX30,…

Mercedes’ second generation CLA four door coupe, released in 2019, kicks off at $69,900 for the 120kW 1.3-litre turbopetrol/sevenspeed 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 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 $105,069. The 155kW E300e plug-in hybrid, which can run for up to 52km on battery power, is $129,575, while the 220kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol/mild hybrid E350 is $133,370. The 320kW 3.0-litre twin turbo, all-wheel drive AMG E53 4Matic is $173,869. The 450kW 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 AMG E 63 S 4Matic is $270,469. Coupe variants start at $112,969 for the E200 and cabriolets start at $151,570 for the E350. Pure EV sedan derivatives of the E Class include the 180kW EQE200, at $133,575, the all wheel drive, 215kW EQE350, at $153,575 and the 460kW EQE53 AMG, at $213,574.…

The mid-size MG ZS EV starts at $42,990 plus on road costs for the Excite variant. So it’s at the cheap end of the EV field, with the BYD Dolphin, at $38,890 and the GWM Ora, which opens at $39,990. However, it’s worth noting that the ZS EV is $17,000 more expensive than the cheapest petrol-powered ZST, 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 Essence model, at $47,990, adds blind spot monitoring, a sunroof and wireless phone charging. 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…

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 $37,240 for the base ES front-wheel drive five-seater and top out at $54,490 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 $56,490 for the ES five seater and runs to $70,990 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…

Alfa Romeo’s compact Tonale Hybrid SUV is available in three variants. Tonale Ti and Veloce (tested here), priced at $49,900 and $56,400 respectively, are powered by a 1.5-litre four cylinder turbopetrol engine, matched with a seven-speed dual clutch automatic and 48 volt mild hybrid electrification. Tonale Plug-In Hybrid, at $77,500, adds a 15.5kWh battery that gives it a claimed EV range of up to 60km. The plug-in drivetrain also features a 1.3-litre four cylinder turbopetrol engine/six-speed automatic that drives the front wheels and an electric motor-driven rear axle. Combined output is 208kW. Mild hybrid electrification is not true hybrid technology, at least in the sense that the electric components in the drivetrain contribute in any meaningful way. Rather, its main purpose is to improve fuel efficiency in city driving by…

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 $28,990 — that’s $5260 less than the Audi. We’re testing the mid-spec A1 35 TFSi, with a 110kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol four/seven-speed 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 $36,290. The A1 40 TFSi, with a 147kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol…

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 $74,888 for the 183kW/370Nm 2.0-litre 45 TFSI petrol quattro. Coupe-style Sportback versions of the 40 and 45 cost $83,400 and $90,469 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 3 Series prices were recently hiked by $8000-$14,500 as part of a mid-life facelift. Start money is now $80,200 for the 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol 320i, with a standard eight-speed automatic. The 330i sedan is $94,700. The 330i Touring is $98,900. 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 $98,700. The M340i xDrive, with BMW’s signature 3.0-litre turbo straight six tuned for 285kW/500Nm, plus all-wheel drive, is $106,200. 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…

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 $57,670, 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…

The GWM Ora is one of the most affordable electric cars on the market. Priced from $38,990 before on-road costs, the small electric hatchback has some Mini-inspired styling cues and a long list of standard equipment. Included are 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and matching infotainment touchscreen, quilted fake leather seats, powered driver’s seat, wireless phone charging and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. The warranty is also generous at seven years/unlimited km, and annual services are $99 a pop for five years/75,000km. The entry-level Ora Standard Range has a claimed EV range of just 310km from its 48kWh battery, so it’s not the sort of car you’ll be heading off on road trips in. For that, you need the Ora Extended Range ($45,990), with a…

Hyundai’s Venue, a small SUV, starts at $22,000 (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 $26,250 (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 $28,750. Hyundai’s Bluelink, a subscription based…

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…

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.…

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…

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 $62,275 for the base NX250 Luxury and rise to $90,948 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…

Indian automotive giant Mahindra’s XUV700 is its most sophisticated offering yet, a big seven-seater SUV that’s spacious, stylish and packs the sort of drivetrain, safety, infotainment and luxury that’s normally available a long way north of a $36,990 driveaway starting price. That’s the ask for the base AX7, which features an all-digital dash with dual 10.25 inch instruments and infotainment screens, a full length sunroof, fake leather upholstery, three zone air and 18-inch alloys. Safety kit includes adaptive cruise, lane keep assist and speed sign recognition. The AX7-L, at $39,990 driveaway, adds blind spot monitoring, 360 degree cameras, great sounding 12 speaker audio, stop and go in traffic function for the adaptive cruise, wireless phone charging, and silly pop-out electric door handles that are just begging to be ripped off…

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…

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 $126,675. Mercedes hiked the price by $3500-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 impactab sorbing 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…

The MG4 is the first electric car from the value focused brand to be built on a dedicated EV architecture, which allows key components to be ideally positioned to maximise cabin space. About the size of a Toyota Corolla, the Chinese-made MG4 is an all-electric five-door priced from $38,990 plus on-road costs. It’s one of the most affordable EVs on the market. For now, there are four models in the MG4 range, but it’s the most affordable 51 Excite — the number refers to the battery capacity in kilowatt-hours — that is of most interest, courtesy of its sharp pricing. It gets 17-inch alloy wheels, smart key entry, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch central infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s also iSmart app connectivity…

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…

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…

Nissan’s e-Power is a hybrid addition to the mid-size X-Trail SUV range. It brings with it a drivetrain called e4ORCE, which is marketing speak for hybrid electric four-wheel drive. It’s is not as cheap as some hybrid alternatives, notably Toyota’s RAV4, but its petrol-electric tech is also quite different. Prices start at $49,990 for the ST-L. It’s $54,690 for the Ti, which gets a panoramic sunroof, digital instrument cluster, three-zone ventilation, head-up display, smart key entry, wireless phone charging, a powered tailgate and 18-inch alloy wheels. There’s also a 12.3-inch central infotainment screen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. For another $3000, the Ti-L adds 20-inch alloy wheels, a 10-speaker Bose audio system and other fruit. Inside, the e-Power is like any other X-Trail. Those up front are welcomed…

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 $76,450 in Ti specification. Up front is a 2.0-litre turbopetrol four with 206kW/400Nm. It’s matched to an eight-speed auto and all-wheel drive. Veloce, at $82,950, is a sportier variant, with a limited slip rear diff, 20-inch alloys (19s on Ti), aluminium shift paddles and trim inserts. The headline-stealingact 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 $162,700. 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…

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 $74,811 for the sedan and $76,734 for the Avant wagon. The 45TFSi quattro allroad, a faux SUV that’s basically a jacked up Avant with more clearance, is $78,169 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 $104,669; the Avant is $107,169. 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 $156,069. This A4 may look just like the previous model, but…

The BMW i4 is a quick ’n’ easy way for the German brand to bring electric motoring to its heartland. Priced from $85,900 for the eDrive35, 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. The eDrive 35 and eDrive40 ($102,900) both have a single electric motor driving the rear wheels. The $133,900 i4 M50 adds a front motor for all-wheel drive and an extra whack of power. Five years charging across the Chargefox network is included. Options include the Executive pack (Harman Kardon audio and dashcam), Comfort pack (lumbar support and heated…

BMW recently hiked X5 prices by $8000-$10,000 as part of a major update that includes more powerful mild hybrid drivetrains. The range now opens with the xDrive 30d, running a 210kW/650Nm 3.0-litre straight six turbodiesel, priced at $134,900. The xDrive 40i, with a 280kW/520Nm turbopetrol six, is $138,900, the 360kW/700Nm xDrive 50e plug-in hybrid is $149,900 and the M60i, with a 390kW/750Nm twin turbopetrol 4.4-litre V8 is $172,900. The hotrod X5 M, with the V8 chipped for 460kW, is $241,900. This G05 X5, launched in 2018, expanded in all directions, notably in width and wheelbase. It’s still a five seater, with a third row option. Serious effort has gone into upgrading infotainment and connectivity on the 2023 update. The “BMW Curved Display” includes all digital instruments in a 12.3 inch…

Slotting between the compact HR-V and mid-sized CR-V, the Honda ZR-V is targeting the sweet spot of the SUV market. Priced from $40,200 drive-away for the VTi-X model, the five-seat ZR-V comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone air, smart key entry and Android Auto/wireless Apple CarPlay displayed on a 9-inch touchscreen. There’s also auto braking, lane keep assist, speed sign recognition and five years’ access to the Honda Connect app, which allows you to monitor and lock the car remotely as well as activate the air-con. The VTi-L ($43,200) adds 18-inch wheels, paddle shifters, tinted windows, heated front seats, powered tailgate and fake leather, while VTi-LXspec($48,500) tops the lineup with partial leather trim, a wireless phone charger, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, alloy pedals, 360-degree camera and a 12-speaker…

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 was last updated for 2021, with sharper lines and a sportier profile. Prices open at $24,000 for the 120kW 2.0-litre/six-speed manual i30 hatch. A six-speed auto adds $2000. Active auto is $27,500 and Elite auto is $30,800. A punchy 150kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol powers the N Line hatch, priced at $30,500. Premium is $35,300. The seven-speed transmission adds $2000 to both models. The i30 sedan, with a longer wheelbase and a 117kW 2.0-litre, starts at $26,000 for the Active; a six-speed auto adds $2000 and auto Elite is $32,000. N-Line manual sedan is $32,000; the seven-speed DCT adds…

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 $74,965/$78,370 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…

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…

The fifth generation Lexus RX range opens with the RX350h Luxury, at $86,904, with a 184kW 2.4-litre turbopetrol/series parallel hybrid electric/CVT/rear wheel drivetrain. It’s $90,675 with AWD and Sports Luxury specification is $110,575. F-Sport, tested here at $98,370, runs a 205kW/430Nm 2.4-litre turbopetrol engine matched with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. The Sports Luxury variant is $104,370. RX500h F-Sport Performance has a 273kW 2.4-litre turbopetrol/parallel hybrid electric/six-speed automatic/all-wheel drivetrain, priced at $124,675. Two pure EV models, of similar size but built on different, dedicated EV architecture, 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…

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. However it’s a sign of the decline in small car sales — like every other class, they have been hammered by the rise and rise of SUVs — that as part of a mid-2023 range overhaul, Mazda deleted its high tech compression ignition 2.0-litre Skyactiv X engine from the range, as well as the mild hybrid variants. Manual transmission variants have also been deleted, and a six-speed automatic is standard across the range. Starting prices have also risen by over $3000, so Mazda is clearly now chasing margins rather than volume from the Three, which remains a very high quality machine, an…

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 $42,660, Touring from $48,560, GT from $59,160 and the Asaki from $62,410. 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-Benz fourth generation GLE range opens with the 300d at $119,174. 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 $133,670 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 $141,670 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 $179,868. Finally, the ballistic AMG GLE 63 S, with a 450kW/850Nm twin turbopetrol 4.0-litre V8, is $255,269. Coupes includes GLE450 ($156,470), GLE53 AMG ($190,769) and GLE63 AMG S, at $257,969. Standard fare includes dual zone air-conditioning with vents to the second-row…

Mini’s first production EV – a three door hatch in Cooper S specification – carries an ambitious pricetag of $64,975 for the SE. That’s about $10,000 more than the 2.0-litre turbo petrol Cooper S. The SE Resolute (seriously…), is $65,325. Mini Electric inherits drivetrain componentry from parent BMW’s first EV, the now obsolete i3. This includes the 135kW electric motor, which drives the front wheels rather than the rears as it did 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 optional (about $2600) 11kW wall-mounted charger in your garage, it takes two and a half hours…

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.…