Innholdsfortegnelse for No. 45 i Australian New Car Buyer

The new models are coming thick and fast this year, so we have acquired the considerable skills, experience and knowledge of three of Australia’s finest motoring writers, John Carey, Byron Mathioudakis and Paul Pottinger, to help sort out what’s worth your while test driving, and what’s not, when you’re putting a final shortlist of cars together. The variety of new models is now so great that when you’re deciding what’s important in your next new car you can almost guarantee that there will be at least three individual models from different makers that will come pretty close to fulfilling your requirements. So while you may be ready and willing to purchase Car A, test driving Cars B and C as well could prove to be time, and money, well spent.…

After a very lengthy gestation, Alfa Romeo’s highly anticipated golden child, the 4C, has finally arrived in Australia. At $109,900, the initial 75-unit batch of local examples is the hard-core and enhanced Launch Edition version, which may be all sold by the time you read this, with the “regular” $89,000 variant arriving now. With its light 1090kg kerb weight, basic appointments list, two-seat format and modest 1.75-litre engine capacity, a cursory glance at its specifications suggests classic and simple sportscar pleasure in the vein of Mazda’s MX-5. But two aspects of the 4C package — its carbon fibre monocoque construction and the formidable 162kW-per-tonne power-to-weight ratio afforded by its 177kW/350Nm turbocharged four-cylinder engine — suggest far more ferocious performance potential. That’s just the base 4C coupe. The Launch Edition adds…

Modern-day icons are rare. But then again, there’s nothing quite like an Audi TT. Now in its third generation with an R8 supercar-style front end and more chiselled lines, the German three-door coupe kicks off at $71,950 for the 2.0-litre turbopetrol TFSI/six-speed manual with front-wheel drive — just like your mum’s Golf, with which it shares familial DNA. Another $3000 scores you the six-speed dual-clutch transmission known as S-Tronic, while the best-selling quattro all-wheel drive with S-Tronic auto combination will set you back $77,950. The popular S-line package from $7500 brings a surprisingly subtle body kit, full LED headlights, LED arrow-style rear indicators, better audio, digital radio, brilliant body-hugging sports seats with pneumatic adjustment and 19-inch alloys. While the 1998 original set about establishing Audi as a design leader and…

Audi’s S3 Sportback is priced at $61,100, a $10,100 discount on the previous model. This reflects the fact that the premium performance hatchback class is now much more competitive than it once was, with rivals such as BMW’s M135i, Mercedes A45 AMG and the Renault Megane RS265/RS275 all giving the Audi a run for its money. Then there’s the MkVII VW Golf R, priced at $52,740. Yes, the Golf is basically the same car, with an even sportier flavour (19-inch wheels are standard, for example, wheras the S3 has 18s) and it does seem difficult to justify the $8360 price gap between the two. Like the Golf, the S3 uses VW’s EA888 210kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol four, with a sixspeed manual (tested here) or a six-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic transmission as a…

The Audi A5 Sportback is shaped like the coupe and identically priced, but it has four doors, its wheelbase is extended by 60mm for greater rear seat legroom and it’s 86mm longer overall. The range opens with the 125kW 1.8TFSi front-wheel drive CVT automatic, at $68,200. The 130kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel TDi is $69,700. Others in the range run a seven-speed S-Tronic automated manual and quattro all-wheel drive. You’ll pay $77,300 for the 165kW 2.0-litre TFSi. This model is also available with a conventional six-speed manual at $75,400. The 180kW 3.0TDi is $94,300 and the 200kW, 3.0-litre supercharged V6 TFSi is $99,300. The S5, with a 245kW 3.0-litre supercharged V6 as used in the S4, costs $119,900. The 2.0-litre direct-injection turbo is arguably a better choice than the 3.0TDi, not just…

The Audi Q3 range opens with the 110kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol TFSi, with a sixspeed twin-clutch S-Tronic transmission and front-wheel drive, priced at $42,300. Quattro all-wheel drive models start with the 103kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel/sevenspeed S-Tronic TDi at $47,500. The high-performance 2.0-litre turbodiesel, with 130kW, is $55,000. Base petrol model is the 125kW 2.0-litre TFSi seven-speed S-Tronic quattro, at $49,450. The 155kW 2.0-litre TFSi quattro manual is $56,500. The numbers suggest that you’re not that much better off if you choose the more powerful version of the 2.0-litre turbodiesel, particularly in real-world driving. It’s got a sizeable power advantage, but this is at pretty high revs, where you rarely go in a turbodiesel. Its 60Nm torque advantage (380Nm vs 320Nm) can be felt more readily in the midrange, but the base engine…

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

BMW’s M badge used to adorn only its elite performance cars, such as the M3 and M5, but M also stands for Money and now BMW is cashing in on its badge cachet. A second tier of M models, called M Performance, now sits below the weaponsgrade hardware. In addition to the usual M Sport option pack for standard BMWs, which includes an aerodynamic body kit, stiffer suspension, bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels, body-hugging sports seats, a fat-rimmed steering wheel and a pukka man-cave interior with M signature blue and red details, M Performance cars also give you some, but not all, of the serious go-fast engineering bits that make a 100 per cent M such a thrilling drive. The M135i, which costs $64,930, adds a lovely, loud exhaust, variable-ratio electric…

BMW’s iconic M3, now in its fifth generation, is available as a four-door sedan only. The coupe wears an M4 badge in line with a revamped naming regime. Though mechanically identical, the sedan lands in Oz starting from $156,430; the coupe commands a $10,000 premium and you’ll fork out an extra $22,000 for the convertible. It takes about 2.5 minutes to become convinced that BMW’s performance skunkworks, M GmbH, has improved the already heroic 3 Series-based M car in virtually every department. There’s one big change in the M formula, found under the signature “power dome” bonnet. M GmbH has bucked the M3 tradition of ever-larger naturally aspirated engines to introduce a downsized and twin turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six. Offering 317kW between 5500-7300rpm and 550Nm from just 1850rpm, the six…

BMW’s E60 5.0-litre V10 M5 was arguably the most extreme mainstream performance sedan we’ll ever see. That’s why some people loved it, while others hated it. This F10 M5 is no less capable but much more sensible. There’s no distinction whatsoever between earthshaking torque and atomic power in the BMW’s twin turbo V8 engine. You get shedloads of both, from idle on up. Two M buttons on the wheel let you dial one set of “make it go” data into suburbia mode and the other to your secret I’m-goingfor-a-drive-by-myself setting. All the adjustable stuff is there — engine mapping, transmission, dampers, variable ratio steering (still old-world hydraulic) and the very clever Active M rear diff lock — and it works as a coherent piece of technology, albeit one that makes…

BMW’s X3, introduced in early 2011, is now much closer in size to the X5 and unless you need seven seats, it’s a great value alternative. The X3 lineup opens with the xDrive 20i, priced at a very attractive $61,100. It runs BMW’s 2.0-litre direct-injection turbopetrol four-cylinder with a standard eight-speed automatic. The engine produces 135kW of power, 270Nm of torque and averages 7.5L/100km. The xDrive20d is priced at $64,700. As is often the case with BMW, it’s this model that looks like the pick of the range. It runs a 2.0-litre turbodiesel with 140kW and 400Nm. Average fuel consumption is just 5.4L/100km and it will reach 100km/h in a claimed 8.1 seconds. The xDrive30d, at $77,700, runs the 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbodiesel with 190kW and 560Nm. It’s the quickest variant,…

Premium luxury/sports small cars are one of the growth classes in the market, and Citroën’s DS3 is one of the better examples, though it is now looking overpriced. The D-Sport, with a 121kW 1.6-litre turbo/six-speed manual drivetrain, is priced at $33,990, which is pretty ambitious money when you can get into a much newer Renault Clio RS200, with a 147kW 1.6-litre turbo, for $29,290, the VW Polo GTI, with a 141kW 1.8-litre turbo, for $27,490, or a Ford Fiesta ST, with a 134kW 1.6-litre turbo, for just $25,990. Citroen, though, is designdriven and the DS3 is certainly a great-looking little car, inside and out. Automatic low speed emergency braking is standard on the 2015 model. While the suspension is firmer than usual from Citroën to give the DS3 the requisite…

The Ford EcoSport kicks off from $20,790 for the 1.5-litre petrol Ambiente manual, which makes this model the cheapest in the class. Other variants include the Trend (from $22,290) and rangetopping Titanium (from $25,790). Two petrol engines are available: Ford’s high-tech 1.0-litre threecylinder EcoBoost turbo, delivering 92kW of power at 6000rpm and 190Nm of torque between 1400 and 4500rpm, and a 1.5-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated Duratec unit with 82kW at 6300rpm and 140Nm at 4400rpm. Belying its tiny capacity, and famously compact enough to sit within an A4-sized piece of paper, the sophisticated, refined 1.0-litre turbo is an International Engine of the Year winner. Paired only to a slick-shifting five-speed manual, it provides spirited step-off acceleration, backed up by a wide spread of torque for excellent response when required. In…

There’s high anticipation in petrolhead land for the arrival of the first righthand-drive (ex-factory, not aftermarket) Mustang from Ford. The reasons are many and varied, not least because it will be Australia’s first fully factory-built and -backed experience with one of the world’s most enduring performance nameplates. There’s considerable choice in the Australia-bound range, as buyers can opt for Fastback coupe or Convertible body styles, with either 2.3-litre Ecoboost-branded turbo-four or rorty, traditional, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 power, with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. All rearwheel drive, of course. Start money is $44,990 for the 2.3-litre Ecoboost Fastback six-speed manual; the six-speed auto adds $2500. The price jumps to $53,990 for the auto-only Convertible. The four-cylinder ‘Stangs are certainly more wallet-friendly than initial pundit predictions and are great value given…

Ford’s Kuga range opens with the 110kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol/six-speed manual/front-wheel-drive Ambiente, priced at $27,490. The six-speed auto is $28,990. All-wheel-drive models begin with the 134kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol Ambiente, with a sixspeed automatic, at $31,490. Trend specification features a 178kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol/six-speed auto drivetrain, at $36,490, plus a 120kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel/six-speed dual-clutch automated manual at $38,490. Top-of-the-range Titanium is available with the same drivetrains, priced at $44,990 and $46,990. Kuga brings a European design and drive to a segment dominated by Japanese and Korean brands. It’s certainly different. The 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine, in both 110kW and 134kW tunes, produces the same 240Nm of torque. The base front-wheeldrive model has lightness on its side, so at the entry level pricepoint it would be the one to go for. I haven't driven the…

Holden’s Trax is a small SUV based on the Barina hatchback. It’s only available as a front-wheel drive, so think of it as an interesting take on the compact hatch with an SUV’s easy access and high, comfortable seating position. The base LS five-speed manual is $23,990, the six-speed auto LS is $26,190 and the topspec LTZ auto is $28,490. These models are powered by GM’s 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which also does service in the Cruze. It’s an ageing slugger, but in this application it’s pretty good, offering reasonable midrange pulling power (assisted by quite short gearing), good fuel economy on regular unleaded and greater refinement than expected. The five-speed manual has a light, acceptably precise action and in fifth at 100km/h the 1.8 is pulling 3000rpm, so even…

The VF reinforces the Holden ute’s position as the world’s most sophisticated, capable and safe pickup truck, a unique vehicle that, when Holden ceases local manufacture in 2017, will surely become a collectable, as evidenced by extremely strong resale values already. The VF ute, particularly the SV6 and SS variants, is Holden’s twodoor sports car. It just happens to have a very big boot. VF ute prices start at $33,490 for the 3.6-litre V6/six-speed automatic. The 3.6-litre SV6 six-speed manual is also $33,490. SS is $39,490, SS-V is $42,990 and SS-V Redline is $48,990. The auto adds $2200 to these prices. VF ute gets all of the VF Commodore sedan improvements detailed on previous pages and its equipment levels are comparable with the equivalent Commodore sedan and Sportwagon too. I…

Holden’s Malibu goes up against the Mazda6, Honda Accord, Hyundai i40, Subaru Liberty and others in the midsize sedan segment. The Malibu has plenty going for it, not least aggressive pricing and generous equipment levels. The Malibu lineup kicks off with the 2.4-litre petrol/six-speed automatic CD at $28,890. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel CD is $32,890. CDX specification, with more gear, adds $3500 to both models. The 2.4-litre petrol has the characteristic snappy launch feel Holden engineers into all of its cars; for a peaky, naturallyaspirated petrol four it’s also got surprisingly convincing midrange pulling power. Malibu is heavy, though, so acceleration is leisurely and it’s not the most fuel-efficient device compared with rivals such as the Mazda6 and Hyundai i40. The ride is acceptably compliant even when shod with aggressive 245/45…

Honda’s HRV, a compact five-door SUV, combines extraordinary interior flexibility with a punchy drivetrain and handsome styling inside and out. The base 1.8-litre petrol/continuously variable automatic (CVT) VTi model costs $24,990; then it’s the same drivetrain with more fruit as you move up to the VTi-S (from $27,990), followed by the VT-L (from $32,990), and then the VTi-L with ADAS flagship (from $33,990). The latter is Honda-speak for Advanced Driver Assist System, and brings brand-first forward collision and lane-departure warning technology as well as an automatic high-beam dipping system. While the 1799cc single-cam i-VTEC unit has seen dependable service in the Civic for years, its pairing with the latest-generation CVT has given the 1.8 a fresh lease on life. The HR-V is unexpectedly perky off the line and will maintain…

Honda’s Odyssey is priced from a sharp $37,610, the base VTi. The more generously-equipped but mechanically identical VTi-L is $46,040. Brandishing van-like electric sliding doors and a high roof for ultra-easy entry, the Odyssey’s floor is lower than usual, with an extended wheelbase and wheelsat-each-corner stance. The result is outstanding interior space, with high-set, eight-person seating in the VTi or a seven-person arrangement in the plusher VTi-L. The latter ditches a three-seat second-row bench for a pair of very comfortable airline-style reclinable chairs with armrests and an ottoman. Uniquely they can slide sideways and back for limousine levels of legroom. Like the previous model, Odyssey’s practicality as a kid carrier is tarnished by the fact that, in the continued absence of Isofix restraint mounts, child-restraint tether straps for the VTi’s…

CARS OF THE YEAR WINNER HSV’s Gen-F 325kW 6.2-litre six-speed manual Clubsport sedan is priced at $61,990. A six-speed auto, with paddle shifters for 2015, adds $2500. The Clubsport R8, with the V8 tuned for 340kW, plus leather upholstery, 20-inch alloys and Bose audio is $73,290/$75,790. The R8 Tourer, with the auto as standard, costs $76,490. Maloo is $59,990 and Maloo R8 is $69,990. The “SV Enhanced” option is now standard on R8 models, while the bi-modal exhaust, with an electonically operated loud pedal, is also standard across the HSV range for 2015. The 6.2-litre LS3 V8 rumbles away gently and quietly on light throttle applications, steadily gathering steam to about 3000rpm, from where the exhaust opens its pipes to high-flow mode and you get a lovely rich noise plus…

Hyundai’s medium-car strategy is a little confusing so please keep up. Returning after a five-year hiatus, the Sonata belatedly replaces the short-lived i45, available from 2010 until “supply issues” saw it pulled just two years later for the slightly smaller i40 that was developed in Germany for predominantly European tastes. The i40 continues, primarily as the choice of private buyers, while the 2015 Sonata is chasing the family/fleet-focussed Toyota Camry, which dominates this medium class. After the confounding number of Hyundai midsizers in recent years, the Mk7 Sonata range is refreshingly basic, with one body shape, two petrol engines and three variants, comprising the $29,990 Active, the midrange Elite at $36,990 and top-spec Premium for a tenner under $42,000. The slabby dash is one of the brand’s most solid efforts…

Hyundai’s Veloster isn’t the first car with two doors on one side and one on the other. Mini tried it with the Clubman. They sold, oh, not very many at all, so it’s safe to assume it’s an idea that’s not going to catch on. The base model, with a 103kW atmo 1.6 petrol/six-speed manual, costs $24,490. The Veloster+ is $29,490. A six-speed dual clutch transmission adds $2200 to both. The SR Turbo is $32,990, or $35,290 with a sixspeed automatic. The turbocharged 1.6 produces 150kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm from 1750-4500rpm. That’s slightly below Euro hot hatch ballpark numbers today, but it’s certainly enough, and the engine has a lovely smooth turbo rush that comes on strong from about 2000rpm. The SR Turbo handles fine, and it’s steering is…

Hyundai’s Elantra is offered in four grades. The base Active is $20,990 with a six-speed manual or $23,290 with a six-speed auto, SE is $21,750/$24,050, Elite auto is $26,890 and the Premium auto is $30,540. It’s a super-sized small sedan with enough cabin and boot space to qualify as a bona fide kid carrier. Factor in a five-star ANCAP score, low running costs, a five-year/unlimited kilometres warranty, full-size spare and bulletproof reliability, and the Elantra is also a typically blue chip Hyundai ownership proposition. As a drive, though, it’s not quite in the premier league, partly because it’s powered by a lowcost, low-tech 1.8-litre petrol engine, with a feeble 178Nm of torque at 4700rpm. The six-speed auto does a reasonable job but it doesn’t have much to work with. Superior…

In its bones, Kia’s Cerato is basically the same car as Hyundai’s Elantra/i30. The Kia gets a bespoke Eurostyle interior, and a powerful 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine option. The range opens with the 110kW 1.8-litre petrol S, with a six-speed manual, priced at $19,990. A sixspeed auto adds $2200. S Premium, with the auto as standard, is $24,990. Si grade has the 129kW 2.0-litre engine, with the six-speed auto transmission, at $28,990. SLi, with the same drivetrain but more fruit, is $31,990. 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. It’s one of the best performers in the class. Kia’s suspension is tailored for our rough roads, so it’s pretty firm, and on the SLi’s…

“Kias are exciting to drive!” Now there’s something nobody’s ever said before. Enter the Pro_cee’d GT. Ignoring the appalling grammar — from here on, we will use correct English and call it the Proceed — it is the three-door version of the German-engineered and Slovakian-built Cee’d small car, which isn’t sold here. Priced from $29,990 for the red one (metallics add $595), the GT straddles the light and small-car heroes such as Volkswagen’s respective Polo and Golf GTIs. The GT Tech is $34,990. Kia insists the GT is a “warm” rather than ‘hot’ hatch, and sure enough, the 1.6-litre direct-injection twinscroll turbo’s 150kW/265Nm outputs fall significantly shy of the Golf GTI’s 2.0-litre unit. Furthermore, the Proceed is heavier by about two adults so it doesn’t so much bolt off the…

The 2015 Lexus IS range opens with the 153kW 2.5-litre V6 IS250, available in Luxury, F-Sport and Sports Luxury grades, priced at $54,000, $62,000 and $74,000 respectively. The 233kW 3.6-litre V6 IS350 is available in the same grades, priced at $62,000, $70,000 and $82,000. Hybrid power is also available as an alternative to diesel with the IS300h, priced at $57,000 for the Luxury and $65,000 for the F Sport. Lexus claims the IS300h “leaves diesel rivals behind” in reference to the diesel offerings in Audi’s A4, BMW’s 3 Series and the Mercedes C-Class lineups. The Lexus petrol/electric drivetrain, which uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, develops 164kW, drives the IS to 100km/h in a respectable, if hardly sporty, 8.5 seconds and averages 4.9L/100km. I haven’t yet driven this or the IS250,…

The Lexus CT200h is the Toyota Prius’ hybrid/electric powertrain repackaged in a smaller, shinier Lexus box. It’s pitched at people who don’t like diesel and are looking for something a bit techno, luxo and glossy, but can’t find it in a European car shop. Prices start at $37,990 for the base model. That’s $5500 more than a Prius. The FSport, tested here, costs $46,990. The Sport Luxury is $54,990. Never before in the history of automotive engineering has such extravagant money been asked for such ordinary performance. And as for the “Sport” label, forget it. Toyota’s 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol/electric hybrid drivetrain is smooth, refined and incredibly fuel efficient, with ample performance for everyday use — especially in the city, where the main benefits of hybrid technology are realised — but…

If we leave fleets out of the picture and look only at private customers who pay for their cars with cold, hard, nontax deductible cash, the Mazda3 is Australia’s most popular car. Why? It delivers what Australian car buyers want: value for money, outstanding quality and reliability, fuel efficiency, conservative yet expressive design and five star safety. The fact that the Mazda argues with the VW Golf for best drive in class status is the icing on the cake. Available as a sedan and hatch, base models are powered by the 114kW 2.0-litre naturally aspirated petrol Skyactiv-G engine, kicking off at $20,490 for the Neo; the Maxx is $22,390 and the Touring is $24,790. The SP25 line runs the same 138kW 2.5-litre Skyactiv-G engine used in the Mazda 6. SP25…

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

BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS Byron is a car tragic. His love affair with cars predates memory, but a dream as a toddler of driving an Austin A35 pretty much sealed his fate. He held various jobs, including being a singing telegram, music video extra, bartender and working in a record store (where he met The Ramones and Alice Cooper!), until he was hired in the news room of goauto.com.au. Byron also writes for The Australian and Wheels magazine, where he is a judge on Car of the Year. In this issue, Byron drives the new Audi TT, BMW i3, 2 Series Active Tourer and X6, Honda HRV, Hyundai Sonata, Tesla Model S and Renault Captur. JOHN CAREY One of Australia’s most accomplished motoring writers, over three decades, John is a previous editor…

Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta is a five-door hatch similar in size to the Volkswagen Golf. At $29,000, the base Giulietta Progression runs Fiat’s 88kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine with a six-speed manual. The 125kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol MultiAir Distinctive is $33,000 with the manual or $35,000 with a six-speed twin-clutch automated manual TCT transmission. The MultiAir engine uses solenoids instead of a camshaft to operate the inlet valves so, in theory, you get more precise control over mixture and timing. In practice, it’s a surprisingly uninspiring, sluggish drive, even when you flick the “dial a digital tune” toggle to Dynamic and go hunting for some Alfa-style topend zip. It’s there, but in a fairly sedated state, sadly. Dynamically, the Giulietta is typical of today’s front-wheel drive Fiats…whoops, sorry… Alfas. It feels tight and…

The A1 is now exclusively a five door (Sportback in Audispeak) bodystyle. The base Attraction, at $26,500, runs a 63kW 1.2-litre turbopetrol/six-speed manual. Attraction (from $29,900) and Ambition (from $33,450) equipment levels are also both available with a 90kW/200Nm 1.4-litre direct-injection turbocharged TFSi petrol engine and six-speed manual drivetrain. A seven-speed automated manual (S-Tronic in Audispeak) adds $2350 to both 1.4-litre variants. The 1.4TSi Sport, with the 136kW supercharged and turbocharged 1.4/seven-speed S-Tronic drivetrain, is $39,900. The S1 Sportback, with a 170kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine, sixspeed manual, quattro all-wheel drive and claims of 0-100km/h in just 5.9 seconds, is $49,900. The 66kW/230Nm 1.6-litre TDi turbodiesel, with a five-speed manual or seven-speed S-Tronic, costs $29,900/$32,250, the same as the 1.4-litre petrol Attraction. The 1.6TDi is an honest, frugal slugger but, unless…

Audi’s A4 range opens with the 125kW 1.8-litre direct-injection turbocharged petrol/continuously variable transmission — 1.8 TFSi Multitronic in Audi-speak — front-wheel drive, at $55,500 for the sedan or $58,500 for the Avant S-Line wagon. The 130kW 2.0-litre directinjection turbodiesel/seven-speed twin-clutch automated manual S-Tronic quattro sedan is $59,900. The 1.8 TFSi petrol engine cruises quietly and easily through traffic or on the highway, but its 2.0-litre rivals from BMW and Mercedes are slightly more powerful. The 165kW 2.0-litre turbo quattro/six-speed manual TFSi sedan is priced at $57,100. The price rises to $59,900 for the seven-speed automated manual S-Tronic or $62,900 for the Avant. The 2.0-litre turbopetrol hauls like a tractor from low revs and just keeps pouring it on, with impeccable smoothness and deceptive ease, to 6000rpm. The 2.0TFSi’s telling advantages…

Audi’s Sportback body style works beautifully on the A7, a car that’s nearly as long in the wheelbase as the A8 limo and offers comparable interior space, but comes with significantly lower pricetags. It shares much of its architecture and running gear with the mid-sized A6. Drivetrains are also shared: a 160kW 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel TDi, priced at $115,400 and a 235kW 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbodiesel Bi-turbo, priced at $144,900. Quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automated manual with stop/start are standard on the TDI; the Bi-turbo has an eight-speed automatic. The S7, with a 331kW 4.0-litre twin-turbopetrol V8, is $179,900. The A7’s dynamics benefit from relatively lightweight construction (with 30 per cent aluminium components) and fine balance. The A7 is an agile and involving drive, in a class where size…

A parent’s search for the perfect family SUV is a quest for that “just right” moment, when you open the door, like what you see, picture the billy lids safe and happy in the back seat and realise that this is the one. Audi’s Q5 has indeed been exactly that for many parents around the world and it leads the mid-size premium SUV field. The Q5 2.0 TDi turbodiesel quattro is $62,600 and the 2.0 TFSi turbopetrol quattro is $63,600. The 3.0 V6 TFSi petrol quattro is $76,100 and the 3.0 V6 TDi turbodiesel quattro is $77,200. The SQ5, with a 230kW 3.0-litre V6 twin turbopetrol, is $91,700. It’s got more stomp than a herd of elephants, but the 2.0-litre petrol engine delivers willing and pretty rapid performance too. The…

Remember the 2002 of the 1960s? It’s where modern BMW began. Boxy yet sporty, the compact two-door sedan was the precursor to the first 3 Series of 1975, establishing the brand as ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’. Now the Bavarian carmaker is keen to cash in on the 2002’s cachet with the new F22 2 Series Coupe. The range kicks off from $51,000 for the 135kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol 220i, or $53,000 for the identically specified 135kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel 220d. The 180kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol 228i is $64,400 while the $79,930 M235i (covered separately in this issue) is the only six-cylinder variant on offer. Proving there’s nothing new under the sun, the F22 actually follows on from the conceptually identical E82 1 Series Coupe, now discontinued. Though familiarlooking, every panel is different, with…

A new hierarchy has emerged within BMW, starting off with the normal production vehicles, rising to the ‘M Performance’ brand, and then topping out with the signature ‘M’ range. Until the rumoured ‘M2’ gets the production nod (it’s a certainty; the only issue is when) the M Performance M235i Coupe is the flagship of the new F22 2 Series Coupe range. Priced from $79,930, it’s the sole six-cylinder 2 Series model available. Its natural rivals are the Mercedes A45 AMG and Audi’s S3. The M235i convertible is priced at $85,800. The M235i adds to the 2 Series coupe specification a full body kit, different trim colours, unique 18-inch alloys and an upgraded brake package featuring four-piston fixed calipers up front and a twopiston set-up in the rear. But it is…

BMW’s F30 3 Series sedan range opens with the $53,800 316i, which runs a humble 1.6-litre turbopetrol four with just 100kW of power and 220Nm of torque. The 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic 320d is $63,800. The 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine is also available in two states of tune with 135kW/270Nm in the 320i, at $61,500, and 180kW/350Nm in the 328i, which costs $70,400. The 225kW/400Nm twinturbopetrol 3.0-litre six, also with the eight-speed auto, is $93,430 in the 335i. Hooked up to an electric motor in the Active Hybrid 3, the price goes up to $100,200. The pick of the range for value and performance is the 328i, though the 320i is pretty good too. Both engines deliver remarkable midrange torque; the 328i adds serious top end zip, though with a dull…

BMW’s i8, priced at $299,000, stakes a claim to be the poster child for plugin hybrids. It plunges into the deep end of alternative technology with a bold design that says “the future of driving” like nothing else on the road. The shape reflects the unorthodoxy underneath. The i8 has a carbon-fibre passenger cell at its core, mounted on an aluminium chassis. The whole lot is clad in plastic body panels. Under the sealed bonnet is a 98kW electric motor powered by a 7.1kW/h lithium-ion battery pack running down the car’s spine. The motor drives the front wheels via a two-speed automatic and after a recharge using the domestic mains or dedicated charger, the i8 can travel up to 35 kilometres on battery power alone. At the rear is a…

CARS OF THE YEAR WINNER The third generation of the world’s top-selling luxury wagon, BMW’s F15 X5 offers a four-cylinder turbodiesel, more equipment, stronger performance and improved fuel efficiency. It also maintains the X5’s reputation as the gun drive in big SUVs. The range opens with the rearwheel drive X5 sDrive25d 160kW four-cylinder turbodiesel, which costs $84,200; the all-wheel-drive xDrive25d is priced at $89,200. The 190kW 3.0-litre xDrive30d turbodiesel costs $100,900, the 225kW 35i turbopetrol is $107,900, the 230kW twin turbodiesel 40d Sport is $116,900 and the 330kW 4.4-litre twin turbopetrol V8 50i is $134,900. The xDrive M50d, with a 280kW 3.0-litre triple turbodiesel, is priced at $148,400. Top gun in petrol is the X5 M, with the 4.4 tuned for 423kW and 750Nm. It’s priced at $185,900. Given its…

The Fiat 500 range opens with the 1.2-litre Pop, priced at $16,000 with a five-speed manual or $17,500 with the five-speed Dualogic transmission. The 1.4-litre/six-speed manual S is $19,000 and the Dualogic is $20,500. The 875cc Twin Air engine, with a five-speed manual, is available with Dualogic only, in the $22,000 Lounge. The completely crazy Abarth 695 Biposto, with a 140kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol, racecar-style Hpattern six-speed manual gearbox, Akrapovic pipe, adjustable suspension, rear titanium roll bar, Brembo brakes and 18-inch wheels is $65,000. Like the reincarnated Mini, the 500 is a retro car inspired by the model of the same name that Fiat built from 1957-1975 as affordable transport in Italy. The 875cc Twin Air is a unique fuel-efficient powerplant from Fiat. As the name implies, it’s a two cylinder…

Ford’s Focus range is about to be overhauled with new, more fuel efficient engines being the headline change, along with a facelift (pictured), suspension and cabin upgrades. It’s an overdue move, necessary to keep the Focus competitive with much newer, more sophisticated rivals such as the Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Volkswagen’s Golf. For now, the base model is the $20,290 Ambiente hatch, with a 92kW 1.6-litre petrol engine and five-speed manual. A six-speed automated manual adds $2300. Ambiente sedan is the same price. Trend hatch runs a 125kW 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol engine with the same transmission choices, at $22,290/$24,590. Trend auto-only petrol sedan is also $24,590. Trend hatch and sedan are also available with a 120kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel, with the auto only, both priced at $28,090. Sport man/auto 2.0 petrol…

The FG X Falcon range kicks off at $35,900 for the base model. The G Series begins with the G6E at $40,110 and the G6E Turbo at $46,550. All run a sixspeed automatic as standard. The base model and G6E are available, at the same price, with either the 179kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged Ecoboost engine or the mighty 195kW 4.0-litre straight six we know and love. The 2.0-litre Ecoboost engine is also used to excellent effect in the Kuga, Mondeo, Volvo S60/V60/XC60, Land Rover Disco Sport and Range Rover Evoque. Ford Australia did a major engineering job, swinging it around 90 degrees to install it for the first time in rearwheel-drive architecture, with a bespoke calibrated six-speed ZF automatic transmission. It launches the Falcon to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds, just…

Turbodiesel power and the venerable Falcon 4.0-litre petrol six are available in the SZ MkII Territory range. The 140kW 2.7-litre turbodiesel V6 is matched with a six-speed automatic. The 195kW 4.0 petrol engine is available only with rear-wheel drive. The base 4.0 TX is $36,990 and the TX 2.7 TDCi is $40,240, or $45,240 with all-wheel drive. Mid spec TS prices for the same drivetrains are $41,740, $44,490 and $49,990. The top of the line Titanium, also with the same drivetrain lineup, costs $48,490, $51,740 and $56,740. A six-speed automatic is standard. Is the turbodiesel worth the extra $3250 over the petrol? If fuel economy is more important than performance, yes. Although the 2.7 is a relatively old engine and not particuarly fuel efficient, it will return much better economy…

The Holden Cruze, which has been built in Australia since late 2011, will cease local production along with the Commodore when Holden shuts down its manufacturing operations in 2017. Meanwhile, Holden is battling to keep the ageing, unreliable Cruze competitive. Sedan and hatch prices, for equivalent specification, are the same. The 104kW 1.8-litre slugger (an engine that dates from the late-1990s TS Astra) five-speed manual Equipe starts at $19,890. A six-speed auto adds $2200. Cruze SRi and SRi-V hatch and sedan models feature a 132kW, 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine from Opel, a six-speed manual, and Holden-calibrated sports suspension with a stiffer rear torsion beam plus a Watts link to keep it properly located. SRi, priced at $23,140 or $25,340 with a six-speed auto, includes 17-inch alloys with 225/50 Bridgestone Potenza tyres,…

There are two distinct models in the Holden Barina range. The Barina Spark is a tiny three-door hatch priced from $12,890. It runs a 1.2-litre engine, manual only and has no pretensions to being anything other than dirt cheap transport. The larger TM Barina (pictured) is available as a five-door hatch and a sedan with an 85kW 1.6-litre engine. The CD hatch costs $15,390 for the five-speed manual, $17,590 for the six-speed automatic and $20,090 for the CDX auto. Sedan variants add $500. The Barina RS, with a 103kW, 1.4-litre turbopetrol engine/six-speed manual, is $21,390, or $23,590 with a six-speed auto. Fifteen-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, Bluetooth with audio streaming, iPod connectivity and steering-wheel controls are all standard on the CD. The Barina CDX includes iPhone connectivity, via Bluetooth, with…

Honda’s Civic was was once Japan’s most highly credentialled small car and a class benchmark. Sadly, those days are long gone. Hardly encouraging stuff, but at least they’ve taken the axe to prices, with the Civic starting at just $18,490 for the base Vi with a 104kW 1.8-litre engine (carried over from the previous model) and a five-speed manual gearbox. The five-speed auto VTi is $21,990. The VTi-S automatic is $23,290 while the VTi-L is $26,290. The similarly recycled 114kW 2.0-litre/five-speed auto Sport (which, err, isn’t) costs $30,290. The 1.8-litre engine is still acceptably frugal and efficient by current standards. It’s not loaded with torque or power, but Honda’s variable valve operation system (VTEC) gives it reasonable flexibility and around town it does the job in a relaxed and refined…

Honda’s Accord range opens with the 129kW 2.4-litre petrol/five-speed automatic VTi-S, priced at $33,990. The Accord VTi-L, as tested here, is $41,490. The 206kW 3.5-litre V6/sixspeed automatic Accord V6L costs $51,990. The Accord’s 2.4/five-speed auto is the same combination used in the CRV, though here the engine produces 129kW; in the CRV it’s good for 140kW. The Accord could use the extra power, because although Honda has dialled in a sprightly launch feel, the 2.4 is an otherwise dull engine that shows its age in its lack of sparkle, tractability and refinement. It’s also pretty thirsty in real-world driving, especially compared with the 2.5-litre engine in the Mazda6. Sport mode in the five-speed auto tries gamely to extract some enthusiasm; Eco mode is also provided, but there’s no auto stop/start.…

HSV’s current Gen-F GTS sedan could, and probably should, ink the history books as Australia’s greatest performance car, period. The outrageous 430kW of power and 740Nm of torque generated by its supercharged “LSA” 6.2-litre V8 is a huge leap above and beyond any other local product, past or present. These outputs are comparable with other world supersports sedan benchmarks such as the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S and Porsche Panamera Turbo GT, which command up to $400,000. The HSV GTS, however, costs just $94,490 in six-speed manual form. The six-speed auto variant is $96,990. And if you want the world’s ultimate performance ute, the GTS Maloo is also available, priced at $87,990. The GTS’s greatness isn’t merely engine specific. It’s underpinned with solid Holden VF Commodore DNA, treated to…

The Hyundai i30 has been given a mid life makeover for 2015, with the usual front end facelift, a standard rear camera, better value and a new 1.6-litre turbodiesel/seven-speed dualclutch drivetrain variant. This is the most competitive class in the market today, with some outstanding cars being offered at super-sharp prices, notably the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and VW Golf. The i30 five-door hatchback range opens with the 107kW 1.8-litre petrol/six-speed manual Active, at $20,990; a six-speed auto adds $2300. Active X, with 16-inch alloys, leather faced seats and extra bling, is $22,090. The SR model, with a 124kW 2.0-litre petrol engine, is $25,590 with a six-speed manual or $27,890 with a six-speed automatic. SR Premium, with the same drivetrain and extra equipment, adds $5000. The 100kW 1.6-litre turbodiesel/six-speed manual Active…

The Hyundai Santa Fe features seven seats in all models. The 2015 lineup opens with the front-wheel-drive 141kW 2.4-litre direct-injection fourcylinder petrol/six-speed manual Active at $38,490. The six-speed auto is $40,990. The 145kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel/six-speed manual Active is $41,490. A six-speed auto adds $2500. The Elite 2.2 turbodiesel automatic is $48,490 and the Highlander is $53,240. As we went to press, a sportsflavoured SR variant was due. The 2.2 turbodiesel produces hefty outputs for its size: 145kW of power at 3800rpm and 436Nm from 1800-2500rpm, or 421Nm with the manual. The same engine is also used in the Santa Fe’s twin under the skin, the Kia Sorento. Its numbers are far superior to any Japanese rival. Toyota’s 3.0-litre turbodiesel in the LandCruiser Prado, for example, produces less power, less torque…

Infiniti’s Q50 is the first series production car to use steer by wire technology. Hey, if it’s good enough for the Airbus A380 and Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning, you should be able to trust it. Right? Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) is standard in every Q50 bar the base model GT. The Daimler-sourced 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol/seven-speed automatic/rear-wheel-drive 2.0t GT is $50,900; the S is $56,900 and the S Premium is $60,500. Also from Daimler, the 125kW/400Nm 2.1-litre fourcylinder turbodiesel/sevenspeed auto/rear-wheel-drive 2.2d GT is priced at $51,900; the 2.2d S is $57,900 and the S Premium is $61,500. The Q50 Hybrid runs a 3.5-litre V6 petrol/electric-motor parallel hybrid drivetrain with combined outputs of 268kW/546Nm. It’s priced at $67,900 for the rear-wheel-drive S and $73,400 for the all-wheel-drive S Premium; both run a…

If you have a few kids, the sevenseater Kia Rondo makes sense for many reasons, not least of which is its affordable price. The base-model Si, with a 122kW 2.0-litre petrol engine, is $30,240; SLi specification is $34,240 and top-of-the-range Platinum is $39,740. Si and SLi are also available with a 100kW 1.7-litre turbodiesel, priced at $32,990 and $36,990 respectively, the latter tested here. The Rondo’s interior is comfortable and well organised. There’s ample legroom in row two, the seats themselves are generously padded and supportive, and they fold/slide easily for clear access to the back seats. The two back seats are really only suitable for young kids because there is no footwell, so older kids and adults don’t so much sit as squat. Still, as occasional seats for friends,…

Kia is a subsidiary of Hyundai, so, as the Kia Sorento shares the same architecture as the Hyundai Santa Fe, the Kia Sportage is also a sibling of the Hyundai ix35. The Sportage opens with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol front-wheel-drive Si at $25,990 with a five-speed manual or $28,190 with a six-speed auto. The all-wheel-drive 2.0-litre SLi is $34,990 with a six-speed auto. The Platinum is $38,590. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel/sixspeed auto/all-wheel-drive SLi is $37,990. The Platinum, tested here, is $41,590. That’s a fairly hefty ask for a compact SUV but the Sportage is solid and well built. The diesel chugs along easily in the high gears, never feels strained and the Sportage gets up and goes in a hurry when you need to overtake. The steering is too light and…

Named after a famous Spanish fighting bull from the late 1800s, the Huracán is Lamborghini’s new “junior” supercar, stepping into the shoes of the big-selling and long-serving Gallardo, a car that also shares familial DNA with Audi’s R8. Huracán is powered by an upgraded version of its predecessor’s 5.2-litre, naturally-aspirated V10 engine, with 449kW of power and 560Nm of torque going through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, to all four wheels. At just under 4.5m long, 1.9m wide and a touch less than 1.2m high, the Huracán has a classically dramatic supercar stance — bigger in every key dimension, and (despite a hybrid aluminium and carbon-fibre chassis) 12kg heavier than the Gallardo. The AWD system is now electronically controlled, with a driving dynamics system switchable through three modes: Strada (road), Sport…

The Lexus ES starts at $60,500 for the petrol/electric hybrid ES 300h Luxury. The ES350 V6 petrol is $62,000. Sports Luxury versions of both, with extra gear, cost $69,500 and $71,000 respectively. Looking every inch a contemporary Lexus, the exquisitely made cabin is swathed in lush materials. It is the sheer expanse of rear-seat space — with one metre of legroom — that sets the Lexus apart against all rivals bar the Holden Caprice. Aimed at luring premium Euro buyers who don’t like or want a diesel, the 300h runs Toyota’s 118kW/213Nm 2.5-litre fourcylinder petrol unit, as used in the Camry Hybrid, combined with a 105kW/270Nm electric motor and a 244.8-volt nickelmetal hydride battery. Silent at first thanks to electriconly power, the four-pot petrol steps in seamlessly as speeds rise,…

Against very strong competition from Audi’s Q5, Volvo’s XC60, the Range Rover Evoque, Land Rover Discovery Sport and BMW’s X3, the Lexus RX’s case is no longer persuasive. The range opens with the 138kW, 2.7-litre four cylinder petrol/six-speed automatic/frontwheel-drive RX270 at $64,500. The 204kW 3.5-litre V6 allwheel-drive Luxury is $73,500, the F-Sport is $81,500 and the Sports Luxury is $90,000. RX buyers want — and get — a wagon that’s flawlessly screwed together and loaded with stuff. Off-road ability is irrelevant. The 204kW 3.5-litre V6 is matched with a six-speed auto. It’s adequate, but thirsty. Handling is competent and the ride is luxurious until you get to some really choppy bitumen or dirt, when it starts to become harsh. There’s some wellcredentialled competition in this five-seater luxo SUV class now,…

CARS OF THE YEAR WINNER Mazda’s mid-size 6 is available as a sedan and wagon. Prices start at $32,540 for the 138kW 2.5-litre fourcylinder petrol/six-speed automatic Sport sedan. The Touring is $37,820, the GT is $42,720 and the top-of-therange Atenza is $46,420. Wagon versions add $1300. Mazda’s 129kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, also with a six-speed auto, adds an extra $3200 to Touring, GT and Atenza sedan and wagon. The 2.5-litre petrol is the pick of the engines. Whereas most naturally-aspirated petrol fours, including Mazda’s 2.0-litre, just don’t have the bottom-end and midrange performance of their turbocharged rivals, the 2.5 is sufficiently strong and responsive across the rev range to work nicely in town or on the highway, aided by the Mazda’s relatively light weight, wellchosen gearing in the automatic and…

CARS OF THE YEAR WINNER Mazda’s CX5 shot straight to the top of the class sales charts on its introduction in 2012. It’s built to the best “Made in Japan” quality standards, has rock-solid resale values, a strong safety résumé, plenty of standard equipment, and a choice of fuel-efficient petrol and turbodiesel engines. The 2.0-litre petrol frontwheel-drive CX5 range opens with the Maxx six-speed manual at $27,190. A six-speed auto adds $2000 and is standard on all other models. The 2.0-litre Maxx Sport is $32,790. All-wheel-drive CX5s get the 2.5-litre engine and a six-speed auto. The Maxx is $32,190, Maxx Sport is $35,790, Grand Touring is $43,390 and Akera is $47,410. The 2.2-litre turbodiesel AWD Maxx Sport is $38,990, while the Grand Touring is $46,590 and Akera is $50,610. The…

Audi’s current A3 range, like its predecessors, shares its architecture and most of its componentry with parent brand Volkswagen’s Golf. Prices for the five-door A3 Sportback start at $35,900 for the 92kW 1.4-litre turbopetrol/sevenspeed automated twin-clutch manual S-Tronic. The same engine, with 110kW and cylinder-on-demand technology (COD), which automatically shuts down two cylinders under light loads to save fuel, is $38,500. The 132kW 1.8-litre turbopetrol is $43,100; with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drivetrain and a sixspeed S-Tronic, it’s $46,100. Turbodiesels include the 81kW 1.6-litre six-speed S-Tronic, at $36,900, and the 110kW 2.0-litre S-Tronic, tested here, at $43,200. Sedans start at $40,100 for the 1.4-litre/seven-speed S-Tronic COD. The 1.8-litre is $45,500, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel is $45,500 and the 1.8-litre turbopetrol quattro is $48,400. Cabrios start at $47,600 for the 103 kW 1.4-litre…

Audi’s A6 sedan and wagon are serious, albeit struggling rivals to the BMW 5 Series and the Mercedes-Benz E Class. The 1.8-litre turbopetrol TFSi seven-speed S-Tronic with 140kW of power and front-wheel drive, costs $79,900. The VW Group’s refined, muscular 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel is now the mainstay of the 2015 A6 range. The 160kW 3.0 TDi quattro S-Tronic is $99,900. In the Allroad quattro it’s $117,900. The twin turbodiesel version, with 235kW, is $124,900 in the top of the range 3.0 TDi Biturbo sedan, which features a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. This A6 flows naturally through a corner; previous models put up fierce resistance to any deviation from a straight trajectory. Ride comfort on the standard suspension and base model 18-inch wheels is fine; optional air suspension and 19- or…

Audi’s RS5 goes up against BMW’s M4 and Mercedes AMG C63, so it’s got to be better than good. Brilliance will only just suffice. Its 4.2-litre atmo V8, with 331kW and 430Nm, drives four wheels via a seven-speed twin clutch S-Tronic transmission and a mechanical centre diff. Both inside wheels can be braked in a corner and, if things get willing, an active rear diff will also fire more torque to the outside rear. So you have several systems which are basically there to counter understeer — and this they do convincingly, as long as you get the RS5 turned in early, hard and are then quick and purposeful on the fast pedal. The 4.2 rewards you with a serious lunge from about 4000rpm or so. It fairly honks from…

Welcome to the future of sustainable urban motoring, as BMW envisions it. The i3 is the Bavarian brand’s first electric vehicle. Shorter than a Mazda 2, it is offered in two distinct versions, dubbed BEV (code for Battery Electric Vehicle) from $63,900, and REX (code for Range Extender) from $69,900. The BMW is no run of the mill design. Recycled materials abound, from the exposed plantfibre extract interior lining and eucalyptus wood dash and door trim, to lightweight seats that accommodate four adults in space and comfort. All controls operate with familiar intuitiveness. Bouquets are also earned for the near-SUV lofty seating, panoramic windscreen, beautifully-sculpted steering wheel and handy twiststyle column shifter. However, fat windscreen pillar bases are real vision blockers through roundabouts. Access to the rear is both helped…

BMW purists may need to look away now. The 2 Series Active Tourer is the company’s first BMW-branded front-wheel-drive model, and is completely unrelated to the rorty coupe/convertible models also using the same 2 Series designation. Created to take on the popular Mercedes-Benz B-Class (along with an armada of versatile, compact people movers popular in Europe), the 2 Series Active Tourer (which we will call the 2AT for brevity) kicks off from $44,400 for the base 218i, powered by a 100kW/220Nm 1.5-litre threecylinder turbopetrol engine/sixspeed automatic drivetrain, also found in the latest Mini Cooper. In fact, both cars share basic architecture and chassis hardware. A trio of 2.0-litre fourcylinder turbopower engines rounds out the 2AT range: there’s the $47,800 110kW/330Nm 218d diesel, the $50,990 141kW/280Nm 220i petrol and the $54,900…

BMW’s 4 Series replaces the previous 3 Series coupe and convertible models. The 420i coupe, with a 135kW/270Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol four, kicks off the range at $70,000. The 420d, with a 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel four, is $72,300. The midrange 428i, at $81,000, delivers 180kW/350Nm from its 2.0-litre turbopetrol four. The rangetopping 435i runs the familiar 225kW/400Nm 3.0-litre turbo straight six, priced at $108,530. The 4 Series convertible range opens with the 420i at $87,000. The 420d is $89,300. The 428i is $98,000 and the 435i is $126,630. The 4 Series Gran Coupe, with a four-door body, opens with the 420i at $70,000. The 420d is $72,300. The 428i is $81,000 and the 435i is $109,000. The 4 Series range, with an eight-speed automatic as standard, doesn’t present anything new in…

BMW’s F10 5 Series sedan is available with five engines. The base 135kW 2.0-litre turbodiesel 520d is $82,900 while the 135kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbopetrol 520i is $80,400. The same engine with 180kW of power in the 528i is $97,900. Six-cylinder petrol power, once the Five Series defining engine style, is now confined to the 225kW 3.0-litre turbo 535i at $116,930. The 535d, with a 230kW/600Nm 3.0-litre twin turbodiesel, is $122,400. The 550i, with a 330kW 4.4-litre twinturbo V8, is $159,930. The Active Hybrid 5, which uses the 3.0-litre turbopetrol six, is $120,400. All are fitted with an eightspeed automatic. Touring wagons include the 520d at $91,400 and the 535i, priced at $122,930. The force-fed 3.0-litre six in the 535i is still one of the best six-cylinder engines in the world.…

The X1 range opens with the 105kW, 2.0-litre turbodiesel/eight-speed automatic sDrive (which in BMW parlance denotes rear-wheel drive) 18d, priced at $46,300. The 135kW, 2.0-litre twin turbodiesel xDrive20d is $56,900. Oh, xDrive is BMW-speak for all-wheel drive. The base petrol X1 is the 135kW, 2.0-litre turbopetrol sDrive20i, at $48,300. The 180kW, 2.0-litre turbopetrol xDrive28i is $59,900. All X1s have automatic stop/start which cuts the engine when you come to a stop and select neutral, then restarts it when you select first gear. The turbodiesels are outstanding engines, with the added bonus of class-leading economy and emissions numbers. The single turbo 18d engine pulls just as easily off the bottom (both need a gentle jab to get mobile) and segue effortlessly into the midrange. The second turbo comes on boost to…

In a market where the default solution for parents looking for a kid carrier is the lumbering SUV, Citroen offers an alternative that, by rights, should be in every second suburban driveway. It’s that good. Citroen’s Grand C4 Picasso seven-seater costs $43,990 with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel/six-speed automatic drivetrain. A shorter wheelbase, five-seater model, sans the Grand prefix, is also available with a 1.6-litre turbopetrol/six-speed auto, priced at $40,990. A genuine seven-seater, the Grand C4 Picasso family wagon — or people mover, if you prefer — arguably lacks nothing in standard form. It is, indeed, one of the more bountifully equipped cars in any class on the market. There’s all sorts of practical, clever thinking in this car that’s designed to make a parent’s life as easy as possible. Automatic…

The Ford Fiesta hatch range opens with the 82kW 1.5-litre/five-speed manual Ambiente at $15,825; a six-speed automated manual adds $2000. Trend specification (as tested) adds a further $2000. The 92kW 1.0-litre turbopetrol Fiesta Sport Ecoboost is priced at $20,525, or $22,525 with the six-speed automated transmission. This awardwinning engine produces remarkable performance for its capacity and averages just 4.9L/100km. The hot rod Fiesta ST, with a 134kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol/sixspeed manual drivetrain, is a great drive, the pick of the baby hot hatch class and a dead set bargain at $25,990. Unfortunately, that’s not quite the case with the 1.5-litre powered models. The 1.5 has less power and torque than the 1.6 it replaced, so although it goes OK with a few revs on board, it’s pretty gutless and unresponsive through…

Falcon sales are collapsing in the lead-up to the close of local production at the end of next year. The new Europeandesigned and -built Mondeo is, effectively, Ford Australia’s new flagship family and fleet car. There are three spec levels (Ambiente, Trend, Titanium), available in hatch or wagon, with a choice of two turbo petrol engines and a turbodiesel. Ambiente starts at $32,790 for the 149kW/345Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol/six-speed auto hatch. Trend, with the 177kW/345Nm chip, is $37,290 and Titanium is $44,290. The 132kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel, with a sixspeed dual clutch gearbox, adds $4000 to Ambiente and $3200 to Trend and Titanium. The 149kW engine is the only turbopetrol available in Mondeo wagon, at $36,640 for Ambiente. The turbodiesel Ambiente is $38,640; Trend is $42,430 and Titanium is $49,430. The Mondeo…

The FG X Falcon XR sedan range opens at $35,590 with the XR6; the XR6 Turbo is priced at $43,490. The EcoLPi gas-powered XR6 is $40,290. The XR8 is $53,490. The XR6 runs the base 4.0-litre Falcon donk with 195kW of power at 6000rpm and 391Nm of torque at 3250rpm. It’s matched with a six-speed manual; a six-speed automatic is a $2200 option on most models. The auto is standard on the EcoLPi. The force-fed 4.0-litre in the XR6 Turbo produces 270kW/533Nm. A six-speed manual is standard and a six-speed auto adds $2200. The 4.0-litre six is loaded with torque and hauls off the bottom like no other six does. Top-end performance, though, is less refined and responsive than the direct-injection 3.6-litre V6 in the Commodore SV6. You get very…

The South Korean-built Captiva’s success is based on the fact that it’s a good value family SUV, especially the seven-seaters. Regularly advertised drive-away offers further strengthen its appeal. The five-seater Captiva 5 LT with front-wheel drive is available with a 2.4-litre fourcylinder petrol engine, with 123kW of power and 230Nm of torque. Transmission choices are six-speed manual at $26,490 or automatic, at $28,690. LT-Z auto is $31,690. The Captiva 5 also offers a 2.2-litre turbodiesel option with 135kW and 400Nm, only with the automatic all-wheel drivetrain, priced at $32,690 for LT and $35,690 for LT-Z. Both of these engines, plus the 3.0-litre direct injection petrol V6 as used in the Commodore are also offered in the seven-seater Captiva 7. The base Captiva 7 LS is frontwheel drive with either the…

Holden’s VF Commodore SS 6.0-litre V8/six-speed manual costs $42,990. The six-speed auto SS is priced at $45,190. Over and above base Evoke specification (see the VF Commodore test), the SS, like the 3.6-litre SV6, gets 18-inch alloys, LED running lights, sports seats, a body kit and spoiler. The SS-V at $46,490 (man) and $48,690 (auto) includes leather, 19-inch alloys and navigation. SS-V Redline, at $52,490/$54,690, adds Brembo brakes, forged 19-inch alloys, a head-up display, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, Bose sound and a sunroof. All automatic variants are also available as the Sportwagon, at a price premium of $2000. The SS and SSV interiors are the most attractive in the VF range. You get a big, supportive, luxurious driver’s seat, pukka dark trim with red lighting, plus piano black…

Holden’s Volt has a 1.4-litre petrol engine, a big, T-shaped lithium ion battery pack and two electric motors. If you use petrol/electric power, by selecting Hold drive mode, the Volt has a range of up to 600km. Holden claims a range for the Volt of up to 87km on the battery. Unlike other hybrids, the battery is not charged by the engine; it has to be plugged into a normal 240-volt powerpoint. So the Volt gives you the best of both alternative worlds: hybrid and electric. And it really does work. The 87km electric-only range is achievable, but an average of 50km to 60km is more realistic. You may well be able to drive it every day — to work, the shops, the school run and other short suburban trips…

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

Honda put the Civic hatch back into mainstream calculations in the fiercely competitive small car class with big price cuts in 2012 and specification upgrades in 2013 and 2014. Prices start at $21,650 for the VTi-S six-speed manual; a fivespeed automatic adds $2300. The VTi-L is $26,490 and the VTi-LN is $30,590. Petrol models are powered by the latest version of Honda’s 1.8-litre, naturally-aspirated, four-cylinder engine. Its 104kW of power and 174Nm of torque are relatively modest, and there’s no mid-range turbo torque, which does make you wonder why it requires 95 octane premium unleaded petrol. A 1.6-litre turbodiesel/sixspeed manual is also available in the DTi-S, priced at $27,990. The UK-built Civic hatch feels exceptionally solid and well screwed together. It lacks the sedan’s independent rear suspension and has a…

The CRV range starts with the 114kW 2.0-litre six-speed manual front-wheel-drive VTi, at $27,490. The five-speed automatic is $29,790; the VTi-S auto is $33,290 and the VTi-L auto is $39,290. The 140kW 2.4-litre, five-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive VTi is $32,790, the VTi-S is $36,290 and the VTi-L, as tested, is $42,290. A 110kW 2.2-litre turbodiesel all-wheel-drive DTi-S model costs $38,290 with a six-speed manual or $40,590 with a fivespeed automatic; in DTi-L specification, it’s $45,340. The 2.4-litre is one of the most powerful engines in this class, but as is often the case with Honda engines, it doesn’t feel like it’s got as much power as the specification says it has. This is probably because the full 140kW kicks in only at 7000rpm, where the engine is screaming its head off.…

Genesis is Hyundai’s first big, rear-wheel-drive, Commodore-sized sedan to reach Australia. It has been building the car since 2008, mainly for the American market; this is the second-generation model and the first to be built in right-hand drive form. The car has racked up a couple of notable honours. It was ranked first in the authoritative JD Powers Initial Quality Study in the US, a survey which asks owners about issues they’ve had with their new car during the first 90 days of ownership. In Australia, Genesis also achieved the highest ever ANCAP crash test score. Neither of these achievements should come as a surprise. Hyundai makes reliable, safe, high-quality cars, the equal of comparable models from any rival in any country. But would you pay $60,000 for the base-model…

Hyundai’s i40 Tourer wagon range includes a 1.7-litre turbodiesel, priced at $36,590 in Active spec with a six-speed automatic. The six-speed manual is $34,590. It’s neither fast nor especially refined, but it slugs away without ever feeling strained and the manual averages an exceptionally frugal 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres. A 130kW 2.0-litre direct-injection petrol i40 2.0GDi Tourer starts at $31,990 in Active specification. The i40 is bigger inside than it looks, with plenty of back-seat and boot space plus a low, easyload, 60/40 extendable floor. When you’re buying a kid carrier, it’s the details that count. The child-restraint anchors are in a dumb place, in the load floor instead of on the back of the rear seat, but you get nine airbags (and five-star NCAP), storage compartments and bottleholders…

Hyundai’s Accent is cleverly designed to offer generous interior space in a compact body and comes as a sedan or hatchback. Prices start at $16,990 for the base 91kW 1.6-litre petrol Active sedan or hatch. The 103kW direct-injection 1.6-litre petrol Accent SR hatch is $18,990. A six-speed manual is standard and a four-speed auto adds $2000. The Active’s 91kW 1.6-litre petrol drivetrain is effective in the city, where you have usable punch in the higher gears, a light, precise gearbox action and great fuel economy running on regular unleaded. Handling is vice-free given the Accent’s purpose in life, while the ride is comfortable and compliant. The driver sits high on a saggy cushion, with no steering wheel reach adjustment. Rear vision is partially blocked by the rear seat head restraints…

The Kia Rio used to be a cheap, disposable tin box. It’s not now. When you factor in reliability, running costs, warranty — the longest on the market at seven years/unlimited kilometres — value and interior space, the Rio is a winner. On the downside, resale values are weak and the lower spec models are still saddled with an outdated drivetrain. The range opens with the 79kW 1.4-litre three door S, priced at $15,990 with a sixspeed manual or $17,990 with a four-speed automatic. The base five-door S hatch with the same drivetrains is $16,990/$18,990. S Premium adds $1700. The 1.6-litre Si automatic is $21,490. It’s the model to have. The 1.6-litre engine is one of the most technically advanced of its type. It’s naturally aspirated with direct injection, which…

Kia’s stylish Cerato Koup is available in two variants. The GDi Si, priced at $24,190, runs a 129kW, 2.0-litre directinjection naturally aspirated engine. The T-GDi Turbo, priced at $28,190, uses a 150kW 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine, also found in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. A six-speed manual is standard; a six-speed auto adds $2300 to both models. An optional Touring pack, available on the Turbo only, includes leather, navigation, a DVD player, touch-screen infotainment and dual-zone air. It adds $2500. The Koup Turbo (tested) goes up against comparably priced small hot hatchbacks such as the Ford Fiesta ST, Peugeot 208GTi and the Renault Clio RS200, though it’s a much larger car than these two, with much more back seat space and a bigger boot. Size-wise, it’s closer to a Golf GTi or…

The nine-car Lexus GS range starts at $72,500 for the 154kW 2.5-litre V6 Luxury and tops out at $119,500 with the GS450h Sports Luxury hybrid. The model that deserves your attention is the GS350 F-Sport, at $96,000. The GS350’s atmo-style top end performance is wonderfully entertaining; the 250’s less so because it takes a long while to get there and when you do it’s pretty mild. Overall, the smaller engine is off the pace. Both engines use considerably more fuel than their German brand turbocharged equivalents. Lexus is still ultraconservative, especially compared with BMW, in its definition of “Sport”, so the 350’s most extreme settings for the drivetrain, adaptive dampers, variable-ratio steering (with dynamic rear steering as well, like the 535i) and traction/stability systems are the equivalent of BMW’s chill-out…

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

CARS OF THE YEAR WINNER This is the third-generation of Mazda’s massively popular 2, targeted at first-time new car buyers as well as “empty nesters” looking for a quality sub-compact five-door. The five-door hatch, new-fromthe-tyres-up 2015-model Mazda 2 is offered with a choice of two 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated, direct-injection petrol engines across three spec levels: Neo, Maxx and Genki. Pricing starts at a superaggressive $14,990 for the Neo manual; Maxx manual is $16,990 and Genki manual is $19,990. A six-speed auto adds $2000. All models are well equipped, and the Genki picks up the 3’s MZD Connect connectivity system incorporating web access (via your device), Bluetooth and internet radio, with a sleek, tablet-style screen on top of the dash. Automatic emergency braking (at speeds of 30km/h or less) is…