Category: Road Test

Road Test Review

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LATEST TOYOTA KLUGER IS THE SAFEST YET

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Toyota has established itself a one-stop shop for 4WDs and SUVs, with seven models ranging from the urban C-HR through to the go-anywhere / do-anything LandCruiser 70 and 200 series. In between there’s the RAV4, Fortuner, Prado and this week’s review vehicle the semi-luxury Kluger. Kluger is aimed at the SUV buyer who wants to transport the family in comfort rather than tackling any serious off-road terrain. Having said that it does come with the option of all-wheel drive although that’s more likely to be used for recreational towing than… Read more

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TOYOTA COROLLA HYBRID REVIEW

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If ever there was a car that needed no introduction then it’s the Toyota Corolla. In production continuously since 1966, and with sales in excess of 44 million, it is the biggest selling car of all time. In mid-2016 Toyota added a petrol / electric hybrid variant to the Australian Corolla range for the first time. The Japanese giant was one of the pioneers of volume production vehicles using this fuel-saving technology with its Prius hatchback which arrived here in 2001. The original Corolla Hybrid only came in the base… Read more

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RANGER TAKES ON MORE ‘TERRITORY’

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There’s no such thing as a lone Ranger these days; there’s one around almost every street corner. So much so that the Ford is the second most popular utility vehicle Down Under. With going on for 30 variants there’s no being stuck for choice. Offered in single-, super- and double-cab body styles, Ranger brings the flexibility and toughness of Ranger’s ladder-frame chassis and Australian-led engineering and design in both 4×2 and 4×4 powertrains. Specification levels are XL, XLS, XLT and Wildtrak. Interestingly, XL 4×2 versions also include a Hi-Rider model,… Read more

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2018 KIA CERATO SEDAN REVIEW

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Easily Kia’s biggest-seller, the Cerato sits in fourth-place in the ultra-competitive small-medium segment having gradually eroded sales from the perennial big-three of Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Hyundai i30. Kia’s seven-year unlimited distance warranty is proving a masterstroke in that it is attracting new buyers who may have had any lingering doubts about the quality and reliability of Korean cars. The third generation, Kia Cerato sedan arrived here in June 2018 with the hatchback due towards the end of the year. The biggest change is styling, with more than a hint… Read more

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2019 MINI COOPER S REVIEW

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It’s hard to believe the Mini is now in its 60th year, these days its shape is arguably one of the most recognisable of all. It began life as a tiny no-nonsense very-practical car that could carry four people with less squeezing than you might expect, but became a legend in its own lifetime. Or rather two lifetimes, because the BMW Mini, launched in 2001 after the British maker got into so much financial strife that the German company moved in to sort out the mess. Thankfully, the guys and… Read more

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OPTIMA GT KEEPS UP THE KIA PACE

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A fresh face and a new set of ‘shoes’ are Kia’s attempt to keep its Optima mid-size sedan appealing in an ever-changing Australian car market. Pricing has come in for a haircut too. The MY2019 entry-level Si and premium GT pair gain a new grille and front fascia, upper and lower rear panels and re-styled wheels. Inside, the Optima gains the new OEM infotainment head unit (7-inch for the Si and 8-inch for the GT) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto tie-up. Kia’s Australian engineering team once again has rolled… Read more

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LEXUS LS500h SPORTS LUXURY

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I love being married to motoring journalist Ewan Kennedy for many reasons, not just the fact I get to drive lots of different cars. My passion for cars was instilled in me by my big brother Brett and his best mate Barry. Between them they’ve owned a Fiat, MG, Saab, E Type Jaguar, Maserati and probably some I have forgotten. Until they both got married and had other obligations. It hasn’t really made them boring, though – now that the short-of-cash period has passed Brett has an Audi S4 Avant… Read more

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2018 NISSAN 370Z REVIEW

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The popular Nissan 370Z has received a slight update, a price cut and minor styling changes as the Japanese manufacturer looks to reposition the distinguished coupe as an affordable and timeless offering. We have always had a soft-spot for the 370Z and there was great excitement when it replaced the 350Z in 2009, and a somewhat more tempered pleasure with subsequent refreshes over the last decade. Taking it home for the week was a nice way to get reacquainted with a favoured friend. STYLING Amazingly, the Nissan 370Z continues to… Read more

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SHARPER LOOKS TO LEADING-EDGE KIA

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Since it was launched 12 months ago, the Kia Picanto has taken up a position at the leading edge of the Australian light-car market. In January that edge was sharpened with the addition of a special edition, designated GT-Line, to mark Kia’s sponsorship of the Australian Tennis Open. Such was the popularity of the sporty Picanto, the new ‘top seed’ has been made a permanent fixture of the team, at $17,290, plus on-road costs. Already replete with features following a substantial upgrade in equipment, including the addition of Apple i-Play,… Read more

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2018 JAGUAR E-PACE FIRST EDITION

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Jaguar was relatively slow at getting into the small end of the booming prestige SUV market, a segment that is not only popular here but in many other countries. Now the Brit marque is in there. Tagged the Jaguar E-Pace it joins big brother Jaguar F-Pace that has been on sale here since October 2016. Jaguar E-Pace is pretty well line-ball in size for the prestige class, being 4395mm long and sitting on a 2681mm wheelbase. In a smart marketing move Jaguar has introduced the E-Pace to Australia with a… Read more