Category: Road Test

Road Test Review

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MAZDA’S BEST OF A GOOD BUNCH

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The Mazda3 marches on as one of the most popular cars on the Australian market with upgrades to its lower end models for modest increases in price. A range of equipment has been added to Neo, Maxx and Touring grades across hatch and sedan variants. Buyers of the top-notch SP25 and SP25 GT are the big winners with driveaway matching the manufacturer’s figure before on-road costs. The Mazda3 SP25 continues to feature advanced keyless entry, dual-zone climate-control, electric parking brake, headlamps auto on / off and 18-inch alloy wheels, while… Read more

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MX-5 RF LIMITED EDTION

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Mazda has introduced a limited edition to its MX-5 RF retractable fastback range. It is priced at $55,748 driveaway and is on sale now. Only 110 have been produced for Australia and these are moving out of the dealerships fast. The MX-5 RF Limited Edition is offered in Soul Red Crystal Metallic, Machine Grey Metallic, Snow Flake, White Pearl Mica, Ceramic Metallic and Eternal Blue Mica. Our test car was a white one – pity because we really have fallen in love with the Soul Red that has taken Mazda… Read more

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NISSAN X-TRAIL TL REVIEW

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Take a good look at the Nissan X-Trail. Look like a speed demon to you? It may have the 370Z as a brother but let’s face it, the X-Trail leans towards comfortable, disciplined and tempered rather than the maverick. Unfortunately, the traffic policeman I pointed that out to didn’t seem to bite, nodding patiently while still texting me my infringement (yes, that’s actually a thing). Luckily the senior constable took pity on me, keeping the points to a minimum, although I prefer to consider it my fee for discussing the… Read more

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2018 LEXUS RX350 L REVIEW

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Lexus RX has been a major player in its SUV class in Australia for close to 20 years now. Early in 2018 a stretched seven-seat model was added to the range for the first time. Using the moniker of Lexus RX L its body is 110 mm longer and the roof 10 mm higher than in the ongoing five-seater RX range. The all-wheel-drive Lexus RX L is sold in two grades, Luxury and Sports Luxury, with features almost identical to their five-seat equivalents. Our test vehicle for the past week… Read more

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2018 NISSAN PATROL Ti-L REVIEW

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With each road test that we carry out it’s always interested to hear the first impressions the vehicle makes on relatives, friends and even passers-by. Responses generally vary depending on the interests of the viewer but not so with this week’s test, the Nissan Patrol Ti-L, where the reaction has been all-but unanimous …. “Isn’t it BIG!” The tale of the tape confirms that visual impression. It’s nearly 5.2 metres long and just under two metres wide and high, larger all round than its only real competitor the market leading… Read more

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LATE DELIVERY GIVES RENAULT VAN AN AUTOMATIC SHIFT UP

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In danger of being left behind, the Renault Kangoo Maxi has finally joined the light van convoy of the likes of the Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo and Volkswagen Caddy with the addition of an automatic transmission. This will be good news for the Kangoo driver, who until now has spent his or her time constantly shifting gear in heavy traffic or hilly going. I continue to take my hat off to the city van driver, who until now and the auto upgrade, deserved better. The Kangoo Maxi 1.5 turbo-diesel on… Read more

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TIME TO SHINE FOR CREATIVE CITROEN C3 BUYERS

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The Citroen C3 may be light-on in variants, but the new French compact, which comes to market in a single version, the Shine, has striking looks, cost savings and the chance to match the buyer’s own personality. With a skinny sticker price of $23,490, plus on-roads, the hatch is straight from the ‘Do you want fries with that?’ design school and while as a main dish may seem meagre, it comes with an optional ‘sides’ menu of lip-smacking proportions. For starters there are 33 exterior colour combinations, three interior ‘moods’… Read more

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HYUNDAI IONIQ HYBRID PREMIUM REVIEW

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Hyundai’s electrically influenced Ioniq range is just about ready to go on sale in Australia. There are a few of them getting around, loaned to lucky fleet users, as the Korean company get a feel for what it’s real debut may herald. While colleagues have looked at performance, battery capacity and Hyundai’s really drive to stretch out, we were able to put this new looker to the family test. STYLING With its sleek lines, well-appointed front end and hatchback rear the Ioniq Hybrid makes quite a pretty picture. You can… Read more

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2018 BMW 630i M SPORT GRAN TURISMO

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The most commonly-asked question of motoring journalists is, “What’s your favourite car?” Which leads to a dilemma. Do you tell them the truth – and generally disappoint them – by saying that it varies according to the circumstances and location in which it’s to be driven. Around the inner city it would be small economical hybrid; on the motorway a comfortable cruiser; off-road, a rugged 4WD or ute. Or to tell a little white lie and give them what you know they really want to hear – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche…… Read more

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HOME-GROWN ‘FRUIT’ FOR NISSAN UTE

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While not the biggest market in the world, Australia is seen as a trendsetter in sports utility vehicle performance development globally. So when the Nissan local team went to HQ with a request to upgrade the Navara ute, bosses were all ears. The result is the MY18 Nissan Navara, which was tried and tested extensively in, and exclusively for, conditions Down Under by Nissan ute experts from around the world. Upgrades apply to Dual Cab SL, ST and ST-X variants in the Australasian market. Particular attention was paid to ride… Read more