AUDI Q7 2006-2021

The Audi Q7 was first imported to Australia in 2006. Unlike an ever-increasing number of other vehicles in this field it was designed as a reasonably serious 4WD not simply a people mover dressed up to look Tuff. So good was that first Audi Q7 that it lasted for close to a decade, with the second generation not being released in Europe until 2015. However, the second-generation Audi Q7 leans more in the direction of family wagon than at conquering the great Aussie bush and our seemingly endless deserts. But… Read more

HYUNDAI ACCENT 2011 – 2019

Hyundai Accent was a popular seller in Australia from July 2011 onwards when the fourth generation was launched. It had been reasonably well made prior to then, but real improvements in quality were made at that time as the Koreans were rapidly becoming known for the excellent way their cars were being made. Hyundai was smart enough to do its research of the Australian market and realised that drivers in this country are keen on the way their cars handle. So the Accent, and other Hyundais, has Australian-developed suspension tuning…. Read more

FORD ECOSPORT 2013 – 2019

Ford EcoSport is a small SUV based on the Ford Fiesta, but with a taller body, added ground clearance and a trendy shape. The latter is a pleasant feature in this class of small SUVs, that sets it aside from the somewhat bland bodies of larger SUVs and 4WDs. As often happens on traditional 4WDs the EcoSport has its spare wheel mounted on the rear door. Which is handy on a smallish SUV because as boot volume is larger because the spare isn’t taking space under the floor. Poor design… Read more

LEXUS GS 2012 – 2020

Lexus GS is an upmarket Japanese sedan. In what was a bold marketing move it’s aimed at Australian buyers who had previously bought sedans from Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes. In this Used Car Checkout we look at the fourth generation Lexus GS models that went on sale here midway through 2012. Build quality of the Lexus GS is high, even better than the already very good Toyota models. This has been a strong selling point of Lexus and we have spoken to many owners of the GS and other… Read more

SUBARU XV 2012 – 2021

Subaru is very well known for its all-wheel-drive models and in this edition of our Used Car Checkout series we are examining the XV series built from 2012 onwards. The Subaru XV from 2012 onwards have 220 mm of ground clearance, up by a substantial 75 mm on the Impreza XV it superseded so was no longer a hatchback trying to look like an SUV. That 220mm is regarded by many as being the minimum ground clearance for a genuine off-road vehicle. You wouldn’t call it a genuine 4WD in… Read more

BMW 1 SERIES 2011 – 2021

The BMW 1 Series is the smallest car in the prestigious German company’s range. It’s aimed at those who enjoy their driving, rather than simply seeing it as a way at getting from one place to another. It has excellent engines driving the rear wheels. A downside is that rear-wheel drive takes some cabin and boot space because the engine and transmission are mounted longitudinally rather than sideways, so it encroaches into the passenger area. There’s good legroom in the front seats, though foot-width is restricted by the gearbox housing…. Read more

HOLDEN CRUZE 2009 – 2016

Though it’s officially called a small car the Holden Cruze is quite large and has good leg and shoulder room for four adults. Three children in the back and parents in the front all have room to move. Cruze in sedan format arrived in Australia in June 2009. The five-door hatchback went on sale in November 2011. The revised rear end to create the hatchback was virtually all done in Australia and is sold in many countries globally. A station wagon further added to body options when it arrived in… Read more

PEUGEOT’S SMALL VAN IS STYLISH YET FUNCTIONAL

The Partner van is the smallest of the French company’s three-model light commercial vehicle range, sitting below the mid-sized Expert and large Boxer. Compact vans such as Partner are common overseas, especially in Europe but it only has two competitors in Australia, Renault Kangoo and Volkswagen Caddy. Peugeot’s sibling company, Citroen, previously sold the Berlingo here but has chosen not to compete. Partner comes in two model grades, Pro and Premium, with the choice of short and long wheelbases in each. A third variant, the entry-level City was discontinued in… Read more

FORD FIESTA 2010 – 2021

Ford Fiesta is quite a small car that was mainly sold in the UK and Europe. A reasonable number came Downunder as well, but they didn’t sell in as large numbers than their bigger brothers. The Ford Fiesta was sold as a three-door or five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan, though not all were on offer in the new car market at all times. The front seats are larger than average for a car in this class and are reasonably comfortable, though some may find them on the firm side… Read more

KIA PICANTO 2017 – 2022

CAPTION: A. B. C. 2020 Kia Picanto Kia was a relatively slow starter in the sales race in Australia as its sort-of big brother Hyundai was dominating it in many classes. However, Kia’s introduction of a seven-year warranty got a lot of attention from potential buyers and even today few other marques have matched it. Occasionally some other brands have beaten the seven-year offering but only on a temporary basis. There’s solid European influence in the styling of later models as they are from famed designer Peter Schreyer. The bold… Read more