Chery puts the pressure on

THE Chinese brands continue to lower the bar when it comes to pricing, putting existing manufacturers under increasing pressure. Latest is Chery which has announced a mid-cycle refresh for its midsize SUV the TIGGO 7 Pro. Two new variants, labelled the SE (Special Edition) and SE+ will launch in February, replacing the existing Urban, Elite and Ultimate grades. With sharp driveaway pricing, the new TIGGO 7 Pro continues to offer incredible value with even the entry-level SE smartly appointed. Lewis Lu, Chery Australia CEO, stated “The Tiggo 7 Special Edition… Read more

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM 320L TREND LWB FWD

The van section of the market is totally dominated by the Toyota HiAce, with 47.7 per cent of the market. Behind it trails the Hyundai Staria Load, with a 13.8 per cent share followed closely by the Ford Transit Custom, with 13.5 per cent. The only other significant player is the Chinese LDV G10+, with 11.2 per cent. Transit Custom is not to be confused with Transit (no Custom) which applies to a range of larger vans. Sitting on an all-new platform, the latest version of Ford’s mid-sized van arrived… Read more

DEEPAL S07 TAKES TECH TO ANOTHER LEVEL

Deepal is a sub-brand of Changan Automobile which is the fourth largest Chinese brand behind BYD, Geely and SAIC. It is imported here through Inchcape who also bring in Subaru and Peugeot vehicles. The first model to come here is the S07, a mid-sized SUV that will compete against EVs including the Tesla Model Y, Subaru Solterra, Toyota bZ4X, Ioniq 5 and Kia EV5, all of which are more expensive. But wait, there are more, less established Chinese EV brands either here already or on their way wit similar vehicles… Read more

Polestar Arctic specials rooted in motorsport

Polestar has created a new collection of unique ‘Arctic Circle’ cars. Based on the one-of-a-kind Polestar 2 Arctic Circle from 2022, Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 versions have been built to present a complete line-up of rally-inspired, one-off Arctic Circle cars that express the Swedish brand’s performance DNA. Polestar boss Michael Lohscheller, said the Arctic Circle collection illustrates its unique performance DNA, rooted in motorsport and combined with Scandinavian design. “We develop our cars under challenging conditions within the Arctic Circle in Sweden, and at the FAT Ice Race we… Read more

ISUZU MU-X MAKES LIGHT OF IMPROVEMENTS

The selling of grocery items and automobiles grows ever closer, especially in these days of ‘shrinkflation’, where products are reduced in size without equivalent price reductions. I’m not suggesting that Isuzu is taking buyers for a ride with the addition of its smaller engine MU-X SUV but claims this brings added appeal (read sales) to the family friendly seven-seater. Prices start at $47,400 for the MU-X LS-M 1.9L 4×2, plus on-road costs, and top out at $67,990, drive away, for the MU-X LS-T 3.0L 4×4. Price increases are limited to… Read more

Nissan claims crown with 10-year/300,000km warranty

For many years Kia’s 7-year unlimited kilometre warranty has been the benchmark when it comes to new car sales in Australia. We still remember its introduction. There’s been many challengers since and Mitsubishi set the cat among the pigeons with its 10-year/200,000km warranty which controversially requires that customers service their vehicles with the company. Now, at a time when the quest for the consumer dollars has never been more competitive, Nissan has upped the ante with Australia’s first 10-year/300,000km warranty which much like Mitsubishi stipulates its cars must be serviced… Read more

NO LEAVING ICE AGE FOR LEXUS

In typical attention to detail, Lexus (read Toyota) has updated its popular RX lineup with a hybrid or two. The fifth-generation family-size SUV introduces the RX 350h hybrid at entry-level and RX 500h F Sport Performance the flagship. Not that Lexus has turned its back totally on full fossil fuel power. Customers can also choose from the RX 350 F Sport with turbocharged performance internal combustion engine with electronically controlled all-wheel drive. Prices start at $90,060 for the RX 350h Luxury FWD, plus on-road costs, and top out at $127,434… Read more

MITSUBISHI PAJERO SPORT GSR

Mitsubishi Pajero is a large vehicle that’s been a major player in the Australian 4WD / SUV field for many years. It’s sold as a five-seat GLX, and seven-seat GLS, Exceed and GSR. Our test vehicle for the past week has been the GSR. STYLING Pajero Sport has Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield styling. The grille features a black honeycomb design with projector headlamps positioned outside of the daytime running lights in a continuation of the grille. Depending on the model there are up to seven body colour options Black Mica and… Read more

SUZUKI IGNIS – A LITTLE BIG CAR

  Suzuki Ignis first went on sale in Australia as a three- or five-door tall hatchback. It was discontinued in 2005 before returning in 2016 with a similar shape than before but now with the very popular SUV acronym. At just 3.7 metres long and just under 1.7 metres wide Ignis is the smallest SUV on the Australian market where it competes against larger compact SUVs like Kia Stonic and Hyundai Venue. If we accept that Ignis is really a tall hatchback there’s also the Kia Picanto which is marginally… Read more

TAKE A TICKET TO RIDE FIRST-CLASS

It’s the ‘pointy end of the plane’ attractions of the Palisade that are hard to resist. With a three-metre wheelbase the cabin space is more than adequate, then there are premium design finishes, plus the versatility of seven or eight seats. The result is a first-class travel experience. Even the Hyundai people mover’s entry-level model boasts the suffix ‘Elite’. For that the MY24 Palisade gains extra standard features in the form of a heated steering wheel and an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat. Passenger mood is enhanced with a quality… Read more