No comments

SLEEK, CHIC CATWALK CAMRY

  By ,

The mid-size Toyota sedan could be relied upon to serve the average family well with uninspiring looks, perky yet economical, performance. Even so, it became Australia’s favourite mid-size sedan. Five generations later the new hybrid-only Camry has cast off its comfy cardigan character, morphing into a sleek chic catwalk star, but still with the bones of a versatile form of ‘mass’ transport. The new Camry range starts at $39,990, plus on-road costs, for the entry-level Ascent, packed with standard equipment and features including 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps, daytime running… Read more

No comments

GAC EMZOOM

  By ,

  Enzoom is the latest offering from the newest Chinese company to enter the Australian market, or was that last week – it’s become hard to keep track of them? While the name may not be familiar, GAC has been around in one form or another since 1948 and was the fifth largest car manufacturer in China, with 2.144 million sales in 2021. Emzoom is its fourth offering, a conventionally-powered, compact five-seat SUV with a turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet. And it’s priced to tempt even the most ardent… Read more

No comments

HOT TO TROT . . . HYUNDAI’S i30 SEDAN N

  By ,

Talk about icing on the cake. Last week it was the Hyundai i20 N, this week we slip behind the wheel of its big brother the i30 Sedan N. Think same idea, just larger and more luxurious, with an auto for those who would rather not change gears manually. Like the i20 N it’s probably on a short leash as the company continues its shift to fully electric vehicles, with cars like the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 N variants. STYLING i30 N comes as a hatch or sedan, with… Read more

No comments

JAECOO J5 SURFS BIG WAVE OF EV

  By , ,

The name Jaecoo is said to be derived from Jager, the German word for hunter, with a reference, presumably, to a ‘leader of the pack’ empowering owners to thrive in a ‘wild life’, as in an existential world in turmoil. Since its debut in 2023 the Chinese brand, owned by Chery International, has expanded globally on the back of product it says is built for ‘those who seek purpose, precision and performance’. A long bow. Jaecoo J5 is a small SUV that comes with the choice of petrol or electric… Read more

No comments

TIGGO 9 PLUG-IN PARTNER TAKES TO ‘SUPER HIGHWAY’

  By , ,

Australians went from buying an electric vehicle – hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric – once every 50 minutes four years ago to once every three minutes in April, according to Aussie Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen. Needless to say, there’s a lot going on, with manufacturers, especially those from China, having a field day. Chery, one of the biggest, not satisfied with standard petro/electric hybrid performance has extended its super highway’ journey, adding to its rapidly expanding Tiggo range with a top-of-the-range CSH (for Chery Super Hybrid) ‘9’ model…. Read more

No comments

COROLLA CROSS SETS THE BENCHMARK FOR SMALL HYBRID SUVS

  By ,

Launched here in 2022, and given an upgrade in mid-2025, the Toyota Corolla Cross is – as the name suggests – an SUV crossover version of the all-time world’s biggest selling motor vehicle. Corolla Cross is the largest of Toyota’s three-model range of compact SUVs above the smaller Yaris Cross and the sportier C-HR. It shares the same platform as the C-HR and Corolla. On test was the GXL front-wheel drive model. The original Corolla Cross was available with the choice of petrol or petrol/electric hybrid powertrains but, in line… Read more

No comments

CHERY TIGGO 4 HYBRID ‘GIVING MORE FOR LESS’

  By , ,

Since being introduced to the local market, the petrol powered Tiggo 4 has proven to be a popular choice among new car buyers, picking up a string of awards along the way. Now the best-selling small SUV from Chinese auto giant Chery has taken on hybrid status. Similar to the petrol-powered models, the Tiggo 4 Hybrid is available in two value- packed variants, the entry-level Urban, starting at $29,990, and top-of-the-range Ultimate, at $34,990. Both are driveaway. The car is firmly rooted in budget territory with the likes of the… Read more

No comments

HYUNDAI I20 N

  By ,

The Hyundai i20 N hatch is the proverbial pocket rocket. It’s easily the cheapest entry to high performance motoring, with support for ‘tracking’ the car if that’s part of your plan. You can even download layouts for the various race tracks around Australia and upload them to the car, allowing you to time laps and compare your times to those of others. How good is that? STYLING Launched here in late 2021, the i20 N is part of a stable that includes the i30 N hatch and sedan, Kona N,… Read more

No comments

LEAPMOTOR B10 IS A PREMIUM MID-SIZED EV AT A BUDGET PRICE

  By ,

Launched here in late 2025 the Leapmotor B10 is a fully-electric compact SUV from the new Chinese brand backed by the huge Stellantis group which brings a number of brands to Australia including Jeep, Peugeot, RAM, Fiat and Alfa Romeo. We’re told that the unusual name is a loose translation from the Chinese Lingpao Qiche that means Zero Run Automobile. Makes sense. Leapmotor B10 is the brand’s second model joining the larger C10 SUV that arrived here in early 2025. It’s currently EV only but we’re told that an extended… Read more

No comments

GEELY STARRAY EM-I INSPIRE: A FEW STAINS IN THE WASH-UP

  By ,

With a name like a washing-up liquid, the Starray has bubbled up in the mid-size SUV segment as an effervescent plug-in hybrid. Relatively new to Australia, the Chinese automobile manufacturer Geely has been in the business for almost half a century and owns brands like Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr and Lotus, so it should know a thing or two about ‘moving metal’. The Starray EM-I is only the second Geely to be launched Down Under and comes in two variants – the Complete and Inspire – which at $37,490, plus on-road… Read more