Category: Road Test

Road Test Review

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MAZDA CX-60 G40E AZAMI HYBRID

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The Mazda lineup is becoming increasingly difficult to understand. Once upon a time there was the Mazda2, Mazda3, and Mazda6 and it was easy to follow the progression (not forgetting the MX-5 and RX-8 sports cars). Then along came the SUVs, denoted by a CX in front of the number — CX-3, CX-5, CX-8 and CX-9. All good so far, except perhaps for CX-3 which actually sits on the same platform as Mazda2, making it smaller than its name might suggest. More recently the CX-30 and MX-30 were added, including… Read more

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KIA SPORTAGE SX+ 1.6-LITRE TURBO PETROL AWD

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Our old friend the Kia Sportage needs little introduction. It’s one of the best-selling SUVs in the country and we’ve owned a couple over the years, including the first one. Now in its fifth generation the current model was released in 2021 and is a much larger vehicle than its predecessors. With seating for five, it’s 17.5cm longer and has an 85mm longer wheelbase than the previous model, and that translates to a more interior space, together with more rear legroom. Long story short, you get more car for your… Read more

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PEUGEOT 508 GT SPORTSWAGON PLUG-IN HYBRID

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The Peugeot 508 has been on sale in Australia since July 2011. A mid-sized sedan or station wagon, it fitted into the space between the smaller 407 and larger 607, effectively replacing both cars. The current (second generation) 508 arrived here in August 2021, only available in the top-grade GT equipment level and featuring Peugeot’s first-ever plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain. The previous petrol-only variants were dropped from the range at the end of 2022 leaving just the more-expensive PHEVs. STYLING As has been the case throughout two body styles are… Read more

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PEUGEOT E-PARTNER REVIEW

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Peugeot Partner is the smallest of the French carmaker’s commercial van range, sitting behind the mid-sized Expert and large Boxer. There are three grades – City, Pro and Premium – with the choice of short and long wheelbases in Pro and Premium. The range also includes the e-Partner, the first fully-electric Peugeot to come here and our test vehicle. The e-Partner Pro LWB is priced at $59,990 plus on- road costs. Petrol versions range of the Partner range from $32,990 for the SWB City to $43,490 for the LWB Premium. STYLING… Read more

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‘BLACK’ MAKES LIGHT WORK OF SUV CHALLENGE

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The auto industry continues to be awash with gismos that are increasingly taking the ‘drive’ out of driver. Sports utility vehicles – especially all-wheel drives – are particularly subject to systems that butt in. Welcome to the no-nonsense world of the Outlander Black Edition. While the mid-size Mitsubishi petrol and petrol / electric hybrid SUV, for 2024, has been given a leg-up in equipment standards – plus price rises – the former LS Black Edition has been let loose from the pack to stand on its own. Not that there’s… Read more

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MAHINDRA SCORPIO OFFERS EXCELLENT VALUE BUT WITH SAFETY CONCERNS

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Indian carmaker Mahindra has been in the mainstream Australian market since 2007 to a very limited extent, with only a couple of vehicles in its range, the Pik-Up utility and XUV500 SUV, both aimed at rural buyers. We assume that sales have been low but don’t actually know for sure because the company has chosen not to submit its numbers to the national VFACTS database. Mahindra is now looking to boost its Australian profile and expand into the urban market with the recent launch of a pair of SUVs, the… Read more

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ALFA ROMEO TONALE TI

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Right now, this is your cheapest ticket into the glamorous, alluring world of the Italian marque Alfa Romeo. The Tonale is a small SUV that is available at the moment only as a fuel-saving hybrid, which could be a real bonus depending on your perspective. Some drivers may hunger for something a bit spicier, say the larger more powerful 2.0-litre turbo from Stelvio. Named after a mountain pass in Northern Italy, Tonale sits on the same platform as the Jeep Compass and is a little brother to the mid-sized Stelvio,… Read more

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CHERY OMODA 5

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Chinese brand Chery is back with a couple of SUVs and the promise of more to come. The name hasn’t been seen in these parts for 10 years, not since its cheapo hatches and SUVs fell foul of the safety police. That was then and this is now, with its latest offering, a small SUV called the Omoda 5 scoring a full five stars for safety when crash tested by ANCAP. It’s got plenty of cut-through too, with a style and shape that makes it stand out in a crowded… Read more

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SUBARU CROSSTREK 2.0S HYBRID

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Crosstrek is the smallest of Subaru’s three SUVs, sitting below the mid-sized Forester and larger Outback. It competes against vehicles such as MG ZS, Mitsubishi ASX, Kia Seltos and Mazda CX- 30. While the name is new, Crosstrek has actually been on the Australian market since 2012 as the XV. Five Crosstrek variants are offered: 2.0L, 2.0R, 2.0S (petrol), plus Hybrid L and Hybrid S, with prices ranging from $34,990 to $45,090 plus on-road costs. Our test was in the top-spec Hybrid S. As with all Australian Subaru models, except… Read more

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SSANGYONG MUSSO ULTIMATE 4X4 DUAL CAB UTE

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Well, hello. We’d almost forgotten about the other Korean – you know, SsangYong. After some financial woes, restructure and change of ownership, SsangYong is back in business selling cars, with two SUVs and a 4×4 dual cab ute to offer. Originally launched here in 2004, Musso was available as both a ute and SUV, the former called the Musso Sports, which attracted buyers with a bargain price and Mercedes- sourced turbo-diesel. These days ute and SUV have parted company, but it’s the Musso 4×4 dual cab ute that we are… Read more