Category: Road Test

Road Test Review

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A LOT TO LIKE ABOUT MAZDA’S NEW KID

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If the CX-3 were a child, it would likely be called precocious, so full of itself is the new Mazda compact crossover. However, I mean this in the nicest possible way. The first-ever CX-3 has plenty to say in all its offerings, from the most extensive range in its segment, MZD Connect; including Mazda’s new infotainment system on Maxx, sTouring and Akari, three of its four grades. Entry-level Neo is the odd man out. Two engines – a 1.5-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol – are on offer. Available in… Read more

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2015 HONDA CIVIC HATCH REVIEW

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Honda Civic has a long and distinguished history in Australia. It has been on sale here continuously since 1973 and has grown from a tiny two-door 1.2-litre sedan which revolutionised the design of small cars in Australia through nine generations into one of the classiest and most respected small-medium cars on our local market. A truly global vehicle, the Civic hatch is manufactured in Britain and was developed with extensive testing throughout Europe. Its sedan sibling is built in Thailand. That ninth generation Civic has been on sale here since… Read more

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2015 RENAULT MEGANE RS 275 TROPHY LIMITED EDITION

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When Renault slaps an RS badge on a car, they’re generally not messing about. Built on the remains of the almost mythical (and soon-to-be-relaunched) Renault Alpine, the merry band of engineers at Dieppe punch out small fast cars with such regularity you could set your Breitling to them. The Megane RS is pretty much the undisputed king of the current hot hatch crop. Despite being not too far from its use-by date, the Megane is still getting plenty of attention. Which brings us to the 275 Trophy. VALUE At $57,990… Read more

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2015 FERRARI CALIFORNIA T REVIEW

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Ferrari California T in its latest iteration was launched in Australia over a year ago. So strong was the instantaneous response by well-heeled Aussies that all were sold out. Now we’ve finally been able to get into one for a road test. STYLING Penned by the Ferrari Styling Centre in conjunction with Pininfarina, the California T is a sensational Italian supercar. The front has the narrow lighting housings that are a feature of the latest Ferrari range. These work extremely well on the long bonnet of this front-engined machine. The… Read more

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2015 HONDA HR-V REVIEW

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When we told people we were driving a Honda HR-V, the almost universal response was, “Er, yuk.” When we reminded them that it wasn’t the tragically un-hip three-door breadvan thing of years back, but was instead a well-sorted, better-looking mini-SUV, the response changed. Suddenly there was interest. Has Honda got a car other than the CR-V the world will want to own? VALUE The HR-V range stretches from the $24,990 VTi, via the $27,990 VTi-S through to the $32,990 VTi-L. Our test car, the VTi, came equipped with climate control,… Read more

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CITROEN C4 PICASSO OOZES STYLE

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Buyers looking for something that doesn’t follow convention and who appreciate a real touch of French flair should certainly have the latest Citroen C4 Picasso on their short (often very short) list of potential cars. Just what is the Citroen C4 Picasso? It’s hard to define, being a mixture of a tall hatchback and a people mover, with a touch of SUV thrown in for good measure. This is not the first Citroen that refuses to slot neatly into any category, nor will it be the last. We love the… Read more

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2015 MERCEDES-BENZ B 250 4MATIC REVIEW

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Function seldom sits high on the list of priorities when it comes to car purchasing. Most people opt for style, or image, or prestige, even ego. Few go for sensible solutions to their motoring needs. Then there are the people who buy the Mercedes-Benz B-Class – in ever increasing number in recent years. It’s practical, with a tall body that makes for a spacious interior – you need a Mercedes S-Class saloon to get more rear legroom. It has a large boot and the variable luggage space can be arranged… Read more

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2015 PORSCHE CAYENNE DIESEL S REVIEW

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The Porsche Cayenne is a whopper. It’s a big, heavy SUV with tons of room for the family and a badge to keep the neighbours talking. It’s also got a planet-bending V8 diesel engine and an air-suspended chassis that has to be felt to be believed. VALUE The Cayenne Diesel S kicks off at a startlingly reasonable (hey, it’s all relative) $144,800. Perhaps against type, there’s a lot of stuff packed into the Cayenne and you could cheerfully go without ticking a single box on the breathtakingly long options list…. Read more

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VW JETTA GETS SHARPER SHAPE

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Though Volkswagen doesn’t like us calling the Jetta a Golf with a boot, that’s exactly what it is. Some buyers prefer sedans to hatches for a couple of reasons: you get a bigger boot in a sedan thanks to the car’s extra length, albeit without the large opening offered in hatches; and the ride comfort and body strength is even better in sedans than the equivalent hatchbacks. The latter is due to the fact that it has the added bracing underneath the rear window that’s obviously not offered in a… Read more

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PERKY PULSAR SSS SEDAN: PLAIN AND SIMPLE

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Forget the baseball cap-on-backwards, tatt-toting, doof-doof music-crazy drongo. Believe it or not, there are people out there who want to drive a pumped-up little car without appearing to show off. And have I got the package for you. The Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan ticks the boxes of a perky performer with restrained exterior and quality yet unremarkable interior; in effect a practical package with a stack of luggage space. Following the comeback of the Pulsar SSS hot hatch, the SSS sedan heralds the introduction of the Pulsar Series II, with… Read more