Category: Used Car Review

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HYUNDAI I30 2007 – 2016

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2013 Hyundai i30

Hyundai’s public perception has increased markedly over the years, moving up from the cheap n’ cheerful brigade to building quality cars. The Hyundai i30, first sold here in October 2007 has arguably had the biggest influence in this change. Interestingly, the i30 was designed for the European market rather than the South Korean one. Some are made in the Czech Republic though the majority sold here are from Korea. Engineers from Australia and South Korea have tailored the suspension and steering to our conditions. Result is good dynamics, high levels… Read more

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KIA OPTIMA 2011 – 2016

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2011 Kia Optima

Kia has expanded rapidly in Australia in recent years to such an extent that it has now stepped out of the shadow of Hyundai and is seriously considered a significant brand in its own right. High scores in build quality and customer satisfaction have played their part but the introduction of Kia’s seven year / unlimited distance warranty in 2014 is probably the biggest factor of all. Kia’s Optima is a medium-large four-door sedan and was often chosen by those downsizing from a Commodore of Falcon because the kids have… Read more

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NISSAN X-TRAIL 2007 – 2016

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2010 Nissan X-Trail

Now in its 18th year, with total Australian sales approaching 200,000, the Nissan X-Trail continues to be an important vehicle for the Japanese giant. Indeed at this time Nissan Australia is only selling SUVs, not passenger cars. We will review models from the second generation, launched in November 2007 onwards. These were larger than the initial X-Trails and can carry four adult in comfort, three juniors plus mum and dad with ease. Seven seats, offered from the third generation in 2014, are pretty cramped in the back and really only… Read more

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SKODA FABIA 2011 – 2016

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2011 Skoda Fabia

Skoda has been back on the Australian market for 10 years now. While new car sales are gradually rising they are still lower than most experts feel they should be. Why? It’s hard to say as it’s a respected European brand and backed by the Volkswagen Group. Interestingly, the Czech car company is one of the world’s oldest, dating back to 1895. Using manyof the same out-of-sight components as the Audi A1 and Volkswagen Polo means Skoda Fabia has a lot going for it. Slow sales may be bad news… Read more

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JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2011 – 2016

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2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo

Jeep began the whole SUV thing almost accidentally with the introduction of the CJ (Civilian Jeep) not long after the Second World War ended. Spotting holes in the market Jeep introduced station wagons and later – 1996 to be precise – came the first Jeep Grand Cherokee, a large 4WD aimed more at buyers of luxury station wagons rather than keen off-road drivers. These first units are getting on in years, so we will start this used car checkout with the WK Series Grand Cherokee launched in Australia in February… Read more

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MAZDA3 2009 – 2016

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2011 Mazda3 SP25

Mazda3 first went on sale in Australia in April 2004, replacing the Mazda 323. A second generation was launched here in April 2009. We will begin our used car feature with that model as it’s significantly larger and more sophisticated than its honourable ancestors. Sales were strong from the start and the gen-two was frequently at or close to the top in the overall sales race as buyers moved away from larger cars. This means that there are plenty on offer in the used car scene. Take your time, do… Read more

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MERCEDES-BENZ A-CLASS 2013 – 2016

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By EWAN KENNEDY, Marque Motoring CAPTION: A. B. C. 2016 Mercedes-Benz A250 BODY COPY When Mercedes-Benz launched the A-Class in 1997 it was a stubby little car deliberately made to be shorter than any conventional four-door car. No big deal in Australia, but huge in Europe where a car with a length 100 mm less than anything else could make the difference between finding a parking spot in a big city or not. Which sounds weird to Aussies, but if you’ve ever looked at cars crammed bumper-to-bumper on Parisian streets… Read more

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FORD FIESTA 2004 – 2016

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2004 Ford Fiesta

Ford Fiesta is a European sourced small car that has the of on-road dynamics that please keen Aust drivers. In particular they love the hot-hatches, like the Fiesta Zetec, ST and the XR4. Though it dates back to the mid 1970s in Europe, Ford Fiesta wasn’t sold here till 1984 when Ford Australia realised it was losing sales to Holden because local buyers weren’t keen on the cheap n’ cheerful Ford Festivas that were imported from South Korea. The earlier models were built in Germany, from 2010 they came from… Read more

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AUDI Q3 2012 – 2016

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2012 Audi Q3

The small-medium Audi Q3 crossover SUV arrived in Australia in March 2012 and competes in the sales race not only with its obvious German and British prestige rivals but also the top end of the Japanese and Korean marques. The Audi Q3 has an almost coupe-like profile that has become increasingly common in crossovers. If you’re looking for a voluminous station wagon you should probably shop elsewhere. Back seat space is okay, but this is a relatively small vehicle so it may be necessary for occupants to come to a… Read more

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CITROEN DS4 2012 – 2016

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2012 Citroen DS4

It’s a lovely trait of the very French Citroen marque that it loves to be a long way ahead of the pack when it comes to styling. The DS4 is an excellent example. At a time when SUVs were generally squared off a the back, the DS4 was sloped and smooth. Then again is this an SUV? Because Citroen prefers it to call a five-door coupe, and to clever design makes it look like a three-door. Anyhow, many other makers have taken the style route at the rear of their… Read more