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SUZUKI VITARA TURBO ALLGRIP

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The Suzuki Vitara occupies a special place in Australian off-road folklore. It used to be able to go anywhere the big 4x4s like Patrol and Land Cruiser could go – it laughed in the face of danger. But this all changed with the arrival of the fourth and current generation of Vitara that no longer sits on a ladder chassis and is no longer a real off-roader. In fact, it shares a chassis with the S-Cross model which is about as soft as they come, with front or all-wheel drive… Read more

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HONDA CIVIC E:HEV L

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Civic received a mild makeover towards the end of last year. The refreshed model sees the sporty styling enhanced with a new front bumper and radiator grille that combined produce improved aerodynamics. The previous petrol-powered entry model has made way for the hybrid e:HEV L, powered by the same petrol-electric setup that powers the more expensive LX. You might think Honda is a little late to the hybrid party, but along with Toyota was one of the pioneers of hybrid technology with the launch of the Honda Insight way back… Read more

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GENESIS IN ALL-OUT ASSAULT ON LUXURY

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The Genesis GV70 has been given a ‘wash and brush-up’ with refined safety, comfort and convenience features for 2025. The already spiffy mid-size SUV has come in for a maker’s spruce-up to help it keep up with a highly competitive bunch of rivals, including the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Lexus NX. Genesis has shuffled the model range, dealing three grades – Advanced, Signature and Signature Sport – with the choice of a 2.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, or 3.5 litre turbo V6 petrol, both mated with an… Read more

Chery puts the pressure on

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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

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FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM 320L TREND LWB FWD

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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

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DEEPAL S07 TAKES TECH TO ANOTHER LEVEL

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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

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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

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ISUZU MU-X MAKES LIGHT OF IMPROVEMENTS

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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

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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

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NO LEAVING ICE AGE FOR LEXUS

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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