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MAZDA3: THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE COMPANY

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When you’re on to a good thing . . . no need to tell Mazda that, the company, line with its Kodo – soul of motion – philosophy in which colour is a prime element of form, has splashed out on a new exotic exterior colour for its popular Mazda3. This follows the success of Soul Red Crystal in the top-selling CX-5 SUV. Since its debut, the colour has proven a fast favourite with customers, with around 22 per cent of CX-5s sold being in colour. Unfortunately, our test vehicle,… Read more

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2018 TOYOTA LANDCRUISER PRADO KAKADU

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For the 2018 season Toyota has upgraded its Prado range, with a facelift and tail tuck, a revised interior and additional infotainment and safety technology. Our test vehicle was the LandCruiser Prado toplne model, the Kakadu. Not cheap at $84,490 but do you get a substantial amount of vehicle for your money. And the price has been trimmed by $1121 compared to the model it has just superseded. STYLING The new grille is big and bold with broad vertical bars flanked by restyled headlamps (bi-LED on GXL, VX and our… Read more

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NEW MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE CROSS

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Mitsubishi has long been a leader in SUVs in Australia, with the Pajero, launched in the mid 1980s, proving you can have comfort and off-road ability at the same time. A new model has just joined the Mitsubishi SUV range, the Eclipse Cross. Sitting between the ASX and Outlander it joins many others in this class in being is as much about style as function. It has a sloping roof that’s more coupe than wagon. Hence the ‘Cross’ in the name indicating it’s a crossover. The rear has an interesting… Read more

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BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR BIG-SELLING CAMRY

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The end of the Australian automobile construction industry over the past 18 months is likely to have differing effects on each of the three affected companies. Ford has bitten the bullet and discontinued the Falcon while Holden is gambling on its loyal buyers moving to a German-built Commodore. By contrast the switch from locally-produced to imported Toyota Camrys is likely to be seamless given our feeling that a fair proportion of current owners aren’t even aware that their car was built at the company’s Altona, Melbourne plant. New Camry comes… 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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NARVA LIGHTS UP THE NIGHTS

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The days are getting shorter but the weather is still warm so it’s a great time to carry on camping. To light things up Narva has launched a new range of tough, high-powered, LED 4×4 work lamps. These are aimed at people who spend extended periods off road in recreational and competition four wheel driving. To meet the rigours of more demanding applications, Narva has engineered these new 9-36V multi-voltage lamps with a powerful, bright white light output ‘Cree’ LEDs. The range starts with the 72358 lamp, which is equipped… Read more

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BUCHANAN COBRA

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Combining eye-catching styling, excellent design and a low purchase price, the Buchanan Cobra looked to have everything needed for success. But, sadly, it joined the long list of Australian automotive failures. The Cobra was designed and built by Nat Buchanan of Sydney, who had started in the car-making business by producing fibreglass bodies to fit sports car chassis. In 1956 he sold a self-designed fibreglass shell with styling influenced by the Aston Martin DB3S. This low-cost body converted the ‘square-rigger’ MG TC/TD to a sleek, streamlined ‘racer’ and 35 were… Read more

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ALL-NEW BMW X2

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BMW X2 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) is based on the BMW X1’s platform. Original shipments are on their way Downunder and will be in showrooms from March. At this stage only the front-wheel drive X2 sDrive20i, priced at $55,900 plus on-road charges is being offered in this country. Others are likely to follow, but BMW Australia isn’t providing information at this stage. Interestingly, the bottom section of the iconic BMW ‘kidney grille’ is wider than the top for the first time – probably signalling a new generation of the grille…. Read more

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2018 RENAULT KOLEOS INTENS DIESEL

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Last year was one of Renault’s most successful in Australia with sales here almost doubling those achieved in 2016. The Koleos, the French marque’s five-seater medium SUV, can claim much of the credit for the increased interest. The new diesel arrival is likely to bolster that further. It is $3500 more than its petrol stablemate, but still presents good value when compared to the equivalents offered by the segment leaders – Mazda CX-5, Volkswagen Tiguan and the Nissan X-Trail. Renault Koleos has much in common with the Nissan X-Trail given… 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