Tag: SUV

No comments

NISSAN QASHQAI ST-L

  By ,

Once known as Dualis, Nissan’s small SUV the Qashqai has grown in size and stature over the years. Sitting between the Juke and X-Trail in terms of size, the current, third generation Qashqai was launched in 2021. It’s 60kg lighter than before, stands taller, longer and wider, and has a longer wheelbase — and of course costs more. That means more room for luggage, and more knee and leg room for rear seat passengers. What’s not to like? STYLING The latest, third generation Qashqai comes in four grades: ST, ST+,… Read more

No comments

GWM ADDS SEVEN-SEATER TO ITS TANK SUV

  By , ,

Great Wall Motors (GWM) has unveiled the second variant of its Tank SUV with the seven-seat Tank 500 joining the Tank 300 five-seater that arrived here in late-2022. Due to go on sale in the Q2 2024 the all-new body-on-frame Tank 500 comes with a hybrid drivetrain, advanced safety features and a variety of convenience features such as auto reverse assist. As with the Tank 300 its available in two grades, Lux and Ultra. Lux will be priced at $66,490 driveaway with price and full specs of the Ultra to… Read more

No comments

FORD EVEREST REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

  By ,

Some of Ford Ranger’s magic must have rubbed off on Everest because it’s now one of the top 10 best-selling cars in Australia, second only to the Toyota Prado in its segment. The last time we drove Everest we were pleasantly surprised by the wagon and the latest, third generation model is no exception, in keeping with the market response. It’s ironic because sometimes we critics can bag the crap out of a car, then stand back amazed as it sells its socks off. Go figure. STYLING Everest adopts the… Read more

No comments

CHERY TIGGO MID-SIZED SUV BREAKS THOUGH THE $40k DRIVEAWAY BARRIER

  By ,

Hot on the heels of the arrival of its Omodo 5 compact SUV, Chery Australia has provided pricing and specification details for a second, slightly larger, five-seat SUV, called the Tiggo 7 Pro. Apart from a very forgettable period between 2011 and 2017 when it tried to sell a small J- series hatchback Chery is all but unknown here. That’s certainly not the case elsewhere in the world because, although its only China’s ninth-largest auto maker, it is the country’s largest exporter of passenger vehicles including more than three million… Read more

No comments

GENESIS GV80 30D AWD

  By ,

Launched here in 2020, GV80 is Genesis’ first and largest SUV in a lineup that now boasts three of them. At just under five metres in length and with a kerb weight of about 2300kg, it’s a large, impressive-looking vehicle. The styling is tasteful, chiselled and eye-catching, highlighted by an imposing, almost heraldic, crest-shaped grille that is flanked by quad, twin-bar LED headlights — motifs that are repeated at the rear of the car. Competitors include Lexus, Volvo and of course the German contingent. STYLING In the context of recent… Read more

No comments

MAZDA CX-8 PLUGS THE GENERATION GAP

  By ,

Mazda sports utility vehicle sibling rivalry just got hotter, with a reborn five-year-old CX-8 refitted out and snapping at big brother CX-9’s heels, while fending off the challenge of the mid-size CX-5. Available in six grades – Sport, Touring, Touring Active, GT SP, Asaki and Asaki LE – with petrol or diesel power front or all-wheel drive, the entry-level Sport FWD petrol comes to market at $42,060, plus on-road costs, while the Asaki LE diesel AWD tips the scales at $71,410. Rearranging the chairs, the Touring Active takes over where… Read more

No comments

PEUGEOT 2008 2013 – 2022

  By ,

  Peugeot 2008 is a small crossover SUV based on the Peugeot 208 hatchback. It arrived in  Australia in 2013 and offered an interesting alternative to vehicles that chiefly came from  Asian countries.    It is relatively conservative in its style, unlike that of what is probably its closest competitor,  the Renault Captur which, of course, is also from France.    Interior space is good for a wagon of this size, though it’s better suited to couples with pre- teen children rather than four adults. Changes to the seat design… Read more

No comments

NISSAN X-TRAIL Ti-L AWD

  By ,

In the process of researching this story I came across a review by one of my esteemed colleagues. Not once did he mention the fact that Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander are one in the same car, sharing a platform and drivetrains. That makes Outlander, the X-Trail’s most direct competitor, or so I would have thought. Of course, they don’t look the same and there are plenty of other differences, but you wouldn’t buy one without checking out the other first. Then again, the latest X-Trail is probably the pick… Read more

No comments

MAHINDRA ADDS XUV700 TO THE MID-SIZED SUV MARKET

  By ,

Hot on the heels of the recent launch of its Scorpio large SUV, Indian carmaker Mahindra has added a mid-sized competitor to vehicles such as the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander et al. The seven-seat Mahindra XUV700 is built from the ground up on an all-new platform. Two variants are offered and, as expected from what is an emerging brand in Australia, pricing is very sharp with the entry-level XUV700 AX7 selling for $36,990 and the higher- spec AX7 L for $39,990. Both are driveaway prices. Styling features include… Read more

No comments

ALL-NEW LEXUS GX MAKES WORLD PREMIERE

  By , ,

Although it’s been around for more than 20 years in overseas markets the Lexus GX has yet to be sold in Australia, due to a right-hand drive version being unavailable. Although Lexus Australia has yet to confirm whether the just-launched third-generation version will come here it seems likely that it will. Based on the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, the GX is a seven-seat off-road vehicle that sits between the RX and LX in the Lexus SUV line-up. Styling is similar to the LandCruiser 300 Series but with a frameless version of… Read more