Tag: SUV

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

No comments

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2007 – 2015

  By ,

Though it’s generally used only as a suburban wagon, Land Rover’s Freelander is capable of tackling mild to moderate bush, beach and desert conditions that would strand just about everything else in its class. Which is hardly surprising as it comes from the company that gives us everything from the down-and-dirty Land Rover Defender to the highly competent (and very expensive) Range Rover. Freelander first went on sale here early in 1998 making it arguably the first upmarket compact SUV, several years ahead of the big-name Germans. These originals were… Read more

No comments

EX30 IS VOLVO’S SMALLEST EV YET

  By ,

Confirming the adage, Good Things Come In Small Packages, Volvo’s latest EV (and its smallest to date) packs a punch. Priced from $59,990, the EX30 will be offered in three versions: two with a single electric motor and a third high performance model with two electric motors. Single motor versions offer 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque; Twin Motor Performance delivers 315kW and 543Nm. A 69kWh high-voltage 400V lithium-ion battery is common to all three. Single motor variants have an estimated range of up to 480km; the twin motor… Read more

No comments

MAZDA CX-3 UPGRADE

  By ,

Mazda has released details of an upgrade to its CX-3 compact SUV due to arrive here in September. It will include new safety features, equipment enhancements and technology across the entire CX-3 model range. For 2023, the line-up will comprise of the entry-level Sport, Pure, Evolve, Touring SP and range-leading Akari grades. Pricing ranges from $26,800 for the Sport to $38,620 for the flagship Akari, and all grades gain a significant uplift in equipment in addition to their already ample specification lists. The latest update also offers an exclusively front-drive… Read more

No comments

GENESIS GV60 REVIEW

  By , ,

by Ewan Kennedy & Julie Saville The Genesis GV60 is the smallest of three SUVs from Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand behind the mid-sized GV70 and large GV80. Each of the three models get different powertrain choices, the GV80 comes with turbo- petrol or diesel, as does the GV70 but with an EV option added. Our test vehicle, the GV60, is electric only. Genesis GV60 sits on the same platform as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 with potential buyers sure to line up the three siblings alongside each other. Firstly,… Read more

No comments

BMW X1 A NEW BEST FRIEND FOR THE FAMILY

  By ,

The new BMW X1 is a little car with big ideas. BMW has imbued the third generation of its compact SUV with extra space, higher tech and more features to make it what the maker claims is the segment leader. I tend to agree. Coming to Australia in two petrol powered variants – an electric version is penned for later this year – the entry-level is the X1 sDrive18i front wheel drive, which leaps to the X1 xDrive20i all-wheel drive. Added attractions have upped prices to $60,400, plus on road… Read more

No comments

NO GUARANTEES WE’LL GET LATEST LEXUS LBX

  By ,

Look familiar? It’s the Lexus LBX, an upmarket version of the Toyota Yaris Cross. LBX stands for Lexus Breakthrough X (cross)-over, but at this stage it is not guaranteed for Australia. Lexus Australia says it continues to assess models that may be suitable for the needs of local customers and the LBX is no exception. “A decision on LBX will be made at a later stage,” it says. LBX is built on the GA-B compact vehicle platform, modified and retuned to meet the requirements of a Lexus vehicle. Emphasis has… Read more