Tag: Used Car

No comments

VOLVO S80 2007 – 2018

  By ,

  The Volvo S80 is the model that changed the public image of the Swedish car when it was  launched in 1998. Once seen as the company that built safe, square, boring cars, Volvo is  now regarded as a style leader.    The Volvo S80 is a large sedan with a shape that can be described as ‘simple but  effective’, especially in the cabin where it’s distinctly Scandinavian and will never be  mistaken as one of its German or British rivals.    Indeed, we heard owners say their S80 can almost… Read more

No comments

AUDI A3 2008 – 2021

  By ,

  German automaker Audi is often ahead of the pack when it comes to new ideas. In Europe  the Audi A3 is often used as a family car, but in Australia it’s more likely to be bought by  singles or couples.   The A3 created quite a commotion when it was first released in the small car market way  back in 1997. Some felt prestige cars should be large, imposing and expensive – certainly  not small and relatively affordable. They were wrong and Audi has since been joined by  other… Read more

No comments

KIA OPTIMA 2011 – 2020

  By ,

Kia Optima is a long-time player in Australia having been introduced here in 2001. In this Used Car Checkout review we are looking at the third generation that was launched Downunder in January 2011. Kia Australia had been working on Australian suspension tuning for quite a few years and Optima handle handles pretty well for what it is, a family sedan. Kia’s Optima is a medium-large four-door sedan with room for four adults, usually with little need to compromise on legroom. The fourth generation of November 2015 was larger and… Read more

No comments

FORD EVEREST 2015 – 2021

  By ,

Ford Everest is a large, rugged 4WD / SUV that’s been around in other countries since 2003 but didn’t arrive in Australia until the release of the third-generation model in late 2015. It’s built on the same platform as tough Ford Ranger making it a serious off-roader, unlike many in this class that look tough but are relatively soft. There are four variants: Ambiente, Trend, Sport and Platinum. The first two come with the choice of rear- or four-wheel drive the other two are RWD only. The entry-level Ambients have… Read more

No comments

HOLDEN BARINA 2011 – 2018

  By ,

Holden Barina is a small car that has been around in Australia in one form or another since 1985. Interestingly its name is a local Aussie one, being aboriginal for Summit. A virtually all-new Barina was introduced in October 2011. We are covering it in this week’s Used Car Checkout because it’s much more sophisticated than the previous ones. It has electronically stability program, as well as infotainment technology that included GM’s MyLink system. A mild update in November 2016 saw changes to the exterior and interior. Interestingly, the exterior… Read more

No comments

FORD MONDEO 2011 – 2020

  By ,

Ford Mondeo is a European car aimed very much at the family market. They were sold as five-door hatches (also known as five-door sedans) and five-door station wagons. The wagons were popular as they are good load haulers. Ford Mondeo from the period being examined here had the Ford Sync infotainment systems. So even the base Mondeo LX has voice activated controls at a time when only upmarket European cars had the feature. Sync2 is installed from the 2015 models onwards. Ford also added Bluetooth connectivity as it was trying… Read more

No comments

AUDI Q7 2006-2021

  By ,

The Audi Q7 was first imported to Australia in 2006. Unlike an ever-increasing number of other vehicles in this field it was designed as a reasonably serious 4WD not simply a people mover dressed up to look Tuff. So good was that first Audi Q7 that it lasted for close to a decade, with the second generation not being released in Europe until 2015. However, the second-generation Audi Q7 leans more in the direction of family wagon than at conquering the great Aussie bush and our seemingly endless deserts. But… Read more

No comments

HYUNDAI ACCENT 2011 – 2019

  By ,

Hyundai Accent was a popular seller in Australia from July 2011 onwards when the fourth generation was launched. It had been reasonably well made prior to then, but real improvements in quality were made at that time as the Koreans were rapidly becoming known for the excellent way their cars were being made. Hyundai was smart enough to do its research of the Australian market and realised that drivers in this country are keen on the way their cars handle. So the Accent, and other Hyundais, has Australian-developed suspension tuning…. Read more