Surf’s Up – BYD Dolphin Extended Review
If there is one brand which has made an impact within a short space of time in New Zealand, it has to be BYD. Its first flirtation with our local market was the ATTO 3, a car which gained a firm foothold the flourishing EV sector. The result was BYD couldn’t get them in quick […]
Czech This EV Out – 2023 Skoda Enyaq iV SUV Sportline Max Review
With the all-new Enyaq iV, Skoda has been welcomed into the ranks in pure electric vehicle production alongside their siblings from Volkswagen and Audi. It’s been a long time coming, even though we got a taster of the BEV potential with the plug-in hybrid versions of the Superb and Octavia. Now its here and looking […]
Feeling Cross – Toyota Corolla Cross Limited AWD Review
For some time, Toyota have been getting very cross with their own range. By “cross” of course I don’t mean seething with anger at their own models, but by adding crossover SUV variants of their already immensely popular superminis and family hatchbacks. You only need look at the likes of the C-HR and recent Yaris […]
Last of the Breed – Mazda RX-7 FD Spirit R Type A Review
Confession time. Up until recently, I never really “got” the obsession some have with a Mazda-built Rotary engine. Sure, the promise of big turbo power from an engine a fraction of the size of something with conventional cylinders has always piqued my interest, but its never really been my favourite sort of internal combustion. This […]
Two Power Tucson – Hyundai Tucson Elite Hybrid 2WD Review
When buying a five-seater SUV these days, potential buyers often ask the same question, “Is it a hybrid?” The desire to go hybrid or go home has never been burning brighter for the masses, which can only be attributed to the rising cost of fuel and that tempting Government Clean Car Discount. Hyundai have responded […]
King Trident: Maserati MC20 Review
It really has been sometime since Maserati gave us a bespoke supercar. Decades in fact as it happens. While the MC12 hyper car launched in 2005 was a force to be reckoned with both on and off the track, it was essentially a road going racing car. Plus, a rear window was not an option. […]
Ha-Kona Matata: 2022 Hyundai Kona Hybrid Elite Review
The Hyundai Kona has made considerable in-roads into a very competitive market. The introduction of an EV variant has only helped sales, but its hefty price tag has put it out of reach for many. What the Kona needed was a mid-way point for those not able to go fully electric just yet. Hyundai responded […]
Punk Roc R – 2022 Volkswagen T-Roc R Review
Volkswagen is going all out with their R performance editions in New Zealand. The Golf R has been with us for a long time, but the addition of R to the Tiguan and the T-Roc has been more than welcome. New Zealand has been a bit behind on the latter, as Europe have had access […]
R For Rapid – 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan R Review
Sometimes you experience a car which greatly exceeds your expectations. The new Volkswagen Tiguan R is one such car. Having been thoroughly impressed with the new Golf R I tested only a fortnight prior to this, I couldn’t imagine an R variant of the popular Tiguan SUV would be as good. In fact, I was […]
R United – 2022 Volkswagen Golf R Review
The Volkswagen Golf R. With the exception of the GTi, for many, this is the ultimate Golf. Eight generations later, the R is still with us and in my view, can easily match, and in some cases surpass, the GTi in terms of performance and cult following. So, when Volkswagen New Zealand allowed me to […]