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 […]
Getting Activ – 2022 Mazda CX-5 Activ Review
This year the Mazda CX-5 celebrated its 10th anniversary. Having been with us for a decade, it has managed to carve out its own niche within the vastly competitive mid-sized SUV market. A mix of premium cabin surroundings, refined power units and a price tag not completely out of reach for most has made the […]
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 […]
Haval Lotta Character – 2022 Haval H6 GT Review
SUV-come-coupes seem to all the rage at the moment. While we usually associate the likes of Mercedes and BMW with this niche market, its fair to say other marques are beginning to embrace it, but with a more down to earth price tag. The newest of these is Haval with their new H6 GT, a […]
Luxury Express – 2022 Lexus LX500d Limited Review
Over the years, Lexus have been, little by little, moving the LX away from being less of a rebadged Toyota Land Cruiser, to a more bespoke luxury SUV. Fast forward to now, and the fourth generation LX is with us. While it is a bit of a dark horse in the family, the new LX500d […]
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 […]