Less is more – new Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC first drive
Originally launched in 2016, the Mercedes-Benz GLC rapidly became the German luxury brand’s biggest selling SUV. Boasting over 2.6 million happy customers and topping category charts, are certainly milestones that are tough acts to follow, so in short, the second generation has to be good – thankfully, it is. Let me get one thing straight […]
Mahindra’s new Mahal – Mahindra XUV700 review
Namaste. It’s plain to see that I’ve been brushing up on my Hindi recently and aside from learning how to say ‘hello’ and ask ‘how someone was’ (aap kaise hain?), I also discovered that the ‘Mahal’ in Taj Mahal actually means palace, rather fitting since I’ve been behind the wheel of the Mahindra XUV700 AX7 […]
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 […]
Rocking ‘rolla – Toyota GR Corolla review
The Toyota Corolla has been a crowd pleaser for the masses ever since it first rolled off the production line in 1966. To me it’s a non-threatening nameplate that’s in many ways ‘satisfyingly vanilla’ in its performance and appearance (this is a good thing) and as such an easy choice when looking for a rental […]
Cross-treking – Subaru Crosstrek first drive
In the realm of automotive exploration, where intrepid brands vie for supremacy, a new nameplate emerges from before, introducing the Subaru Crosstrek. Formerly known as the XV, this small SUV has been rechristened and reimagined, and boldly seeks to redefine the fiercely competitive category it initially pioneered. Subaru has long since captivated the hearts of […]
A Mighty Grand Adventurer – 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee review
The fifth-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee is here and it’s grander than ever. It’s got a new chassis, smoother looks, a more refined drive and swifter tech – plus, unlike its reviewer, has lost a few pounds too. Let’s face it, Jeep has been an iconic name in the motoring landscape for around eight decades, and […]
Born Star – Cupra Born first drive NZ
Spanish automotive brand Cupra has released its all-new and all-electric hatch, ‘Born’ and it’s finally arrived in NZ. The attractive, hardcore sports hatch has a sizable battery that offers plenty of endurance, while its handling and performance makes it certain to be one of the stars in the current Cupra line up. The NZ launch […]
A Spirited Compact Hatchback – 2023 Honda Jazz RS review
Soichiro Honda, the founder of Honda is famous for saying ‘if Honda doesn’t race then there is no Honda’ and that emphatic statement is the core ingredient (albeit not exactly F1) of the new Jazz RS e:HEV. The brand’s popular hatchback has been given some RS treatment and I got to spend some time with […]
Ride like the wind – Maserati Grecale first drive
As with the many of their nameplates as far back as the ‘60s, prestigious Italian automotive brand Maserati’s all-new Grecale is named after a famous Mediterranean wind. But more importantly, whichever model you find yourself behind the wheel of (GT, Modena or Trofeo), this terrific SUV is like riding a tornado. The Grecale may be […]
X and Y Z – Lexus RX and RZ first drives
There is something rather special about driving around the deep dark south of New Zealand, the endless flowing curves, the unpredictable gradients and cambers, and the long stretches of traffic-free tarmac that head towards a backdrop of the snow-peaked southern alps. In fact, the only thing that can make the experience better is when you’re […]