Subtle yet sublime – 2022 Mazda CX-5 review
It’s been around a decade since the Mazda CX-5 was first released and what an impact it’s made. It was the first Mazda to showcase their KODO design language and first to feature their full suite of Skyactiv technologies – no wonder it’s gone on to be their best selling model. This year see’s an […]
Next level, next gen Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV review
New Zealand’s favourite PHEV the Outlander has upped its game again, with a 52% increase in pure EV range, 45% greater battery capacity and a powerful new 185kW/450Nm EV drive system. It’s so good that Mitsubishi New Zealand thought it was high time we took it for a spin – well ok then. Having only […]
A New Sport-Age Dawns – 2022 Kia Sportage X-Line Diesel AWD Review
If there is one entrant into the mid-sized SUV segment which has raised its game in recent years, it has to be the Kia Sportage. The previous generation was much improved over generations past and the sales reflect these improvements by the Sportage becoming a very popular option with the buying public. For 2022, there […]
Core Value: 2022 MG3 Core Review
Whatever you may think of MG’s new car range under Chinese ownership, you can’t look past the fact that every single model offers some degree of value for money. However, with the smallest new MG, the MG3, value is top of the list. The entry level MG3 Core is now New Zealand’s most affordable new […]
Quietly confident – Range Rover Velar PHEV review
When the Velar officially launched in 2017, this fourth model Range Rover brought with it additional glamour, modernity and elegance to the family – a statement highlighted by it winning the 2018 World Car Design of the Year title. With the design all sorted, the brand’s electrical gurus have recently taken another look and we […]
Spirit of Adventure – 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure Hybrid review
When I think of the ‘Spirit of Adventure’ it’s the three-masted barquentine tall ship located in Auckland’s downtown wharf that immediately comes to mind. However, thanks to Toyota (a company that has become rather synonymous with boats of late) I have a new adventurous spirit to call upon – the 2022 Toyota RAV4 Adventure Hybrid […]
Luxury Underdog: 2022 Lexus ES300h Limited Review
The Lexus ES300h has been something of a dark horse for the premium Japanese brand. For some time it has been in the shadow of SUVs in the Lexus family but still manages to soldier on. There is a good reason for this too. I think the ES is one of the most underrated cars […]
Less Torque, More Action – 2022 Kodiaq RS review NZ
It was early 2019 when we last got behind the wheel of a Skoda Kodiaq RS. Covid hadn’t been invented and we were free to explore the expansive ‘driving’ roads that surround Clevedon in their performance SUV that boasted lapping the Nürburgring in a record breaking time of 9m 29.84 seconds. Anyway, as NZ seems […]
The Three Rs – VW extend their R Range
When I attended school (on the odd occasion), the importance of the three Rs (Reading, wRiting and aRifmatic) was incessantly drilled into me and for obvious reasons. Well VW have now released their own 3 Rs (Golf, Tiguan and T-Roc) which are equally important from a brand point of view, but as we found out […]
Lounging Around: 2022 Fiat 500 Lounge Review
Few cars can charm the birds from the trees like the Fiat 500. The spiritual descendant from Dante Giacosa’s original Cinquecento masterpiece for the masses still has all the charm and appeal of the classic Bambina. Today the 500 family is bigger than ever. With the hot Abarth models still going strong and selling well, […]