Hybrid Middle Child :Toyota Camry SX Hybrid Review
When Toyota let it be known the Camry would now only be offered only as a hybrid, I couldn’t help but think of a certain iconic line of dialogue from that classic Mitre 10 DIY DNA advert with the kids on the playground, “no surprises there.” Making the Camry hybrid only is part of Toyota’s […]
Crafty with Crafted Curves – 2022 Kia Sportage review
The Kia fan favourite is back in its 5th generation and it’s better than ever. A new platform, Euro-focused engineering, fully-revised design and a clever, curved digital screen in the cabin. It’s good, great in fact and Kia New Zealand are so proud of their latest Sportage that they gave me two to test – […]
Racing from B to A – Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S 4MATIC+ review
Halfway through my review of the new Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 I got the call from Mercedes-Benz NZ asking if I’d be keen to test out the new AMG GLA 45 S straight after. Believe me, before my mind could even begin to venture towards the affirmative my mouth had already said yes. You see, the […]
Effervescent 7 Up – Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC review
With drinks, 7 Up is a refreshing lemon-lime soda that’s both zesty and fizzy and best tasted ice cold. But for me, when it comes to SUVs, ‘7 Up’ is a seven-seater Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 model that boasts elevated performance, much more zest and should be consumed when the temperature needle hits warm and ‘Sport […]
A New Era: Toyota Camry ZR Hybrid Review
If Toyota ever made a greatest hits album from throughout the decades, you can bet your bottom dollar the Camry will be on the track list. For 2022, the Camry has been refreshed with the biggest change being the move to an all-Hybrid model range. Yep, that’s right, there is to be no more V6 […]
Shy yet Monolithic – BMW iX xDrive 40 review
While picking up the iX3 from BMW’s lair in the UK last year, I stumbled upon their new iX (alright it was parked in the car park) and was hooked. They are calling it their new ‘technology flagship’ and a ‘pioneer of a new era’ which is all well and good, but whatever the marketers […]
Cop a load of this – Skoda Octavia RS iV PHEV review
Over the past couple of decades, Czech car brand Skoda has gone from being a relatively rare sight on NZ roads to something we see daily (although fingers crossed not the NZ Police vehicles). They are desirable in style, clever in tech and helpfulness and when it comes to performance, the Skoda RS badge ranks […]
Big, refined and upgraded – 2022 RAM 1500 Limited review
Over recent years, despite being ‘rather substantial’ when it comes to NZ’s narrow roads, RAM (the truck that ‘eats utes for breakfast’) trucks have actually become quite a regular sight on our highways and byways. They are obviously easy to spot due to their size and chrome grilles, and that they are probably towing something […]
Electric Lite: Mazda MX-30 Mild Hybrid Review
Everyone seemed to ask the same thing, “Isn’t this electric?’ My response was “yes, but not this one.” Mazda’s MX-30 has been getting much praise as the Hiroshima based company’s newest foray into BEV mass production. However, the version you see here is the entry level MX-30 Mild Hybrid. So, what exactly is this version […]
Shh-koda – Skoda Superb iV review
The ŠKODA Superb iV plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is the Czech-born brand’s first step into the electrified car melee and what a way to start. Not only is it luxurious and cavernous on the inside, but it’s ultra quiet and very clever (just ask Laura). Plus with around 60km of EV only range, it’ll now get […]