Full of surprises – 2020 Kia Sorento review
With everything that’s going on right now, a little bit of certainty or normality goes a long way. So when Kia New Zealand invited me to review their latest edition of the 7-seater Sorento, I thought, ‘a chance to drive a key staple in the Kia SUV range’ hell yes, boy was I in for […]
Eight’s great – All-new Peugeot 2008 GT review
It’s been around eight years since Peugeot re-defined their model monikers and confirmed that their vehicles with eight at the end were ‘designed specifically to fulfill new customer expectations.’ Oddly enough it feels like it was eight years ago that I last drove a Peugeot 308. So I was quite excited when Peugeot New Zealand […]
Say R – 2021 Honda Civic Type-R review NZ
Thanks to Top Gear, Honda has picked up a bit of a reputation for being rather bland and boring. Admittedly, there was a point where a cursory glance at their drivers in heavy traffic revealed a sea of blue rinse but nowadays not so much. Their new design language is exciting and vehicles moreso, even […]
A Roc in a hard space – VW T-Roc review
The small SUV market is a highly contestable segment of the automotive landscape, not only here in New Zealand but overseas too. It’s loaded with brands and even more loaded with models, however, VW has thrown their hat in the ring with two models, both are good but the T-Roc fits the segment to a […]
The sweet spot -2020 Audi S4 and RS4 Avant review
Some would say that it’s a myth or impossible even but I’m here to tell you that somewhere in the far off land of Vorsprung, there’s a place where high-performance, adrenaline pumping satisfaction meets with out and out practicality and Audi New Zealand gave me keys to get there. It’s called the 2020 RS4 Avant […]
Toyota’s other ‘hybrid’ – 2021 GR Yaris
Don’t panic, the all new GR Yaris hasn’t turned to the darkside and gone all electric, however, nor have they upped the cc’s to gain more power, oh no, this WRC inspired, 4WD road and track monster has a hybrid chassis, bespoke good looks and an all out racing attitude – and Toyota New Zealand […]
Decisions decisions, Ford Puma and Escape first drives
A little over a month ago Ford New Zealand unveiled their new nameplate Puma and completely revamped Escape at the Glasshouse in Auckland and last week we got to drive them both, however, the drive left us in a bit of a quandary – which one did we prefer? The drive event was based at […]
Suzuk-e Swift – 2020 Suzuki Swift Hybrid review
What more can be said about the Suzuki Swift other than popular. The supermini is essentially everywhere you look and has been since it first rolled off the production line in 1983. It’s gone through four generations and numerous facelifts, been front and all wheel drive, modernised and awarded 5-stars for safety, been naturally aspirated […]
Audi e-tron lite – Audi e-tron 50 review
Regardless of the product you’ve all seen the adverts that boast ‘same great taste, but less calories’ (or sugar or alcohol), essentially lighter options that are apparently just as good as the ‘full fat’ originals, though in reality, they barely ever are. However, with the e-tron 50 Audi New Zealand may have come up with […]
From virtual to reality – 2020 Toyota Yaris review
For practically ALL industries, 2020 has been a year of adaptation. Video meetings are almost the norm, online ordering is at record levels and there is a definite move towards a more ‘virtual’, hermit existence. In spite (or maybe that’s to spite) of all this, Toyota New Zealand continues to launch new vehicles, one of […]