Dig at the X – Zeekr X Review
The last couple of years marked a stark shift in our automotive landscape, with an onslaught of new brands and vehicles finding their way to our shores. Out of most of them, Zeekr was one I was very eager to try out, with a curiosity driven by their mix of being a new player, but […]
New player, BIG swing – MG MGU9 Ute Review
The Ute segment is hot as it gets in New Zealand, and each new model feels like it needs to prove itself over the competition by being larger than before, and larger than all others. So how does a new entrant play at that game, having their first foray into the segment, with a unibody […]
Less is more – MG HS Hybrid+ Review
MG’s HS range has been on something of an evolution sprint lately, with each model showcasing another step forward in the brand’s rapid-fire development cycle. After spending a week in the HS Super Hybrid (the plug-in version), I slid straight into the HS Hybrid+ and the experience was a curious blend of déjà vu and […]
Time Flies – MG HS Super Hybrid Review
Plug-in hybrids occupy an odd middle ground these days. Execution can vary wildly depending on how well the combustion and electric sides have been integrated, and even self-proclaimed PHEV know-it-alls like yours truly can sometimes be left searching for the “best of both worlds” they promise. And with the last iteration of “EV hesitancy” we’ve […]
There is a new special edition of the Seiko Turtle, and it aims to help turtles
If you’re half as much into watches as I am, then you’d know that brands love a good regional limited edition, and when a new one comes about, it’s worth paying attention to. Case in point: Seiko’s brand new Prospex “Kame” SRPM04K, an Australasian-only limited edition diver that has made waves (watch puns are the […]
Namedroppin’ – MG MGS5 Review
MG has been on a steady upward curve for a while, and as someone that has driven pretty much every single car in their lineup, it is easy to see the improvements, even when doing facelifts and refreshes. So we naturally wonder how it would be with a new model, and that’s what we have […]
Big Body, Bigger Value – Chery Tiggo 8 Review
When a brand offers a 7-seater SUV and claims to cover the family, commuting and weekend-escape duties in one package, it’s easy to be skeptical. After spending time with the Chery Tiggo 8, however, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how it delivers on that promise. It may not carry the gloss of premium brands, […]
Tailored for the Task – VW Tayron Tarmac Test
Not too long ago, I attended the launch and first drive of the new Volkswagen Tayron, and while there, my biggest takeaway was that VW had gotten a two for one in making their lineup easier to understand while also improving the product offering. Now, after spending more time with the entry-level version of their […]
I put a 2JZ-GTE into a GR Yaris, but I’d still rather have the 3 cylinder
It is always a great day when you’re coming back from a loan car pick up driving back an all wheel drive, turbocharged, manual, rally-inspired hatchback. All the credentials are there to back up the pedigree of the Toyota GR Yaris and, albeit very short, this is my third encounter with this little rascal. So, […]
We drive VW’s latest 7 seater SUV, the Tayron
Volkswagen’s SUV lineup just got bigger, and a lot more strategic. The brand’s newest model, the Tayron, officially joins the family as a seven-seat option to bridge the gap between the Tiguan and the Touareg. The name might be new to some, but the mission is clear: to “bring room to live large” and that […]