Dongfeng Vigo and 007 first drive NZ – out of the box thinking
Late last year, Dongfeng officially launched itself in New Zealand, and ANCAP safety escapades aside, the Box offered a playful/feature rich alternative to the small car status quo. Anyway, they’re back to take a bigger bite out of NZ’s automotive landscape cake with the launch of the all‑electric Vigo and 007, and they invited us […]
Outback’s Back – 2026 Subaru Outback & Outback Wilderness First Drive NZ
Subaru’s Outback has long been the unofficial adventure wagon of New Zealand, equally at home outside the local Four Square as it is halfway up a rutted forestry track. Now, with the NZ arrival of the seventh‑generation Outback and the debut of the Outback Wilderness, Subaru has rewritten the brief. Taller, tougher, more technologically advanced […]
On foot or in a Jag, it is always about the journey – Blue Lake track with an F-Type
I might be an IT-working couch potato, but I also enjoy the occasional multi-day hike, as you might have seen from other posts I’ve written about walks and tracks. And in an effort to tick all New Zealand Great Walks, my wife and I were set to do the Paparoa Track this Waitangi long weekend, […]
BYD Atto 1 First Drive Review – NZ’s New ‘Little Treasure’ for Urban Living
When a car launch includes an Amazing Race–style treasure hunt on Waiheke Island, you know the brand wants to make a point, this car is meant to be fun. And on a sun-kissed day across intricate island roads, BYD’s new compact EV (officially named the Atto 1) proved it has more personality, capability, and charm […]
2026 Leapmotor C10 AWD Review – their most powerful leap
Let me begin this review with a ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ moment. You see, having a vehicle for a week is both a blessing and a curse, with the latter being more apparent with my Leapmotor C10 AWD experience. OWNERS, would invest the time, effort (albeit minimal) and expertise in developing full-on Leapmotor App […]
Cooler in Copper: 2025 Cupra Tavascan VZ Review
Cupra’s second ever EV is bigger and heavier than its first but does it still retain the brand’s signature sportiness?
Split-Personality Sedan – 2026 Audi RS3 Sedan review
The 2026 Audi RS3 Sedan arrives as one of the most compelling compact performance sedans on the market, a small car with a giant personality, a thunderous five‑cylinder heartbeat, and the sort of everyday usability that makes it just as happy commuting as it is carving mountain roads. While largely unchanged from the 2025 facelift, […]
First Impressions Matter – GAC AION V Luxury Review
“GAC, what’s that?” Such a question became commonplace amongst those inquiring as to what car I had on test for the week. Well, GAC Motors is the fifth largest vehicle manufacturer in China and after a national launch, with much fanfare, the GAC range has landed in Canterbury as part of the Miles Group. With […]
1 of 10, and 10/10 – Subaru BRZ tS Kiiro Review
Having previously spent meaningful time behind the wheel of both sides of this Toyota-Subaru sports car coin, the Subaru BRZ tS and the Toyota GR86 Auto, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of this modern lightweight RWD formula. In 2025, the BRZ tS made me fall for Subaru’s new interpretation of the package; the GR86 Auto […]
Stargazing – Geely Starray EM-i review
The Geely Starray EM‑i arrives in New Zealand as one of the most intriguing entrants in the fast-growing “super hybrid” space—a category designed to deliver EV‑like efficiency without the range anxiety that still trails many fully electric offerings. Launched locally alongside the EX5 and the Raddara RD6, the Starray EM‑i quickly positions itself as a […]