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 […]
Cupra Tavascan V & VZ First Drive Review – Spanish Obsession
For the past year, Cupra New Zealand has been on a mission of refinement. Their goal, as they put it, was to rationalize their range, ensuring every model is a pure expression of the brand’s core tenets: bold design, cutting-edge tech, and a driver-first experience. This isn’t a brand that designs by committee or softens […]
2025 Audi A5 Avant S-Line PHEV Review – The Perfect Quattro?
The search for the perfect car often feels like a quest for a mythical creature. We want a vehicle that’s stylish but practical, thrilling to drive but frugal on fuel, and packed with technology without being overly complex. It’s a delicate balance that few manufacturers ever truly master. Enter the 2025 Audi A5 Avant Plug-in […]
Stronger for Longer: 2025 Subaru Forester AWD Hybrid Touring Review
Subaru’s sixth generation Forester is here, now as a proper hybrid and with symmetrical AWD, is it too good to be true?
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, […]
Age of Ultra – 2025 Haval H6 Ultra PHEV 2WD Review
Haval’s H6 seems to be going from strength to strength with the number of H6s traversing Kiwi city and suburban landscapes increasing at a considerable rate. Now we have a new H6 complete with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain. It also looks poised to be the best packaged H6 yet with some added fuel frugality to complement […]
We take the new Leapmotor B10 compact EV SUV for a quick drive
If you missed our full event recap and brand context piece from yesterday (read it here), it covers Leapmotor’s refreshed ambitions for New Zealand, the Stellantis connection, and how the brand is positioning itself as a credible new EV contender. This piece picks up from there — moving from podium to pavement. The B10 is […]
Adventure Machine – Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Adventure Review
Few SUVs have a legacy as long and respected as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, and while many rivals have grown sleeker and softer in pursuit of urban buyers, the new gen of the Prado unapologetically leans into its off-road roots. It’s boxy, rugged, and proud of it. And my second go at it helped […]
A New Era Begins: 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz GTX LWB Review
Retro styling and electric performance combine for one of the strangest automotive marriages, so does the ID.Buzz GTX make sense?