Small footprint BIG range – Kia EV3 Long Range Review NZ
The Kia EV3 marks the brand’s smallest SUV footprint yet delivers an outsized electric range and a compelling package for those seeking practicality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in the growing EV market. Stylistically, the EV3 is clearly modeled after its larger sibling, the EV9, echoing its bolder, boxy stance but in a more compact form. The […]
Subtle Swagger – Audi S5 Avant Review
Seeing the words S5 and Avant side by side might be a novel concept, but I assure you I didn’t mistype. Audi recently reverted the changes they had made to the naming standard of their cars, listening to customer and dealer feedback. This means that there now exist new body shapes in the A5 family, […]
Zip, Zap, Zoom and ‘Zand’ – Mahindra XUV 3XO first drive
A Small SUV with big intentions In a segment bursting with options, Mahindra’s new XUV 3XO arrives as a bold and well-equipped contender. A facelifted evolution of the XUV300, the 3XO pairs a familiar subcompact silhouette with premium appointments, up-to-date tech, and practical performance—all underpinned by extensive local testing across New Zealand’s varied terrain. A […]
Quick and Quirky: 2025 smart #3 Brabus Review
smart’s New Zealand range topper is also their quickest but is it their best?
The Quiet Confidence of True Luxury – Mercedes-Benz GLS 450d Roadtrip Review
Some cars impress with technology. Others with design. But every now and then, a car lands in your driveway that feels like the product of a deeply experienced brand doing exactly what it does best, with absolute confidence. The Mercedes-Benz GLS 450d is one of the latter. And, with a long trip coming up, I […]
It’s a Middle Child Thing – Mini Aceman SE Review
There’s something special about the middle child. Maybe it’s the quiet confidence, maybe it’s the misunderstood charm, or maybe it’s the way they thrive when nobody’s watching. That’s the vibe I got from the new Mini Aceman SE. And it was great to be able to test it back-to-back against the Countryman SE I had […]
Wowser – 2026 Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E Performance Review
Hybrid Family SUV Meets Tyre-Frying Performance You don’t often hear the words “family-friendly” and “high-performance hybrid SUV” in the same breath—but Mercedes-AMG clearly didn’t get that memo. With the new GLC 63 S E Performance, they’ve managed to cram blistering performance into a sophisticated, spacious plug-in hybrid that can handle the school run just as […]
Yellow S, Same Sass – Mini Countryman SE Review
In the early days of this stint we are having at car electrification, some EVs made do with petrol specific platforms, just with batteries and a motor replacing what was there before. Fast forward a bit and we now have dedicated EV platforms, and also some new designs that can properly deal with both petrol […]
Frothing at the bit – Ford Mustang Dark Horse review
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse isn’t just another trim level — it’s the most serious street-legal performance Mustang with a 5.0-litre V8 ever produced. For the first time in over 20 years, Ford has introduced a new performance nameplate to the Mustang family, and it’s one that oozes menace and capability in equal parts. Slotting […]
From 9 to 5 – Kia EV5 Light+ Long Range 2WD Review
For the last few years, Kia has been making some electric waves, big ones too. Their EV family of, well, EVs have been making many a buyer sit up and take notice. Having driven their flagship electric SUV, the EV9 last year and came away from the experience rather impressed, I was expecting more of […]