Spark of Electric Lex – Lexus RZ450e Dynamic Review
The Lexus RZ was a bit of a milestone when it was unveiled last year. The first all-electric offering from a brand which has always been obsessed with “the pursuit of perfection” I attended the nationwide launch of the RZ family last year and spent a week with the base RZ450e Core before Christmas and, […]
Easy on the envEYEronment – Skoda Enyaq Sportline Coupe review
Not only is the new Skoda Enyaq Coupe good looking, but it’s smart, good for the environment and is a great ‘go anywhere’ companion. Seriously, if it was on tinder, you’d swipe right and then put a ring on it! Alright, cards on the table, having already spent a reasonable amount of time behind the […]
Power to the people – MG4 XPOWER review
With his Che Guevara posters and black beret, Wolfie Smith (from late 70s British Sitcom ‘Citizen Smith’), was a revolutionary that wanted ‘power to the people’. Sure some of his exploits were slightly awry, but he was a champion of the people and always brought a smile to my face – just like MG4 XPOWER! […]
The Mini countrE, man – MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 PHEV
Don’t panic, I haven’t turned into a 1960’s tree-hugging hippie, however, it would appear that the Countryman version of the small car that arguably defined the swinging sixties, has become greener than ever. Yes the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 now comes with a plug, and I got to test it out – sadly without […]
Wagons Roll – Toyota Corolla Wagon GX Hybrid Review
When it comes to a daily driver, I don’t need something that launches from 0 to 100 in a fraction of a second or produces a million kW per tonne etc. However, it must have plenty of space and relatively inexpensive to maintain and run. This is probably why I drive a 2004 Toyota Caldina […]
Amplified, indeed – Kia EV9
There is no denying that the past few years were key in the “maturing” of the offerings in the electric vehicle landscape. We saw the introduction of new models, new technologies and even entire new brands. But the majority of that was in car shapes that are the hottest right now – think of crossover/SUVs […]
Getaway Drivers – Subaru Solterra and Impreza first drive
With their synchronous all-wheel drive system and go-anywhere attitude, Subaru vehicles have been a big hit with adventurous Kiwi’s for over 50-years. Last week, the intrepid brand released two new ‘getaway’ models to their stable, the 6th generation Impreza and the (long-awaited) all-electric Solterra. To help celebrate, we took a drive from Auckland to Napier […]
Tour De Force – McLaren GT Review
The “Super Grand Tourer” in a traditional sense usually conforms to the following criteria. A hefty front mounted power unit tucked away under a vast bonnet, a 2+2 or full four seating layout, lots of leather and premium materials and to top it all off, a rather capacious boot capable of swallowing a sizeable amount […]
Opening more doors – 5-door Suzuki Jimny first drive
With its compact size, ladder frame and go anywhere attitude, the Suzuki Jimny has been a symbol of freedom since the 1970’s. However, being restricted to 3 doors, and having a boot space that would scare swinging cats (actually a cat would barely fit in), has somewhat limited the model’s audience – that is until […]
Sport and Sportier – all-new Honda CR-V second look
With the NZ launch of the all-new, sixth generation Honda CR-V still fresh in my mind, Honda NZ thought it best I spent some more time behind the wheel of not one but two of the model variants. The oh so versatile 7-seater ‘Sport’ and the sportier (yet frugal) RS e:HEV hybrid, who am I […]