Boxy Brilliance – Suzuki Jimny 5-door Review
There are some cars that orbit your perception consistently, sometimes for no apparent reason, and the Jimmy has always been one of those for me. I had never been inside, let alone driven one, but I would still look twice and think “Hm, what about these?”, every time one drove past (most of these times […]
Jeep-ish – Jeep Avenger BEV review
Let’s face it, when it comes to rugged, off-roading American vehicles, Jeep is the goto name. It’s a brand that’s synonymous with the great outdoors and for the likes of the Wrangler, conjures up images of surfboards and endless Californian summers. But what if you want an EV, live in the city, and have no […]
Adventurous EV – Subaru Solterra review
A wee while ago we attended the (long-awaited) local launch of Subaru’s all-electric Solterra. It’s impressive of course (or should that be imprezive because the new Impreza was there too), but we wanted to take a closer look. Subaru NZ were happy to oblige. To recap, the Solterra is a battery electric vehicle (BEV) that […]
The Imprezive new Subaru Impreza
Now in its sixth generation, the new Subaru Impreza hatch comes fully loaded with category-leading spec while offering the confidence to ‘go-anywhere’ courtesy of the brand’s legendary synchronous all-wheel drive capability. For over 50 years, Subaru has consistently impressed adventurous kiwi drivers, and the Impreza is no exception. The nameplate first burst onto the scene […]
Emission Impossible – Fiat 500e Icon Review
It was only matter of time before Fiat gave us an all-electric 500. If any Italian city car/fashion item was to get the zero emission treatment, it was going to be this one. The 500 has always exhibited all the fundamentals which make for an ideal template for an urban electric run around. You only […]
Easy rider – Toyota bZ4X first drive review
Despite its obvious significance, the NZ launch of the all-electric Toyota bZ4X was less fanfare and more of an ‘ease into it’, which as it turns out, was exactly what the all-new BEV was all about – an exceptional driving experience that feels familiar and intuitive. “Modern Day launches are quite bizarre, compared to how […]
A la mode – Omoda C5 review
Last month I was invited to a sneak peek of the Omoda E5 EV, (more details on that another time). While there, I discovered that they also had their ICE-powered C5 available to test, so I immediately put my hand up. You can be forgiven for not knowing who or what Omoda is, so let […]
‘Dark’ Green exec machine – BMW i5 M60 xDrive
The BMW M5 has always been a vehicle with multiple personalities, seducing the elite with its executive charm while secretly harbouring a wild streak. Now the BMW 5 Series also comes with a greener outlook, but thankfully it’s just as dark. BMW’s electric vehicle involvement dates back to the ’70s, but this latest twist brings […]
Flexus Lexus – Lexus RX500h F-Sport Review
The new Lexus RX is quite a thing in terms of refinement and frugality. The fact this premium luxury SUV has been such a strong seller for the luxury arm of Toyota since inception in 1998 is testament to it being a very well sorted all-rounder. Now into its fifth generation, the RX is hybrid […]
Tame it ain’t – 2024 Ford Puma ST review
The Ford Puma ST is a standout SUV that demands attention from the moment you set your eyes on it. The dual grill, reminiscent of the ST design, not only looks impressive but also ensures optimal airflow to the exhilarating (albeit small) engine. With its performance splitter and larger headlights, the front exudes confidence and […]