The right path forward – Nissan Pathfinder Review
Coming out of a week with the Nissan X-Trail and straight into the new Pathfinder, this is not my first time climbing the ladder of offerings from a certain brand – and this is not the end of this stint, either. There is something special about these opportunities: you get to experience the cars back […]
A different kind of X-Factor – Nissan X-Trail e-POWER Review
Nissan recently invited us to have a go at revisiting some of their lineup. And while of course having the incredible Z NISMO is always a delight, I must say I was interested in climbing the ladder of their SUVs. We all know these are the real bread winners, and where the competition is the […]
Attainably Aspirational: 2026 DENZA B5 & B8 Australasia Launch
DENZA shipped us out to South Australia for a preview of what’s to come from its house, centering around luxury off-roaders.
BAIC X55 & B30 NZ Launch and First Drive
When a new automotive brand steps onto New Zealand soil, it rarely arrives quietly. But BAIC, known globally as a major force in Chinese automotive manufacturing, lands with something even more compelling – heritage, capability, and a serious commitment to giving Kiwi buyers more than just another SUV option. Brand History: Big, Experienced, and Strongly […]
Ford Transit Courier Review – The Compact Van New Zealand Didn’t Know It Needed
The Ford Transit name has been woven into the fabric of trades, transport, and everyday life for decades, particularly in markets like the UK where the ‘man with a van’ culture is iconic. That reputation for reliability, practicality, and no-nonsense usability now arrives in a smaller, more urban-friendly footprint, the new Ford Transit Courier. Recently […]
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 […]