All-New Toyota RAV4 – NZ Launch and First Drive Review
Here at Tarmac Life, we go out of our way to bring you reviews. Case in point is the all-new Toyota RAV4 NZ launch and first review. Not only did I have to give up my weekend (and leave my loving family at home), but also travel over many kms of Kiwi road surfaces (some […]
Taik-on me – Forthing Taikon Super Hybrid & EV SUV first drive review
The Forthing Taikon arrives in New Zealand with an unmistakable value-first proposition: a comprehensively specced medium SUV available as a long-range Super Hybrid and a full EV, backed by generous warranties and an expanding dealer network. Pricing is aggressive (the Taikon Super Hybrid Luxury starts at $39,990 and the Exclusive at $44,990; the EV Luxury […]
Cheerful Parity – BYD Atto 1 Essential Review
For years, the industry (and the public) have been talking about a certain event horizon where you could choose a size of car that works for your needs, and then the drivetrain choice (whether powered by dinosaur juice or electrons) would just be another step on the decision tree, and not a fundamental fork right […]
Same Same But Different: 2026 Subaru Outback AWD Review
Now in its seventh generation and officially an SUV, does the Subaru Outback still have the same appeal as before?
Bridgestone Potenza Adrenalin RE005 review – predictability, wet grip and everyday usability
The Potenza Adrenalin RE005 is Bridgestone’s latest iteration of its long-running sport tyre family, and it’s clearly been developed with Australia and New Zealand drivers in mind, a region that has historically driven product direction for this line. But first a history lesson. Bridgestone’s motorsport pedigree stretches back to the 1960s and reached Formula 1 […]
Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max AWD review — This ICE is Nice
If you’re after a seven-seat SUV that trades on presence, tech and a surprising amount of creature comforts without the premium price-tag, the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max stakes a loud claim. It’s a modern family hauler that looks the part, packs useful hardware for daily life, and (with my 2.0‑litre turbo and an intelligent […]
BMW i4 eDrive40 review – How an EV Gran Coupe should be
If you want a driver-focused electric sedan that feels more like a refined 4 Series than a radical handset-on-wheels, the BMW i4 eDrive40 is surely the one. It’s a lucid blend of traditional BMW driving cues and modern EV practicality, a car that quietly reminds you it’s still a BMW even while the petrol engine […]
Done Right – BYD Atto 2 Premium Review
The compact EV SUV segment is getting crowded fast, and standing out is becoming increasingly hard. The BYD Atto 2 takes a tried and true approach to that assignment: reuse the learnings from previous models, refine what worked based on feedback, keep what’s good, and get pricing right. And boy, did it work. After a […]
All-new fifth generation Nissan Navara – test drive in Aus
We recently headed to Australia’s Capital, Canberra to test out the all-new, 5th Generation Nissan Navara. It was an extensive program both on and off road and it’s fair to say that the new, locally-tuned ute performed admirably on all terrains (especially since it was unladen and running on road tyres) The fifth-generation Nissan Navara […]
Back for Seconds: 2026 Skoda Elroq Sportline Review
Following in the Enyaq’s footsteps is no easy feat but is the Elroq up to the task?