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 […]
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 […]
My second look at the 2024 Hyundai Kona
Late last year, I attended the NZ launch of the next-generation Hyundai Kona, and to say it’s a big improvement over the incredibly popular outgoing model would be a large understatement. It’s bigger inside and out, it’s smarter, has a Sci-Fi looking face and comes in a range to suit pretty much everyone. Anyway, Hyundai […]
Don’t call me baby – Audi Q4 e-tron review
It was only a short while back that we got along to the NZ launch of the (long-anticipated) addition to Audi’s electric vehicle range, the Q4 e-tron. Needless to say, the sporty ‘baby’ of the line-up impressed us enough for us to demand another look – thanks Audi NZ. To recap, the Q4 e-tron was […]
More and Less – Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid JLX AWD review
As you clever people are undoubtedly fully aware, the Suzuki S-Cross is positioned as the brand’s largest passenger car model, with room for all the family and (particularly the AWD model) an adventurous spirit. Well the latest release not only fulfils these core responsibilities, but now it lays claim to offering enhanced specification (more) and […]
Grand union – Opel Grandland PHEV review
With one of our leading team members, Hazza, getting hitched to his beautiful bride, Julianna, in Tauranga, we took the opportunity to take the Opel Grandland PHEV on a roadie. With its hybrid powertrain, Euro styling and SUV practicality, it too is a grand union (however, just not quite as epic as the wedding). Now […]
Hi5 – BMW i5 M60 all-electric sedan first drive
The fully electric variant of the 8th generation BMW 5 series has arrived in NZ and it’s a cracker. It leans on the heritage and roots of the groundbreaking 1972 original E12 and yet embraces all the modernity, finesse and sustainability that the brand has to offer. We headed to the stunning and picturesque Millbrook […]
Team player but bossy – LDV MIFA 9 review
The EV automotive landscape is rapidly changing in NZ, moving from small townie runabouts, to SUVs and even trucks and utes are popping up, however, people movers appear to be leaning towards the last on the list – but not for LDV. The MIFA 9 is an all-electric 7-seater that’s been created to take you […]
Radiant EV in the NZ – Lexus RZ 450e review
The all-new Lexus RZ is an all-electric model spawned from the RX nameplate. According to Lexus it stands for ‘Radiant Z-axis/Zero’ which signifies being both ‘shining’ and ‘the axis along which values of z are measured’. But as baffling as this may sound, all you need to know is that it’s Lexus’s first electric vehicle […]