Qash and Carry – 2023 Nissan Qashqai Ti-L ePOWER Review
Its hard to believe the Nissan Qashqai has been with us for almost 20 years. This mainstay of the Nissan SUV lineup has been a firm favourite, but now it ventures into its third generation. There have been significant upgrades both in tech and in powertrain, particularly on the economy front. The new Qashqai is […]
Czech This EV Out – 2023 Skoda Enyaq iV SUV Sportline Max Review
With the all-new Enyaq iV, Skoda has been welcomed into the ranks in pure electric vehicle production alongside their siblings from Volkswagen and Audi. It’s been a long time coming, even though we got a taster of the BEV potential with the plug-in hybrid versions of the Superb and Octavia. Now its here and looking […]
15th time’s the charm – I imported a BMW M2 from Japan
If you are one of those avid readers that will go to the end of our articles and read our bios, you might have seen that I mentioned in mine that in 5 years in New Zealand, I have owned 14 cars. While it might seem a bit excessive to someone that doesn’t share this […]
X and Y Z – Lexus RX and RZ first drives
There is something rather special about driving around the deep dark south of New Zealand, the endless flowing curves, the unpredictable gradients and cambers, and the long stretches of traffic-free tarmac that head towards a backdrop of the snow-peaked southern alps. In fact, the only thing that can make the experience better is when you’re […]
Feeling Cross – Toyota Corolla Cross Limited AWD Review
For some time, Toyota have been getting very cross with their own range. By “cross” of course I don’t mean seething with anger at their own models, but by adding crossover SUV variants of their already immensely popular superminis and family hatchbacks. You only need look at the likes of the C-HR and recent Yaris […]
Xtra-large and Xtravagant – BMW X7 M60i xDrive full review
Big, bold and beasty, are just a few of the words that can sum up the new, ‘refreshed’ X7, but it’s somehow elegant too. BMW’s mammoth 7-seater has a new face and increased technology taking its extravagance to the Xtreme. In what is rapidly becoming an over-congested world, space is becoming […]
Alfa’s Electric Avenue – 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce Review
Situated high up in the Italian Alps between Lombardy and Trentino lies the Tonale Pass. Popular as a route for avid skiers, the pass is steeped in history while still offering plenty for the modern tourist who uses it. Alfa Romeo know this for they have chosen to name their new mid-sized SUV after it. […]
2023 Kia Seltos LX review – enlivened but has an enforced irk
Kia’’s compact SUV has been given substantial spruce-up for the 24MY, more refined on the outside and extremely spacious on the inside, it also comes with a suite of enhanced safety aids that really satisfy the ANCAP boffins – however, one new feature will undoubtedly annoy. Rant alert. Ok, so let me preface this section […]
Hot and Cool – ICE Mokka SRi review
Call me old fashioned if you like, but I do prefer certain things a certain way. For example, music should tell a story (and be 80’s), jeans suit most occasions and both tea and coffee must always be hot – or at least I thought so. Then Opel gave me their ICE’d Mokka to taste, […]
Reshtyled and shmarter Karoq – 2023 Skoda Karoq Sportline review
Launched in 2017, the KAROQ was Skoda’s (Shkoda’s) second SUV (after the hugely successful Kodiaq) in their lineup. Despite its more urban/city focus it offered its owners ample space and plenty of the brand’s ‘clever’ mantra. Anyway, it’s now had a refresh and Skoda NZ let us take the Sportline out for a while. The […]