Car Reviews

The third-generation Kia Optima that made its debut five years ago was a game changer for Kia. It proved the Korean company has come of age and is capable of producing world-class, not to mention stylish vehicles, at a reasonable price. It had good refinement, plenty of standard equipment and …

After 23 years of being the benchmark for handling and performance, the Final Edition marks the end of the Legendary Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution line. The Final Edition comes in at $53,700 excluding on-roads which by comparison, is actually well priced among the regular EVO X models, with the GSR sitting …

The current Audi A6 mid-size sedan has been on sale since 2012, and in a car’s life cycle, it’s time for a refresh to keep sales going until the next-generation model comes along. 2016 sees the A6 updated with a facelift, extra features and new powertrains. Kicking off the three-tier …

The Toyota HiLux year after year tops the sales charts and it’s not hard to see why; with its style and practicality you can use it as a tough work truck, a family mover or as an enthusiast vehicle. The HiLux range is extensive; up to 31 different cab combinations …

Lexus has finally cast away its long serving 2.5-litre V6 like a pair of worn out shoes, replacing it with the company’s first turbocharged petrol unit. First made its debut under the chiseled body of the popular NX 200t SUV, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the IS 200t has …

Some of you may recall the Toyota 4Runner, last sold in Australia between 1984 and 1996 priced between $38,000 and $50,000. It’s based on the Hilux ute with 4 doors, 5 seats and a fixed canopy. Marketed as an affordable heavy-duty 4WD, the 4Runner satisfied the needs of many adventure …

It is hard not to be impressed with Korean products these days; from smartphones to smart looking Korean cars, they look, feel and work a treat. However, it was only in relatively recent memory the Koreans were peddling rough and basic models such as the Kia Mentor and Hyundai Excel. …

The Q7 is the first SUV offering from Audi and went on sale in 2006, nine years later than the Mercedes-Benz ML and seven years behind segment leader BMW X5. It was a bit of a behemoth and left much to be desired in the handling department. Almost a decade …

Save the best for last. That’s exactly what Holden has done with the 2016 VFII Commodore. While the new range is still unmistakably VF Commodore, minor functional and cosmetic tweaks – mainly to the front fascia – bring the car up-to-date for its last leg before being phased out in …

The Ford Focus is a car worthy of its accolades. Its 2015 debut brought all the best loved features to the table, while being wrapped up in a stylish new frame. Our Focus hatch came setup with the Sport package, this is Ford’s mid-level offering starting at a price of …

It’s not hard to see why the Ford Everest has become the best rated 4 x 4 of its class in 2015; sharing the great features of the already popular Ford Ranger, this Australian designed SUV further solidifies Ford’s image as a progressive company that is well competitive with its European …

When we tested the Chrysler 300 SRT8 Core in 2013, we liked its simplistic and lunatic approach to performance. Unashamedly big in style and attitude, the SRT8 is stupendously powerful and roars so ferociously it rattles windows and sends pets yapping around the neighbourhood. For 2015, this big brash American …

Lexus essentially pioneered the luxury SUV segment with the launch of the original RX in 1998. It was such a hit, especially in North America, that it inspired similar competitors from rival marques. Today, the crossover is Lexus’ best-selling model in the brand’s 26-year history. With global sales of more …

The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron is Audi’s first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and only the second premium brand after BMW (with its i3) to introduce a PHEV model locally. Unlike the distinctive i3, the A3 e-tron is virtually indistinguishable from any other A3 – a deliberate attempt, according to …