Passenger Cars

First it was the four-door coupe, and now it’s the Shooting Brake – or sexy wagon to you and me. I’m not complaining as I happen to think they look fantastic, have enough room for a dog and some ski gear, and an excellent alternative to the ubiquitous high-riding SUVs. …

The Staria is Hyundai’s new people mover, replacing the previous iMax. The new name is not just a marketing exercise, it is coined to signal a new era for the mini van – one that does not have to be boring. I mean, just look at the thing. The clean, …

The Jaguar XF is unlikely to spring to mind or be a first choice for those looking for a mid-size luxury sedan but there’s a lot to like about this 2022 XF P300 R-Dynamic. With both diesel and supercharged petrol having left the building, the turbocharged petrol P300 is now …

If you’re reading this review, chances are you’re keen to standout from the crowd and go a little left field. The city hatchback segment is getting a little too predictable these days. The main players are safe and easy options like the Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2 and Volkswagen Polo. The …

While there’s no arguing the midsized sedan is an endangered species at risk of disappearing in the next decade or so, two standout specimens are still clinging on to life with encouraging numbers. The Toyota Camry and Mazda6 can both be sighted out in the wild in decent numbers, with …

The Kia Carnival has grown from its humble beginning as a cheap and cheerful way of carrying many people to a household name for the segment. Now in its fourth generation, the Carnival continues to make big strides with a bold new design, revamped cabin and improved tech. Range and …

The Lexus IS has been challenging the likes of BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class since the late 90s, an era where a slew of other left-field options also emerged in the segment – Jaguar X-Type and Alfa Romeo 156 just to name a few. Fast forward to 2021, the …

What do you do when everyone calls their mid-life update a facelift? You give it a fancy name, like ‘LCI’, or ‘Life Cycle Impulse’ in BMW-speak. So, let me introduce you to the 2021 G30 BMW 520i LCI M Sport. Now available only in the popular M Sport trim, the …

The Hyundai i30 Sedan is the latest addition to the successful i30 range. Built in right-hand drive specifically for Australia, it replaces the slow-selling Elantra as the brand’s new small sedan offering in the sub-$40,000 segment. Capitalising on the i30 nameplate’s popularity, the fourth-generation ‘Elantra’ has its sight on the …

The Mazda 3 has progressed over the years from a mainstream model to its current semi-premium offering. A strong seller in the small car segment, the fourth-generation Mazda 3 stands out with its sporty and sophisticated design, premium interior, and balanced driving feel. Pricing starts from $24,990 for the entry-level G20 …

Hyundai’s luxury aspiration started with the Genesis mid-size sedan. Launched in Australia in 2015, it was introduced as part of Hyundai’s passenger car line-up, and was called the Hyundai Genesis, even though there wasn’t a single Hyundai badge in the vehicle. Luxuriously appointed, the Genesis was sized, equipped and marketed …

There was a time when the humble sedan was the quintessential family hauler. It was a common sight on most driveways, as well as shopping mall car parks. In the last two decades though, the sedan has been gradually replaced by the Sport Utility Vehicle, or SUV as it is …

I’ve said it before and will say it again. We are living in the best era at the moment (brushing aside the mayhem brought about by COVID-19, of course). You see, there is plenty of performance metal to choose from, from the perennial favourite Golf GTI to the ballistic Mercedes-AMG …

The Hyundai i30 is one of the stars of the Korean brand’s extensive line-up. Now into its third-generation, the popular hatch has recently received an update for 2021. Unlike some other brands, Hyundai’s mid-life updates are rather extensive and in the case of the i30, an entirely new front fascia. …