Passenger Cars

Almost a decade has passed since we last saw the Holden Astra Sedan name in Australia. Now, the name returns and replaces the locally built Holden Cruze which production ended in October 2016. With such well built and optioned rivals as the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra, …

Despite the meteoric rise and our love affair with high-riding SUVs, the humble hatchback is still a significant player in our market with the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and Hyundai i30 regularly making up the top three models on the overall monthly sales chart. But like almost all other segments, it …

It seems like only yesterday I reviewed the current-generation Ford Mondeo, but Ford has already given the car a mild facelift to keep it fresh in 2017. While it may not sell in the numbers of a Mazda 6 or Toyota Camry, according to Ford, sales of the Mondeo have …

The Kia Rio is one of the more popular small cars in Australia and is the Korean manufacturer’s global hit, with annual sales approaching 500,000, accounting for 16% of Kia’s annual sales. However, its profile in Europe is still a little lacking compared to segment leaders such as the Volkswagen …

As if the outgoing model wasn’t bold enough, Lexus has gone even more courageous with the updated 2017 IS sports sedan. Launching on the backdrop of one million global sales and a teasy advertising campaign celebrating those who dare to step forward, the 3 Series and C-Class rival boasts the strongest …

The small car segment has never been so tightly contested. It’s the most crowded passenger car market with over 20 models to choose from. Even at the top of the chart there’s at least five “you can’t go wrong with anyone of these” options, namely the ever popular Mazda 3, long dominant …

Lexus has, arguably, often been unfairly referred to as a “glorified Toyota”, and while that may be true for certain models in the lineup (I’m looking at you, Lexus LX), the majority of its range are actually proper premium models based on entirely different rear-wheel drive platforms (IS, RC, GS …

When it comes to executive sedans, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 are inevitably the usual suspects, and there’s a good reason for that – they are indeed class benchmarks on which others are judged; premium looks, luxurious cabin and advanced technologies. But what if you want …

If you’re in the market for a small car, perhaps it’s time to check out the new Renault Megane. Now in its fourth generation the new Megane is a quantum leap from its predecessor boasting a completely redesigned sheetmetal, an interior capable of giving the Volkswagen Golf a run for its …

The Jaguar XF is arguably one of the most important models in the company’s passenger car portfolio as it was the XF that revitalised the struggling brand from oblivion in 2007, after years of producing ho-hum products under Ford’s ownership. It was the trailblazer model that shaked off Jaguars ‘old fashion’ …

The BMW 7 Series is a very important car for the German car maker. Of course, it’s the flagship of the line-up. But more importantly the 7 Series’ rival is the long-dominant Mercedes-Benz S-Class, a car it’s been aiming to topple iteration after iteration. Now, an all-new sixth generation 7 Series …

With the Volvo XC90 SUV a runaway success, Volvo’s march to greater heights continues unabated with the closely related S90 luxury sedan; the company’s best attempt yet at cracking the premium executive sedan market dominated by the Germans. Essentially a successor to the S80 (yes, remember that one?), the 2017 …

Premium looks without premium price. That’s the best way to describe the third-generation Mazda 6 midsize sedan. To us, it is NOT one of, but THE best looking sedan in its class. Already on the market since 2012, the four-year-old design is everything but dated, a testament to the company’s solid …

In an increasingly connected world, a car’s infotainment system is now as important as other crucial aspects of the car such as fuel economy and performance. For many, a car’s connectivity and technology are an important part of their decision making when buying vehicles. Ford recently introduced the new SYNC …