Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review & Road Test

The E-Class is a class act

Model Tested:

2009 Mercedes-Benz E500 Elegance; 5.5-litre V8, petrol; seven-speed automatic; sedan – $178,900*

Quality; space; power; drivetrain smoothness; standard equipment
Ride can be a little choppy
CarAdvice Rating:
It’s funny how the world goes in cycles. Long hair, short hair and back to long hair again. Light colours, dark colours and [...]

Hyundai Santa Fe Long Term Update

Parting is such sweet sorrow, or so the saying goes. In this case, it’s not that sweet because I’ve grown fond of the big Hyundai. Sure, the Santa Fe had its ups and downs, but on the whole, the car has been like a faithful pet; always eager to please, never giving up on you, [...]

Use your brain when using SatNav

It seems obvious – or at least it should seem obvious. When using your satellite navigation, keep your mind switched firmly to the “on” position. However a recent survey by UK website motoring.co.uk shows that people are taking what the SatNav voice is telling them as gospel.
According to the research, 20 per cent of women [...]

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG wins Golden Steering Wheel Award

The iconic 300SL Gullwing’s spiritual successor, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, won the title of Best Super Sports Car in the 2009 Golden Steering Wheel awards yesterday.
Out of a field of eleven, the SLS AMG triumphed, receiving more than a third of votes from the quarter of a million readers of Bild am Sonntag, Auto Bild [...]

Hyundai Santa Fe Long Term Update

We’ve just been racking up the kilometres on our long term tester, the Santa Fe Elite CRDi. We’ve passed the 8500km mark, and with no real dramas, there’s not a lot to report.

To be honest, we’d rather it that way, as it means trouble free motoring for any who buys a Santa Fe. The engine [...]

Peugeot 308 CC Review & Road Test

The Pug for sun-lovers

Model Tested:

2009 Peugeot 308CC; 2.0-litre, four cylinder, diesel, six speed automatic; coupe/cabriolet – $52,990*

Options Available:

Leather seats with integrated heating, AirWave and windstop – $4,100

Styling; build quality; packaging
Ride too firm; downward sloping seats; no cupholders; windscreen angle
CarAdvice Rating:
Ah, the convertible. The wind in your hair, the sun on your skin, [...]

Rolls-Royce Ghost Australian reveal

We’ve seen it in photos, read about it and drooled over it – now the Rolls-Royce Ghost has finally made it to Australia. What you’re looking at here is the fourth Ghost built on the dedicated Goodwood production line.

Flanked by Rolls-Royce Australian representative Bevin Clayton,  Regional Director Colin Kelly, General Manager South & East Asia [...]

Mazda6 Review & Road Test

Solid build, solid performance, solid reputation

Model Tested:

2009 Mazda Mazda6 Diesel; 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel; six speed manual; wagon – $37,940*

Options:

None fitted

Engine; gearbox; driveability; practicality
Ride a tad firm; no automatic option
CarAdvice Rating:
The new MZR-CD diesel engine in Mazda6 – and let’s hope Mazda3 as well – is an absolute pearler. It’s quiet, [...]

Mazda3 Review & Road Test

You’d be smiling too if you were a 3

Model Tested:

2009 Mazda 3 Maxx; 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol; five-speed automatic; sedan – $27,050*

Options:

None Fitted

Build quality; ride & handling; smooth drivetrain
Road noise; strange looks
CarAdvice Rating:
Okay, okay, let’s start with the obvious – the Mazda3 has a big smile. It’s kind of a goofy grin, too, [...]

Hyundai Santa Fe Long Term Update

The Santa Fe Elite CRDi has been with us for over four months now, and apart from the suspension issue reported last update, there is nothing to fault. So far, we’ve racked up 6485 kilometres, and I just checked the oil again. It hasn’t dropped at all.

Tyre wear is both even and minimal (as you’d [...]

Jaguar XF Review & Road Test

It’s the torque of the town

Model Tested:

2009 Jaguar XF S, diesel V6, six-speed automatic – $116,250*

Options:

Portable Music Interface $1380; Metallic paint $2650

Engine, fuel economy, smoothness, interior
Weak headlights, headlight design
CarAdvice Rating:
Words: Karl Peskett Photography: www.ozcarsightings.com
Welcome to the 600 Newton-metre club, let me thumb through the members – Audi RS6, Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG, Porsche [...]

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