Suzuki Grand Vitara Review & Road Test

Is this Vitara as grand as it claims to be?

Model Tested:

2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara V6 Prestige; 3.2-litre, six-cylinder, petrol; five-speed automatic; wagon – $40,490*

Off-road credentials; sonorous V6; feature list
Rear leg room; dated styling
CarAdvice Rating:

Grand Vitara…it’s a big claim, especially for an SUV which lives in a segment littered with models from various [...]

Ford Ranger Review & Road Test

With a 3000kg towing capacity, you could even tow Amanda Vanstone.

Model Tested:

2009 Ford Ranger XLT 4×2 Crew Cab; 3.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged diesel; five-speed manual – $40,590

Fuel consumption; towing & load carrying capacity; styling
No ESC available; rear seat leg room
CarAdvice Rating:
It’s big, it’s brash and it’s the latest iteration of Ford’s ‘built Ford [...]

Holden Statesman Review & Road Test

It’s over $100,000 cheaper than its nearest German competitor.

Model Tested:

2009 Holden WM Statesman; 3.6-litre, six-cylinder, petrol; six-speed automatic; sedan – $63,990*

Fuel economy; interior room; value for money
Transmission; lack of design change
CarAdvice Rating:
I’ll promise you from the outset that this isn’t one of those ‘the fish was this big’ stories. The Holden Statesman [...]

Holden Commodore SV6 Review & Road Test

Holden’s SIDI equipped automatic and manual gearboxes are like chalk and cheese.

Model Tested:

2009 Holden Commodore SV6; 3.6-litre, six-cylinder, petrol; six-speed manual; sedan – $42,790*

Options Available:

Metallic Paint $500; Limited Slip Differential $360; Leather Upholstery $2500; Sunroof $1990; DVD Player $1290; Six CD Changer $595; Full Size Spare Wheel $350

Sporty gearbox; fuel economy; interior room
Dated [...]

Toyota Camry Review & Road Test

The latest iteration of one of Toyota’s best selling appliances.

Model Tested:

2009 Toyota Camry Ateva; 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrol; five-speed automatic; sedan – $32,490

Interior space; suspension (ride); standard features
Fuel consumption; handling
CarAdvice Rating:
Whitegoods on wheels, uninspiring, old man’s car and boring. These are all terms that have become synonymous with the Toyota Camry.
For years Toyota [...]

Renault Laguna Estate Review & Road Test

Finally, a French car without the complications.

Model Tested:

2009 Renault Laguna Dynamique Estate; 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel; six-speed automatic; wagon – $46,990*

Options:

18-inch Alloy Wheels $1000; Metallic Paint $800; Panoramic Sunroof $2000; Xenon Headlights & Headlight Washers $1950

Value for money; build quality; engine; style
Rear leg room
CarAdvice Rating:
The French have always been a bit quirky. While [...]

Suzuki Alto Review & Road Test

A brand new car for the price of an expensive scooter.

Model Tested:

2009 Suzuki Alto GLX; 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, petrol; four-speed automatic; five-door hatch – $16,490*

Pricing; fuel consumption; feature list
Engine size; rear leg room; boot capacity
CarAdvice Rating:
It’s Australia’s cheapest car and it’s built in India. These two factors alone would send most people to [...]

Nissan Dualis Review & Road Test

The dual purpose Dualis is dually affordable.

Model Tested:

2009 Nissan Dualis; 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, petrol; six-speed automatic; hatch – $27,990*

Pricing; fuel economy; versatility
Nothing worth noting
CarAdvice Rating:
A 2WD 4WD. It makes about as much sense as an ashtray on a motorcycle.
But following the successful trend that manufacturers like Hyundai, Toyota and Holden have had in [...]

2009 Large Car Comparison

Ford Falcon vs. Holden Commodore vs. Nissan Maxima vs. Honda Accord vs. Toyota Aurion vs. Skoda Superb
Models Tested:

2009 Ford Falcon G6E Turbo; 4.0-litre, six-cylinder, petrol; six-speed automatic; sedan – $57,490
2009 Holden Commodore Calais V-Series; 3.6-litre, six-cylinder, petrol; six-speed automatic; sedan – $56,790
2009 Nissan Maxima Ti; 3.5-litre, six-cylinder, petrol; CVT gearbox; sedan – $46,990
2009 Honda Accord [...]

Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute Review & Road Test

The Paris Hilton of Utes: so wrong, but oh so right.

Model Tested:

2009 Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute; 4.0-litre, six-cylinder, turbo petrol; six-speed automatic; utility – $43,490*

Options Available:

Prestige Paint $400 (Dash); Safety Enhancement Pack $600; XR Sports Pack $1000; Satellite Navigation $2290

Gob-smacking acceleration; fuel consumption; cabin space
Load carrying capacity; handling; ESC calibration
CarAdvice Rating:
What [...]

Coming Soon: 2009 Large Sedan Comparison

CarAdvice has spent the best part of the week evaluating six of the best selling cars in the large car segment, including as an Australian first, a comparison with the new Holden Commodore Calais V-Series featuring the new SIDI V6 engine.
The cars were put through a barrage of tests, ranging from ride and [...]

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