Lotus Europa Review & Road Test
October 14, 2009 by Anthony Crawford
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Lotus, Sports
From any angle, the Europa SE looks like a supercar.
Model Tested:
2009 Lotus Europa SE; 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, turbocharged petrol; six-speed manual; coupe – $109,990*
Very quick; huge grip; more comfortable than Elise
Some understeer on the ragged edge; no power mirrors
CarAdvice Rating:
I’m heading towards the outskirts of Sydney to collect the Lotus Europa SE, [...]
2009 Large Car Comparison
October 13, 2009 by Paul Maric
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Comparisons, Falcon, Ford, Holden, Holden VE Commodore, Honda, Nissan, Skoda, Toyota, Toyota Aurion
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 [...]
Mazda6 Review & Road Test
October 9, 2009 by Karl Peskett
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Mazda, Medium Car
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, [...]
Land Rover Discovery 4 Review
October 9, 2009 by Anthony Crawford
Filed under 4WD, 4x4, Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, First Steer, Land Rover
Location – The Borders, Scotland.
If you fancy a little fly fishing in Scotland’s famed River Tweed, there’s absolutely no need to buy a boat, or stand foolishly in the icy water, just get yourself a Land Rover Discovery 4 and a couple of hand nets, and you’re in with a better than [...]
Kia Cerato – Long Term Update
October 8, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Kia, Kia Cerato, Long Term Test, Small Car
Since collecting our long-term Kia Cerato SLi back in early May the Santorini Blue sedan has been shoved from pillar to post around the CarAdvice office, with Rose Harris, Nadine Armstrong and Paul Maric all spending considerable time behind the wheel.
Now it’s my turn with the past few weeks seeing the Cerato spend some garage [...]
Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo Ute Review & Road Test
October 7, 2009 by Paul Maric
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Commercial Pick-Up/Crew Cab 4x2, Falcon, Ford
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 [...]
Volvo C70 Review & Road Test
October 6, 2009 by Anthony Crawford
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Car Style, Convertibles, Luxury Car, Sports, Volvo
Great to drive, difficult to fault, and the most underrated luxury convertible on the market.
Model Tested:
2009 Volvo C70 T5; 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, petrol; six-speed manual; convertible – $69,950
Price; quality of materials; interior space and performance
Some options such as Satellite Navagation seem expensive
CarAdvice Rating:
Options:
Fitted: Heated front seats $325; Bluetooth $450; Blind [...]
Holden Calais V-Series Review & Road Test
October 5, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Holden, Holden VE Commodore, Large Car
The VE range has grown better with age
Model Tested:
2009 Holden VE Calais V-Series; 3.6-litre, SIDI six-cylinder, petrol; six-speed automatic; sedan – $56,790*
Options:
Fitted: Metallic Paint $500 (Karma); Full-Size Alloy Spare Wheel $350
Not Fitted: Sports Suspension & LSD $690; Electric Sunroof $1990
New SIDI engine; improved fuel economy; cabin & cargo space; quieter ride
Slow transmission; [...]
Proton Jumbuck – Long Term Conclusion
October 5, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Commercial Pick-Up/Crew Cab 4x2, Long Term Test, Proton, Proton Jumbuck, Ute, Utes
After four months here at the CarAdvice office it’s time to say goodbye to our long term bargain basement ute, the Proton Jumbuck.
Following a raft of duties, and in excess of 7000kms of driving, the little lugger returned trouble free motoring with a couple of plastic rattles the only issues of any note.
The half-tonner put [...]
2009 People Mover Comparison
October 2, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Comparisons, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Toyota
Honda Odyssey vs. Hyundai iMax Shuttle vs. Kia Grand Carnival vs. Mitsubishi Grandis vs. Toyota Tarago
Models Tested:
2009 Honda Odyssey; 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrol; five-speed automatic; wagon – $43,990*
2009 Hyundai iMax Shuttle; 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, diesel; four-speed automatic; wagon – $42,490*
2009 Kia Grand Carnival; 2.9-litre, four-cylinder, diesel; five-speed automatic; wagon – $41,990*
2009 Mitsubishi Grandis VRX; 2.4-litre, four-cylinder, petrol; [...]
Nissan 370Z King Of The Mountain
October 1, 2009 by Alborz Fallah
Filed under Behind the Wheel, Car Reviews, Car Style, Nissan, Queensland, Sports, Sports Car
Nissan 370Z King Of The Mountain.
Does the turbo AWD fraternity have to worry about the new 370Z? How about Boxsters, AMG Benzes, M-series BMWs and S-badged Audis? In Brisbane, there’s only one way to find out.
- by Alborz Fallah – photos – Tristan Schoonens.
Earlier this year I took a Mitsubishi Evolution X up Mount Glorious/Nebo [...]
