Car reviews

Volkswagen Tiguan 2018 Car Review

Volkswagen’s Tiguan has long been a favourite of some of our testers, not for a flashy engine or standout looks, indeed it’s a bit unexciting, but because its designers clearly thought long and hard about its likely intended function – as a family runabout.

Toyota Prius 2018 Car Review

The Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-production hybrid, has become a low-emissions, fuel-efficient urban runabout since its 2000 release, with Auckland’s taxi fleet being a prime example.

Toyota Hilux 2018 Car Review

Toyota Camry Hybrid 2018 Car Review

The most immediately obvious change to this latest Camry is its looks. Toyota seems finally to have taken on board the once regular comment that its cars may be reliable, but their styling has been rather boring, and though the majority of buyers may not be vehicular enthusiasts, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t like a handsome car in the driveway.

Holden Commodore 2018 Car Review

The new Commodore wagon impresses with its sleek, European-inspired design, a striking contrast to the muscular lines typically seen on this iconic Aussie nameplate.

Subaru Outback 2018 Car Review

Subaru’s Outback has become a bit of a staple on New Zealand roads, if the number we spotted while taking our photos are any guide. And no wonder. For it offers many of the advantages of its Forester sibling, without making all the compromises a traditional off-roader demands.

Toyota Prado 2018 Car Review

Time with an evaluation vehicle doesn’t always go as planned, but sometimes that proves an advantage. And this time it was the very clever way Toyota’s latest Land Cruiser Prado helps you pick your way through tricky going which paid off.

Peugeot 5008 2018 Car Review

Few folk will immediately come up with French brand Peugeot when they think SUV, but in January 2018 it launched a sibling to the 2008 and 3008 to compete with the likes of VW’s Allspace, Skoda’s Kodiak, and Hyundai’s Santa Fe.

Kia Sorento 2018 Car Review

Kia recently updated its seven-seater SUV, the headliner being an eight-speed auto transmission that was designed in-house for stronger acceleration, and reduced emissions. But it also got subtle alterations to the look via revised bumpers, head- and tail lights, and new alloy wheels – 18-inchers in our EX test vehicle.

Kia Niro 2018 Car Review

Niro also brought contact with the outside world in a peculiarly appropriate way. With cell towers down, you has to drive to get assistance. And given the chance that storms like this are in part whipped up by the inexorable advance of global warming, it’s comforting to know those drives were made while burning as little fossil fuel as possible.