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Isuzu D-Max LS-U+ Crew Cab 4×4

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Isuzu D Max review
The up-market offering in the D-Max range. 8.4/10Score SCORE BREAKDOWN Things we like Healthy payload The right mix of luxury and rugged 4x4 charm Fuel economy despite 3.0-litre displacement Not so much Electric roller hard cover restricts loading capacity Grey roof liner doesn’t quite match black leather interior Isuzu’s updated 2022 D-Max line-up features the reintroduction of LS-U space-cab models, a GCM increase ...
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Mazda BT-50

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Mazda BT 50 review
Mazda BT-50: Extended Off-Road Experience Lloyd spends more time exploring remote places in pursuit of the perfect wave than staring at bright city lights - he’s also an avid reader of 4X4 Australia - so he was the perfect choice to saddle up in a top-spec Thunder variant as part of our ‘50 Days with a BT-50’ series. The all-new series will give Lloyd the opportunity to steer a BT-50 for - you guessed it - 50 days, with his off-roading nous and exper...
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Nissan Y62 Patrol versus Jeep Grand Cherokee L

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Nissan versus Jeep
Out on the rough and tough stuff - which one for you .... Evan Spence pits Jeep's new-generation Grand Cherokee L against the proven and popular Y62 Nissan Patrol. It has been a long time coming, but Jeep has released the first seven-seat Grand Cherokee, dubbed the ‘L’. It’s not just a longer version of the previous Grand Cherokee, either; this has been redesigned from the ground up, with a long list of ingredients that on paper sound perfect for families wanting the lat...
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New Ford Ranger revealed

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Facts about the new Ford Ranger
Talk about a hard act to follow. Here's what to expect from the new Ranger 8.7/10Score SCORE BREAKDOWN Things we like Silky 3.0 V6 and much improved 2.0-litre biturbo Bigger tray now carries a Euro pallet V6's slick all-wheel drive system Clever towing and off-road assist systems Not so much Styling may take some time to grow on us Some glitches with SYNC4A No petrol or manual versions New? Wasn't...
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Mazda CX-60 PHEV

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Mazda CX-60 PHEV - A Step up in More Ways than One
   A Step up in More Ways than One The Europeans are in their sights. 8.5/10Score Things we like Quality interior Excellent economy Sheer punch Decent electric range Not so much Ride a little firm Pricing may take some getting used to Quite heavy Needs top Takumi trim to feel really special It doesn't look exceptional. Maybe that's the point, but if you'd never clapped eyes on a Mazd...
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LCT (Luxury Car Tax) modified for 2022-23

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Latest luxury car tax information
Fuel-efficient vehicles attract a higher threshold. Snapshot ATO increases Luxury Car Tax for 2022-23 financial year Fuel efficient vehicle threshold up by 6.6 per cent, other vehicles increased by 3.9 per cent Changes to come into effect from July 1 The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has increased the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) threshold for the 2022-23 financial year by its biggest jump in years. Coming into effect on July 1, the threshold for fuel-efficient veh...
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New Ford Escape. Details & Pricing

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New Ford Escape prices
A hybrid model tops the offerings Snapshot Ford's first electrified vehicle finally arrives in Australia Expands Escape's line-up to six variants Prices start at $53,440 before on-road costs UPDATE, May 20, 2022 Ford has confirmed the new Escape plug-in hybrid has arrived on Australian shores, going on sale across the country this month. The Escape PHEV is the first electrified model in Ford's local range, with four more set to join the line-up by 2025. Th...
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The case for hydrogen to fuel combustion engines

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Hydrogen cars on on the horizon
Toyota, Yamaha and others are using hydrogen for ICEs   Hydrogen as a fuel source faces an uphill battle when it comes to road cars. While it has clear benefits in the long-range logistics and transport industry, along with aerospace, using hydrogen to replace unleaded fuel for the cars we all love is a tough sell due to some obvious and inescapable inefficiencies. However, the case for hydrogen to fuel combustion engines relies wholeheartedly on envisag...
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2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid – the latest

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The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is now on sale in Australia, more than a year since the electrified SUV was first intended to launch.
The Hybrid Sorento can be ordered with either 2WD or 4WD Snapshot 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid goes on sale in Australia Available in GT-Line guise only, with FWD or optional AWD Front-wheel drive priced from $66,750 before on-road costs, all-wheel-drive incurs $3000 premium UPDATE, April 29: Kia Sorento Hybrid now on sale from $66,750 The 2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid is now on sale in Australia, more than a year since the electrified SUV was first intende...
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VW Polo ANCAP safety rating

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Volkswagon has Ancap rating
A tech update has gained qualification Snapshot Polo was first tested in 2018, scoring five stars at the time Recent retest comes after safety upgrades were made for 2022 Becomes the second vehicle to be retested for a five-star rating The 2022 Volkswagen Polo has been handed a five-star safety rating, with an ANCAP retest of the updated model giving it full marks thanks to its new safety equipment. Last tested at launch in 2018, Volkswagen has s...
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Paint protection for your 4WD

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Paint protection pays off
For a lasting shine, there are a range of products available to help protect exterior paint from the unforgiving elements and deposits As the song goes, “you don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone” – the paint on your 4x4 is a bit like that, you don’t really give it much thought until you rip a big old line down to the primer along the side of your door while driving off-road. Great, there goes a grand or two in touch-up work. That’s the thing about paintwork: i...
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Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo – on a wet road

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Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo
Porsche's EV Wagon on the 47 km Sunshine Coast TT 8.5/10Score Things we like Lives up to lofty Porsche expectations Brakes Steering Not so much You pay heavily for the privilege Body control on large compressions The 2022 Porsche Taycan Turbo Cross Turismo explores one of the best Aussie motorsport events that never was. The front straight isn’t actually straight, but more a nice place to stage competitors and vi...
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Lexus LX – Landcruiser to the Max

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Lexus LX luxury 4WD
Is Toyota's top SUV not fancy enough? Lexus has the answer 7.4/10Score SCORE BREAKDOWN Things we like Powerful, silky turbo-petrol Great refinement Almost all the capability of a LandCruiser Not so much No five-seater base model No extra sub-tank on base diesel Sold out for the rest of the year If you’re the cynical type, you might be tempted to dismiss the 2022 Lexus LX as simply being a LandCruiser with a more p...
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BMW M4 Competition Convertible

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BMW M4 Competition Convertible
Looks great, goes great, and fresh air abounds.... 8.0/10Score Things we like Versatility Ease of speed Confidence-inspiring xDrive Overall cohesion Not so much Very heavy Lazy throttle in Comfort Optional seats The new generation of BMW M3 and M4 represents a radical departure from their long line of esteemed predecessors. M Division’s latest spearhead, the G80-series, is all-new, based upon BMW’s versatile CLAR modula...
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New BMW 7 Series Electric

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All electric i7 coming to Australia
All-Electric i7 showcased BMW  740i and i7 xDrive60 confirmed for Australia end of 2022 UPDATE, April 22: BMW confirms local spec The new 2023 BMW7 Series and i7 will arrive in Australia towards the end of the year, with the brand's local arm confirming launch variants of each model. Recently revealed as the latest iteration of BMW's flagship limousine, the new 7 Series and the all-electric i7 will arrive here in the fourth quarter of 2022. For the internal combustion en...
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Automatic car wash – paint damage!

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Car washing can damage your paintwork
Automatic car wash - paint damage! A convenient option for some, but beware. We've all been caught at the crossroads between convenience and quality when it comes to washing a car, and while taking your car through an automatic car wash may seem innocuous every now and then, you're not only doing your car a disservice in terms of cleanliness, you're also damaging its finish. But what kind of damage can be unknowingly inflicted upon a car's paint by going through an automatic c...
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Electric Vehicles Fire

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Ferries and ships are at risk of fire from EV's
Electric Vehicles Fire         THE fire aboard the car carrier Felicity Ace in the Atlantic last week has once more focussed all the stakeholders in the auto shipping industry on the issue of what to do about EVs that spontaneously combust while being transported at sea. The cars on the ship burned with such intensity that parts of the hull above the waterline melted. ...
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4X4 Comparison Winners – Ute & Wagon

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4X4 Comparison Winners
Exhaustive tests to assist with your decision After a lengthy process, plenty of kilometres behind the wheel and intense deliberation, our judges have settled on the two 4X4 Of The Year winners for 2022. MORE 2022 4X4 Of The Year: Introduction MORE 2022 4x4 Of The Year: Final Six MORE 2022 4x4 Of The Year: Testing conditions MORE 2022 4x4 Of The Year: Route MORE 2022 4X4 Of The Year: WINNERS Best 4x4 Ute: Ford Ranger XLT The mid-size four-door, 4x4 ute market is...
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Sports & Performance Cars of the Year

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Porsche 911 GT3 and Subaru BRZ.
On the face of it there isn’t much to link the Porsche 911 GT3 and Subaru BRZ. Price, power, speed – on all accounts the two are vastly different. However, look a little deeper and some similarities begin to appear. The Porsche is the ultimate evolution of the brand’s ultimate sports car. Honed and refined with decades of development. Over at Subaru, the BRZ hasn’t had the same lengthy time to grow into its bones, but this second-generation model has focused on, you gues...
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2022 Audi S3 Sportback Improved

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The Popular Audi S3 Sportback is Improved for 2022
Enhancements to performance and practicality have not hurt the value equation. Things we like Amazing engine/transmission/final drive combination Sharp price Practically almost uncompromised Not so much Occasionally lazy transmission Some scratchy cabin plastic HUD is extra Like a spontaneous holiday romance, I’ve spent the six months since I drove the new 2022 Audi S3 in the UK wondering if it really wa...
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Lexus LX Large SUVs announced for Australia

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A large Lexus LX
LX diesel 500d and petrol 600 on the horizon. Snapshot Lexus to sell diesel LX 500d and petrol LX 600 F Sport and Ultra Luxury variants to join the range First arrivals expected in April Pricing has been confirmed for the 2022 Lexus LX 500d and LX 600, with the range now starting at $148,800 for the former and $152,300 for the latter. The new for 2022 Lexus LX range will be one of the biggest yet when it arrives at the start of the se...
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2022 Lexus NX – Medium SUV Range Review

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2022 Lexus NX
Plug-in hybrid, driver engagement, and fuel economy. 2022 Lexus NX - Medium SUV Range Topping 450h+ Lexus isn't new to electrification, with hybrids making up about 40 per cent of its Australian business including 56 per cent of UX crossover sales, which now include the UX300e, the brand's first battery-electric vehicle (BEV). Now the Japanese luxury carmaker has entered the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) market with the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+...
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Audi SQ5 vs Jaguar F-Pace

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Audi SQ5 Diesel vs Jaguar F-Pace Petrol - Hmmmm!
Both cracker SUVs face one another in an intriguing test Audi SQ5 Diesel vs Jaguar F-Pace Petrol? - Hmmmm! I’ll never forget the day my high-school history teacher Miss Ashman turned up to a lesson with two black eyes and a nose splinted with more supports than a scaffolder’s roof rack. Turns out, this slight, quiet young lady was a karate expert and the only way her students were ever going to find out was if she su...
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Audi Q5 and SQ5 Sportback Grace Aussie Shores

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Audi SQ5 TDI
Details announced. Snapshot Sportback models offer fresh styling for the Q5 and SQ5 models Prices start at $77,000, range up to $110,900 Deliveries to begin in August Audi Australia is preparing showrooms to take delivery of the new Q5 Sportback range ahead of its August arrival locally, joining the standard Q5 and SQ5 line-up. The Sportback is underpinned by the same platform as the existing Q5 but features a sharper, more aggressive...
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BMW 128ti – Happy Days

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BMW 128ti
Front Wheel Drive in a BMW - Fear Not 8.5/10Score SCORE BREAKDOWN Things we like Great chassis Strong engine It’s heaps of fun Not so much Lack of active cruise odd Tight rear seat Some options expensive If you don’t think we’re living in a golden age of small hot hatches, let me give you a quick rundown of what you can buy today – the new Golf GTI Mk8, the Ford Focus ST, the Renault Megane RS, the Honda...
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Volkswagen Passat R-Line Wagon Relaunch

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Another new Volkswagen rolls off the production line
Passat R-Line presents a compelling package. Snapshot Passat R-Line wagon returns after two year hiatus 206kW/350Nm powerplant remains with all-wheel-drive Pricing starts at $63,790 Volkswagen's line of hot wagons continue to roll off its German production line and into Australian showrooms, with this month's offering coming in the form of the new Passat R-Line, featuring Golf R power with wagon space. Returning for the first time since the 2019 model ...
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Semi-conductor Shortage is Ongoing

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Semi-conductor Shortage is Ongoing
The global chip supply issue is dragging on. The ongoing worldwide semi-conductor chip shortage is projected to drag on into 2022, according to Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. As the head of the world's fourth-largest automotive manufacturer, Tavares has seen first-hand what the effect has been on production. In June, Stellantis's plant in Mexico had to stop work due to a lack of parts. Speaking at an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit, US, yesterday, Tavares sai...
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Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe Reveal

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Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe Reveal
The coupe-SUV will not appeal to everyone. SCORE BREAKDOWN Things we like Return of the V8! Benchmark SUV dynamics Comfortable, quality interior Not so much Looks an acquired taste Options can swell price significantly Too heavy for ultimate thrills Remember when Porsche offered just two models? Ho, what simple times they were. These days manufacturers, particularly those of a premium persuasion, scramble to fi...
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BMW 2 Series for 2022

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The new 2022 BMW 2 series
More of the same enhances the offering Snapshot Local launch expected before the end of 2021 Pricing starts at $59,990 for 220i, $30k extra for M240i xDrive All Australian-delivered 2 Series Coupes will be fitted with BMW M Sport pack UPDATE, July 12: BMW Australia has confirmed pricing of the new 2 Series Coupé, expected to land locally towards the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022. The entry-level 220i will start at $59,900 w...
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New 2022 Forester

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The new 2022 Forester
Genuine enhancements Snapshot Fifth-gen Forester launched in 2018 Update brings comfort and exterior changes Due to hit Australia this November Subaru has confirmed details of its freshened-up 2022 Forester range, updating the model which first hit Aussie shores in 2018. Pricing now kicks off at $35,990 for the entry-level car, a slight increase over the 2021 model’s $35,190. Safety has been bolstered, with lane centring, lane departure prevention, and autonomous...
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