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Car Buying Tips

German Small High Performance Models Face Off

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Audi, Mercedes and BMW face off
Different philosophies. Which works best for you? Here’s a question: does anyone actually stage a pedal-to-the-metal 0-100km/h run? It’s a figure quoted all the time, and taken very seriously in certain circles. If you regard it as the hot-hatch holy grail, then here’s the spoiler: Audi claims a sprint time of 3.8sec for the RS3, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S can do the job in supposedly 3.9sec, while the BMW M240i is another four-tenths behind at 4.3sec. Half a second ...
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Volkswagen Polo GTI – Fun & Tech Upgrades

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Volkswagon Polo GTI review
VW's performance Polo has lifted, but so has the price 8.3/10Score SCORE BREAKDOWN Things we like about the Volkswagen Polo GTI Strong engine and transmission Terrific interior Stacked with tech Not so much Service costs Axle tramp in the wet Not as playful as the Fiesta ST It’s not a long bow to draw to suggest that on its arrival in Australia in 2003, the Volkswagen Polo GTI invigorated a niche that th...
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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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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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New Isuzu MU-X Revealed

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The all-new MU-X for Australia
The all-new MU-X for Australia Snapshot Heavily redesigned interior Factory offered rear diff lock Advanced safety features, as per the D-MAX It’s been a long time coming, but Australia is set to receive the new-generation Isuzu MU-X in the coming months. Considering the popularity of the current Isuzu D-MAX, it’s a no-brainer for Isuzu to bring in a more modern version of its seven-seat wagon based on the D-MAX platform. While we will still have to wait for ...
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New Hyundai Tucson

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New Hyundai Tucson on sale in Australia
  More tech and safety comes with price increases for the New Hyundai Tucson Talking Points Three models – Tucson, Tucson Elite, and Tucson Highlander Big price jump at the entry level Three different drivetrains N-Line styling pack option The 2021 Hyundai Tucson range has officially gone on sale in Australia, starting from $38,338 driveaway. It’s also been confirmed the mid-size SUV will be available in three different variants from launch – the baseline Tu...
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2021 Toyota Kluger – Release Details

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2021 Toyota Kluger launches in Australia
Hybrid available in the new model range. Need to Know: Advanced safety and tech features Prices start from $47,650 Available in Australia from June The 2021 Toyota Kluger seven-seater SUV is due in Australia soon, going on sale locally in June. Built on Toyota’s versatile TNGA platform, the fourth generation of the popular family SUV offers a hybrid drivetrain for the first time, as well as a host of new tech and safety features. These new highlig...
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Three Popular SUV’s Comparison

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There’s a big battle raging in the little SUV arena
Kia Stonic v Mazda CX-3 v Hyundai Venue comparison - A very popular segment and these 3 are fighting hard SINCE ITS LAUNCH IN 2015, MAZDA’S CX-3 HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY PROVING ITSELF AS THE MAINSTREAM COMPACT SUV TO BEAT AND, IN ITS WHOPPING 15-VARIANT LINE-UP THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WELL, MAYBE EVERYONE WHO HAPPENS TO BE LOOKING FOR A REASONABLY PRICED, WELL-BUILT, COMPACT SUV WITH GOOD ROAD MANNERS AND A DUSTING OF ALL-TERRAIN ABILITY. It might be six years old now...
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Crew-cab Off-road Shoot-out

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We take 11 utes from Ford, GWM, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Jeep, SsangYong, and Toyota, and put them through the ultimate off-road comparison test
Eleven utes from around the world fight it out in a Crew-cab Off-road Shoot-out Four-wheel drives are meant to be used off-road, so we devised a comprehensive off-road test loop to see which dual-cab ute was the most capable in low-range 4x4. Our test course was made up of mud, steep hill climbs and descents, rutted out wombat holes and a water crossing as well as some faster corrugations to gain an understanding of how each ute held together over traditional Australian off-r...
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New 2021 Lexus NX Coming Soon

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when the new Lexus NX will arrive in Australia
Details of the new New 2021 Lexus NX  and when it will be coming to Australia Snapshot Based on similar platform to RAV4 Three variants for Aus, one hybrid PHEV not yet confirmed locally Lexus’s most popular model is entering its next generation, with the new 2021 Lexus NX medium SUV now revealed to the world. In a presentation to local media, Lexus confirmed three models of the new SUV will initially come to Australia, with a fourth plug-in hybrid models – the br...
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4 X 4 Wagon Shootout: Everest Sport versus Prado GXL

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Toyota’s ever-popular Prado gets loaded with more power, torque and accessories, so we line it up against Ford’s Everest Sport. LIKE its big brother, the LandCruiser 200 Series, the 150 Series LandCruiser Prado is getting long in tooth. Released in 2009 it was in fact more of a revision of the earlier (2002) 120 Series Prado rather than an entirely new-generation model, which makes it even older than it may first appear. Of course, Toyota hasn’t stood still in all that time, with the 1...
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Ranger FX4 MAX vs D-Max X-Terrain

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Ranger FX4 MAX vs D-Max X-Terrain
Two Dual-Cab 4X4s face off Believe it or not, the grudge match between the Ford Ranger FX4 MAX and Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain – and is way more profound – than most folk realise. Nearly half a century ago, Holden began importing Isuzu’s preposterously-named Faster to fight Toyota’s (equally ironically badged) HiLux – first as the Chev LUV in 1973 and later the KB, before sticking its own branding on the butt of three subsequent (and highly successful) generations. That started ...
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