New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: Kia Soul SX

The original Kia Soul was just okay. Behind all the gimmicky flashing speakers and unique looks hid a car that was largely half-baked and just not particularly good. It got by on largely by virtue of its big personality and surprising practicality, but other than that it hardly inspired excitement. The new Soul, however, is […]

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New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: BMW 435i

BMW makes very good cars. The latest 3 Series is a very good car indeed, so it would make logical sense that the 4 Series coupe that has been spun off the 3 Series would also be a very good car. That is not always the case though. But it is here. In fact, the […]

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New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: Subaru WRX manual

Like most living things, cars also grow up. Some “evolve”, some “mature” and some just get old and useless. The Subaru WRX has grown up a lot with its latest incarnation and the best word to use would probably be “mature”. But don’t take that to mean it has come over all serious and sober […]

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New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: Mercedes-Benz E 63S AMG

Big noise and big power. The American manufacturers understand the appeal of this concept and so do the Aussie manufacturers. But you know who else understands the appeal of big, fast, noisy cars? The Germans. The Mercedes-Benz E 63S AMG is one of the biggest, noisiest, fastest cars to come out of Germany and it […]

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New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: Holden Trax LTZ

Holden is one of the early entrants into the new “Baby SUV” segment that will shortly become more populated as other manufacturer’s clamour to turn their compact cars into jacked-up faux off roaders (usually with virtually no off road ability) and the Trax is that entrant. Based on the Barina, the Trax is small but […]

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New Cars Road Tests

ROAD TEST: Skoda Octavia RS wagon

Quite frankly, ever since Skoda New Zealand launched the new Octavia here, this is the version we have been hanging out for. The Octavia RS has always been a brilliant steer and we had no doubt this one would continue that tradition, especially when we found out it would have the same engine as the […]

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