Bob Nettleton: Lots to like about Mondeo liftback
For the last seven years, the Ford Mondeo has set the gold standard in my view for ride and handling in the affordable mid-sized car class, which means its recently launched successor, has very hard...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Value for money in Mitsubishi Outlander
Spaciousness practicality and value for money has and continues to be a winning trifecta that keeps the Mitsubishi Outlander in the leading bunch top selling mid-sized SUV ‘s in this country. A recent...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Lexus NX Turbo beautifully built, but lacking power
Lexus has summoned some turbo charged engine wizardry to add some genuine performance punch, to match the striking good looks of its NX compact SUV, but does this motor deliver a power packed king hit?...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Honda CRV Sport ticks the boxes
The trail blazing Honda CRV was one of the first Japanese models to crack the compact recreational SUV market 20 years ago, these days it’s battling hard for sales in this intensely competitive market....
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Mitsubishi Outlander a lot of compact SUV for your dollar
Spaciousness, practicality and value for money, continue to prove a winning trifecta that helps make the Mitsubishi Outlander one of our most popular mid-sized recreational 4WD’s. A recent facelift of...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Ford Focus ST Hatch
It made be me one of Europe’s strongest selling hot hatches, but buyers here haven’t warmed to the racy Ford Focus ST hatch in the numbers that Ford may hoped for. Unlike the European and UK markets...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Hyundai Tucson 2WD Elite
An old name adorns a new and striking looking addition to Hyundai’s compact SUV’s family, a model that justifiably has the company confident they’ve a star in the making. The new Tuscon has a lot of...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Mercedes B Class hatch
Since 2005, the B200 has held the mantle of the sensible, practical and versatile member of the Mercedes Benz compact luxury passenger car family. The B200 is an unusual mix of hatch and mini MPV with...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Kia Sorento 2WD V6
Much to the surprise of many cynics, 2WD SUV’s sales are on the rise in this country showing there is demand for these vehicles, and that they are providing an affordable pathway to SUV ownership for...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Honda Civic hatch
In the automotive industry some cars can go from being a Peacock to a feather duster, even those you wouldn’t expect to suffer that fate. A good case in point is the Honda Civic. A high flyer on our...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Holden Commodore SSV Redline wagon
While Aussie built Holden Commodore’s exit stage right forever in about 18 months it is departing with a bang and not a whimper. Holden ceases production of all cars in Australia including the...
View ArticlePaul Charman: We know motorcyclists are mad
Let’s be honest — we motorcyclists are mostly mad — and I don’t mean in the jocular sense. For some of us, “the motorbike appeal” weighs heavily. In my case it’s been a lifelong obsession, and I feel...
View ArticleHyundai Veloster turbo
The Veloster Coupe is the edgy and out there looking member of the Hyundai family, a mantle it’s held since its launch over three years ago. Most carmakers have one of these attention grabbers in their...
View ArticleFord Focus Ecoboost Sport hatch
It’s hard to think of a period in recent times, when Ford’s popularity in this country has scaled the heights its currently enjoying, with sales up a whopping 40 per cent on 12 months ago. Heading this...
View ArticleLexus IS turbo Sedan
Lexus took the turbo route and a bit of a gamble, to boost the performance of the more affordable versions of its compact IS rear wheel drive luxury sedan, and it’s proven a smart decision. The IS is...
View ArticleKia Sorento 2WD V6
Much to the surprise of many cynics, 2WD SUV’s sales are on the rise in this country showing there is demand for these vehicles, and that they are providing an affordable pathway to SUV ownership for...
View ArticleToyota Land Cruiser Prado turbo diesel
Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado reigns supreme in our medium to large SUV market and it’s hard to see that changing anytime soon, given the reverence it’s held in by 4WD aficionados the length and breadth...
View ArticleVolkswagen Amarok Ute
Volkswagen entered what were unchartered automotive waters for the company, when they sailed into the Ute market a few years ago aboard the Amarok, but it’s turned out to be a bountiful voyage. With...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: New Toyota Prius
Toyota’s Prius hybrid has had plenty of detractors over the years especially the early models, with many harshly judging a car that was both visionary and ahead of its time. This vehicle first launched...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Honda Civic turbo sedan
Honda need a game changing model to re-establish themselves as a serious player in our new car market, and they may just have one in the form of the new Civic turbo sedan. The company’s sales here have...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Mercedes–Benz GLS
Mercedes age defying seven-seater SUV the GL that been around for almost a decade, yet remains thanks to a recent comprehensive upgrade, as competitive as ever. It certainly needs to on top of its...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Holden Spark
Over the years Holden have struggled to produce small cars that resonate with buyers here, but they may have finally latched on to a winning formula with their new Spark hatchback. Roomy, refined, well...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Hyundai Santa Fe
After four years on the market, the current Santa Fe recreational 4WD remains a stand out in the Hyundai New Zealand range, continuing to wow buyers with its elegant styling, quality and refinement....
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Suzuki Vitara turbo 4WD
Suzuki has made a powerful response to criticism in some quarters that the performance of their latest Vitara, had about as much bite as grandpa’s old dentures. Now the company has silenced those...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: VW Passat turbo petrol sedan
Within the ranks of the conservative looking Volkswagen Passat sedan is a model that’s outrageously rapid, and great value for a decent sized European high performance sedan. This wolf in sheep’s...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Subaru Levorg wagon
While Subaru has deleted a wagon from the latest Legacy line-up, they appear to have found a ready-made successor in the recently launched Levorg. Slightly smaller that the previous Legacy wagon, this...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Audi Q2
They say ‘size’ matters, but seemingly not to an increasing number of those in the market for an urban SUV, where sales of compact models have hit top gear, and Audi is keen to go along for the ride...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Kia Optima GT turbo sedan
It is a rarity for the styling of a mainstream Korean sedan to excite, but the sleek Kia Optima sedan does exactly that, although not its performance. However, that has all changed with the arrival of...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Holden Astra turbo hatch
There is little question that slipping into Cruze mode for the past seven years helped Holden make some serious sales in-roads into our small car class. Since 2009, the Cruze range of compact sedans,...
View ArticleBob Nettleton: Fiat 500X
For years the Fiat 500 Bambina was the Peter Pan of the car world because it never grew up, but now this Italian automotive icon has had to upsize to survive in today’s hugely competitive new car...
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