Car Reviews

The Pro+ is the entry to the Smart #3 family, listing at $57,900. Though to give credit to Smart, it definitely doesn’t feel like you’ve cut any corners.Even entry-level cars score 19-inch alloys, a panoramic roof, LED lighting, a powered tailgate and a 12.8-inch central screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a 9.2-inch digital dashboard.The Pro+ is a single-motor, rear-drive configuration, which isn't all that common in the EV world, where most position their electric motor on the front axle for front-wheel drive. That motor produces 200kW and 315Nm, meaning a sprint to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds and a 180km/h top speed.It also nabs a 66kWh battery, delivering a WLTP driving range of 435km. And when it comes time to charge, you can choose between home AC charging (either power point or wall box), or 150kW DC fast charging, which should take around 30 minutes to go from empty to 80 per cent charged.

Sitting at the top of the MG HS tree is the Essence which bears a $4000 premium over its mid-spec Excite sibling.

The Smart #1 Premium is the middle model in the #1’s three-trim line-up, sitting above the Pro+ ($54,900) and below the performance-focused Brabus ($67,900), all before on-road costs.The Premium will set you back $58,900, and it builds on the Pro+’s 19-inch alloys, panoramic roof, powered tailgate 12.8-inch central screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and 9.2-inch digital dashboard with matrix LED headlights, leather trim, a huge head-up display and a better Beats stereo.It shares it battery and powertrain with the Pro+ below it, which mean it’s fitted with 66kWh battery, unlocking a driving range of up to 420kms, and scores a rear-mounted electric motor producing 200kW and 343Nm — enough to push you from 0-100km/h in 6.7 seconds. When it comes time to plug in, all models are equipped with 150kW DC fast-charging capability, and when plugged into said charger, you can expect to go from zero to 80 per cent charged in less than 30 minutes.The #1 also wears a maximum five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, and comes with a pretty stacked active safety list, and though our test drive was far from exhaustive, only the speed limit warning (which you can switch off) felt overly intrusive, with the rest just sort of humming away in the background.

MG's mid-spec family SUV is the Excite and this petrol front-drive medium SUV has its sights set on the GWM Haval H6 and Mazda CX-5.

The Smart #1 Pro+ is the cheapest way into this all-electric SUV family, though to the brand’s credit, it doesn’t feel like an entry-level model.

This is the most affordable second-gen MG HS you can get but it might be the best in the range.

The Esprit Alpine grade replaces the old R.S. Line variant at the top of the Arkana totem pole. It bring with a range of styling tweaks to separate it from the Techno variant beneath it.

Renault has just given the Arkana a mid-life update and for now the Techno is the cheapest variant in the line-up starting at $41,000, before on-road costs and replacing the former Intens grade. A new entry-level Evolution grade will arrive at a later date, likely to cost $37,500, to replace the old Zen variant.

Audi's RS4 and RS5 are getting on in years and are soon to be replaced by all-new models. As a swansong, the brand has developed the Competition Plus pack that brings more focus and emotion to the top-spec BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 rivals.

The Mini Cooper is now two different cars - the EV from China and the petrol hatch from the UK. The latter is a thorough facelift of its 2014 predecessor, using the same centre section, powertrain and platform, blended with a fresh face and tail, as well as a striking new dash. There have been other changes and updates too, though the same feisty Mini character remains. But is that enough, though?