Car Reviews

Despite the lack of a traditional grille the Volvo EX30 is instantly recognisable as a contemporary Volvo and that’s down to more than a stylised version of the Swedish maker’s ‘Iron Mark’ logo on the nose. Everything from the signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights to the chunky rear haunches, blocky indents along the flanks and characteristically curved bonnet give the game away.

The fourth-generation MX-5 retains traditional sports car simplicity, while offering some creature comforts in its mid-spec GT variant for a little extra cash over the base Roadster or RF.

Mazda has made small changes to the MX-5 to bring it up to date, so we test the sports car on the road and on track to find out if it's still the best value top-down sports car around.

Completely redesigned inside and out, and with a bigger engine, extensive chassis updates and more safety tech, the second-gen Subaru BRZ rights most of the (admittedly very few) wrongs of the 2012 original. Now, there's the tS flagship, bringing minor suspension and brake upgrades to an already sharply accomplished driving package, but no more performance. Has one of the best become even better?

The LS-M is the entry point to the 2024 MU-X range, sitting below the LS-M and LS-T models, and it’s now available with a smaller 1.9-litre turbodiesel engine, which lowers both your fuel use and towing capability.

The LS-U is the middle child in the MU-X family, sitting between the entry-level LS-M and the top-spec LS-T. It’s also, for the every first time, available with the option of a smaller and more efficient 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engine, joining the carryover 3.0-litre turbo-diesel option.The LS-U can be had with a 3.0-litre engine and 2WD for $55,400, before on-road costs, or $61,400 for 4WD. The 1.9-litre option is 4WD-only, and is yours for $59,900.The smaller engine option delivers 110kW and 350Nm, which don’t sound like massive numbers, but Isuzu makes the point that the maximum torque band is wide, with peak grunt available from 1800rpm to 2600rpm, and 300Nm available from 1550rpm to 3700rpm, meaning there’s power there when you need it. The 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine produces 140kW and 450Nm, both paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and delivering power to two or all four wheels.Another perk of the smaller engine is a smaller fuel bill, with the 1.9-litre turbo-diesel promising to drink 7.4L/100km on the combined cycle - almost a litre less than the 3.0-litre 4x4 model, which is more like 8.3L/100km. Emissions drop, too, with the smaller engine rated at 196g/km of C02 combined, compared with 220g/km on for the 3.0-litre 4x4 model.Regardless of engine, the LS-U arrives with 18-inch alloys, roof rails, a leather steering wheel, a bigger 9.0-inch central screen, dual-zone climate control and a powered tailgate.

The LS-T is the flagship the 2024 MU-X range, offered exclusively with the biggest 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and a choice of two-wheel drive ($63,400) or four-wheel drive ($67,990 drive-away).

The Tank 500 Ultra is the flagship model in the entire GWM range for now.

GWM has launched the Tank 500 in two similar grades. Both are powered by the same, segment-disrupting hybrid powertrain.A 180kW/380Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is mated to a 78kW/268Nm electric motor and battery pack, sending drive via a nine-speed automatic transmission to the rear or all four wheels, as required.The driver can select 2WD, 4WD high and 4WD low ranges, while up to nine driving modes are also fitted.GWM says the hybrid system is designed primarily to enhance performance, rather than provide outright total fuel efficiency. As such, the combined power and torque outputs are impressive – 255kW and 648Nm, respectively – while the official combined fuel consumption is 8.5L/100km.  The base Lux starts from $66,490 drive-away, ushering in auto-levelling LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, a sunroof, side steps, powered and heated front seats, a 360-degree view camera set-up, electric rear diff lock, rear privacy glass, synthetic leather upholstery, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation cluster, auto parking with reverse assist, and front and rear parking sensors.A long list of safety items includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, lane-support systems and front/rear cross-traffic alert.For off-road driving, the Tank 500 brings 30 degrees of approach angle, a 22.5-degree breakover angle and 24-degree of departure angle, aided by 224mm of ground clearance and 800mm of wading depth.The GWM uses body-on-frame construction, with a double-wishbone independent coil sprung set-up up front and multi-link live axle coil sprung suspension out back. Towing capacity is 3000kg braked and 750kg unbraked.

The LBX is the smallest and most affordable new Lexus, and the Sport Luxury was the top-spec offering at its Australian launch.