Car Reviews

Cupra is the new kid on the block when it comes to car brands in Australia, and it is hoping it can stand out from the crowd thanks to eye-catching designs and potent performance. The flagship of the Cupra line-up (for now) is the Formentor, which has a lot riding on its muscular shoulders.

Cupra is the latest automotive brand to try and crack the Australian market, but unlike others that have failed, the Spanish brand is backed by the gigantic Volkswagen Group. Three models are on offer at launch, with the Leon hatchback being the most conventional, so should you consider a Cupra?

Richard Berry is sick of the Mitsubishi Outlander, having lived with it for months and thousands of kilometres, and compared it in endless tests against its rivals - so who better to send to the launch of the new Outlander PHEV?

The family's big and your preference is for an SUV rather than a people mover. There are several choices in the large seven- and eight-seat SUV market, and Hyundai's Palisade has just been updated, with refreshed exterior and interior design, new tech and improved safety. Does it now sit in front of competitors like Mazda's CX-9, the Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota Kluger?

The Haval H6 GT is the latest model from the Chinese SUV specialist brand - and it offers a heck of a lot of style for the money. Inspired by the likes of the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, BMW X4 and X6, Mercedes GLC Coupe and GLE Coupe, and more, the swoopy-roofed liftback model has a different appearance - but it looks very appealing on paper, and for the money.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric car is just like every other EV, but also, nothing like any BEV car that has come before it. Read this review of the prototype version Matt Campbell drove in Korea to find out why.

Audi has already shown us the new A3 and S3. But if you've been waiting for the ultimate performance version of the platform, that wait is over as the RS3 enters showrooms. The RS3 has always been fast and grippy, but this time, it's also showing a brutal side that is pure muscle.

Mini has launched a number of special edition models in Australia, so, naturally, we sampled one of them - the Countryman Hybrid Untamed - while we were in Munich.

Based on the engine family first seen in the old Australian Ford Territory TDCi turbo-diesel, and more recently in the US-market Ford F-150 full-sized truck range, all eyes are on the big new 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.Available in the XLT (from $62,290 before on-road costs), Sport (from $66,690 before ORC) and Wildtrak (from $70,190 before ORC) only for now, it has few peers with outputs of 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm at 1750-2250rpm.The V6 sends drive through to a new electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive system, with full-time 4WD that varies drive to the front or rear wheels as required. It includes six driving modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and Mud/Ruts and Sand for use off-road. Each alter engine throttle, transmission, braking, traction and stability controls.There’s also an electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the SYNC 4A multimedia screen, for improved off-road traction.A built-in trailer wiring set-up is also included, as well as the tow bar itself for all V6 variants.By the way, Ranger 4x4s with either 2.0-litre engine stick with the standard part-time 4x4 set-up that offers 4x2 (rear-drive), 4x4 Low range and 4x4 High range.On the fuel consumption front, the V6 turbo-diesel is actually a whole half-a-litre per 100km more economical than the old 3.2-lite five-pot turbo-diesel.The official combined average consumption in the 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel 4WD is 8.4L/100km, for 222g/km of CO2 emissions and an average distance range of 952km.So, what's the 3.0 V6 turbo-diesel like to drive?Reminiscent of theTerritory TDCi, it is slick and sophisticated, yet offers more punch than Australia’s only locally-built SUV ever managed.In a nutshell, the V6 amplifies the acceleration and performance of the significantly improved and rapid 2.0-litre BiTurbo, thrusting forward with determination, accompanied by a more stirring V6 soundtrack.Additionally, the 10-speed auto is even more relaxed an its smaller brother, and with greater torque levels to draw upon, it’s both more responsive to throttle inputs and less likely to hunt through the gears.Better around town, stronger out on the open road and more reassuring when you need to overtake, especially at speed or blasting up a hill.For this and other reasons, the $3000 premium paid for going the V6 is definitely worthwhile, and backed up by very reasonable combined-average fuel consumption figures of 8.4L/100km.

The perennially popular Wildtrak – now from $67,190 before on-road costs – is the top of the Ranger series if you exclude the off-road-ready, high-performance-orientated Raptor with its unique 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine.Diesel-powered only like the rest of the Ranger line-up, the Wildtrak comes with two engine options.The previous 3.2-litre five-cylinder turbo-diesel has been dropped for a revised version of the 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel (dubbed BiTurbo in Ford-speak). Mated to a completely overhauled 10-speed automatic, it delivers 3kW less power at 154kW at 3750rpm, but the 500Nm torque maximum (between just 1750-2000rpm) remains. The transmission includes up to six driving modes.The 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel that's also available in the XLT and Sport only for now has few peers, with outputs of 184kW at 3250rpm and 600Nm at 1750-2250rpm.The V6 sends drive through to a new electronic on-demand four-wheel-drive system, with full-time 4WD that varies drive to the front or rear wheels as required. It includes six driving modes: Normal, Eco, Tow/Haul and Slippery for on-road driving, and Mud/Ruts and Sand for use off-road. Each alter engine throttle, transmission, braking, traction and stability controls.There’s also an electronic rear differential lock which can be activated via the SYNC 4A multimedia screen, for improved off-road traction.Ranger 4x4s with either 2.0-litre engine stick with the standard part-time 4x4 set-up that offers 4x2 (rear-drive), 4x4 Low range and 4x4 High range.As per the Sport and XLS, the Wildtrak is only available with the Double Cab pick-up body, and adds a series-signature front grille design, a unique front bumper and different body accents, for a more-aggressive appearance.You'll also find an integrated brake controller, exterior mirror with puddle lights and zone lighting all-round, along with roof rails and aluminium load box tie down rails. Note these are now load bearing, so you can secure items to these.A built-in trailer wiring set-up is also included, as well as the tow bar itself for Wildtrak.That's not all though. The Wildtrak's rear cargo introduces load box illumination, a bedliner with a 12-volt socket, a unique sports bar style, all-terrain tyres for its redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels, a powered roller shutter for the tub and a cargo management system.Like all Rangers, it also has securing points at the front of the load box, box capping with integrated fixing points for added sheetmetal protection, a rear load box step for easy side access and a lighter tailgate, thanks to Ford's 'easy lift assist' system.Inside, the Wildtrak features a larger (now 12-inch) portrait touchscreen, pull out cupholders on both ends of the dashboard, ambient lighting, specific-design front seats with power activation and heating for both, a 360-degree camera and active park assist.It shares the Sports specification's dual front tow hooks, skid plate, LED front fog lamps and all-season tyres, as well as leather upholstery, wireless charging, an Off-Road screen showing 4WD activation and other related settings, and floor mats.Ford's SYNC 4A multimedia system, a digital instrument cluster, USB-A and -C ports, power windows, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, sat-nav, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather-sheathed steering wheel and gear knob, intelligent adaptive cruise control with full stop/go functionality and traffic-sign recognition and lane-centring tech are also fitted.As with all grades, the Wildtrak brings nine airbags, AEB autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert and lane keep assist and rear parking sensors, while all pick-ups have blind spot warning and cross-traffic alert tech to the table.The Wildtrak is only available as a 4x4.