Ask The Guide

Honda's CR-V dates back to 1995, or 1997 in the USA.

While Kia rate their Soul small car for towing 550kg of unbraked trailer, or an optimistic 1100kg of trailer equipped with brakes, these are theoretical maximum possible loads. The reality is that you will be pushing the friendship even towing a small box trailer, let alone a boat, with a Kia Soul.

The Kia Sorento GT-Line, Sport, SLi and Si are all seven-seat vehicles.

Ford's Escape is 4524mm in length. Other dimensions include 1713mm in height, 1838mm in width, and 1667kg.

Mazda released a second-generation CX-5 in 2017 so the next model isn't expected for at least five years.

Programming a Hyundai Tucson key fob to your car requires dropping the car in to your local Hyundai dealer or qualified locksmith to have them code the new key to your car's computer. This can cost several hundred dollars as modern security systems are very complex.

Longer than an instant, less than an eternity. With proper care, including servicing, Mazda's popular Mazda3 model should last for several hundred thousand kilometres. Parts will wear out in that time, however, so don't think you won't have to get your mechanic to look after your car.

The Ascent, SX, ZR and Hybrid models use a 205/55-16 tyre, while some SX models were available with a 215/45-17. If in doubt, check the writing on the side of your tyre for either of those numbers.

The first step in lifting a Ford Ranger is consulting your roads department to find out if it is legal to do so. Then, visit a shop qualified in suspension work to get quotes on the work you want done. Lift kits are available but it is important to talk to the experts to find a kit that suits your needs before you raise your truck up and find it is wrong for your intended use. Also note that nearly all lift kits will be to suit 4WD models and might not suit 2WD ones.

That's a fascinating pair of options April, but both are indeed very good cars. It's a struggle to match the official fuel consumption figures with any new car, but I've just spent three months living with the VTi-S and experienceced an 8.5L/100km average with largely urban and loaded driving, which was better than the Tiguan 2.0-litre, Escape 1.5 and CX-5 2.5 litre I've lived with previously. So you'll have to work hard to get worse than that figure. The extra space of the Honda is a big drawcard, but you'll have to judge that for yourself. My only real gripe with the VTi-S is the lack of active safety gear like AEB, which is set to be rectified with an updated version in future. The i30 SR comes with all the important safety gear standard.