Articles by Allison Garoza

‘Huh, that’s...interesting looking.’ Our friend’s offhand comment about the Kia Soul+ surprisingly riled us. We immediately jumped to the Soul’s defense, spouting praise for its look, drivability, and price tag. We shoved our friend inside (the passenger seat, not the more-deserved boot), and as we drove around Sydney he came to his senses.The styling of Kia’s Soul may be unique, but standing out from the crowd is praise worthy, and the Soul deserves all that it gets.At  $26,990 the Soul+ 2.0-litre petrol comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, multi-function trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, 12-volt power outlet, ABS, ESC, iPod compatibility, power bass, Bluetooth, six speakers, and a pollen and dust filter for those allergy prone souls. The front-wheel drive, six-speed automatic, 2.0-litre petrol Soul+ has 122kW@6,500 rpm and 200Nm@4,800 rpm. The official fuel combined is 7.5/100km. We found 10.5/100km fuel combined, 8.5/100km on the motorway and 14.3/100km in the city.The external design is fairly boxy, but with smart lines, tinted glass, and a dark chrome radiator grille, it works. The boxy frame gives the interior an airy feel, leaving even passengers in back with plenty of leg and head room. While the back seats aren’t as comfortable as the front, they leave little to complain about, though our friend did gripe about the lack of a cup holder in back after we bought him a coffee.The driver’s seat comfortably places you high above the road. The height of the seating allows for easy entering and exiting, making it a breeze for older passengers to access, though with the option of dragon, houndstooth, and racing stripe decals, the Soul is definitely marketed toward Gen Y.The cloth door trim blazes the Soul logo, so despite how much you switch off you won’t forget what you’re driving. The boot has 222 litres of storage with seats up, 700 litres seats down. Remove the underfloor tray next to the spare wheel and you get 340 seats up, 818 down. ABS, ESC, driver and front passenger, front side, and curtain SRS airbags, child restraint anchorage points, three-point ELR seatbelts, and active front headrests help the Soul achieve its five-star ANCAP safety rating.The Soul+ is a fun drive, with responsive steering, little cabin noise, and a peppy feel.  It handles well and has good grip. We have to admit we liked the diesel version better as it gave a bit more oomph, but the 2.0-litre petrol holds its own.Climbing large hills on the motorway gave the Soul+ a little pause, but once it found the right gear it kicked in just fine. Blind spots to the side and rear were the only real annoyances, and if those bother you too much you can opt for the rear park assist.While some may think the Soul is quirky we just have to say it’s a really enjoyable drive -- small enough to navigate through tight traffic, and large enough inside for any sized adult. The Soul+ 2.0-litre petrol has plenty of personality.A fun, unique, and easy drive, Kia’s Soul+ 2.0-litre petrol is calling.

Friday we drove into the city to meet friends. Saturday we drove to the mountains to meet kangaroos. The Subaru Outback was just at home in the blue gum forests as it was in the concrete jungle. A manageable size and a very capable drive, the Outback fits into nearly any lifestyle.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTThe 2.0-litre diesel CVT Premium Outback starts at $45,490. It comes with symmetrical AWD, Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control system, paddle shifters, electronic parking brake, rear view reverse camera, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, anti-dust filter, leather steering wheel, voice command recognition, 17-inch alloy wheels, full size spare, wheel-mounted audio, Bluetooth, and cruise, roof rails, 12-volt power jacks, and a seven-inch touch screen, to name a few.If you don’t need a lot of extra features, the non-premium diesel will save some cash, you’ll just have to live without the electric sunroof, leather-trim seats, and eight-way power driver seat with dual memory function.TECHNOLOGYThe 2.0-litre Outback has a turbo-charged horizontally opposed boxer diesel engine, producing 110kW@3,600 rpm and 350Nm@1800-2400. The Lineartronic CVT automatic gearbox provides smooth gear changes, but you can swap to manual mode and use the paddle shifters for more control.Official fuel combined is 6.5 litres per/100km. Our drive to the mountains and back found 7.2 litres per/100km combined.DESIGNExternally the Outback is stylish for an SUV, but it doesn’t turn a lot of heads...well maybe a few, but that could just be from the ungainly bonnet scoop.The dash is well presented, though the climate control buttons would work better as dials. The seven-inch touch screen and satnav are easy to use, and wheel-mounted audio, cruise, Bluetooth, and voice command give you plenty of control.With leather-trim seats the interior looks suave, though the seat back nets look cheap compared to the rest of the vehicle. The driver is well supported in the eight-way power seat with dual memory function, and the comfortable rear seats easily fold down to a 60/40 split, extending the boot space from 490 litres, to an impressive 1,690 litres.SAFETYThe Outback comes with a five-star ANCAP safety rating, and Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control system which includes ESC, ABS, EBD, TCS, TCS Limited Slip Device, and Brake Assist. Seven SRS airbags, a ring-shaped passenger safety cell, and whiplash reduction seats further your safety, while the rear view reverse camera ensures you don’t accidently back over Skippy.DRIVINGThe Outback is all about the option to explore and we honestly enjoyed it. A steady and safe ride during our mountain adventure, it provided enough comfort inside that friends teased us for being pampered at the campsite.Kids will enjoy gazing out of the sunroof, and with symmetrical AWD, they’ll focus more on the scenery, than any bumps in the road. The Outback is manoeuvrable in the city, cruises on the motorway, and though there’s a bit of sway on gravel, it handles well through dirt and mud. Ground clearance is 213mm – not enough to get you over serious tracks, but plenty of clearance for weekend expeditions.Though we wish there were a few more perks with the Premium model (heated seats would have been appreciated in the chilly mountains, but we’re just being picky), it is a sturdy all-round vehicle ready to hit the trails and cruise around the city.VERDICTThe Outback has plenty of space for families, enough off road capabilities for the average adventurer, and solid drivability.

Packing the Forester for a weekend away, we brought rope to attach surfboards to the roof. We paused and looked at the boot. Could we actually travel the motorway without the irritating flap of board bags rattling overhead?A quick flip down of the back seats and the boards slid in beautifully, giving the Subaru Forester -- an instant win. And that's one of the keys to the Forester: it makes things easier than you imagine.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTDriving up at $35,990, the 2.5i-litre petrol comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, full size spare, Subaru Intelligent Drive system, X-mode, symmetrical AWD, privacy glass, roof rails, rear spoiler, dual zone climate control, LCD screen, wheel-mounted audio control, 12-volt power jacks, Bluetooth, cruise control, rear view reverse camera, paddle gear shift, Auto Stop Start, ESC, ABS, EBD, TCS, and TCS LSD which sounds like something you shouldn’t be given, but stands for a very legal Limited Slip Device.TECHNOLOGYThe 2.5-litre Lineartronic CVT Forester’s horizontally-opposed boxer engine produces 126kW@5,800 rpm and 235Nm@4,100 rpm. Official fuel combined is 8.1/100km. Our drive with a fully loaded vehicle on the motorway and in the city found 10.4 litres per/100km.Designed to suit active families, the Forester can handle plenty of baggage (of the physical kind), and can reach 0-100km/hr in 9.9 seconds. DESIGNInternally there is plenty of head and legroom, ample storage, and comfortable seating. Kids and adults have plenty of room in back and a good view of the road. The boot provides 422 litres of storage with seats raised, and a massive 1481 litres seats down - in which we were able to load two surfboards, snorkeling gear, body boards, and beach bags with room to spare. The dash is well organised with an LCD display, and wheel-mounted audio, Bluetooth, and cruise put plenty of control at your fingertips, including Subaru’s Intelligent Drive system.  SAFETYSeven SRS airbags, whiplash reduction seats, and Subaru’s Vehicle Dynamics Control System that includes ESC, ABS, EBD, TCS, TCS limited slip device and Brake Assist, achieves a five-star ANCAP safety rating.If that’s not enough reassurance, or you’re just feeling neurotic, you can get the optional Subaru EyeSight, which acts as a driver assist system, using cameras to anticipate collisions, providing pre-collision braking and lane sway warnings.DRIVINGSymmetrical AWD will get you through most road conditions, and for tougher tracks you can engage X-Mode for increased off-road capability. Ground clearance is 220mm. McPherson strut suspension up front and double wishbone rear suspension handle well off-road, but are a bit rigid on bitumen.The driver seat sits high, giving a clear view of the road ahead. There are a few blind spots to the rear and sides, but the rear view reverse camera will help minimise those. The Forester has a lot going for it - it’s spacious, sturdy, capable, and did we mention spacious?For some reason we didn’t fall madly in love with it, but we couldn’t fault it either, except...for Auto Stop Start. While switching the engine off at a long light can save fuel, and we’re all for that, the Forester is way too sensitive in what it considers a suitable time to switch off.We paused at a roundabout - the engine switched off. We paused in traffic - the engine switched off. We stopped at a stop sign - you get the picture. The engine cut prematurely so often, that if it were a man it would book an appointment with its GP. Yes, it took the Forester just a fraction of a second to turn back on, but we couldn’t help but get annoyed at this overly sensitive feature, and wonder how fuel efficient it really is. Unfortunately the only saving grace of Auto Stop Start, is that it can be switched off.Despite our issues with Auto Start Stop, the Forester is a capable vehicle that handles well on a wide range of roads.VERDICTWith on and off-road capabilities, a stylish design, and plenty of space, the Subaru Forester is great for families, and the active individual.Subaru Forester 2.5i-LPrice: from $35,990Warranty: 3 yearsWeight: 1528kgEngine: 2.5-litre 4-cylinder, 126kW/235NmTransmission: 6-speed CVT, 4WDThirst: 8.1L/100Km (10.4 on test), CO2 187g/km0-100Km/h: 9.9 seconds

With an attractive design and plenty of perks, Kia’s Optima Platinum looks to be a great, stylish family sedan, with plenty of creature comforts inside. But with all the attention to the appearance, has the drive been compromised? The Optima Platinum 2.4-litre petrol comes in at $38,790, with ABS, ESC, HAC, sat nav, seven-inch full touch colour LCD screen, 18-inch alloy wheels, full size alloy spare, rear view camera with mirror display and parking guidelines, smart key with push button start, leather trim seats, eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar support, paddle shifters, panoramic sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, 12-volt power outlets, cooling glove box, iPod compatibility, Bluetooth, external amp, centre speaker, sub-woofer, and dual-zone climate control.The front-wheel drive, six-speed automatic Optima produces 148kW @6,300rpm and 250Nm@4,250rpm. The official fuel combined is 7.9L/100km, urban is 11.2L/100km. We found 6.9L/100km on the motorway, 10.6L/100km fuel combined, and a startling 14.9L/100km urban.From the black chrome Schreyer radiator grille, to the sports bumpers, dual chrome tip rear muffler, and tinted glass, the Optima looks strong and sporty. Internally alloy pedals, alloy door scuff panels with illumination, paddle shifters, and leather-trimmed seats add to that feel. The dash is tilted toward the driver, and while that may make sense in the driver’s ability to access the sat nav, it does make the dash feel lopsided, forcing front passengers to reach around to access controls.This mid-size sedan has comfortable seats all around, and the middle seat flips down to an armrest with cup holders. The boot provides a good 505 litres of storage. Folding the back seats down gives you more room, but the functionality is limited by the small opening in the back panel, making it hard to slide large objects in through the boot.The Optima looks good, and along with the Platinum’s addition of a panoramic sunroof, ventilated driver’s seat, and front seat warmers, there are plenty of perks.The Optima has an impressive five-star ANCAP safety rating, with ABS, ESC, HAC, driver and front passenger, front side, and curtain SRS airbags, side door impact beams, active front headrests, and impact sensing auto door unlocking.The Optima has plenty going for it, it has a great external design, comfortable interior, and it’s about ready to check all the boxes, but somewhere along the way they compromised drivability for comfort. Bumps are smooth, cornering is stable with good grip, but our main gripe is how poorly the Optima handles in wet weather. Even with ESC engaged, we were struggling to gain traction during an afternoon summer storm.For the look of the vehicle and the 148kW and 250Nm you’d expect a bit more oomph, but the Optima feels heavy. Paddle shifters give you that extra sports feel, and the quicker manual gear changes helps alleviate some of that sluggish feel.Blind spots in the front, sides, and back are partially reduced by the parking sensors, but without them tight parking spots would be difficult. It was a shame the driving wasn’t sharper overall. Like we said, the Optima has a lot going for it, it’s a looker, but needs some fine tuning in the drivability. For a drive that matches the level of design, you may have to wait for the Optima Turbo to hit our shores.A well-designed, comfortable sedan that unfortunately doesn’t drive quite as well as it looks.

Kia has pumped up the bass and swaggered onto the back streets. The Soul is a quirky, tough looking vehicle, the kind you’d want to back you in a fight...when you don’t have enough money or sense of shame to drive a Hummer.The Kia Soul...well, we hate to be redundant, but that’s exactly what it has. Affordable and attractive, it has tons of character and a self-assured drive that will appeal especially to the younger market.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTThe diesel, automatic Soul + rocks up at $29,990, including 18-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, multi-function trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, ABS, ESC, VSM, iPod compatibility, Bluetooth, six speakers, speed dependant volume control, and a fun little power bass.TECHNOLOGYThe six-speed automatic, 1.6-litre diesel Soul+ has 94kW at 4000 rpm and 260Nm at 1900rpm. The official fuel combined is 5.9/100km. Our cruise downtown and through the Royal National Park found 9.8/100km, on the motorway we reached a respectable 6.3/100km in this fun, five-seater, front-wheel drive car.DESIGNKia’s Soul has enough style to impress and plenty of options to express. Besides the attractive frame to start with, there are heaps of extras that allow you to articulate your style. From dragon and houndstooth decals to racing stripes and custom coloured interior - the Soul wants to be your mate.Seats front and back are comfortable, with storage nooks and functionally sized drink holders. The airy cabin is hard to fault and cools impressively fast, even on sweltering 40 plus days. There’s a little interior noise when the diesel idles, but that’s not too bad, especially when you activate the power bass and start blasting a beat.  The boot, however, may cramp your style. At 222 litres, there isn’t a lot of space, but fold the 60:40 rear seats, and you get 700 litres – a good amount if you don’t need to carry extra baggage or have little ones in tow. While this small hatch lacks the room to be an ideal family vehicle, it’s great for singles, young couples, or those who have passed the need for child seats.SAFETYWith a five-star ANCAP safety rating, ABS, ESC, VSM, driver and front passenger, front side, and curtain SRS airbags, and active front headrests, the Soul looks after yours.  DRIVINGYou feel above everything seated high in the Soul. While the wheel initially feels a bit heavy, the Soul responds well and the vehicle’s small size lets you zip around. The height also lends to easy loading and unloading, though you get a bit of body roll on sharp turns.There are blind spots to the sides and back so if you’re going to park a lot in the city, the optional rear park assist may be worth considering. Overall though, the Soul handles well and is a comfortable ride.  VERDICTAn impressive move for Kia, the stylish and unique Soul + diesel is a great vehicle for practical souls wanting to stand out from the crowd.Kia Soul+ 1.6-litre dieselPrice: from $29,990Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder, 94kW/260NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDThirst: 5.9L/100Km, CO2 155g/km

Remember that short, kind of stocky looking kid everyone underestimated in gym class? Well he’s grown up and created a vehicle that will leave comparative, image-conscious SUVs in the nurse’s office.While the Abominable Snowman may have trouble fitting into this compact SUV, Skoda’s Yeti offers human families the opportunity to pursue a little adventure. Strength and tight handling on road, stability off, and a sturdy body - the Yeti brings a neat bundle to Skoda.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTThe automatic, 1.8-litre Yeti 112TSI 4x4 is priced at $35,290. It comes with 17-in alloy wheels (16 inch steel spare), eight-speaker stereo, ABS, ESC, ASR, EBD, Hill Hold Control, 12-volt sockets, Bluetooth, cruise control, trip computer, dual-zone climate control, pollen filter, auxiliary input socket, and a multi-function leather steering wheel.TECHNOLOGYThe six-speed DSG Yeti prowls with 112kW/250Nm, going from 0-100km in 9.0 seconds. 8.2L/100km is the official fuel combined, but we found 11L/100km on our mostly urban and off road test. The DSG slides through quick and smooth gear changes as the Yeti seeks new territory with confidence...as long as there isn’t a log or large ditch in the way, but we’ll get to that later.DESIGNExternally the boxy Yeti isn’t as well groomed as sleeker compact SUVs, but the Yeti isn’t one to worry about looks when the open road is calling. Internally the cabin is quiet and airy (except for an extremely high pitched noise on our test vehicle).The dash display looks slick, and the leather steering wheel adds a nice, high quality, touch. While the radio display screen gives plenty of programming options, it isn’t easy to navigate while driving, and the fan controls would work better as a dial than the easy to miss buttons.Drink holders are only able to hold small cups, leaving any long distance traveller with a serious lack of caffeine. Seats in back are a bit rigid and narrow for three adults to sit comfortably on a long trip, but kids will have no trouble. The middle seat flips down, providing two more insanely small cup holders, and vents in back will keep all types of creatures cool.The boot is small for an SUV, but storage compartments beside the spare wheel (which isn’t full size), sliding hooks for groceries, and the VarioFlex ability to separately fold down and remove each back seat, gives plenty of storage options, assuming you’re not carrying five people.SAFETYA five-star rating, seven airbags, height-adjustable front headrests with WOKS, ESC, ABS, EBD, and ASR, make the Yeti one safe little monster.DRIVINGThe Yeti can tackle moderate off road terrain. The frame sits tight over bumps and there’s no trouble stopping quickly on loose gravel and sand. The limitation comes with the vehicle’s clearance. With a low frame this 4x4 has difficulty with obstacles and scourged tracks. While the underbody protection can shelter a few dings, it won’t take much to bottom out, leaving the Yeti willing, but not able, to follow the pack. An optional off road technology pack brings a few more tricks for adventurous travellers, but the clearance will still limit you.Obstacles aside, responsive handling, very little body roll (especially considering the high interior), smooth DSG, and a fair dose of zip makes the Yeti a fun on road vehicle, with the ability to get a little dirty off road. VERDICTWrangle this beast and the Yeti becomes a solid, compact SUV for the family or moderate adventurer. 

You hate heavy cargo vans but you need something bigger than a car, you think the VW Caddy Van is perfect, but its cargo area is just a tad too small. Well, supersize the Caddy and VW’s got your solution - the Caddy Maxi Van.With a longer wheelbase, the Maxi provides all the basics of the regular Caddy, but with that extra bit of space to get your business on the road, all in an easy-to-handle vehicle.VALUEThe seven-speed DSG, TDI250 Caddy Maxi Van arrives ready for work for $30,990, including ESP, ABS, ASR, MSR, EDL, Hill Hold Assist, climatic air conditioning, steel wheels, full size spare, three-year unlimited km warranty, aux input socket, and cruise control.TECHNOLOGYThe two-seater Caddy Maxi Van TDI250 has a four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine that produces 75kW and 250Nm. Front wheel drive, seven-speed DSG transmission and sharp handling, the Maxi also has an impressive official fuel combined of 5.8/100km (we found 7.7/100km on our mostly urban drive).DESIGNThe Caddy Maxi lends itself to the demands of your business. Dual sliding and rear wing doors give easy access to your goods, while the large cargo space lets you customize the Caddy for any load. From carrying delicate flowers to rambunctious dogs, the Caddy is ready to serve. The longer wheelbase jumps the cargo load space to 2.25metres in length, with a volume of 4.2 cubic metres and an 800kg payload.Externally there’s not a lot of design, but that’s on purpose. The vehicle is perfect for signage, so no matter how convoluted your company name, it’ll be sure to fit. Seats are comfortable with height adjustment and under seat storage. Additional storage overhead, storage pockets along the dash, and plenty of cup holders provide room for all sorts of loose gear.The best thing about the Caddy design is the range of options. You can choose the window package for up to four side windows (which will help with those side blind spots), a rubber cargo floor (which will cut down on cabin noise), cargo barrier, and roof rails, to name a few.SAFETYDriver and front passenger airbags, ESP, ABS, ASR, MSR, EDL, Hill Hold Assist, and an electronic engine immobiliser all come standard, and we suggest the optional cargo barrier to keep your goods from becoming bads in the case of a collision.DRIVINGThe sun is shining, you hear the wind dance around you, and it’s almost peaceful, except that you’re not lounging in a meadow, but driving a vehicle down the motorway. Without a covering on the cargo floor, prepare for a loud cabin, as you’ll hear the road, the wind, and disconcertingly, the sloshing fuel tank.Electro-mechanical power steering lets the Caddy steer more like a car than a van, and the seven-speed DSG lets you worry about other things, like your portfolio, rather than shifting. If you don’t mind shifting, the manual version is a lot smoother to drive, as the automatic doesn’t change gears with the same grace as VW’s other DSG vehicles.With Maxi’s Independent McPherson struts on the front axle, and rigid rear with Leaf Springs in back, the Caddy is comfortable for the driver, but if you’re going to have over 250kg payload fitted to your vehicle, you may want to opt for the suspension upgrade. Despite the cabin noise and side blind spots, VW’s Caddy Maxi Van fits the bill in providing a base for small business owners to customize their optimal vehicle. VERDICTVersatile, comfortable to drive, and filling the niche for business owners, the VW Caddy Maxi is ready to join the staff as most valued employee.Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Van TDI250Price: from $30,990Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmSafety rating: n/aEngine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl diesel 75kW/250NmTransmission: 7-speed auto; FWDBody: 4876mm (L); 1794mm (w); 1836mm (h)Weight: 1459kgThirst: 8.8L/100km; 152g/km CO2

You have to drive one kid to soccer, another to dance lessons and a third to swimming, and they’ve each turned up with a friend in tow AND all their gear. Time to call in a bus? Not if you have VW’s Multivan.A roomy seven-seater, the Multivan is an effective people mover that doesn’t drive like a bus. Parking the behemoth Multivan next to a group of rowdy tradies was a tad intimidating during our test drive, but after an impressive two point parallel park, the silenced working heroes gave us the nod of approval.The surprisingly maneuverable Multivan has admirable functionality, flexibility, and comfort – if perhaps less impressive looks.Price and EquipmentThe automatic, Multivan Comfortline TSI350, priced at $54,990, comes with front and rear parking sensors, ESP, ABS, ASR, MSR, EDL, Hill Holder, leather multi-function steering wheel, three-zone climate control air conditioning, alloy wheels, three-year unlimited km warranty, full size alloy spare wheel, retractable sun blinds, sliding side windows, 12-volt sockets, multi-function trip computer, brake pad wear indicator, eight speakers, MP3 and iPhone integration, and cruise control.TechnologyThe four cylinder, DOHC 16-valve engine develops 150kW of power and a handy 350Nm of torque. The Multivan Comfortline TSI350 has seven-speed DSG, front wheel drive, and a capable turning radius of 11.9 m. The petrol engine’s official combined fuel economy is 10.1/100km though we found 13.4/100km was the result with a fairly full load.DesignIf you’re attracted to sleek, streamlined vehicles, you’ll be punching below your weight on this one. But if you like vans big and chunky, then you’ll fall in love with the Multivan’s full bodied design. Externally the Multivan isn’t impressing anyone, but it’s what’s inside that counts.The Multivan doesn’t view its passengers as mere lumpen cargo. Dual side sliding doors, sliding side windows in the second row, retractable sun blinds, roof lighting, climate control, and reading lights in back evict the idea of second class seating.Yes, this people mover is definitely built for people . . . who need to be moved. The seating layout of 2/2/3 keeps a large aisle to access the back, doing away with the need to scramble, crawl, and expose too much backside while trying to clamber into the third row.The front seats have height and lumbar adjustment. Second row seats can swivel to face the back row, slide forward or back, or be removed, and have storage drawers beneath them. The third row bench seat can fold and slide forward, giving you the flexibility for transporting people, luggage, and any combination inbetween.The boot is large but so is the door, so you need plenty of room behind you to open it. Unless you’re a family needing an exceptional amount of headroom, the Multivan’s height of 1970mm (and width of 2,283mm including door mirrors) offers plenty of space in both directions.SafetyIt doesn’t have an ANCAP rating, but there are driver, front passenger, and curtain airbags, safety cell with front and rear crumple zones, ABS, ESP, BA, ASR, EDL, Hill Holder, child seat anchor points, and three-point seatbelts for all passengers keep everyone inside the vehicle safe, though a rear view camera as standard would help keep people outside the vehicle a bit safer.DrivingRack and pinion power steering is responsive, and the driver’s seat gives a clear view of the road. The gear lever feels awkward positioned up near the steering wheel, but otherwise the controls are comfortable and easy to use.Independent McPherson struts on the front axle and semi-trailing independent on the rear give a fairly smooth ride. The cabin is very quiet, even at highway speeds.The Multivan has surprisingly good pickup and handling for its size – and little body roll considering the height.Parking is easy using the sensitive front and rear parking sensors and electrical door mirrors (you can opt for the rear camera), though the vehicle’s height will keep you out of lower garages.VerdictThe Multivan caters to all passengers rather than just the front row. Everybody rides in comfort and as a people mover it doesn’t disappoint.

“That’s a Skoda?” Yes, it’s true, we heard that question. It wasn’t rehearsed, just a genuine remark of surprise when a friend saw Skoda’s Superb Wagon and mistook it for a more upmarket brand. It shows that while Skoda is still an unknown to a lot of people, their first impression is pretty good. And the car backs that up by offering a lot.You have kids and need a wagon, but you also have a sense of style and a desire for some pampering? You want heated seats, without the kids in back whimpering that they’re missing out – or fighting to ride shotgun. You want a cooled glove box, plenty of space, and a suave exterior, you want -- but probably didn’t know it --  a Skoda Superb Wagon Elegance.VALUEFor $50,490 Skoda’s Superb Wagon Elegance 125 TDI comes with ESC, ABS, EBD, ASR, Hill Hold Control, heated front and rear seats, memory function electric driver seat, Park Assist, front and rear parking sensors with acoustic warning and optical display, 17 inch alloy wheels, multi-function leather steering wheel, tinted glazing, dual-zone climate control, Sat Nav, Bluetooth, MP3 auxiliary input socket, cruise control, cooled glove compartment, 12V sockets, and an umbrella . . . yes, an umbrella, because honestly, what would you do without one?TECHNOLOGYSkoda’s Superb Wagon Elegance 125 TDI, six-speed DSG has 125kW/350Nm that gets it from 0–100Km in 8.9 seconds. The official fuel combined for this front-wheel diesel is 6.5/100km. We found a close 6.9/100km combined and 9.8/100km urban.DESIGNAn attractive external design highlighted with touches of chrome add to the Superb Wagon’s sophisticated look. Tinted glazing, decorative front and rear door sill trims, and decorative double exhaust pipes, further the Superb’s aspiration to subdued classiness.The interior design is great (don’t worry we’ll get to that) but first we have to vent about one thing - tiny cup holders. We know, not exactly a life-altering feature, but they were ridiculous. The only place we could fit a bottle or a medium size coffee cup was in the folded down middle seat in back -not very convenient if you’re driving solo.  Many of Skoda’s vehicles come with the nearly pint-sized holders, but come on, in something christened Superb Elegance, we would like to have the superb elegance of fitting our coffee beside us while driving.Okay, now that we got that off our chest - other than our obsessive beverage issue, we had none. The refined interior looks great with wooden inlays and a largely leather interior.The seats are extremely comfortable, and heated front and back – which may be a more practical feature for a European winter, but will still feel great on a crisp Aussie night. Rear seat passengers have side air vents, heaps of space and storage, and a small display screen.If you flip down the middle seat you get an extra storage compartment, the envied decent size cup holders, and, if you pull down another cover, access to the boot. Back seats fold 60/40, and an array of luggage restraint systems, hooks, and side storage keeps valuables secure in the massive boot (633 litres seats up, 1865 litres seats down).It’s a smart wagon, providing just about everything you could want, to the point you grow suspicious it was fitted out by your nanna. There’s a magnetic LED flashlight in the luggage compartment incase you need to change a flat tire at night, an umbrella holder in the left rear passenger door with an included umbrella so you don’t get wet. The only things missing are a handknitted sweater in the boot’s storage compartment and a fruit cake keeping cool in the glove compartment to know nanna’s been at work.SAFETYSkoda’s Superb Wagon Elegance comes with driver, passenger, side, driver’s knee, and curtain airbags, ESC, ABS, EBD, ASR, Hill Hold Control, and the assurance of a five-star ANCAP safety rating.DRIVINGThere aren’t a lot of negatives. The wagon is responsive, cabin noise is at a minimum, there is no body roll, and the engine gives plenty of power. The driver’s seat is comfortable, controls are easily accessible (though we still prefer a dial rather than buttons to adjust the air), and MacPherson suspension on the front axle and multi-element on the rear keeps bumps to a minimum.Park Assist comes standard which helps you negotiate the blind spots to the rear and sides, but overall the Superb Wagon is just a smooth, comfortable ride.VERDICTClassy, comfortable, with plenty of perks, Skoda’s Superb Wagon Elegance is a family-friendly vehicle that breaks the Skoda mold.

The furniture shop assistant was doubtful we could take a large cabinet with us. Scratching his head, he asked, ‘So you have a van, then?’ ‘No sir. We have a Fabia.’After clearing up any misconception we were talking about cover model Fabio’s less-handsome brother, the assistant ended up impressed by the capacity of the relatively unknown Skoda Fabia. It removed any doubt Skoda’s little Fabia wagon is practical, with plenty to offer a growing - and shopping -family.Price and EquipmentFor $23,290 the Skoda Fabia 1.2-litre 77TSI DSG comes with 15-in steel wheels, tinted windows, multi-function leather steering wheel, Bluetooth, multi-function trip computer, cruise control, ESC, ABS, ASR, EBD, roof rails, air conditioning with pollen filter, eight speakers, heated door mirrors, 12-volt socket, auxiliary input socket, three-year unlimited km manufacture’s warranty, full-size spare wheel, and a cooled glove box.TechnologyWith outputs of 77kW and 175Nm -- and 0-100km in 10.3 seconds -- the front-wheel drive Fabia wagon won’t make revheads swoon. But for a wagon, the turbocharged, 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine has plenty of pep. The seven-speed DSG transmission gives smooth gear changes -- though the vehicle has a surprisingly loud idle. Official fuel combined is 5.3L/100km, and we came fairly close, reaching 6.7/100km combined, and 9.1/100km urban with a full load.DesignThe versatile Fabia can fit your family, your friends, or the large wooden cabinet that took our eye. By easily dropping the 60/40 split-fold rear seats, the already large 480 litres of boot space extends to 1460 litres. The back seats are a bit rigid for adults, and the front passenger seat would fold back more easily with a lever rather than having to slowly grind the large dial.The dash is easy to use and the cabin has a nice feel, helped by the optional, partial leather seats that give a more upscale look. Visibility is reasonable except for some rear blind spots – taken care of in our test car by the optional rear parking sensors.The cargo area is easy to load, and luggage restraint hooks, heaps of side storage, and roof rails make for plenty of options for carrying gear, although, having just one cupholder in the rear may cause some battles for territory. And it’s as handy for play as for work. After slogging away on our weekend renovation project, we slid our surfboards into the back of the Fabia and escaped to the beach.SafetySix airbags, Brake Assist, ESC, ABS, ASR, and EBD help this wagon protect your family, and your overpriced furniture.DrivingWhile not nearly as fast as the 132kW/250Nm Fabia RS, this wagon isn’t dragging. If you want to zip in and out of school drop offs, Fabia may be your ride. If you want to fly through drop offs, making the kids duck and roll on exit, perhaps you should consider the RS. There is a bit of tyre and cabin noise but nothing too obnoxious, so -- don’t count on that to drone out the kids squabbling over that single cupholder.The 77TSI’s handling is surprisingly sharp, brakes are solid (even with a heavy load) and acceleration is great. Little trouble handling turns, McPherson suspension on the front axle, and a smooth ride for all passengers - the Fabia 77 TSI is a family friendly package.VerdictFabia is an affordable, practical wagon well suited for young families.