Articles by Ewan Kennedy

The introduction of the all-new Jeep Cherokee KL Series in July 2014 has resulted in quite a few people upgrading from their old Cherokees, resulting in many trade ins waiting to be shifted from used-car yards. There might be some good prices on offer as dealers try to clear their stocks. No promises, but why not see for yourself?Official imports of Jeeps to Australia didn't begin 1994 but many were brought in privately for years before that. These older models are probably best left to Jeep enthusiasts (of which there are plenty) as spares and repairs can be a hassle. Also, Cherokees prior to September 2001 are positively antique by today's standards, dating back to the early 1980s.Jeep Cherokee is a station wagon with very good off-road ability. It's not quite in the class of Jeep Wrangler in ultra-tough off-road situations, but does much more than most owners ask, and is significantly more comfortable than the Wrangler.Though the new Jeep KK Series, launched in March 2008 retained its off-road ability, it was more sophisticated than the KJ Series it replaced and it's certainly more than a soft-roader. The KK has the spare wheel under the rear of the vehicle, not on the back door. It's significantly longer in the wheelbase and the cabin. The boot is also longer, though it is relatively high off the ground, so loading isn't all that easy and the overall interior height has been compromised.Petrol engines are straight sixes and V6s. Both powerplants are pleasant to sit behind, with good low end grunt. The V6 has been improved substantially over the years and is more economical than the old straight unit. Turbodiesels first arrived back in 1997 and have become increasing common over the years. Some of the turbodiesels share components with Mercedes, as Chrysler and Mercedes were in partnership at one time.These are relatively easy vehicles to work onDrive is normally taken to the rear wheels only but four-wheel drive can be used on bitumen as well as off-road. That gives the added safety of extra grip if used on wet roads. Numerous electronic aids are used in the later models making off-road driving available to the relatively inexperienced. But we suggest you play it safe and have at lease one expert along before you get too bold.These are relatively easy vehicles to work on, with good underbonnet space and a relatively simple mechanical makeup. Spare parts prices are about average for a 4WD in this class and the dealer network works efficiently.Insurance is seldom over-expensive, and we know of no real differences from one major insurer to another as far as premiums are concerned. As always when shopping around for insurance, it's important to know what you are getting, and not getting, for your money.Check under a Jeep Cherokee for signs of damage caused by off-road driving.Check for salty-tasting sand, the latter indicates beach use and may mean heavy rust is on the way.Look out for poorly fitted componentsBe sure that the engine starts quickly even when cold. Idle should be smooth virtually from the instant of start up. The engines should pull without hesitation at all times. None are all that smooth at the top end of the rev range, but if it appears too bad there may be troubles. Listen for a rumbling sound from the lower end of a petrol six. Check there are no oil fumes from the exhaust or the oil filler cap.Make sure the transfer-case lever isn't too heavy and that the transmission works relatively smoothly and quietly at all times.Look out for poorly fitted components as build quality is nothing special, the interior is generally the worst.Check everything is working properly, even the minor items. Going through these one at a time using the owners' handbook is the best method.

Volkswagen Passat is a medium-large car aimed at those looking for a solid machine that should stand the test of time. Stylish it's not, but that's the way VW does its shapes, intending them to be timeless. There's an exception in the Passat range, see the upcoming notes on the model tagged the "CC". Passat shares

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2015 Volvo S60 Polestar with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The all-new Jeep Cherokee has styling that's out of the ordinary for the iconic marque, but it still has plenty of cues to follow the design brief that 'Jeeps must look like Jeeps'. The designers have done a very good job in adding aerodynamic sleekness to the new body, but have held onto enough of the shape of the

Italian carmaker Fiat is very big in Europe but had been quiet in the Australian passenger car scene for years before re-entering our market in July 2006 with the Punto, a small-medium hatchback. However, Punto was pretty expensive and didn't sell particularly well at the time, to the extent that it was pulled from

Launched to an amazed world in 1959 the Mini became a huge success worldwide as well as in Australia, with it being built in Sydney for years. It faded from the 1980s onwards though some variants were still being made overseas till the year 2000. The British motor industry was in serious trouble for many years and

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2015 BMW X6 M50d with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

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Jazz is the smallest Honda model sold in Australia. Launched here in October 2002, the latest edition Jazz was introduced in 2014. It has caused quite a few of the older models to be traded in, so there may be some bargains as dealers work to shift the trade-ins from their yards.To keep the price down the Jazz is built in Thailand. We have visited Honda's Thai plant and can attest to Honda's emphasis on quality control.Honda Jazz has a high roofline to maximise interior space in what is a relatively small bodyHandling of the little Honda is good if roads are reasonably smooth, but it can be bounced about on bumps. On surfaces that suit it, the Jazz turns in easily, is happy to change direction in corners and is generally well set up for everyday driving. Enthusiastic drivers may find it a little lacking in steering precision.Honda Jazz has a high roofline to maximise interior space in what is a relatively small body. It can seat four adults without too much compromising on legroom. In Australia it's more likely to carry one or two people, but we've spoken to families with young children, who say their Jazz meets their needs and are more than impressed with the car.The Jazz has one of the best folding rear seat designs of them allThere's reasonably easy entry to the back seat, but some may find the rear door opening is a little tight in the original 2002 model. Those sold from the new model of August 2008 are much better.The Jazz, indeed many Hondas, has one of the best folding rear seat designs of them all. The seat slides backwards and forwards to let you juggle between people and/or luggage. Even better, it can be folded in a few seconds to create a very large luggage area. The front passenger seat backrest can be reclined all the way down to let you carry long loads extending from the dashboard to the rear window.August 2008 saw the introduction of the second generation Jazz. It kept the same general styling theme as the gen-one, but is larger overall and sits on a longer wheelbase. The result is significantly more room inside, particularly in the rear area of the cabin. Boot space increased and the 60/40 split rear seats can be folded flat without having to slide the front seats a few notches forward as in the original model.At the same time the body was more rigid to improve NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) entry into the cabin.Honda Jazz comes with a 1.3- or 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Though the engine sizes remained in the second-generation Jazz, they were an all-new design. Power and torque were increased, yet fuel consumption and exhaust emissions came down. The torque graph was stretched to give more grunt at the bottom end of the rev range.The gen-one Jazz has a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 1.5 CVT comes with a sports mode offering seven preset gear ratios, it's controlled though steering wheel paddles. The 1.3-litre engine runs purely as an automatic.Controversially, Honda decided to go back to a conventional torque-converter automatic transmission in the gen-two Jazz, saying some drivers didn't like the characteristics of the CVT.While the Jazz is reasonably easy for the amateur mechanic to work on, there is some under-bonnet crowding that's inevitable on a car of this size. Keep a workshop manual at your side and don't attempt any safety related work unless you're qualified to do so.If you want a Honda Jazz with a larger boot you can choose the Honda CityThe Honda Australia dealer network is widespread in the heavily populated areas, but isn't all that established in remote areas. We seldom hear of any real hassles with getting hold of spare parts, but if you are concerned about this it may be smart to make local enquiries before falling too deeply in love with one of these cute little models. Spare parts prices for Hondas are more reasonable now than they have been in the past.Insurance costs for Honda Jazz generally sit in the mid-range of the field. There doesn't appear to be any real differentiation between companies on premium charges. It's always wise to spend some time shopping around for the best deal, though.If you want a Honda Jazz with a larger boot you can choose the Honda City, a Jazz with a four-door sedan rear end.Check that the engine starts easily and responds quickly and positively to the throttle, even when it's completely cold.A continuously variable transmission should react quickly to changes in throttle position and road conditions. As a CVT sounds and feels different to conventional automatics, have an expert drive it if you are not confident it's working correctly.Make sure the brakes stop the car without any pulling to one side and that no one wheel locks while the others are still turning.It makes a lot of sense to get a professional inspection after carrying out initial checksLook over the interior to make sure it hasn't suffered at the hands of uncaring owners, especially bored young kids.Bodywork should be undamaged and free from rust. Corrosion is not common unless the car has been poorly repaired after a smash.As always, it makes a lot of sense to get a professional inspection after carrying out initial checks to the best of your ability.