Articles by Ewan Kennedy

When the Forester was introduced to Australia in 1997 it was closely related to the Subaru Impreza hatch. It also reminded Subaru lovers of the Subaru 4WD station wagons. Over the years the Forester morphed into a medium SUV in styling.However, even as it entered the crossover era the Forester still had useful ground clearance so can tackle tougher than average conditions in the bush and on the beach.Forester's suspension has longer travel than the Impreza, and more rugged specs with semi-off-road tyres. The latter may have been replaced by normal car tyres at some time during the Forester's life, so check for this if you're considering doing some mild to medium off-road driving.Early model Subaru Foresters, have relatively long overhangs front and rear, a legacy of being adapted from a car.Handling is reasonable for a vehicle in this class, but keep in mind the Forester is a crossover SUV, not a sports machineGood interior room is a real advantage of the squared-off styling. The front seats have plenty of legroom, width and headroom. The rear seat can take three people without too much of a hassle, though it's better if they are children, rather than adults.Entry and exit to the back seat is easy, partly because of the taller than average styling but chiefly because you don't have to climb up into the seats as you do in an off-road 4WD.There's a good luggage area and practicality is further improved by the Forester having numerous storage areas throughout the vehicle.Handling is reasonable for a vehicle in this class, but keep in mind the Forester is a crossover SUV, not a sports machine, so don't hammer it too hard at bends. However, see the notes on the Forester GT (later tagged as the Forester XT).Subaru Forester first reached Australia in August 1997 and was joined by the Forester GT in September 1998. The latter is a fun little hotshot powered by a slightly detuned Subaru WRX engine.Forester GT was renamed Forester XT in the second-generation model in an attempt to fool the insurance companies into thinking it's not a GT. The Forester GT and XT are performance off-roaders, though certainly not to the same extent as the WRX.August 2003 saw the introduction of the second-generation Subaru Forester. It features a bit more style than the original series, particularly around the multi-faceted tail but, yet again, function takes preference over fashion. The latest version arrived here in 2008 and moved further towards an SUV shape in style.Power for the standard Forester models comes from a 2.0-litre flat-four motor. Upmarket variants received a 2.5-litre motor from 2002 and that larger capacity was continued into all Foresters since then, with improvements in consumption and emissions introduced in several stages.The extra capacity of the 2.5 goes into generating more torque rather than going for pure power - very much in the conservative way of thinking that's so appealing to many Australian drivers.Manual gearboxes are mated to a two-speed transfer case, but the automatic versions only have a single-range. Subaru considers the torque multiplication through the converter largely replaces the need for a low ratio on the auto.Servicing and spare parts are generally reasonably priced though we have heard a few complaints about high prices on some less common parts.Insurance premiums are generally moderate for the standard Foresters, but check on prices on the GT and XT, particularly if you're classed as a young or inexperienced driver; insurance costs could break your bank account.Be wary of a Forester GT or XT that has too much turbo whine or excessive turbo lagA good amateur mechanic should have no trouble doing most jobs. It's always wise to have a workshop manual at your elbow before beginning work. Please leave the safety-related items to experts.Older engines often have that typical flat-four 'dak-dak' beat when they get a lot of kilometres on them. If it seems too bad the engine may be approaching overhaul time. Newer ones are more refined, but it's still wise to have them checked out.Be wary of a Forester GT or XT that has too much turbo whine or excessive turbo lag.On a turbocharged model, check the clutch isn't slipping - this usually shows up on fast upchanges. Subaru makes the clutch a sacrificial component so that it fails first to protect other transmission parts.Check underneath in case the Forester has been seriously used in off-road conditions. The front and rear bumper corners and their mountings are likely to be the first areas to suffer.Scrutinise the door sills, the protection plates under mechanical components and the lower parts of the underbody for signs of damage.Hot versions of standard Subarus seem to lead a harder life than the their equivalent from other makersLook at the condition of the seats, carpets and boot in case the Forester has been knocked about, particularly in off-road use.Lots of sand in the carpet may mean it's spent time on the beach. If you suspect this, taste for salt in the areas under the car.Look over the complete body for signs of crash repairs. The easiest to spot are generally poorly matching paint colours and slight ripples in the panels.

Never has Citroen followed convention, just look at the lines of the C4 Picasso. Like its predecessors it looks like nothing else on the road. Most of the upper surfaces are glass, from its huge windscreen that almost merges into a super-sized sunroof and onto the sleek rear rear glass it's all about looks.All occupants have 360 degree surround vision, then there are the big pictures above them. Great fun and sure to take the boredom of of long trips.Fortunately for Australian drivers, particularly in the northern areas, the sunlight can be kept out if need be. This is achieved by moving the front of the cabin's roof forward in two sections to make the windscreen smaller (I'm not making this up! Call into a Citroen dealer and see for yourself).Citroen C4 Picasso is a cross between a tall hatchback and a crossover SUV. Okay so there's a lot of 'crosses' in that sentence, but the latest Citroen really doesn't slot neatly into any category body wise. Where it does fit, is onto the short list of buyers looking for something a bit quirky and who don't like to follow conventions.We've had the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso in Australia for some time, but it's quite a different vehicle to the Grand-less Picasso. Whereas the Grand is a seven-seat people mover with diesel power, the Picasso is a five-seater that's petrol powered, as well as being nimbler and easier to drive than its extended brother.Picasso has five individual seats, with the rear three all having the same dimensionsInterestingly, with a starting price of $40,990 it falls into the Vfacts category that includes BMW's new 2 Series Active Tourer, and Mercedes-Benz big selling B-Class. The Citroen importer is delighted to see its Picasso in such exalted company.Picasso has five individual seats, with the rear three all having the same dimensions. The rear seat can slide back and forward to let you choose between passenger legroom and boot capacity. With the seats in their rearmost positions there's good legroom for adults.Luggage space is good, 537 litres with the rear seats back, 630 with them all the way forward. The seats can be folded flat to give you a voluminous 1851 litres.Driving the C4 Picasso is a new experience, not only do you have that goldfish bowl in front of you, the gear lever is in an unusual spot on the top-right of the steering wheel. The front seats have adjustments in multiple directions, some of the setting are controlled via small buttons on a flat area set into the front corner of the seat. It looks as though it takes up unnecessary space but seems to work well enough. Check it out for yourself.There's a huge electronic screen in the centre of the dash that contains the main instruments. The screen can be set up with a choice of displays to suit your individual driving situations. While the central screen obviously suits right-hand and left-hand steering wheel situations, the stylists haven't been instructed to make the dashboard symmetrical. We like this, because that sort of setup screams out cost saving, and this is no low-cost car.Ride comfort is everything you expect from a French car, smooth and quietA smaller screen in a more conventional position in the centre console looks after air conditioning, audio and other minor tasks.Picasso C4 G has a strong range of standard equipment, with keyless entry and start, automatic headlights and wipers, LED daytime running lamps, and fog lamps with a cornering function.Ride comfort is everything you expect from a French car, smooth and quiet. However, there was occasionally more tyre noise than anticipated on some of Australia's notorious coarse-chip surfaces.Handling is safe enough, but tall hatches never feel as good as standard height ones due to the higher centre of gravity. If you're a keen driver who likes press-on motoring in hilly areas perhaps look at a different Citroen.There's no manual gearbox option in AustraliaPower is supplied by a modern 1.6-litre turbo-petrol unit that produces 120 kilowatts, torque is a very useful 240 Newton metres all the way from 1400 revs to 4000, the typical engine speed for almost all drivers virtually all of the time. We liked the way the six-speed automatic transmission worked with the engine to have it at its best revs. There's no manual gearbox option in Australia as there is in European markets, a wise decision by the Australian importer.We threw some peak hour traffic, motorways and steep hills and bends at the C4 Picasso during a drive program organised by Citroen out of Sydney and it performed very well in all conditions.Citroens have a six-year warranty, capped price servicing and roadside assist package.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the Renault Captur at its Australian launch.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster was one of the earliest examples of the modern day open-top car. Earlier versions weren't really sports cars; rather, they were open-top tourers. With each new model, the SLK moved more in the direction of genuine sports driving, perhaps not a full-on sports machine, except in AMG variants, but getting mighty close.This was one of the first convertibles in modern times to use a folding hardtop, something that's become almost the norm since Mercedes revived the concept that dates back to the 1930s.A disadvantage of the hardtop that folds is the amount of space it takes from the boot when it's not in use. Mercedes has managed the compromise well, but check for yourself to make sure there is enough room for your specific needs.The second-generation Mercedes-Benz SLK roadster was launched late in 2004. It's larger than the original and followed a styling theme sort of based on the front of a Formula One car.The third generation arrived downunder in September 2011, only a couple of months after its European launch - illustrating the growing importance of Australia to the German head office. This time its styling made it look like a smaller version of the AMG SLS sports roadster. While the Mercedes SLK doesn't have a bonnet that stretches to the outrageous length the SLS's, it certainly does make a statement.The Mercedes-Benz SLK was launched only with four-cylinder engines, many of which were supercharged. Later models followed convention by being turbocharged instead.Servicing and spare parts aren't cheap, nor are they as expensive as you might expectA major revamp of the SLK in July 2000 saw a V6 being offered for the first time. Big-gun V8 models, heavily revised from the original by the AMG division, have stunning acceleration backed up by superb engine sounds.Most Mercedes SLKs use an automatic transmission. A six-speed manual option was offered in Australia only on the SLK200 Kompressor.Mercedes SLK is backed up by strong dealer networks. Servicing and spare parts aren't cheap, nor are they as expensive as you might expect.Insurance is generally moderately priced for a car in this class, but drivers with a poor record may have big slugs added to their premiums. Some companies will charge extra for the AMG variant.Many Mercedes-Benz SLKs are serviced by authorised dealerships and this adds to the value of the car at resale time. Ask to see the service books as proof. Smart owners then keep up the service record to maximise the value of their SLK when they eventually want to move onto another car.Feel and listen for correct operation of the roofLook over the interior for signs of an SLK that's been caught in the rain with its top down: water damage or stains, particularly in the dash top, instrument panel, seats and carpets. Lift the carpets to check for dampness. It's probably best to do this in the presence of the seller as technically you're pulling the car apart.Feel and listen for correct operation of the roof. Hesitation and/or creaks may mean it hasn't been lubricated correctly. Dealers tell us special lubricants are required.Check for signs of crash repairs: ripples in the panels when viewed end on are easy to spot, as are tiny paint spots on unpainted areas such as glass and badges.If crash repairs appear to have been carried out arrange for a full inspection by someone who specialises in upmarket cars.Always call in a Mercedes expert for the final wordThe engine should start promptly and idle steadily the moment it fires up. The four-cylinder units won't be quite as smooth as the sixes, but not that far from them.Check the gauge to make sure the engine warms up quickly.During your road test the engines should answer the throttle almost immediately. The supercharged 'Kompressor' units and the non-turbo engines will have a faster response than the turbo-petrols.After doing your own initial checks always call in a Mercedes expert for the final word.We check the condition of the left front wheel and tyre of any car before looking at anything else. A scratch probably indicates a poor driver. Multiple scratches and dings? Perhaps look elsewhere.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2015 Lexus NX200t.

Never a company to rush into things unnecessarily, Volvo has had its XC90 on sale since 2002 (2003 in Australia), albeit with many significant upgrades and changes along the way. An all-new model is finally on the way and incorporates some fascinating new technology, obviously safety heads the list, but there are many

Let's settle something right from the start. The Suzuki Jimny is a 4WD, a real 4WD. This is not an SUV or a crossover - it's a 4WD.Unlike everything else of this size that claims to be a 4WD, but which is actually a hatchback with a different body, the Jimny was designed from the ground up to tackle harsh off-road conditions.Suzuki Jimny sits on a strong ladder chassis, has excellent ground clearance, sharp approach and departure angles and, best of all, a two-speed transfer box to give you low-range gearing for ultra-tough offload conditions.Jimny, also sold here as the Suzuki Sierra and before that the Suzuki LJ50, is one of the old timers - it has just celebrated its 40th birthday.The current Jimny shape was introduced late in 1998, but has received numerous changes in the intervening years the most recent being for model year 2015. By far the biggest update for the MY15 is the introduction of an electronic stability program to assist drivers to stay out of trouble if they do something silly.With a mass of just 1060 kg the little Suzuki is a featherweightAlso new for 2015 is a bonnet scoop, which is purely there for decoration, a revamped grille and front bumper.Inside there are new trim colours and … wait for it … silver surrounds on the instrument dials.One thing is missing from the Suzuki Jimny compared with other 'proper' 4WDs is weight, lots of weight. With a mass of just 1060 kg the little Suzuki is a featherweight, carrying half to a third of the weight of the big boys.Light weight is a huge advantage when driving on the beach. More than once we have been sailing over sand in 2WD - yes 2WD! - only to stop and help the owner of a Patrol or LandCruiser dig their vehicle's wheels out of the holes they have dug for themselves in the soft stuff.It's far quieter and more comfortable than seems possible for a tiny 4WDWe've just spent an excellent day on North Stradbroke Island off the Queensland coast. Coming back down to earth we have also driven it in real life commuting / shopping / heavy traffic / motorway conditions on the mainland.These days the Jimny has coil springs all round giving it a much better ride than its honourable ancestors with leaf springs. Its relatively short wheelbase does cause a choppy ride at times on bad roads, but on the whole it's far quieter and more comfortable than seems possible for a tiny 4WD.The steering remains recirculating-ball, but it has been tuned over the years and doesn't have the same wandering feel around the straight-ahead position that used to trouble drivers not accustomed to this old-fashioned layout.This is no sporty 4WD but it holds the road at speeds unlikely to be attempted by the average driver, and see the above notes about the addition of ESP.Jimny is small and only has two doors, it's wide enough to hold two largish blokes in the front. Getting in and out of the back seat through the front doors isn't easy. Kids will make light of its, but their grandparents may struggle.The luggage area is small, but has good height so you can cart a large suitcase and the like. The two rear seatbacks fold down individually to greatly increase the volume.The Jimny would provide good day-to-day transportationPower, if that's not too strong a word as there's only 62 kilowatts of it, comes for a reasonably modern four-cylinder, twin-cam, fuel injected engine. It drives through a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.Thankfully our road test Jimny had the manual gearbox as the extra few kW the auto would have stolen from the engine would have made it a real slug. The manual had to be changed down to fourth, occasionally third, gear to get up and over hills during on-road driving. No real problem as the changes are light and easy, partly due to the fact the gearbox is under the shift lever, not way out near one of the front wheels as in a front-drive SUV or crossover.Fuel consumption is officially rated at 7.1L/100km for the manual and 7.4L/100km for the automatic. On the beach and over dirt trails in the bush we found the little Suzuki using 11.0L/100km, on sealed roads this came down to a creditable 7.0-8.0L/100km. Excellent economy that shows the Jimny would provide good day-to-day transportation.The Suzuki Jimny offers a huge amount of driving fun for a very modest outlay

The recent revival of interest in Peugeot in Australia following the launch of the European Car of the Year, the Peugeot 308, has apparently drawn attention to the rest of the French marque's range. Cars to benefit from this new focus on Peugeot here include one of the most popular of all, the small-medium 206 that's

A so-called micro car, Kia Picanto would come to us with a probable price tag of $11,990 to $12,990 plus on-road costs. It would compete with the likes of the Holden Barina Spark, Mitsubishi Mirage and Suzuki Alto (soon to be replaced by a new model called Suzuki Celerio).Picanto has been around for four years on many other markets, but Kia's chief operating officer, Damien Meredith, likes the look of the recently face-lifted model and is seriously considering it for Australia. On the other hand, he tells us he may wait until the all-new Picanto is launched in the first half of 2016. So the plans are still fluid.This is the sort of pretty little car that would sell on its shape aloneKia styling has improved out of sight in the last few years and the latest Picanto carries the signature 'Schreyer' grille, named for the German stylist who penned it. This is the sort of pretty little car that would sell on its shape alone. A range of bright colours would suit it nicely, hopefully Kia would see it that way and put a bit of life back into the Australian street scene that's looking decidedly drab and grey (literally) at the moment.Overseas Picantos are powered by either a 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine or a 1.2-litre four-cylinder. If/when the Picanto comes downunder it's likely both powerplants would be on offer.Transmission choices are five-speed manual and four-speed automatic, but there has to be a good chance these would be raised to six-speed units when the 2016 Picanto is launched.Kia Picanto is also sold overseas as a three-door door hatch, at an even lower price than the five-door, but Australian buyers have shown a distinct lack of interest in passenger cars without back doors in recent years. So it's likely only the five-door will make it here.When the big boys battle the buyers are the winnersIt's known that Hyundai Australia has been considering its micro car, the i10 hatch, for some time. Hyundai controls Kia these days and the Picanto and i10 share quite a few out of sight components.It would be interesting to see the two very ambitious Korean companies at it hammer and tongs. As is always the way when the big boys battle the buyers are the winners. Keep an eye out for a possible stoush between these micro models.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the Hyundai Genesis with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.