Articles by Malcolm Flynn

New Touareg goes single spec, but comes with most of the fruit out of the box.

New Golf-sized SUV coupe set to split segments with its bigger than small but smaller than mid-size packaging and premium equipment levels. Volkswagen has confirmed that the new T-Roc SUV will reach Australia, despite production constraints seemingly ruling it out for our market to date. Set to arrive in around 12 months, Volkswagen Australia product marketing boss Jeff Shafer told CarsGuide at this week’s ICONIC X19 event in Brisbane that Australia will be one of the first markets outside Europe to score the new coupe-shaped, Golf-based SUV.Size wize, the segment-splitting T-Roc will sit beneath the five-seat Tiguan and above the Polo-based T-Cross that will arrive at about the same time, but will come in premium spec with a targeted entry price under $40,000. This starting point will align with around the middle of the Tiguan range, which is set to expand again at the end of the third quarter with the return of the price-leading 110 TSI models.  Exact Australian specifications are expected to be confirmed in the fourth quarter of this year, but a comprehensive model line-up is planned, with Style, Sport and R-Line trim levels with personalisation available via optional two-tone paint schemes. 4Motion all-wheel drive with the Tiguan’s multiple off-road drive modes will also be available. The T-Roc’s interior will be similar to a Golf’s for space, but with a generous 445-litre boot. Exterior dimensions are both taller and wider.The T-Roc represents similar out-of-the-box positioning to the Arteon sedan, which has no obvious rival among mainstream brands, but is an early example of an expected industry-wide expansion of SUV offerings beyond the current small/mid-size/large segmentation to take advantage of the seemingly endless demand for high-riding passenger vehicles. Its closest alternative is likely to come from within the Volkswagen empire, with the Audi Q3 sharing similar proportions but likely to continue at a price premium when the second-generation model arrives in Australia mid year. The T-Roc was revealed at the Frankfurt motor show in August 2017, but until now it’s seemed European demand and production allocations would force Australia to miss out. The arrival of the T-Roc and T-Cross will bring Volkswagen’s dedicated SUV count to five, joining the Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace, and the new third-generation Touareg large SUV that arrives in May.

New baby VW SUV set to take the funk to CX-3 and HR-V while also boasting class-leading boot capacity.This time next year, Volkswagen Australia will finally have a genuine entry in the booming small SUV segment, with the new T-Cross set to arrive in Australian showrooms 12 months from now. Despite being a relative early adopter with the original Tiguan mid-size SUV in 2007, the German giant is much of a generation behind most other mainstream brands in introducing a small SUV. Revealed in October last year and due to go on sale in Europe in April, the T-Cross will also sit beneath the new T-Roc that’s due in Australian showrooms at around the same time, along with the Tiguan, Tiguan Allspace and third-generation Touareg large SUV which arrives in May. Based on the same MQBA0 platform that underpins the Polo hatch but with a 10cm higher seating position and completely unique sheetmetal, the T-Cross is therefore also a close relative of the Audi Q2 SUV. Volkswagen Australia T-Cross product manager Todd Ford told CarsGuide at this week’s ICONIC X19 event in Brisbane that the T-Cross will represent an affordable entry to the VW SUV range, with a targeted starting point of under $30,000. A comprehensive safety and equipment arsenal is planned, with multiple trim levels along with personalisation available via ‘colour concept packages’ with contrasting dual tone paint colours.Despite being based on the Polo, the T-Cross promises Golf-like interior space, with class-leading boot space which can expand to 455 litres with the adjustable back seat in the front-most position. The front passenger seat will also fold completely flat to allow carrying of longer objects.Available only in two-wheel drive to reflect buyer preference at this end of the SUV segment, Australian T-Crosses are set to use the brand’s 1.0-litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine, paired with the seven-speed DSG dual-clutch auto. We look forward to seeing how the new T-Cross fares alongside the likes of Honda’s HR-V, the Hyundai Kona, Mazda CX-3 and Toyota CH-R.

Selling a car can be a daunting task, particularly if you haven’t done so before. CarsGuide.com.au is a great place to sell a car privately, but here are some top tips to show you how to sell a car easily.How to sell a car privatelyAutotrader.com.au offers exceptional exposure and the best way to sell a car now for free.Preparing your car for saleBefore you list your car for sale, it’s very important to prepare it to maximise its appeal. inflate the tyres to the correct pressureyou’ll find the best advice on how to prepare right hereTaking the best photos for your adused in our car reviewsWriting your adHow much should I ask?here to value your car for FREEHow to protect yourself against scams and fraudemail us via our Contact Us pagevisit our Help and Security Centrecheck with us if we do in fact contact our customer service teamWhen a potential buyer organises to inspect the vehicleSafe payment methods List your car here on Autotrader.com.au.

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RS 5 Sportback to prove that Australians aren’t necessarily hooked on SUVs for combining fast with practical.

First there was RS 5 Coupe, then came RS 4 Avant. Now we have RS 5 Sportback, which could be the best of them all.

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Malcolm Flynn is spending six months with the new Hyundai Santa Fe Elite, to see how well it fits his family's needs.