Articles by Matt Shepherd

Despite all the misgivings some may have about Korean-made cars, this vehicle was hard to fault for the entire 1300km of combined highway, city and bush bashing that we did over three days.The only glitch was the cruise control, which decided to have a break for about an hour on our way home. It did come back on, so no real hassle, but that could prove irritating on long trips.Otherwise, and sorry to use that word again, but a big solid pass mark for all aspects of this vehicle. Despite trying very hard, my loyal sidekick and I failed to find deficiencies or faults. Everything did the job as required and it provided a comfortable and adequate performance.In the looks department the Sorento, currently part of carsguide's long-term garage, is hardly a standout, but it is far from offensive.The interior was functional and well laid out. The dash and centre console is on the clunky side, with some hard plastics used. But with most of the bells and whistles standard on our EX-L model, including leather trim, cruise control, six-speaker MP3 CD player, dual climate control, eight-way adjustable driver's seat, power everything and trip computer, it was certainly a lot of metal for money at a nudge under $45,000.More importantly, the Sorento CRDi doesn't skimp on safety and security, with ABS, traction control, stability control, dual front and side curtain airbags and immobiliser as standard.The Sorento's standout feature is its wonderful 125kW 2.5L, four-cylinder turbodiesel engine.This is one very refined motor.With a big 392Nm of torque from as low as 2000rpm, the Sorento powered through all conditions, both city streets and off-road.And with a stated fuel consumption of 9.4 litres per 100km (we averaged about 10), it isn't too harsh on the wallet for such a big vehicle.It effortlessly provided extra grunt when required for overtaking on the highway, and negotiating a few steep and rocky inclines deep in the Snowy River National Park. On the downside, the transmission can be a little slow in gear changes, but there's always the option of manually deciding the gears for yourself.From the moment I took off from the inner city and headed south on the M5 to collect my partner in road grime, I found it easy to get myself in a comfortable driving position, with all controls within simple, clear reach. The added bonus of finding an MP3 jack to plug into my iPod to provide the road tunes was a pleasant surprise.The sound system was of an above average quality, but steering wheel audio controls would have been a welcome addition.A sunroof is a surprising addition to the Kia.Although park entrance fees to the Snowies are more than most national parks, you can see where your money goes, with the $5 million raised each year from visitor fees being spent exclusively on the park.As many as 25 camping sites complete with toilet and picnic amenities cover the length and breadth of this natural playground. Most are on pristine creeks, rivers and lakes, making the 4WD and camping enthusiast spoilt for choice.As far as summer activities go, the Snowies provide as much or as little as you'd like. From trekking up Mount Kosciusko, as we did, to simply resting by a babbling river somewhere and reading a book. But beware, bring your insect repellent because flies love it here.Back to the Sorento. On the downside, it is slightly let down by vague handling and wobbly road manners. It isn't meant to be a sports car, but it was noticeable on all road types.Even around the city, its unsteady nature is was evident at fast and slower speeds.There's too much movement in corners and bends and the light steering lacks efficient feedback to make the car feel stronger.However, the fact that the Sorento is a “real” 4WD is a bonus in my eyes.Although we could have done the same trip without the low-range gearings, the added confidence they give on trips like this is a crucial ingredient to having a safe and enjoyable time.And when you saddle the Sorento CRDi up against its competitors, it gives it a distinct advantage over most when it comes to off-road ability at this price and equipment level.

Warning luxury SUV drivers. The following article contains words and images that may disturb some readers. You see, we did something that many owners of luxury “soft-roaders” would never contemplate. We actually took the vehicle off road.After all, the Lexus RX400h is classed as a Sports Utility Vehicle: sports meaning sporty I suppose, and it has a bit of that about it, because it looks sharp and goes great, and utility meaning all-rounder I would imagine.OK, you wouldn't throw your tool box in the back, or haul a bogged cow from one paddock to another, but sport and utility surely mean that this vehicle is meant for fun and that means getting off the beaten track occasionally.When I first learnt that I was taking the new RX400h for this trip, I logged on to the Lexus website to get a brief rundown on what I could expect when I got behind the wheel.What really grabbed my attention, though, were the options, it didn't have any.This car has everything as standard; there's power everything, heated leather seating, sat-nav, a DVD system, dual climate-control airconditioning, airbags everywhere and the list goes on and on.But what sets this vehicle apart from its rivals in the luxury SUV class, is its hybrid drive system.It really is a wonderful piece of technology. In a nutshell, it has a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine, supplemented by three electric drive motors (two up front, one in the rear).Using electrical energy generated by the petrol motor, it then powers the two electric front motors, and when needed, the rear electric motor, for a combined output of 200kW.The really cool part is that even when you hit the brakes, the Regenerative Braking system captures the kinetic energy, which is normally wasted. This energy is then converted into electrical energy, which is used to charge the battery. Confused?The real benefits are the excellent fuel consumption and much lower engine emissions compared with normal petrol and diesel drivetrains. In the nearly 700km of combined urban highway and dirt road bashing that we undertook on this mission, it drank an average of about 10 litres per 100km, which is very impressive for a two-tonne car.Yes, that's a lot of car, especially for what is essentially a mid-sized SUV. For just under $100,000, you would expect plenty as well.As with all Lexus vehicles, everything is done well. But despite all the bling of this car, I didn't find myself overwhelmed by the fact I was in a $100,000 luxury car.The leather seats were comfortable, but slippery and unsupportive on tight cornering.The handling was adequate, and the ride was smooth and quiet, but hardly sporty. Dials and instruments were all user-friendly and accessible. The sat-nav system was very functional but took some getting used to.Once on the open road though, the RX400h was at its best. Fuel consumption plummeted and, when required the V6 had plenty to spare, with effortless overtaking.When we hit the well-maintained dirt roads just out of Canberra, the RX400h remained comfortable and able, although we did notice some rear-wheel loss of traction at times.This car had road tyres fitted, so better-gripping all-rounders may have made all the difference. The Brindabellas make the drive well worthwhile. If you plan to stay the night, there are many popular camping spots on the approach to Wee Jasper.Banjo Paterson part-owned a property on the banks of the lovely Goodradigbee River, so his children could get a taste of country life.We also decided to set-up camp next to the river at Billy Grace Reserve. Equipped with hot showers, flushing toilets and a hospitable ranger who cut wood for our fire, which was needed. From the reserve it is only a short drive to the village itself. Here you can find a tavern and general store that serves the 100-odd residents, and trailer loads of holiday campers who flock to this pretty town bordering the Burrinjuck Dam to fish, camp, swim and waterski.We decided to visit Carey's cave, just out of town. This is a magnificent limestone system dating back about 40 million years.So back to the Lexus. Being the only AWD available in Australia, it's a compelling argument for purchase if you have a spare $100,000 and require all the extras.But most of the “luxury” items were simply unnecessary and if something in this vehicle's array of extras were to go on the blink, then it could be catastrophic.