Articles by Neil Dowling

Hyundai i40 Elite and Mazda 6 Touring go head-to-head in this comparative review.

In Subaru’s own admission, this is the most important and significant car of its past decade. This, the diesel automatic version of its large-SUV category player, the Outback, is the first time the company has had a gun big and suitable enough to fight on equal terms with some powerful rivals.“It’s the missing piece in the engine-transmission puzzle that we have longed to bring to the market," says Subaru Australia’s managing director Nick Senior. He says the biggest SUV sector is the "large" class, comprising players such as the Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Territory, Holden Captiva, Toyota Prado and Volkswagen Alltrack.The petrol-diesel split is 45/55 and of the diesel models, a whopping 94 per cent sold have automatic gearboxes. Subaru’s Outback diesel has only a manual gearbox. Until this week. “It’s held us back," says Senior as an understatement. “But we predict the diesel auto model will lift monthly sales from 220 to 350." So though outwardly a variation of the existing Outback, this is a model carrying big expectations.VALUEKeenly priced and with strong 55 per cent resale value, the Outback is almost always on the shopping list for five-seater SUV wagons. This new automatic model improves the odds. It costs $42,490 as the 2.0D version - with standard 17-inch alloys, paddle shift auto, sat-nav and cruise control - with the second model Premium adding leather, a sunroof, electric driver’s seat and larger colour monitor for $45,490. The CVT adds $2500 to the price of the manual.The Premium is the best value here. Metallic paint is a no-cost option.  Subaru has no capped-service program but Senior hints it may soon bow to the program that is now used by the majority of its rivals.DESIGNThe US-origins of the styling don’t go unnoticed. The Outback is functional and bold but not particularly pretty. But that doesn’t matter to the pragmatist that buys a Subaru.The cabin room is vast, functional with the flat folding rear seats, impressive in its quality of trim joints and subtle textures and fabrics, while neatly combining the presumption of durability with the sense of comfort. The bonnet scoop is the best giveaway to the diesel.Space for five adults with excellent head and legroom in the rear and deep windows for great visibility. The tailgate lifts up high and the cargo bed is low and wide, helped by its flat floorwhen the rear seats are dropped. Rear vents help airflow while extra sound proofing diminishes any diesel noise.Leather is standard on the Premium and though the cloth is more durable, the value in the Premium may be too great to ignore. Lots of personal storage zones - helped by the electric park brake button - make it an easy car to fit the family’s needs.TECHNOLOGYThe continuously-variable transmission (CVT) is a stronger version of that fitted to the petrol-fuelled Forester (which doesn’t get a diesel-auto combo until late 2014). This auto has been heavily modified and enhanced (including an oil cooler) so it offers a seven-speed stepped mode (like a conventional auto) with functions that assist downhill and engine braking.The 110kW/350Nm 2-litre turbo-diesel - similar to the one fitted to the manual-transmission Outback and Forester - and claims an impressive 6.5 litres/100km. It can tow up to 1700kg. The extra weight of the diesel mill means the Aussie-tuned suspension and steering have been beefed up.SAFETYSubaru is consistently setting the standard in affordable car safety. It features a five-star crash rating, seven airbags, reverse camera, DataDot security, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, electronic stability and traction control, constant all-wheel drive and a full-size spare. The brilliant EyeSight forward camera monitoring and autonomous braking system is not yet available on this car, though will come some time later.DRIVINGNo hiding that diesel clatter at idle, though it softens once underway and becomes almost inaudible while cruising. The Outback is a relative lightweight at 1606kg dry but the engine feels wanting insome conditions, particularly off-the-mark acceleration. But the CVT is quick to maximise the power flow. It’s also pretty good at masking any slippery or vague manners.Press the pedal more than 65 per cent and the CVT box sets up stepped gears, just like a normal automatic. Here it will run to 4000rpm in each gear before changing up. The best of both worlds. Handling and steering rate well, especially against some larger SUVs, while offroad users will appreciate the exceptional 213mm ground clearance. Fuel use on test was 7.2 L/100km.VERDICTTypical Subaru quality and driving feel. Love more power - but 2-litres is capped by European tax laws - yet few owners will complain. Shop against the Santa Fe and Kia Sorento while VW’sAlltrack should also be considered. 

Baby bundles rarely come as cute - or as affordable - as this trio of light cars. They are archetypal city cars - born and bred with the sole purpose of fitting your life into the city. Cheap to buy, cheap to run and so easy to drive, they cope well with freeways but really come to the fore in congestion.Filed into the light-car category, each is similar in size and packaging. Though there are some differences in engine layout, they are separated by badges and the stylist's pencil.It is glaringly reflective of the competitiveness of the light car market - the segment into which 20 different makes and 44 models engage in bitter fighting for sales - that each has strong warranties and capped-price service programs to ensure maximum ownership economy for budget buyers.On the sales chart, the long-standing Mazda2 holds more than 14 per cent of the segment, followed by the Mitsubishi Mirage and Toyota Yaris. That's an amazing grip for the Mazda that launched in 2007 and is one of the oldest in the class.The new Volkswagen Up may be one of the sales minnows in the segment but its uptake is strengthening and last month it outsold its Polo sister and was only seven units behind Nissan's Micra. The Mitsubishi Mirage comes out of left-field, replacing the long-standing and recently fizzled-out Colt with a clean-sheet approach.No surprises about the Toyota Yaris. It's been a pillar of the small-car brigade since it was called the Echo and despite the years and fresh rivals, remains a favourite. The trio here are small in fuel consumption, size and weight. But far from feeling unnervingly flimsy, they are solid performers.Yes, there is a sense that their diminutive size may increase occupant injury in an accident but each is rated at the maximum safety crash standard and equipped with top-end electronic aids. The specifications here are base-model - befitting the economy of ownership - but for more pampered buyers, there's some additional trim levels and options to lift any low-rent perceptions.For example, an automatic transmission - not available on the Up - may be preferred by Mirage or Yaris buyers and alloy wheels (standard on Mirage Sport) may lift visual appeal. It's your city - it's up to you.VALUENone of these breach $15,000 (though depending on where you live, on-road costs will push that out by about $3500). Bluetooth, a minimum of four speaker audio, iPod and USB connectivity, airconditioning and electric front windows and mirrors are the basics here.Mirage adds alloy wheels. The Yaris' cabin is the best looking, the Mirage is neat but conservative and the Up reflects the cool Teutonic approach with a big list of standard features, most impressively the automatic braking at low speeds to avoid a traffic jam bingle.Each has a capped service program (see spec boxes) to save you money. Again, VW rises to the fore as offering the most comprehensive service program but the Mirage has the best warranty and has full five-year roadside assistance.WINNER: VolkswagenDESIGNMitsubishi takes the conservative line but the Mirage looks - and feels - good. Mirage's cabin is traditional though gloss plastic trim works well.The Yaris is more edgy - just look at its RAV4 and Corolla sisters - that extends to the premium look of the dash and even the weird single windscreen wiper.The Up is a clinical design exercise that maximises cabin space, even though it ends up looking like a cardboard box with chamfered corners. Inside, The Up is functional, minimalistic and only comes alive when you add the $500 optional dashtop sat-nav/trip computer unit.Yaris has the longest wheelbase - by 60mm on the Mirage and 103mm on the Up - and its overall length exceeds Mirage by 175mm. That gives the Yaris its bigger cabin space. The Yaris driver also gets more adjustment than the others.WINNER: ToyotaSPACE AND COMFORTThe Yaris wins the luggage space game with a 286-litre boot area (rear seat up) but the space-saver spare wheel is partially responsible for the extra room.The Up offers 251-litres, and has a full-size spare, while the Mirage is 235-litres with a space-saver spare. Up and Yaris have a split-level boot floor. Each seats four adults but the seating positions and facilities are markedly different. Again, the Yaris is the more accommodating for rear passengers, followed by the Mirage and then Up.The Up has an upright rear seat with sufficient headroom and adequate legroom. Both the Yaris and Up three-doors need some limbered limbs to get in the rear and are no place for a baby seat.The Mirage, as a five-door model, is obviously the best for rear passengers. The Up's front seats are firm and comfortable but there's no switch for the driver to open the passenger side electric window. There are also only two vents - one each for the front occupants - which is simply insufficient in an Australian summer. A central vent directs air to the ceiling but its barely effective.The Mirage and Yaris get four dash vents though the former's central outlets are modest performers. Mirage has three child seat tether anchors and two Iso-Fix rear seat child restraints fitted, the Yaris and Up have two anchor points.WINNER: Toyota.TECHNOLOGYAll have five-speed manual gearboxes and are front-wheel drive. The Mirage is a better drive with the optional auto (add $2250), the Yaris is fine as it is and the Up only comes with a manual gearbox, severely limiting its audience.Yaris has a 63kW/121Nm 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine and is up against a new breed of three-cylinder mills - the 57kW/100Nm 1.2-litre Mirage and 55kW/95Nm 1-litre Up. Yaris' bigger engine claims the biggest petrol thirst - though at 5.7 L/100km it's still a sip - while the Up is 4.9 L/100km and the Mirage the best at 4.6 L/100km. Up's clever low-speed auto braking is a gem.All cut body weight by high-tensile steel and compact dimensions, lightweight components and general corner cutting. As such, the rear suspensions are bare-basic torsion beams to save on price, weight and space - precisely the type of ingredients for the budget commuter.WINNER: VolkswagenSAFETYDespite their size, these are five-star crash-rated cars. Electronic stability control, brake assist and ABS brakes are standard. Yaris will automatically stop if the brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously. Up has class-leading automatic braking to avoid low-speed dingles and auto flashing brake lights in emergency braking plus is the only one with a full-size spare wheel. No model has park sensors or a reverse camera.WINNER: VolkswagenDRIVINGAll are fun and each lures with its intrinsic ability to delight the driver, generally at the expense of the passenger. But they are different animals.The Yaris' four-cylinder engine needs a solid right foot and complains noisily, but the fact it has one more cylinder than the others makes it smoother. The gearbox is a bit vague but the box feels solid.The Mirage and Up introduce the odd-ball three-pot beat into the cabin almost as a boast. Both are as quick as the Yaris and as responsive - especially the Up that loves a rev - but the Mirage has a reluctant gear shift action and the Up's change tends towards the rubbery.Electric-assist steering suits the car's target market and each works well, as does the stopping power despite all having rear drum brakes. Under acceleration, they all are relatively noisy. But for general city-suburban routes, it's not an issue.Even ride comfort is similar though the Yaris suited me better while the Up felt a bit “tinny”. Handling and lane-changing is more secure in the Yaris and Up, while the Mirage was let down by some steering vagueness.WINNER: Toyota

Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says “it's the way of the future” and says within a few years, the company's six-cylinder models will also be fitted with continuously-variable transmissions (CVTs).“We have only one automatic left - the five-speed automatic in the six-cylinder cars - but within a few years they'll also move to CVT,” he says at the launch of the CVT automatic diesel Outback in Wagga Wagga.Senior says that Subaru Australia “pushed and pushed to get this (Outback diesel auto) car. We've had it for 14 months in Australia for tuning and testing and even Europe used us as the test bed.”But it also led to Subaru fixing the engine at 2-litres. “The 2-litre size is governed by issues including the tax benefits of sub-2 litre cars in Europe,” Senior says.“So that's the size that was chosen for the engine and I don't know of any changes to that.” Not all models will get the combination of a CVT gearbox and the sole 2-litre turbo-diesel engine.Senior says that a Forester diesel automatic “is not a priority”. “Buyers of smaller cars don't have a priority for a diesel like the medium and larger vehicles,” he says.“The demand for a diesel Forester isn't huge and introducing an automatic version isn't seen as making a big difference to sales. “So we'll concentrate on segments where there is demand, such as the Outback segment.”He says that the diesel engine-auto combination will also not be offered in the Liberty. “We see the volume in the Outback, not the Liberty,” Senior says.“CVT is important because it's able to give big improvements in fuel economy. Of the Forester's 25 per cent improvement in petrol economy compared with the previous model, 15 per cent of that is due to the CVT.”Subaru's move to CVTs has nothing to do with a similar move by its major shareholder, Toyota that recently introduced CVT in the new Corolla and one RAV4 model. “Toyota's involvement was nonexistent in our decision,” Senior says.“CVT was signed, sealed and locked away before Subaru's tie-up with Toyota. CVT for us goes back to the 1980s in our Justy small car.” 

It's an oddity of marketing when the Commodore and Falcon suffer plummeting sales because the public no longer want "large" cars

VERDICTYou'll love the 86's drive but may tire of its basic features and firm ride. In the everyday grind, the Veloster is simply easier to live with. Your call.  

Volkswagen has recalled more than 384,000 cars in China after consumer complaints about transmission failures. The recall is estimated by Chinese authorities to cost the company about $600 million. China is Volkswagen’s biggest market and the site for joint venture factories making models including the Golf and Audi A3.The recall involves Volkswagen Group’s DSG (direct-shift gearbox) and alleged incidences of unintentional slowing or power loss. China has been vocal about the DSG transmission since 2009.  In that year, Volkswagen lifted the warranty on the gearboxes to 10 years or 160,000km. It is believed China is the only market with these problems with the automatic gearbox.In Australia, Volkswagen spokesman Karl Gehling would only says that he is awaiting further details of the recall in China. Though Mr Gehling did not give further information, the affected DSG transmissions are believed to be assembled in China and are not similar to the units supplied for Volkswagen cars in Australia.The Chinese recall comes less than a week after China’s state-run television station, CCTV, broadcast a story about unhappy Volkswagen owners. The Chinese ministry responsible for consumer affairs then took the matter direct to Volkswagen.Volkswagen issued an email yesterday saying it is recalling DSG seven-speed gearboxes and will replace defective parts and upgrade software. China’s move immediately prompted global opinion on the DSG transmission. This includes the formation of a website and twitter site devoted to airing owners' problems. Annoyed Chinese Volkswagen owners with DSG-equipped cars also believe that the company is fitting sub-standard gearboxes to the China-market products while the rest of the world get higher-quality transmissions. Chines website gasgoo.com stated this week that respondents to a questionairre about the DSG problems “believe that the relatively poor protection rights afforded Chinese consumers give VW the power to act in this fashion, something it would not do in its home country of Germany.’’ The DSG transmission is sometimes known as a dual-clutch transmission and is fitted in different versions to most Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Porsche models.     

Critics of Toyota's retro-styled, petrol-only offroader, the FJ Cruiser, may be partially mollified with an update model boasting a bigger fuel tank.Aimed largely at the US and Middle East markets, the Prado-based FJ Cruiser is made only with a petrol engine. Despite pressure from markets including Australia and the UK, Toyota has no plans to option the wagon with a diesel engine.But it has added a fuel tank. Now, with two tanks totalling 159 litres, Toyota Australia claims the FJ Cruiser is good for a 1700km range on the highway.“As a result, the theoretical driving range increases to 1060km in the city and more than 1700km on the highway,” Toyota says in a statement.“The combined-cycle fuel economy of 11.4 litres per 100km delivers a notional range of almost 1400km.”The new tank kicks the price up $1500 to $47,990 plus a further $475 for metallic paint. The FJ Cruiser, Toyota's fifth SUV and the most recent addition to the Land Cruiser range, is part of the company's capped-price servicing program and costs $210 for each six-monthly service for the first three years.Based on the Prado and using some parts from the current and previous models, the FJ has a 200kW/380Nm 4-litre V6 petrol engine and a five-speed automatic transmission with a part-time, two-speed transfer case.It is regarded as more nimble in the bush compared with the Prado because of its better approach and departure angles. To maximise its offroad ability, it is standard with switchable Active Traction Control including a “crawl” function that acts like a low-speed cruise control.

It was only a decade or so ago that motorists who equated car length to masculinity freaked out at the trend to downsizing.The table has turned. Now it's not your masculinity under question for owning a large car, but your sanity. Simply, small cars work.They are quick, comfortable, well equipped, economical on fuel and ownership costs, plus fit into small parking bays or tuck neatly into peak-hour traffic queues.They are also relatively inexpensive and there's about 30 different car models and 280 distinct versions to choose from. More importantly, budget motoring means there are thousands of near-new used small cars on the market.Pick your next pre-owned car carefully and it's likely you'd find one that retains a portion of the new-car warranty. While some car buyers may look at features and paint colour before safety ratings and reliability, even if you've few aspirations to venture outside the city perimeter, it's important to keep safety, reliability, comfort and durability as part of the purchase criteria.Consider also factory-fit Bluetooth and audio streaming. Hands-free telephone calls and portable and interactive music are pivotal to young car owners and increasingly to the people who end up buying your car.PS: Ensure the car has been serviced to the manufacturer's requirements (it's stamped in the service book that should be in the glovebox -- if it's not there, neither should you be. Bent or buckled number plates indicate a prang.Tyre tread worn on the edge or in the centre indicates the car needs a wheel alignment (or may have been in an accident). Always get the car checked out.(Search for hundreds more choices)HOT TIPSDon't be put off by high kilometres if it's a country car. Later models will have full safety and current tech upgrades. Check that service record.2010 Mazda3 MaxxEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 5-speed autoThirst: 8.2L/100CARSGUIDE SAYSWell-equipped version of Australia's most popular car appears to have covered a big distance given its age. That may be due to use as a country car, thus the lower price compared to a similar model with lower mileage. Mazda's 3 is a very good all-rounder with excellent safety standards and generally a nice ride, though cabin noise is intrusive. Twice yearly servicing needed and no capped service program means it may be a bit more expensive to maintain than, say, a Corolla. 2010 Toyota Corolla AscentEngine: 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 7.7L/100CARSGUIDE SAYSSecond series of the Z-code Corolla that started in 2000 just improves year after year. It's solid, dependable (no camshaft belt to break), inexpensive to own and fuel, roomy and holds its value. Capped service can save money but Corolla still has a twice-yearly maintenance schedule. In a five- and six-speed auto world, the Corolla's four-speed auto is ordinary. But it's strong and reliable. This car is in line with average driving distances. 2010 Hyundai i30 SLXEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrolTransmission: 4-speed autoThirst: 7.6L/100CARSGUIDE SAYSThis former Carsguide's Car of the Year is a smart buy, even two years down the track. It retains some three years of its five-year warranty. The i30 is simple, secure and fuss-free. It's relatively economical but not as sprightly as the Mazda3 that has a similar engine. Mileage is a bit high and the car may be due for a new camshaft belt. But it looks good with 16-inch alloy wheels, has a high five-star safety rating and a comfortable cabin. 

Fact: Children grow. Fiction: Parents can "make do'' with a small hatchback.SUVs rule Australian roads for a good reason. Parents -- and singles needing space for leisure pursuits -- have picked up and run hard with prairie-size family-hauler wagons.The SUV umbrella covers different types, from front-wheel drive to seven-seat all-wheel-drives, diesel engines to hybrids, built anywhere between Australia and Slovakia. Sizes range from the compact (3.7m) four-seater Suzuki Jimny to the seven-seater (5.1m) Audi Q7. Prices go from the Chery J11's $17,990 drive-away to the Audi Q7 6.0TDI at $257,200.SUVs have a lot of metal and are in demand, so you'll find that new examples aren't cheap. A quality used model may be the best answer. The three models here are all-wheel drive automatics with seven seats. You will save some money by opting for five-seat versions but as buyer demand leans to seven-seat models this will, ultimately, buoy your resale value.You probably don't need AWD, so look at the cheaper to run front or rear-drive versions. The Toyota has a higher mileage and is older. Toyota's reputation is based on reliability and, therefore, better resale.The Hyundai is one of the better diesels for performance and economy. The Territory is good value and the Ghia example is the top-liner -- it's perhaps more suited to heavier loads. As always, these are examples of what's available and variations will occur. After this, we'll talk about how many children you want.(Search for hundreds more choices)HOT TIPSDiesels are our preference in big SUVs. If you don't go bush, don't worry about 4WD. Check that the third-row seats are in working order2010 Ford Territory Ghia AWDEngine: 4.0-litre 6-cyl petrolTransmission: 6-speed autoThirst: 12.2L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSAussie designed and built wagon is a sensible -- and popular -- family wagon that'll pull a decent load while having space for the family. Even the third-row seats will accommodate two adults. Fuel consumption isn't up to most rivals but the Territory has comparatively cheaper service, repair and insurance costs. The Ghia has all the fruit -- leather, electronic stability control, six airbags, premium audio and DVD, rear camera and 18-inch alloys -- at a price that is about $20,000 less than new. 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander AWD Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo dieselTransmission: 6-speed autoThirst: 7.5L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSThis is almost a new car though it precedes the latest Santa Fe. It's possible to get the new 2012 shape for roughly the same price but the equipment level may be compromised. This 2011 example appears to be barely used and has the lauded 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine that has plenty of urge yet miserly fuel consumption. It's also the top-line model Highlander that in addition to the seven seats -- also able to seat seven adults -- gets dual-zone climate control airconditioning, six airbags and stability control, Bluetooth with iPod connect, sunroof and leather upholstery.2010 Toyota Kluger KX-S AWDEngine:3.5-litre V6 petrolTransmission: 5-speed autoThirst: 11.0L/100kmCARSGUIDE SAYSSilly name but the package works. Kluger's pricing may be more than some rivals but resale is generally higher, as is demand. The KX-S is the mid-spec model and gets a good blend of features including rear airconditioning, 19-inch alloys, reverse camera, leather upholstery and six airbags with electronic stability control. Klugers have a very versatile seat arrangement that includes a removable centre in the second-row seats for a six-occupant cabin that also gives a walk-through function. Fuel economy is average though performance is brisk.