Articles by Paul Gover

After a decade on the sidelines, Subaru is considering a return to motorsport in Australia to polish its brand badge.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Ford Focus ST with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Chrysler 300C with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its Australian launch.

Several car brands are boosting their new car warranties, as quality improvements reduce costs. Around the world, cars are getting better and buyers are getting a bulletproof bonus. Warranty costs and claims are falling dramatically at most major makers and that's a reflection of improved quality from the first computer strokes through to the final assembly.There are still flaws, and risk-averse management is rushing to recalls at the first signs of potential trouble, but the overall trend is very positive for most new-car buyers.Renault says its warranty costs in Australia have fallen by a whopping 68 per cent over the past six years, a result that has justified a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty that's even been extended to its Renault Sport performance cars.At Kia, warranty costs since 2005 have dropped by nearly three-quarters. And that's despite the number of cars covered by the company's five-year warranty umbrella more than doubling."Using 2005 as the baseline, costs per unit in June this year were down by 71.2 per cent," says Kia spokesman Kevin Hepworth. "At that time, in 2005, the Kia carpark was roughly 60,000 cars under warranty. Now there are more than 140,000 under warranty. So numbers have doubled and costs have more than halved." There was a time when Suzuki boasted that the warranty cost on its Vitara was just $12 for each car sold in Australia. That's an incredibly low figure and illustrates the benefits to buyers.The trend at Suzuki is continuing a similar downward path to most of the majors, with a double-digit improvement since 2010. "Our warranty costs have dropped 11.9 per cent over the past three years," says spokesman Andrew Ellis. He won't go into details but a Suzuki service chief contacted by Carsguide confirms the warranty cost in 2013 was little more than $20 for each car sold. This is probably an industry-leading result."The longer-term trend is greater reliability and less cost for the consumer. We see this trend being maintained," Ellis says. But not every brand is driving its claims down, as Hyundai says a vastly bigger pool of cars and more costly cars has led to a slight increase in its warranty costs over the past three years."Marginally increased warranty costs are to be expected with this shift," Hyundai spokesman Bill Thomas says. "We may see slightly increased warranty costs per unit as we sell more premium vehicles, because people have correspondingly higher expectations of those vehicles. It's not to do with diminished reliability. Ultimately, the customer is the winner."CHOICESRENAULT CLIO RS200 **** - see reviewsPrice: from $29,290 Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 147kW/240Nm Transmission: 6-speed double-clutch auto;  FWD Thirst: 6.3L/100km Lowdown: The Megane RS is better known but its baby brother is more fun. The Clio from Renault Sport is a genuine pocket rocket that's now protected by a five-year warranty, great news for people who like to drive.KIA SPORTAGE *** 1/2 - see reviewsPrice: from $25,990Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 122kW/205Nm Transmission: 6-speed man/auto; FWD Thirst: from 8.2L/100km Lowdown: The Sportage is a long-term Carsguide favourite because of its value and class, but it's also one of the most trouble-free Kia models. A starter variant with front-wheel drive makes the value even better.SUZUKI GRAND VITARA *** - see reviewsPrice: from $24,990 Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 122kW/225Nm Transmission: 5-speed man, 4-speed auto; RWD Thirst: from 8.7L/100km Lowdown: Hidden gem in SUV land that's just about bulletproof and incredibly capable as a 4WD. Now also winning friends as an affordable, three-door, front-drive price leader and suburban runabout.

James Bond drives an Aston Martin because it’s free. That’s not strictly true, because Aston Martin gives more than just one free car to ensure it is nicely featured in each of the latest 007 movies.It’s what’s called “product placement” and it’s big business in the car world, where the rub‒off from the entertainment industry - it could be Nicole Kidman arriving at a premiere in a shiny new Audi A8 or a Chevrolet Camaro stunting and starring in The Transformers - helps polish a car company’s badge.In the case of Suzuki, it’s all about The Block. The Japanese maker has been starved of new products in recent years but has leveraged its involvement with the top-rating renovation show to push everything from its Harley-cloned motorcycle to its all new S-Cross SUV.“It’s a great way to tell people we exist. It’s like a giant snowball that keeps going and going,” says Suzuki Australia head Tony Devers. Product placement and partnerships are also relatively cheap, compared with a minimum $250,000 to create a top-class television commercial - before paying to screen it.“It’s not a lot more than you would pay for advertising spots in the same show. And it’s a top‒rating show. They are always creating new interest, and the locations are good.”So the show appeals to potential Suzuki buyers, and Suzuki has enough creative control - matching cars to contestants, and creating viewer competitions - to use its involvement to build a halo for the brand.“Our third season is airing now and we’re shooting the fourth. You have to work hard to make it succeed but it’s successful for us.” Devers concedes there has been little on the new-model front recently for Suzuki but believes that’s about to change.“We have two important cars coming next year, the iV4 and the new small SUV, and there are probably another couple as well. So the light is shining at the end of the tunnel. And it’s not a train,” Devers says.Suzuki Swift Price: from $15,990Rating: 3/5Engine: 1.4-litre 4-cyl, 70kW/130NmTransmission: 4-speed auto; FWDThirst: 5.5L-6.2L/100kmA rock-solid small car that continues to sell well to first-time buyers and old‒timers. Not much changed from the previous model, not that it needed changing, and as bulletproof as a Toyota Corolla for less money. It’s fallen behind the class leaders but still a car to recommend to friends.Suzuki Grand Vitara Price: $24,990-$34,990Rating: 3/5Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 125kW/225Nm; 1.9-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 95kW/300NmTransmission: 5-speed man, 4-speed auto; FWD/AWDThirst: from 8.7L/100km (2.4)No one complains about the Grand Vitara, which is rock-solid in the city and surprisingly capable for off-road work. Like too many Suzuki models it deserves better than it gets, which is support from fans but little interest from rookie shoppers. It’s a classy soft-roader that can also handle the hard stuff.Suzuki KizashiPrice: from $28,990Rating: 3.5/5Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 131kW/230NmTransmission: 6-speed man, CVT; FWDThirst: 7.9L/100kmIf it had a Mazda badge it would have been a superstar. The Kizashi looks good and is a sporty drive but has never had the backing of a big brand. Its only shortcoming is a body that’s too small to compete with the Mazda6 and Camry, and not up to a new Mazda3 or VW Golf. The base car is still a top choice, not so the all-wheel-drive model.SECOND-HANDIf you’re after a compact 4WD that can really battle the Outback, you can do a lot worse than a Grand Vitara. It’s classy and competent, and - as Carsguide has proven many times - great in off-road conditions from rocky climbs to sandy beaches.It is a genuine getaway car that’s flexible and competent. The Grand Vitara is essentially a condensed Toyota Prado but without the premium for a Toyota badge.Its record for reliability is among the best in the business and, for a time, Suzuki claimed the lowest warranty costs in the business - a sure sign of a well-built car that will go the distance in Australia. The Suzuki Swift continues to be a favourite for first-time buyersThis reporter is on Twitter: @PaulWardGover

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Audi TT Sport Quattro with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the new 2015 Mazda MX-5 at a preview drive in the UK.

More than 6000 people have their hand up for a Mazda MX-5.

An all-electric Aston Martin with more than 1000 Newton-metres of torque and a 0-100km/h sprint time in the three-second range is the next target for the British brand.

Paul Gover reviews the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider at its international launch in Italy.