Articles by Peter Barnwell

If it's "cachet" you are after, something a little different -- a bit more stylish than the other medium prestige cars --then look no further than the new $51,990 Citroen DS5.DESIGNCitroen developed the new DS range as cars with panache, out of the ordinary. And in the DS5, they have surely succeeded because it's a strikingly handsome hatchback with bucket loads of street appeal. Those large sabre-shaped chrome flashes linking the headlights with the A pillars are just the start of it. Viewed from all angles, the DS5 is a glamour in the current Citroen idiom.FEATURESAnd it's just as startlingly different and appealing inside with no less than three glass sunroofs, an overhead console like an aircraft, beautifully styled seats and dash and a whole truckload of standard kit including head-up display, swivelling headlights, premium audio, comprehensive trip computer and dual zone climate control.Heck, there's even a massage function on the eight way electrically adjustable driver's seat. The passenger's seat is also electrically adjustable. Other standard kit includes a reverse camera, front and rear park sensors, button start leather, privacy glass, auto high beam, auto headlights and wipers, cruise with speed limiter and Bluetooth phone and audio.But there isn't much in the way of new-tech driver assistance such as blind spot warning, 360 degree camera, radar cruise with brake function, auto brake and all the other stuff coming in these days. Seats are provided for five but four is a better bet and the car can be set to carry a large load with folding rear seats.ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONPower comes from a tried and true 2.0-litre turbo diesel four that sees duty elsewhere in the expansive Peugeot/ Citroen line-up. In this case it's good for 120kW/340Nm and 6.1-litres/100km economy. It passes EU5 emissions regulations and drives the front wheels through a conventional six-speed auto transmission with sequential (not paddle) shift.DRIVINGThat's plenty of kick for a car like this weighing in at 1615kg. It gets off the mark respectably and has prodigious roll-on like most diesels these days. Noise and vibration is negligible at any speed. Infact, you can't hear anything cruising on the highway.They've set-up the suspension in a sporty way and the big, 18-inch low profile tyres create a bit of a ruckus on rough roads but the upside is responsive handling and an engaging drive from what is essentially a medium prestige family car.The suspension is a strut front system with trailing arms at the rear. Steering is electric offering a reasonable amount of feel through the hugely flat bottomed steering wheel. We found actually operating the car in terms of switches and functions somewhat challenging. It took a while to sort out the Bluetooth. A rash of buttons and knobs all need to be mastered before you try and drive this car and they are all over the place around the driver's 'cockpit.'But once set, the rewards are there. It would make an excellent interstate cruiser, economical, quiet, a relaxing drive as long as you didn't venture too far off the hotmix.GENEROUSCitroen provides a generous warranty on this and all its models as well as fixed price servicing and other entitlements. The brand has been here for years now and has been making cars for a century so they have an idea of how to do it.VERDICTWe really like the DS5 - the look of it inside and out and the feel. It's economical, luxuriously equipped and can be an engaging drive. Definitely worth a look.Citroen DS5Price: from $51,990Warranty: 3 years roadside assist 100,000kmEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel, 120kW/340NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDThirst: 6.1L/100Km, CO2 158g/km

It's tough out there in car land, and tougher to get traction if you are a peripheral player -- which Proton has been for nigh on 20 years.

We like the look of the new VF Commodore even in base model Evoke form. But the SV6 is better again sharing its enhanced exterior with the more aspirational V8 SS model. These two cars also share the same features inside so with the SV6 you are getting the SS look for less money. ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION And the

Size counts in the SUV class and right now, the focus is on small and medium size models with diesel engines and either all-wheel drive or two wheel drive.

In Europe, the E63AMG S gets all wheel drive -- ensuring the mountain of power and torque percolating from its bi-turbo, petrol V8 engine is held in check

We've bid bye-bye to the RX270 Lexus, a car we have grown to like for many reasons over three months and 7000km.

We have settled in with the Civic diesel (i-DTEC) five door hatch now and are really appreciating its strengths.

Has VW been too conservative in styling it's new Golf 7 along "generic" Golf lines? Probably.

Ford' striking new Kuga is up against it in the medium SUV class because there are so many worthy contenders including the excellent new Toyota RAV4 and Mazda's CX5.PRICE AND EQUIPMENTBut they aren't giving it away, with the top of the range Kuga Titanium TDCI Titanium with Tech Pack tipping over the $50,000 mark. They start at $28,000 grand for the front wheel drive petrol dunger model -- which is sharpish.But you'd want at least some of the kit in our test car, especially the driver assistance Tech Pack that brings active city stop, adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning, lane keeping, lane departure warning, auto high beam and driver attention warning. It's the sort of stuff that should be in all cars these days as standard equipment - one day perhaps.ENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONThe Kuga Titanium we drove is an impressive vehicle offering a punchy 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine achieving some 120kW/340Nm output and 6.4-litres/100km.TECHNOLOGYKuga is one of the first vehicles offered here with an automatic tailgate function triggered by waving your foot under the rear bumper. It works ... sometimes. It is also one of the first vehicles in Australia to offer voice operated SYNC using your own mobile (Apple) phone for multi media connectivity (and other things).There's an impressive automatic emergency phone call system built into SYNC that makes the call if the air bags are activated and fuel shut off. Active park assist is standard across the range and extremely helpful but the panoramic sunroof is a delete option as far as we are concerned.SAFETYThe new body is strengthened by selective use of high tensile steel. Kuga has a torque vectoring system lifted from high performance Focus and Fiesta models as well as what Ford calls "intelligent" all wheel drive. The torque vectoring is appreciated as a genuine safety enhancement.DRIVINGWe like the look of Kuga from all angles -- 19-inch alloys, dual outlet exhausts, rear diffuser and the new hero colour Ginger Ale grows on you. But the active cruise control had a hissy fit on the freeway at 100kmh thinking a semi was in our lane... it wasn't. And the Kuga Titanium is kitted out as a five star car -- with all that brings.The engine is not the smoothest, punchiest or most economical 2.0-litre turbo diesel around but shifts the weighty Titanium (1738kg) with purpose once you get it off the mark. This is aided by the slick shifting dual clutch six-speed Sportshift transmission that maximises the engine's strengths as well as offering Sport mode.The funky interior will appeal to younger buyers with its clever functions and appealing style. The dash is info rich and easy to use switches enhance the drive experience. We particularly like the one touch folding rear seat and large load area but the spare is a space saver.VERDICTWorth a look but the 1.6-litre Ecoboost petrol goes about the same, uses about the same amount of fuel and costs less.The complete 2013 Ford Kuga range:Ambiente 1.6-litre petrol FWD five-door wagon: from $27,990 (manual)Ambiente 1.6-litre petrol AWD five-door wagon: from $31,490 (automatic)Trend 1.6-litre petrol AWD five-door wagon: from $36,240 (automatic)Trend 2.0-litre turbo-diesel AWD five-door wagon: from $39,240 (automatic)Titanium 1.6-litre petrol AWD five-door wagon: from $44,470 (automatic)Titanium 2.0-litre turbo-diesel AWD five-door wagon: from $47,740 (automatic)Ford Kuga Price: from $27,990Warranty: 3 years/100,000kmCapped servicing: 7 years/105,000km $2000-$2795 (total, depending on drivetrain)Resale: 50%Service interval: 12 months/15,000kmSafety: 5 starsEngine: 110kW/240Nm FWD or 134kW/240Nm AWD 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol, 120kW/340Nm 2-litre 4-cyl turbo-dieselTransmission: 6-speed manual (FWD), automatic (petrol AWD) or double-clutch auto (diesel AWD)Thirst: 6.3-8 1/100km, tank 60 litres; 166-186g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.5m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.7m (h)Weight: 1550-1738kgSpare: space saver

It's been the best looking Lexus for a long time and the new model IS continues that trend with its sporty, sexy lines and striking front and rear styling.