Articles by Rebeccah Elley

Vodafone has turned to weddings in its latest campaign to get better customer acceptance. The telco – which some users are said to call Vodafail in tribute to its poor coverage record – is portraying a bride’s worst nightmare to promote it having no data dramas.The new ad was produced by creative agency Ogilvy, the makers of the successful ad series Rhonda and Ketut for AAMI insurance.The ad shows the groom-to-be and his mates discussing potential vehicles to use as the wedding car – and the one finally chosen is guaranteed to awaken his fiancée’s inner Bridezilla.This is the second commercial in a story arc following the engaged couple, with a previous campaign responding to the ongoing criticism Vodafone had received over its coverage, by guaranteeing cancellation in the first 30 days if the new customer wasn’t happy.The ads come as Vodafone’s market share continues to drop with a loss of about 1.3 million customers and over $700 million since the beginning of 2010, whilst Optus and Telstra sit comfortable at the top of the Australian Telco segment.

Aussies love SUVs. That’s why three landed on the 2012 Carsguide’s Car of the Year finals – the Kia Sorento, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5 tested here.A bigger boot and better value for money ranked the CR-V higher but the CX-5 is still a strong contender in the compact SUV segment with plenty of goodies and that well loved Mazda badge.VALUEPrices start from $27,880 for the base model Maxx with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine driving through the front wheels and jumps up to $46,630 for the top spec Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel mated to four wheel drive.All CX-5 variants have keyless entry, a reversing camera and a push-start button. The top of the range gets a luxury kit that includes 19 inch alloy wheels, two subwoofers, nine speaker stereo, one amplifier, park assist, Bi-Xenon headlamps and daytime running lights.The Maxx Sport is the middle of the range and comes in both front wheel drive ($33,620) and four wheel drive petrol ($36,120) or diesel ($39,470) variants.The Maxx Sport petrol 4WD tested here has MP3, Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, six speaker stereo, dual climate control, cruise control, steering wheel controls, reversing camera, colour display and multi function control touch screen, SATNAV, hill holder and rain sensors.DESIGNThe outside has a large grille, attractive 17 inch alloy wheels (top spec gets 19 inch), body colour bumpers, front fog lamps, a chrome tip exhaust, and a rear roof mounted spoiler.The exterior design theme has been christened by Mazda as “Kodo” meaning “Soul of Motion.” Specifically, the styling is inspired by the movements of a cheetah through a powerful, sturdy and agile look. However, our test vehicle was likened to a “sturdy wombat” by onlookers due to the flat nose and round rear.On the inside there’s a pleasant contrast between the dark seat upholstery and dashboard and the white upper roof area. We particularly liked the attractive leather steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake, however in this variant the dark seat material isn’t leather - only found in the top spec Grand Touring. The seats are comfortable and there’s room in the back to fit two adults comfortably but the middle seat is a bit cramped due to the engine tunnel.TECHNOLOGYFor those looking for greater fuel efficiency the 2.2-litre diesel engine is a good choice. It may not compare to premium brands such as Volvo, BMW and Mercedes but for this class the sound of the diesel engine is smooth. The diesel variant has 420 Newton metres of torque compared to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Skyactiv petrol’s 198 Newton metres, which translates to much better performance. Official specs show towing capacity is the same for both at 1800kg.We tested the petrol mated to all four wheels. The official combined fuel economy is 6.9L/100Km and urban is 8.2L/100km (on test we got 9.5L/100km). The six speed sports auto transmission is well matched to the car and you can choose between front wheel drive and four wheel drive. The six speed manual is only available in the base model Maxx.SAFETYAcross the model range safety features include six airbags, electronic brake force distribution and ABS technology. The Maxx Sport also gets brake assist, reversing camera, dynamic stability control, traction control, fog lamps, engine immobiliser, light sensitive automatic headlamps and hill holder.DRIVINGMaking yourself comfortable in the CX-5 is easy, with a height adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel. The driver’s position is high up on the road and provides a good panoramic front view.In fact, the overall view is stand-out. The front visibility is clear due to the thin pillars and rear visibility is helped by the wide side mirrors, large rear vision mirror and reversing camera.The petrol engine is a bit noisier than expected which was a bit disappointing. However, what the CX-5 lacks in insulation it makes up for in road handling. The firm steering provides great control around corners and the smooth suspension allows the car to glide over most bumps without the shaking that poor suspension can bring.To help reduce your fuel consumption Mazda incorporates Skyactiv technology including start stop technology. It turns the engine off while the car is stopped at the lights or in traffic to save on fuel and thus lower your emissions. We were impressed by its smooth transition from stop to start. But if you find the feature a distraction, there’s a ‘i-Stop’ button to turn it off.VERDICTIt’s unsurprising the CX-5 made it onto the 2012 Carsguide Top 10 COTY contest; it has plenty of variants to choose from (diesel, petrol, FWD, 4WD), provides a comfortable driving experience and has the features most compact SUV buyers are looking for (reversing camera, SATNAV, touchscreen). So if you’re in the market for a compact SUV, put the CX-5 on the “look” at list.Mazda CX-5 Maxx SportPrice: from $36,120Warranty: 3 yearsEngine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 113kW/198NmTransmission: 6-speed auto, FWDThirst: 6.9L/100Km, CO2 160g/km

You don’t buy a Mazda 3 to stand out. They crowd most Aussie parking lots and dominate city traffic. The Mazda 3 has been Australia’s top-selling car for two years running.

Combing the small car market for the ‘perfect’ car can be a daunting task, especially with a seeming bazillion to choose from - the top-selling Mazda3, VW Golf, Toyota Corolla, Holden Cruze, Hyundai i30 and Ford Focus (to name just a few).Sent from Thailand, the ninth-generation Civic sedan tested here joins this teeming mass, as Honda aims to strengthen their credentials down under and regain ground lost after the 2011 Thailand floods. But does this little sedan have what it takes to stand out in this crowd?If you’re tossing up between the Civic sedan and hatch, here are some things to consider. Starting from $20,490 the base model VTi sedan is similarly priced to the base model hatch at $20,650 (with $2000 recently chopped off its price).And the mid spec VTi-L sedan is priced at $23,990, $1500 less than the mid spec hatch. Until this year Bluetooth connectivity wasn’t available in the base model hatch, so if you’re looking at 2012 models this is something to consider. Annoyingly the sedan model doesn’t have a hill holder like the hatch variants.The Civic sedan gets a three year 100,000km warranty and is kitted with 12V auxiliary sockets, four speaker audio system, MP3/WMA compatible CD player, USB connectivity, steering wheel mounted controls, cruise control, coloured multi function screen and trip computer, keyless entry, chrome grille surround and remote boot release.The mid spec VTi-L gets 16 inch alloy wheels compared to the VTi’s 15 inch steel wheels and also receives on/off headlights, a chrome gear shifter and a temporary spare.Both variants have a smooth 1.8 litre four cylinder engine with 104kW of power and 174Nm of torque. We drove both the five speed sports auto and five speed manual driving through the front wheels.It comes with an eco button to reduce fuel consumption but you’ll want to switch that off to get the car really going. The combined fuel economy is 6.8L/100Km and the urban is 8.9L/100km. We only drove the Civic in the city, an appropriate environment for a small sedan and gained 9.4L/100km.We prefer the exterior looks of the Civic hatch, as it comes with attractive daytime running lights that give the small car a more aggressive look. But the sedan option is cheaper and has attractive sweeping lines, a chrome grille and the VTi-L's 16 inch alloy wheels are impressive.On the inside the light grey seat upholstery, thought by our passengers as “styled by grandma” is outdated and doesn’t suit the modern dashboard with up-to-date features like push start button and speed dependent display. But on a positive note everything is laid out well on the dashboard and the equipment is simple to use.The interior space is appropriate for a small family but long-legged teenagers probably won’t appreciate the back seat space. The sedan gets 40 extra litres of boot space compared to the hatch’s 400 litre capacity.It comes with dual driver and passenger airbags, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control with passive steer assist, traction control and engine immobiliser.The Civic sedan has excellent sound insulation, as hardly any road noise enters the cabin. The suspension is also worth a mention, as it glides well over bumpy roads.Both the auto and manual only come with five gears that don’t handle speeds over 80km/h well, so a sixth gear would come in handy on highways. And the auto often doesn’t shift gears well, resulting in reduced power. We recommend the manual, as you’ll have a more enjoyable drive. The manual gear box is precise with easy to find gears that change smoothly.The sedan is a good contender in the small car market, trampling its sibling the Honda City sedan in drive train and exterior looks. While there is room for improvement, especially in regards to interior styling, the Civic sedan makes up for it in price, comfort and drivetrain.

Lexus has added special X pack editions of its sales-leading IS 250 and IS 350, ahead of a new model’s arrival later this year to continue the battle against the BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4 in the luxury mid-sized sedan market. The upgrade packs - worth $9000 - echo special editions from 2011, and are a bid to boost the appeal of the outgoing model until the end of March.  Prices start from $58,990 for the IS 250X and $64,990 for the IS 350X. This represents an increase compared to the base model Prestige spec IS250 ($55,800), while the IS350 price remains the same. However, the special driveaway pricing and extra features are where the added value is found. The X range keeps the IS 250’s 2.5 litre V6 and the IS 350’s gutsy 3.5 litre V6, however gets extra equipment. While the IS 350 already has SATNAV and a reversing camera, these top spec features have been added to the IS 250 X special edition.  The value pack for both variants also includes six-head parking sensors, smart card key and sports pedals. And the ‘XTRA’ appeal coined by Lexus comes in the form of the red accented interior, with red perforated and red stitching. The outside gets a reworking with attractive 18-in alloy wheels, rear lip spoiler, aluminium scuff plates, HID headlamps with daytime running lamps and of course the special edition’s “X” badge.  

The Australian hybrid market is small and is dominated by the Toyota Prius. But competitors such as the Holden Volt, Renault Fluence ZE and the Honda Insight tested here are attempting to close this sales gap.While Honda has sold over one million Insights globally in 13 years, the small hybrid hasn’t been popular in Australia. The Insight was originally priced at nearly $50k from 2001-2004 and after being dropped for six years was re-introduced in December 2010 at a sub-30k price with 113 sales that month and 715 in 2011.This year Honda has upgraded the five door hatch’s styling and features in an attempt to lift sales. However, with only 217 sold so far, compared to the Prius’s 1,535 it hasn’t been the boost Honda was looking for.VALUEThe base model VTi is priced from $29,990, while the top spec VTi-L tested here starts at $33,490. Standard features include USB, iPod and hands free connectivity, integrated Bluetooth, steering wheel controls, six speaker stereo and 12V auxiliary sockets. There’s also a three year 100,000km warranty.The top spec receives extras like 16 inch alloy wheels (the VTi gets 15 inch), rear vision camera (the VTi has controlled park assist), DVD player, GPS satellite navigation, leather steering wheel and shift knob, adjustable headrests, a laminated windscreen, electric level adjustment headlamps, light sensitive automatic headlamps and rain sensors.TECHNOLOGYThe 1.3 litre four cylinder i-VTEC engine has 65kW of power and 121Nm of torque, while the electric motor adds 10kW of power and 78Nm of torque. Both variants are driven through a constantly variable transmission with front wheel drive.Fuel efficiency has been improved by 6.5 per cent and the combined fuel economy has a 5.5 per cent reduction to 4.3L/100km (we managed 6.9L on test).DESIGNThe Insight has a raised rear and sharp lines with camouflaged rear doors that visually mold to the coupe shape. It weighs nearly the same as the Civic but is shorter than its three siblings the Civic, City and Jazz.Honda says they have made several upgrades to the styling receiving a new front grille with attractive blue accents flanked by two slanting headlights and a fresh bumper design with bright red rear taillights.The interior features include fuel consumption display, rear vision camera and multi function control screen. The overall design of the dashboard is economically focussed, as expected in a hybrid car. The speed dependent display glows green to indicate fuel efficiency and blue to suggest reduced speed for a greener drive.This blue and green theme is repeated on the speedometers and eco assist display. The eco assist uses images of small trees that grow while you drive to indicate your long term fuel efficiency.The bucket style seats mold to the driver and there is soft-touch upholstery. While tall passengers will appreciate the 20mm headroom increase in the backseats the legroom is a bit tight. The boot capacity is 408 litres and increases to 584 litres with the 60/40 rear seats down.SAFETYThe VTi-L receives a 5-star ANCAP crash rating with front, side and curtain airbags, ABS antilock brakes (the base model misses out), LED daytime running lights for improved visibility, vehicle stability assist with traction control, fog lamps, front and rear stabiliser and LED tail lamps.DRIVINGThe green eco button reduces your fuel consumption by limiting engine output but you’ll have to turn it off to get the car really going. The Insight also comes with auto stop technology which turns the engine off while you’re paused to help reduce your fuel consumption.The engine is extremely quiet providing a silent drive but at fast speeds road noise enters the cabin. The overall drive is efficient, the suspension is smooth and it’s easy to manoeuvre through city streets. The only small complaint is the loose power steering that doesn’t give you total control around tight corners.VERDICTThe Insight is slightly pricey but offers good looks, low emissions and fuel consumption, has up-to-date technology and can get you from A to B with comfort.However, if you’re unsure about hybrids you may want to wait for the new 2013 Civic diesel that comes out mid next year with overseas reports of 3.8L/100km compared to the Insight’s 4.3L/100km.Honda InsightPrice: from $29,990Engine: 1.3-litre 4-cylinder, 65kW/121Nm, electric motor 10kW/78NmTransmission: constantly variable, FWDThirst: 4.3L/100km, CO2 103g/km

The City was designed to meet consumer demand for a fuel efficient small car in Australia but has struggled in the sales department over its four years here.The third generation City first arrived down under in February 2009 and was received moderately by Aussie buyers with 3400 sales for the year. Sales have declined yearly dropping by over half to 1584 in 2011.This year Honda attempted to gain ground by releasing the fifth generation with a new look and a $500 price drop. It’s up against some high sales performers such as the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai i20, Holden Barina and Mazda2.But small sedan buyers still aren’t impressed, with only a dismal 517 sold so far this year -- with only three months to go until the New Year -- compared to the top seller Yaris’ 5465 sales.The price has been reduced to $18,490 manual ($20,490 auto) for the base model VTi. The top spec VTi-L tested here starts at $22,990 and is only available in a five speed auto.It’s kitted with features like 12V auxiliary sockets, CD player, four speaker stereo, iPod and MP3 connectivity, speed dependant volume stereo, remoteless central locking, leather steering wheel, steering wheel controls, electric power steering and fog lamps.The City is based on the Jazz platform and carries the same 1.5 litre four cylinder engine with 88kW of power and 135Nm of torque. The VTi-L has a five speed automatic transmission driven through the front wheels. And the official combined fuel economy is 6.6L/100Km but we got 8.0L/100km.The City has often been nicknamed the “Jazz with a boot” with a spacious 506 litre capacity but there’s more to the design than that. Honda says the City has received a number of new features and styling, such as a new chrome grille and redesigned front and rear bumpers.There’s also a new micro antenna that we found too large on the rear of the small car. However, the overall exterior look of the City is attractive and the silver 16 inch alloy wheels match the exterior chrome detailing well.The interior styling gets shiny “aluminium-look” panels/trims and chrome audio and climate controls. The speedometer is blue and there is light blue stitching on the seats. But the seat upholstery picks up a lot of hair, so if you have a pet you’ll probably have to invest in some seat covers. The inside is spacious enough for five adults and would suit a small family well in the city.It has a five star ANCAP crash rating with front, side and curtain airbags, ABS technology, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, engine immobiliser, fog lamps and impact absorbing body coloured bumpers.As the name suggests the City is made for city driving. It’s compact enough to manoeuvre through tight laneways, turn sharp corners with ease and fit into tiny parking spots around the CBD.But the overall performance was disappointing and points to the reason behind the dwindling sales. From the first turn of the key the engine was noisy and only increased at higher speeds. The acceleration was poor and hill climbs were sluggish as the 1.5 litre engine struggled to drive the 1140kg weight.We also took the small sedan onto a freeway to test the cruise control. While it held the 110km speed well, the rev-counter flew beyond four thousand and the engine revved loudly, forcing us to drop the speed. The lack of a sixth gear also contributed to the problem, as the extra gear would have reduced the revs and countered the problem.The City isn’t a great drive but it’s practical for anyone living in the city. So if you’re looking for a small sedan that’s small enough to navigate city streets but big enough deal with your daily shopping and errands then the City is worth a look.

Honda took a sales hit in early 2012 after the 2011 Thailand and Japanese natural disasters. The Japanese car giant hopes to gain lost ground with new models like the ninth generation Honda Civic five-door hatch that landed on our shores in June.The Civic four-door sedan comes from Thailand but the five-door hatch VTi-L tested here originates from the Swindon factory in the UK. Direct rivals include the Mazda3, Holden Cruze and Toyota Corolla all driving through a front-wheel four-cylinder.The base model VTi-S hatch starts from $22,650 (manual) and $24,950 (auto) and jumps up by $5000 to $29,990 for the top spec VTi-L, which is only available in the five speed auto with paddle shifters.The VTi-L gets a reversing camera, six CD player, seven-speaker stereo, subwoofer, 12V auxiliary sockets, Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity, dual air-conditioning, rain sensors, fuel consumption and temperature displays, steering wheel controls and heated front seats.Both variants are powered by a 1.8 litre four cylinder engine with 104kW of power and 174Nm of torque. The official combined fuel consumption for the auto is 6.5L/100km with 155g/km CO2 emissions. The Civic has an eco button for fuel saving that is suitable for start stop traffic. But you’ll want to turn the eco option off on open roads to get the car going.The exterior has a flat nose and a small grille with large slanting headlights. The shark fin antennae, hidden rear door handles and 17 inch alloy wheels (the base model gets 16 inch) give the hatch a sporty look. Honda designed the interior in a “cockpit style” with bucket seats that hug the driver and front passenger. The large speedometers add a racing feel. It also comes with a leather tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel that is a bit stiff. The leather seats in the VTi-L are attractive, while the base model only receives cheap looking fabric upholstery. Although there are five seats, the design is concentrated on the driver and front passenger’s comfort.The legroom in the backseats is tight, especially for 170cm plus passengers. The boot has a capacity of 390 litres and can be increased to 1120 litres with the rear seats down.The VTi-L receives a five-star ANCAP safety rating. Safety features include front, side and curtain airbags, vehicle stability assist, electronic brake force distribution, hill start assist, daytime running lights and front and rear fog lamps.We tested the Civic in its perfect environment – down narrow city streets, around sharp urban corners and through cramped cement parking spaces. And it did the job --  and then some.The five speed auto is easy to drive, requiring little effort from the driver (which may be boring for enthusiastic drivers). However, if you’re regularly commuting in heavy city traffic, you’ll appreciate the seamless gear changes. You can also push the eco button to help reduce your fuel consumption or turn it off for a sportier drive. The front vision is excellent largely due to the thin side pillars that don’t obstruct visibility. However rear vision is lacking, as the rear window is small and the back pillars are broad - the reversing camera assists with this issue.

It wears a Peugeot badge and chic French wardrobe but the 4008 is actually the Mitsubishi ASX under the skin. The 4008 rolled out of the same Mitsubishi factory in Japan and landed on our shores in March. It started to gain some showroom traction since then, and notched up 110 sales in August, but the ASX more than tripled that result.VALUEPriced from $28,990 the Peugeot 4008 is $3000 more than the base model Mitsubishi ASX. The 4008 gets extra features like speed sensitive power steering, six speakers to the ASX’s four, a cooled glove box, rain sensors, illuminated fade technology, metallic finish inserts on doors, automatic headlamps and LED daytime running lights.But it misses out on the ASX’s chrome door handles, hill holder, remote boot release and spare wheel space saver. And the 4008 gets a three-year 100,000km warranty, while the ASX has a more generous five-year 130,000km one.TECHNOLOGYThe 4008 has a 2.0-litre engine producing 110kW of power and 197Nm of torque, mated to either the five-speed manual tested here or a six-speed constantly variable transmission. The base model is only available in front wheel drive, however the top spec Allure has the option of front wheel drive, four wheel drive or “lock” mode for when you’re bogged.DESIGNThe 4008 has a wide nose with a large floating grille and sharp headlights. The exterior has mild wheel arches holding 16-in wheels, body coloured bumpers and door handles, power door mirrors and tinted windows. The interior is simple, without fiddly technologies and there are plenty of storage spaces for your bits and pieces. The space should be fine for young families but not for those with long-limbed teenagers.Cheap seat material is used in the base model Active; one passenger likened it to “train seat material.” However, the top spec Allure has attractive leather on the steering wheel, shift knob and seats.SAFETYSafety features include seven airbags, ABS technology, electronic brake force distribution and electronic stability, daytime running lamps and rear view mirror with electric anti glare. There’s no hill start assist with the 4008 base model, a bit of a letdown considering this is a feature in most new SUVs including the Mitsubishi ASX.DRIVINGThe 4008 doesn’t live up to Peugeot’s usual standards when it comes to the driving experience and this is probably because you become more aware of the Mitsubishi under the skin. The automatic 4008 we previously drove was sluggish and poorly matched to the engine, as it often struggled to find the right gear. However, the manual in this test is a more exciting option, as it provides greater driving control and gives it a bit of life.A large amount of road noise enters the cabin and the suspension doesn’t handle bumpy roads well. However, the 4008 does the job well enough around town, manoeuvring easily through traffic and turning in a tight 10.6-metre circle, making it a capable parker and nimble around narrow city corners. Overall, while the drive isn’t impressive, it’s a practical SUV with a price tag that’s easy on the wallet.VERDICTIt’s a case of style over substance, but if you’re looking for an attractive compact SUV, the 4008 is worth a test.

Australia’s largest Audi dealership, Audi Centre Sydney is getting behind the gourmet efforts of nearby Green Square as part of the Crave Sydney International Food Festival this weekend. The Green Square Gourmet Food Festival will include local stalls inspired by the inner city food revolution, unique market stalls hosting arts from Danks Street and exciting children’s entertainment. But the mouth-watering day isn’t just for foodies – it’s a way to bring the local community together, Audi says. Located in the inner Sydney suburb of Zetland, Green Square is a growing development area. Dealer principal of Audi Centre Sydney, Joe King, says as a local business, with more and more residential buildings being opened, they are very keen to see families enjoy living in the area as much as they do. “Audi Centre Sydney is proud to be one of the first businesses to open in this area and we believe that building strong community spirit and a sense of pride in the area will only strengthen Green Square as one of the most desirable new areas for businesses and families to move into.” The Green Square Food Festival will be held on October 6 from 10am-4pm at Joynton Park, 22 Gadigal Avenue Zetland, Sydney.