Nissan X-TRAIL 2014 News

Flares have never gone out of fashion in Japan and the annual Tokyo Auto Salon shows why.

Nissan adds efficiency leading turbodiesel TS and TL models to X-Trail lineup.Six months after the arrival of petrol versions of the third-generation X-Trail SUV, Nissan has added new 1.6-litre turbodiesel versions to the lineup.Available with either 2WD auto or 4WD manual drivetrains, the 96kW/320Nm unit is the same found in the smaller Qashqai, and drops nearly half a litre from the previous-generation X-Trail’s 2.0-litre diesel unit. The new engine also drops 14kW over previous X-Trail diesel automatics, and 31kW and 40Nm over previous X-Trail diesel manuals.However, the new X-trail diesel’s 5.3L/100km combined fuel consumption figure with either transmission is 2.1L/100km better than the previous diesel auto, and 1.9L/100km better than the old manual.A 1500kg braked towing capacity for 2WD turbodiesels is a match current petrol X-Trails, but 4WD diesels step up to 2000kg.All turbodiesel X-Trail variants come with five seats, unlike the seven-seat layout available with 2WD petrol models.The new turbodiesel engine is available in TS and TL trim levels, with each available in either 2WD with a CVT automatic or 4WD with a six-speed manual transmission.The entry TS turbodiesel matches the petrol ST for features, while the top TS turbodiesel matches the petrol Ti on spec.The $35,380 starting price for the 2WD TS turbodiesel commands a $4,890 premium over the equivalent ST petrol when paired the CVT auto.The petrol/diesel price difference narrows considerably between 4WD models due to the turbodiesel being manual only.

Honda Accord finally achieves maximum five-star safety rating along with Nissan X-Trail, Honda City, Toyota Prius C and upcoming Peugeot 308.Honda have overcome the shock of last year's four-star safety rating for the Accord sedan, with recent structural tweaks helping it to earn the full five stars from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).When the 9th generation Accord appeared in May 2013, ANCAP deemed its frontal offset test performance unsatisfactory for a five-star rating, scoring 11.21 out of a possible 16 .Honda has since implemented changes to the frontal structure of the Accord in August 2014 which has raised its score in the frontal offset test to 14.79 in this round testing, pushing it over the line for a maximum five-star rating."This is a great example of a non-regulatory program at work," ANCAP Chairman Lauchlan McIntosh said."Honda has reviewed the ANCAP test results and actively implemented changes to offer consumers a safer car."The same praise was not lavished on the X-Trail mid-size SUV however, with ANCAP critical of Nissan's omission of the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) from Australian-spec models. Despite this the SUV still gained a five star safety rating.ANCAP was similarly critical of the Qashqai small SUV's AEB omission when it was tested earlier this year.Like the Qashqai, AEB is available on European-spec X-Trails, along with several other models on the Australian market. It can prevent collisions by detecting stationary objects and applying braking force before the driver reacts.For the Honda City and Toyota Prius C, all model variants have been given the maximum five stars by ANCAP. Only diesel versions of the new Peugeot 308 have been awarded five stars, leaving petrol versions unrated.

A model cull is coming as Nissan aims to pique buyers' palates.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

The Hoff's KITT for saleBased on a 1982 Pontiac Firebird, KITT was the car sidekick everybody wanted to roll with. And somebody will get a chance to do just that with the one owned by The Hoff.Holden Commodore sales surge puts it in fourth positionThe Holden Commodore has made a surprising recovery in the March sales race with a staggering 85 per cent sales increase compared with the same month the prior year -- narrowly missing a place on the podium as the nation's fourth most popular car. Preliminary figures show it was the Commodore's third-best monthly sales tally since the new VF model went on sale 10 months ago, as the Holden brand overall posted a 19 per cent sales surge.BMW M3 and M4 | videoBMW shows off the coming M3 sedan and M4 convertible -- arriving in Australia in June -- with some action footage.Mazda joins the demo derby, moving masses of 'dealer demonstrator' carsThe Mazda3 may be Australia's top-selling car so far this year according to official sales data -- but a special investigation by Carsguide has unearthed the industry secret that is driving its sales. A staggering one-third of Mazda3s sold in January and February were so-called “dealer demonstrator” models -- more than four times the industry average for “demo” vehicle sales, which is 7 per cent.Road safety expert slams 'revenue raising' speed finesA leading road safety expert has called for all revenue from speeding fines to go directly into building safer roads -- and warned the government's constant focus on speed is blinding us to other causes of car crashes. The national road toll fell to its lowest level in 89 years in 2013 but more than 200,000 people are expected to be injured on Australian roads between now and 2020. Injury rates are not falling as dramatically and are a bigger financial burden on the community because of the ongoing medical treatment.PlusRenault Kangoo stands up to crash test 2014 Toyota HiAce | new car sales price2014 Nissan X-Trail pricing and specifications 

The new third-generation T32 Nissan X-Trail arrives in Australian showrooms this week, with the popular mid-size SUV now offering the option of seven seats for the first time.The only other mid-size SUV to offer seating for seven is the Mitsubishi Outlander, but the cheapest seven-seat X-Trail – the $31,580 ST 2.5L auto 2WD – undercuts the cheapest seven-seat Outlander – the $36,490 LS 2.4-litre petrol auto 4WD – by nearly $5000. Seven-seat X-Trails cost barely $1000 more than equivalent five-seat models, but the Nissan lacks the Mitsubishi’s all-wheel drive.Within a smoother body than its angular predecessor, the new model rides on a 75mm longer 2705mm wheelbase, is 30mm wider at 1820mm, 10mm taller at 1710mm, but just 5mm longer overall at 4640mm. Much of the extra wheelbase length has gone into improving second row seating accommodation, with more heavily sculpted front seat backs further aiding knee room.The X-Trail range continues to be split into ST, ST-L and Ti trim levels, and each continue to be available in either two or all-wheel drive. The seven-seat layout is available in either ST or ST-L grades, but is limited to two-wheel drive only. All variants feature 40/20/40 EZ Flex sliding and reclining second row seating with ISOFIX and top tether child seat anchorage points, theatre-view seating, 80 degree wide-opening rear doors, a centre console can swallow a 10 inch tablet, and five-seat models feature the clever Divide ’N’ Hide Storage System.ST models come equipped with cruise control and air conditioning, a 5-inch multimedia screen with reversing camera, Bluetooth phone and audio via the NissanConnect system, proximity keys, and 17 inch alloys. The ST-L adds leather-accented trim, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, the multi-camera Around View monitor system with a 7-inch multimedia screen, satnav, digital radio, privacy glass, roof rails, and front fog lights.The top-tier Ti adds a sensor-activated power tailgate, blind-spot, moving object detection and lane departure driver alerts, powered sunroof, auto wipers and headlights, LED headlights and 18 inch alloys. The new X-Trail’s revised petrol drivetrains include a 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre, which gains 4kW/2Nm thanks to the addition of direct fuel injection and a compression ratio bump from 10.1-11.2:1. The still-port injected 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre gains just 1kW through a compression ratio boost from 9.6-10:1, and both are still happy to run on Regular 91RON unleaded.Turbodiesel variants will follow late in the third-quarter of the year, but in the meantime petrol fuel efficiency has improved marginally for equivalent new models. The 2.0-litre manual drops from 8.5-8.2L/100km, and the all-wheel drive 2.5-litre models drop from 9.1-8.3L/100km. The new two-wheel drive 2.5-litre models at 7.9L/100km are the efficiency headliners though, while the heavier seven-seat versions consume 8.1L/100km.Unlike the previous X-Trail, the 2.0-litre is now limited to the price-leading entry model, with all other petrol variants jumping to the 2.5-litre engine. The base 2.0-litre is now manual-only and the sole variant not to be equipped with an Xtronic CVT auto. The new X-Trail’s extended wheelbase has seen the turning circle grow by 0.3m to 11.3mm, while ground clearance has dropped by 5mm to 210mm and entry and departure angles have been reduced from 28-24.8 degrees and 24-17.3 degrees respectively.Despite marginally reduced clearance and the retention of a spacesaver spare wheel across the range, all-wheel drive models continue with Nissan’s All Mode 4x4-I system. This splits into three drive modes of either two-wheel drive, automatic four-wheel drive, or with drive locked 50:50 front-rear at speeds up to 40km/h.The new X-Trail is yet to be independently crash tested, so is yet to be awarded a star safety rating. However, all models are equipped with a standard reversing camera, dual front and side airbags, curtain airbags for the first two rows, stability control, ABS, EBD, brake assist, active ride and trace control, and hill assist.Weight is up slightly over equivalent previous variants, with gains of 6-37kg to now spread 1437-1574kg. Braked towing capacity is also now 1500kg across all petrol variants, down from the 2000kg of previous 2.5-litre models and matching the previous 2.0-litre manual.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn

Nissan has announced pricing and details of its new third-generation X-Trail mid-size SUV ahead of its local debut in March. The new model brings the availability of a seven seats for the first time, joining only the Mitsubishi Outlander to offer such a layout in the medium SUV segment.As before, the X-Trail lineup will be split into ST, ST-L and Ti trim levels, and each will continue to be available in either two or all-wheel drive. The seven-seat layout will be available in either ST or ST-L grades, but limited to two-wheel drive only.All models will feature 40/20/40 EZ Flex sliding and reclining second row seating with ISOFIX and top tether child seat anchorage points, theatre-view seating, 80 degree wide-opening rear doors, and five-seat models will feature the clever Divide ’N’ Hide Storage System.ST models will come equipped with cruise control and air conditioning, a 5-inch multimedia screen with reversing camera, Bluetooth phone and audio via the NissanConnect system, proximity keys, and 17 inch alloys.The ST-L will add leather-accented trim, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, the multi-camera Around View monitor system with a 7-inch multimedia screen, satnav, digital radio, privacy glass, roof rails, and front fog lights.The top-tier Ti  adds a sensor-activated power tailgate, blind-spot, moving object detection and lane departure driver alerts, powered sunroof, auto wipers and headlights, LED headlights and 18 inch alloys.The new X-Trail will launch with largely carryover petrol drivetrains, with the 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre gaining 4kW/2Nm and the 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre gaining 1kW, and turbodiesel variants will follow late in the third-quarter of the year.Unlike the existing X-Trail, the 2.0-litre will be limited to the price-leading entry model, with all other petrol variants jumping to the 2.5-litre engine. Also, the base 2.0-litre will now be manual-only and the sole variant not to be equipped with an Xtronic CVT auto. Nissan is yet to confirm fuel consumption figures for the new models, but expect marginal efficiency gains over outgoing versions.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn2014 Nissan X-Trail pricing (petrol models)Nissan X-Trail ST 2.0L manual 2WD – five seat- $27,990 (down $500)Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5L auto 2WD – five seat - $30,490Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5L auto 2WD – seven seat - $31,580Nissan X-Trail ST 2.5L auto 4WD – five seat - $33,980 (down $1410)Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2.5L auto 2WD – five seat - $36,190Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2.5L auto 2WD – seven seat - $37,190Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2.5L auto 4WD – five seat - $39,080 (up $90)Nissan X-Trail Ti 2.5L auto 4WD – five seat - $44,680 (down $410)

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSMini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family. The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)Lexus CT 200h: Lexus will complete the spindle grill-ification of its Australian lineup when it launches the mid-cycle refresh of the CT 200h hybrid hatch before July. Along with the stylistic alignment with the rest of the range, the new CT will feature revised suspension tuning and interior trim, with the possibility of sharpened pricing in the pursuit of sales volume. (Approximately $40,000-$58,000)Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Subaru Impreza WRX: Underwhelming or otherwise, Subaru’s new WRX performance sedan is due in late March, ahead of a hotter-again STI version by mid-year. (Approximately $40,000)Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance: The upgraded Golf GTI Performance pack will complete the GTI lineup during 2014, with an extra 7kW, bigger brakes, tricky diff, plus xenon headlights, LED taillights, 19 inch wheels, and alcantara added to the tartan cloth interior trim. (Approximately $47,990)Volkswagen Golf R: The all-wheel drive Golf R performance flagship is also expected in 2014, with 206kW and 380Nm promising performance to trump all before it. (Approximately $50,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. Approximately 37,000-56,000Infiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Skoda Octavia RS: The Czech brand will launch the hot Octavia RS in the second quarter, with the petrol version matching the new Volkswagen Golf GTI mechanically, and the diesel version is expected to continue with the same spec as the Golf GTD available overseas. (Approximately from $40,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)PEOPLE MOVERSHonda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDBMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will also score similar SYNC-inclusive revisions at around the same time, ahead of the same 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Isuzu MU-X: Isuzu will introduce the seven-seat MU-X in January, with the company’s first SUV sharing much of its design with the D-Max ute and Holden Colorado and Colorado 7 models. The MU-X will be equipped with the same 3.0-litre diesel engine as the D-Max, and offer family 4WD toughness for a lot less than Toyota’s Prado. (Approximately $40,500-$53,500)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Mercedes-Benz GLA: Mercedes will bring the new A-Class-based GLA SUV to our shores in May, with the all-new model taking the fight to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in the premium compact SUV segment. Priced from about $45,000, the GLA will be available in front or 4MATIC all-wheel drive and engines from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre GLA200 and 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre GLA250 petrols, and 100kW/300Nm 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI and 125kW/350Nm 2.2-litre GLA220 CDI turbodiesel options. (Approximately from $45,000)Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Mitsubishi will introduce its first hybrid model in April, in the form of the plug-in hybrid Outlander SUV. Priced from about $50,000, the Outlander PHEV promises Holden Volt-rivalling efficiency for about $10,000 less, and wrapped within a more practical SUV body. (Approximately from $50,000)Nissan Pathfinder hybrid: Nissan will complete its new Pathfinder SUV lineup in the second quarter, with the addition of a new petrol-electric hybrid variant to help silence the naysayers lamenting the lack of a diesel option in the new model. The 187kW/329Nm hybrid drivetrain uses a 15kW electric motor paired with a supercharged 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engine, resulting in a claimed 25 per cent fuel efficiency gain. (Approximately $55,000-$60,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Skoda Octavia Scout: The Octavia RS will be followed by the jacked-up Scout AWD variant in about mid-year. (Approximately $40,000-$45,000)Toyota Kluger: Toyota will introduce the third-generation of its Kluger large SUV in the first quarter, with the all-new larger model promising improved seating for seven and fresh styling, but its continued reliance on a petrol V6 might threaten its sales success next to the diesel and hybrid options offered by most rivals. (Approximately $40,000-$60,000)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000) 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)