2026 Renault Master E-Tech Reviews

A two-seater with a rich history is set to lead Renault's renaissance in performance models.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Renault Clio RS 220 EDC Trophy with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Renault has added yet another commercial vehicle to its range, the 12-seater Master bus.

Sales figures show our car market is becoming more like the US.

The new year promises plenty of fresh metal in showrooms. We look at 10 key arrivals.If you've resolved to buy a new car in 2016, these are the standout models among 50 new vehicles already confirmed to arrive in showrooms this year.Small hatches and SUVs dominate the list, reflecting our continued obsession with compact and high-riding cars respectively. The intense competition in Australia means we're spoiled for choice and carmakers are reacting by lifting interior quality and features to lure buyers with more than just a price tag.Truth be told, we're also becoming automotive snobs, as evidenced by the ever-rising proportion of top-spec models being sold and the growth of prestige brands outpacing mainstream marques. The good news is these cars are more likely to have standard active safety features … and the quicker new car buyers adopt the technology the sooner it will flow down into the secondhand market.In no particular order, here is CarsGuide's top 10 list of key contenders in 2016.Ditching the thirsty V6 was a given for the upgraded seven-seat SUV but many wondered if Mazda would do a diesel version. The new 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine renders the question moot by delivering diesel-like fuel economy and torque with the responsiveness of a petrol engine. Throttle response has been softened to smooth out short stop-start hops in peak-hour traffic and the steering ratio has been eased so the CX-9 now isn't quite as quick to turn the front wheels, both traits buyers of the big SUV should approve of. CarsGuide guestimates a price of around $42,000 when the Mazda arrives mid-year.There's no little irony in the fact a lower, stiffer body will make the new Prius handle better than ever before … and be no quicker because the people who buy Priuses value fuel economy above all else. As a result power from the 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor has been substantially trimmed in search of better fuel numbers, rumoured to be as good as 3.2 litres/100km. We'll still make do with nickel metal hydride batteries, though, while US and Euro buyers will get lithium-ion packs. Interior upgrades extend from gloss white highlights throughout the cabin to an instrument cluster that has been shifted to the centre of the dash and angled towards the driver. Expect prices to start around $35,000 when it arrives in February.It is a case of evolution rather than revolution for the new Elantra, despite a major overhaul inside and out. The car is longer and wider than the current model and adopts the corporate trapezoidal grille, yet the overall shape and panel creases are very similar. The engine is a carryover 2.0-litre four-cylinder and the interior quality has been lifted with classier materials. A reversing camera will be standard on all models in the range. Don't expect a dramatic jump in the existing $20,000 starting price when the new Elantra goes on sale early in the year.Quality plastics take on a new meaning with the Megane, which adopts plastic front guards and a tailgate to help cut weight. Renault has focused on improved quality to help the Megane stand out in the congested small car pack and top-spec versions will use an 8.7-inch touchscreen. Engine choices will include turbocharged 1.2-litre and 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrols and a 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel. The 1.6 will be reserved for the GT model, which bridges the performance gap between the regular cars and the sporty RS specials. Prices are expected to start close to the existing model's $21,000 mark when the new range arrives in September or October.More boot space in the second-generation Tiguan addresses one of the main criticisms of the first model and should improve the car's prospects with small families. The small SUV is wider, longer and lighter than its predecessor. The expected equipment upgrades include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection and lane-keeping assist. Expect to see the VW Group's 12.3-inch digital driver's display — first used in the Audi TT — on top-spec models. Touchscreen sizes range from five to eight inches. Due late this year, the Tiguan should start at $30,000 for the entry model.Expect to see more attention to styling and interior detail when the new Impreza arrives as the first model to use Subaru's modular platform. The concept car shown in Tokyo in October points to a more style-driven look intended to complement Subaru's safety reputation. The concept is shorter and wider than the current production car meaning the new model should have significantly better shoulder room without losing too much boot space. The engine is expected to be a revised version of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit. Subaru hopes to have the Impreza in by late 2016 and it should come with a low-$20,000 tag. The brand will also launch the Levorg, a high-performance wagon that should whet the appetites of those who remember the 2003 Liberty GT. It will arrive mid-year with a price just north of $40,000.The fourth generation of Kia's popular mid-sized SUV has grown by 40mm and has a much more dramatic front end, highlighted by the four ice-cube styled daytime running lights sitting high at each corner. It shares its chassis with the Hyundai Tucson and overseas reports indicate that's no bad thing. The interior is typically austere but loaded with soft plastics in all the places occupants are likely to touch and an eight-inch touchscreen sits in the centre of the dash on top-spec models. The Sportage is due next month with prices predicted to start around $28,000.When a car is replaced three years after launch, there isn't much doubt it didn't do the job. The good news is the 10th-generation model looks and reportedly drives better than its predecessor. This car is a big deal for Honda and potentially for buyers as it will debut the company's first turbocharged engine, paired with a chassis Honda says is 25 per cent stiffer. Base models are expected to continue with the naturally aspirated 1.8-litre engine. The Civic was a staple of the small car sales mix and the Australian arm will be desperate to recover some of the lost ground. Expect prices to start shy of $20,000 before on-road costs when the Civic arrives mid-year.A UK-sourced five-door Astra will give Holden the ammunition to take aim at class leaders like the Mazda3. The top-spec cars are fitted with high-tech features including autonomous emergency braking, auto-dimming high-beam headlights and a massage seat for the driver. The turbocharged 1.6-litre engine proved the pick of the engines tested at its international launch and is already doing duty in the three-door Astra on sale here. Transmissions will be six-speed manuals and autos. Australians bought 235,000 European-built Astras from 1996-2009 and Holden needs this model to emulate that success. Prices are expected to start around $22,000 when the Astra goes on sale late this year.The cult-following for the go-fast Focus is likely to become mainstream mania when the new model arrives. Power from the 2.3-litre turbo engine exceeds that of the Golf R and WRX STi, making this one of the bang for your buck specials of the year. To tame the 257kW/440Nm Ford has switched from front-wheel to all-wheel drive. It is also the first time the RS will be sold as a regular production model rather than a limited edition special. Software-based party tricks include torque vectoring (where power is shifted to the wheels with the most grip through corners) and a "drift mode". The speedy Ford hatch is due mid-year starting at $50,990.

John Carey road tests and reviews the Renault Megane GT with specs, fuel consumption and verdict at its international launch.

Contractors and chippies can do the heavy lifting, mostly with a regular car licence.

The end of the year is slow for van sales, as couriers and tradies get ready for the summer break. But it's turned out to be a good time to buy, with a few hot deals on selected models.

Renault Captur is a stylish city car that’s virtually a Renault Clio with a taller five-door hatch body. It joins a sudden rash of small crossover SUVs that are taking Australia by storm. In fact these vehicles are also a hit in global markets, particularly in Europe where parking in increasingly crowded cities is a huge problem.Note the word styling in our opening to this story, because that’s the number one reason people are giving us when we talk about their buying a Renault Captur. Interestingly, favourable responses are coming to us not only from youngsters who appreciate French style, but also from the over 60s who appreciate the ease of entry and exit from taller cars.While relatively small on the outside, Renault Captur has space for four adults in comfort. Mum and dad in the front and three pre-teen kids in the back is likely to be the typical Australian setup and works well in this tall hatch.Versatility is excellent as the rear seat slides back and forwards to let you choose between passenger and luggage space. Headroom is plentiful for all but the tallest of basketball players.Captur is sold in the usual Renault models of Expression and Dynamique, the recommended retail price begins at a pretty reasonable $22,990.Renault Captur was shaped by legendary car stylist Laurens van den Acker. He is from the Netherlands and can be regarded as a modern day Dutch Master working in three dimensions, following up on of the famed Dutch Master artists of the 17th century.Van den Acker has been in the car industry for many years, moving around from Bugatti to Audi, Ford and Mazda and now appears happily settled with Renault. He has given the Captur quirky interesting lines and designs inside and out, led by a strong front shaped around the Renault diamond badge.The kick up in the window line at the rear works well in the way it joins the roof-mounted rear spoiler. Also appealing are the deeply sculpted lines of the lower part of the doors.The style lines of Captur’s body are further enhanced by being offered in a large palette of bright colours, many of them to provide a two-tone paint scheme.You can choose from different colours in the cabin as well, both on the major surfaces and the detailed trim on the dash and doors.Even better, the seat covers can be zipped off and replaced by new ones in different colours, or simply removed for easy cleaning.Captur has a multimedia system controlled through a 7-inch tablet-type screen accessing satnav, radio, phone and networking apps. Audio sounds good without being outstanding. USB, Bluetooth and Aux make connectivity easy.Renault Captur is powered by either a 0.9-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 62kW, or a 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol with 88kW. The power number translates into 90 and 120 horsepower, hence the Captur models being labelled TCe 90 and TCe 120.The Captur TCe 90 comes only with a five-speed manual gearbox. All TCe 120 models drive through a six-speed double-clutch automatic.Our test car on this occasion was a Captur TCe 120. It came in a latte coloured lower body and deep black roof. The interior disappoints in being finished in various shades of grey, though the white stitching on the dark-grey seats does lift it a little, and there are some chromed highlights.Renault was the first car maker ever to achieve a five-star safety rating and Captur obviously continues this important tradition. It only requires six airbags to achieve this, avoiding the extra knee bags some makers are forced to include.Child safety utilises ISOFIX child seat anchorage at the two outboard rear seats.Seat comfort and support are good in the traditional French manner – those who live in that country certainly like to pamper themselves.The luggage area is tall and voluminous. The floor of the boot is reversible to give you either conventional carpet or a wash-down surface for carrying wet items. The boot floor can be set to give maximum height or can be raised by about 150mm to provide a hidden area underneath it.A particularly useful feature is that the boot floor can be set at a forty-five degree angle that gives support to grocery bags which insist on falling over and spreading their contents far and wide.Around town the Captur is quiet, comfortable and pleasant to ride in. On motorways it shifts along in a relaxed easygoing manner. However, it doesn’t like Australian country roads that are badly in need of repairs and moves about more on its suspension than we like.Handling is safe and competent, but nothing to get excited about; that’s the job of Captur’s little brother Clio which comes in both standard and exciting sports models.Engine performance from the four-cylinder turbo-petrol unit is good and generally gets the car moving promptly. The six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is mostly in the right gear for the conditions and works well with the characteristics of the turbo engine. It’s not as slow to react off the line as some other dual-clutch units, but can be mildly irritating at times.Low fuel consumption is impressive and more than compensates for the moderate performance. We typically used fuel in the low to mid fives in easy paced country and motorway running. In suburban driving we seldom saw more than seven litres per hundred kilometres.

How can the same car score five stars for crash safety in Europe and only four stars in Australia?