Hatchback Reviews

Buying European never looked so good at this price point.

Those who need a sensible car, yet who also enjoy spirited driving will find the Volkswagen Golf does a good job of meeting these apparently conflicting needs.Even by Australian standards the Golf has grown in size with each new model, going from small to small-medium and finally to medium in overall dimensions. This is partly to provide the extra space needed for occupant crash protection though there is some more interior room as well.Aussies tend to regard them more as transport for a family with preteen children, but if you live in an inner city area in Melbourne of Sydney you may need nothing more than a Volkswagen Golf to fill all your motoring needs. In Europe, the VW Golf is often seen as a full-sized car and it's not unusual to see them carting four large adults about.Golf is chiefly sold as a three- or five-door door hatchback. A 'Golf' four-door sedan was called the Bora from 1999 until the launch of the fifth generation model in 2005, when it was renamed Jetta. Boot space in the sedans is substantially better than in the hatches and the four-door models are certainly worth consideration.VW Golf Cabriolet was sold until 2003. It has good roll-over protection for an open-top car and still offers a reasonable amount of space in the back seat. Access to the boot is difficult with the smallish boot lid sitting very low at the rear. The Cabriolet was replaced by the New Beetle Cabriolet, but in a surprise move, VW reintroduced the Golf Cabriolet in 2012.Engines come in various guises: petrol and diesel; with four-, five- and six-cylinder units. Four-cylinder petrol engines are the most common, coming in capacities of 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litres. The 1.6 will suit most drivers, but those who like to drive hard may find it a bit dull. The 1.4-litre is a brilliant, relatively recent, design and the little turbo unit provides performance with economy.Volkswagen in Australia started a big push in the diesel field several years ago and these engines are now far more common than in the past. With capacities of 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0 litres they provide plenty of grunt and turbo lag isn't too bad. Those who enjoy a really good drive should consider the VW Golf GTi. A fun machine for the keen driver, it's rapidly becoming regarded as a classic in the Australian hot-hatch market.Then there's the Golf R range of extreme hotshots. These traditionally had a large V6 engine – 3.2 litres in a smallish car gives plenty of performance. These are tagged as Golf R32. The mk6 Golf R, launched in 2011, takes a different tack, going for 2.0 litres and a high-pressure turbo. Disguising the smaller size of the engine is the change of name to simply Golf R - somehow it wouldn't have been right to replace the R32 with an R20.Six-speed manuals arrived with the fifth-generation Golfs in 2004 and are popular on the used scene. The DSG gearbox, also launched in 2004, is a self-shifting manual gearbox. It provides far better performance than the old-style four-speed automatics used until 2004. However, in those early days the dual-clutch DSG was often slow and awkward at very slow speeds, making it a pain in tight parking situations. Later DSGs have been improved, but still aren't as good as conventional automatic transmissions.This VW is a relatively easy car to work on and spare parts are not overly expensive. The dealer network has expanded from a low point during the mid-1990s and nowadays we hear very few complaints about parts availability or servicing.Insurance charges are about average for an imported European vehicle on most Golf and Jetta models. The high-performance Golf GTi may attract higher premiums, the Golf R32 and Golf R almost certainly will cost you a lot more.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust isn't common in Golfs and is more likely to be the result of bad crash repairs than vehicle design. Have the car inspected professionally, or find another one. Older Golfs that have been kept in the open continuously may suffer from sun-dried dashboard tops and rear parcel shelves.Feel and look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels. Engines should start quickly. Listen for untoward engine noises, especially when it's cold. Look for smoke from the exhaust when the engine is driven hard, particularly on long uphill runs. Make sure a manual gearbox doesn't crunch on fast downchanges.Check that dual-clutch transmissions are positive in their shifts and don't hesitate too much at very low speeds. Be sure the brakes pull the car up evenly. If ABS is fitted you should feel a pulsing through the pedal during hard stops.CAR BUYING TIPAn area to check early in the piece is the top of the rear bumper. Careless owners may have rested luggage on it while loading the car. And careless luggage packers may also be careless drivers, even careless about having servicing carried out according to schedule. 

That 21st century automotive niche, the hot five-door coupe, has a new member in the shape of the Renault Clio GT

A sensuous sculpture that stimulates desire; voluptuous curves that make you want to reach out and caress. It's not a line from a Hollywood romance blockbuster, but a quote from the chap who designed the new Renault Clio.In the case of the just-arrived Clio GT, the object of desire is more of a warm number than a serious hottie, but with the coolest of looks. And a lot of very nice equipment. The GT is an interesting mix. It looks just like the high-performance RS model, but has a cleverly-engineered 1.2-litre turbo motor that's more attuned to economy than performance.PRICE / FEATURESThe GT perched about midway between the three-cylinder Clio and the fiery RS, starting from $25,290 for the standard version and $28,790 for the Premium. Both have the 88kW/190Nm four-pot 1.2 engine which drives the front wheels through a superb EDC six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission from Getrag.The Clio GT also has a chassis specially designed for keener handling, with stiffer springs and dampers than in the standard Clio range and it rides on 17-inch alloys shod with lo-pro Michelin Primacys.Standard gear includes cruise control, rear parking sensors, twin exhausts, tinted glass, keyless entry and start, automatic climate control, auto-on wipers and headlights, Renault's Media nav system with Bluetooth connectivity and RS Drive with Normal and Sport modes. Plus an advanced speaker system. The RS button instantly adjusts the steering, accelerator and transmission settings for a sportier drive. For the extra $3500 the GT Premium adds R-Link entertainment system, reversing camera, a fixed glass sunroof and leather upholstery.DRIVINGWe squirted the Clio GT through the ups, downs and curves of the Great Dividing Range around Victoria's King Lake district, and enjoyed its quick steering and confident road manners. The EDC changes cogs in milliseconds when in RS mode and there's a choice of gearstick or paddleshift. The nicely-bolstered seats gave good support, the steering wheel is fully adjustable, visibility was fine and the car handled road imperfections very well.The direct-injection engine is not the most powerful in its class, but the handling package makes the GT a pretty quick point-to-point machine, and in RS mode, the revs run into outer space. Zero to 100km/h comes up in 9.5 seconds and the top end is good for just on 200km/h. More importantly, fuel consumption is a very impressive 5.2L/100km, with CO2 emissions rated at 120g/km.The voluptuous curves and minute shutlines also give it a dynamic coupe appearance, although it's really a practical five-door hatch with proper adult-sized back seat accommodation. Renault reckons it's got the measure of class rivals like Peugeot 208 Allure, Citroen's DS3, the Fiesta Ecoboost and Suzuki Swift Sport.VERDICTThe Clio GT is quite pricey, but you do get a lot for your money built into a classy, sexy little number with big headlights and other features that make you want to reach out and caress.Renault Clio GTPrice: from $25,290Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol, 88kW/190NmTransmission: 6 speed dual clutch auto, FWDThirst: 5.2L/100km

When the Kia Soul first launched it was clearly targeting the youth buyer. With its building-block body shape, offbeat colours and 'tattoo' decal personalisation options it had facets of a kid's toy.

Other than sharing names, the Holden Cruze models introduced to Australia in June 2009 bear no relationship to the Holden Cruze 4WD sold here between 2002 and 2006.The 2009 Cruze is a four-door sedan from South Korea, though it has a fair bit of Australian design in its style and also mechanically. Most Cruzes are built in Holden factories in Adelaide, though the initial imports came from a Korean factory.For a supposedly small car, Holden Cruze is quite large and offers good leg and shoulder room for four adults. Three children plus mum and dad is a breeze in Cruze.The Cruze sedan was joined by a five-door hatchback in November 2011. The revised rear end to create the body was virtually all done in Australia and is sold in many countries globally. A station wagon further increased the body options when it was introduced in January 2013.As befits an (almost) local car Holden Cruze is powered by a variety of engines: a 1.8-litre petrol engine, a 2.0-litre, turbo-diesel and a semi sporty unit in the form of a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol. The latter comes with the bonus of a more sophisticated suspension setup and is much favoured by those looking for something out of the ordinary.Buyers originally had a choice of a five-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission, with the auto being the most popular. A six-speed manual is offered with the turbo-petrol and diesel models. During our testing we found the turbo-diesel engine to be noisier than average for this class, it also suffers from turbo lag. Changes to later cars made it slightly better, but try for yourself. Quality of fit and finish is good, inside and out.Comfort is generally good and noise, vibration and harshness are well suppressed. Rough roads do challenge the suspension at times, but for its class Cruze is acceptable. There are Holden dealers just about everywhere in Australia, though you may not be able to get uncommon parts for the Cruze in remote locations. Generally parts can be shipped to the outback within a couple of working days.Cruze is reasonably easy for the home handyperson to do routine work. As always, keep clear of safety items unless you really know what you're doing. Having a workshop manual at your elbow is always a smart move.Insurance charges are a little lower than average for this class, reflecting the fact that a lot of components are made in this country. Premiums don't vary hugely from company to company, but it's still worth shopping around. Make sure you compare the fine print on what you're being offered.WHAT TO LOOK FORAs mentioned, build quality is pretty good as Holden factories were really getting into their stride in challenging European and Korean quality. It still makes sense to have a full inspection by a professional, after making initial checks to the best of your ability.Make sure the engine starts within a second or so of it turning over. Diesels are slower than petrols, but shouldn't take more than about three seconds to get up and running.After running the engine on a light load for a few minutes floor the throttle and make sure it picks up with a minimum of fuss. Automatic transmissions should change gear promptly, and not hunt overmuch from gear to gear.Look for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the front wheels. It could mean hard driving and/or that the wheels have been kerbed and knocked out of alignment. Check the interior for signs of harsh usage, particularly from bored little darlings in the back seat.Look at the condition of the boot, also check the top of the rear bumper as it's sometimes used as a resting place for heavy items while the boot is being loaded.CAR BUYING TIPA good area to start inspecting a car is at the left-front wheel and tyre. That's generally the spot that gets thumped by those who didn't score ten out of ten during parking lessons. And who may not be good at driving either...

Hyundai has pruned its Accent small car range with the previous flagship Premium model being dropped due to its closeness in price to the slightly larger i30 model

Designing a new Mini isn't easy. As with the Porsche 911, Fiat 500 and VW Beetle, a new Mini must not stray too far from the original.

The words family and Ferrari do not belong in the same sentence. Yet there is a Ferrari, the FF, which is surprisingly fine as a family friendly four-seater.

...each one personally signed by chief Horst von Sanden. Letters like this are often about a safety recall or mechanical drama. Not these.They are a personal apology because Benz cannot supply cars to the 500 Australians on the waiting list for its A45 and CLA45 AMG. It's not good news for the frustrated buyers, but it's a reflection of the way Benz has changed from an elitist brand for the right people with no crowding to a prestige company that's running and growing close to the mainstream.Benz still does ultra-luxury and ultra-costly cars like its S-Class limousine and the SLS gull-wing supercar, but more and more people are shopping the brand against a VW Golf or a Holden Calais or something from the middle-class mainstream. So you're more likely to see a three-pointed star on the road, a giant change.There was a time when that emblem on the nose was worth about $15,000 to the group, and a similar bonus for the owner at second-hand time. That's different now, with starting prices from $35,600 for an A180."Think Mastercard. Priceless," company spokesman David McCarthy says of the current value of the Benz badge. "Luxury is not just about price. It's about how the product makes you feel, how well it's made and how well it works." He argues the company is still a prestige brand, even though Mercedes-Benz is currently ranked 12th overall among the 60-plus makes selling in Australia."We are a premium brand in every way. That means premium equipment, premium safety and premium performance. Does that justify a premium? Yes," McCarthy says. "Luxury car buyers in Australia choose Mercedes-Benz more than any other brand, and there is a reason. It's because of the product we offer and where we are positioned. I don't accept that premium and some volume don't go together."How many seats on a plane are first class? Two or three per cent. That's about where we sit, too. We're premium, not premium economy." Lots of top-end stuff technology trickles down through the range after starting life in the S-Class flagship. That's already true of the impressive E-Class, which got a major update in 2013.But it's also true someone driving an S63 AMG that cost $385,000 - before dipping into the extras - is unlikely to be totally happy about the number of three-pointed stars hitting the road in Australia. "I don't agree it's devalued. Someone buying an S-Class might not be in market for an A-Class, but there could be someone else in the family who wants one," McCarthy says.And there is one other point, which also works for the company and its customers. Back in the 1990s, the average age of a Benz buyer was 57 and many had one foot in the grave. These days the average is in the 40s and there are plenty of 20 and 30-somethings in the A-Class family. "Our customers have the choice of luxury, and the luxury of choice," McCarthy says. Price: from $74,900Star rating: 4/5Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo, 265kW/450NmTransmission: 7-speed twin clutch auto; AWDThirst: 6.9L/100km  THE LOWDOWN Carsguide's Prestige Car of the year is fun at every level. Though powered by the usual AMG V8, but its turbo four is hugely impressive and the go-faster division has tweaked almost everything to ensure it sits comfortably in the range with cars like the C63 and SLS gull-wing. Price: from $59,990 (C200)Star rating: 4/5Engine: 1.8-litre 4-cyl turbo, 135kW/270NmTransmission: 7-speed auto, RWDThirst: 6.8L/100km  THE LOWDOWN You can get a great deal on the current C-Class and it tops the 3 Series from BMW without much trouble despite hitting its run-out period. But it's the new one you really want. The new C is a condensed S-Class and that means it will easily lead its class as well as delivering more luxury than anything ever seen for its size and price. Price: from $82,900 (M250)Star rating: 3.5/5Engine: 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel; 150kW/500NmTransmission: 7-speed auto, AWDThirst: 6.4L/100km  THE LOWDOWN When Benz dropped the price of its M-Class starter into the $80,000 range it made a BMW X5 look pricey. The BlueTEC diesel engine loses nothing in performance and provides remarkable economy, while the rest of the package is exactly what you'd expect in a Benz.SECOND-HANDAUSTRALIANS love SUVs, but the best bet in a second-hand Benz is a wagon. The C-Class and E-Class haulers have been remarkably good cars for decades and the latest models bring everything from AMG go-faster ability to a seven-seater cabin in the E-Class.The choice is not as broad because fewer people buy them new, but the rise of SUVs also makes a second-hand wagon a good-value buy. Best of all, when you're driving one you would never know you were driving a wagon and not a sedan - until you reach the supermarket or go to load up the kids' bikes.