Hatchback Reviews

Italian carmaker Fiat is very big in Europe but had been quiet in the Australian passenger car scene for years before re-entering our market in July 2006 with the Punto, a small-medium hatchback. However, Punto was pretty expensive and didn't sell particularly well at the time, to the extent that it was pulled from

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the BMW 218d Active Tourer with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering, would you buy one?This 308 is the latest and greatest small hatchback from French manufacturer Peugeot. It's totally new from the tyres up - new platform, chassis, powertrains, styling inside and out, super efficient, lighter, safer.308 pricing kicks off at $21,990 for the petrol manual base model. The Allure drive car is $30,490.Heaps of them including VW Golf, Citroen C4, Ford Focus, Mazda3, Renault Megane, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and plenty more from all points of the compass.The test car had Peugeot's new three pot 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing hooked up to a conventional six speed auto from Japanese manufacturer Aisin driving the front wheels. It's good for 96kW/230 Nm output.Really well. Certainly better than expected and really, this is all the engine you need in a 308. You can barely hear it running and it has plenty of grunt for all driving applications. It's a good example of Peugeot's new 'smaller is better' engine philosophyYep, 5.1L/100km not a problem - prefers premium unleaded, but right now that's fairly cheap.No rating available, but we suspect it would get five stars due to Euro6 credentials, engine stop/start, slippery aerodynamics, low rolling resistance and friction reduction in the powertrain. Weighs a lot less than before too.Five stars.Yes, seats are comfy and the ride is a good compromise between sporty and comfort. Has plenty of kit to enhance travel time, even a particle filter in the aircon.Really good. Not a sporty hatch by any stretch, but the drive feel is engaging and dynamics are competent. You won't get into any trouble. The engine's good off the mark and through the rev range and though it sometimes rushes to a high gear, the triple plugs away and gets the 308 going pronto. Love the small wheel and the tight turning circle. Responsive steering too.Yes, at $21,990 its a Euro bargain. The $30 grand plus price of the test car not so much.

Launched to an amazed world in 1959 the Mini became a huge success worldwide as well as in Australia, with it being built in Sydney for years. It faded from the 1980s onwards though some variants were still being made overseas till the year 2000. The British motor industry was in serious trouble for many years and

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the 2015 Mazda 3 XD Astina with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Anderson road tests and reviews the Mini Cooper D 5-door with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the 2015 BMW i3 range extender with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the 2015 Peugeot 308 GT with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The top-end marques respond by pushing hard into what was mainstream brand territory only a few years ago.That's why the "big three" — Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — posted better than 10 per cent growth last year in a market that dipped by 2 per cent.It's still a case of you get what you pay for, so CarsGuide has looked at the cheapest (as distinct from best value) entries in the major car segments.This is the cheapest way to buy membership to the prestige club, but it's a basic package. First impressions are good, with the distinctive shield grille helping the supermini stand out. Inside though, only the Alfa badge on the steering wheel hub gives any clue this is a product from a premium brand.Still, Alfas are all about the driving and for the money, there's a spirited 900cc turbo engine matched to suspension that's much improved from the previous series.It is a long way off the perfect prestige car but it is the best buyers can expect at this price point.{C}{C}A Giulietta is a lot closer to what we expect from Alfa than the MiTo, even if it's not the car Alfisti want. The Giulietta adds rear doors and a lot more flair in cabin styling and performance. If buyers can find the extra $6500, this is the Alfa to own... at least until the Giulia heralds the return of rear-wheel-drive Alfas when it launches later this year.The Giulietta's suspension is generally well sorted and the turbo 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine gives this five-door enough fizz to be a fun drive.For CarsGuide, this is the prestige entry point.Now we're cooking. The A3's interior finish looks as though it was assembled using a jeweller's loupe and the materials are a step up from that found in the VW Golf. The design inside and out is minimalist but classy.A turbo four-cylinder engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch auto and has the neat party trick of dropping two cylinders under light load to help achieve a claimed fuel use of 4.7L/100km.The handling compromise is spot-on: breezing over city bumps while still hanging tough through the twisty stuff.The entry level 3 Series is basically a price spoiler for CarsGuide's Car of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Potential owners could save $8000 (the difference between the 316i and the Benz C200) but will miss out on luxury items.Performance won't set the world on fire but the eight-speed auto makes the most of the available urge. It handles well through the corners and around town. A six-speed manual is available for the same price.The faux leather seats look the goods even if they're manually adjustable rather than electric. Standard gear includes dual-zone aircon, 6.5-inch display with satnav and rear parking sensors.The Leaping Cat pounced on the large car segment with the XF, which now trails only the Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series in sales. There's good reason for that — the 2.0-litre turbo engine is a willing performer, if a touch thirsty, and is backed by a smooth eight-speed auto.Slide into the leather and suede front seats and first-time occupants will be impressed by the party tricks. The rotary transmission control rises out of the centre console and the air vents swivel open.Rear space isn't superb, but the Jag exudes old-world style supplemented by modern technology.Not so long ago you'd have been a fool to consider a Lexus sports car. Now you'd be a fool not to. The RC350 has striking looks — though some won't appreciate the massive spindle grille — and the poise and performance to back it up. A 3.5-litre V6 powers the rear wheels and the 100km/h sprint time is 6.1 seconds despite its hefty 1740kg.A four-year warranty and resale value of 56 per cent after three years are worth noting too.Standard kit includes LED headlamps, satnav, 10-speaker audio and heated/ventilated seats.The poor man's prestige drop-top embodies fun, from the wind-in-the-hair sensation to a sensational handling package. The 1.6-litre engine is no rocket — there's a turbocharged Cooper S for more oomph — but it is a willing performer in partnership with a six-speed manual gearbox (auto adds $2350).Practicality isn't part of the package with minuscule boot space and rear seats that shouldn't be occupied by much more than shopping bags. There's also wind noise and tyre roar with the top up or down.Live with that and the Mini is relatively cheap and extraordinarily cheerful.No, it's not all-wheel drive, but neither are many of its rivals. The 149mm ride height gives the Countryman enough clearance to negotiate rutted roads without challenging the 170mm clearance of an Audi Q3. Neither will be used for off-road duties, so the elevated drive position is the selling point here, along with a big (by Mini standards) 350L boot.It shares its 1.6-litre engine with the Mini Cabrio and rides almost as well, with just a touch more body roll through the turns.The most compelling aspect is the price, which is $8000 less than an Audi Q3 and $14,000 below a BMW X1.The five-door model doesn't quite have the drop-dead looks of its three-door sibling but is a more functional car to live with — and it is $2500 cheaper. The diesels have the lowest prices in the range, as the petrol variant is positioned as the performance model.The 2.2-litre turbo diesel is matched to a six-speed manual, making this front-wheel drive a frugal vehicle to operate. Claimed fuel use is 5.0L/100km There's plenty to admire inside, from the partial leather seats to the soft-touch dash and elegant switch layout. The base model — dubbed eD4 — has a five-inch TFT multimedia screen and rear parking sensors but can't be had with a reversing camera or air vents for the back seat.There are still ways to get a touch of luxury, if not outright prestige, in the major segments.The big all-wheel-drive wagon sits 210mm clear of the road, giving it more than enough room to clamber over kerbs and ride roughshod over piles of snow at the local ski field.Backed by a 575L boot, it is a hugely capable getaway machine.The Volvo is all about cruising in comfort, so the intentionally cosseting ride comes at the expense of cornering ability.The base diesel engine has more than enough go but some expected gear — like a powered tailgate and satnav — require a dip into the extensive options list.

Jazz is the smallest Honda model sold in Australia. Launched here in October 2002, the latest edition Jazz was introduced in 2014. It has caused quite a few of the older models to be traded in, so there may be some bargains as dealers work to shift the trade-ins from their yards.To keep the price down the Jazz is built in Thailand. We have visited Honda's Thai plant and can attest to Honda's emphasis on quality control.Honda Jazz has a high roofline to maximise interior space in what is a relatively small bodyHandling of the little Honda is good if roads are reasonably smooth, but it can be bounced about on bumps. On surfaces that suit it, the Jazz turns in easily, is happy to change direction in corners and is generally well set up for everyday driving. Enthusiastic drivers may find it a little lacking in steering precision.Honda Jazz has a high roofline to maximise interior space in what is a relatively small body. It can seat four adults without too much compromising on legroom. In Australia it's more likely to carry one or two people, but we've spoken to families with young children, who say their Jazz meets their needs and are more than impressed with the car.The Jazz has one of the best folding rear seat designs of them allThere's reasonably easy entry to the back seat, but some may find the rear door opening is a little tight in the original 2002 model. Those sold from the new model of August 2008 are much better.The Jazz, indeed many Hondas, has one of the best folding rear seat designs of them all. The seat slides backwards and forwards to let you juggle between people and/or luggage. Even better, it can be folded in a few seconds to create a very large luggage area. The front passenger seat backrest can be reclined all the way down to let you carry long loads extending from the dashboard to the rear window.August 2008 saw the introduction of the second generation Jazz. It kept the same general styling theme as the gen-one, but is larger overall and sits on a longer wheelbase. The result is significantly more room inside, particularly in the rear area of the cabin. Boot space increased and the 60/40 split rear seats can be folded flat without having to slide the front seats a few notches forward as in the original model.At the same time the body was more rigid to improve NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) entry into the cabin.Honda Jazz comes with a 1.3- or 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine. Though the engine sizes remained in the second-generation Jazz, they were an all-new design. Power and torque were increased, yet fuel consumption and exhaust emissions came down. The torque graph was stretched to give more grunt at the bottom end of the rev range.The gen-one Jazz has a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 1.5 CVT comes with a sports mode offering seven preset gear ratios, it's controlled though steering wheel paddles. The 1.3-litre engine runs purely as an automatic.Controversially, Honda decided to go back to a conventional torque-converter automatic transmission in the gen-two Jazz, saying some drivers didn't like the characteristics of the CVT.While the Jazz is reasonably easy for the amateur mechanic to work on, there is some under-bonnet crowding that's inevitable on a car of this size. Keep a workshop manual at your side and don't attempt any safety related work unless you're qualified to do so.If you want a Honda Jazz with a larger boot you can choose the Honda CityThe Honda Australia dealer network is widespread in the heavily populated areas, but isn't all that established in remote areas. We seldom hear of any real hassles with getting hold of spare parts, but if you are concerned about this it may be smart to make local enquiries before falling too deeply in love with one of these cute little models. Spare parts prices for Hondas are more reasonable now than they have been in the past.Insurance costs for Honda Jazz generally sit in the mid-range of the field. There doesn't appear to be any real differentiation between companies on premium charges. It's always wise to spend some time shopping around for the best deal, though.If you want a Honda Jazz with a larger boot you can choose the Honda City, a Jazz with a four-door sedan rear end.Check that the engine starts easily and responds quickly and positively to the throttle, even when it's completely cold.A continuously variable transmission should react quickly to changes in throttle position and road conditions. As a CVT sounds and feels different to conventional automatics, have an expert drive it if you are not confident it's working correctly.Make sure the brakes stop the car without any pulling to one side and that no one wheel locks while the others are still turning.It makes a lot of sense to get a professional inspection after carrying out initial checksLook over the interior to make sure it hasn't suffered at the hands of uncaring owners, especially bored young kids.Bodywork should be undamaged and free from rust. Corrosion is not common unless the car has been poorly repaired after a smash.As always, it makes a lot of sense to get a professional inspection after carrying out initial checks to the best of your ability.