Hatchback Reviews

Wow, what an impressive car. Kia's new Proceed GT took us by surprise especially as our expectations for it were of a slightly different take on the Kia Koup - which we like but not nearly as much as we like the European made Proceed GT. They all spin off the Cerato small car platform but you wouldn't know it from the drive feel. PRICE / FEATURESThe Proceed GT is a sports hatch in the truest sense offering nearly as much as some of the premium European coupes and hatches at seriously less money. The Proceed GT we drove goes for $29,990 with the Tech version adding $3500 despite being exactly the same under the skin. We wouldn't bother upgrading to the Tech, as the GT offers more than enough.Standard on the GT is cruise control, black dash fascia, seven inch info screen with multi trip computer, user select car set-up options, multiple digital infotainment connectivity, dual zone climate control, steering wheel control buttons and a clean air module. There's also a reverse camera, park assistance, heated exterior mirrors, puddle lamps, side skirts and spoiler, cornering lamps and dual outlet chrome exhaust.Both the GT and Tech models have leather upholstery while the Proceed has a clever dual mode instrument pod that reads out analogue style or in digital display. Love the red stitching on the seats.DESIGN / STYLING We love the way it looks too – something completely different and classy in a wedge shape capable of carrying five people and their luggage. While the Kia Koup is a two door with a boot, the Proceed is a three door hatchback and there are plenty of other differences inside and out particularly the detail exterior trim on Proceed which features splashes of chrome and those really neat ice cube LED daytime driving lights. ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONPower comes from a 1.6-litre, direct injection, turbo four cylinder with variable cam timing both sides and a twin scroll turbo integrated into the exhaust manifold.It's a high tech unit and achieves 150kW/275Nm output – rather conservative in the greater scheme of things but sufficient. Fuel economy on regular octane is rated at 7.4-litres/100km. No auto is offered so you'll have to be happy with the slick shifting six-speed manual.DRIVINGThe Proceed GT is one of the better front drive performance cars going around at present thanks in part to its Australian fettling. They take the car out onto real Aussie roads with a bunch of different suspension and steering bits, a computer and change things around until it's right.We reckon the Proceed looks better and the Australianised dynamics (also on Koup) give a satisfying, engaged drive feel. That could be down to the multi-mode steering with sharp, firm responses. It could be down to the taut ride control with multi-link rear suspension and the strong brakes coupled with Michelin Pilot 18-inch rubber. It could also be the responsive engine but is probably the whole package. Whatever, owners will love the way this car drives and feels from behind the wheel. It's a bit on the quiet side in exhaust terms though.It has plenty of get-go and revs strongly to about 6500rpm where the action stops. Through corners it's stable and flat with nicely weighted steering and great grip from the tyres. The brakes are impressive. No bump steer or torque steer to be concerned about either.

Joshua Dowling road tests and reviews the Mazda 3 diesel.

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the Mazda 3 Maxx hatch, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Wow. Besides being much nearer to the Golf in terms of quality, this car is about five grand cheaper than expected. It gets the same turbocharged engine as the GTI, sports suspension with adaptive chassis control, progressive steering and even the trick XDL differential lock. PRICE / FEATURESPrices for the sedan start from $36,490, or $38,790 for the auto - while the diesel adds $1000 to the price tag (wagon is $1350 extra in any denomination). In comparison the GTI in standard form is priced from $41,990 or $44,490 for the auto.The interior of the RS is dominated by a huge 8 inch navigation screen, with a proximity sensor that pops up the menu system before your fingers reach the screen.The DVD-based system infotainment system features eight speakers, Apple video functionality, two SD card slots, Bluetooth phone functionality, voice control, JPEG viewer - with 64Gb of internal memory. ENGINE / TRANSMISSIONThe petrol engine produces 162kW/350Nm while the diesel delivers 135kW/380Nm. The petrol engine is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG dual clutch auto, while the diesel is available only with the auto. Gear change paddles are standard with the DSG change as are auto stop-start and brake energy recuperation.Fuel consumption for the petrol engine is a claimed 6.6 litres/100km and for the diesel, 5.2 litres/100km – but beware it takes 98 strength petrol (we were getting 9.2 after 360km.The handbrake in the RS (another point of difference) is a traditional mechanical device while the GTI gets an electronic one. DESIGN / STYLINGFinally they've done something about that awful front grille and it actually looks okay. The new grille is underscored a honeycomb-style air dam, with fog lights and new bi-xenon lights with integrated LEDs. The car is also longer and wider than before, with a 102mm longer wheelbase.Red brake callipers are standard and it rides on 18 inch alloys, with 225/40 tyres. Inside the RS sport seats are available in an attractive combination of leather and fabric, or optional Alcantara leather with red stitching. There is also a sporty three-spoke wheel a colour multi-function display. RS badges adorn the steering wheel, gearshift, door sills, seats and floor mats.SAFETYGets a full five stars for crash safety. Comes with nine airbags as well as some newly developed, active safety systems including multi-collision brake with automatic braking action engaged after an accident, Passenger Protect Assist and Fatigue Detection. Front Assist with emergency braking is also available in the optional Tech Pack. DRIVINGLooks good. Smooth and powerful. May lack some of the refinement of the GTI but at the price who gives a toss? Strong performance is underpinned by excellent ride and handling plus a roomy, comfortable cabin with enough rear legroom to accommodate adults - not to mention a large luggage area. By the way it may look like a sedan but is actually a lift-back.Because the Octavia is larger and heavier than the GTI it's a fraction slower out of the gates – 6.9 versus 6.5 secs for the dash from 0-100km/h. The two have a different track (distance between wheels) and wheelbase and a different suspension setup as well. Again who cares? 

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the Volkswagen Golf 110TDI Highline, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

NEW The Korea-built TK Barina got off to a rather rocky start when the Euro NCAP people could only give it a miserable 2-star rating. At a time when carmakers were making great strides in the area of safety the littlest Holden stood out for all the wrong reasons. But by 2008 things were looking up when it was given it

The Mitsubishi Mirage has become Australia’s favourite sub-light hatch since its return in 2012, with its fresh design and attractive starting price pushing it straight to the top of the sales charts.

The Citroen DS5 sits at the top of the top of the French brand’s premium lineup, above the DS3 and DS4 models.It’s not quite a replacement for the old C6 flagship though, being significantly smaller, and about half the price too.Despite its ‘5’ nomenclature, the DS5 borrows its underpinnings from the Citroen C4, not the larger C5, and the uniquely shaped DS5’s nearest rival would be the BMW 3 Series GT, but the Citroen costs significantly less.Unlike the BMW though, there’s no disputing the Citroen’s beauty, with cohesive shapes and lines throughout and exquisite detailing.The DS5’s aesthetic delights continue on the inside, with a luxuriously appointed interior that looks like it’s just rolled off a motor show stand.This automotive artform is also a practical five door hatch, with a useful 465-litre cargo area and folding seats, and it can tow up to 1500kg.There are a couple of design quirks though, including a lack of cupholders in the centre console, and the rear wiper is like watching a finger sweep the glass.On top of the leather and textured aluminium trim, the $51,990 DS5 diesel comes with heated front seats and a massaging driver’s seat, panoramic roof sections with electric blinds, a heads up display and satnav, and Xenon headlights that steer around corners.The PSA Group’s familiar 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine is the default engine choice, but this one’s the optional 2.0-litre turbodiesel which is well worth the extra 3 thousand dollars.With 120kW and 340Nm, it does a great job of moving the 1615kg DS5, and still returns a combined fuel figure of 6.1L/100km.Both engines come with a six-speed auto, which made good use of the diesel’s torque in our tester.The DS5 carries a full five star ANCAP rating, with dual frontal, side and curtain airbags, ABS, EBD and stability control.A reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors are also standard, but the DS5 does without collision alerts or blind-spot monitoring systems.On the road, the DS5 is a quiet and comfortable place to be, as long as the road is reasonably smooth.The ride is harsher than what you’d expect from a Citroen, and the steering is a bit vague and the torsion beam rear end can be skittish over mid-corner bumps.Overall, the DS5’s unique character and unquestionable style helps to mask its compromised chassis, and its relative value and load-lugging practicality score it more points again.The Citroen DS5 is an alternative choice in the premium mid-size segment, but it’s not a bad one, and it’s definitely a good looking one.

The Ford Focus Sport sits right in the middle of the third generation Focus lineup, above the Ambiente and Trend models, and below the Titanium and hot ST.

The Honda Civic DTi-S was the first Honda diesel to reach the Australian market. It has since been joined by the CR-V DTi-S and DTi-L