Sedan Reviews

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Volvo S60 T5 Drive-E, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Graham Smith road tests and reviews the used 2001-2004 Lexus IS200.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Hyundai Genesis, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Neil Dowling road tests and reviews the Mercedes-Benz CLA250 Sport, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the used 2002-2010 Jaguar X-Type.

Alistair Kennedy road tests and reviews the F80 BMW M3, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

If you transport children from A to B, Monday to Friday, you maintain an air of sensible auto ownership - but with these $40K sedans you can still have a weekend solo drive.Check for a pulse. If there's still a gentle thump-thump present, that's a good start. Does it rise and fall with the engine revs and surge with centrifugal force in corners?That makes you a driver, someone who enjoys a ribbon of road and the challenge of smooth, spirited progress. But now practicalities may take precedence and gone are the days of punting a two-seater sports car along inclines and hairpins. Still, the opportunity arises occasionally for taking the long way with only one seat belt in use - yours.For the school run or Saturday sport, a sedan is the bare minimum requirement for getting the offspring to their destination. The same vehicle can also be used - if equipped appropriately - for a solo drive just to clear the driver's mind. But which $40K four-door is going to get both jobs done?1. Skoda Octavia RS 162TSI DSG - see other reviews Weekday - Still dwelling under the $40,000 mark, the Skoda Octavia RS is a $38,790 proposition in its automatic petrol form and it's the only one here with standard satnav, part of the intuitive touchscreen-controlled infotainment.The Czech brand's contestant also has a spacious cabin, if not quite as wide as that of the Holden. There's still plenty of space for five and the boot expands to 568L with the split-fold function - it's enormous.Sadly it misses out on a reversing camera but gets front and rear parking sensors with a clever info-graphic, based on the front wheel angle, to predict the car's path. Daily duties are a little less comfortable in the conservatively styled Skoda - ride quality is a touch firmer than the Holden, though not to the point of discomfort.The Czech ups the airbag count to nine, adding two rear side airbags. It also has rain-sensing wipers and automatic xenon headlights for well-lit night driving.Weekend - Just because the front wheels do all the work, it doesn't mean the Skoda handles like a demented dog on lino - the VW Group's drivetrain boffins have applied electronic trickery to keep traction and torque steer in check and make the most of the engine's outputs in the bends.It's enthusiastic in cornering, with the 2.0-litre turbo four producing a useful 162kW and 350Nm (well-spread for flexibility across the rev range) but it needs 98 RON fuel to generate those numbers. Thankfully, it only drinks at a claimed rate of 6.6L/100km, helped by the least kerb weight and only marred by a touchy brake pedal.Price: from $38,790 (auto adds $2300) Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Capped servicing: 6 years/90,000km, total $2994 Service interval: 12 months/15,000km Resale: 45 per cent Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 162kW/350Nm Transmission: 6-speed DSG; FWD Thirst: 6.6L/100km, on test 9.9L, 154g/km CO2 Tank 50L Dimensions: 4.7m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1417kg  2. Subaru WRX CVT - see other reviewsWeekday - Subaru has returned its WRX to sedan form and with constantly variable transmission it comes to $40,990, just breaching our nominal price barrier. The six-speed manual is fine on the right road but for daily drudgery the CVT is a much smoother option.The Subaru's ride quality is the least suitable here for the patchwork of bitumen masquerading as main roads. If you don't mind being an extrovert then the WRX is a contender - LED headlights, body skirts and bonnet scoops make it stand out a little more than the other two.The cabin has more room than you'd expect from a first glance at the exterior, only really falling short of the others in rear headroom and the absence of rear vents. Bootspace is the smallest but not restrictive at 460L, and the Subaru also can expand on that with the 60-40 split rear backrests.The Sube gets the safety benefit of all-wheel drive, reversing camera (but no sensors), seven airbags (the usual six plus one for the driver's knees). The dearer Premium variant adds dusk-sensing lights, rain-sensing wipers and satnav.Weekend - Here's where the WRX comes firing back into contention - clever AWD and the tied-down chassis generate stupendous grip and drive out of corners, exploiting the turbo flat-four's 197kW and 350Nm. That's Commodore V6 outputs with 158kg less weight, with all that torque spread over a more useful band. The Subaru claims a combined-cycle thirst of 8.6L/100km.The CVT can smoothly marshal all that urge or the driver can switch to 'S#" (Sport Sharp) mode and use the paddles to change gears. The eight-speed auto is much sharper than previous auto efforts in the WRX - it lives up to its heritage as a very quick point-to-point car.Price: from $40,990 (CVT adds $2000) Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Capped servicing: No Service interval: 6 months/12,500km Resale: 55 per cent Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl boxer, 197kW/350Nm Transmission: CVT; AWD Thirst: 8.6L/100km, on test 12.5L, 199g/km CO2 Tank 60L Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1527kg 3. Holden VF Commodore SV6 auto - see other reviewsWeekday - The cheapest of this trio is also the largest - Adelaide's own VF Commodore SV6, which at $38,690 for a six-speed automatic model is plenty of metal for the money. Completing the daily grind in the Holden is an easy task - its cavernous cabin easily takes five occupants, with enough space in every direction to maintain comfort on the commute.It's not the biggest boot of this trio at 496L and can't be expanded by way of split-folding rear seats but it takes a fair load of baggage. The SV6 even has an auto start function, which has its advantages on a cold morning to fire up the dual-zone climate control, with rear vents.The V6 and conventional auto drivetrain lopes through metro mundanities. Parking sensors front and rear team with a reversing camera to assist in tight city parking. Thick windscreen pillars take some getting used to at T-junctions.Weekend - The big Aussie sedan shrinks around the driver once the other seats are unoccupied - the 3.6-litre V6 isn't the most orchestral of powerplants but power and torque - 210kW and 350Nm - suffice to get it hustling.It covers ground quickly and easily, with a light but direct connection to the front wheels and suspension that works in the bends without breaking bones - or the bank, given a claimed thirst of 9.0L/100km. The sport mode in the transmission works well enough and there is the option of a manual change for the driver, who will get accustomed to the high-set brake pedal.Price: from $38,690 Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Capped servicing: 3 years/60,000km $185 Service interval: 9 months/15,000km Resale: 41 per cent Engine: 3.6-litre V6, 210kW/350Nm Transmission: 6-speed auto; RWD Thirst: 9L/100km, on test 13.4L, 216g/km CO2 Tank 71L Dimension: 5m (L), 1.9m (W), 1.5m (H) Weight: 1685kg VERDICTThe SV6 is by no means a bad beast. A Commodore means lots of car for the money. It is light on its feet yet still has a big-car feel without feeling like a barge in the bends.Subaru's WRX is a headkicker when fired up in anger - outrageous grunt for the asking price, with a much-improved auto option and that grip - and the super-firm road manner is the sole failing.My two minions for the day choose the Skoda as the car they'd pinch if all keys were on the table and it's hard to argue with that conclusion.It lacks the width of the Commodore and the outright grip and grunt of the Subaru, nor is it as overt as the other two in the looks department. The cheeky Czech has plenty of space, pace and poise and can be driven with purpose.Common kit - All three have: Five-star ANCAP safety rating, Bluetooth phone and audio link, USB inputs, cloth trim, leather-wrapped steering wheel with ancillary controls, direct fuel injection, trip computer, power windows and mirrors and climate control, space-saver spare (Skoda and Subaru)What's unique - Skoda Octavia Front-drive, turbocharged four-cylinder, twin-clutch automated manual gearbox, satnav, tyre pressure monitor, heated mirrors Holden Commodore SV6 Rear-drive, V6, conventional automatic transmission, remote start, app-based smartphone-compatible MyLinkSubaru WRX All-wheel drive, turbocharged flat four-cylinder, continuously variable automatic

Malcolm Flynn road tests and reviews the BMW M3 and M4, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S 300 Bluetec Hybrid.

Hyundai is keen to lift its image in Australia with an all-new upmarket model called Genesis. Though the Genesis has been sold in other countries since 2009 it has previously been built only with the steering wheel on the left. That situation has been rectified in the second generation Genesis so imports to Australia can begin.That's the good news, there's minor bad news in that the V8 models still aren't being made with the steering wheel on the Australian side. However, after driving hundreds of kilometres in the 3.8-litre V6 that is coming downunder we feel it offers more than enough performance for most drivers.Hyundai Genesis is a large car, being slightly bigger than Commodore and Falcon. It's also larger than the cars Hyundai sees as Genesis' biggest competitors - Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Tackling the big name Germans sounds ambitious? Yes, but Hyundai arguably has bigger ambitions than just about any other car maker. We've visited the company's head office in Seoul several times over many years, and have come away with doubts in our minds when we've heard its longterm plans – only to have been proven wrong in the past.Conservative sleekness is probably the best way to describe the Hyundai Genesis. Though it's not as radical in its looks as the smaller Hyundai models, its slightly toned down look is just right for this upmarket area. Interestingly, the body design is chiefly the work of an Australian born Korean, Casey Hyun.The body theme is based around a new single-piece grille that works nicely to our eyes. This grille theme will eventually become the face of Hyundai as it's introduced in others in the range.The side profile is nicely curved and almost comes into four-door coupe territory. However, there's good headroom in the rear, something that's not always found in this semi-coupe class.Tail treatment has a built-in spoiler lip and a wide stance that gives Genesis a powerful look from the rear.Interior style and quality are particularly impressive; there's leather with a hand-stitched look, real timber, suede and aluminium. The in-cabin feel is likely to be a major selling feature of the new Genesis.Only one engine is to be offered in Australia, a modern 3.8-litre direct-injection petrol V6 developing 235 kilowatts of power and 400 Nm of torque. Transmission is by an eight-speed automatic to the rear wheels. Rear-wheel-drive is considered mandatory in every vehicle in this upmarket class.The Hyundai Genesis is crammed with the latest in in-car entreatment, including a 17-speaker Lexicon audio system. Bluetooth, USB and Aux inputs are installed.There are numerous crash avoidance or minimisation features, including all-round electronic vision, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping, radar cruise control, and a large, coloured head-up display. The Genesis even helps to protect your licence. Using satellite navigation information it automatically slows the car as you approach fixed speed cameras, then returns to its original speed when the danger zone has been safely negotiated.Seat comfort is very good and there's enough support without the seat bolsters being overly aggressive. The rear seat provides good head and legroom. Three can be carried, but as is the norm in rear-drive cars some foot comfort is stolen by the necessary transmission tunnel. The centre armrest in the rear folds down to provide access to many functions such as the ventilation system, even the satellite navigation settings, the latter displayed by screens in the rear of the front seats. Given the upmarket feel of the rest of the interior the plastic mountings for the rear-seat screens aren't to the high standard anticipated.Hyundai's 3.8-litre V6 engine is a stunner, it is not only responsive and torquey throughout its range, but also provides the sort of intake and exhaust sounds drivers love to hear when the car is punted hard. The car may be relatively conservative, but the aural output is anything but. We love it.The body is strongly built and this helps damp noise and vibration to impressively low levels. We've obviously yet to pit the body and suspension against Australia's notoriously harsh coarse-chip surfaces, but will do so when the first shipment arrives towards the end of the third quarter this year and bring full reports then.Our test vehicles were to Korean specifications as final testing in Australia is still to be completed. Ride comfort is generally good, but some midsize potholes did catch it out at times. Generally buyers in this class put comfort ahead of sporty road grip, although most Australians do like a bit of feel and feedback as well.Road grip is safe and the car is nicely balanced. Attacking bends on winding roads brings in more body roll and understeer than we like – but see the aforementioned remarks about buyers preference for comfort in cars like this.