SUV Reviews

The Nissan Qashqai is an established, if weird, nameplate now. Having been around for a while, this model has built its own presence in the small-to-mid-sized SUV market. But with so many options in this segment now - about 20 new models since the Qashqai launched - does the new Midnight Edition add anything worth considering?

Is the seven seat Kia Sorento the new king of the school run? Here's why even the most basic S variant should have rivals worried.

The second month of 'ownership' in Matt's long-term Hyundai Kona has gone well - a comparison, several trips to the shops, and even a run to the snow!

Like other Japanese car makers post WW2, Nissan decided to take a Willys Jeep, reverse engineer it and come up with its own take on an off-road 4X4. The 4W series of vehicles from 1951 was the result of that process and, by 1958, Nissan had progressed with the concept to the point of adding Patrol badges to their rugged little puddle-jumper.

Can an SUV be a proper sports car? Can a sports car be practical? And is the Audi RS Q8 a far cheaper answer to the Lamborghini Urus? These questions and more answered as we put it to the test.

The MQ Patrol was a real watershed model for Nissan (or Datsun as it was still known here). It singlehandedly dragged the Patrol station-wagon concept from a military-styled, tool of the trade into a brave new world where families would increasingly use vehicles like it not just for everyday transport, but also as a bona fide recreational lifestyle accessory.

At the top of the Kamiq range is the Limited Edition for a list price of $35,490. At the launch of the Kamiq in October 2020, Skoda said the Limited Edition will only be available for about six months.Coming standard are leather and 'Suedia' seats, a 9.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, sat nav, heated front and rear seats, a power driver’s seat, LED headlights and auto parking.On top of that the Limited Edition scores all the equipment in the entry-grade Kamiq. This includes 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, silver roof rails, a digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, proximity key, auto tailgate, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, eight-speaker stereo, reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control.The Limited Edition has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine which makes 110kW and 250Nm.The Kamiq has been given the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating under 2019 rules. Coming standard on all grades are seven airbags, AEB with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance, rear maneuver braking, rear parking sensors and reversing camera.The Limited Edition comes with extra advanced safety tech such as blind spot protection and rear traffic alert.  

The Monte Carlo sits above the entry-grade in the Skoda Kamiq range with a list price of $34,190.Coming standard on the Monte Carlo are 18-inch back alloys, LED headlights, Monte Carlo sports seats, and a ‘blacked-out’ treatment to the mirrors, grille, rear lettering and rear diffuser. There’s also a panoramic glass roof, sports pedals, adaptive LED headlights, multi drive modes and sports suspension.This is on top of all the equipment from the entry grade such as: privacy glass, a digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, proximity key, auto tailgate, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, eight-speaker stereo, reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control.The Monte Carlo has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine which makes 110kW and 250Nm.The Kamiq has been given the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating under 2019 rules.Coming standard on all grades are seven airbags, AEB with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance, rear maneuver braking, rear parking sensors and reversing camera.

The 85 TSI is the entry-grade into the Skoda Kamiq range and you can have it with a manual gearbox for a list price of $26,990, or a dual-clutch automatic transmission for $27,990.Coming standard are 18-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass, silver roof rails, a digital instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, push-button start, proximity key, auto tailgate, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, eight-speaker stereo, reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control.The 85 TSI has a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine making 85kW/200Nm. Owners can choose between a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and a six-speed manual gearbox.The Kamiq scored the maximum five-star ANCAP rating under 2019 testing rules.Coming standard on all grades are seven airbags, AEB with cyclist and pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance, rear maneuver braking, rear parking sensors and reversing camera.

Nissan’s GU (Y61) Patrol was on sale for an awfully long time even by the lengthy standards of four-wheel-drives which are generally renewed far less frequently than passenger cars. Even so, the GU’s innings from 1997 to 2016 when it was finally pensioned off, saw it live on past even the model that was supposed to supersede it (the Y62).