SUV Reviews

Gone are the pudgy looks of the previous Kia Sorento - this new-generation SUV is a lean, mean, family machine

The S is the entry point into the Kia Sorento range with its list price of $45,850 for the petrol version and $48,850 for the diesel variant.

The Sport sits above the entry level S in the Kia Sorento range with its list price of $48,480 for the petrol variant and $51,480 for the diesel version.

The Sport+ sits high in the Sorento line-up just under the top-of-the-range GT-Line with a list price of $52,850 for the petrol and $55,850 for the diesel.

The GT-Line sits at the top of the Kia Sorento range with its list price of $60,070 for the petrol variant and $63,070 for the diesel version.

The Subaru Outback is the SUV for people who don't really want an SUV, and this review is here to answers every questions you've ever had about what it can or can't do.

The D240 is the mid-range diesel variant in the Defender range. It has a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder diesel engine, producing 177kW and 430Nm.It’s available in four trim levels – the D240, D240 S, D240 SE, and the D240 First Edition – and with the option of five, six or 5+2 seating in the five-door 110.It has an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a permanent all-wheel drive system, dual-range transfer case, as well as Land Rover’s Terrain Response system, with switchable modes such as Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, Mud and Ruts, and Rock Crawl. It also has centre and rear diff locks.Standard features on the Defender range include LED headlights, heated, electric, power-fold door mirrors, approach lights and auto-dimming keyless entry, and auto-dimming interior rear view mirror.Driver-assist tech includes AEB, cruise control and speed limiter, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter.It has 10.0-inch touchscreen Pivi Pro system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio, and sat nav.Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.6L/100km (on a combined cycle). The Defender has a 90-litre tank.This Defender is covered by a five-year / unlimited kilometre warranty, and five-year service plan ($1950 for diesels), which includes five years roadside assist.

The P400 is the petrol MHEV (mild hybrid electric vehicle) variant in the new Land Rover Defender range. It has a 3.0-litre turbo-charged in-line six-cylinder petrol engine – producing 294kW at 5500rpm and 550Nm at 2000-5000rpm. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a permanent all-wheel drive system, dual-range transfer case, as well as Land Rover’s Terrain Response 2 system, with switchable modes such as Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, Mud and Ruts, and Rock Crawl. It also has centre and rear diff locks.The P400 is available in four spec levels: P400 S ($95,335), P400 SE ($102,736), P400 HSE ($112,535), or P400 X ($136,736).It’s available with the option of five, six or 5+2 seating in the five-door 110.Standard features on the Defender range include LED headlights, heated, electric, power-fold door mirrors, approach lights and auto-dimming keyless entry, and auto-dimming interior rear view mirror.Driver-assist tech includes AEB, a 3D surround camera, wade sensing, cruise control and speed limiter, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter.It also has 10.0-inch touchscreen Pivi Pro system, a smartphone pack (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), DAB radio, sat nav and a 180W six-speaker sound system.Fuel consumption is a claimed 9.9L/100km (on a combined cycle).The Defender has a 90-litre tank.

The D200 is the base-spec diesel variant in the new Land Rover Defender range. It has an MSRP of $69,626. It’s available in only standard Defender 110 spec and is available with the option of five, six or 5+2 seating.It has a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder diesel engine, producing 147kW/430Nm, and that’s teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission.It has a permanent all-wheel drive system, dual-range transfer case, as well as Land Rover’s Terrain Response system.It also has centre and rear diff locks.Driver-assist tech includes AEB, a 3D surround camera, wade sensing, cruise control and speed limiter, lane keep assist, and traffic sign recognition and adaptive speed limiter.It has 10.0-inch touchscreen Pivi Pro system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB radio, and sat nav.Fuel consumption is a claimed 7.6L/100km (on a combined cycle). The Defender has a 90-litre tank.This Defender is covered by a five-year / unlimited kilometre warranty, and five-year service plan ($1950 for diesels), which includes five years roadside assist. 

The entry-level to the truly lovely looking new entry-point to Mercedes-Benz SUV range is the GLA 200. While it is deeply attractive inside and hugely pleasant to look at outside, from any and every angle, truly improving on what was already a pretty good looker in its first generation, the 200 does sound like it might be tiny bit underpowered.The GLA 200 is powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine - as opposed to the 2.0-litre in the next step up, the GLA 250 - and is front-drive only. Which is a bit embarrassing when you're trying to tell your neighbour you've just bought a Mercedes "SUV".That engine makes just 120kW and 250Nm and uses a 7G-DCT seven-speed automatic, which is also one cog less than you get in the 250.The very tempting-sounding base price of $55,100 also gets you Comfort Seats in  ARTICO upholstery, Keyless Go, a powered tailgate, the very modern MBUX multimedia system with sat nav, reversing camera, Apple CarPlay  and Google Android plus wireless device charging, 64-colour ambient lighting, rain-sensing wipers, DAB+ digital radio, Active Parking Assist with Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, Traffic Sign Assist, Adaptive High Beam Assist, LED fixed headlights and 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.