SUV Reviews

Given the sharp driveaway pricing to begin with, the flagship version of the GWM Tank 300 Hybrid is likely to be a popular choice. And at $60,990, it's pretty easy to see how many buyers will be able to justify the extra spend.That's backed up by the extra gear, too, including a front locking differential (the base-model has a locking rear diff only) heated and cooled front seats, Nappa Leather upholstery, self-parking, 18-inch alloy wheels and wireless device charging.Safety runs to the usual driver aids we're increasingly used to seeing including AEB, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keeping and active cruise-control. Six air-bags including full-length side-curtain bags are also part of the package.The Ultra shares its driveline with the Lux, meaning a turbocharged two-litre petrol engine augmented by an electric motor for 258kW and 615Nm. Transmission is a nine-speed auto with low-ratios for rock-hopping. Although based on the GWM ute chassis, the Tank gets a coil-sprung rear axle for greater ride comfort.

GWM's new off-roader breaks with tradition by offering a petrol-electric hybrid driveline. The entry-level model, the Lux, arrives in showrooms at $55,990 drive-away, making it appear to be great value.Standard equipment even in this entry-level variant is good with twin 12.3 inch screens, a powered driver's seat, full Apple and Android connectivity, digital radio, powered and folding exterior mirrors, a sunroof and on-board tyre pressure monitoring.Safety is looked after with the latest driver aids including cross-traffic alert, active cruise-control and autonomous emergency braking. Lane-keeping assistance and parking sensors are also part of the deal. Tank has been locally tested and achieved five ANCAP stars.Power comes from a two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with the electric motor adding enough power and torque to take the total to 258kW and 615Nm. There's a nine-speed automatic transmission and the Tank also features a low-ratio transfer-case to give proper off-road gearing.

The medium SUV field has always been stacked with heavy hitters like the Mazda CX-5, the Toyota RAV4, the Hyundai Tucson and the Kia Sportage. So, can the Haval H6 mix it with the big boys? Andrew 'Chesto' Chesterton puts the H6 Ultra to the long-term test to find out.

Now that it has arrived in the form of the GWM Tank 300, it kind of makes us wonder why it’s taken so long to get a ladder-chassis, off-road four-wheel-drive with a conventional (rather than a mild or PHEV) hybrid driveline on to the market here.

Pure electric cars have rapidly built a reputation for being rapid... in a straight line. But what about some genuine corner carving ability to go with that neck-straining acceleration? Kia's new EV6 GT may be the first BEV to pull off that performance double act.

After three months with the 2023 Mazda CX-3 Akari LE AWD, it's finally time to say goodbye. And as this final instalment of our long-term review shows, the best-selling light SUV may have a timeless exterior design and surprisingly premium features, but it's fallen behind newer rivals when it comes to the driving experience.

If you want the most Nissan Qashqai money can buy, look no further than the flagship Ti.At $47,390 before on-road costs, the Qashqai would tip over the $50,000 mark when you factor in on-roads. And that is a whopping $8300 more than the old Ti!But, you do get high-end features like a 10.8-inch head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, quilted leather accented seats with a massage function at the front, driver seat memory function, 10-speaker Bose audio system, panoramic sunroof, hands-free power tailgate, auto parking and the Divide N Hide boot storage system.Until the 'ePower' hybrid arrives at some point in 2023, the Qashqai range uses a new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine - found in some Renault models - pumping out a decent 110kW/250Nm, matching the Skoda Kamiq. It’s front-wheel drive and uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT).There’s a lot more safety gear too, including auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, a front centre airbag, lane departure warning, and a blind spot warning. 

Second from top ST-L grade Qashqai’s might be the sweet spot of the new-gen small-SUV range, because you get a lot of kit for your money. Priced from $42,190, before on-road costs, the ST-L is a not insignificant $7500 more expensive than the grade it replaces. Once again, that comes with a much bigger suite of standard equipment.And that includes a heated leather steering wheel, power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, wireless charging, adaptive LED headlights, tinted windows, roof rails, dual-zone automatic climate control, and 19-inch alloys.Until the 2023 launch of Nissan’s 'ePower' hybrid, the Qashqai range is powered by a new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine - found in a couple of Renault SUV models - pumping out a decent 110kW/250Nm, matching the Skoda Kamiq. It’s front-wheel drive and uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT).There’s a lot more safety gear, too, including auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, a front centre airbag, lane departure warning, and a blind-spot warning. The ST-L also introduces the 'ProPilot' system that combines adaptive cruise control with steering and lane keep assist tech for semi-autonomous driving.

If you’re after a bit more kit from your Qashqai but don’t want to crack the $40,000 mark, there’s the ST+. It’s just like an ST but with more stuff.Pricing is set at $37,890, before on-road costs, which is about $5000 more than the model it replaces. It’s also $4000 more than an ST.But for that $4000, you get a larger 12.3-inch multimedia display with sat-nav and wireless Apple CarPlay, LED fog lights, a surround-view monitor, rain-sensing wipers and 18-inch alloy wheels.Until the arrival of the 'ePower' hybrid in 2023, the ST+ uses a new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine - found in the Renault Captur and Arkana - delivering a more than reasonable 110kW/250Nm, matching the Skoda Kamiq. It’s front-wheel drive and uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT).There’s a lot more safety gear too, including auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, a front centre airbag, lane departure warning, and a blind spot warning.

After eight years, the Nissan Qashqai has finally been replaced by a new-generation model. A new platform, new powertrain and a massive uptick in standard equipment - including all-important safety gear - are the headline acts.The base ST kicks things off at $33,890, before on-road costs, for the auto - there is no longer a range-opening, sub-$30,000 manual - and that’s a $3000 increase compared with the outgoing ST.Thankfully, you get a lot of gear, including auto LED headlights, 8.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and auto-folding exterior mirrors, auto stop-start, keyless entry and start and 17-inch alloy wheels. But you also get cloth seats and a plastic steering wheel. And if you want the bigger touchscreen you have to step up to the ST+.Until the arrival of the 'ePower' hybrid in 2023, all Qashqai grades are powered by a new 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine - seen in the Renault Captur and Arkana - offering up a healthy 110kW/250Nm, the same as a Skoda Kamiq. It’s front-wheel drive only and uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT).Safety gets a big boost in the new model with auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise, rear cross-traffic alert, a front centre airbag, lane departure warning, and a blind-spot warning.