Wagon Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 22015 Porsche Cayenne with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the 2015 Volvo S60 and V60 Polestar , with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 Hyundai i30 Tourer Active diesel.

Alistair Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2014 Skoda Rapid Spaceback, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Commodore was the best selling car in Australia for many years so there are hundreds of used family Holdens on sale at any one time, meaning that smart buyers can take their time and find exactly what they want.Australian designed and built Holden Commodore are very well suited to local driving conditions and have exactly the kind of feel that keen Aussie drivers demand. This is a genuine five-seater, though the person in the centre-rear seat may find foot space compromised by the bulky transmission tunnel. Boot space is good in the sedan and excellent in the wagon due to the latter's longer wheelbase. However, the wagons in the VE range, sold from September 2009, have the same wheelbase as the sedan, so they miss out on the huge load volume that was a feature of previous Commodore wagons with their stretched wheelbases.Aussie family cars are big easy going machines that can handle a lot of hard workThe introduction of the virtually all-new VE series Commodore sedans in August 2006 saw a touch of European class in the styling and real enhancements to the ride and handling qualities. VE Series II was introduced in September 2010 and had minor external changes. Inside it was a different story, the GM i-Q multimedia system saw an entirely new look for the centre stack with the new touch screen. The system controls full Bluetooth, USB, iPod and MP3 player integration.Powertrains didn't always coincide with the major body changes. Most Commodores prior to the VZ range have a pushrod V6 engine of 3.8 litres. There's also a supercharged variant of this 3.8-litre, but it was never a real success so was discontinued in 2004.The VZ saw the introduction of an all-new V6 engine. A forerunner to the unit fitted to the VE Commodore, it was a twin-cam unit of 3.6-litres. As fitted to the VZ it wasn't particularly smooth or quiet. There were some improvements in feel when the engine was installed in the VE, but the engine still disappoints in this area despite several attempts to improve it over the years.A smaller V6, this time of 3.0-litres and aimed at lower fuel consumption and emissions, was introduced in September 2009. It hasn't proven all that popular but is a sophisticated unit and worth considering.There were two V8s in the pre-VZ Commodores; one an old Australian design of 5.0-litres, the other a Chevrolet unit adapted to Holden specifications with 5.7-litres. This Generation III Chev V8 is much better than the old Holden engine. The 5.7-litre Gen III was replaced by a Gen IV with 6.0-litres in January 2006, again as a teaser to the upcoming VE Series.Prior to the VE series, almost all Commodores came with four-speed automatic transmissions. Five-speed manual gearboxes are on the crude side and very few were sold. Six-speed manuals were offered in the SS range and are relatively common.The VE transmission lineup was a big improvement; with six-speed automatic transmissions and six-speed manuals. On the sporting side are the Commodore S and SS with firmer suspension, tauter steering, revamped seats and body kits. The most expensive model in the range isn't called a Commodore, but the Holden Calais. Holden frequently introduced special editions, the best value of these are arguably the oft-recurring Equipe and Lumina series.Commodores are easy cars to work on with plenty of access to most mechanical components. The good amateur mechanic can do most of their own repairs although it's best to leave safety related items to professional mechanics. Spare parts prices are generally reasonably priced and Holden's widespread dealer network is as strong in the bush as the ‘burbs.Insurance is very reasonable for a car of this size and performance, though there can be a big increase for the sportier models, especially with supercharged or V8 engines.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust is seldom a problem in later model Commodores, but can be caused by poor quality panel repairs. Check for these by running your eye over the panels, looking for a slightly uneven finish. Paint that doesn't match exactly from one panel to another is another clue a car has spent time in a panel beater's. Squeaks and rattles, most easily found when driving on a rough road, may indicate a Commodore has spent a lot of its time in the bush on dirt roads.Severe wear in the cabin and boot may be an indication the Commodore is an ex-taxi; or could have been a hard-working commercial vehicle, perhaps driven by a hard charging sales rep or the like.Check for brake fade on models before the VE Commodore by doing a succession of hard stops.Look for oil leaks at the rear of the engine sump and check the dipstick level as some units had high oil consumption problems. Automatic transmissions are generally OK, but one that is slow to go into gear and/or noisy and harsh in its operation should be treated with caution.CAR BUYING TIPAussie family cars are big easy going machines that can handle a lot of hard work. But it's better still if you don't buy one that's been given a beating.

Jack Pyefinch road tests and reviews the all-new Passat at its international launch.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the new Peugeot 308 at its Australian preview in France.

Holden Vectra was designed and built by Opel, the German division of General Motors. Some models were assembled by Holden in Australia with some changes to suit Australian driving conditions as well as Australian drivers' tastes. The Vectra was medium sized when launched in Australia in June 1997. From March 2003 it

Peter Mifsud wants to buy a 4WD wagon and he’s confused by the many choices available. He’s not a serious off-road enthusiast and says his old VY Commodore has got him to where he’s needed to go, but he wants a car that will tow his 1000kg campervan and he’s got around $20,000 to spend.NEWThe new Sportage released in 2011 was a revelation. No one saw it coming, but they should have, as Kia has been a make on the move for some time now.No longer the poor cousin of the car business, the brand you bought if you couldn’t afford anything better, Kia is now a well-respected maker of cars that deserves a place on our shopping lists.The new Sportage of 2011 was one of the models that signalled the arrival of the Korean brand as one to be taken seriously.A compact SUV, the 2011 Sportage boasted a new body with smart looks, new engines, much improved on-road manners, and five-star safety.The range boasted three models, the two-wheel drive Si and the four-wheel drive SLi and Platinum. It’s the four-wheel drives we’re looking at here given our reader’s started preference for a four-wheel drive.Two engines were offered. One was a 130kW 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, the other a 392Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.There was only one transmission, a six-speed automatic and that fed into an on-demand four-wheel drive system that in essence drove the front wheels until it was deemed necessary for traction to send some of the drive to the rear wheels.Although it wasn’t a traditional four-wheel drive system as fitted to a heavy-duty off-roader it was surprisingly competent in the bush.The cabin had seating for five, it was quiet and comfortable, and in the Platinum you got everything you could wish for, from an eight-way power driver’s seat, adjustable steering column, leather trim, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning, a decent sound system and a reversing camera.Kia’s fit and finish has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years and it now compares favourably with any other brand in its class.Safety was also on the money as ANCAP recognized when it gave it a five-star tick. With six airbags, ABS brakes, and dynamic stability control it has quite an arsenal of safety gear. NOWSportage 4WD models are rated to tow up to 1600kg with trailer brakes, so they should comfortably tow the Mifsuds’ campervan weighing just 1000kg.With its high riding stance and ground clearance, along with its on-demand four-wheel drive system it should also be capable of handling their limited off-road needs, provided they don’t want to go rock climbing or something like that.Owners generally praise their Sportages, they rarely criticize them.They are not only well built, they are reliable and few problems of a serious nature crop up with them. We hardly ever hear of issues at CarsGuide, which suggests they are getting the job done for their owners in the field.Kia issued a recall notice in January 2014, which related to an issue with the seat belt pre-tensioner. Check the owner’s manual to confirm the recall rectification has been carried out. If you’re in doubt about it speak to a Kia dealer.Also check the service book to make sure all recommended servicing has been done. Missing services is a recipe for disaster, a failure to change engine oil regularly is just asking for trouble.Even though few Sportages will have seen duty in the rough going inspect your potential purchase carefully, particularly underneath where any damage as a result of off-road is likely to be readily seen.

Chris Riley road tests and reviews the Renault Megane GT-Line Premium wagon with specs, fuel economy and verdict.