Wagon Reviews

Though their model numbers give the suggestion the Hyundai i40 and i45 are similar in size they are quite widely differentiated. So potential buyers are likely to find their individual choices easy to make.In an interesting marketing move the Hyundai i40 was initially sold only as a station wagon when it arrived in Australia in October 2011. A four-door sedan didn’t reach us for a further eight months.The Hyundai i40 sedan is the subject of this week’s review and we have had a chance to drive it extensively as two different business trips saw us in the seemingly endless traffic jams of Sydney then in a different i40 in Brisbane, around the Gold Coast during the V8 Supercars race and in the hinterland behind our home on the Gold Coast. Now that’s variety for you.Three model variants are offered in the new Hyundai i40 range: Active, Elite and Premium. As with all Hyundai models, the new i40 sedan has a five year/unlimited kilometre warranty. There’s free roadside assist for the same period provided the car is serviced by a Hyundai dealer.All i40 models have Bluetooth connectivity including audio streaming, as well as auxiliary and USB sockets. The Hyundai i40 Active has a single CD player, Elite and Premium have a six-disc changer with a more advanced audio system. Both systems can play MP3 and WMA discs. Elite and Premium models also use a proximity key with push button start/stop.Interior space in the Hyundai i40 has good-sized seats for those in the front. Rear seat passengers will be short on knee room unless those in the front are willing to give up a little of their legroom. Despite the sleek roofline, headroom is good front and rear, even with a sunroof fitted.Each model comes with the option of a 2.0-litre petrol or 1.7-litre turbo-diesel engine. Our test vehicle in Sydney was fitted with the diesel, it has peak power of 100 kW, and torque of 320 Nm between 2000 and 2500 rpm.The vehicle unit we used in our home grounds of south-east Queensland had the petrol engine that has up to 130 kW of power. It doesn’t reach its torque peak of 213 Nm until it’s at 4700 rpm. Many drivers will never rev the engine to these heights, but it does have a good spread of grunt from about 2000 upwards so we didn’t find it lacking.The entry-level i40 Active is offered with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission; the Elite and Premium only come with the automatic. Both our cars had the automatic transmission.Standard safety features in all i40 models, sedan and wagon, are ABS brakes with electronic brakeforce assistance and brake assist. The system automatically activates the hazard lights when high brake pressures are applied. Active safety features include cornering brake control, vehicle stability management system and swivelling headlights.Additionally, the Hyundai i40 Elite and Premium have front and rear parking sensors, supplemented in the Premium with a reversing camera. Nine airbags are the biggest feature of the passive safety items.The diesel may be small in capacity but it’s a modern design and we were impressed by its strong torque and the fact that turbo lag is kept to a minimum. The added smoothness of the petrol is attractive, as is the absence of the smell of diesel.Ride and handling are both good, with a sensible balance between firmness and comfort. Cornering is nothing to get excited about, but the Hyundai i40 holds on securely and is well within its limits when driven in the manner likely to be used by the typical buyer.We would probably lean towards the petrol if it was our money, but the final decision is up to you the potential buyer.

While the boom in SUV sales in Australia has knocked station wagon sales for six, some brands, including Volkswagen and its Audi and Skoda cousins, are persisting with keeping both SUVs and wagons in their model line-ups. The latest offering from the people at VW is the Passat Alltrack a car designed to bridge the gap between the traditional wagon. One that can take on a bit of the rough stuff for adventurous families.VALUEThe Alltrack comes with a value-for-money $47,790 price tag and generous standard-kit inventory. As well as its leather trim and heated front seats, buyers can look forward to 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, automatic lights and wipers, a clever electrically operated tailgate, an electric parking brake, front-and-rear parking sensors and a rear-vision camera, dual-zone climate-control “air,” a 6.5-inch touch screen with satellite navigation and a 30GB hard drive, one-touch up-and-down electric windows and Bluetooth mobile-phone and music streaming.Also standard are a leather-wrapped, multi-function steering wheel, fog lights, cruise control and an automatic-dimming electro-chromatic rear-vision mirror. Options include metallic/pearl-effect paint ($700), a panoramic electric glass sunroof ($2000), park-assist 2 ($900), a driver-assistance and visibility package ($3300), adaptive cruise control and front-assist with city emergency braking ($2000) and the sport package ($2800).If you want more-sporty, more-bolstered seats it will cost you $2800 as part of the Sport option that includes other goodies such as steering-wheel-mounted gear-shift paddles. The Alltrack’s competitors include the new $69,900 Audi A4 Allroad and the much-cheaper $43,990 Skoda Octavia Scout. Then there’s the $46,990 Subaru Outback Premium that also comes with a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine but cannot at this stage be specified with an automatic transmission.TECHNOLOGYThe new VW is a slightly beefed-up version of the standard Passat wagon and uses the same 125 kW turbo-diesel engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. What sets the Alltrack apart from the Passat wagon is the addition of the Touareg and Tiguan SUVs’ off-road driving program, a less-intrusive electronic stability program and unique front, side and rear body-kit features.On surfaces such as unstable gravel, the off-road driving program automatically remaps the ABS, shift points, throttle response and electronic differential lock to deliver even more traction than when the 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is in normal mode. An automatic hill-descent-control system adds to the Alltrack’s surefootedness.DESIGNVolkswagen Alltrack’s interior is a stylish, classy affair with leather trim as standard, soft plastics and brushed-chrome dashboard/centre-stack highlights. There are black-faced speedo and tacho dials with red needles, clear white numbers and an analogue clock that adds to the overall ambience.With 588 litres of cargo space with the rear seats occupied and a cavernous 1716 litres when the rear-seats are folded flat, there’s no shortage of storage capacity. Other storage cubby holes include a sunglasses holder, front-and-rear door pockets, a reasonably sized glove box, front-and-rear drinkholders and a bin beneath the centre front-seat armrest.Alltrack’s ride height has been raised 30 mm above that of the standard Passat wagon, resulting in increased approach, departure and ramp-over angles. A limited amount of front-seat bolstering doesn’t exactly hug you into position during enthusiastic cornering on winding roads.VW’s engineers have fitted a tough, steel under-body protection shield to look after the engine and gearbox during off-road excursions. One niggle however for this 185 cm tall reviewer is that with the seat right back, there is insufficient outward adjustment for the exterior mirrors.SAFETYThe Alltrack has a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating and standard safety kit that includes eight airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, electronic stability and traction control, a driver fatigue-detection system, hill-descent assist and a tyre-pressure monitor. In addition, the tyres come with an internal polymer layer that automatically seals holes made by nails, bolts or spikes up to 5mm in thickness.DRIVINGHeight-and-reach-adjustable steering and plenty of seat adjustment means getting a suitable driving position is easy. Out on the road and irrespective of the road surfaces the Alltrack handles itself with aplomb. Armed with 350 Nm of torque, hills and overtaking are dispatched with ease and even during enthusiastic tight cornering, the car sits nice and flat.With its 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and new SUV-derived off-road driving program, gravel surfaces were no problem to this surefooted new Volkswagen. Out on the road and irrespective of the road surfaces the Alltrack handles itself with aplomb.VERDICTVolkswagen’s new Allroad keeps alive the tradition of the family wagon but it does it with a tad more aggression, an adventurous spirit and greater all-track ability.Volkswagen Passat AlltrackPrice: from $47,790Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmResale: 50 per cent (Source: Glass's Guide)Service interval: 15,000km/12 monthsSafety rating: five starSpare: space saverEngine: two-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder, 125kW/350NmTransmission: 6-speed twin-clutch automated manual; 4WDBody: 4.9m (L); 1.8m (w); 1.6m (h)Weight: 1704kgThirst: 6.31/100km, tank 70 litres; 166g/km CO2

Canny motorists are facing a shopping bonanza as car makers start slashing prices to make way for new models. But it's not only outgoing models going cheap - look out for end-of-year sales as well.Any time a carmaker trumpets a new model, these shoppers are there ready to make a financial killing by buying up the old model. Look for sales at particular times of the year. June is traditionally a strong month for squeezing extra savings out of a dealer though, with a buoyant car market and fierce competition, anytime towards the end of any month can deliver a bonus.End of year sales are popular. Dealers always want to sell but the months of November and December provide a chance to discount cars built in the current year. Fighting this are car buyers who want a car built in the new year to preserve resale value. Here's some deals but be prepared for more as the calendar year draws to a close.HOLDENDeep Purple is no longer a rock band - it's Holden's new colour that is available on a range of cut-price “Z-Series” Commodore sedans, utes and wagons. The new colour is the same as Holden's iconic show car, the Efijy. Different models in the Z-Series line-up get different equipment levels but, as an example, the base Omega automatic is $41,990 but the Z-Series edition costs $39,990.The bonus is that the Z includes a heap of extras within that price, including leather upholstery, 18-inch wheels, rear camera and sensors, leather steering wheel and chrome door frames. The SV6 ute adds 19-inch alloys, carpet mats and leather seats for $38,490, down $1000 on the plane-Jane SV6.The discounts on the VE Holden Commodore range precede the launch early next year of the VF Commodore models. Holden is also running out the Barina five-door manual hatch at $16,490, a saving of $500.TOYOTAYou'll have to do some legwork here. The new Corolla is on sale and some dealers still have stocks of the old model. Officially, there's no discount on the outgoing model though some dealers - predominantly NSW and Victoria - have extra stock and have advertised a $18,990 price, $1000 off the list price. Note that the cheapest 2013 Corolla is also $19,990. Toyota WA says customers should discuss pricing direct with their dealer.It's not only the Corolla that may offer savings. The RAV4 gets updated early next year and though there's no official price, dealers will consider offers. On top of that, Toyota has zero per cent finance on Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion until the end of the year.HYUNDAIThere's a lot of previous-model stock available from Hyundai and buyers can make big savings if they're not chasing the latest car. These include old-stock i30 hatchbacks with $2000 off the normal price and previous Santa Fe SUVs for up to $3000 off.But there are also current models. The big one is the $13,990 drive-away price on the i20 three door which saves $2500. A similar discount is on the five-door i20. The i40 wagon is now from $29,990 driveaway, a saving of about $3000, and the sedan model with automatic transmission is also from $29,990, saving about $2500.Hyundai's popular baby SUV, the ix35, is now from $27,990 driveaway for the Active version, a saving of $1120, while other ix35 variants have been reduced by $500.MITSUBISHIThe new Outlander SUV arrives November 18 so Mitsubishi is sweeping out current stock. The "Enhancement Pack" model is an LS version with leather seats, heated front seats and an electric-adjust driver's seat. It has Bluetooth, 18-inch alloys with a full-size alloy spare, six airbags for the front-wheel drive version (up from two) and a cabin styling pack with bright trim to the door handles, console panel and rear door trim.Prices start at $28,990 drive away for the LS front-wheel drive model with five-speed manual transmission. The normal price is $29,340 plus on-road costs so the saving is about $4500. But for buyers who want the new model, register on Mitsubishi's website and there's the chance to win a $1000 Westfield shopping voucher and 15 per cent off accessories for the new Outlander. If that's not tempting, Mitsubishi also has 0.9 per cent finance until the end of this month.SUBARUThe 2012 run out has just started for Subaru which has chopped up to $5000 off three models. It replaces its Liberty and Outback in early 2013 as a mid-life makeover that includes upgrades to trim specifications. There is an all-new Forester also due about February. So the deals are now on the table.The Outback 2.5i manual is usually $37,490 plus on-road costs (say, $5000) but is being rolled out the showroom door for $35,990 including all on-road costs. The same axe has lobbed on the Forester X which is now $32,990 drive-away including leather-faced seats, alloy wheels and fog lights.The normal retail price is $30,990 without the extras and without on-road costs. Subaru is selling the Liberty 2.5i sedan manual for $31,990 drive away with leather seats, electric driver's seat and reverse camera. The car normally sells for $32,990 plus on-road costs.FORDKuga Trend $35,490 drive away (normally $38,990 plus on-road costs) and the upmarket Titanium is now $41,490 drive away, previously $44,990 plus all on the road charges. The Kuga is to be replaced with a new model in early 2013.Focus Ambiente hatch now $19,990 drive away (normally $20,290 plus costs). The Mondeo Zetec hatch is $33,990 with all costs (usually $37,740 plus on-road fees) and Falcon's XR6 Turbo is down from $46,235 plus costs, to $43,490 drive away.KIAThere's a new Sorento SUV so the outgoing model has a $2000 gift voucher attached to its normal retail price.VOLKSWAGENIs running out stocks of the current Golf VI to make way for the Golf VII due early next year. Volkswagen Australia has set the price of the current Golf 77TSI manual at $20,990 including metallic paint and all drive-away costs. This is a saving of about $5000.The Golf Wagon 90TSI with DSG auto, metallic paint and all drive-away costs is now $29,990, saving about $3500. Note that for small-car wagon buyers, Volkswagen has not confirmed a wagon version of the new Golf. If you want this shape, this could be your last chance.VOLVOThe Swede is clearing out its 2012 stock by adding value rather than chopping the price tag. The S60 and V60 entry-level models now come with the upmarket Teknik pack valued at about $4500. But if you specify the Teknik model, Volvo will automatically give you the R-Design pack (valued at $3000) for free.The same deal applies to the XC60 SUV. There's also a deal on S60 or V60 from the dealer's existing stock. Volvo will include free scheduled servicing for three years or 100,000km.

Ford's Falcon is a rugged family car that copes well with rough and ready Australian bush roads so are very popular out there. They can be on the large side for close city work but have good outward visibility and a reasonably tight turning circle so aren’t too hard to drive in confined spaces.The radical styling of the AU was years ahead of its time when it was introduced in September 1998 and many conservative buyers didn’t like it. Facelifts to create the AU Falcon Series II in April 2000 and to the AU III in November 2001 helped a bit. However, it wasn’t until September 2002 that a major facelift to produce the BA Falcon started to put the Falcon back into buyers’ minds again.The BA Falcon was further upgraded to the BF Falcon in October 2005. Visual differences are minor, but there were significant changes to the transmissions at this time – more about them later. The introduction of the new FG series Falcon in May 2008 lifted awareness, but its shape was on the conservative side (it’s hard to please people…) and sales didn’t return to the record levels Falcon had enjoyed in the past.Falcons have seating for five adults, though four makes more sense because the use of rear-wheel drive means the transmission tunnel takes up a lot of foot room in the centre-rear position. Legroom and headroom are ample for all but the largest adults.Some find the relatively steep slope of the roof in the AU to BF series makes it awkward to get into the car. This applies to both front and back seats in sedans, naturally the back seat of the wagon doesn’t have this hassle. Comfort is very good and passengers can step out of a Falcon after a trip of hundreds of kilometres still feeling fresh and relaxed.The boot in the sedan is rather shallow in the older models and the slope of the bootlid on the AU reduces its practicality. It’s easy to load thanks to a good-sized opening. The BA is noticeably better, though still on the shallow side. Falcon station wagons are great load carriers as they are built on a longer wheelbase than the sedan so they have a long, wide, practical cargo area.The rear end of the BA is virtually identical to that of the older AU. Ford chose not to do an FG variant of the wagon. Instead, it created a Series III BF model to sell alongside the FG sedans. It wasn’t a success and was discontinued in 2010. Handling is surprisingly good for a car of this size and mass. You wouldn’t call it agile, but Falcons hold on when cornering at speeds far above those likely to be attempted by most drivers.Ford's six-cylinder engines all have a capacity of 4.0 litres but come in several formats, including one with a turbocharger. An interesting variant on the six-cylinder is a dedicated LPG engine. These are very common in taxis, but less so in private cars, with the exception of Victoria, and the engine is all but indistinguishable from a petrol unit to drive. It’s quite a bit thirstier than the petrol, so fuel range suffers.The standard AU six-cylinder unit is good enough, but the BA’s six-cylinder is noticeably smoother and offers even better performance. Ford fitted a 5.0-litre V8 to the AU, but it didn’t have a lot more performance than the six-cylinder units and was on the thirsty side. Much better were the BA bent eights: there was a choice of two, each with a capacity of 5.4 litres, one with a single-cam cylinder head, the other with a twin-cam setup.An impressive four-cylinder turbocharged engine was introduced midway through 2012. It has plenty of power and torque and lower fuel consumption than the big engines. The four’s lighter weight gives the big car a nicely nimble feel during cornering. Automatics were all four-speed units until the launch of the BF, when a sophisticated six-speed ZF unit was installedlpgThe ZF was originally only fitted in the topline variants, with the rest of the range using the four-speed. With the introduction of the FG Falcon in May 2008 all received the six-speed auto, with the exception of the LPG power models, which stuck with the old four-speed unit. A six-speed auto was finally installed behind the new design of LPG engine in July 2011.Manual gearboxes are rare and probably best avoided in all but the sporting XR6 and XR8 as they can affect resale value. The manual was a five-speed until the October 2005 BF series, when a six-speed was installed. Prices for spare parts, servicing and repairs are very reasonable and there are Ford dealers just about everywhere in Australia.Most spare parts for the Falcons covered here are readily available, although a few bits on some older cars may have to come from a wrecker. These are very simple cars to work on, with plenty of underbonnet and undercar space. We recommend having a workshop manual at your elbow before starting the work.Insurance prices are generally very reasonable and premiums for the everyday models are invariably at the lower end of the scale. It will generally cost more to cover a V8 Falcon than a straight-six, and be dearer again for a turbo six.WHAT TO LOOK FORRust is far less of a problem in these newer Falcons than old ones. To be on the safe side, check the door lower corners, door sill panels, mudguards and bootlid. If you do find serious rust the car may have been badly repaired after a crash.Many thousands of used Falcons will have been taxis at some time in their life. Be wary of one running on dedicated LPG, while these are quite common in Victoria, they are rare anywhere else in Australia. Signs of an ex-taxi are vinyl, rather than cloth, upholstery, severe wear both inside and out, holes where signs and a taximeter have been removed, and possibly a paint respray.Engine wear is indicated by a reluctance to start and by smoke from the exhaust and/or oil filler cap when the engine is revved. Four-speed automatics can cause problems on hard driven cars, especially the older models. Check they change gears cleanly and don't hunt up and down through the ratios. Be suspicious of any automatic that’s slow at going into gear from Neutral or Park.Listen for a whining differential when driving at around 60 to 90km/h. Check the cabin for damage caused by wild kids. In station wagons have a good look at the load area for signs of commercial use.CAR BUYING TIPNo matter how good a car looks on the surface it may have problems under the skin, never buy without a full inspection. 

In its mind-boggling ability to multi-task, the latest Subaru is the automotive equivalent of a platypus. Made from parts of other models and sitting 50mm higher than its peers, the city-bred sedan with farming aspirations stands alone.Perhaps not since the German Army in 1941 sat a Volkswagen Beetle body atop an all-wheel drive platform (Type 87 Kommandeurwagen) have we had his curious mix of an innocuous sedan with a serious off-road bent. But the Subaru Liberty X is more than a four-door skin with an Outback drivetrain.At $44,490, it is a remarkable showcase of state-of-the-art safety systems and gives Australians access to a car that will avoid pedestrians, other cars and those infuriating moving bollards. It will seat five people, is at the pinnacle of automotive safety, is comfortable, relatively fuel efficient, loaded with features and even well built.It can be all things to almost all men - and women - and though it's a combination of other car models, it is as bizarrely adaptable as Australian fauna and clearly would have been the automobile of choice of Charles Darwin.VALUEAffordable is the keyword here. The Liberty X is based on the top-line Liberty model but gets the high-riding suspension from the Outback wagon. It suits country folk, motorists with challenging driveways and owners who for some reason have less flexible bodies.The X's extra seat height makes it easy to get in and out. Standard fare is impressive, starting with the Eyesight technology but adding 18-inch alloys, a superb McIntosh audio, sat-nav on a 200mm touch screen, electric front seats with heaters, leather upholstery and sunroof. It costs $44,490 for the 2.5-litre model but for more oomph, the 3.6-litre model is $55,990.DESIGNSubjectively, the latest Liberty isn't as pretty as its predecessor. But it is noticeably wider in the cabin and offers more rear-seat room. The extra 50mm ride height looks a bit strange but definitely makes access to the cabin much easier than the standard Liberty.The dashboard is hard plastic but cleverly doesn't look low rent, while switch layout is good and the electric parkbrake is a boon. I'm disappointed there is no split-fold rear seat which would have better suited the car's do-anything role. Leather seats are nice but, again, cloth would be more durable.TECHNOLOGYEyesight is Subaru's name for a camera and sonar-based radar system that detects objects in front of the moving car. Only Volvo has something similar. The system includes adaptive cruise control, lane-change monitor, lead vehicle start alert and an autonomous pre-collision braking system with emergency brake assist.Brilliant. The 123kW/229Nm 2.5-litre flat-four engine is adequate and helped by a CVT auto - with paddle shifters - that doesn't have the horrible vices of some of Subaru's peers. The AWD system is constant, so it always has all wheels driven which is grippy on gravel roads and wet bitumen.SAFETYEyesight (see Technology) tops the bill but there's more. The car has a five-star crash rating, seven airbags, auto wipers and lights, a reverse camera and wiper de-icers. The spare is a temporary tyre. DRIVINGIt drives like any other Liberty around the city but corners and side winds make a subtle impact in the way the car holds the road. It's typical of a car with extra ground clearance and is the reason why some (expensive) SUVs have adjustable suspension that lowers the vehicle at high speeds.There is a bit more body roll through corners and side winds buffet the car. The light steering feel is excellent for parking though the Liberty has quite a wide turning circle. Quietness and comfort are very good with low wind and tyre noise. The engine is adequate and some buyers may prefer the more sparkling 3.6 model for an extra $11,500.Off the mark the 2.5 feels weak but has stronger mid and top-end delivery. The CVT auto displays its characteristic elastic-band engagement when accelerating but isn't as crude as some rival makes. The Liberty X is as accomplished in the dirt as its Outback sister.The high 200mm ground clearance makes it tall enough to avoid dirt-road and track undulations and rocks while the long-travel suspension offers a cushy ride. It'll find its way down to the beach but is better in the company of a more traditional 4WD.VERDICTI like it. It has the style of a sedan (though not a particularly pretty one) and has an enviable go-anywhere ability, but undoubtedly its biggest feature is the Eyesight technology.

When Skoda returned to Australia in 2007 it did so with two models, the mainstream Octavia sedan and a quirky, boxy little city car called the Roomster. While the Octavia has been successful, the Roomster didn’t appeal to local buyers, partly because of its relatively high price and partly because of its awkward looks, and was dropped from the Czech carmaker’s Australian range in 2010.VALUEThe past couple of years have seen a marked change in Australian car buying habits with smaller cars growing in popularity so Skoda has decided to give Roomster a second chance. While the styling remains much as before, the price has been cut by over $4000 from the 2007 model.The 2012 Skoda Roomster sells for $22,490 with five-speed manual and $24,790 with seven-speed DSG automatic transmission. Government and dealer charges need to be added to these prices.Equipment levels are modest with standard features that include front, side and curtain airbags, ABS brakes, electronic stability control, cruise control, air conditioning, black roof rails, protective side mouldings and Bluetooth phone connectivity. The options list contains a panoramic sun roof $1690), rear parking sensors ($390), climate control air conditioning $390), front fog lights ($340), and leather trim ($1190).DESIGNStyling of the Roomster is distinctly different and likely to polarise opinions. But it will gain a tick of approval from those who bemoan the sameness of contemporary cars. We were able to talk with Skoda’s chief designer back in the 2007 and he explained the design philosophy: “We wanted to make our Roomster look like an aircraft at the front and a house at the back.” His logic being that it was possible to produce a vehicle that looked sleek at the front but which also functional.Despite its compact exterior dimensions (4214 mm long and 1684 mm wide) Roomster provides plenty of interior space. Leg and head room will only provide problems for the tallest of occupants, most contact will between shoulders and elbows.As always check it out with the broadest of potential testers on your road test before making your final decision – but make sure to check out the options provided by the clever rear seating system first.The Roomster’s rear seats are raised above the level of the front seats to allow better vision and the rear windows are large, two big plusses for young passengers. Likewise, visibility from the driver’s seat is also very good with the exception of the front side where the A-pillars are bulkier than we prefer.There are numerous interior features such as storage drawers beneath the front seats and stowage areas for sunglasses, mobile phones, diaries and suchlike. We did try it out with five adults on board for a short trip and they just managed to squeeze in. Certainly not a long distance cruiser – but it’s not intended to be one.Skoda calls this seating system Varioflex and we’ve seen it previously in the Yeti compact SUV. It offers a number of different seating and cargo variations including the ability to easily remove one or more of the rear seats and gain up to 1780 litres of storage space, effectively turning this versatile little hatch into a light commercial van. Even with all seats in place the maximum boot space is an amazing 530 litres – that’s more than many a family sedan. There are also some useful storage areas within the boot to prevent small items from rolling around.When carrying four passengers the centre rear seat (it comes with a 40/20/40 split) can be removed allowing the two remaining seats to slide towards the centre of the car and spread the available space. Alternatively the centre rear seatback can be folded down to create a small table with built-in padded armrests and holders for drink containers.TECHNOLOGYThe original Roomster came with the choice of 1.6-litre petrol or 1.9-litre turbo-diesel engines. This time around there’s just one, an all-new turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine with an official fuel consumption reading of just 5.9 litres per hundred kilometres. The previous diesel engine returned 5.5 L/100 km so the decision to not import it does make sense given our relatively low petrol prices.DRIVINGOn the road Skoda Roomster handles surprisingly well for such a tall, boxy vehicle with little body roll at normal cornering speeds. Steering is neutral at normal to higher-than-average cornering speeds. Even at freeway speeds, despite the small engine, it cruises comfortably.VERDICTSkoda’s decision to give Roomster a second chance in Australia is much more likely to succeed than before. While the unusual styling will polarise opinions the mini MPV’s functionality and versatility, together with a much better price, could make it a valuable addition to the Czech carmaker’s range.

Despite runaway popularity, some people simply don't like boofy SUV-style vehicles. They prefer a sleeker carry-all in the shape of a traditional (station) wagon. We really don't get it because an SUV is so practical and the new ones drive just like passenger cars, certainly not like 4x4 “trucks.'' Perhaps we are style challenged.But Audi reckons it has identified a vein of new car buyers prepared to pay handsomely for the privilege of not being identified with the hoi-polloi in their SUVs and has imported a limited number (150 each) of delectable Audi Allroads in A4 and A6 size. They are essentially Audi's version of the Subaru Outback — a semi-tough wagon on stilts with off road styling and some dirt/sand/ice road cred'.PRICE AND MODELSThe A4 Allroad is a newcomer to Australia selling for $69,900 with a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine and seven-speed S-Tronic dual clutch auto. It's the only way to get an A4 turbo diesel wagon with quattro all wheel drive in this country.The A6 Allroad model has been here for some time first appearing back in the early 2000s and running through two generations before this latest effort. It goes for a sizeable $117,900 and runs a 3.0-litre, V6 turbo diesel with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and quattro all wheel drive.If you are prepared to lump yourself in with the SUV bogans, you can get an Audi Q3 2.0 TDi for $54,500 and an Audi A5 3.0 TDi for $75,000.They are similar size vehicles to the Allroads with the same power trains and roughly the same amount of interior room. What price style?It must be said the Allroads are a delight to drive and are also feature-rich though you can easily bump up the price substantially with a few ticks on the options list. Standard kit on the A4 variant includes xenon headlights, keyless entry and start, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear park assist, rear view camera, leather, 10 speaker audio, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, decent satnav, electric front seats and steering wheel controls as well as a 20 gigabyte hard drive. The A6 gets a lot more including adaptive air suspension.The A4 Allroad is based on the recently facelifted A4 Avant and is pretty much identical inside and similar on the outside except for wheel arch flares, a raised ride height, stainless steel exterior garnishes, underbody protection and reinforced wheels with higher profile tyres. The A6 Allroad is a similar story but bigger and is built up from the A6 Avant.TECHNOLOGYThe A4 2.0-litre donk is good for 130kW/380Nm while the A6 3.0-litre generates some 180kW/580Nm both achieving these outputs at low engine revs. The smaller unit consumes 6.0-litres/100km while the larger one drinks sparingly at 6.3-litres/100km. That means both benefit from the fuel economy triggered Luxury Car Tax reduction of up to $4000.Audi's efficiency technology is used in both vehicles with auto stop/start, regenerative braking, low energy aircon, reduced friction engine internals, low rolling resistance tyres and on-demand engine cooling (thermal management) all contributing to better fuel economy and lower emissions. Off road capability is improved with a self locking rear differential, off road stability control and reinforced suspension subframes. But they have space saver spares — better than nothing.THE DRIVEWe drove both cars on and off road and felt the smaller vehicle is much better value though the A6 has superb engine performance and economy and is substantially bigger. We drove them through creek crossings with about 500mm water flowing, over rocky fire trails and on graded dirt roads — none of which posed a problem. We doubt any Allroad owner would drive their car in these environments.On the highway, both cars are just like the normal wagon variants in drive feel — in other words, rewarding, smooth, quiet and responsive. Even on fast mountain pass roads, the Allroads are quite adept. We found the controls to be intuitive and the level of luxury inside comforting.VERDICTThese cars are consumate “inbetweenies'' fulfilling multiple roles with aplomb — at a price.Audi A4 AllroadPrice: from $69,000Engine: 2.0-litre diesel 130kW/380NmTransmission: 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutchThirst: 6.0L/100kmAudi A6 AllroadPrice: from $117,900Engine: 3.0-litre V6 180kW/580NmTransmission: 7-speed dual clucth, AWDThirst: 6.3L/100km

Carpet killed the concept of hosing out your car, swirling down the same hole in the ground as the Dodo. It used to be a quick way of cleaning out the car, ute or 4WD.Now, thanks to carpets, it's a huge non-no. Well it was until Toyota presented this family wagon with rubber floors. Now the hose is in action and after a day larking about in beachside dunes, the sill-less floor of the Land Cruiser 200-Series GX is shiny new.The GX gets the serious drivetrain of the GXL and Sahara in a unique body with rear barn doors, pared back luxury items and a $11,000 price cut on the $88,490 GLX diesel. In terms of value and performance it is, seriously, the best 200-Series you can buy.VALUEThe 200-Series GX costs $77,490 and comes only as a V8 turbo-diesel with an automatic transmission. The drivetrain is sh ared with the other 200-Series diesels and isn't the same as the more agricultural 70-Series range.  Toyota has kept the hard-edged bits - full-time 4WD with centre diff lock, six-speed auto, electric-shift transfer case, full steel-plate underbody protection, 17-inch wheels, 138-litre fuel tank, snorkel, hill descent, a “crawl” program (cruise control for snails), and the wide-mouth barn-door access.But it gets aircon (it's optional in the rival 70-Series), electric windows and mirrors, alloy wheels, cruise control, remote locking, Bluetooth with iPod/USB connectivity and top-shelf safety fittings. It misses out on remote push-button start, seven seats, 18-inch alloys, park sensors, sat-nav, reverse camera, chrome trim and Kinetic suspension. I'm sure we can live without them.TECHNOLOGYThe V8 is the big 195kW/650Nm bi-turbo oiler. It's based on the same 4.5-litre V8 in the 70-Series models, but the 200's extra turbocharger gives 44kW/220Nm more oomph. It is mated to a six-speed sequential auto which drives all wheels. There's an electrically-activated transfer case for the switch from 4WD High to 4WD Low.The GX doesn't have the WA-developed Kinetic long-travel, disconnecting suspension of the other 200s. The focus is on off-road durab ility, so all the high-end dirt-related equipment is retained (hill descent, the crawl system and so on) while pretty things like the chrome strips, sat-nav, extra speakers and seven seats are ditched. The 17-inch wheels give owners a much bigger tyre choice from street-oriented to specialist off-road rubber - something the 18-inch wheels can't offer.DESIGNThe barn doors - vertically-hung rear doors with the left-side being half the size of the right-side door - are the give away to this model. There's also the big, ugly black air intake snorkel that sna kes along the right-side windscreen pillar, though it's an option on all 200s. There's 17-inch alloy wheels and a fat, black grille. Open the door and there's rubber floors and seating for five (other 200s take seven) though it's not as basic as you'd think.Seats are cloth-covered, comfortable and offer plenty of travel. Cabin space is substantial - well, it's the size of an apartment block - and flexible with a split, tumble-fold rear seat. Dash treatment is attractive offering clear, easy to use instruments and switches.SAFETYThe big wagon doesn't have a crash rating though I suspect it, like the 100-Series, is a four-star car. There is a host of electronic aids  including stability and traction control, hill ascent (crawler) and descent, brake assist and even ABS on four huge ventilated-disc brakes. There's six airbags and a full-size spare. It stands 2m high so placing the occupants higher than a passenger car which indicates potential for less injury in side impacts (with a smaller car), though arguably the tall height also makes the wagon more suspect to rollovers.DRIVINGIt's comforting to hit the sand and know you have 138 litres of fuel on board to get you out and back. It's even better when, with the 17-inch Dunlops down to 17psi, you feel the GX float over some impossibly sticky terrain while hardly slowing down. It's a massive car - over 3-tonnes with fuel and myself aboard - but so confident in really poor offroad conditions.It's a snap to drive unless you plan to park it. The bi-turbo V8 diesel engine so flexible down to 1000rpm, that it makes flicking the switch to 4WD Low seem almost unnecessary. On the bitumen it eats the kilometres, lopping along at 100km/h at 1700rpm. The six-speed auto is smooth and the sequential shift makes easy work of tasks such as slow off-road work and towing up to 3.5-tonnes. Above all, it's very comfortable - even in this base spec.Missing out on the Kinetic system doesn't appear to make much difference. Fuel economy, however, isn't great. Toyota claims 10.3 L/100km but a day in the dirt and the long country road in between drank at the rate of 16.1 L/100km. Thanks for the big fuel tank. The barn doors open to 90-degrees (no further) so it's easy to load big cargo and, with the rear seats tumbled forward, four mountain bikes without removing their front wheels.VERDICTMinimalistic, extremely capable and relatively affordable. One of the best 4WDs.

The furniture shop assistant was doubtful we could take a large cabinet with us. Scratching his head, he asked, ‘So you have a van, then?’ ‘No sir. We have a Fabia.’After clearing up any misconception we were talking about cover model Fabio’s less-handsome brother, the assistant ended up impressed by the capacity of the relatively unknown Skoda Fabia. It removed any doubt Skoda’s little Fabia wagon is practical, with plenty to offer a growing - and shopping -family.Price and EquipmentFor $23,290 the Skoda Fabia 1.2-litre 77TSI DSG comes with 15-in steel wheels, tinted windows, multi-function leather steering wheel, Bluetooth, multi-function trip computer, cruise control, ESC, ABS, ASR, EBD, roof rails, air conditioning with pollen filter, eight speakers, heated door mirrors, 12-volt socket, auxiliary input socket, three-year unlimited km manufacture’s warranty, full-size spare wheel, and a cooled glove box.TechnologyWith outputs of 77kW and 175Nm -- and 0-100km in 10.3 seconds -- the front-wheel drive Fabia wagon won’t make revheads swoon. But for a wagon, the turbocharged, 1.2-litre TSI petrol engine has plenty of pep. The seven-speed DSG transmission gives smooth gear changes -- though the vehicle has a surprisingly loud idle. Official fuel combined is 5.3L/100km, and we came fairly close, reaching 6.7/100km combined, and 9.1/100km urban with a full load.DesignThe versatile Fabia can fit your family, your friends, or the large wooden cabinet that took our eye. By easily dropping the 60/40 split-fold rear seats, the already large 480 litres of boot space extends to 1460 litres. The back seats are a bit rigid for adults, and the front passenger seat would fold back more easily with a lever rather than having to slowly grind the large dial.The dash is easy to use and the cabin has a nice feel, helped by the optional, partial leather seats that give a more upscale look. Visibility is reasonable except for some rear blind spots – taken care of in our test car by the optional rear parking sensors.The cargo area is easy to load, and luggage restraint hooks, heaps of side storage, and roof rails make for plenty of options for carrying gear, although, having just one cupholder in the rear may cause some battles for territory. And it’s as handy for play as for work. After slogging away on our weekend renovation project, we slid our surfboards into the back of the Fabia and escaped to the beach.SafetySix airbags, Brake Assist, ESC, ABS, ASR, and EBD help this wagon protect your family, and your overpriced furniture.DrivingWhile not nearly as fast as the 132kW/250Nm Fabia RS, this wagon isn’t dragging. If you want to zip in and out of school drop offs, Fabia may be your ride. If you want to fly through drop offs, making the kids duck and roll on exit, perhaps you should consider the RS. There is a bit of tyre and cabin noise but nothing too obnoxious, so -- don’t count on that to drone out the kids squabbling over that single cupholder.The 77TSI’s handling is surprisingly sharp, brakes are solid (even with a heavy load) and acceleration is great. Little trouble handling turns, McPherson suspension on the front axle, and a smooth ride for all passengers - the Fabia 77 TSI is a family friendly package.VerdictFabia is an affordable, practical wagon well suited for young families.

Peugeot’s 508 sedan and wagon replaced the 407 last year with the aim of becoming a strong contender in the Aussie large car market. Since the 508 landed here mid-2011 it has slowly established ground, accounting for 828 of the 3,483 Peugeot sales so far this year. However, its rivals the Volkswagen Passat with 3,432 sales and Ford Mondeo with 3,554 sales are clear front runners. The 508 GT version tested here was a late arrival to the line-up, rolling into Peugeot showrooms in April this year, so has had a shorter time to prove itself. VALUEPriced from $55,990, standard features include an eight-speaker stereo, Bluetooth connectivity, 12V auxiliary sockets, tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, leather seats, glass sunroof, driving lamps and fog lamps. And the warranty is a standard 3 years with 100,000km roadside assist.There are several optional extras that can raise the price by nearly $8,000 including 19-inch alloy wheels for $500, power tailgate for $1000, Nappa leather seats with memory settings for $2500 and premium pearl white paint for $1300.You can also add GPS satellite navigation for $1500 or GPS satellite navigation plus JBL HiFi for $2300. But the navigation system is the old school ‘scroll to each letter and number’ rather than a more user-friendly touch screen. However, once your destination is locked in the directions are clear and it works efficiently, and it shows you the closest petrol stations and other handy landmarks nearby.TECHNOLOGYThe 508 gets a 2.2-litre 4-cylinder engine with 150kW of power and 450Nm of torque. And the GT version comes with double wishbone suspension and a 0-100km/h time of 8.4 seconds, more than a second quicker than the Touring Allure.It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission (no manual variant is available) and the only fuel type available is diesel, with an official combined fuel economy of 5.9L/100km. However we tested the wagon on a mix of city streets, major highways and quiet country roads and returned an average of 7.4L/100km - nearly 20 per cent higher.DESIGNThe 508 GT Touring has a classic wagon silhouette, with a large bonnet and extended rear. The wide grille is flanked by two slanting headlights and there is chrome detailing on the windows and door handles – overall the 508 is attractive. A nice touch is the electronic side mirrors that open and close when you unlock or lock the 508. On the inside there’s a leather steering wheel, with embellished stitching and Peugeot’s signature black piano lacquered detailing. What you’ll really notice is the abundance of features. The dashboard and shift knob are surrounded by buttons that deliver surprises to the driver. Our favourite has to be the “massaging” driver’s seat feature that adds to the luxury feel.There are sports styled speedometers, and several information displays including fuel consumption, km to empty and suburb location. There’s also an impressive panoramic sunroof that reaches all the way to the rear of the wagon, with the rear and back windows tinted to cut UV and provide privacy. The power tailgate makes loading the boot easy, just press the button and toss all your gear in there.As with all things there are a few negatives. The inside lacks places for your bits and pieces, as there’s only a very small central compartment and two cup holders. So you’ll struggle to find a place for a large water bottle or any other personal items that you want within arm’s reach.SAFETYThe 508 has a 5 star ANCAP crash rating with safety features that include six airbags, ABS and electronic brake force distribution, central locking, fog lamps at the front and rear, Bi-Xenon headlamps, park assist and tyre pressure sensors.DRIVINGWhile the GT designation might raise your hopes of it being a hot version, it’s not a sports performance wagon. In the 508’s case the GT stands for Grand Tourer and spells out an effortless and comfortable driving experience.The noise of the diesel engine only slightly enters the cabin, and the sound itself is pleasing - Peugeot knows its stuff when it comes to diesel engines. The 508 Touring takes off quickly and stops just as well, with refined and progressive brake feel.The six-speed automatic transmission is well mated to the 2.2-litre engine, with plenty of power on climbs and the suspension handles rough surfaces well. While the overall drive experience is more than adequate, the steering control lets it down with the electronic system giving a numb feeling around sharper corners.The large side mirrors assist when reversing and there are also front sensors - although you might wish there weren’t after a little while with their sensitive reactions beeping loudly near anything they see as an obstruction - we quickly found the noise distracting. And as with many other wagons the turning circle for the 4813mm body is a bit wide at 12.2 metres.VERDICTWhile it’s not the cheapest wagon out there, those looking for that extra something special will not be disappointed: classic wagon body, prestige features and a comfortable drive.