Toyota Problems

And the car industry is not immune from being saddled with these potentially damaging problems.Apart from Ford's recent problems with brake hoses and brake booster valves on E-Gas Falcons the other ‘big two’ carmakers have had their fair share of recalls.Holden has had five recalls for its VE Commodore and Statesman range since its introduction in 2006, involving things like fuel vapor lines, fuel lines and defective valves on LPG cars.ToyotaToyota had a range of recalls for its Camry, HiLux, RAV4, Yaris and LandCruiser over the past three years. Most, like a headlight dimmer switch on a Camry, have been minor. Others, like the potential fire hazard stemming from a poorly installed insulator pad on a Yaris, raised alarm bells among some customers.NissanLast week Nissan was forced to recall 11,743 Maximas and 4972 Muranos because of a vibrating air intake in the engine bay.AudiEven the luxury German brands are not immune. Last year Audi had to recall its TT for a piece of rear side trim in its cars that unless fixed, could potentially injure passengers.Mercedes-Benz This year Mercedes-Benz has recalled its M-Class off-roader for a possible glitch in its electric rear hatch. It was also forced to recall S-Class sedans fitted with active body control because of problems with the front lower ball joints on its suspension. On some high-mileage vehicles, the front suspension could fracture on rough roads. Faulty left and right windows in the Viano van also required the replacement.BMWOf the German carmakers, BMW has fared better. It has not had a official government recall since 2006.Volvo Volvo has had three recalls this year of its S80, XC70, V70 and new XC60 for engine cooling fan problems and windscreen wiper problems with the S80 and XC70.JaguarJaguar, once widely ridiculed for its poor quality cars, has come a long way over the past few years. Jaguars these days have no less, or no more, problems with recalls than some of the other luxury brands. Last year it experienced some minor problems with the XF range involving wiring and rear seatbelts.In all cases, recalls by carmakers are handled quickly and responsibly. If you want to check out whether your vehicle has had a recall, go to www.recalls.gov.au

Unlike the magazine's 4WD Of The Year award, which only looks at vehicles that are new or significantly revised in that year, these annual accolades look at all the 4WDs on the market. In fact long-time champions dominate these awards but sometimes even long-time champs are forced to step aside. Best Value for Money

There are sports cars and there are sports cars. Where once it was easy to define what a sports car was it’s no longer as easy with cars today. Where once a sports car was a stripped down, souped-up model with the emphasis on performance and handling, it seems today a sports car is anything with a folding roof.Toyota’s MR2, however, stuck to the traditional formula. The emphasis was definitely on the on-road performance, which makes it a great car for the enthusiast driver.MODEL WATCH The second generation MR2, the SW20, was the prettiest of the lot. While it evolved from the earlier Mk 1 there were none of the earlier model’s hard lines and sharp edges that dated it quickly. The SW20 was a pretty little two-door, mid-engined, Targa-topped coupe with well-balanced proportions that gave it an athletic stance. Its pretty lines have dated very well; it’s hard to believe it is 17 years old.But it wasn’t just a pretty face. The MR2 might have been small, but it was a pocket dynamo on the road. Its mid-engined layout gave it a balance that was close to perfect. With an agility few other cars could match, coupled with brilliant steering precision, the MR2 would swallow up a winding road like few others.The suspension was independent all round, the steering was rack-and-pinion, and the brakes were big powerful discs on all corners.Under the rear lid lay a cross-mounted 2.0-litre, 16-valve, double overhead camshaft, fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that punched out 117 kW at 6600 revs and 190 Nm at 4800 revs, all of which was channelled through a five-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. A 1994 update brought the GT and the ‘Bathurst’ special models. The engine for both boasted 125 kW at 7000 revs and 186 Nm at 4800 revs.Inside, you were cocooned in a tight cockpit, sitting in form-fitting sports seats, with everything within easy reach. There wasn’t a lot of storage space so you couldn’t plan on taking a lot of luggage on a weekend getaway.At launch the coupe came with alloy wheels, power windows, central locking, rear spoiler, fog lamps, high-mounted stop lamp, and AM/FM stereo sound. A facelift in 1992 brought larger 15-inch alloys, larger front spoiler, revised suspension, steering wheel, gearshift knob, and upgraded sound system. From 1994 the ‘Bathurst’ had alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, power windows and mirrors, central locking, cloth trim and cassette sound. The GT was better equipped. It came with leather, cruise, fog lamps, power steering, remote central locking, and an alarm. CD sound was added in 1995. Air was an option.Toyota also sold a turbocharged model in some overseas markets. Any here will be grey imports rather than locally delivered cars.IN THE SHOP Most MR2s are owned by enthusiasts who take care of them, but look for signs of hard driving. There are enough around to be choosy so take the time to find a well cared-for car.It’s important to follow the Toyota service schedule. Do so and the MR2 will give little trouble, but stray from the recommendations and you risk problems. Toyota recommends regular changes of the engine coolant, but be careful to bleed the system properly when you do so. Airlocks in the system caused by not bleeding the system correctly will almost certainly lead to overheating and engine damage.The cam-timing belt should be changed every 100,000 km or five years, but the engine is a free-spinning design, so while a broken belt will leave you stranded by the roadside it won’t cause internal damage to the engine.The clutch is relatively heavy. Clutch life can also be short if the car has been driven hard. Generally it’s possible to get well in excess of 100,000 km from the clutch, but hard driving can cut that to 80,000 km or so. The gearbox is generally sound, but there are reports of notchy gearshifts. Using higher-grade oil in the gearbox is the fix most owners use.Tyre wear can be a problem. Front tyres tend to wear the inside edges more rapidly than the outside; the rears wear more rapidly on the outer edges than the inner.If considering a turbo check its history, as it will have been imported though the grey import scheme.IN A CRASH The fundamental safety weapon in a car like the MR2 is the chassis. One of its most endearing attributes is its razor sharp handling that gives the driver every chance of avoiding a crash. Powerful ABS-supported four-wheel disc brakes, big tyres and sporty suspension form a powerful primary safety package. The GT had a driver’s airbag.OWNERS SAY Shae Haefele owns a 1996 MR2 Bathurst model that has done 150,000 km. It lives in the garage through the week and comes out on weekends. He says it is quite powerful, but due to its light weight it’s also very economical. On average he gets 8.8 L/100 km. He says there is nothing like taking the MR2 for a drive with the Targa roof off on nice sunny day. The MR2 is really at home on winding roads, taking any corner with ease. With the mid-mounted engine, it really hangs on, and allows you to put the foot down on the way out, with total control and confidence. He also loves the driving, the comfortable seats and the location of the gear stick. In summary he says it is the ultimate driver’s car, and it has been very reliable.John Mares owns a 1993 MR2 that has now done 89,000 km. He loves the looks, the acceleration, handling, and the economy of driving it day-to-day. His dislikes are the rear tyre wear and the cost of servicing it. Like Shae’s John’s car has been very reliable.LOOK FOR • Pretty coupe looks• Great handling• Good performance• Economical running• Robust and reliable mechanicalsTHE BOTTOM LINE• Great looking sports coupe boasting brilliant handling and performanceRATING 75/100

When Toyota released the Prius hybrid the green debate was in its infancy and climate change sceptics poured scorn on this radical newcomer, but the debate is now driving our choice in cars and the just-replaced second generation Prius has become an option for environmentally aware used car buyers.For many years now we've had laws to limit the emission of unburnt hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides, the stuff that causes smog and leads to all sorts of health problems, but those gases are only part of what comes out of the tailpipes of our cars. The bulk of what is emitted is carbon dioxide, now better known as greenhouse gas and blamed for causing global warming and climate change.While it's possible to effectively control hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and nitrous oxides by treating the exhaust gases before they enter the atmosphere the only way to cut carbon dioxide is to reduce the amount of fuel burnt. Enter hybrids like the Prius that reduce our reliance on the petrol engine, and therefore the amount of fuel burnt, by combining it with an electric motor.MODEL WATCH Toyota launched its first generation Prius hybrid here in 2001 with claims it would cut fuel consumption by 50 per cent and tailpipe emissions by 80 per cent. In 2003 it followed up with the improved second-generation model and claimed it would better those numbers.Driving a Prius was a completely new experience, one that was mostly silent. Silence was something the Prius driver had to come to terms with because there was little of the noise they'd become used to with cars over the decades.The front-wheel drive Prius five-door hatch used a combination of a small 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor for motivation, and depending on the driving circumstances, one or both could be in use.When at rest, at traffic lights or wherever the Prius comes to a halt, there's an eerie silence as neither motor is running. When it comes time to move off the electric motor does the work, it's only when more acceleration is called for that the petrol motor starts and joins in to help out.Once a cruise is reached it's the petrol motor that does most of the work, as it's at its most efficient when running at a steady speed. At that time the electric motor becomes a generator and feeds the system's batteries. Energy is also harnessed during braking and that's also fed into the batteries to keep them charged. The Prius drives smoothly at all times and the changeover between petrol power and electric motivation are seamless.Best of all the driver can observe what's happening with the drive courtesy of an energy readout in the dash, which informs them of the energy being consumed, or better still, that being stored for future use. While the primary aim of designing the Prius was to be frugal and environmentally friendly, Toyota didn't do it at the expense of the driving experience.The Prius was a good car to drive, quiet and smooth with decent performance in traffic and out on the highway. When pitted against the clock it would match a Corolla for acceleration. If the focus was on the hybrid drive system there was also all the features you could want in your daily driver.It came standard with climate-controlled air, cruise, remote central locking, immobiliser, power windows and mirrors, and six-speaker CD sound. The I-Tech model boasted all of that plus a six-stacker CD, leather trim, nine-speaker sound system, reversing camera, and sat-nav.IN THE SHOP Driving a Prius effectively links you to a Toyota dealer, as they are the ones with the knowledge and equipment to service and repair it. The hybrid technology is still relatively new and hasn't flowed on to local workshop level yet.There is some concern about the life of the batteries used in the Prius, for good reason, as they are expensive to replace at around $4000. That said, Toyota says they will last the life of the car, and better still the company says it has only sold a handful through its spare parts service in the eight years the Prius has been on the market here.Because of the complexity of the Prius it's best to adopt a cautious approach when thinking of buying one second hand, and have it checked by a Toyota dealer to make sure all is well. Apart from checking the operation of the hybrid system make the usual checks for crash repairs and regular servicing.IN A CRASH The Prius was packed with all the safety features going. It has dual front airbags, and seat belt pretensioners standard, plus head airbags and side front airbags in the I-Tech. For active safety there was ABS antiskid brakes, brake force distribution, emergency brake assistance, and traction control, but if you stepped up to the I-Tech you also had electronic stability control.AT THE PUMP While the Prius is primarily about reducing greenhouse gas emission owners are keen to point out its fuel-saving virtues as well. But the amount of fuel you save with a Prius is very dependent on the type of driving you do.The more stop-start city driving the more fuel you will save; the savings out on the highway where the petrol engine is used more are much less. Tests of a Prius by carsGuide in 2005 showed that around the city the hybrid would comfortably do 4.1 L/100 km, whereas out on the highway it would run in the high-fives and wasn't any more economical than a small four-cylinder petrol or diesel car.LOOK FOR . Deafening silence. Smooth driving. Low fuel bills. Complexity beyond local mechanic. Comfortable and roomy. Environmentally friendlyTHE BOTTOM LINE It's not a gimmick, the driving future is here, but it isn't cheap and it is yet to be fully proven over the long term.RATING 80/100

SUVs like the Toyota Kluger have been a major new force in the local car market in the last two decades, but the spiraling price of fuel is now putting their very survival under threat.The SUV has replaced the station wagon as the favourite transport for many families. Their appeal lies in their flexibility, size and perceived safety. They have become so popular that every car company has been forced to have at least one in their product offering. Toyota has been of the innovators in the SUV market with a number of models to suit all sizes and budgets. The Kluger is the mid-sized model aimed fairly and squarely as the average family.MODEL WATCH Australians have always had a fascination with the bush; they have always been intrepid travelers, willing to drive thousands of kilometres over rough roads to explore this vast land. Carmakers understood this need to explore distant places and came to realize there was a market for a vehicle that could double as family transport while possessing the capability of getting to these sometimes remote locations.Initially they responded with models that were essentially toned down four-wheel drives, plenty tough enough for the bush, but far too rugged for town. It was in the 1990s that purpose-built models began to emerge. They had four-wheel drive and rode high, but were closer to the regular family four-door than the rough and tough wagon that had blazed a trail through the bush.There was the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, but then came the Kluger, and mid-sized wagon capable of transporting the average family round town or the bush.The Kluger was a close relative of the Camry and that’s a pretty good way to look at it. It’s the softroader to suit the average family. Like the Camry it’s conservatively styled, but does everything pretty well without being too outstanding in any one area. Typically Toyota really.It will carry up to seven and still have a bit of space for those things families seem to need to take with them when they hit the road. It had a capable all-wheel drive system, which was able to cope with most rough roads the average family adventurer would encounter. On the upper models there was an array of electronic helpers to keep you out of trouble in the rough stuff.Power came from a 3.3-litre double overhead camshaft V6 producing 172 kW at 5600 revs and 328 Nm at 3600 revs, which gave it plenty of punch.All Klugers came with a five-speed automatic transmission, and all had four-wheel drive.On the black top the Kluger felt a little vague, typical of most offroaders. While it felt safe and sound it felt disconnected from the driver, all controls were light and lacked feel, but the ride was very comfortable. Off road, on rough bush tracks, the Kluger felt quite at home. Its suspension soaked up the bumps with ease, and it was a delight to drive down bush tracks that unsettled other similar cars.Three models made up the Kluger range. The base CV had cloth trim and carpets, the CVX had leather, a sports steering wheel, powered driver’s seat, and alloy wheels, while the Grande also had wood grain highlights.IN THE SHOP It’s important to check for signs of offroad use. Few will have been taken down anything more challenging than a gravel road, but it’s best to be safe and check underneath.Look for sand blasting of the underbody, bent or dented brackets and fittings, and torn rubber boots and seals. If you find anything walk away, there are plenty of Klugers on the market that haven’t been taken off the black top.The Kluger engine has a cam timing belt that needs changing at around 150,000 km, but few if any will have done anywhere near that amount of kays yet. While Toyota is renowned for its reliability there have been a number of concerning reports that suggest there are problems with the Kluger engine. Reports include damaged cylinder heads requiring replacement at 150,000-200,000 km, and con rods through blocks requiring the replacement of the whole engine.IN A CRASH There’s always an argument about the safety of offroad vehicles. The high driving position affords the driver a good view of the road ahead, which has to be good for safety, but that same high ride works against you when it comes to an emergency situation.The Kluger handles satisfactorily. It’s predictable, but not as responsive as a regular sedan and takes time to change course in an emergency. That can make it a bit of a handful in the lead up to a collision. The CV has dual front airbags, but the CVX and Grande had an array of front and side airbags, plus traction control and stability control.AT THE PUMP We are getting lots of queries from owners of all SUVs, including the Kluger, about switching to LPG to save on their running costs. That suggests they are concerned about it. Expect to get 10-12 L/100 km on average, a little less on the open road.OWNERS SAY Roger Turnbull’s 2005 Kluger CVX has done 81,000 km. It has been totally reliable and drives as fresh and tight as it did when new. He uses it for family transport, tows a small trailer, but doesn’t go offroad. He says it’s very comfortable and quiet and quite economical, but he has been unhappy with the standard of the service he’s received from the three Toyota dealers he’s tried.Richard Chaplin wanted a seven-seater for family transport when he bought his 2005 Kluger CV Sport. Richard chose the Kluger over a Ford Territory because it offered better fuel economy, resale and quality and was nicer to drive. His wife preferred it because it was a bit smaller than the Territory and she didn’t like the larger size of the Ford. They have had it for nearly three years now and still love it. It’s done 78,000 km it has never had a problem, only requiring regular servicing. It’s quiet and smooth, tows without a problem, and is reasonably economical. Unlike Roger Richard reckons his Toyota dealer is great.Jack van Bakel bought his Kluger in 2006 after considering a range of other vehicles. The one he chose had to be large enough to tow a caravan, it had to have four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, had to be value-for-money, and it had to easy to get in and out of. His only regret is that the Kluger, according to Toyota, is not suitable to be converted to LPG.LOOK FOR • comfortable ride• spirited performance• family-sized wagon• good visibility from high seating position• Toyota reliability• capable offroadTHE BOTTOM LINE Typically bland Toyota looks hide competent, well-built family wagon with the capability to tour the outback.RATING 75/100

The Camry has often been the subject of derision and scorn, rarely has it been an object of desire. It has come to be the car we know deep down we should own, but could never bring ourselves to buy.Toyota has built an enviable reputation, and market leadership, on the back of the reliability and durability of its cars, but those things alone are not enough to entice buyers into dealerships. For anyone with petrol running through his or her veins it also takes a healthy measure of emotion, something Toyota generally lacks.The Camry has reliability and durability in bucket loads, but there’s not a lot about it that gets the juices flowing. It’s the safe bet, one you probably won’t regret, but it’s not the car you want to talk about when standing around the barbie.The wide-bodied Camry was a popular car in the 1990s, but did little to endear the badge to buyers looking for a car they could brag about. It was a frumpy four-door, one you parked out of sight rather than in your driveway. It seems that Toyota got the message as the 20th century steamed to an end and began to take more interest in styling.Perhaps there was a realization that they had to appeal to a broader range of buyers if they were to conquer the world as they hoped to do. Whatever the reason, today’s Camrys are much more attractive, with bold flowing lines and nicely balanced proportions.The Series 30 Camry was launched in 2002 and brought with it a tighter look with well-defined lines and an aggressive front end that included wildly sweeping headlights. It was a bold statement from the company that tended to lurk out of sight in the shadows when it came to automotive styling.The Camry’s power choices were a new locally-produced 2.4-litre double overhead camshaft four that was packed with plenty of technology, like Toyota’s VVTi variable valve timing system that gave it smooth pulling power right through the rev range. When stretched to the limit it would produce 112 kW at 5600 revs and 218 Nm at 4000 revs. The alternative was a 3.0-litre double overhead camshaft V6 that produced 141 kW at 5200 revs and 279 Nm at 4000 revs.While most Camrys would have left showrooms with the four-speed auto in the tunnel, it was also possible to have a five-speed manual gearbox.Underneath, the suspension wasn’t earth shatteringly new, with struts front and rear, but worked very well. Local tuning by Toyota’s engineers ensured it handled our roads well; with admirable ride comfort and reassuring handling even over rough surfaces.Likewise, the power steering was well weighted and accurate, and the brakes, a combination of ventilated front discs and solid rears, with ABS oversighting the action, were positive and powerful.There’s plenty of room inside the Camry for a family of five, it’s well equipped and comfortable.The Camry does duty in the toughest arenas, the non-caring world of the fleet car and the school and supermarket runs of mum and the kids, so look for collateral damage from the bump and run of daily life. Bumps and scrapes on body extremities are commonplace, it’s part of the Camry’s natural environment. Nothing looks worse than body scaring and it’s costly to repair. They also tell a tale of how well the car has been treated. If it’s scarred on the outside there’s a good chance it’s scarred on the inside.Check for a service record and make sure the engine oil has been regularly changed. There’s nothing nicer for an engine than fresh oil, sludge build-up is the engine’s natural enemy. The four-cylinder Camry engine has a timing chain so there’s no servicing required until it starts to rattle, but that won’t happen until way into the upper reaches of the odometer. The V6 does have a belt that requires changing at around 150,000 km.Build quality is high, all parts fit together well and stay together over the life of the car, so you don’t tend to find things fall apart or off the Camry in service.The capable chassis with precise steering and powerful brakes presented a convincing primary safety argument for the Camry, and with dual front airbags, plus side airbags there was plenty of protection when the metal started crumpling.Size hampers the Camry when it comes to pump performance. The four-cylinder cars will do 10-11 L/100 km around town and a little better on the highway, while the V6 models will consume on average 1.5 litres more.Ron Flint bought his 2005 Camry in 2007. He had hired a Camry while on holiday and was so impressed with its performance, economy, easy handling and features that he bought one when he got back home. The Camry had done 5000 km when he bought it to replace his 200,000 km Falcon, which had blown a head gasket.Eric Deakin bought his 2005 Camry Ateva V6 seven months ago having done 97,000 km, and reckons it’s the best car he has owned in more than 60 years of motoring. He says it is a well-built, well-appointed and very roomy car, which has excellent performance. So far he has found no faults at all with it and would happily recommend it to anyone.Rex Manuel bought his 2003 Camry Ateva four-cylinder second hand in 2005. He is happy with the Camry’s roominess and its generous boot, but misses the performance of the Ford Fairmont he owned previously.• Sharp looks.• Reliable mechanical package• Good performance• Smooth drivability• Good resale valueWell-engineered, well-built, the Camry is robust and reliable, great transport for families.

And there is likely to be more of it so with all the top resorts reporting big falls of crisp fresh white stuff, enthusiasts are dusting of their ski gear and talking snow talk.Carsguide this week takes a look at some of the newer off-roaders and others we think are some of the more desirable partners in snow.NISSAN DUALIS Price: From $28,990IT is a big seller overseas, but the compact Dualis has been slow to take off with buyers here.But it is a competent snow companion. It's not too big, nor too small, has composed on road manners and reasonable soft-road ability.In keeping with the current crop of smaller off-roaders, the Dualis has a wagon-style design, upright driving position and cabin that will swallow a decent amount of gear.The rear seats split fold 60/40 and the four-wheel drive system has a lock function that splits drive 50/50 front and rear when the going gets tough at lower speeds.The Dualis is powered by a 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre four that delivers acceptable, but not outstanding performance.The Ti gets standard stability control, six airbags and heated leather front seats.Tick: Compact styling.Cross: Still relatively unknown. VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Price: From $33,990THE Tiguan is essentially a grown up Golf and takes on all the attributes of its smaller brother, adding all-wheel drive into the mix with a choice of 2.0-litre petrol or turbo-diesel engines.It's slightly longer than the Golf and comes with the 4Motion Haldex all-wheel drive system.There is no low range but the Tig will get you out of most trouble in the snow.One of the impressive things about this off-roader is its handling. Anyone familiar with the Golf will be perfectly at home.Like all VW's the Tiguan is well equipped and gets standard stability control, six airbags and optional hill-descent system.Roof rails are standard and you will need them for a luggage pod because boot space is limited. However, the rear seats do fold almost flat. If you specify leather, the front seats are heated.Tick: Badge and handling.Cross: Luggage space and firm ride. SUBARU FORESTER Price: From $30,990LIKE the previous model, the Forester is a top seller and popular among skiers.The new-generation wagon answers the criticism of limited luggage and rear seat legroom by being bigger and even more practical.However, by growing 90mm in wheelbase and up in overall size the Forester has lost some of that on-road precision that marked the previous model as a standout. Some aspects of the cabin, like the dashboard execution, are not of the quality we expect from Subaru either.Pluses are its size and 2.5-litre boxer four cylinder engines. Subaru build quality is generally good too, as is the constant all-wheel drive system.The Forester has a five-star crash rating and raft of safety features that includes anti-skid brakes, stability control and brace of airbags. Manual Foresters get hill-start assist, which stops the car rolling backwards while first gear is engaged.Tick: It's a Subbie.Cross: Soggy SUV feel. RENAULT KOLEOS Price: From $29,990TO dismiss the Koleos as just a French car over the top of Nissan mechanicals is missing the point.The Koleos is well executed, solid and safe. It has six airbags, stability control and hazard lights that come on after an emergency stop.The "All-Mode 4x4i" all-wheel drive versions also get hill-start assist and hill-descent control.In auto mode, the torque split between the front and rear is automatically determined by the amount of available grip.Entry models are two-wheel drive while all-wheel drive buyers get a choice of the smooth Renault-sourced 2.0-litre dCi turbo diesel or 2.5-litre Nissan-sourced petrol four cylinder.There's plenty of room. The rear centre armrest is removable to allow skis to be pushed through and there are storage bins under the front seats and rear floor.Like the Tiguan, the range topping models with leather get heated front seats.Tick: Better looking than an X-Trail.Cross: Renault badge. AUDI Q5 Price: From: $59,900IT seems that just about any vehicle Audi launches at the moment is a sellout.The Q5 is one of them.Smaller than a Q7, the Q5 has the same off-road attributes in a smaller sharply styled package with good luggage space via the 40/20/40 split rear seats and optional cargo barrier that separates luggage.Two petrol and two turbo diesels are available and the S-tronic seven-speed gearbox contributes to good fuel figures.Audi's permanent quattro all-wheel drive system splits torque 40/60 front and rear, which gives the car relatively neutral handling.For those looking for something bigger, there's the A6 Allroad and the Q7.Unfortunately Audi is becoming just like its German rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz when it comes to equipment.Tick: Space and diesel.Cross: Expensive options. FORD TERRITORY Price: From $39,490THE Territory has just undergone a recent update to bring it into line with the rest of the Ford range.However, the cabin remains largely the same, and that's not a bad thing. It's good for a family and has seven-seater capacity.The Territory's cabin is well thought out and there is lots of storage space.Buyers have a choice of four AWD models or three rear-drive models.Stability control is standard, as are four airbags and anti-skid brakes.The TS and Ghia four-wheel drive models get seven seats as standard. Mum and Dad will also appreciate the standard DVD player in the Ghia.The reversible rear-load floor and compartment for storing wet items is handy.Tick: Practical and good looking.Cross: Getting on despite update. VOLVO XC60 Price: From $57,950THE XC60 is one of the best handling Volvo wagons around and one of the most attractive.The new City Safety feature is more than just a gimmick. The system applies the brakes if you are about to rear-end another car in low-speed situations up to 30km/h.Other Volvo strengths are the lane change warning system and blind-spot warning system. Volvo seats are renown for their comfort. 40/20/40 split rear seat is practical.There is a choice of either the 2.4-litre D5 turbo-diesel, which is about to be upgraded to a twin-turbo for better economy and efficiency, or the 3.0-litre turbo petrol six.Tick: Styling and equipment.Cross: Rattly diesel. LEXUS RX350 Price: From $81,900.THE RX350 has grown slightly, which translates into more interior room.This wagon, like all Lexus models, is packed with equipment that is optional on its rivals like satellite navigation, power rear hatch and rear reversing camera.The Sports Luxury gets active headlights that follow the curve of the road, plus a heads-up display.The safety package consists of stability control with cooperative steering function (VSC+), traction control, anti-skid brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.There is also, hill-start assist, 10 airbags and a first-aid kit.The rear seats split 40/20/40 and there is a wet-storage area in the luggage load floor. Thule luggage pods are also available.Tick: Standard equipment.Cross: Looks bloated. MAZDA CX9 Price: From $51,990It looks big and feels big but once under way, the CX9 shrink-wraps around you.It's well sorted on the road, has a host of safety gear and with seven seats, has plenty of room for the family.The cabin quality is better than the CX9 too.The 204kW/366Nm 3.7-litre V6 has plenty of poke but slurps petrol like a celebrity lining up for a free drink during Melbourne Cup week.The 60/40 split fold rear seats can be released from the luggage area.Tick: Rear seating, quality.Cross: Fuel economy. TOYOTA PRADOPrice: From $48,600THE Prado is the ideal family load-lugger if you need serious space and room for the family.It comes with eight seats and long-range fuel tank of 180 litres.The full-time 4WD system has a low-range setting for heavy off-roading.However only the higher spec Prados get standard stability control, anti-skid brakes, hill-descent control and six airbags as standard so it pays to check the fineprint.GXL, VX and Grande buyers get foglights and roof rails with satellite navigation and height-adjustable air suspension standard only on the top-of-the-range Grande.Tick: Standard and GX lack standard safety gear.Cross: Clunky styling. NISSAN MURANO Price: From $45,990THE previous-generation Murano was a sleeper.In a lineup dominated by the Navara and Patrol, it never really stood out other than a competent family wagon and its soft curves alienated many potential buyers.But Nissan hopes to change that with the new-generation Murano.The styling is sharper, the 191kW/336Nm 3.5-litre V6 a sweet engine that delivers good fuel economy. The packaging is good. The automatic All Mode 4x4-i all-wheel drive system can distribute torque on demand to where its needed.The luxury Ti gets all the fruit, from navigation system to heated front seats, reversing camera, automatic rear hatch and Bose sound system. The 60/40 split rear seats on both the ST and Ti can be flipped forward from the back of the car.Tick: Engine, equipment.Cross: Cheese-cutter grille. RANGE ROVER SPORT Price: From $90,900THE Range Rover brand has a strong following and is the preferred luxury chariot for seriously well-heeled snowgoers.Like the bigger Range Rover the Sport gets the nifty "Terrain Response" off-road system which means you just have to twist the switch to get the required off-road mode.The Range Rover Sport has real off-road capability but we don't think too many owners would ever go bush bashing in the leather-line luxury off-roader, particularly with the stylish 20-inch wheels available some models.The 65/35 split rear seats also have folding cushions and the full-size spare is easily accessible under the car. However, some of the bigger wheel/tyre options make do with a spacesaver.Tick: Luxury.Cross: Reliability.