In a market that's more about SUVs and Utes, it’s hard to believe that some brands are still offering a range of sedans. However, the BMW 3-Series is not your run of the mill sedan; now in its seventh generation, it’s showcasing itself as the ultimate sports sedan. That may sound presumptuous, but they have the pedigree behind its...
We recently tested the Kona EV – a small electric SUV with a substantial battery capacity. Lots of people ask questions when we have an EV on test, popular ones are ‘how do you charge them’? And, ‘what does it cost’?So then - what’s the skinny on charging your electric car, big battery or small?Just like charging...
The Big Daddy of the X range of BMWs, the X5 has undergone a facelift for 2019, and has received some more tech.The X5 has been a great seller for BMW New Zealand. With half of X5 sales the base X30d model, happily this is the one BMW sent us to review.After having just got out of the all-new Audi Q8, can the X5 continue to keep...
2019 BMW M2 Competition - Car Review - Because RacecarLast year, BMW took home the DriveLife award for the 2018 Driver’s Car of The Year with the BMW M2. BMW New Zealand were honoured to win this award and so they should be, as the M2 is an amazing performance car for a pretty reasonable price.This year, BMW asked our team if...
Back in 2017, we tested the Mercedes-Benz AMG C43 Coupe – and loved it. It made great sounds, and handled beautifully for the size of the car, and was only the second car ever that I gave a 5-chevron rating to. It made me wonder if you really need the C63, when the C43 was so good.This year, we got sent the 2019 C43 saloon to...
We have all seen the new ad campaign running for Mitsubishi’s new Triton. It looks rough and ready to take on anything New Zealand can throw at it. They tagline is that the new Triton comes with Beast mode on. After seeing this advert a few times, I thought we must get a new Triton to test. If it was not a sign from the gods...
The Audi Q8 was one much-anticipated car last year. It looked stunning in the photos, and the specs seemed good. You sure get a lot for your money with the Q8.But really, what would it go like? Is it all bling with no substance? It’s been too long since we’ve had an Audi to review, and this was one I was really looking forward...
Lexus New Zealand has launched a totally new model, the UX. While Lexus still has the smaller CT200 (which will continue production for the time being) the UX is an all-new model, based on the GA-C platform, with a low centre of gravity, alloy doors, bonnet and front fenders. The rear hatch is made of a mix of polymer resin and...
In December of last year, I got the opportunity to test drive the new Lexus ES 300h Limited. It's in a market full of long wheelbase Germans offering various degrees of luxury sedans for any wallet size.Would the new ES 300H have what it takes to stand out from the crowd and make you rethink your options?The RangeThere...
One of my most memorable drives on any road ever, is not in a $250,000 BMW M5, or a Honda Type R, or a Mercedes Benz AMG. The year was 1986, and I drove a Hertz rental front-wheel drive Toyota Corolla 1.3 manual – the base model – from Auckland to Wellington. The best part of that trip was the road from Kihikihi to Mangakino in south...
