Back in late 2015 I was invited to the launch of the 3 Series LCI - the facelifted version of the sixth-generation F30. I was very impressed with the cars, naming the 3 series as my favourite car of the year. One of the comments I made at the time was about the cost. They’re great, but as premium cars they’re out of reach for a lot...
It’s been three generations of 5 series BMW’s since we have seen a 540i. The E39 540i was available from 1997. The 540i was a well known and sought after model. It came out with a 4.4L V8 engine and available with a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic, and a new onboard computer called the Multi-Information System.Thankfully...
With a huge range of executive euro cars available in New Zealand, can the Lexus IS300H Limited hold its own? Can it stand apart even from the Honda Accord V6 NT, which is over $25,000 cheaper?We spent a week with the recently upgraded IS300H Limited to find out.The RangeIn the Lexus IS range, there’s the IS 200t, IS 200t F...
I tested the range-topping Kia Optima Limited last year and I was really impressed with its quality and features, especially for the price. My only real criticism was that the 2.4l engine was a bit old-school and a smaller turbo engine might be better. Well it appears Kia listened to my sage advice, so here we have the new Optima GT with...
I’m a big fan of Audi, I’ve owned four of them, including an A4. So a week in the latest S4 was a very welcome proposition. Since it landed in New Zealand, the B9 platform S4 has been selling well, mainly in Avant form, with lots of Avant buyers going for the panoramic glass roof (a $4000 option).The RangeThe S4 range has...
With all the controversy with diesel over the last year or so, many brands are unsure about its future. Mazda is standing strong and pushing the technology into its next-generation Mazda6 sedan and wagon. Are they behind the times of the other hybrid cars, or is there still life left in the diesel market?The RangeMazda offers 4...
When I told people about testing the Accord, most were surprised Honda still sell it. They had thought it had left the new car sales scene years ago. It seems to have fallen off the radar for many, as buyers flock towards the Mazda 6 and Ford Mondeo.Is the Accord V6 NT (New Technology) a worthy contender as a luxury, midsize sedan?...
The Mazda6 was first released back in 2002, replacing the 626. The current third-generation car has been around since 2012 and has recently been facelifted and improved. One of our family cars is a 2002 last-model 626, and it’s still going strong, with 275,000km on the clock and everything still functional. This is a real testament to...
There used to be a time when people bought BMWs to stand out from the crowd. Having a BMW was supposed to be something special. All of a sudden BMW, like every other ‘premium’ manufacturer, started expanding their range to increase sales until they had a lineup of models covering every corner of the market, from MPVs to hybrid sports...
Sedans & Wagons
