Motor Torque with David Berthon

Driving the popular Mazda CX-5 SUV today, Mazda’s top seller, it’s been around a
long time in ten models, a mix of petrol and diesel and front or all-wheel drive. No
hybrid but I’m told its coming. I drove the second tier 2.5-litre six-speed automatic
CX-5 Maxx Sport front wheel drive - $43,184 drive-away, which included optional
Soul Red Chrystal Metallic paint at $795. A colour that has in many ways ...

Arriving this month from Spanish brand Cupra – a new mid-size SUV in
three variants from $58,490 drive-away. Developed alongside the third
generation Audio Q3, the Cupra Terramar is a replacement for the ageing
Ateca and shares many body components with the new Audi. The entry
Cupra Terramar S features a 1.5-liltre turbo petrol mild hybrid powertrain
together with front wheel drive. Equipment levels are high wi...

With SUVs now representing over 60 per cent of new vehicle sales the choice for this favored body style just gets wider – Jaecoo has added a larger J8 five-seat SUV onto the local market priced from $49,990 drive- away. Joining the smaller J7 the J8 according to Jaecoo has “technologies typically reserved for premium vehicles”. With a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine the J8 arrives in front and all-wheel-drive...

Driving the latest Toyota Camry sedan, the mid-range Ascent Sport in the
latest three model range at $42,990 plus on-road costs – now with Toyota’s
fifth generation hybrid system in a refreshed body with a revamped interior
and centre console and a nice choice of fabrics that give it more of classy
feel. As I said earlier, this latest Camry has more of a feel of Toyota’s luxury
brand Lexus. Sedan&rs...

The Toyota Camry has been around a long time - a medium sedan that just
seems to get more refined with each new model – built locally from 1987 to
2017, imported since and fully hybrid since late last year like the rest of
Toyota’s passenger car range. The current three model Camry sedan range
consists of the Ascent, Ascent Sport and SL models prices starting at
$39,990 plus on road costs and running to $...

There’s now only one diesel powered medium sized SUV on the market
and fortunately it will be here for a while – the 2025 Kia Sportage remains
the last medium SUV with diesel power proving the most popular
powertrain in the Sportage SUV line-up. Diesel power currently represents
36 per cent of Sportage sales growing from 30 per cent for most of last
year. And despite the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard pe...

The ute market just grows year on year and looks set to intensify with new
players – Hyundai Australia the latest player to throw its hat into the ring –
with newly appointed Chief Executive Don Romano confirming his
company cannot be competitive in Australia without one. The local
company hopeful its parent can redesign sister company’s Kia Tasman
with a hybrid or plug-in by hybrid powertrain to su...

Behind the wheel of Kia’s electric mid-size SUV, the EV5. The first Kia to be built
in China with the battery interestingly supplied by electric car giant BYD. There’s
three trim grades Air, Earth and GT-line, I’m driving the mid-grade EV5 Earth at
$68,990 drive-away, a 230kW dual electric motor all-wheel-drive with a long range
88.1kWh battery and a quoted range of 500km. The drive experience proved

Driving Kia’s electric mid-sized EV5 SUV – similar in size to Kia’s petrol
Sportage, although boxier and the first Kia to be made in China for this market.
Three trim grades Air, Earth, and GT- Line – I’m driving the mid-grade EV5 Earth
at $68,990 drive-away, a dual motor all-wheel drive with a long-range 88.1kWh
battery providing a quoted 500km range. Features include synthetic leather sea...

The car market this year has been somewhat unpredictable with a number
of factors affecting various segments. What surprised last month was a
resurgence in sales of the trusty Ford Mustang – a significant delay in the
arrival of the latest S650 model saw pent up demand take the two-door
Mustang to its best sales month in almost seven years. Who said the trusty
V8 was dead in the water. 720 Mustangs were sold in...

Renault’s Koleos SUV has been around in much the same guise since 2016
but holds the distinction of being the biggest selling Renault since that
time – a good all-rounder and selling well in recent times. A new entry
Evolution grade has just been added at $34,990 plus on-road costs
undercutting the previous entry Zen model which sold last year at $42,500.
The new pricing pits the highly regarded Koleos ag...

BMW updated their entry model hatchback last December – now simply
called the 118 this small five door hatch has a lot of presence in a facelifted
body that’s slightly longer and taller. Now $56,500 plus on-road costs but
with more equipment and more tech savvy – slightly longer and taller, still
powered by a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder driving through a seven-speed
dual clutch automatic. This la...

Driving BMW’s new entry model – the 118 hatchback which arrived last
December at $56,500 plus on-road costs. The small German five-door hatch
restyled and powered by a familiar 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine with
a small lift in power and torque driving the front wheels through a seven-
speed dual clutch transmission. Also included a sports mode with manual
shift paddles. This latest BMW 118 is 41m...

Porsche is the latest company to cancel plans to take much of its line-up
electric by the end of the decade. At a recent Annual General Meeting with
investors the German sports car maker said, “it would be a significantly
longer transition phase globally, on the journey to electric mobility.” The
slower than expected transition putting pressure on the company’s bottom
line. According to Porsche CEO,...

While the Chinese car industry has enjoyed significant growth GWM’s
Chairman Wei Jianjun has warned the industry is in an unhealthy state due
to incessant price cuts. In an interview with Chinese publication Sina
Finance the GWM Chairman suggested if it continues like this the Chinese
auto industry will be seriously threatened. Not specifically referring to any
Chinese car maker he warned the excessive and prol...

Driving Subaru’s Outback Sport Touring XT AWD – a special edition high
riding wagon that sits at the top of the Outback range at $57,490 plus on-
road costs. Distinguished with special Geyser Blue exterior paint and black
18-inch alloy wheels, also highly equipped. Power source the traditional
2.5-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder turbocharged driving all four
wheels through a continuously variable...

Subaru’s Outback has been a firm family favourite for over 25 years. I’m
driving the Outback Sport Touring XT, a special edition turbocharged
model that sits at the top of the Outback’s model range priced at $57,490
plus on-road costs. The Outback best described as a high-riding wagon
and the Sport Touring XT identifies with dark 18-inch alloy wheels and
special Geyser Blue exterior paint. Inside, p...

There’s now only one diesel powered medium sized SUV on the market
and fortunately it will be here for a while – the 2025 Kia Sportage remains
the last medium SUV with diesel power proving the most popular
powertrain in the Sportage SUV line-up. Diesel power currently represents
36 per cent of Sportage sales growing from 30 per cent for most of last
year. And despite the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard pe...

The Korean brand name SsangYong has disappeared this month in
Australia with the local distributor now adopting the KGM branding of its
parent company. The KGM Group acquired SsangYong two years ago
changing its name globally, at which time it was known here as KGM
SsangYong. The naming move is significant given the arrival of new
product – the recent KGM Torres mid-size SUV and the soon to be
launched Actyo...