Holden Cruze SRi V Sedan

Made in GM's Elizabeth plant in Adelaide,South Australia, the Cruze is a quality, well built vehicle. I detected no untoward squeaks or rattles during my week with the car.
The upgraded Cruze is proving a popular pick with buyers, in fact it was the 3rd best seller in April 2013, behind the class leader,Toyota's Corolla and Mazda 3. Cruze had a 13 percent market share for that month.

Equipment levels in the latest Cruze eclipse the Corolla and Mazda, with features previously found on more expensive imports. 
Mylink infotainment system,7 inch touchscreen, Bluetooth audio streaming and phone, heated leather seats, keyless entry and start, just some of the kit that comes as standard on the SRi V.
The seats are easily adjusted (manually) and are quite comfortable.
My only gripe with the interior is a lack of lighting.
On opening the door, the only illumination in the cabin is a feeble central dome light.
A couple more courtesy lights wouldn't go astray to make it more inviting at night.
There are two map lights in front, but they operate independently of the door lamp.

The SRiV 's 132kw 230 nm turbocharged 1.6 litre engine is a smooth and powerful performer, eagerly revving out to its maximum potential when driven hard.
On test here is the 6 speed automatic version. Smooth changes and the ability in Sport mode, to change gears yourself, added  to the appeal of the drivetrain.

The ride on the SRiV is pretty firm, bordering on harsh.I initially thought the tyre pressures had been boosted ( as is often the case for track work) but no, it was  the correct 32 psi.
The unforgiving suspension is great for spirited driving, hanging on surprisingly well, but in the 'burbs every tiny crack or bump is felt in the cabin.I guess an owner would get used to it, but personally I prefer more comfort. Smaller tyred variants (this has 18" wheels) are more forgiving. It can be done. Holden's Monaro went around corners as if on rails, yet had a wonderfully compliant suspension.
Nevertheless the Cruze has many other attributes that offset that observation.
It's very roomy,with about as much interior space as the old VS Commodores, and it's almost as large externally. While billed officially as a small car it's actually a medium sized vehicle
Plenty of glass means no difficulties reversing or lane changing, and the boot is cavernous..
Cruze is priced from 19 to 29K.
There are almost 20 model variants, including a turbo diesel, so no shortage of choice!
With the demise of Ford's Australian production in 2016, there are more reasons than ever to get behind the home built Cruze, not only to support the local industry, and the 60 thousand people employed in car component manufacturing in Australia, but because it's a great drive, deserving of consideration.
Peter Sellen

Volvo V40 D4 Kinetic

Volvo's V40 is low and slinky, a masterpiece of Scandinavian design, and probably one of the best looking in its class. Swooping style creases in the bonnet and along the flanks ,give the V40 an aggressive sporty look. The only blight on the exterior, are three windscreen washer nozzles atop the bonnet. Others have these more unobtrusively placed at the base of the windscreen.
However the designers have gone for form over practicality.
The  low roofline (a common design trend) has some serious drawbacks.
It's a tight squeeze even getting in to the rear pews, and once inside, with the front seats adjusted for a normal sized person, there's scant legroom and even less headroom.
My head was literally jammed into the roof; so in reality the V40 is a shapely "two plus two."
Nothing wrong with that, and children or small adults won't find the rear seat space an issue at all.
The rear windows only travel half way down into the doors, but that's also the case with many others in the segment.
Up front it's a different story. The driver's seat has electric adjustment, with three seat position memories for different drivers, and is heated, as is the passenger seat. And as usual with Volvo, the seats are among the best shaped and comfortable you'll find in any vehicle.
The cargo area is a good size, and thankfully there is a spare wheel, albeit a space saver.
An array of options appear on the instrument panel, with adjustable multi coloured ambient lighting adding to the overall classy feel of the cabin. On this Kinetic model even the gearshift knob is illuminated.
There's a reversing camera, (which you will make good use of as the rear window is tiny,)and all the information you could possibly want.
This is the basic V40 D4, and as such doesn't have the electronic handbrake found on high end variants, just a sturdy lever.
Nor does the V4 Kinetic have keyless entry and start.
The key fob needs to be in its dashboard slot, before pressing the go button.
I have always liked Volvo's five cylinder petrol engines, but this 2 litre five pot diesel is I believe, a far better option than those; quiet with a distinctive thrumming note all its own.
It really is a cracking powerplant, with a giant 400 nm of torque that will chirp the front tyres, even on modest take offs.
Engage sport mode, and the V40 is a rocketship, flying down the road, albeit with some initial torque steer through the wheel. The six speed auto gearbox, a treat to use.
Combined city/ highway fuel cycle is just over 5 litres per 100 kilometres.
I have found in other Volvos over the years, the standard sound system is to my critical ear, probably the best fitted to any car regardless of price. There are 8 speakers in this D4 model. 
As you'd expect with Volvo being a trailblazer in occupant safety, the V40 wants for nothing in this regard.
Multiple airbags, including one for the driver's knees, and a pedestrian airbag that activates at the base of the windscreen, and City Safety technology that brakes the car automatically up to 50kph if the system detects an object or person suddenly appearing in front of the car, just part of a comprehensive suite of safety items, that also include emergency brake assist and advanced stability control.
 A minor niggle is the large turning circle of just under 12 metres, requiring a bit of backing and filling in tight situations.
Ride around town is about average for the class, but better than previous Volvos of my experience, some of which tended to be a little harsh.
On the open road the suspension is in control, smoothing out undulations and rough spots with reassuring aplomb. When pressing on in tighter corners, there's a hint of understeer but it's always manageable. 17 inch wheels and tyres provide plenty of grip, but also some road noise on varying surfaces.
Priced from 34 to around 50K, the V40 is competing with a host of newcomers in the segment, including hatches from VW,Opel, and Mercedes.
It has many desirable traits, not the least the way the thing looks.
The small Swede has a lot going for it, and should at least be given a lengthy test drive.
Many potential buyers will be won over, convinced it's the car they must have.
Peter Sellen

Suzuki SX4 AWD

Suzuki has come a long way from being a sole manufacturer of motorcycles, progressing seamlessly into the automotive world with a raft of models that offer good value for money, are reasonably well equipped and fun to drive. 
The Swift in particular was ,and remains a huge success for the company, as does its latest upmarket Kizashi and range of off road Vitaras.
On test here is the cheekily styled SX4; a cross over hatch- cum all wheel drive, that I found remarkably pleasant to drive.
The SX4 is powered by a sprightly 2 litre engine,that has no trouble keeping up with traffic. On a recent 300 k road trip the motor was smooth and unobtrusive,with more than enough power for overtaking.
Fuel consumption during my week with the SX4 averaged around nine litres per 100 kilometres.
Wind and road noise were very subdued at highway speeds, in fact almost right up there with more expensive vehicles for sound minimisation. 
Ride comfort is among the best in class, handling most surfaces with the ease of a much larger vehicle.No crashing or jarring over unpleasant bumps.
Steering feel was good, just the right amount of feedback.
The wheel itself is a tilt only device, but it contains controls for cruise and audio.
Visibility out of the large glass area of the SX4 is excellent all round, with small fixed quarter windows next to the A pillar, and wrap around glass in the C pillar, helping to give the impression of spaciousness.
And despite being a small car, there's a goodly amount of head and leg room. I am more than 183 cm tall and was still able to find a good driving position.
The manually adjusted seats are very comfortable, but there is no lumbar adjustment.There are fold down armrests for driver and passenger,and door armrests are also padded for extra comfort. Sun visor mirrors are not illuminated.
Oversized wing mirrors a welcome feature.
The cargo area is quite small, but has a false floor that reveals a deeper well for extra bits and pieces.
There's no spare wheel.
Suzuki has fitted an all purpose information, audio and navigation screen in the central dashboard and it's quite easy to use.
This high end SX4 also has automatic climate control,keyless entry and start.
The car I drove was fitted with the now almost commmonplace CV belt drive transmission.Under hard acceleration the engine revs flare before the car catches up, as is the case with most of this  type of gearbox. Once used to the sound and feel, it's a perfect match.
The SX4 has manual override paddles on the steering column, and you can self select a range of gears with the console shift lever as well. The SX4 is driven by the front wheels with the rear pair joining the powertrain when the terraIn gets rougher. A button on the console allows you to select two wheel or all wheel drive, as well as an auto  position for the gearbox to decide which ratios and wheels should be driven, depending on the conditions. 
Suzuki's build quality is excellent. A well proven tester's benchmark is how the doors of a car sound when being shut.
The SX4's  delivered a solid satisfying thud, in fact better than some more expensive vehicles of my experience. Nothing tinny here!
The SX4 on test is the top of the range, and while not the last word in luxury, for under thirty thousand dollars  there's enough to please most people.
If you are in the market for a zippy, practical, comfortable, all purpose vehicle for any age group,the SX4 is most definitely worth a look.
It performs well as a city runabout,yet is equally at home on the open road.
Peter Sellen 

Ford Kuga Titanium AWD TDCi

Unusual name, but a remarkable vehicle, that has set some new standards in refinement and value for money in the medium SUV segment.
Ford's Kuga, is built on the Focus platform, and is just about right in terms of size and user friendliness.
Entry is easy with the seat hip height perfect for most people.
Interior space is slightly smaller than last week's RAV 4, but it will be more than adequate for owners.. 
The cargo area is also useful, though not as large as some.
The grippy, tactile, textured, leather bound steering wheel feels marvellous, and is adjustable for reach and rake. Just two and a half turns lock to lock, operating with just the right amount of feel in the 'burbs and on the open road.
Buttons for cruise control, menus and sound system adjustment, are intuitive and fall readily to hand.
You will want for nothing on this $47 K Titanium spec Kuga. 
In fact it puts the similarly priced RAV4 Cruiser and others at the high end of the segment,in the shade for sheer volume of equipment.
The list is long. 
Active cruise control, that allows you to set and vary a distance from the vehicle in front,a lane departure warning that shakes the steering wheel if you drift out of a lane,(with adjustable sensitivity,) illuminated blind spot icons in the door mirrors, if you haven't checked to see if a lane is clear before moving over,heated power adjustable front seats,panoramic opening glass sunroof with electric roller blind for hot days,reversing camera,power tailgate with rear bumper foot "swipe" activation sensors,auto wipers and lights,sat nav and much more, including bluetooth connectivity,brilliant bi xenon headlights and auto dual zone climate control.
Self parking capability, headlamp washers, auto folding wing mirrors, keyless entry and start,fold away tray tables in the rear of the front seats and subtle mood lighting in the dashboard foot wells and doors,adjustable through a spectrum of colours and intensities, are a few of the other luxury and practical features.
The fascia controls are lifted straight from the Focus, and once familiar with the large array of buttons, works well.
According to my sensitive back and derierre, I would say the ride comfort is much better than some rivals. The front seats are a little narrow for my liking, but are very supportive nonetheless, not too hard or soft... just right.
The 4 cylinder, two litre turbo diesel powerplant has 120 Kw and a handy 340 nm of torque.
It's quiet and responds with some urgency, through a six speed automatic gearbox,especially in Sport mode.
However the fuel filler is inexplicably open to all comers. 
The outside cover doesn't lock with the car, and the nozzle entry tube has no screw down cap, just a spring loaded flap, that's easily accessible to anyone who wanted to damage the fuel in the tank with some foreign substance. I have never seen that on a car before. If the outside door is not lockable, then the fuel cap itself usually is.
Not here. A strange omission.
The turbo diesel Kuga is commendably quiet at idle and silent on the open road,a feature of  most modern diesels..you simply wouldn't be aware most times that there's an oil burner up front.There's some body roll in the bends but it's not excessive. An effectively positioned driver's "dead" pedal to rest the left foot is also a welcome addition.
Snazzy 19 inch alloys complete the package.
On sale for just a couple of weeks at the time of writing, almost 400 have been sold nationwide.
Very impressive Ford. 
The Kuga is sure to become one of the best sellers in this market, and Ford will be hoping it's enough to ultimately lure buyers away from other brands.
Peter Sellen

Toyota RAV 4 Cruiser AWD

Little did Toyota know when if created the RAV 4 almost 20 years ago that it would spur a host of imitators.

The RAV 4 converted thousands of people away from the traditional family wagon, by combining space, comfort, off road abilities and ease of driving. Overnight, it was the "must have" vehicle for families.

The latest generation of RAV 4 has grown physically in size from the previous iterations, and it still holds its own in the company of almost 30 new models from other manufacturers, in the crowded medium sized SUV market.

VFACTS numbers show It remains the second most popular buy in its class.

The RAV 4 on test here is the top of the range AWD Cruiser, equipped with most things you'd find at the upper end in this segment, including auto wipers and headlights, heated leather front seats, and power operated tailgate.(Although  it doesn't have the sensor under the rear bumper that opens the tailgate for shoppers juggling purchases,with a swipe of a foot , like the new Ford Kuga to be tested next week.)

Cargo space is generous, although the floor in the rear is raised a few centimetres when the car is specified with  a full sized spare, giving an uneven surface. The problem is resolved if a space saver wheel is used.

Other features include integrated reversing camera,audio/navigation/and bluetooth functions in a central screen as well as a sunroof and roof bars.

The RAV here has a manual six speed gearbox, an unusual choice in this market as most buyers will choose the auto. 

Toyota says only 20 percent of customers  favour the manual gearbox.

The 2.2 litre engine in this car loves to rev and it will leap forward urgently when you're in a hurry.

Economy averaged around eight and a half litres per hundred kilometres which is reasonable. Sixth gear is really for the highway only. 

Around town it's a tad too tall, but fifth is fine at 60kmh.

There's plenty of torque when unladen, but a full complement of passengers and luggage blunts the performance.

There's only so much you can do style-wise in these vehicles, and the RAV looks the part with a pleasing shape, that's trying not to look "boxy." 

Others in the class such as the KIA Sportage and  Range Rover Evoque, push the envelope in this area, resulting in poor rear and side visibility from a low sweeping roofline and narrow windows.

No such issues with the RAV, there's plenty of vision all round.

My black RAV test car had a light caramel coloured interior, on seats and fascia, which I didn't mind.

Research has shown that the lighter cream/butterscotch/ interior shades imply luxury,even if they are more difficult to clean than darker colours.

No issues either with the ride and general comfort..the seats are well shaped and comfortable, and the car rode well over most surfaces.

Compared to others in its segment, the interior could best be described as plain.

The central instrument cluster/screen,lifted from the new Corolla, is functional, but rather austere.

While the RAV Cruiser is good at what it does, it's a big ask for the privilege at the premium end of the range, priced at almost 50 thousand dollars.

If you can do without the extra gadgets, the cheaper RAV 4s are also worthy of an extended test drive, and will provide just as much enjoyment.

Peter Sellen