@wheelsaustralia 121
MX-5
The 1.5 lump makes up 5 percent of Aussie
sales. The more powerful 2.0-litre now revs
with the zeal this brilliant roadster deserves
1.5 Roadster $34,190 L4 1.5 97 152 M6 1021 8.3 6.2
1.5 Roadster $36,190 L4 1.5 97 152 A6 1038 8.3 6.4
2.0 RF $39,400 L4 2.0 135 205 M6 1087 — 6.9
2.0 RF $41,400 L4 2.0 135 205 A6 1112 — 7.2
2.0 Roadster GT $41,960 L4 2.0 135 205 M6 1035 7.3 6.8
2.0 Roadster GT $43,960 L4 2.0 135 205 A6 1061 7.3 7.0
2.0RFGT $45,960 L4 2.0 135 205 M6 1087 7.1 6.9
2.0RFGT $47,960 L4 2.0 135 205 A6 1112 — 7.2
CX-3
If your partner wants an SUV but you don’t
like the way they drive, try one of these. An
AWD sTouring manual is an absolute riot
Neo Sport $21,790 L4 2.0 110 195 M6 1266 9.0 6.6
Neo Sport $23,790 L4 2.0 110 195 A6 1297 9.0 6.3
Maxx Sport $23,690 L4 2.0 110 195 M6 1266 9.0 6.6
Maxx Sport $25,690 L4 2.0 110 195 A6 1297 9.0 6.3
Maxx Sport AWD $27,690 L4 2.0 1110 195 A6 1360 9.0 6.7
Maxx Sport Diesel $28,090 L4TD 1.8 85 270 A6 1304 9.5 4.7
sTouring $27,790 L4 2.0 110 195 M6 1266 9.0 6.6
sTouring $29,790 L4 2.0 110 195 A6 1297 9.0 6.3
sTouring AWD $31,790 L4 2.0 110 195 A6 1360 9.0 6.7
sTouring AWD Diesel $34,190 L4TD 1.8 85 270 A6 1409 9.5 5.1
Akari $32,790 L4 2.0 110 195 M6 1278 9.0 6.6
Akari $34,790 L4 2.0 110 195 A6 1360 9.0 6.3
Akari AWD $36,790 L4 2.0 110 195 A6 1371 9.0 6.7
Akari AWD Diesel $39,190 L4TD 1.8 85 270 A6 1421 9.5 5.1
AkariLE $35,290 L4 2.0 110 195 A6 1360 9.0 6.3
AkariLEAWD $37,290 L4 2.0 110 195 A6 1371 9.0 6.7
CX-5
Ticks boxes and sells well but you’ll need the
170kW 2.5-litre turbo donk to tease the magic
from this platform, and that’s nigh-on $50K
Maxx FWD $29,770 L4 2.0 115 200 M6 1511 10.4 6.9
Maxx FWD $31,770 L4 2.0 115 200 A6 1556 10.4 6.9
Maxx $34,770 L4 2.5 140 252 A6 1633 9.5 7.5
Maxx Sport FWD $34,870 L4 2.0 115 200 A6 1556 10.4 10.4
Maxx Sport $37,870 L4 2.5 140 252 A6 1633 9.5 7.5
Maxx Sport $40,870 L4TTD 2.2 140 450 A6 1708 8.5 6.0
Touring $39,470 L4 2.5 140 252 A6 1633 9.5 7.5
Touring $42,470 L4TTD 2.2 140 450 A6 1708 8.5 6.0
GT $44,470 L4 2.5 140 252 A6 1670 9.5 7.5
GT $46,970 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 — 8.0 8.2
GT $47,470 L4TTD 2.2 140 450 A6 1744 8.5 6.0
Akera $46,670 L4 2.5 140 252 A6 1670 9.5 7.5
Akera $49,170 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 — 8.0 8.2
Akera $49,670 L4TTD 2.2 140 450 A6 1744 8.5 6.0
CX-8
A tad dull but extremely good at seating
seven in comfort. Modest width makes it
a near-perfect urban school runner
Sport FWD $43,410 L4TTD 2.2 140 450 A6 1840 9.0 5.7
SportAWD $47,410 L4TTD 2.2 140 450 A6 1957 9.0 6.0
AsakiAWD $62,590 L4TTD 2.2 140 450 A6 1957 9.0 6.0
CX-9
Wheels’ Car of the Year in 2017 still puts
pressure on more modern rivals. Make sure
you opt for AWD and at least Touring spec
Sport FWD $44,990 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 1845 7.78.4
Sport AWD $48,990 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 1911 7.6 8.8
Touring FWD $51,390 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 1845 7.48.4
Touring AWD $55,390 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 1911 7.6 8.8
GT FWD $59,390 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 1858 7.6 8.4
GT AWD $63,390 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 1924 7.6 8.8
Azami FWD $60,990 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 1858 7.6 8.4
AzamiAWD $64,990 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 1924 7.6 8.8
AzamiLEAWD $66,490 L4T 2.5 170 420 A6 2000 7.6 8.8
BT-50
Developed in tandem with Ranger, but hasn’t
enjoyed the same updates, and also held back
by feline exterior styling. Decent, though
XT $44,615 L5TD 3.2 147 470 M6 2044 10.0 9.7
XT $47,265 L5TD 3.2 147 470 A6 2061 10.0 10.0
Price Enginetype Size PowerTorqueTrans.Kerbweight0 -10 0Fuelcons.
Price Enginetype Size PowerTorqueTrans.Kerbweight0 -10 0Fuel cons. Price Enginetype Size PowerTorqueTrans.Kerbweight0 -10 0Fuelcons.540C
Least-expensiveMaccagetsa slightly
lower-outputtwin-turboV8thanthe 570 in
a brilliantlyaccessibleandenjoyablepackage
$350,000 V8TT 3.8 397 540 D7 1350 3.5 10.7
570
Intimacy,turbotorqueandsurprisingride
qualitymake 570 involving,quick,flexible,and
capable,butflat-planecrankV8notetootame
S $395,000 V8TT 3.8 419 600 D7 1400 3.2 10.7
GT $415,000 V8TT 3.8 419 600 D7 1450 3.4 10.7
S Spider $435,750 V8TT 3.8 419 600 D7 1503 3.2 10.7
60 0 LT
Malleablehandlingandexquisitefocuswith
searingperformancesealtheLongtailas
McLaren’sdefinitivemodernwork
Coupe $455,000 V8TT 3.8 441 620 D7 1356 2.9 12.2
Spider $496,000 V8TT 3.8 441 620 D7 1404 2.9 12.2
720S
Superbsteeringanddynamicsplusnext-
levelperformanceheadlinewhatisthe
thinkingman’ssupercar.Blindingspeed
Coupe $489,900 V8TT 4.0 537 770 D7 1419 2.9 10.7
Spider $556,000 V8TT 4.0 530 770 D7 14682.912.2
Senna
Furiouslyaggressivetolookatandeven
morepunishinglybrutaltodrive,theSennais
a racecarmasqueradingasa road-legalcar
$1,600,000 V8T T 4.0 59 7 8 0 0 D7 1374 2.812.4McLaren
3 years/unlimitedA180 $44,900 L4T 1.3 100200 D7 1300 8.95.7
A200 $49,400 L4T 1.3 120 250 D7 1310 8.1 5.7
A-Class
Skip the asthmatic A200 and place an order
for either the all-paw A250 or the lovely A35
AMG. MBUX infotainment is a big plus
A180 $42,300 L4T 1.3 100 200 D7 1375 8.8 5.7
A200 $47,200 L4T 1.3 120 250 D7 1375 7.8 5.7
A250 $48,800 L4T 2.0 165 350 D7 1505 6.2 6.6
A250 4Matic $49,500 L4T 2.0 165 350 D7 1505 6.2 6.6Mercedes-Benz
3 years/unlimitedXTR $50,490 L5TD 3.2 147 470 M6 2086 10.0 9.7
XTR $52,490 L5TD 3.2 147 470 A6 2103 10.0 10.0
GT $52,490 L5TD 3.2 147 470 M6 2095 10.0 9.7
GT $54,490 L5TD 3.2 147 470 A6 2112 10.0 10.0Boss $55,990*L5TD 3.2 147 470 A6 2112 10.010.0GLA-Class
Justifies its existence, but we’d hold out for
the all-new model that will inevitably spawn
from the new A-Class MFA2 chassis
GLA180 $43,900 L4T 1.6 90 200 D7 1435 9.2 5.7
GLA220d $51,200 L4TD 2.1 130 350 D7 1535 7.7 4.5
GLA250 $60,700 L4T 2.0 155 350 D7 1505 7.1 7.0
GLA45AMG $89,211 L4T 2.0 280 475 D7 1585 4.8 7.5
CLA-Class
Slick baby four-door coupe, but negotiate
hard if you’re buying right now. The bigger and
smarter new one is on its way
CLA200 $53,500 L4T 1.6 115 250 D7 1430 7.9 5.6
CLA200 S-Brake $55,000 L4T 1.6 115 250 D7 1460 8.2 6.1
CLA220d $54,900 L4TD 2.1 130 350 D7 1525 7.7 4.2
CLA220d S-Brake $56,400 L4TD 2.1 130 350 D7 1555 7.8 4.4
CLA250 Sport $68,700 L4T 2.0 160 350 D7 1550 6.4 6.9
CLA250 Sport S-B $69,700 L4T 2.0 160 350 D7 1565 6.7 7.0
CLA45 AMG $93,430 L4T 2.0 280 475 D7 1585 4.2 7.4
CLA45 AMG S-Brake $93,430 L4T 2.0 280 475 D7 1615 4.3 7.4B180SportsTourer$46,400 L4T 1.3 100200 D7 1330 9.05.7
C-Class
Crushes 3 Series and A4 in sales charts. Drive
one and you’ll understand why. Smart and
civilised with ripper C63 AMG flagship
C200 $63,700 L4T 2.0 135 280 A9 1465 7.2 6.5
C200 Estate $66,200 L4T 2.0 135 280 A9 1525 7.3 6.6
C220d $65,200 L4TD 2.1 143 400 A9 1570 7.5 4.7
C220d Estate $67,800 L4TD 2.1 143 400 A9 1615 7.5 4.9
C300 $71,800 L4T 2.0 190 370 A9 1530 5.9 6.5
C300 Estate $74,300 L4T 2.0 190 370 A9 1615 6.1 6.7
C43 AMG $108,600 V6TT 3.0 287 520 A9 1615 4.7 8.2
C43 AMG Estate $111,100 V6TT 3.0 287 520 A9 1735 4.8 8.3
C63S AMG $160,900 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A9 15804.28.6
C63S AMGEstate $163,400 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A9 1650 4.1 8.7
C-Class Coupe
There’s not a dud choice in the line-up, but
the 2.0-litre C300 with optional Airmatic
suspension is a particular standout
C200 $67,900 L4T 2.0 135 280 A7 1505 7.7 6.0
C300 $84,900 L4T 2.0 190 370 A7 1565 6.0 6.6
C43 AMG $111,900 V6TT 3.0 287 520 A9 1660 4.7 7.8
C63S AMG $165,900 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A9 1800 3.9 8.7
C-Class Cabriolet
The first C-Class drop top goes straight
to the head of the class. The C43 AMG’s
lump is a good partner for this chassis
C200 $88,400 L4T 2.0 135 280 A9 1645 8.2 6.8
C300 $101,900 L4T 2.0 190 370 A9 1690 6.4 7.2
C43AMG $124,900 V6TT 3.0 287 520 A9 1870 4.8 8.5
C63S AMG $184,611 V8TT 4.0 375 700 A9 1925 4.1 9.4
SLC
The car that everybody forgot about. We
struggle to think of compelling reasons to
buy one over a Boxster or a T T
SLC200 $86,100 L4T 2.0 135 300 A9 1509 6.9 6.2
SLC300 $102,300 L4T 2.0 180 370 A9 1512 5.8 6.3
SLC 43 AMG $137,300 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 1591 4.7 7.9
E-Class
The industry standard in integrating tech
elegantly. Loads of kit but big money,
especially for our pick, the intriguing E53 AMG
E200 $92,600 L4T 2.0 135 300 A9 1530 7.7 6.4
E220d $95,600 L4D 2.0 143 400 A9 1605 7.3 4.1
E300 $110,500 L4T 2.0 180 370 A9 1580 6.2 7.1
E350d $136,700 L6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 1725 5.95.6NewSmall, spacious and sensible,
the third-generation B-Class
is essentially an A-Class with someextraaltitude.Justa
single variant is available, making choosing one an easier
task for the few people that will actually buy it. Drives like
an A-Class too, since it shares the exact same engine and
wheelbase as Merc’s small hatch.B-CLASS
Merc’s little B-sideNewNewThe BT-50 range has a new,
permanent, site manager in
the Boss. For an extra $1500,the
topper adds an Alpine S-Seriessoundsystem,alongwith
black gloss accessories. Youcanhaveit inanycolour,as
long as it is white. Everything else is business as usual with
the same engine and gearbox as the rest of the crew.For the first time in its four
generations, Mercedes offers
the previously hatch-only A-Class as a sedan. The engines
of the two launch models are on the modest side, meaning
those with a penchant for performance will need to wait
for the A250, or if your pockets are deeper and your
favourite roads twistier, the A35 AMG variant.BOSS
A-CLASS SEDAN
BT-50’s new foremanSuited and bootede Mazda dual-cabrangeYOUR COMPLETE NEW CAR BUYER’S GUIDE