@wheelsaustralia 131
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weight
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testedDriveXUV500 It’s all about the price
Simple range with decent gear; seven seats on the cheap; it’s won rallies in India!
Light-on for active safety; questionable resale; average dynamics and ride
The Pick: Go the whole hog and get an AWD. Or, better yet, buy a seven-seat Nissan X-Trail
W6 $25,990 L4T 2.2 103 320 A6 — — — 95 46 F
W8 $29,990 L4T 2.2 103 320 A6 — — — 95 46 F
W8 AWD $32,990 L4T 2.2 103 320 A6 — — — 95 46 A
WE8 Diesel $29,900 L4TD 2.2 103 330 M6 — — — 6.7 D 46 F
WE8 Diesel $31,900 L4TD 2.2 103 330 A6 — — — 7.4 D 46 F
WE8 AWD Diesel $32,900 L4TD 2.2 103 330 M6 — — — 6.7 D 46 A
WE8 AWD Diesel $34,990 L4TD 2.2 103 330 A6 — — — 7.4 D 46 AMahindra
3yr/100,000km
mahindra.com.auGhibli Look out, Germany!
Finally, a talented, beautiful, and fast Italianalternative to the default German luxo sedans
Heavy; misses out on active safety tech of German rivals; no classic Maser V8 sound
The Pick: Surely the throaty Ghibli S, though the thrifty diesel offers tempting value
D $138,990 V6TD 3.0 202 600 A8 1835 6.3 — 5.9 D 55 R
$143,990 V6TT 3.0 243 500 A8 1810 5.6 — 8.9 98 55 R
D GranLusso $159,990 V6TD 3.0 202 600 A8 1835 6.3 — 5.9 D 55 RMaserati
3yr/unlimited
maserati.com.auElise Fast and fun, but wildly impractical
Cool looks; telepathic steering (at speed); suspension and brakes a joy (at speed)
Cramped and noisy for day-to-day driving; definitely intended as a track-day weapon
^ The Pick: If you live next to a racetrack, this is it. If you want peace and quiet, look elsewhere
Sport 220 $87,990 L4S 1.8 217 250 M6 904 4.6 — 7.5 95 55 R
Sprint 220 $97,990 L4S 1.6 217 250 M6 878 4.5 — 7.5 95 55 R
Cup 250 $107,990 L4S 1.8 181 250 M6 917 4.3 — 7.5 95 55 R
Exige Racecarfortheroad
Blown Toyota V6 gives the Exige the performance to match its brilliant handling
Not for claustrophobes, conservatives, or anyone into the tactility of interior plastics
The Pick: Go the Roadster – it’s a proper sports car and getting in with the roof down is easier
Sport 350 $139,500 V6S 3.5 258 400 M6 1125 3.9 — 10.1 95 55 R
Sport 380 $154,500 V6S 3.5 280 410 M6 1110 3.7 — 10.1 95 55 R
Sport 350 Roadster $139,500 V6S 3.5 258 400 M6 1115 4.0 — 10.1 95 5 5 R
Sport 380 Roadster $154,500 V6S 3.5 280 410 M6 1172 3.9 — 10.1 95 5 5 R
Cup 430 $199,900 V6S 3.5 321 440 M6 1093 3.3 — 10.8 98 R
Evora Chassis smarts now with blown brawn
Exotic looks; individual appeal; one of the best chassis on the planet
Start ticking options and price can soar past $200K; a Porsche is a smarter bet^
The Pick: Brilliant dynamics, but $200K is secondhand Carrera S money
400 $189,990 V6S 3.5 298 410 M6 1395 4.2 — 9.7 95 55 R
400 IPS $199,990 V6S 3.5 298 410 A6 1407 4.2 — 9.7 95 55 R
GT410 Sport $209,990 V6S 3.5 306 420 M6 1320 4.2 — 9.7 95 55 R
GT410 Sport IPS $219,990 V6S 3.5 306 420 A6 1331 4.1 — 9.7 95 55 R
GT430 Sport $239,990 V6S 3.5 321 440 M6 1289 3.8 — — 98 55 R
GT430 $259,990 V6S 3.5 321 440 M6 1299 3.8 — — 98 55 RCT200h More appealing than Prius
Lexus quality and efficient hybrid tech in concentrated form
Electric steering is disappointing; far from dynamic; clumsy styling; tight back seat
The Pick: Luxury is the best value, if Valium on wheels is your thing
Luxury $40,900 L4H 1.8 100 142 C 1465 10.3 — 4.1 95 51 06/11 F
F-Sport $50,400 L4H 1.8 100 142 C 1465 10.3 — 4.1 95 53 F
Sports Luxury $56,900 L4H 1.8 100 142 C 1465 10.3 — 4.1 95 54 F
IS Ta kes f ig ht to B MW
Brilliantly balanced; crisp chassis and steering; excellent quality; likeable Hybrid; value
Heavier than rivals; tight rear seats; manual mode in autos not manual enough
The Pick: 200t F-Sport is great to drive, but 300h Luxury offers unexpected appeal
300 Luxury $59,340 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 — 7.0 — 7.5 95 50 R
300 F-Sport $67,191 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 — 7.0 — 7.5 95 50 R
300 Sports Luxury $77,751 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 — 8.9 16.4 7.5 95 51 04/16 R
300h Luxury $61,890 L4H 2.5 164 221 C — 8.5 — 4.9 95 50 R
300h F-Sport $70,310 L4H 2.5 164 221 C 1720 8.5 — 4.9 95 51 R
300h Sports Luxury $81,160 L4H 2.5 164 221 C 1720 8.5 — 4.9 95 51 R
350 Luxury $65,101 V6 3.5 233 378 A8 — 5.9 — 9.7 95 51 R
350 F-Sport $73,251 V6 3.5 233 378 A8 — 6.6 14.69.7 95 51 09/13 R
350 Sports Luxury $83,871 V6 3.5 233 378 A8 1685 5.9 — 9.7 95 51 R
RC Two-door with punch – and thirst
V8 sounds fantastic when pushed; nicechassis balance; styling has presence
Heavy and thirsty for a sporty two-door; on-centre play in steering; interior lacks sparkle
The Pick: 350 F-Sport – much of the F’s performance and appearance without the price tag
300 Luxury $65,400 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 1675 7.5 — 7.3 95 56 R
350 Luxury $68,400 V6 3.5 233 378 A8 1680 6.1 — 9.4 95 56 R
300 F-Sport $74,700 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 1700 7.5 — 7.3 95 56 R
350 F-Sport $77,700 V6 3.5 233 378 A8 — 6.1 — 9.4 95 56 02/16 R
300 Sports Luxury $84,900 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 1725 7.5 — 7.3 95 56 R
350 Sports Luxury $87,900 V6 3.5 233 378 A8 1740 6.1 — 9.4 95 56 R
F $138,100 V8 5.0 351 530 A8 1780 4.5 — 10.9 98 53 02/16 R
F Carbon $152,300 V8 5.0 351 530 A8 1860 4.5 — 10.9 98 53 R
LC Halo sportscar takes the baton from LFA
ConceptcarlooksconcealachoiceofV8orV6hybridperformance;V8noise
Weak hybrid soundtrack; droning CVT in 500h
The Pick: Hybrid offers respectable performance but plays second fiddle to red-blooded V8
500 $190,000 V8 5.0 351 550 A10 1970 4.5 — 10.7 98 67 R
500h $190,000 V6H 3.5 264 348 C 1970 5.0 — 5.5 95 67 R
ES Retiree’s Lexus out of mothballs
Typical Lexus build quality combined with golf bag-friendly boot and refined drivetrains
Front-drive ES is the antithesis of the sporty IS and GS; hybrid’s smaller boot
The Pick: The IS or GS, not this tarted-up previous-generation Camry
300h Luxury $63,750 L4H 2.5 151 213 C 1685 8.5 — 5.5 95 51 01/14 F
300h Sports Luxury $71,910 L4H 2.5 151 213 C 1705 8.5 — 5.5 95 51 F
350 Luxury $64,569 V6 3.5 204 346 A6 1630 7.4 — 9.5 95 51 F
350 Sports Luxury $72,361 V6 3.5 204 346 A6 1665 7.4 — 9.5 95 51 F
GS Pleasant, but outclassed
Excellent drivetrains and much-improved dynamics; GS-F’s unexpected character
Lifeless steering; one-dimensional handling hobbled by intrusive ESC
The Pick: Base 200t F-Sport arguably the sweetest package; GS-F pricey but likeable
200t Luxury $75,931 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 — 7.3 — 8.0 95 52 R
200t F-Sport $84,091 L4T 2.0 180 350 A8 — 7.3 — 8.0 95 52 03/16 R
300h Luxury $79,520 L4H 2.5 164 221 C 1820 — — 5.2 95 46 R
300h F-Sport $87,680 L4H 2.5 164 221 C 1820 — — 5.2 95 46 R
350 F-Sport $95,311 V6 3.5 233 378 A8 1740 6.3 — 9.7 95 46 R
350 Sports Luxury $107,041 V6 3.5 233 378 A8 1740 6.0 — 9.7 95 46 R
450h F-Sport $108,080 V6H 3.5 254 — C 1910 5.9 — 6.3 95 46 R
450h Sports Luxury $119,810 V6H 3.5 254 — C 1910 5.9 — 6.3 95 46 R
F $153,251 V8 5.0 351 530 A8 1865 4.9 13.1 11.3 95 52 06/16 R
LS Smooth-sailing flagship
Mind-blowing tech; flawless fit and finish; eerily-quiet cabin; silky eight-speed auto
Doesn’t sound like a V8 until you get stuck into it; lacks personality
The Pick: 600hL – uninspiring, but a 7 Series with this much kit would cost your first-born
460 F-Sport $185,691 V8 4.6 285 493 A8 2020 5.9 — 10.7 95 39 R
460 Sports Luxury $190,791 V8 4.6 285 493 A8 2080 5.9 — 10.7 95 52 R
600h F-Sport $213,741 V8H 5.0 290 520 A8 2340 5.7 — 8.6 95 41 R
NX Goes better than it looks
Eye-catching (if polarising) design; quality interior; punchy turbo-petrol four-cylinder
A 2005 RAV4 in drag, with packaging compromises; smaller than its rivals
The Pick: New 2.0-litre turbo brings better performance, with F-Sport the sharpest
300 Luxury $54,800 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1700 7.3 — 7.7 95 53 F
300h Luxury $57,300 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1740 9.1 — 5.6 95 56 F
300 Luxury $59,300 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1755 7.1 — 7.9 95 56 A
300h Luxury $61,800 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1800 9.1 — 5.7 95 56 A
300 F-Sport $60,800 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1755 7.1 — 7.9 95 57 F
300h F-Sport $63,300 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1800 8.9 16.4 5.7 95 59 08/15 F
300 F-Sport $65,300 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1860 7.1 — 7.9 95 53 A
300h F-Sport $67,800 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1895 9.1 — 5.7 95 56 A
Lotus
2yr/unlimited
lotuscars.com.au300 Sports Luxury $73,800 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1860 7.1 — 7.9 95 53 A
300h Sports Luxury $76,300 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1895 9.1 — 5.7 95 59 A
RX Edge of the wedge
Cabin space, particularly in the rear; ambience; presence; quality; sweet turbo four
Steering lacks feel; handling lacks excitement; busy ride; part-time AWD
The Pick: Eager RX300 makes the most sense, and it’s the most affordable
300 Luxury $74,251 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1890 9.2 — 8.1 95 61 03/16 F
350 Luxury $81,421 V6 3.5 221 370 A8 1980 8.0 — 9.6 95 61 A
350L Luxury $84,700 V6 3.5 221 370 A8 1980 8.0 — 10.6 95 61 A
300 F-Sport $86,551 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 2090 8.0 — 8.1 95 61 F
450h Luxury $90,160 V6H 3.5 230 335 C 2105 7.7 — 5.7 95 61 A
300 Sports Luxury $92,701 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1890 9.2 — 8.1 95 61 F
450hL $93,440 V6H 3.5 230 335 C 2200 8.0 — 6.0 95 61 A
350 F-Sport $93,721 V6 3.5 221 370 A8 1980 8.0 — 9.6 95 61 A
350 Sports Luxury $99,871 V6 3.5 221 370 A8 1980 8.0 — 9.6 95 61 A
350L Sports Luxury $101,500 V6 3.5 221 370 A8 2150 8.0 — 10.6 95 61 A
450h F-Sport $102,460 V6H 3.5 230 335 C 2105 7.7 — 5.7 95 61 A
450h Sports Luxury $108,610 V6H 3.5 230 335 C 2105 7.7 — 5.7 95 61 A
450hL Sports Lux $110,240 V6H 3.5 230 335 C 2275 8.0 — 6.0 95 61 A
LX LandCruiser by Lexus
Clever suspension and crawl-control broaden LX’s skill set; finally diesel power
Massive and truck-like to drive; gauche styling; thirsty petrol
The Pick: 450d brings all the off-road ability of the petrol plus more torque and efficiency
450d $134,500 V8TD 4.5 200 650 A6 — 9.5 D A
570 $142,741 V8 5.7 270 530 A8 2510 7.7 — 14.4 95 61 ALexus
4yr/100,000km
lexus.com.auPrice
Eng
type
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size Power Torque Trans.
Kerb
weight
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0-400
metres
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cons.RON
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%
Issue
tested DrivePOWERED BY
Showroom