Price
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type
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size Power Torque Trans.
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weight
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Issue
tested Drive@wheelsaustralia 149
S65 AMG $502,216 V12TT 6.0 463 1000 A7 2110 4.1 — 12.0 98 48 R
SL Sportsluxury,maybe.Notlight
New nine-speed and upgraded engines deliver worthy performance improvements
Looks odd from some angles; heavy and thirsty; more cruiser than sporty
The Pick:TheV8AMGisagreatwaytobuildpace,buteventhebaseSL400hasloadsofgo
SL400 $218,715 V6TT 3.0 270 500 A9 1735 4.9 — 7.8 95 51 R
SL500 $278,715 V8TT 4.7 335 700 A9 1795 4.3 — 9.1 95 51 R
SL63 AMG $368,715 V8TT 5.5 430 900 A9 1845 4.1 — 10.2 98 51 R
AMGGT Allgrand,moresportthantourer
Brilliant new twin-turbo V8; arresting styling ; cohesive chassis; drama; GT R’s polish
Some ergonomic issues inside cabin; driver communication at the limit, taut suspension
The Pick:New GT R is hugely entertaining on the track but still highly capable on the road
GT $259,000 V8TT 4.0 340 600 S7 1540 4.0 — 9.4 98 R
GT S $294,325 V8TT 4.0 375 650 S7 1570 3.8 — 9.4 98 67 09/15 R
GT R $349,000 V8TT 4.0 430 700 S7 1555 3.6 — 11.4 98 R
GLC-Class Million-dollarbaby
Styling; outstanding interior; class-leadingspace;all-roundabilityonairsuspension...
...which is optional but mandatory in our opinion; 250d not as sweet as lazier 220d
The Pick:Refined, relaxed nature of 220d makes it a winner, if you tick Air Body Control
GLC220d $65,990 L4TD 2.1 125 400 A9 1845 8.3 — 5.6 D 61 02/16 A
GLC250 $68,705 L4T 2.0 155 350 A9 1735 7.3 — 7.2 95 62 02/16 A
GLC250d $70,990 L4TD 2.2 150 500 A9 1845 7.6 — 5.7 D 61 02/16 A
GLC43 AMG $101,400 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 — 4.9 — — 98 A
GLCCoupe It’sallaboutthelook
Exterior and interior styling; sharp dynamics; decent performance; comfortable
Turbo-diesels are a bit gruff; compromised headroom, practicality and vision
The Pick:Either of the 250s makes sense, or you could save dough with the regular GLC
GLC220d $77,100 L4TD 2.1 125 400 A9 1845 8.3 — 5.8 D 61 A
GLC250 $80,100 L4T 2.0 155 350 A9 1785 7.6 — 7.4 95 62 A
GLC250d $82,100 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A9 1845 7.6 — 5.8 D 61 A
GLC43 AMG $108,900 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 — 4.9 — — 98 A
GLE-Class Newname,familiarbody
Superb V6 diesel; premium cabin; decent ride quality; frugal for its size; beefy AMG V8
Can’t escape its sheer size; not particularly well packaged; still far from sexy
The Pick:Feels more expensive than it is, with the GLE400 arguably the sweet spot
GLE250d $86,855 L4TD 2.1 150 500 A9 2075 8.6 — 6.0 D 63 A
GLE350d $104,855 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 2100 7.1 — 6.6 D 63 A
GLE400 $109,615 V6TT 3.0 245 480 A7 2055 6.1 — 9.3 95 63 A
GLE500 $127,615 V8TT 4.7 300 600 A7 2160 5.3 — 11.0 95 63 A
GLE500e $124,900 V6TH 3.0 325 650 A7 2465 5.3 — 3.3 98 63 A
GLE43 AMG $133,616 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 — 5.7 — — 98 A
GLE63 S AMG $189,615 V8TT 5.5 430 760 A7 2270 4.2 — 11.8 98 61 A
GLECoupe Merc’sanswertotheX6
Vision; excellent cornering grip; refinement; decent room despite lower-than-GLE roof
ThousandsmorethanGLEforlessspace;busyride;highloadinglipforboot
The Pick:AMG-tweakedturbosixintheGLE43makesagreatnoiseandfeelsstrong
GLE350d $121,615 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 2175 7.0 — 7.2 D 63 A
GLE43 AMG $143,616 V6TT 3.0 270 520 A9 2145 5.7 — 9.4 95 61 A
GLE63 S AMG $198,615 V8TT 5.5 430 760 A7 2275 4.2 — 11.9 98 61 A
G-Class Armytruckfortheroad
Tough-as image; AMG’s ultra-cool side tailpipes and burly new twin-turbo V8 donk
G-Class BlueTec name is paradoxical; live front axle; woeful steering; bucking ride
The Pick:TheoutrageousAMGhasperverseappeal,butonlythedieselmakesanysense
G350d $163,615 V6TD 3.0 155 540 A7 2300 9.1 — 11.2 D 50 A
G500 $167,510 V8 5.5 285 530 A7 2530 6.1 — 14.9 98 50 A
G63 AMG $233,615 V8TT 5.5 400 760 A7 2550 5.4 — 13.8 98 52 05/14 A
GLS-Class SinthenamethemainchangeforGL
Third-row seat actually comfortable and almost roomy; engines; decent off-road ability
Gargantuan-Class more like it – it’s big; AMG not as athletic as some through the bends
The Pick:Torquey V6 diesel makes most sense, and new Sport pack adds dynamic helpers
GLS350d $117,950 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 2455 7.8 — 7.7 D 63 A
GLS350d Sport $136,950 V6TD 3.0 190 620 A9 — — — 7.7 D 63 A
GLS500 $163,950 V8TT 4.7 320 700 A9 2445 5.3 — 11.5 95 63 A
GLS63 AMG $219,950 V8TT 5.5 410 760 A7 2580 4.6 — 12.3 98 63 A
Valente BudgetbigBenz
A cheaper way to get into an eight-seat Benz (and out of a VW Multivan or Tarago)
Like the new-gen V-Class, it’s essentially a commercial van with seats
The Pick:This over its VW Multivan and Toyota Tarago rivals
$58,100 L4TD 2.1 120 360 A7 2155 — — 6.3 D 54 R
V-Class Newname,newcabin,newengine
Enormously roomy, complete with limo-style face-to-face rear seating; frugal diesel four
Sheer size makes it difficult to manoeuvre and park, which kinda defeats its purpose
The Pick: A centre captain’s chair in a fully stocked V250 with Jeeves in the hot seat
V250d $85,455 L4TD 2.1 140 440 A7 2145 9.1 — 6.3 D 53 R
Price
Eng
type
Eng
size Power Torque Trans.
Kerb
weight
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Resale
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Issue
tested DriveMG
6yr/unlimited
mgmotor.com.auMini
3yr/unlimited
mini.com.auHatch BestNewMiniever
Brilliant handling and super-sharp turn-in; Cooper S’s great acoustics; improved cabin
Bottom-feeder front end; thicker pillars; three-pot should sound fruitier
The Pick: The excellent Cooper S manual on 17s with optional adaptive dampers
Ray $29,000 L3T 1.2 75 180 M6 1090 9.9 — 4.9 95 50 F
Ray $31,500 L3T 1.2 75 180 A6 1120 10.2 — 5.0 95 50 F
Cooper $26,650 L3T 1.5 100 220 M6 1085 7.9 — 4.7 95 48 06/14 F
Cooper $30,100 L3T 1.5 100 220 A6 1115 7.8 — 4.9 95 48 F
Cooper D $31,800 L3TD 1.5 85 270 M6 1135 9.2 — 3.7 D 48 F
Cooper D $34,150 L3TD 1.5 85 270 A6 1150 9.2 — 3.9 D 48 F
Cooper S $37,750 L4T 2.0 141 280 M6 1160 6.8 — 5.9 95 50 06/14 F
Cooper S $39,300 L4T 2.0 141 280 A6 1175 6.7 — 5.5 95 50 F
JCW $47,400 L4T 2.0 170 320 M6 1205 6.3 — 6.7 95 61 F
JCW $49,950 L4T 2.0 170 320 A6 1220 6.1 — 5.7 95 61 F
5-door Miniattemptsahigh-five
Longer wheelbase and additional rear doors broaden the Mini’s family-hatch appeal
Betrays the Mini’s DNA; rear doors look piddly; isn’t this what a Countryman is for?
The Pick: A Cooper or Cooper D auto with the smallest wheels. The S doesn’t deserve this
Ray $30,500 L3T 1.2 75 180 M6 — — — 5.0 95 50 F
Ray $33,000 L3T 1.2 75 180 M6 — — — 5.0 95 50 F
Cooper $27,750 L3T 1.5 100 220 M6 1145 8.2 — 4.7 95 48 F
Cooper $30,400 L3T 1.5 100 220 A6 1175 9.1 16.5 4.8 95 48 03/16 F
Cooper D $32,900 L3TD 1.5 85 270 M6 1190 9.4 — 3.6 D 48 F
Cooper D $35,550 L3TD 1.5 85 270 A6 1205 9.5 — 3.8 D 50 F
Cooper S $38,850 L4T 2.0 141 280 M6 1220 6.9 — 5.9 95 50 F
Cooper S $40,700 L4T 2.0 141 280 A6 1240 6.8 — 5.4 95 50 F
CooperConvertibleFunandfunctionaldrop-top
Characterful three-cylinder turbo; functional folding soft-top; accurate steering
Decent price premium for the drop-top; rear visibility not helped by fabric top
The Pick: Let’s face it, the convertible is all about the looks, so stick to the base model
$37,900 L3 1.5 100 220 M6 1205 8.8 — 5.1 95 62 F
$37,900 L3 1.5 100 220 A6 1230 8.7 — 5.3 95 63 F
S $45,400 L4 2.0 141 280 M6 1275 7.2 — 6.2 95 64 F
S $45,400 L4 2.0 141 280 A6 1295 7.1 — 5.8 95 64 F
JCW $54,900 L4T 2.0 170 320 A6 — 6.5 — 5.2 95 51 F
Clubman Miniatitsbest
Quirky styling; spacious interior; zingy engines; still handles like a go-kart; lots of doors
Lacks the dartiness of its shorter-wheelbase siblings but that somehow makes it better!
The Pick: If the Clubman will fit in your garage, any of them. It’s the best Mini you can buy
Cooper $34,900 L3T 1.5 100 220 A6 1320 9.1 — 5.4 95 53 02/16 F
Cooper S $42,900 L4T 2.0 141 280 A8 1390 7.1 — 5.9 95 54 F
Cooper JCW $53,900 L4T 2.0 170 350 A8 6.3 — 7.2 95 57 A
Countryman Alarge-Miniparadox
Plenty of driving fizz and Mini character in a more practical SUV-ish body
Sweet triple loses some sparkle hauling the larger Countryman; styling a little overdone
The Pick: A front-drive Cooper S if you aren’t swayed by the VW Tiguan’s practical sense
Cooper $39,900 L3T 1.5 100 220 A6 9.6 — 6.0 95 F
Cooper D $43,900 L4TD 2.0 110 330 A8 8.8 — 4.8 D F
Cooper S $46,500 L4T 2.0 141 280 A8 7.4 — 6.5 95 F
Cooper SD All4 $51,500 L4TD 2.0 140 400 A8 7.4 — 5.2 D AMG3 Chinese,cheap,notsocheerful
Cheap hatchback that stands out from a design perspective
The last thing people expect from a once-storied sports car brand; no auto; unproven
The Pick: There are plenty of hatchbacks likely to do a better job at this end of the market
Core $13,990 L4 1.5 78 137 M5 1103 — — — F
Soul $14,990 L4 1.5 78 137 M5 — — — — F
Essence $15,990 L4 1.5 78 137 M5 — — — — F
MG6Plus Mid-sizerreturnsyearsafterfailedstart
Brand cachet; distinctive design; rear air vents; cheap
Model doesn’t live up to that cachet; questionable resale; lacklustre turbo engine
The Pick: It didn’t impress years ago and there’s not much to suggest it’s worth a punt
Core $21,990 L4T 1.8 118 215 A6 1534 — — — F
Soul $23,990 L4T 1.8 118 215 A6 — — — — F
Essence $25,990 L4T 1.8 118 215 A6 — — — — F
GS Soft-roadingmediocrity
Umm ... decent cabin space
Poor cabin finish; lacklustre steering, handling, engines; flimsy build
The Pick: A Nissan Qashqai, Suzuki Vitara, Honda HR-V or any other small SUV
Core $25,990 L4T 1.5 119 250 S7 — — — 7.4 91 F
Soul $27,990 L4T 1.5 119 250 S7 — — — 7.4 91 FPOWERED BY
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