Wheels Australia — August 2016

@wheelsaustralia 141

Falconute Falcongetsuted,forthelasttime

Same front end as sedan means accurate steering and decent turn-in; muscular engines

Leaf-sprungrearendlacksgriponbrokensurfaces,compromiseschassisbalance

• The Pick:Basemodelisafineworkhorse.Turbosixcanoverpowerthechassis
  $29,790 L6 4.0 195 391 A6 1611 ——— 91 42 R
  EcoLPI $32,290 L6 4.0 198 409 A6 1678 — — — L 43 R
  XR6 $32,640 L6 4.0 195 391 A6 1611 ——— 91 53 R
  XR6 EcoLPI $35,140 L6 4.0 198 409 A6 1672 — — — L 53 R
  XR6 Turbo $39,810 L6T 4.0 270 533 A6 1816 5.5 13.6—955107/11R
  Mustang America’s‘Ponycar’musclesin
  Responsive and characterful atmo V8; rear-end purchase; retro-modern styling; price
  Feels heavy, especially on direction changes; mismatched interior; convertible shake


• The Pick:The GT Coupe by a mile. EcoBoost is punchy but the V8 amps it up with noise
  I4 Fastback $44,990 L4T 2.3 233 432 M6 16296.0 14.38.5 91 63 04/16 R
  I4 Fastback $47,490 L4T 2.3 233 432 A6 1627 — — 9.3 91 63 R
  I4 Convertible $53,990 L4T 2.3 233 432 A6 1685 — — 9.4 91 64 R
  GT Fastback $54,990 V8T 5.0 306 530 M6 1701 — — 13.1 98 67 R
  GT Fastback $57,490 V8T 5.0 306 530 A6 1709 5.0 13.212.6 98 67 04/16 R
  GT Convertible $63,990 V8T 5.0 306 520 A6 1773 — — 12.7 98 67 R
  EcoSport Fiestainaleotard
  Brilliant 1.0-litre turbo triple; impressive steering and handling; compact size; Fiesta DNA
  Low-grade interior plastics; ugly spare wheelplacement;gutless1.5-litre;averagetyres


• The Pick:The 1.0-litre manual – smooth, characterful and effortless ... unlike the atmo 1.5
  Ambiente $20,790 L4 1.5 82 140 M5 1242 13.3 — 6.5 95 46 F
  Ambiente $22,790 L4 1.5 82 140 S6 1267 14.1 — 6.5 95 46 F
  Trend $22,290 L3 1.0 92 170 M5 1275 12.7 — 5.7 95 44 F
  Trend $24,290 L4 1.5 82 140 S6 1276 14.1 — 6.5 95 45 F
  Titanium $25,790 L3 1.0 92 170 M5 128012.9 18.55.7 95 46 01/14 F
  Titanium $27,790 L4 1.5 82 140 S6 1289 14.1 — 6.5 95 46 02/14 F
  Kuga Freshenginesbringr—enewedzing
  Upholds Ford’s great reputation for handling and steering; room; presence; value
  No manual on AWD versions; average rear seat; not as frugal as some rivals


• The Pick:New 2.0 turbo petrol is a winner and makes it one of the better performing SUVs
  Ambiente FWD $27,990 L4T 1.5 110 240 M6 1558——6.3 95 51 F
  Ambiente FWD $28,990 L4T 1.5 134 240 A6 1595 ——7. 2 95 5 1 F
  Ambiente AWD $31,990 L4T 1.5 134 240 A6 1667 ——7. 4 95 5 1 A
  Trend $36,890 L4T 2.0 178 345 A6 1700 ——8.8 95 52 A
  Trend $38 , 890 L4TD 2.0 132 4 0 0 S6 1 749 ——5.5 D 52 A
  Titanium $45,190 L4T 2.0 178 345 A6 1732 7. 4 1 5. 2 8.8 95 54 11/15 A
  Titanium $47,190 L4TD 2.0 134 400 S6 1782 ——5.6 D 54 A
  Everest Ranger-basedSUVchasesPrado
  Off-roaddynamicsandbrakingability;cabinrefinement;clevertech;excellentESC
  Utilitarian dash; separate-chassis antiquity, with all its comfort and packaging limitations


• The Pick:Titanium too exxy and Ambiente skinnily equipped, so best stick with the Trend
  Ambiente $54,990 L5TD 3.2 143 470 A6 2370 — — 8.5 D 59 02/16 A
  Trend $6 0,9 90 L5TD 3. 2 143 470 A6 2407 11.6 18.08.5 D 59 02/16 A
  Titanium $76,990 L5TD 3.2 143 470 A6 2495 — — 8.5 D 60 09/15 A
  Territory Greatdesignistimeless
  Diesel economy; petrol punch; slick Titanium variantmakesthemostofitsfreshstyling
  TDV6 is an old engine; electric steering lacks feel; hard, unappealing cabin plastics


• The Pick:Pragmatic TX is a family-car bargain, but suave Titanium is the most alluring
  TX RWD $38,490 L6 4.0 195 391 A6 1967 — — 10.2 91 51 06/11 R
  TX RWD TDCi $41,740 V6TD 2.7 140 440 A6 2021 — — 8.2 D 54 R
  TX AWD TDCi $45,740 V6TD 2.7 140 440 A6 2107 — — 8.8 D 55 A
  TS RWD $43,240 L6 4.0 195 391 A6 2011 — — 10.5 91 52 R
  TS RWD TDCi $46,490 V6TD 2.7 140 440 A6 2072 — — 8.2 D 55 12/11 R
  TS AWD TDCi $50,490 V6TD 2.7 140 440 A6 2144 — — 9.0 D 58 02/15 A
  Titanium RWD $49,490 L6 4.0 195 391 A6 2047 — — 10.5 91 53 10/11 R
  Titanium RWD TDCi $52,740 V6TD 2.7 140 440 A6 2109 — — 8.2 D 58 R
  Titanium AWD TDCi $56,740 V6TD 2.7 140 440 A6 2167 10.0 17.1 9.0 D 54 09/15 A

X-series Pricingwallsmashed

Great pricing for a mid-sized SUV; torquey turbo-diesel tries to shift all that weight...

... Questionable brand future locally; sluggishacceleration;refinementwellbelowpar

• The Pick:The diesel manual. Or just about any second-hand Japanese SUV
  X240 $23,990 L4 2.4 100 200 M5 1805 — — 10.3 95 33 A
  X200 $27,990 L4TD 2.0 105 310 M6 1890 — — 7.6 D 30 A
  X200 $29,990* L4TD 2.0 105 310 A5 1890 — — 9.2 D 31 A

Price

Eng

type

Eng

size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

0-100

km/h

0-400

metres

Fuel

cons.RON

Resale

%

Issue

testedDrive

Holden

3yr/100,000km

holden.com.au

Spark ThesmallHoldenfightbackbegins

Fresh interior; punchy engine; classy dynamics; Apple Carplay/Android Auto standard

Not as cheap as some, but at least this is offset with features; no manual on top-spec LT

• The Pick: A far more polished car than the larger Barina, and surprisingly fun to drive
  LS $13,990 L4 1.4 73 124 M5 — — — 5.2 91 44 F
  LS $15,690 L4 1.4 73 128 C 990 10.8 17.7 5.5 91 44 07/16 F
  LT $ 1 8 ,9 9 0 L4 1. 4 7 3 1 28 C — — — 5. 5 9 1 45 F
  Barina StyledbyanAussie
  Keen pricing, with alloys and cruise controlstandard; sharp styling; decent handling
  Wheezy Family One engine; short-geared manual; unsettled ride; RS auto calibration


• The Pick: Much-improved over the last model, but Barina remains an also-ran, not a leader
  CD hatch $15,390 L4 1.6 85 155 M5 1193 11.1 17.8 6.8 91 44 11/11 F
  CD hatch $17,590 L4 1.6 85 155 A6 1249 12.4 18.6 7.3 91 46 03/15 F
  CD sedan $15,890 L4 1.6 85 155 M5 1208 — — — 91 45 F
  CD sedan $18,090 L4 1.6 85 155 A6 1223 13.1 18.9 9.5 91 46 10/14 F
  CDX hatch $20,090 L4 1.6 85 155 A6 1220 — — — 91 47 F
  CDX sedan $20,590 L4 1.6 85 155 A6 1235 — — — 91 47 F
  RS $21,390 L4T 1.4 103 200 M6 1249 — — 6.5 91 48 01/14 F
  RS $23,590 L4T 1.4 103 200 A6 1275 — — 6.5 91 47 01/14 F
  Cruze Built(mostly)byAussies,mate
  Excellent handling and prodigious grip of SRi-Z models; impressive refinement;
  well-damped ride; value for money; decent boot; roomier than most rivals
  Harsh 1.8 petrol needs euthanising; cheap cabin; weight and thirst; ungainly new front


• The Pick: SRi Z-series manual or auto – both are good value and feature winning dynamics
  Equipe sedan $19,890 L4 1.8 104 176 M5 1380 — — 7.0 91 45 F
  Equipe sedan $22,090 L4 1.8 104 176 A6 1402 — — 7.4 91 45 F
  Equipe hatch $19,890 L4 1.8 104 176 M5 1391 — — 7.0 91 45 F
  Equipe hatch $22,090 L4 1.8 104 176 A6 1415 — — 7.4 91 45 F
  Z-series sedan $22,640 L4T 1.8 104 176 M5 1450 — — 7.0 91 46 F
  Z-series sedan $24,840 L4T 1.8 104 176 A6 1479 — — 7.4 91 46 F
  Z-series hatch $22,640 L4T 1.8 104 176 M5 1460 — — 7.0 91 46 F
  Z-series hatch $24,840 L4T 1.8 104 176 A6 1488 — — 7.4 91 46 F
  SRi-Z sedan $27,140 L4T 1.6 132 230 M6 1465 — — 7.4 91 46 F
  SRi-Z sedan $29,340 L4T 1.6 132 230 A6 1493 — — 7.9 91 47 F
  SRi-Z hatch $27,140 L4T 1.6 132 230 M6 1474 — — 7.4 91 46 F
  SRi-Z hatch $29,340 L4T 1.6 132 230 A6 1503 — — 7.9 91 47 F
  CD Sportwagon $24,090 L4 1.8 104 176 A6 — — — 7.4 91 49 F
  CDX Sportwagon $26,840 L4 1.8 104 176 A6 — — — 7.4 91 50 F
  Astra It’sbaaaaaaack(again)
  Way cooler than a Cruze; cheaper and faster than its Opel-badged predecessor
  It’s not a brand new model; ageing interior; ditsy auto calibration; no reversing camera


• The Pick: VXR is a weapon that will give Golf GTI and Megane RS plenty to think about
  GTC $26,990 L4T 1.6 147 280 M6 1485 — — 6.9 95 50 F
  GTC $29,190 L4T 1.6 125 260 A6 — — — 6.9 95 50 F
  GTC Sport $29,990 L4T 1.6 147 280 M6 1498 — — 6.9 95 50 07/15 F
  GTC Sport $32,190 L4T 1.6 125 260 A6 — — — 6.9 95 50 07/15 F
  VXR $39,990 L4T 2.0 206 400 M6 1543 6.0 — 8.0 95 51 07/15 F
  Malibu Betterthanexpected
  Surprisingly pleasant ride and handling, good seats, big boot, sweet petrol drivetrain
  Diesel a bit gruff, weight hampers performance and economy, horrible auto tip-shift


• The Pick: All are decent value on paper, but we’d drive a hard bargain. Or save for a Mazda 6
  CD $28,890 L4 2.4 123 225 A6 1583 10.2 — 8.0 91 37 F
  CD $32,890 L4TD 2.0 117 350 A6 1659 9.9 — 6.4 91 38 08/13 F
  CDX $32,790 L4 2.4 123 225 A6 1610 9.2 16.6 8.0 91 38 08/13 F
  CDX $36,790 L4TD 2.0 117 350 A6 1684 9.9 — 6.5 91 38 F
  Insignia Tractionstation
  All-paw traction; great front seats; decent gruntonceitgetsgoing;digitalinstruments
  Expensive up against V8 Commodores; grunt dialled down to protect the auto 'box
  The Pick: A Commodore Redline would be a better bet, though Insignia has rarity on its side
  VXR $51,990 V6T 2.8 239 435 A6 — 6.3 — 10.9 95 50 A

Great Wall

3yr/100,000km

greatwallmotors.com.au

Haval

5yr/100,000km

haval.com.au

Price

Eng

type

Eng

size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

0-100

km/h

0-400

metres

Fuel

cons.RON

Resale

%

Issue

tested Drive

H2 Cheap,butisitcheerful?

Entry point for a new Chinese brand doesn't look too bad on paper, engine included

Drinks premium unleaded; AWD models manual-only; same name as a huge Hummer

• The Pick: Instinct says stick with Mazda CX-3 or Honda HR-V, and it's justified
  Premium 2WD $24,990 L4T 1.5 110 210 M6 1529 — 8.2 95 43 F
  Premium 2WD $28,490 L4T 1.5 110 210 A6 — 9.0 95 44 F

Premium 4WD $28,990 L4T 1.5 110 210 M6 1609 — 8.5 95 44 A

Luxury 2WD $28,490 L4T 1.5 110 210 M6 1529 — 8.2 95 44 F

Luxury 2WD $30,490 L4T 1.5 110 210 A6 — 9.0 95 44 03/16 F

Luxury 4WD $30,990 L4T 1.5 110 210 M6 1608 — 8.5 95 45 A

H8 Sizeandpresence

Decent cabin presentation complete with Aussie leather; looks quite handsome

Only five seats; heavy and thirsty; patchy track record of other Chinese brands here

• The Pick: A lot of money for an unknown – we'd be looking at a Kia Sorento
  Premium 2WD $41,990 L4T 2.0 160 324 A6 2051 — 12.2 95 50 R
  Premium 4WD $44,490 L4T 2.0 160 324 A6 2128 — 12.2 95 50 A
  Luxury 4WD $48,990 L4T 2.0 160 324 A6 2128 — 12.2 95 51 03/16 A
  H9 China'sseriousoff-roader
  ZF gearbox with dual-range transfer case for decent off-road ability; seven seats
  It looks old-school Chinese, with an old-school separate chassis and sub-par dynamics


• The Pick: If you must go there, grab an H9 Premium – it's cheaper
  Premium $46,490 L4T 2.0 160 324 A6 2206 — 12.1 95 52 A
  Luxury $50,990 L4T 2.0 160 324 A6 2236 — 12.1 95 52 A

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