Wheels Australia — August 2016

Price

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type

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size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

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km/h

0-400

metres

Fuel

cons.RON

Resale

%

Issue

tested Drive Price

Eng

type

Eng

size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

0-100

km/h

0-400

metres

Fuel

cons.RON

Resale

%

Issue

testedDrive

KIA has tweaked the suspension on

its Cerato small car and added a Drive

Mode Select feature, which not only

adjusts steering weight but engine

and transmission response.

But the big news is beneath the

bonnet; the 1.8-litre engine has

been dropped, as has the pokey

129kW 2.0-litre. In their place is a

112kW/192Nm 2.0-litre that makes

for a simplified range.

All but the base model S get a

7.0-inch touchscreen with Android

Auto compatibility, and Apple CarPlay

functionality will be added with a

software update at no cost to owners

b the end of the ear.

KIA'S

ENGINE

SWAP

@wheelsaustralia 145

Rio Sharpsuit,neatdynamics

Crisp styling; roomy interior; fun handling on twisty roads; direct-injection 1.6 is quick

Dated 1.4-litre engine and outmoded four-speed auto; expensive; no manual with 1.6

• The Pick: Go for the Sport with a direct injection 1.6 GDI and more gear (but no manual!)
  S 3dr $15,990 L4 1.4 79 135 M6 1131 11.5 — 5.7 91 46 04/15 F
  S 3dr $17,990 L4 1.4 79 135 A4 1158 13.2 — 6.3 91 45 04/15 F
  S 5dr $16,990 L4 1.4 79 135 M6 1143 11.5 — 5.7 91 46 F
  S 5dr $18,990 L4 1.4 79 135 A4 1170 13.2 — 6.3 91 46 F
  S Premium 5dr $17,690 L4 1.4 79 135 M6 1143 11.5 — 5.7 91 47 F
  S Premium 5dr $19,690 L4 1.4 79 135 A4 1170 13.2 — 6.3 91 46 F
  Sport 3dr $21,490 L4 1.6 103 167 A6 — — — 6.1 91 47 F
  SLi 5dr $22,990 L4 1.6 103 167 A6 1215 10.3 — 6.1 91 48 F
  Soul Morerhythm,lessblues
  Second-gen Soul maintains the original's look; improved handling; individual appeal
  Engine crying out for a bottom-end; firm ride; uninvolving steering; so-so performance


• The Pick:We'doptforanentry-levelSkodaYeti,thoughSoulIIiswaybetter than it used to be
  Si $26,990 L4 2.0 113 191 A6 1405 10.2 8.4 91 45 11/14 F
  Cerato Anonymous,butplentytolike
  Ride and handling; perky engine in most affordable models; long list of tech and gear
  No auto braking as part of upgraded safety kit; no camera in base S; lacks finesse


• The Pick: Go the base model S, but choose the $500 option for a bigger screen with camera
  S sedan $19,990 L4 2.0 112 192 M6 1280 — — 7.1 91 F
  S hatch $19,990 L4 2.0 112 192 M6 1301 — — 7.1 91 F
  S sedan $19,990 L4 2.0 112 192 A6 1280 — — 7.1 91 F
  S hatch $19,990 L4 2.0 112 192 A6 1301 — — 7.1 91 F
  S Premium sedan $24,990 L4 2.0 112 192 A6 1309 — — 7.1 91 F
  S Premium hatch $24,990 L4 2.0 112 192 A6 1332 — — 7.1 91 F
  Si sedan $28,990 L4 2.0 112 192 A6 1309 — — 7.1 91 F
  Si hatch $28,990 L4 2.0 112 192 A6 1332 — — 7.1 91 F
  SLi sedan $32,490 L4 2.0 112 192 A6 1309 — — 7.1 91 F
  SLi hatch $32,490 L4 2.0 112 192 A6 1332 — — 7.1 91 F
  Cerato Koup Four-seatcoupebargain
  A proper four-seat coupe for peanuts; Turbo’s torque; all-new Koup’s all-round appeal
  Ride turns brittle on 18s; more a GT than a sports coupe; same cabin as regular Cerato


• The Pick: The Turbo manual mixes solid warm-hatch performance with coupe style
  Si GDi $24,190 L4 2.0 129 209 M6 1314 8.4 — 7.3 91 52 F
  Si GDi $26,490 L4 2.0 129 209 A6 1337 8.9 — 7.4 91 52 F
  T-GDi Turbo $28,190 L4T 1.6 150 265 M6 1370 7.7 — 7.7 91 52 F
  T-GDi Turbo $30,490 L4T 1.6 150 265 A6 1380 7.4 — 8.0 91 52 F
  T-GDi Turbo Touring $30,690 L4T 1.6 150 265 M6 1370 7.7 — 7.7 91 53 F
  T-GDi Turbo Touring $32,990 L4T 1.6 150 265 A6 1380 7.4 — 8.0 91 52 F
  Pro_ceed LikeaVeloster,butbetter
  Grippyhandling;coolstyling;RecaroseatsandgreatvaluedefineKia’sfirsthothatch
  Torquey engine should sound better; rubbery gearshift; chassis gets ragged at its limit


• The Pick: With multi-link IRS, Kia's Euro-sourced hot hatch wins over Veloster or Koup
  GT $29,990 L4T 1.6 150 265 M6 1359 7.7 — 7.4 91 51 F
  GT Tech $34,990 L4T 1.6 150 265 M6 13598.4 16.07. 4 9 1 52 0 4/ 1 4 F
  Optima Conservativelydone(again)
  Cabin a huge step up; decent dynamics; rear-seat space; long warranty; equipment
  Small model range; firm ride on GT; heavy steering; 2.4 engine somewhat knackerless


• The Pick: Optima Si still an appliance, so save up and go for the turbocharged GT
  Si $34,490 L4 2.4 138 241 A6 1540 — — 8.3 91 44 02/16 F
  GT $43,990 L4T 2.0 180 350 A6 1605 — — 8.3 91 46 02/16 F
  Rondo Secondgengetsnewfamilyface
  Diesel torque, ride/handling balance on 16s and good packaging flexibility
  Petrol engine lacks torque; value not as good as original


• The Pick: Diesel Si – it costs more than the petrol but pays it back in luscious torque
  Si $30,240 L4 2.0 122 213 A6 1582 10.8 — 7.9 91 48 08/13 F
  SLi $34,240 L4 2.0 122 213 A6 1582 10.8 — 7.9 91 54 F
  Platinum $39,740 L4 2.0 122 213 A6 1582 10.8 — 7.9 91 49 F
  Si Diesel $32,990 L4TD 1.7 100 320 A6 1652 12.0 — 6.4 D 54 F
  SLi Diesel $36,990 L4TD 1.7 100 320 A6 1652 12.0 — 6.4 D 55 F
  Carnival Eightisenough
  Vastly more refined and better built than the old heap; eight seats; strong diesel; styling
  Still drives like a bus; thirsty V6; at 5.1m long, you'll need a McMansion to park it


• The Pick: A diesel Si, which adds sat-nav and a reversing camera over the base S
  S $41,490 V6 3.3 206 336 A6 2048 — — 11.6 91 59 F
  S CRDi $43,990 L4TD 2.2 147 440 A6 2092 — — 7.7 D 59 F
  Si $45,490 V6 3.3 206 336 A6 2048 — — 11.6 91 59 F
  Si CRDi $47,990 L4TD 2.2 147 440 A6 2092 — — 7.7 D 59 F
  SLi $49,990 V6 3.3 206 336 A6 2048 — — 11.6 91 60 F
  SLi CRDi $52,490 L4TD 2.2 147 440 A6 2092 — — 7.7 D 60 F
  Platinum $58,490 V6 3.3 206 336 A6 2048 — — 11.6 91 61 F
  Platinum CRDi $60,990 L4TD 2.2 147 440 A6 2092 — — 7.7 D 61 F
  Sportage Addedpolish,surprisinglygooddrive
  Interior design and equipment; capable dynamics; refinement; potent diesel engine
  Petrol 2.0 only just enough; auto braking limited to Platinums; upper range not cheap


• The Pick: Any of the diesels; the Platinum brings plenty extra but the SLi is better value
  Si $28,990 L4 2.0 114 192 A6 1499 — — 7.9 91 52 F
  Si $33,990 L4TD 2.0 136 400 A6 1590 — — 6.8 D 54 A
  SLi $33,990 L4 2.0 114 192 A6 1499 — — 7.9 91 54 F

SLi $38,990 L4TD 2.0 136 400 A6 1590 — — 6.8 D 55 A

Platinum $43,490 L4 2.4 135 237 A6 1590 — — 8.5 91 53 A

Platinum $45,990 L4TD 2.0 136 400 A6 1590 — — 6.8 D 53 A

Sorento Holiday,celebrate

Diesel refinement; equipment; build quality;practicality; safety; handling; warranty

Getting pricey for a Kia; badge snobbery means buyers may overlook this excellent SUV

• The Pick: SLi diesel gets a decent donk and plenty of kit, including leather and better audio
  Si $40,990 V6 3.3 199 318 A6 1921 — — 9.9 91 54 02/16 F
  Si $44,490 L4TD 2.2 147 441 A6 2036 — — 7.8 D 54 A
  SLi $45,990 V6 3.3 199 318 A6 1921 — — 9.9 91 52 F
  SLi $49,490 L4TD 2.2 147 441 A6 2036 — — 7.8 D 53 A
  Platinum $55,990 L4TD 2.2 147 441 A6 2036 9.5 16.8 7.8 D 54 09/15 A

Huracan Frontuptothebullbar

Quicker, more powerful and even more manic than the Gallardo it replaces

More expensive than the Gallardo; loss of steering feel; nannies leave us alone!

• The Pick:The one the parking valet at the casino mistakenly hands you the keys to
  LP 610-4 $428,000 V10 5.2 449 560 S7 1422 3.2 — 12.5 98 57 08/14 A
  Aventador WavestheItalianflagship
  Italian heart with German (Audi) quality results in a winning new-age supercar
  Not quite as savage as previous Lambo flagships; tall people get ready to duck down


• The Pick: Just buy one. Blue flames come out the exhaust. Flames!
  LP700-4 $754,600 V12 6.5 515 690 S7 1575 2.9 — 16.0 98 57 07/14 A
  LP750-4 S'Veloce $882,650 V12 6.5 552 690 S7 1525 2.8 — 16.0 98 A
  Roadster $795,000 V12 6.5 515 690 S7 1575 3.0 — 16.0 98 57 11/12 A

Lamborghini

2yr/unlimited

lamborghini.com.au

Land Rover

3yr/100,000km

landrover.com.au

Defender Kicksdirtinthefaceofsoft-roaders

Go-anywhere ability; retro appeal and authentic design; aluminium body (really!)

Slow, basic; world’s largest turning circle; interior feels decades old (oh, hang on ... it is)

• The Pick: The longer 110 is (marginally) more comfortable and with plenty of rugged charm
  90 Wagon $42,800 L4TD 2.2 90 360 M6 1887 15.8 — 10.0 D 59 A
  110 Station Wagon $47,500 L4TD 2.2 90 360 M6 1975 15.8 — 11.1 D 61 A

POWERED BY

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