Wheels Australia — August 2016

150 WheelsMag.com.au

Mirage Cheap, cheerless mini

Better-equippedthanyou’dexpectattheprice;longwarranty;shouldbereliable

Leisurely pace; bouncy ride; tight rear seat; hideous sedan styling

• The Pick:The base ES manual at a bargain price. Or better still, a second-hand Mazda 2
  ES $12,250 L3 1.2 57 100 M5 865 — — 4.6 91 41 04/13 F
  ES $13,490 L3 1.2 57 100 C 890 — — 4.6 91 41 F
  ES sedan $14,500 L3 1.2 57 100 M5 925 — — 4.9 91 43 F
  ES sedan $16,490 L3 1.2 57 100 C 940 14.5 19.64.9 91 43 10/14 F
  LS $12,990 L3 1.2 57 100 M5 865 — — 4.8 91 42 F
  LS $15,250 L3 1.2 57 100 C 890 — — 4.9 91 42 F
  LS sedan $17,590 L3 1.2 57 100 C 940 — — 4.9 91 44 F
  Lancer ValueorEvo–they’repolesapart
  Neat styling; decent value; Evo’s go-kart handling, adjustability and rally reputation
  Lots! Non-Evo dynamics are rubbish; cheap interior; poor front seats; drony CVT...


• The Pick: A competitor – even a Korean one. Or the Evo Final Edition if you're nostalgic
  ES Sport $19,500 L4 2.0 110 197 M5 1285 9.6 — 6.9 91 49 F
  ES Sport $21,000 L4 2.0 110 197 C 1315 10.3 — 7.4 91 50 F
  LS sedan $23,500 L4 2.0 110 197 C 1355 10.5 — 7.4 91 51 F
  GSR Sportback $22,500 L4 2.4 125 226 M5 1370 — — 8.8 91 50 F
  GSR Sportback $24,000 L4 2.4 125 226 C 1400 — — 8.9 91 51 F
  GSR sedan $22,500 L4 2.4 125 226 M5 1345 9.1 — 8.8 91 50 F
  GSR sedan $24,000 L4 2.4 125 226 C 1375 9.8 — 8.5 91 51 F
  Ralliart sedan $37,990 L4T 2.0 177 343 S6 1480 — — 9.6 98 56 01/09 A
  Evolution sedan $52,990 L4T 2.0 217 366 M5 1490 6.3 14.4 10.2 98 63 08/08 A

Price

Eng

type

Eng

size Power Torque Trans.

Kerb

weight

0-100

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

Micra Still without Europe’s boosted triple

Keenly-priced and well-kitted; likeable 1.2-litre triple; styling is ageing with dignity

Tinny, basic and unrefined compared with larger light hatches; about to be discontinued

• The Pick: Base ST manual. Or a second-hand Mazda 2 Genki if you’re being really sensible
  ST $13,490 L3 1.2 56 104 M5 943 13.2 18.8 5.9 91 41 06/15 F
  ST $15,290 L3 1.2 56 104 A4 956 — — 6.5 91 41 F
  Ti $16,990 L3 1.2 56 104 A4 969 — — 6.5 91 48 F
  Pulsar Pulsarrevived,butnottheN14’sspirit
  Vast cabin; big boot; keen pricing; revives a once-loved name; should be reliable
  Dull styling; no folding backrest; light steering; flaccid dynamics; hatch is about to die


• The Pick: Something else – Mazda 3 and Corolla smashed Pulsar in a Wheels comparo
  ST hatch $19,990 L4 1.8 96 174 M6 1208 — — 7.2 91 48 F
  ST hatch $22,240 L4 1.8 96 174 C — — — 6.7 91 47 F
  ST sedan $19,990 L4 1.8 96 174 M6 — — — 7.2 91 47 06/13 F
  ST sedan $22,290 L4 1.8 96 174 C — — — 6.7 91 46 F
  ST-L hatch $20,990 L4 1.8 96 174 M6 1230 — — 7.2 91 48 F
  ST-L hatch $23,240 L4 1.8 96 174 C — — — 6.7 91 47 F

Mitsubishi

5yr/130,000km

mitsubishi-motors.com.au

5-door Mini attempts a high-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
  One $26,050 L3T 1.2 75 180 M6 — — — 5.0 95 49 F
  Cooper $27,750 L3T 1.5 100 220 M6 1145 8.2 — 4.7 95 61 F
  Cooper $30,400 L3T 1.5 100 220 A6 1175 9.1 16.5 4.8 95 61 03/16 F
  Cooper D $32,900 L3TD 1.5 85 270 M6 1190 9.4 — 3.6 D 61 F
  Cooper D $35,550 L3TD 1.5 85 270 A6 1205 9.5 — 3.8 D 61 F
  Cooper S $38,050 L4T 2.0 141 280 M6 1220 6.9 — 5.9 95 62 F
  Cooper S $40,700 L4T 2.0 141 280 A6 1240 6.8 — 5.4 95 62 F
  CooperConvertibleFun and functional drop-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 49 F
  $37,900 L3 1.5 100 220 A6 1230 8.7 — 5.3 95 50 F
  S $45,400 L4 2.0 141 280 M6 1275 7.2 — 6.2 95 51 F
  S $45,400 L4 2.0 141 280 A6 1295 7.1 — 5.8 95 51 F
  JCW $54,900 L4T 2.0 170 320 A6 — 6.5 — 5.2 95 F
  Clubman Mini at its best
  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 M6 1300 9.1 — 5.4 95 53 F
  Cooper $34,900 L3T 1.5 100 220 A6 1320 9.7 17.0 5.4 95 53 08/16 F
  Cooper S $42,900 L4T 2.0 141 280 M6 1360 7.2 — 6.3 95 54 F
  Cooper S $42,900 L4T 2.0 141 280 A8 1390 7.1 — 5.9 95 54 F
  Cooper JCW $51,800 L4T 1.6 155 280 M6 1205 6.8 — 7.0 95 57 F
  Countryman A large-Mini paradox
  Plenty of driving fizz and Mini character in a more practical SUV-ish body
  Needs a 2.0-litre, or more boost, to deal with the extra weight


• The Pick: A fine drive, but the (more conservative) VW Tiguan is a smarter choice
  $34,150 L4 1.6 90 160 M6 1265 10.5 — 6.5 95 58 F
  $37,155 L4 1.6 90 160 A6 1295 10.5 — 6.5 95 59 F
  D $36,950 L4TD 1.6 82 270 M6 1310 10.9 — 4.4 D 58 F
  D $39,300 L4TD 2.0 82 270 A6 1335 11.3 — 5.6 D 58 F
  S $42,550 L4T 1.6 135 240 M6 1310 7.6 — 6.6 95 59 01/12 F
  S $50,555 L4T 1.6 135 240 A6 1335 7.9 — 7.5 95 59 F
  S ALL4 $45,500 L4T 1.6 135 240 M6 1380 7.6 — 7.3 95 60 A
  S ALL4 $47,555 L4T 1.6 135 240 A6 1405 8.2 15.9 8.1 95 60 06/11 A
  SD ALL4 $46,990 L4TD 2.0 105 305 M6 1395 9.4 — 4.9 D 60 A
  JCW ALL4 $56,900 L4T 1.6 160 280 M6 1405 7.0 — 8.0 98 60 A
  Paceman Not just a Countryman coupe
  Sharp dynamics; cabin improvements; rear-seat space; uniqueness
  $2K extra for fewer doors; Aussies miss out on fuel-saving tech; tardy base models


• The Pick: Take the Paceman S. More fun and worth the extra dosh
  $34,150 L4 1.6 90 160 M6 1255 10.4 — 6.5 95 56 F
  $37,205 L4 1.6 90 160 A6 1275 10.8 — 6.5 95 55 10/13 F
  S $42,550 L4T 1.6 140 240 M6 1380 7.5 — 6.6 95 55 F
  S $44,900 L4T 1.6 140 240 A6 1405 7.8 — 7.5 95 55 F
  JCW $56,900 L4T 1.6 165 280 M6 1475 6.9 — 8.0 95 55 09/13 A
  JCW $59,250 L4T 1.6 160 280 A6 1495 6.9 — 8.3 95 55 A

3Wheeler As weird as it gets

It’sagoodwaytostandout;there’snothingelselikeit;characterpersonified

It’s a good way to get laughed at; thirsty; lacking useful features like a windscreen...

• The Pick:Somethingwithfourwheels,unlessyouhaveareally big garage
  $92,300 V2 2.0 60 140 M5 550 6.0 — 9.3 95 61 R
  Classic A synonym for ’old-gen’
  Fabulously raw and lightweight roadsters; relatively affordable
  Forget about cabin ergonomics or ride quality; definitely not practical


• The Pick: This or a Caterham if your house backs onto a racetrack
  R4/4 $89,900 L4 1.6 82 131 M6 868 8.0 — 6.3 95 67 R
  Plus 4 $103,500 L4 2.0 115 201 M6 877 7.5 — 7.0 95 61 R
  Roadster $139,775 V6 3.7 209 352 M6 950 5.5 — 9.8 95 67 R
  Plus 8 $225,000 V8 4.8 270 490 M6 1100 4.5 — 12.1 95 50 R
  Plus 8 $225,000 V8 4.8 270 490 A6 1100 4.5 — 12.1 95 50 R

Morgan

2yr/100,000km

morgancars.com.au

Nissan

3yr/100,000km

nissan.com.au

Evolution Final Ed' $53,700 L4T 2.0 217 366 M5 1490 — — 10.2 98 58 A

Evolution MR sedan $58,990 L4T 2.0 217 366 S6 1520 5.7 14.010.1 98 62 12/13 A

ASX Prettier, but still loud

Exterior styling keeps aimproving with age; keen pricing; torquey turbo-diesel

Interior smaller than SUV rivals; lacks refinement; Peugeot 4008 clone handles better

• The Pick: 2WD is cheap, although we'd prefer to step up to a 4WD diesel
  LS $24,990 L4 2.0 110 197 M5 1335 — — 7.6 91 48 F
  LS $26,990 L4 2.0 110 197 C — — — 91 48 F
  XLS $31,490 L4 2.0 110 197 C 1375 — — 7.4 91 49 F
  LS 4x4 $31,990 L4TD 2.2 110 360 A6 — — — 5.8 D 46 09/13 A
  XLS 4x4 $36,490 L4TD 2.2 110 360 A6 1515 — — 5.8 D 48 09/13 A
  Outlander You got seven seats in that?
  A compact-ish SUV that squeezes in seven seats; quieter and smoother; equipment
  Crappo infotainment functionality; about as American as a facelift can get


• The Pick: Either a base LS manual or an XLS 4WD turbo-diesel with six-speed auto
  LS $28,490 L4 2.0 110 190 M5 1410 — — 7.0 91 48 F
  LS $30,490 L4 2.0 110 190 C 1430 — — 6.7 91 48 F
  LS 4WD $33,490 L4 2.4 124 220 C 1500 — — 7.2 91 48 A
  XLS $33,490 L4 2.0 110 190 C 1430 — — 6.7 91 48 F
  XLS 4WD $36,490 L4 2.4 124 220 C 1535 11.0 17.9 7.2 91 50 06/15 A
  XLS 4WD DiD $39,490 L4TD 2.3 110 360 A6 1630 — — 6.2 D 50 A
  Exceed 4WD $43,490 L4 2.4 124 220 C 1535 — — 7.2 91 51 A
  Exceed 4WD DiD $46,490 L4TD 2.3 110 360 A6 1630 — — 6.2 D 51 A
  PHEV $47,490 L4H 2.0 149 195 A1 1810 — — 1.9 91 45 A
  PHEV Aspire $52,490 L4H 2.0 149 195 A1 1871 — — 1.9 91 45 A
  PajeroSport From Challenger to challenging
  Clever on-demand 4WD system; more gear ratios than any rival; rugged
  Strictly a five-seater; old-school Triton chassis hurts dynamics; gobsmacking styling


• The Pick: Base GLX offers plenty for the money, but Toyota Fortuner is much prettier
  GLX $45,000 L4TD 2.5 133 430 A8 2045 — — 8.0 D 52 A
  GLS $48,500 L4TD 2.5 133 430 A8 2060 — — 8.0 D 53 A
  Exceed $52,750 L4TD 2.5 133 430 A8 2070 — — 8.0 D 53 03/16 A
  Pajero Mitsu’s staple family workhorse
  Tough family transporter is also a proper off-roader; undercuts serious 4WD rivals
  Feels old (it is) and creaky; noisy diesel; ponderous dynamics; heavy


• The Pick: The thrifty diesel, but unless you venture off-road often, think Territory or CX-9
  GLX $50,990 L4TD 3.2 147 441 M5 2273 — — 8.4 D 51 A
  GLX $53,990 L4TD 3.2 147 441 A5 2263 — — 8.6 D 51 A
  GLS $58,990 L4TD 3.2 147 441 A5 2314 — — 8.6 D 51 A
  Exceed $65,990 L4TD 3.2 147 441 A5 2335 — — 9.2 D 57 A

L=in-line,

V=vee,

F=flat,

R=rotary.

Number of cyls or rotors.

T=turbo,

S= s'charged,

D=diesel,

H=hybrid

LitresKilowattsNewton metresM

=m

anual,

A

=automatic,

S=sequential,

C=CVT

Kilograms0-100km/h acceleration, in secs (Wheels

tested figures in italics)

0-400m acceleration, in sec s (Wheels

tested figures in italics)

Fuel consumption in Litr

es/100km

Recommended octane ratingGlass's predicted resale ra

ting, retained after 3 years

Rec When we drove it

ommended Retail Price

at time of publication(* indicates driveaway) F= F

ront drive,

R=Rear drive,

A

=All-wheel drive

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