In our tests on the
following pages and in
the Showroom, we have
used symbols to give
you a quick indication
of the strengths of each
car, and star ratings to
indicate in more detail
how each car stacks up in
its class. Here’s what the
symbols and stars mean:Our piggybank
indicates a car that we
think represents good
value for money against
the others in its class. It
may not necessarily be
the cheapest, but taking
into account factors like
standard equipment,
safety, the way it drives,
resale values and quality, it
shapes up as a good deal.
S A capital S indicates a
car that scores fi ve stars
out of fi ve for occupant
protection in ANCAP
crash tests and has
stability control plus sixairbags as standard or as
reasonably priced options.
You can get full details for
individual cars, including
recently introduced
child-protection ratings
for most models, at
ancap.com.au
If you’re after a safe,
practical car in which to
carry the kids, look for
this symbol. We’ve taken
into account things like
its ANCAP score, safety
features such as a rear
camera, the placement
of child restraint anchor
points, a versatile,
spacious load area and
other parent-friendly
features.(^3) This is an
internationally-
recognised symbol for
environmentally-friendly
products and we’ve
used it to indicate cars
that score at least four
stars out of fi ve in the
Federal government’s
Green Vehicle Guide.
Unfortunately, from late
2015, all the star ratings
were removed from the
site, which is ridiculous,
so we have kept the star
ratings for models given
prior to their removal.
A trophy indicates
a car that, all things
considered, is at or
near the top of its class.
It’s important to note
that we don’t test cars
against some perfect
theoretical model. We
test them against their
competitors so it’s an
apples with apples
comparison. Features that
are important in sports
cars, for example, such as
performance and handling,
are less important in, say,
the mid-size hatchback
class, where buyers are
looking for fuel economy
and space effi ciency.
SYMBOLS S (^3)
- Prices are manufacturers’ list
prices and do not include options,
on-road charges or insurance. These
vary from state to state. Dealers are
now required, when they advertise a
price, to make it the drive-away price,
including on-road charges. - Note that manufacturers can and
do change prices regularly and in
some cases this will have occurred
after our publication deadline. If you
want to check current drive-away
prices, we suggest going to a website
such as carsales.com.au where you’ll
also fi nd the latest offers.
PRICES
The star rating for safety is
from ANCAP crash tests and the
Green Vehicle Guide stars are as
per the car’s rating in the Green
Vehicle Guide itself.
Other star ratings, including the
overall star rating, refl ect how the
car rates against others in its class.STARS
EDITOR
Bill McKinnon
DESIGNER
Katharine McKinnon
CONTRIBUTORS
John Carey, Joshua Dowling, Phil King,
Byron Mathioudakis, Peter McKay
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
(02) 9887 0642
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Martin WhiteCEO/CHAIRMAN
Prema Perera
PUBLISHER
Janice Williams
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Vicky Mahadeva
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Emma Perera
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
James Perera
CIRCULATION BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Mark McTaggart
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kate Podger
MARKETING & ACQUISITIONS MANAGER
Chelsea PetersCirculation enquiries to our Sydney head office
(02) 9805 0399.
Australian New Car&SUV Buyer’s Guide No. 53 is
published by Universal Magazines, Unit 5, 6–8 Byfield
Street, North Ryde 2113. Phone (02) 9805 0399, Fax: (02)
9805 0714. Melbourne office, Level 1, 150 Albert Road,
South Melbourne Vic 3205. Phone (03) 9694 6444, Fax
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review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part
may be reproduced by any process without written
permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the
publishers. The publishers believe all the information
supplied in this book to be correct at the time of
printing. They are not, however, in a position to make a
guarantee to this effect and accept no liability in the
event of any information proving inaccurate. Prices,
addresses and phone numbers were, after investigation
and to the best of our knowledge and belief, up to date
at the time of printing, but the shifting sands of time
may change them in some cases. It is not possible for
the publishers to ensure that advertisements which
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and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth) and the Australian
Consumer Law. The responsibility must therefore be
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Please pass on or recycle this magazine.
We are a member ofJOHN CAREY
One of Australia’s most
accomplished motoring writers,
over three decades, John is a
long-time contributor to Wheels
magazine, where he is a Car of
the Year judge, and publications
in the USA and UK.
He lives in Bergamo, Italy, and
covers new European models for
us so we have the story by the
time they go on sale here.
John would rather question an
engineer than a designer as an
engineer’s answers tend to make
a lot more sense.
John rates a vehicle’s value,
effi ciency, user-friendliness and
dependability as being much more
important than the badge it wears.
John’s tests in this issue
include the Ferrari Portofi no,
BMW X1 and X2, Jaguar i-Pace,
Mercedes A Class, Nissan Leaf
and Porsche Panamera.
PHIL KING
Phil King is Motoring Editor
of The Australian.
Since switching to motoring
journalism 18 years ago, he has
driven almost everything the
automotive industry has to offer,
despite an allergy to Korean
cars, and moves seamlessly
from one press fl eet vehicle to
another in the hope of avoiding
fuel bills in perpetuity.
Luckily, he chose a university
degree course guaranteed to set
him up for a lifetime behind the
wheel: philosophy.
He thinks life should be one
long motor show where the bar
never shuts and would love to
restore a classic — at somebody
else’s expense.
In this issue of Australian New
Car&SUV Buyer’s Guide, Phil tests
the Porsche Cayman and 911.JOSHUA DOWLING
Joshua Dowling is the National
Motoring Editor at caradvice.com.
au and a World Car of the Year
judge.
Renowned for his ability to
break stories the car companies
don’t want you to read, his
consumer-fi rst approach and
refusal to follow a PR script,
Joshua’s tests in this issue
include Ford Mustang, Holden
Acadia, Mazda CX8, Toyota RAV
and VW Tiguan.
You can also read his
regular rants on Twitter: @
JoshuaDowling.CONTRIBUTORS
AUSTRALIAN NEW CAR & SUV BUYER’S GUIDE | 5AUNEWCAR&SUV
STRALIANBUYER'S GUIDE