@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
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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
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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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