@wheelsaustralia 147
Maserati
3yr/unlimited
maserati.com.au600h F-Sport $210,110 V8H 5.0 290 520 A8 2340 5.7 — 8.6 95 41 R
600hL 4-seat $250,610 V8H 5.0 290 520 A8 — — — 8.6 95 41 R
600hL 5-seat $240,610 V8H 5.0 290 520 A8 — — — 8.6 95 41 R
NX Goesbetterthanitlooks
Eye-catching (if polarising) design; quality interior; punchy turbo-petrol four-cylinder
A 2005 RAV4 in drag, with packaging compromises; smaller than its rivals
- The Pick:New2.0-litreturbobringsbetterperformance,withF-Sportthesharpest
200t Luxury $52,500 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1700 7.3 — 7.7 95 53 F
300h Luxury $55,000 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1740 9.1 — 5.6 95 56 F
200t Luxury $57,000 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1755 7.1 — 7.9 95 54 A
300h Luxury $59,500 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1800 9.1 — 5.7 95 56 A
200t F-Sport $63,127 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1755 7.1 — 7.9 95 55 A
300h F-Sport $66,000 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1800 8.9 16.45.7 95 59 08/15 A
200t Sports Luxury $72,110 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1860 7.1 — 7.9 95 55 A
300h Sports Luxury $75,000 L4H 2.5 147 210 C 1895 9.1 — 5.7 95 59 A
RX Edgeofthewedge
Cabin space, particularly in the rear; ambience; presence; quality; sweet turbo four
Steering lacks feel; handling lacks excitement; busy ride; part-time AWD; only five seats - The Pick:Eager RX200t makes the most sense, and it's the most affordable
200t $73,000 L4T 2.0 175 350 A6 1890 9.2 — 8.1 95 61 03/16 F
350 Luxury $80,000 V6 3.5 221 370 A8 1980 8.0 — 9.6 95 61 A
350 F-Sport $92,000 V6 3.5 221 370 A8 1980 8.0 — 9.6 95 61 A
350 Sports Luxury $98,000 V6 3.5 221 370 A8 1980 8.0 — 9.6 95 56 A
450h Luxury $88,000 V6H 3.5 230 335 C 2105 7.7 — 5.7 95 58 A
450h F-Sport $100,000 V6H 3.5 230 335 C 2105 7.7 — 5.7 95 58 A
450h Sports Luxury $106,000 V6H 3.5 230 335 C 2105 7.7 — 5.7 95 58 A
LX LandCruiserbyLexus
Clever suspension and crawl-control broaden LX’s skill set; bigger V8 and six-speed auto
Massive and truck-like to drive; gauche styling; no diesel option; expensive - The Pick:ALandCruiserSahara–bettervalue,dieselengineandsameoff-roadability
570 $140,500 V8 5.7 270 530 A8 2510 7.7 — 14.4 95 61 A
Price
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tested DriveGhibli Lookout,Germany!
Finally, a talented, beautiful and fast Italian alternative to the default German luxo sedans
Heavy; misses out on active safety tech of German rivals; classic V8 sound is no longer- The Pick: Surely the throaty Ghibli S, though the thrifty Diesel offers tempting value
Diesel $139,990 V6TD 3.0 202 600 A8 1835 6.3 — 5.9 D 55 R
$143,900 V6TT 3.0 243 500 A8 1810 5.6 — 8.9 98 55 R
S $169,900 V6TT 3.0 301 550 A8 1810 5.0 — 9.6 98 55 R
Lotus
2yr/unlimited
lotuscars.com.auPrice
Eng
type
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size Power Torque Trans.
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weight
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tested DriveElise Fastandfun,butwildlyimpractical
Cool looks; telepathic steering (at speed); suspension and brakes a joy (at speed)
Cramped and noisy for day-to-day driving; definitely intended as a track-day weapon- The Pick: If you live next to a racetrack, the S. If you want peace and quiet, look elsewhere
$74,990 L4 1.6 100 160 M6 876 6.5 — 6.3 91 64 R
Club Racer $74,990 L4 1.6 100 160 M6 852 6.5 — 6.3 91 64 R
S $84,990 L4S 1.8 163 250 M6 880 4.6 — 7.5 95 64 R
S Club Racer $84,990 L4S 1.8 163 250 M6 880 4.6 — 7.5 95 64 R
Exige Racecarfortheroad
Blown Toyota V6 gives the Exige the performance to match its brilliant handling
Not for claustrophobes, or conservatives, or anyone into the tactility of interior plastics - The Pick: Go the Roadster – it’s a proper sports car and getting in with the roof down is easier
S $132,990 V6S 3.5 258 400 M6 1176 4.0 – 10.1 95 64 R
S $137,990 V6S 3.5 258 400 A6 1182 3.9 – 10.1 95 64 R
S Roadster $132,990 V6S 3.5 258 400 M6 1166 4.0 – 10.1 95 64 R
S Roadster $137,990 V6S 3.5 258 400 A6 1172 3.9 – 10.1 95 64 R
Evora Chassissmartsnowwithblownbrawn
Exotic looks; individual appeal; one of the best chassis' on the planet
Start ticking options and price can soar to $200K; a Porsche is a smarter bet - The Pick: Brilliant dynamics, but $200K is second-hand Carrera S money...
S $152,990 V6S 3.5 258 400 M6 1437 4.8 — 9.1 95 64 R
S IPS $161,990 V6S 3.5 258 400 A6 1491 5.0 — 9.7 95 64 R
Mahindra
3yr/100,000km
mahindra.com.auXUV500 It'sallabouttheprice
Simple range with decent gear; seven seats; it's won rallies in India!
Light-on for active safety; questionable resale; average dynamics and ride- The Pick: Go the whole hog and get the AWD ... or push for a seven-seat Nissan X-Trail
W8 $29,900 L4TD 2.2 103 330 M6 — — 6.7 D 46 F
W8 $31,900 L4TD 2.2 103 330 A6 — — 7.4 D 46 F
W8 AWD $32,900 L4TD 2.2 103 330 M6 — — 6.7 D 46 A
W8 AWD $33,900 L4TD 2.2 103 330 A6 — — 7.4 D 46 A
Quattroporte Luxostyleatitsfinest
Brilliant chassis balance; twin-turbo V6 a decent replacement for the previous V8
New engines sound dull compared with throaty old V8; Chrysler cabin bits; ride flaws- The Pick: GTS remains the pinnacle of Italian luxury motoring
Turbo Diesel $210,000 V6TD 3.0 202 600 A8 1885 6.4 — 6.2 D 50 10/14 R
$215,000 V6TT 3.0 243 500 A8 1860 6.2 — 9.1 95 R
S $240,000 V6TT 3.0 301 550 A8 1860 5.1 — 9.6 95 49 06/14 R
GTS $331,000 V8TT 3.8 390 650 A8 1900 4.7 — 10.7 98 49 03/14 R
GranTurismo Thenamesaysitall
Supremely capable grand tourer; useful rear-seat; oozes style and character
Base version lacks dynamic resolve beyond eight-tenths and needs more grunt - The Pick: Stradale blends Italian-supermodel flair with a soundtrack to die (or kill) for
MC Sportline $295,000 V8 4.7 338 520 A6 1880 4.8 — 14.3 95 48 R
MC Shift $319,000 V8 4.7 338 520 A6 1880 4.7 — 14.5 95 48 R
MC Stradale $345,000 V8 4.7 338 520 S6 1880 4.5 — 15.4 98 48 R
GranCabrio ItalianV8symphony,amplified
Cloth lid doesn’t add too much extra weight; glorious flood of V8 decibels with roof down
Expensive and doesn’t look great roof-up; dynamics still more cruiser than bruiser - The Pick: An Italian supermodel with her top off? Hell, yeah...
$338,000 V8 4.7 323 490 A6 1980 4.8 — 15.2 95 50 R
Sport $355,000 V8 4.7 331 510 S6 1980 4.7 — 14.5 95 50 R
MC $355,000 V8 4.7 338 520 S6 1973 4.5 — 14.5 95 49 R
2 Thebaby’sallgrownup...
Sensationalmanualgearshift;stunningenginetractability;classydash;funhandling
Steering should be sharper off-centre; road noise could be reduced; firm ride
The Pick: Maxx manual hatch with red trim option and extra safety kit – a superb little car
Neo hatch $14,990 L4 1.5 79 139 M6 1025 — — 5.4 91 51 F
Neo hatch $16,990 L4 1.5 79 139 A6 1043 10.7 17.5 5.5 91 51 03/15 F
Neo sedan $14,990 L4 1.5 79 139 M6 1035 — — 5.4 91 51 F
Neo sedan $16,990 L4 1.5 79 139 A6 1059 — — 5.5 91 51 10/15 F
Maxx hatch $17,690 L4 1.5 81 141 M6 1035 — — 5.2 91 52 F
Maxx hatch $19,690 L4 1.5 81 141 A6 1047 — — 4.9 91 52 F
Maxx sedan $17,690 L4 1.5 81 141 M6 1045 — — 5.2 91 52 F
Maxx sedan $19,690 L4 1.5 81 141 A6 1060 — — 4.9 91 52 F
Genki hatch $20,690 L4 1.5 81 141 M6 1035 — — 5.2 91 54 F
Genki hatch $22,690 L4 1.5 81 141 A6 1047 — — 4.9 91 53 10/14 F
3 Popularappeal
Stylish and well-built; dynamics great whenpushed to the limit; SP25's grunt and value
Ride and refinement still can’t match Golf; 2.0-litre lacks bottom-end torque- The Pick: The SP25 GT manual – a fun, cool, sharp-handling, nicely kitted sporty hatch
Neo hatch $20,490 L4 2.0 114 200 M6 1271 9.2 16.5 5.9 91 54 03/14 F
Neo hatch $22,490 L4 2.0 114 200 A6 1305 — — 5.8 91 52 F
Neo sedan $20,490 L4 2.0 114 200 M6 1267 — — 5.8 91 54 F
Neo sedan $22,490 L4 2.0 114 200 A6 1301 — — 5.7 91 52 F
Maxx hatch $22,390 L4 2.0 114 200 M6 1266 — — 5.9 91 54 F
Maxx hatch $24,390 L4 2.0 114 200 A6 1300 — — 5.8 91 54 F
Maxx sedan $22,390 L4 2.0 114 200 M6 1262 — — 5.8 91 54 F
Maxx sedan $24,390 L4 2.0 114 200 A6 1296 — — 5.7 91 54 F
Touring hatch $24,790 L4 2.0 114 200 M6 1271 — — 5.9 91 54 F
Touring hatch $26,790 L4 2.0 114 200 A6 1304 — — 5.8 91 54 F
Touring sedan $24,790 L4 2.0 114 200 M6 1266 — — 5.8 91 54 F
Touring sedan $26,790 L4 2.0 114 200 A6 1300 — — 5.7 91 54 F
SP25 hatch $25,190 L4 2.5 138 250 M6 1308 7.9 1 5. 5 6.5 91 54 11/14 F
SP25 hatch $27,190 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1339 — — 6.1 91 54 F
SP25 sedan $25,190 L4 2.5 138 250 M6 1302 — — 6.5 91 54 F
SP25 sedan $27,190 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1334 — — 6.0 91 54 F
SP25 GT hatch $29,790 L4 2.5 138 250 M6 1325 — — 6.5 91 56 F
SP25 GT hatch $31,790 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1357 7.9 1 5 .7 6.1 91 54 03/14 F
SP25 GT sedan $29,790 L4 2.5 138 250 M6 1320 — — 6.5 91 56 03/14 F
SP25 GT sedan $31,790 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1351 — — 6.0 91 54 F
SP25 Astina hatch $35,040 L4 2.5 138 250 M6 1342 — — 6.5 91 57 F
SP25 Astina hatch $37,040 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1373 — — 6.1 91 56 F
SP25 Astina sedan $35,040 L4 2.5 138 250 M6 1336 — — 6.5 91 57 F
SP25 Astina sedan $37,040 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1368 — — 6.0 91 56 F
XD Astina hatch $39,290 L4TTD 2.2 129 420 M6 1448 7.7 — 5 D 57 11/14 F
XD Astina hatch $41,290 L4TTD 2.2 129 420 A6 1465 8.4 — 5 D 57 F
6 Styleand(subdued)sports
Looksgoodandhandleswell;stunningdiesel;greateconomy;vastlyimprovedinterior
19s spoil the ride a bit; shallow boot in sedan; dynamically not quite a match for Mondeo - The Pick: A wagon – any of ’em – due to its smarter packaging and athletic style
Sport sedan $32,490 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1462 8.2 — 6.6 91 55 03/13 F
Sport wagon $33,790 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1484 8.2 — 6.6 91 55 F
Touring sedan $37,290 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1471 7. 6 1 5. 5 6.6 91 54 02/15 F
Touring sedan $40,140 L4TTD 2.2 129 420 A6 1541 8.4 — 5.4 D 54 F
Touring wagon $38,590 L4 2.5 138 250 A6 1494 8.2 15.9 6.6 91 50 04/14 F
Touring wagon $41,440 L4TTD 2.2 129 420 A6 1561 8.4 — 5.4 D 50 F
Mazda
3yr/unlimited
mazda.com.auPOWERED BY
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