We test drive the Audi A3

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The perception of luxury is beginning to change and the proof is the Audi A3. It may be the most inexpensive way to leap into Audi’s Line-up. But at least it’s not a penalty box. Here’s why:

The 1.8 turbo that was shared with the Volkswagen Golf is no longer offered. Instead you get to choose from two very potent 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The front-wheel-drive configurations get 186hp while the versions with Quattro All-wheel-drive get the familiar 220hp output. Pick of the range depends on what you want the most from your A3. If you really do need the extra traction your only choice is to get the more powerful engine option, while everyone will find that the front-wheel-drive form is good enough for their needs. Our tester car came equipped with the all-wheel-drive seeing that the first time around when we drove the A3 it was front-wheel-drive and had a 1.8 turbo engine.

The A3 is quite easy to drive around town and is very nimble. What we enjoyed the most about the A3 is how refined it felt without ever feeling dull or boring. The 2-liter turbo engine offered the low-end torque that we loved especially when merging and overtaking on faster paced roads. We did get the chance to experience the all-wheel-drive in action as it did rain during our test. The grip was there and we loved it but like we said prior, you’ll have to really want it to justify the slight increase in price and the spike in running costs. The 1.8 turbo we tested proved that the front-wheel-drive A3 is just as capable of holding its own on slippery surfaces. Steering feedback was where it should be, it provided enough feedback to provide confidence in corners and bends without being overly heavy like in some BMW vehicles we’ve encountered. Wind and road noise are far from an issue but the ride comfort can get slightly too firm with the larger alloy wheels. The sports suspension option that our tester car came equipped with made the ride comfort overly firm and borderline unforgiving. It would’ve been different if the A3 had the trade-off of fantastic handling like the Mini Hardtop 4-door Cooper S, but it’s nowhere near as good as the Mini.

Audi knows how to make an interior and the A3 is no exception to this, even though the A3 is the cheapest of the range. The materials used inside of the cabin feel high class and well put together, you won’t have any complaints about the interior. We love how the infotainment system leaps out of the dash, it adds a bit of classiness to the overall impressive interior layout. The controls and dials are easy to read and are also easy to navigate through. What we love the most is how everything feels substantial and doesn’t feel like it’s built to a price. The front seats offer plenty of support while those in the rear seat will feel shortchanged on legroom. The boot space is actually quite good for such a small sedan.

The A3 we had as a tester car was the Premium Quattro which came fitted with the following options: keyless entry with push button start, sport front seats with Audi drive select, heated front seats and a sports suspension riding on 18-inch alloy wheels. Bi-xenon headlamps, dual-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof and leather-wrapped gear selector all come standard on the A3.

The Audi A3 is a great option for those who want an Audi but can’t afford the price premium of the A4. However, just like the CLA we have to say that the A3 is pretty hard to justify when there are so many indirect rivals that offer more standard kit and a bigger backseat. You’ll really have to want an Audi to be willing to dish out the premium that is associated with it. Our tester car mildly kitted came with a price tag near $40k and well for that money we could go elsewhere and get more value for our money.

Likes: The new 2-liter turbo engine is way better than the old 1.8 turbo. The interior is classy with high quality materials used.

Dislikes: The A3 is bland to look at. Our tester car was pretty pricey and that was just the entry-level trim.

Our pick: The premium with front-wheel-drive will be enough for most buyers. You don’t really need all-wheel-drive unless you just have to have the extra traction. Otherwise, running costs wise and performance wise the front-wheel-drive is just as good and can hold its own well.

Pathological goes to Rio with Kia (Used)

The Kia Rio for a while carried the image of being a budget car nothing more. Those who needed a cheap means of getting around considered the Rio because of it's ultra-low base price. Now times have changed however, and the Kia Rio is far from the cheap car that it used to be. It's still affordable and offers much new technology for such a low asking price. Has Kia finally stepped up their game? Or is it a case of all style no substance?

Performance: The Kia Rio only comes with one engine and that's a 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 138hp. There's plenty of pace for city and highway driving, and fuel economy is really good as well. The engine is paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a six speed automatic gearbox. Picking between the two depends on your tastes.

Ride & Handling: The Kia Rio ride often feels firm and never settled over bumps and potholes. If you get the top of the range trim with the low profile tires, the ride comfort will suffer a bit more. Handling is okay, it's not as sporty as a Fiesta but it does offer a secure feeling. The only downside is the steering can often feel numb at times.

Refinement: Wind noise is well suppressed but very little else. Engine noise is often joined by tire noise slapping on the road. The gearshift is a bit notchy too. On long journeys this can make things a bit tiresome unless you turn the radio up a bit to drain out the noise.

Behind the wheel: This car is very easy to get comfortable in because the driving position is adjustable and should suit everyone. The seats are flat and firm. The controls are simple and well placed. The big problem however is the small rear window and thick pillars, which restrict rear visibility.

Space & Practicality: The Rio offers an impressive amount of space for four adults. There's plenty of headroom and legroom to go round. The boot offers plenty of space for its size and the rear seats fold 60/40 for added versatility.

Equipment: The base trim level misses out on power windows and power door locks. But you do get air-con and a CD-player standard. You'll have to step up to the EX trim to get power door locks, windows and Bluetooth connectivity. SX trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, power folding exterior mirrors, auto headlights with LED day time running lamps and a sports tuned suspension.

Buying & Owning: The Kia Rio is one of the most affordable cars on the market. However, the value factor slowly disappears when you climb up the trim levels. The base trim loses out on features that should be standard, while the top of the range seems rather overpriced for what it is. Running costs should be low thanks to good fuel economy, while resale unknown.

Quality & Reliability: The Kia Rio overall interior quality feels good. The quality of the materials used feel sturdy and long lasting. A huge step forward for the brand. Reliability has been average for the Kia brand.

Safety & Security: All Rios come equipped with front and side curtain airbags. Anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control are standard as well. It should also be as thief-proof as other contemporary Kias.

The Kia Rio has really stepped up its game since it was first released in the U.S. No longer is it the car you'd choose because it’s the cheapest to buy. The new generation of the Rio is stylish, practical and even offers good fuel economy. However, the only disappointing factors are the kit level for the base trim and the disappointing driving experience compared to the Ford Fiesta. If you can ignore these few little faults, you'll find that the Rio is a great car with good value for the money.

Devon's Pick: SX trim may be the most expensive of the Rio range. It's the only version of the Rio that offers the most attractive features such as those LED daytime running lamps and flashy alloy wheels. It's worth spending the extra but it loses the value for money factors.

Likes: Good fuel economy, stylish exterior looks, practical and offers good value for the money.

Dislikes: Not as comfortable or fun to drive as a Ford Fiesta, the base trim is very disappointing.

Pathological tries out a Compass from Jeep

The previous generation of the Jeep Compass was an absolute joke that had no one laughing. It literally was one of the worse crossovers you could opt for, but with deep discounts it kept it a favorite among rental car lots and budget buyers. The new Compass however Jeep is hoping to change things but has it done enough?

 You only get the choice of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder pumping out 180hp. You can opt for a six-speed manual gearbox but that only comes with the entry-level Sport and Latitude Trim levels. Our tester car was the top of the range Limited which came with a nine-speed auto gearbox. It came with mixed reviews as many felt that it was just way too many gears for the amount of horsepower the engine produced, while others thought that the engine and trans pairing was more ‘okay’ and just not that refined. Driving around town the Compass did feel very comfortable and easy to maneuver around, while on the highway you’ll wish you had fewer gears as the engine often gets lost in all the gears. The engine is flexible when up to speed and doesn’t really make too much of a racket while at cruising speeds. The engine stop/start technology isn’t as smooth as it could be but it does a decent job and you can deactivate it if you find it annoying.

The front seats are comfortable and offer plenty of support and adjustability, while those in the second row won’t have anything to complain about as it is decent in space. The boot space is also generous too but it isn’t class leading. The infotainment system is easy to use and simple in operation, but the several menus can get quite distracting while on the go. The one area that we wish that FCA would improve on is the interior quality. It just doesn’t seem up to snuff with the rest of the competition. It’s great that Jeep has improved interior quality and also improved the Compass dynamically, but it still isn’t as great as it could be.

Our tester car (Limited) came with a sunroof, heated leather seats, navigation system with back-up camera. 4x4 system, dual-zone climate control, HID headlights and a security group package. It’s really hard trying to justify this version of the Compass as it is close to $40k and well for that amount of money there are some real heavy hitters that will give the Compass a run for its money in quality and refinement.

We enjoyed our short time with the Compass and found it to be light years better than the outgoing model. However, the nine-speed auto gearbox isn’t refined and FCA reliability record hasn’t been great. If you want the most capable compact crossover of the lot than this is your best bet, however you can buy a Subaru XV and it’s just as capable. It may not have the flexible engine but the running costs are lower and the refinement is much better.

Likes: Light years better than the previous generation, Trailhawk version has the most off-road prowl.

Dislike: Refinement of the transmission and build quality needs to be improved; otherwise this fresh new design is just a coat of primer.

Our pick: Ditch the Sport and go right for the Latitude. You get plenty of kit standard and the price isn’t too expensive like the Limited. The Trailhawk is the option for those who are going to do off-roading in this, but at the price point. You minus well consider a Subaru XV which is similarly priced, more refined and more reliable.

Top pick: Mazda CX-9

You’d be pretty daft to think that Mazda isn’t capable of making a great seven-seat crossover. The proof is in the CX-9 which in our opinion is one of the best options out there if you need seven-seats but don’t want to lose driving entertainment. It’s our top pick after all.

The 2.5 turbo four-cylinder pumps out 250hp and a diesel-like 310lb-ft torque. You can use regular fuel on this engine but the output will drop to 227hp and well a 23hp loss in power is not worth saving few nickels and dimes. We highly recommend using premium fuel to get the fuel 250hp from that four-cylinder engine. The best part of the CX-9 is the fact that despite it not having much horsepower it doesn’t feel sluggish to drive; it’s actually the complete opposite. The high torque at low revs gives the CX-9 so much pull that driving around town is smoother than you’d think and when it comes to passing on the highway, the four-cylinder manages to cope with the heavy weight of the CX-9 with surprising amounts of flexibility. Steering feedback is amazing and the chassis manages to be comfortable and agile. Road noise is present but it is far from annoying or a deal breaker, you can easily drain it out with the radio, wind noise wont’ be much of an issue either thanks to good interior insulation.

The front seats offer superb comfort and the driving position is spot on good. The second row is good in space as well while the third row is surprisingly comfortable with plenty of comfort features to help it feel less claustrophobic. The CX-9 may not have the same amount of cargo space as a Chevy Suburban with both two rows of seats folded down but to say that the CX-9 isn’t roomy enough ultimately means that you’ll have to pick either a Chevy Suburban or Ford Expedition EL.

The dashboard is first class in refinement and the fact that all the controls and dials are within reach of the driver’s hand and are easy to use. The infotainment system is actually quite easy to navigate through with all the menus logically laid out, even though we still bash them for being too distracting while on the go. The Bluetooth connectivity is so seamless to use and isn’t as fussy as the Nissan Maxima we had as a tester.

Our tester car was the Grand Touring trim which came with LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, optional all-wheel-drive system and a Bose premium audio system. Also included in our CX-9 was navigation system, lane departure warning, distance pacing cruise control and blind spot monitoring system (this feature came in handy as we nearly cut-off a few people who rode in our blind spot during a brief drive on the highway).

There are few crossovers that really do tickle our fancy and make us wish we had a need for seven-seats. The CX-9 is one of those crossovers. It really does live up to the ‘zoom-zoom’ with the way it feels on the road and how comfortable and easy it is to live with despite it being a large seven-seat crossover. The only other crossover that doesn’t feel as daunting to drive is the Mercedes GLE and well not everyone wants to pay the premium for one, thus the CX-9 literally is the best of the best and is our top pick.

Likes: The turbo four-cylinder is smooth and offers plenty of flexibility, while running costs is within reason. It can fit up to seven people and doesn’t feel daunting to drive.

Dislikes: Don’t use regular fuel!

Our pick: Most people will be happiest with the Sport or Touring trim. We highly suggest going right for the Grand Touring Trim. It comes with so much kit standard and the asking price is actually quite reasonable. It may be a tad too pricey for some but what you get in return is well justified.

Pathological tries to find a Spark with a Chevy

Even developing a cheap car is an expensive business. So if companies want to make any money out of one they need to share the costs. This explains why Chevy used the Opel/Vauxhall platform for its smallest Spark. But is buying one a false economy?

The standard 1.2 four-cylinder pumps out 98hp. It may not seem like much but it does offer decent flexibility around town but on the highway you'll really want to pick and choose your overtaking. You'll feel like you're constantly flogging the accelerator pedal even though you aren't. Which does put a slight damper on the running costs because while most four-cylinder engines thrive on the higher rpms, the tiny engines like this one are best suited with a manual gearbox which really does utilize the little horsepower and torque the engine has to offer. Sadly we didn't get a manual gearbox with our top of the range 2LT trim but at least it didn't feel cheap inside like we thought it would, the previous Spark was more of a hipster feeling car while this one feels more Euro Chic.

Driving around town the Spark is actually quite fun to drive. It's easy to squeeze in and out of tight parking spaces and very easy to dart around at low speeds. The steering feels light and decent on feedback, it just when you get on faster paced roads everything seems to just fall apart. It doesn't hold its own as well as it should and well the ride comfort maybe comfortable, but it feels like you've driven a long distance just from the abundance of engine noise and wind noise that sneaks into the cabin. We know the price tag of the vehicle, but a Ford Fiesta seems more refined and isn't much more expensive.

The interior does feel like it is built to a price and well some materials feel cheap and nasty. Build quality seems good from what we've been able to see. The front seats offer decent comfort and support, while those in the back will have decent space. You won't be able to fit three abreast as this car is strictly a four-seat vehicle only. The boot space isn't anything to complain of since this is a small car but the Ford Fiesta and even a Fiat 500 feels more versatile.

Our tester car came equipped with leatherette seating surfaces, keyless entry with keyless start and a rear park assist. You also get a seven-inch infotainment display, bluetooth for your mobile device, 15-inch alloy wheels and integrated fog lights.

We understand that not everyone can afford most of the mainstream sedans and hatchbacks, and the Chevy Spark certainly is one vehicle that should be on your lists of considerations. We didn't say short list this because well the Ford Fiesta is far more fun to drive and the Mitsubishi Mirage beats the Spark in the value for the money factor. The Spark certainly is better to drive than a Mirage and we surely would choose one of the a Mirage any day, it's just the simple fact that if you don't get the cheapest one. You minus well get a Sonic or even a Nissa Versa Note. It's good value for the money but there are too many indirect rivals to choose from for similar cash.

Likes: Low running costs. Easy to drive around town and live with as a daily commuter car.

Dislikes: Outside the city limits everything goes downhill. It can get expensive as you climb the range.

Our pick: Stick with the 1LT. It comes with all the standard kit most care about and also has standard alloy wheels without having to pay the price premium of the 2LT. The Activ version has a slightly raised driving position but no all-wheel-drive option is also worth considering if you want a crossover poser but it's quite dearly priced.

Short drive review

Kia Niro

Likes: A hybrid crossover is definitely a smart move on Kia's part. Spacious interior for five with a decently sized boot.

Dislikes: Leisure-hybrid-acceleration. The auto gearbox can be jerky at low speeds.

Overall: It's the hybrid for those who aren't trying to appear snobby.



Land Rover Evoque

Likes: It's stylish and fully capable off-road. The convertible version makes no sense but it looks good.

Dislikes: It can get expensive quickly. Build quality is still iffy no matter how you look at it.

Overall: It's the smallest and the cutest Land Rover of the range.



Honda Accord

Likes: We personally love the way it looks. We love the way it drives and we love the new turbo engines.

Dislikes: Sleek styling makes visibility slightly compromised.

Overall: This maybe the best Accord, ever, and there's a hybrid available.



Alfa Romeo Giulia

Likes: No matter which engine you choose, both are up for the job. Dare we say more fun to drive than a BMW 3-series?

Dislikes: The interior build quality is iffy in build quality. Resale value is weak.

Overall: It's full of Italian flare and charm.



Jeep Compass

Likes: A handsome little thing with real off-road capabilities. The interior is much improved over previous generation.

Dislikes: Engine stop/start isn't very smooth. It needs a 2-liter turbo engine option.

Overall: A decent option in a very crowded segment.

We 'escape' with the new Ford crossover

We love the Nissan Rogue but the Ford Escape has a few tricks up its sleeve that may make give the Rogue a good run for its money.

The standard 2.5 four-cylinder is only offered in the base S Trim. You'll have to step up to the SE or top of the range Titanium trim to get the optional 1.5ecoboost four-cylinder pumping out 180hp and the 2-liter ecoboost four-cylinder pumping out 240hp. We'd say the best way to go with the Escape is the 1.5ecoboost engine. It feels much more flexible than the standard 2.5 and you can option for all-wheel-drive if you desire the extra traction. Our tester car was the 1.5ecoboost in the Titanium trim which came ticked with all-wheel-drive and it did come in handy when we drove through a very severe rain storm. The Escape managed to offer really good steering feedback while the chassis managed to handle  the corners and bends well. We know that this isn't a sports car but the confidence that it provides is still really good. There's a little bit of road noise that sneaks into the cabin at higher speeds and some wind noise can be beard around the side mirrors. These are merely nitpicks at best though.

We enjoyed driving the Escape around especially on the highway. The 1.5ecoboost engine doesn't feel short on pull thanks to high torque at low revs. We've tested the Escape before and managed to drive both the 2.5 and the previous 2-liter turbo engine which only pumped out 230hp at the time. The 2.5 is fine for those who are on a budget and really do want an Escape. The running costs are so identical to the 1.5ecoboost that we wouldn't even bother choosing the 2.5. The Escape is easy to squeeze around tight urban streets and can hold its own well on faster paced roads.

The driver's seat offers plenty of adjustments and comfort for driver's of all sizes. The rear seat is comfortable with plenty of headroom and legroom. You shouldn't have any trouble squeezing cargo into the boot as it is plentiful in space. It may not offer the third-row seating option as the Nissan Rogue, but in this case we are willing to ignore that. Most buyers won't really need a third-row seat and besides the Explorer is such a good option to step up to if you do need that extra space. The Ford SYNC system is much easier to use than it was in the Escape we tested. The menus are much easier to navigate through and the dash board isn't as button happy as it once was. We do however wish that Ford made a little more effort in the standard S Trim which really does wear the budget starting price to a tee.

Our tester car came equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, voice-activated navigation system and of course the 1.5ecoboost four-cylinder with all-wheel-drive. Along with those optional features, the standard kit is really good and it should be considering the Titanium trim is the highest trim in the range and is the most expensive as well. We wouldn't bother with this trim as the mid-range SE trim will satisfy most buyers needs. You can choose from the same two engines as the Titanium and if you need all-wheel-drive you can also option for that. It seems though that the all-wheel-drive adds a hefty premium to the overall package and is best avoided unless you have to have the extra traction. We will repeat ourselves again, the all-wheel-drive is a nice added features especially when we were driving around the outer city limits through a rain storm. We however didn't feel it was needed as we've driven an Escape with front-wheel-drive in similar driving conditions and it managed to hold its own just as well.

It's hard to fault the Escape with this refreshened exterior and interior. The new engines on hand are flexible and offer decent running costs. We just feel that Ford has priced the Escape a bit too ambitiously as some keen rivals offer better value for similar money. The Titanium trim while it is good in its own right, we wouldn't bother with it because it can get too expensive for what it is. You'll have to badly want to pay the premium to justify it. The SE trim does the job well and is our pick of the range. Overall the Escape is a smart choice that's made even better.

Likes: The 1.5ecoboost engine is the best of the range. The touch screen infotainment system is much easier to use and the Escape refinement has improved.

Dislikes: All-wheel-drive is an expensive and probably a unneeded option for many. Exterior styling fell on mixed opinion.

Old dog, new tricks?

Just because you can teach an old dog new tricks doesn't mean that those tricks are worth learning. The Toyota Corolla certainly holds on tightly to it's laurels, but with talented rivals that have caught on to the the formula. The Corolla doesn't really seem like the sensible option it once was.

The standard 1.8 four-cylinder engine feels plenty for most buyers, while others will be much more satisfied with either a Chevy Cruze or Mazda 3. You won't have to really push the engine too hard on faster paced roads, however around town the Corolla shines as it's light steering and comfortable suspension makes it easy to live with as a daily commuter car. What we like the most about the Corolla is despite it having secure handling, it certainly knows it's limit. You won't feel inspired to driving it hard through corners or bends because the steering feedback is so numb that you'll lose confidence fast. It's as if the steering wheel and the front wheels ended all communication between each other. The suspension like we said before is comfortable but when you do decide to drive spiritedly, there's way too much body roll. It's almost as if the Corolla has a higher center of gravity than a compact crossover.

Drive the Corolla the way it's intended and you'll be greeted by a quiet cabin. It's so quiet that you'd think that Lexus or Mercedes designed it, just don't look around the cabin because that's where the Lexus and Mercedes reference ends. The dashboard seems logically laid out and is very easy to use. The infotainment system is easy to navigate through but it can get very distracting while on the go. The Bluetooth connectivity is just a tad too fussy for our liking. The front seats are okay in terms of comfort and adjustability isn't really all that limited. The second row seats are so-so in comfort. The seat bottom feels flat and lacking in comfort. The boot offers decent space but the old-fashioned trunk hinges eats into precious boot space. A Volkswagen Golf has a smaller boot but makes the most of the space that it does have.

There's a dizzying number of trim levels to choose from. We will focus on just a few because the rest are priced so closely together that they feel rather pointless. Standard L trim gets Bi-LED headlights, power windows and Blueooth connectivity. You'll have to step up to the LE to get a 6.1-inch touch screen infotainment screen, remote keyless entry and automatic climate control. XLE adds multi-LED headlights, smart key system with push button start and power sunroof. Top of the range XLE adds power adjustable front seats, premium audio system and premium trimmed seats. Our tester car was the LE trim which does offer make the most sense financially thanks to extra bits such as remote keyless entry and automatic climate control. However, you'll have to step all the way up to the XLE to get alloy wheels.

The Toyota Corolla offers a compelling package for those who really do prefer to rest on their laurels when it comes to a compact sedan. It may not be as fun to drive as the Mazda 3 but it certainly does have the build quality and low running costs. We just wish that it wasn't so dull to drive.

Likes: Low running costs with excellent quality and refinement.

Dislikes: Dizzying number of trim levels, and it's just so dull to drive. Rivals have caught on to Toyota quality and are more engaging to drive.

Our pick: The XLE maybe a tad too expensive for some but you get plenty of standard kit. We would stick with the LE for those who don't want to spend the cash just for alloy wheels and fancier headlights. You get auto climate control and full touch screen infotainment system, that's enough for some people. It certainly was enough for us, but why aren't alloy wheels fitted as standard?

Devon hops in the smallest minivan you can buy (used)

The Mazda 5 is living proof that you don't need a large 4x4 to carry a family around in comfort. It's dinky size means that it's a easy to park and good on gas. All while offering a clever six passenger configuration. In the land of the large 4x4, can Mazda convince buyers going small is all the rage?

Likes: Decent amount of space in the cabin, tons of equipment standard for such a low asking price, low running costs and impressive handling.

Dislikes: Firm ride over some surfaces, interior plastics don't feel up to par, may prove to be too small for some families.

Performance: The Mazda 5 comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 160hp. It does a good job of pulling the 5 around town and on the motorway. Fuel economy is decent too. It's not the sportiest engine, and you'll have to rev it hard to get up to speed with the automatic. We'd stick with the base trim for the manual gearbox.

Ride & Handling: The 5 can handle pretty well for a car of its size and weight. However, the trade-off is the ride is a little too firm for some taste. The pay off is solid body control, which is combined with impressive grip and quick steering. This makes the 5 more engaging to drive than other MPVs.

Refinement: The 2.4-liter engine operates very smoothly. There's some wind noise when you pick up speed on the motorway, road noise however is pretty much subdued. All six passengers will love how refined the cabin feels. It's airy and comfortable on long journeys.

Behind the wheel: There's plenty of adjustments for the steering wheel and front seats, so drivers can get comfortable easily. All-round visibility is pretty good thanks to a high driving position, and many functions that can be controlled by the buttons on the steering wheel. The stereo controls on the dash are a bit confusing.

Space & Practicality: The 5 can carry six passengers in somewhat comfort. The second row passengers will feel comfortable, while third row passengers will feel a bit cramped. Plus the boot isn't massive with all the seats up. You'll have to fold down the third row seat to carry anything more than a few suit cases. Headroom and legroom is generous to all but the third row. Which should be left to the kids.

Equipment: The Mazda 5 comes well equipped. Even the base model will satisfy most buyers. Alloy wheels, climate control, stability control and six speaker sound system come standard. Top of the range adds Xenon headlamps, rain sensing wipers, heated front seats and moonroof.

Buying & Owning: The Mazda 5 comes with a low asking price. You'll have to step up to the higher trims to really get the toys that you want. Resale value is strong so your investments will be well protected. Discounts are available, but aren't anything to brag about. Running costs should be low thanks to decent fuel economy.

Quality & Reliability: Mazda's record on mechanical reliability is pretty impressive. So you shouldn't have any worries on that score. The cabin has a solid feel that inspires confidence that the car will last. While many rivals offer classy, soft touch plastics. The 5's is hard, scratchy and rather dour.

Safety & Security: The Mazda 5 comes with advanced front, side impact airbags and side-impact curtain airbags. Traction control, and stability program are standard as well as sophisticated braking system to help you avoid trouble. On the security, all 5's come with both alarm and engine immobilizer.

The Mazda 5 doesn't look like your conventional minivan. It's smaller than a conventional minivan, but that doesn't mean it's not as good. You get a six passenger seating configuration, sliding doors and a long list of features that justify the low asking price. Although the 5 maybe too small for some families, its still a great MPV all round. With responsive handling and low running cost takes the sting out of owning one. Helping the Mazda 5 one attractive offer too good not to consider.

Devon M 

Devon test drives a compact Mercedes Crossover (GLA)

The Mercedes GLA may be a good deal on paper but can it shake the image that the CLA seems to be tarnished by?

Standard GLA250’s turbocharged four-cylinder is good for 208hp while the top of the GLA45 AMG’s 375hp is wicked fast. Pick of the range is simple and the most logical choice, even though we do enjoy how fast the AMG form is, we’d have to say the GLA250 is the only way to go. It’s the more affordable of the two and the running costs are actually quite good. It’s hard to fault it too because there’s decent turn of pace around town and on the highway, plus you can option it with all-wheel-drive if needed.

On the road the GLA does feel more composed than you’d think. There’s plenty of grip with the 4-matic all-wheel-drive system and steering feedback is pleasantly good. The AMG form has a lowered suspension and its setup is more aimed towards agility. However, you’ll be surprised that there is a fair balance between body control and ride comfort; at least the GLA lives up to the Mercedes badge with very minimal wind and road noise to complain of.

There is plenty of space for the front passengers and rear passengers. Headroom and legroom are both decent. The boot space is decent too but nothing to brag about. The infotainment system is too fiddly to operate while on the move, and there are far too many menus to look through for simple functions. Plus we aren’t huge fans of the screen that sort of just pops out the dash instead of raising and lowering into the dash like in the Audi Q3.

Bluetooth audio streaming, 14-way power driver’s seat with memory, power lift gate and eco start/stop system all come as standard. You’ll have to pay extra for navigation system, bi-xenon headlamps and 4-matic all-wheel-drive. Both options that are great but all depends if you really have to have them. Our tester car came pretty decked out and also came with a pretty decked out price tag as well.

The GLA price tag is enticing but you’ll have to walk away with a very sparsely equipped GLA. Even if it does offer decent kit at a decent price, you’ll have to overlook the Q3 which does have a bit more kit standard and of course the more dynamically appealing X1. Getting the GLA to a desired level of kit means you’ll be paying more for it and it becomes even harder to justify especially when there are so many indirect rivals that are larger roomier and has more standard kit too.

Mercedes reliability record is spotty even though Mercedes does enjoy high customer satisfaction scores. The interior materials do feel up to Mercedes par, but the overall reliability of the electronics should be something to look at long term wise. But at least Mercedes doesn’t short change on the safety with collision prevention assist plus, driver attention assist, and adaptive braking technology. Seven airbags are standard; and an alarm system with engine immobilizer is fitted to keep theft at bay.

The GLA is one of those crossovers you’ll either love or loathe. We like the low starting price and the overall badge appeal that comes along with owning a Mercedes, however you will feel short changed with the GLA just like the CLA. Its indirect options are much better and that raises the question is it really worth it? If you have to have a Mercedes yes; otherwise there are better indirect rivals that cost similar money and offer way more.

Likes: AMG form is wicked fast. It’s a practical hatchback on stilts with a low starting price.  Low running cost.

Dislikes: Low price goes bye-bye when options are added. Infotainment system is fiddly to operate and there are too many distracting menus.

Devon’s choice: GLA 250 4-matic all-wheel-drive. If your heart is set on having a GLA this form is the best way to go. You’ll want to keep the options list light with just one or two options added on. Both are a bit pricey but are worth adding; 4-matic all-wheel-drive for the added traction in sticky situations and Bi-xenon headlamps for the added luxury car appeal.

Performance: Standard form is good but AMG form is wicked fast. ****

Ride & handling: Both are surprisingly good. ****
Refinement: Up to Mercedes standards. ****
Buying & owning: Some versions can get expensive but holds value well. **
Quality & reliability: Quality is good but reliability record is spotty. ***
Safety & Security: Comes with all the gear needed for avoidance and in event of accident. ****
Behind the wheel: Comfortable front seats; infotainment system too fiddly. ***
Space & Practicality: Decent space for five; boot space nothing to brag about. ***
Equipment: Decent kit but options are expensive. ***

We test drive (Euro-only) cars in the UK

Mercedes CLA Shooting Brake

Likes: Quite frankly the most stylish of the CLA-Range. It slightly more space than the A-class hatchback and GLA.

Dislikes: Overly firm ride can be an annoyance. The sole diesel engine isn't very refined, interior quality is more 'meh' than 'posh' for the price tag. Did we mention that it's not cheap either?

Overall: Young professionals who are style conscious will love this.



Suzuki Baleno

Likes: It's quite handsome for a Suzuki. It's spacious for its size and offers plenty of standard kit for the money also. It has running costs that are class competitive.

Dislikes: The interior has so-so build quality. The 1.2 mild-hybrid is sluggish and costs more than the all-round better 1-liter turbo petrol engine.

Overall: Discounts and high-standard kit is what makes this Suzuki appealing.



Mitsubishi Shogun Sport

Likes: It comes standard with three-rows of seats. It has a rugged go-anywhere charm to the driving experience and it can handle the rougher terrains as well.

Dislikes: Why isn't this sold in the US? The sole diesel engine isn't all that refined. Running costs are quite steep too.

Overall: It's a workhorse and a damn good one too.



Volkswagen Touareg

Likes: Quite frankly the most stylish Touareg ever. The interior quality feels much improved and has a futuristic look to it. The six-cylinder diesel engine we sampled is smooth and punchy.

Dislikes: Overly complicated infotainment system. It's expensive and competes with the more talented Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7. Read the second dislike again to understand why we can't have it.

Overall: It's the best Touareg ever and it's Euro-only.



Hyuandi i30

Likes: It's charming in terms of warranty, standard kit and overall style appeal.

Dislikes: The diesel engine lacks the flexibility and refinement. It doesn't really feel exciting to drive despite the looks.

Overall: A charming hatchback that isn't as charming to drive.

From ML To GLE: It's all the same except the engines.

If you’re looking for a luxury sport utility vehicle that’s stylish and well rounded. You might first think of the Audi Q7 or BMW X5 which both in fact are great choices. But what if you want something a bit more posh and slightly more comfortable? The new Mercedes GLE may tick all of those buttons.

Performance: GLE350/4-matic comes with the familiar 3.5-liter six-cylinder pumping out 302hp. GLE550e comes with a 3-liter bi-turbocharged six-cylinder plug-in hybrid pumping out 436hp. There are also three AMG variants available on the GLE. AMG GLE43 comes with a 3-liter bi-turbo six-cylinder pumping out 362hp, while the AMG GLE63 and 63 S come with a 5.5-liter bi-turbocharged eight-cylinder pumping out 550hp and 577hp. Pick of the range is the more reasonable GLE350 4-matic. We used to love the diesel engine that was offered but you’ll have to venture to Land Rover if you desire a diesel engine. The plug-in hybrid that took the diesel engine place seems like a decent choice if you find yourself driving more in the city driving than highway. The premium pricing associated with the plug-in hybrid however makes it pretty hard to justify.

On the road: You may think that the GLE is cushy thanks to the soft suspension set up. However, this is not the case here. The ride feels harsh over rough surfaces and does very little at faster pace. The X5 feels more composed. If you option for the air suspension system things will improve. The AMG fitted models have an overly firm ride but improves handling quite a bit. The engines are all smooth in operation. Road nose won’t be an issue however it’s sad that wind noise enters the cabin at speeds above 50mph.

Behind the wheel: The only complaints we have with the interior is the single stalk that is used for the turn signal and windshield wipers. Also touch screen infotainment system has too many menus that can be distracting to use on the go. Other than that the driving position is spot on. Interior for the most part is user friendly and visibility all round is decent.

Equipment: Our GLE350 4-matic we had as a tester car came kitted with the following optional equipment. Heated front seats, power tilt/sliding sunroof, dual-zone climate control and a rearview parking camera as well as power lift gate. It’s strange you’ll have to pay extra for many of these features considering how much the GLE350 4-matic costs. On top of those features added on, we also have to make note of the heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon premium sound system, premium 1 package and rear entertainment pre-wiring were added on as well. These features were also optional and pushed our GLE sticker price to $60k. We personally don’t mind having to pay extra for premium sound system or a sunroof but push button start, dual-zone climate control and LED headlights should at least be standard and not optional. Plus there were a few active safety features that aren’t even standard and quite expensive as an option.

Buying & owning: The GLE is slightly cheaper than the X5 but not by much. You’ll have to pay for the features that you’ll most likely want and that of course pushes the price much higher than you’d want to pay. If you have to have a Mercedes you’d be willing to dish out the premium but others will most likely venture elsewhere as it doesn’t really feel well justified – unless you are looking at one of AMG forms.

Quality: Despite the name change from ML to GLE, the interior just doesn’t feel any different from the ML. Many of the plastics and materials used are pretty much a carbon copy of the ML. We do love that quality wise of the materials have been improved but we just wish that with the new name that Mercedes dressed up the interior a little bit more.

Safety: The standard safety kit extends from seven airbags, attention assist which monitors driver fatigue and pop up bonnet for pedestrian safety. An anti-theft alarm system comes standard but Mercedes rejects deadlocks on the grounds of safety reasons.

Likes: Stylish inside out with generous cabin space, strong range of engines to choose from.

Dislikes: Add on the options watch the price sky rocket. Bi-xenon headlamps should be standard across the range rather than limited to just the AMG trims. Disappointing drive without air suspension fitted and that’s optional.

Our pick: The GLE350 4-matic comes with enough standard kit to make it our pick of the range. The more desired options you’ll have to pay for and that pushes the price way too steep for our taste. For that money you minus well get an AMG and have both the blistering performance and at least a few of those desired options ticked.

The Great Evoque Buy Back

The story of how we bought a brand new Land Rover Evoque and it proved to be our worse purchase ever.

Despite being very classy inside out, the Evoque may have been the worst choice we’ve ever made. Here’s why:

The Evoque only comes with one engine choice and that’s a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumping out 240hp. The engine doesn’t feel short on puff thanks to high torque at low revs, and it certainly does feel very light on its feet when you’re driving around town or if you decided to put your foot down on the highway. The transmission is nicely geared to the engine and doesn’t feel all that fussy, our only problem with it is that (this is the first time we’ve experienced this with a Land Rover product) is the transmission was leaking oil. We took the vehicle back in to have some repairs done and wasn’t given the vehicle back until three weeks later. This is how we managed to test drive so many different Land Rovers because were constantly in and out of loaner vehicles. Once we gotten our Evoque back from the shop we noticed that again the problems weren’t quite done yet, the engine light came on and shortly after that the whole car completely stalled. We had to phone up Land Rover Dealer (again) and have the Evoque towed and we were given another loaner car. You’d think at a certain point, your investment in an expensive luxury crossover would be rewarding, but so far it has been a nightmare.

Shortly after getting our Evoque back, the issues just didn’t stop there. Early the following morning, we decided to drive over to a wedding near the state line. We were going to take the Evoque since it’s been in the shop now over four times and had less than 1,000 miles on it. The first thing we noticed when turning on the engine is that the gear selector didn’t rise from the console like it normally does. We turned the car off and turned it back on a few times and the gear selector wouldn’t rise from the console. We waited an hour and decided to try again and still the same results, we had to ring up Land Rover Dealer and they gave us another loaner. This is how had managed to get the Range Rover (supercharged eight-cylinder), which in our eyes is the worse vehicle to take on a road trip, but we had an ultra-luxurious Range Rover and went on our way. The dealer phoned us while at the wedding to inform us that our Evoque had some kind of electrical issues and they would have to send it back to the manufacturer to resolve the issue. This didn’t really bother us because what we thought at the time was the vehicle was going to get fixed properly by Land Rover. Boy we were wrong for thinking that!

Our Evoque finally came back from the factory after being there for about six weeks, and we went from the Range Rover to the LR4 which we kept the remainder of the six-weeks. The mechanic promised us that Land Rover fixed our Evoque and we should have no problems at all with the vehicle. I decided since I was off for the day to run some errands and drop by at my parent’s house. The electrical issues that we were promised were resolved were not, the vehicle wouldn’t start. The steering wheel moved up and down and the instrumental panel pretty much had a seizure, all the warning lights flashed and the alarm system kept honking. It was quite embarrassing actually as this wasn’t’ a cheap car to begin with and well to not even be able to go anywhere was what made it even more embarrassing. I had to ring up Land Rover Dealer (again) and get the damn thing towed back to the dealership. They claimed they couldn’t find anything wrong with the car and that it started up normally and was fine, even though the tow-truck driver couldn’t jump start the vehicle and told me he had to bring it in. I got my Evoque back and once again, the problems kept coming. The engine check light came on and stayed on the remainder of the time we owned the vehicle and once again we kept having electrical issues with the gear selector and the headlights kept malfunctioning.
We took the Evoque back to the dealership and yet again they told us that there was nothing they could do about it because the issues couldn’t be ‘fixed’ and well, after sitting at the repair shop for weeks at a time, we were phoned by Land Rover and they offered to buy back our vehicle. We took the offer and got our money back from the purchase and ended up buying a Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. We settled on something cheaper this time around since we were planning to move into our new home and needed to save the money.

Don’t get us wrong, we’ve test driven several Land Rover products and we loved them. They are amazing to drive and are such beauties to look at. What we loathe the most is that despite them being so glamorous, they have horrid reliability. The newer ones we've test driven the infotainment systems were a complete disaster.

Odd Foods (wanna try?)

Boiled Bat is a much appreciated dish in Asia. Sold at a fairly steep price, it's considered by many a delicacy. It can be found in Fiji, and also other Asian countries. Those who taste it say that it tastes like chicken.



Pork Brains
(Heart attack anyone?)
Pork Brains is another dish that's not common among every restaurant. One company has gone a step further by making available to those who wish to try something different. Offering Pork Brains in a can with Milk Gravy. 150 calories and 5 grams of fat. It has 3,500mg of cholesterol, representing 1170% of the recommended daily allowance.



Lutefisk is a special kind of cod served in Norway. The food is soaked in alkaline solution to such a degree that it corrodes silverware. Somehow this dish is deemed safe for your intestines.



Japan is known for their down weird and odd dishes. So it shouldn't suprise you when you see that one Bull Penis on a Japanese Restaurant Menu. Eating Bull Penis is thought to increase blood flow to the genitals and stamina. Most who actually try the dish say it tastes like beef.




Balut is a fertilized duck (or chicken) eg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. Considered to be an aphrodisiac and is believed to have high protein. Its commonly sold as streetfood in the Philippines. Its also commonly sold in some countries in Southeast Asia.




Try washing down all that food with some wine from Korea. The wine is made by stuffing three day old mice into the bottle of rice wine and left about a year to combine flavors. Considered a "health tonic" in Korean and Chinese traditions, and has the taste of gasoline. Little mice are plucked from the embrace of their loving mothers and (while still alive) shoved into a bottle of wine. Yum! Mouse Flavor....



Sheep head anyone?

Pacha is a traditional Iraqi dish made from sheep's head, trotters and stomach; all boiled slowly and served with bread sunken in the broth. The Cheeks are considered the best parts. Many people prefer not to eat the eyeballs which could be removed before cooking. The stomach lining would be filled with rice and lamb and stitched with a sewing thread.

Devon M

Devon test drives a Ford Expedition EL

The large 4x4 still has appeal to drivers who want to tow a boat and/or ferry the family around. There are plenty of them to choose from, with that said the Ford Expedition EL should be on your short list when considering such massively large vehicles. Here’s why:

The sole engine choice is a 3.5-liter turbocharged six-cylinder which produces 365hp. You may think that the six-cylinder really won’t have the pep of the eight-cylinder. But you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that it can accelerate from zero to 60mph in under 7 seconds. Which means that this engine will give those eight-cylinder rivals a real go for their money. When you are not driving like a total lunatic this engine is smooth and responsive when needed thanks to direct fuel injection, turbo lag is pretty much nonexistent. The beefy 420lb-ft torque for a healthy 6,500lb towing rating and 9,200lbs with the optional heavy duty trailer towing package.

The Expedition EL is a pretty large and bulky vehicle. The sheer size of the vehicle means that navigating around town or in tight narrow parking spaces will be a chore. Steering can be quite heavy when getting up to speed but it does offer a decent amount of feedback. Not that you’ll be shoving this vehicle through bends and corners anyway. Wind noise won’t be much of a problem, even if the Expedition is as aerodynamic as a tower block. Road noise will be a problem with the larger alloys, especially with the 22-inch alloys.

In the cabin you won’t have any trouble seating up to eight people; although the eight people and their luggage trick may be a bit of a push even in a large vehicle such as this. You can however fold down the third row seat and double the boot space to a massive size; with the second row folded also you’ve got a cargo van. The dashboard seems pretty simple to navigate through with all the controls and dials easy to use and somewhat in reach of the driver’s hand. The sheer size of the Expedition EL means that you’ll need all the parking aids you can get. Luckily for you those parking aids are standard. You’ll only have to really pay extra for a parking assist for the front of the car for some trims. Visibility is pretty decent too but the blind spot warning system is a much needed option.

XLT trim offers reverse sensing system, 18-inch alloy wheels, power adjustable foot pedals. EL trim adds perforated leather seats, dual zone climate control, power folding third row seat and forward sensing system. King Ranch trim adds rear view camera, power lift gate, 20 inch alloy wheels while top of the range Platinum trim has all the same features as the King Ranch but instead you can option for HID headlights and a few other luxury bits. Our tester car was the Platinum trim which was pretty nicely kitted, but for our money we’d go with the Limited trim which makes the most sense financially. The price is still high but it’s not as expensive as the King Ranch and Platinum trims.

The Expedition EL has high running costs, a higher purchase price and is a chore to drive around. If you need seven seats and want to be able to tow a large boat or trailer. The Expedition EL should be on your short list, as there are many other rivals to pick from. But none of them have the smoothest six-cylinder engine on hand, and none of them look as flashy with the 22-inch alloys. It really is a great value all round and is our pick for large 4x4s.

Likes: Turbo engine is smooth and not one ounce underpowered. Can seat up to eight people and with all seats folded you’ve got a cargo van sized boot.

Dislikes: Sheer size makes it a chore to drive. Running costs will still be through the roof. Other than the towing ratings and eight seats, it’s pretty hard to justify buying one.

Pathological Jukes with Nissan [Updated]

Nissan is known for making bold vehicles like the Murano Convertible. No one was ever expecting Nissan to offer a 4X4 convertible, and that's what makes Nissan stand out from its rivals. The Juke is aimed at the Mini Countryman. It's small, cheeky and affordable. With that said, can its odd ball styling win over buyers?

Performance: You can now choose from two engine options with the Juke. The standard 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder pumps out 188hp and is all the engine you will need with this crossover. The power hungry will want to venture to the Nismo RS which takes the same 1.6 turbo engine and pushes the total output to 215hp.

Ride & Handling: The Juke's tall stance doesn't take away its agility. The go-kart like character will put a smile on your face. Stiff suspension keeps body movement firmly in check, while steering is eager and offers plenty of feedback. The price for such a taut feel is a hard ride, but the Juke stops short of being uncomfortable. The Nismo is best avoided if you don’t want an overly firm ride as the suspension has been stiffened for even tauter handling than the standard suspension configuration.

Refinement: The engines are smooth and refined; you'll have to get used to a bit of turbo whine. Given the car's bluff front, there's not much wind noise. However, road noise is an issue.

Behind the wheel: The interior is inspired by the fuel tank of a motorbike. Many of the controls are clearly labelled and easy to use. The steering wheel doesn't adjust for reach, making the driving position for some drivers a bit uncomfortable. Rearward visibility is poor due to a small windscreen.

Space & Practicality: There's plenty of space up front, but rear passengers will feel cramped in the back. The slopping roofline means there really isn't much headroom for taller passengers. The rear door opening is narrow to climb through, and the boot is quite small. There are useful storage wells under the floor and the rear seats fold down flat.

Equipment: All Jukes come well equipped, even the base model comes with Bluetooth, keyless entry, air-conditioning, side curtian airbags and anti-lock brakes. You'll have to step up to the higher trims to get all-wheel-drive, keyless start and leather seats.

Buying & Owning: The Juke seems like a reasonable value. All but the base trim offers all-wheel-drive, the top of the range offers it as standard kit. Modest discounts are available, and resale values are expected to be strong. Fuel economy is decent too.

Quality & Reliability: There's no doubt the Juke is a distinct looking vehicle, but its a shame some of the plastics used in the interior are a bit cheap on feel. Still, there's little doubt that it will prove hardy. In the JD Power customer satisfaction survey, Nissan finished in the top half of the manufacturers' table.

Safety & Security: Remote central locking with anti-hijack feature is standard on every Juke. There's a long list of safety equipment such as ESP, six airbags and brake assist. The top of the range offers all-wheel-drive that splits torque between the front and rear wheels (and side to side) to help keep the car stable and reduce understeer when cornering.

The Juke is a distinct looking vehicle. Probably one of the most bold vehicles in Nissan's line-up. Headroom for rear passengers is limited, and the boot isn't very large. This all makes the Juke look a bit pointless, but then you'll be overlooking the actual point of the car. It's a small uban crossover that offers distinct styling, decent fuel economy and makes dealing with urban cities a breeze.

Likes: The new turbo engine adds more zest to the range. It handles well and has a decently comfortable suspension. The Nismo editions add the extra sporty looks that were missing.

Dislikes: Firm ride, slopping roof means limited space for rear passengers, poor rearward visbility, bold styling may not appeal to all.

Pathological test drives a rear-wheel-drive Subaru

You can choose the Volkswagen GTI, Ford Focus ST, Mini Cooper S and even a Fiat 500 Abarth. So why on earth would anyone choose the Subaru BRZ?

The sole engine in the BRZ is a 2-liter BOXER four-cylinder pumping out 205hp, up 5hp from last year. We didn’t really care too much for the engine output as there are so many rivals that are more practical, faster and costs almost the same as the BRZ. The new update still fell on deaf ears between us. It seems as though it makes all the right noise and is fairly quick if you keep the revs high (sort of like the previous Civic SI) but when you lose the momentum - you lose it and feel it. Driving the BRZ around town is actually fairly easy thanks to responsive steering, and a transmission that isn’t totally on another planet. We managed to sneak a few laps around a ring curved on-ramp and well the handling is spot on good. We even got to kick the tail out a little bit before the end of the off-ramp. It really is a hoot to drive and well the horsepower figures are easily forgotten as the BRZ does feel peppy and quick on its feet. We just wish that it had more horsepower to really exploit the chassis more. It’s like the chassis is begging for the extra horsepower.

You’ll love the way the BRZ drives as it is engaging to drive and never feels sluggish. The ride comfort is so-so it’s not the best but it isn’t entirely uncomfortable. It’s more tolerable than many sportier rivals. Wind and road noise are respectable.

The interior is a mixed bag.  It’s not stylish but is easy to navigate through. The touch screen infotainment system is just an absolute mess and is very sluggish to respond. The overall fit and finish seems sturdy and long lasting, we just wish it didn’t have to look as boring as it does. We know the whole point of this vehicle is the driving experience but there are plenty of options out there that do both well, we promise. The driving position is good and there is plenty of space for the front passengers, while the rear seat is just absolutely useless. The boot space is okay as well.

Premium trim comes with sport-tuned suspension with limited slip differential, LED headlights, rear spoiler, leather-wrapped steering and shifter handle. You’ll have to step up to the Limited to get push button start, fog lights, automatic climate control and optional six-speed automatic. We’d stick with the Premium Trim which makes the most sense here, unless you have to have an auto gearbox.

The BRZ is one of those cars you’d buy with your heart rather than your brain. It’s fun to drive but hot hatches do the same and are easier to live with.

Likes: It’s a hoot to drive and it has running costs that are actually lower than you’d think. Rear-wheel-drive means you can really kick the tail out in corners and bends.

Dislikes: Rear seat is useless. We know horsepower isn’t everything but 220hp would do a world of good for this car.

Our pick: Stick with the Premium Trim and learn how to drive stick shift. It’s the best combo here. The automatic sucks!!!  

It's cute in a rugged Jeep kind of way

At first glance, you wouldn’t think that the Jeep Renegade shares its platform with the Fiat 500X. They certainly are different in looks and pricing, however what is similar between the two is the engines they share and both are a hit and miss at best. Here’s why:

The standard 1.4 turbo offers a decent blend of low running costs and decent flexibility around town and on the highway; however this engine can’t be had with an auto gearbox. You’ll have to step up to a 2.4 four-cylinder to get an auto gearbox. We find it very strange that the 1.4 turbo can’t be had with an auto gearbox, especially when there are options out there that have far less horsepower and can still be had with an auto gearbox. The nine-speed auto gearbox that does come in the 2.4 isn’t a very refined one. The engine tends to get lost in the gears and it’s not very reliable either with tons of complaints about hesitant shifts and in some cases transmission failure. We decided this time around to try out a the Jeep Renegade with the 1.4 turbo and despite it having the 20hp difference compared to the 2.4 it still manages to help the Renegade feel peppy.

On the road the Renegade feels like a much larger crossover than it actually is. There’s a bit of wind and road noise that creeps into the cabin at faster speeds, however the radio can drown out that noise. What we like the most about the Renegade is despite it being both a short and fairly tall vehicle, it doesn’t feel lofty to drive. You might get tossed around a bit by crosswinds on the highway but this is basically due to the fact that the Renegade is about as aerodynamic as a tower block. Steering feedback is generally okay, it’s really nothing to brag about and the ride comfort for the most part is well tamed. The Six-speed manual gearbox does take some getting used to, especially when driving around town where it often feels a tad too notchy for our tastes.

The interior feels like a mixed bag of both good and bad. While the overall feel of the cabin seems very well laid out and all the controls are logically placed. The plastics used in certain parts of the interior feel cheap and nasty. It’s even more bizarre that despite it being such a small car with short overhangs, the front hood and dashboard feel like they are longer than they actually are, making forward visibility a bit daunting. The rear seat offers decent space for three and the boot space is decent in space as well. However, we were expecting a bit more versatility like you’d find in a Honda HRV. It seems as if Jeep missed a huge opportunity with the versatility of the cabin.

You get a fair bit of standard kit with the Jeep Renegade and it can be seen as class average compared to keen rivals such as the Subaru XV. Bluetooth came standard, as well as auto-off headlights, air-con and electronic stability program. You’ll have to step up to the higher spec trims to get fancier alloy wheels and leather seats. The Trailhawk trim adds more rugged tires and mechanical bits to help make it a real off-road vehicle. It makes the Renegade the toughest compact crossover of the segment.

The Renegade certainly has the looks and the appeal, we just wish that the 1.4 turbo had auto gearbox option and the nine speed auto gearbox was better paired to the 2.4 engine. It’s a great vehicle but it’s bogged down by dreadful engines.

Likes: A fully capable crossover with rugged looks and spacious interior, the running costs are within reason and the purchase price is attractive.

Dislikes: The nine-speed auto gearbox is plagued with refinement issues and reliability concerns.

Mitsubishi Outlander (updated) review

There really isn’t much to say about the Outlander, other than it comes with three-rows of seats standard and has an attractive price tag. But is that the only reason to consider one?

ES, SE and SEL only come with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder which produces 166hp. The all three trims offer optional all-wheel-drive. While the top of the range GT offers a 3-liter six-cylinder producing 224hp. It’s nice that Mitsubishi offers the six-cylinder but we question if it is really needed. Unless you are looking at the more spec’d up versions of the Escape and Rogue, the SE trim is the pick of the range. It comes with just enough kit without being too expensive and offers all-wheel-drive optional.

The Outlander just doesn’t feel as composed to drive as a Ford Escape. The ride comfort however isn’t as firm as the Escape. But ride is too easily upset over some road surfaces, which causes the ride to feel bouncy especially at higher speeds on the highway. At least there’s plenty of grip, but the steering doesn’t really weight up at highway speeds. Road and wind noise are well suppressed and you won’t really hear much from the engines at relaxed speeds.

There’s plenty of space for passengers to get comfortable. Drivers won’t struggle to find a comfortable seating position. The third row seat which is best left for children; with the third row seat folded down the boot space opens up and offers plenty of space. The dashboard is somewhat easy to navigate through. We dislike the fiddly to operate touch screen display which is too distracting to use on the go.

The ES trim comes with 7-passenger seating, 18-inch alloys, 6.1-inch touch screen with rearview camera and dual-zone climate control. SE adds 7-inch touch screen display, push button ignition, Bluetooth connectivity and heated front seats. SEL trim adds leather seating surface, power folding mirrors and power driver’s seat. You’ll have to step all the way up to the GT trim to get premium audio system, multi-view camera system, and remote power tail gate.

The Outlander is priced competitively among its keen rivals like the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue.  Even though you get more kit than both vehicles, we think you’re better off picking one of the two. Running costs with the Outlander should be average but resale value should be a bit of a worry. Reliability is above average though.

The Outlander is a great option for those who want something with good value for the money. However the Outlander just isn’t as polished as its keen rivals and resale isn’t great. But if you want something a little different from its rivals and you really want seven seats at a discount this is your best option.

Likes: Seven seat crossover at a reasonable price, running costs with four-cylinder are decent. The kit level is very impressive at this price range

Dislikes: Resale value is questionable. Exterior design is on the bland side. This is not the halo car Mitsubishi desperately needs.

Devon’s Choice: SE trim offers optional all-wheel-drive, and comes standard with alloy wheels, keyless start and a rearview camera. It’s the only trim that makes the most sense without over paying for the GT trim. The newly added SEL is also worth considering if you want a few extra bells and whistles. 

Devon test drives a Toyota Yaris

The Toyota Yaris pins itself against cars like the Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio and Nissan Versa Note; it’s not hard deciding between them. It’s all a mere matter of taste. With the Toyota however you get the legendary build quality as well as decent fuel economy. But is it really worth considering when all its rivals seem to have passed it by?

Performance: The sole engine available for the Yaris is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder which produces 106hp. You can choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and a four-speed automatic. Sadly the manual gearbox which we prefer the most is only available on the 3-door L and 5-door SE trim. Most will have to deal with an antiquated four-speed automatic which seems to sap what little power the engine produces. Fuel economy is pretty good with both though.

On the road: The Yaris is very comfortable and smooth around town. Steering is light and makes life easy for maneuvering through tight spaces. On faster paced roads however the Yaris just doesn’t feel as composed as the Fiesta. Steering doesn’t really weigh up so it can often feel twitchy. Ride comfort is jittery on anything but the smoothest of surfaces. The top of the range SE with sports suspension doesn’t improve things at all in terms of ride comfort. Handling however is vastly improved. You won’t really hear much of a racket from the tiny four-cylinder. The manual gearbox is much better than the automatic which makes the car even more sluggish than it already feels. Road noise won’t be an issue. Wind noise will be a welcomed companion on the highway.

Behind the wheel: Most drivers will get comfortable behind the wheel of the Yaris. There’s plenty of adjustment for the driver’s seat and steering wheel. Taller drivers will have a harder time getting comfortable due to the limited adjustment of the steering wheel. The dashboard has a sensible logical design. It’s not particularly attractive. The touch screen infotainment system eliminates buttons on the dash but is overly complicated to use and can become hard to read in bright sunlight. There’s plenty of space for passengers in the front and rear seat. Rear headroom is a little on the tight side. Legroom is impressively roomy and the boot space is about average with its competitors.

Equipment: 3-door/5-doorL trim gets HD radio, power door locks and nine airbags and air-con. LE trim gets cruise control, remote keyless entry and split folding rear seat. You’ll have to step up to the top of the range SE to get unique body-kit, sports tuned suspension with 16 inch alloy wheels.

Buying & owning: The Yaris costs similar to its keen rivals. Running cost should be slightly better thanks to decent fuel economy. Resale value should be about average for class too.

Quality: Toyota’s reliability record is still strong standing so you’ll have few worries. Most of the interior is dressed in unattractive hard plastics which pushes itself even further behind its rivals. The Yaris comes well equipped for safety. Stability control, traction control and anti-lock brakes as well as electronic brake force distribution come standard. Nine airbags with advanced front driver and front passenger side airbags and knee airbags are also standard.

The Toyota Yaris is one of those vehicles you either love or hate. It’s not as classy as the Fiesta and isn’t as fun to drive either. But if a dependable no nonsense vehicle is what you are after the Yaris fits the bill perfectly. However, its rivals can do the same thing but with more fun and for similar cash too.

Devon’s Pick: The SE trim seems to be the only trim that really does make sense in our eyes. For a few extra more than the LE trim you get a sporty body-kit, 16 inch alloy wheels and a sports tuned suspension which drastically improves handling. If the sporty trim doesn’t really appeal to you the LE is the next best thing. You get keyless entry and cruise control.

Short drive in Tesla Model X

What’s the fastest accelerating crossover money can buy? Your first guess would most likely be a Bentley, BMW or even Porsche. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that it’s none of the above. It’s actually the Tesla Model X, one crossover that’s worth buying if you have the means to keep it recharged.

There are three power outputs for the electric motor. The version we had for our test drive was the top of the range P100D which can accelerate from 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds. It doesn’t feel like it has all that power when you’re driving it less like a hooligan, but when you really put your foot down you’ll feel the torque push you into the back of your seat as the Model X accelerates as if it had a V12 under the hood. It actually is quite contagious actually and the Ludacris Mode is just that, you’ll have to have knuckles of steel to handle it. We didn’t get to really play around much in that mode nor drive it like a hooligan because the example we had was someone else’s and they were onboard with us. We limited our play to driving around on the highway and got to sneak in a few twisty roads. The steering feedback is good but the handling is what amazes us. The weight of the electric motors all sit between the front and  rear wheels so the center of gravity is much better than any mass production crossover today, in fact we think that it would be almost impossible to roll this thing over.

Driving around town is quite easy with the Model X, as the steering is precise and offers the feedback you desire. What we love the most about the Model X is the presence it has on the road. It quite literally looks like no other car and won’t be hard to find in a parking lot. The driving position is spot-on good and the overall visibility outwards is where it needs to be. The windshield and panoramic sunroof offer such an airy feeling cabin and of course the cool little features the Model X comes with are worth noting; when you sit side of the car and buckle your seatbelt, the driver’s side door automatically closes for you. You simply depress the brake pedal and the car automatically activates (of course you have to have the key inside the vehicle with you) and away you go.

You can choose from several different configurations. The version we had was the five-seat and would most likely be the version we would choose if we were looking to get a Model X. We’ve had the opportunity to sit in one with six and seven seats and both are actually quite roomy and the boot space isn’t severely compromised, although we do wish that there was an option for regular hinged doors instead of the Falcon Wing Doors. Don’t get us wrong here, we love how graceful they lift up and how they can be opened in the narrowest of parking spaces, but when it comes to practicality it really fails on that aspect. Please note: everyone will notice you when you open the rear door. Well, it’s hard not to notice anyone exiting a vehicle with doors that lift all the way up to the roof of the car.

The standard features list on the Model X is quite good considering this vehicle costs as much as it does, if have to ask you clearly can’t afford one. We clearly can’t afford one even in our wildest dreams. 22-inch alloy wheels are standard, as well as air-suspension, power-folding mirrors and three-position dynamic LED turn lights for nighttime visibility; LED fog lights, premium leather seats, 400kWh worth of free annual Supercharger credits and Bioweapon Defense Mode.

Despite what people will tell you, the Tesla Model X isn’t the cheapest of the bunch when it comes to purchase price but it certainly makes up for that with low running costs. It’s cheaper to tax than most crossovers due to the fact that it’s zero emissions and that tax credit should help take some sting out of the purchase price, don’t expect major discounts with Tesla but there may be some room for haggling.

Our time spent with the Model X was short, and we certainly do wish we could’ve spent more time with it. It’s fast, easy to live with and quite enjoyable to drive. The falcon doors are annoying and well that’s all we really have to complain about; like we said in the intro if you have the means to buy one and keep it recharged then we say it’s worth buying.

Likes: It’s insanely fast with running the running costs of a small hatchback. You can choose between 5-7 seats and the standard kit is generous.

Dislikes: It’s not cheap to buy. The falcon doors are annoying and are prone to reliability issues.

Our pick: The 70D makes the most sense for those who want a Model X and don’t really need the insanely fast trims.