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Driving the recently upgraded Honda Civic e:HEV-LX five door hatch at $55,900 drive-away not inexpensive but this is one very impressive small hybrid hatchback, highly equipped, frugal and with very engaging dynamics. A 2-0 litre petrol engine with two motor hybrid assistance driving through an electric CVT transmission. The hybrid power train most impressive, prioritising electric power and the move to petrol power under a heavier throttle is seamless quiet and refined. As I said earlier this is one of the best new cars I’ve driven in the last 12 months. Economy, in mainly city driving an impressive 5.0L/100km on 91 grade petrol. Battery charging when coasting and braking can be adjusted via the steering wheel shift paddles. And on top of 11 airbags a full suite of active safety elements via Honda Sensing technology. The drive experience engaging – on 18- inch alloy wheels with premium Michelin Pilot Sport tyres the driving dynamics are first class. Yes, it’s a little pricey at $55,900 drive-away but the Honda Civic e- HEV-L is loaded with equipment apart from a tyre repair kit and no spare wheel. Warranty five-years unlimited km warranty, battery warranty 8 years with service costs class leading – Just $597 over three years.

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Driving the latest Honda Civic hatchback – a model that has evolved since the first generation arrived in 1972 – a small car that established a very strong reputation - the current series refreshed for 2025, the entry petrol engine retired, now in two hybrid variants plus the potent turbo Type R for performance buffs. The entry Civic Hybrid e:HEV- L $49,990 drive-away and the better-equipped Civic e:HEV-LX $55,900 drive-away which I drove. These latest Civics getting small mid- life styling updates - a new grille and bumper, new alloy wheels and a revised range of colours. Inside connected services have been updated with a new Google-based infotainment system. Overall, a very compelling small car package with engaging driving dynamics with clever internal packaging – roomy and well equipped in the e:HEV-LX with full leather interior, power front seats, full panoramic sunroof with power blind, and wireless phone charging. The 2.0-litre petrol engine joined by a two-motor hybrid system driving the front wheels via an electric CVT transmission. The hybrid powertrain prioritises electric running, the petrol engine kicking in only under load, and the transition is seamless. This Honda Civic feels premium in look and feel – simply one of the more impressive hatchbacks I’ve tested in recent times.

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Talking further on Ford Motor Company President and CEO Jim Farley and his comments on a recent podcast on Ford’s transformation to improve quality, get its electric vehicle business profitable and compete with Chinese car makers. Ford lost a staggering US $5 billion on EV sales last year and US$3.6 billon in the first three quarters this year. Farley however is determined to give Americans an EV they want, and which is affordable, adding “I was humbled when we took apart the first Tesla Model 3 and other Chinese vehicles – it was shocking what we found – the all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E has 1.6 kilometres more electrical wiring to the Tesla, adding 70 pounds of unnecessary weight, requiring a more expensive and larger battery. His decision to create the separate division in the company, called Model e, was designed to address such issues.

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The car industry here has long had a shortage of skilled mechanics, but it seems it also a problem in the US. Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley raised the issue last week saying he had 5,000 open mechanic positions available despite eye watering salaries of US$120,000, nearly double the American workers medium salary. And he suggested it’s not just Ford adding “we’re in trouble in this country and we are not talking about it enough - We have over a million openings in critical jobs, emergency services, trucking, factory workers, plumbers, electricians, and tradesmen. It’s a very serious thing.” He added, jobs in the trades made our country what it is, and allowed people like his grandfather, who worked on the Model T and was employee 389, to have good lives. Somehow, the story seems all too familiar.

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In June Peugeot released the latest edition of its 5008 SUV – the seven-seat hybrid , a stretched version of the popular 3008 hybrid – now featuring a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine aided by 48V mild hybrid assistance from a 15.6kW electric motor and 0.9kWhour battery – self charging the electric mode can operated for short periods at low speeds and is seamless in operation – I like three cylinder engines, but given the 5008’s weight the performance is best described as adequate – a little underwhelming at times when called on to really perform. In the high grade 5008 Premium GT hybrid I tested a visually striking SUV, very well equipped with Nappa leather seats and with great comfort levels in the Peugeot tradition. Ride and handling fine, the latter, on the sporty side with nicely weighted steering. Economy wise, I managed 6.7L/100km with mainly city driving – on the downside it also needs 95 octane premium unleaded. At $67,990 plus on-road costs the Peugeot 5008 GT Premium SUV is not inexpensive and there are other more affordable seven seat SUVs but it deserves to be on your shopping list. It lacks a spare wheel, only a tyre repair kit but apart from that a highly equipped premium SUV.

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Driving a relative newcomer from Peugeot – the seven-seat 5008 GT premium hybrid SUV – a very stylish SUV from the French manufacturer – a stretched version of the latest 3008-model. The Peugeot 5008 utilises a relatively small 1.2- litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, aided by 48V mild hybrid assistance from a 15.6kW electric motor and a 0.9kWhour battery – the combination producing 107kW of power. Self-charging the electric mode operates for short periods at low speeds and is seamless in operation. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The GT Premium is the better equipped of the two 5008 hybrid models priced at $67,990 – a rather handsome 7- seater with Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, no less than six drive modes, massaging and ventilated 10-way power front seats, a swag of driver assist features, climate control aircon to all three seat rows and 19-inch alloy wheels. The interior practical and well thought out with good access to the third row and very comfortable seats. A great 21-inch curved digital instrument display but its sometimes slow to react while the odd shaped steering wheel is hard to position without blocking a lot of the instrumentation. Warranty five- years/unlimited km. Drive details next.

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