Further on Mazda’s long standing CX-5 SUV but still highly competitive with ten models in a mix of petrol and diesel and front or all-wheel drive, I’m driving the second tier 2.5-litre six-speed automatic CX-5 Maxx Sport front wheel drive at $43,184 drive-away with optional metallic paint. I did nearly 900km over the Anzac weekend with a lot of highway cruising at the open road limit. The naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 140kW and 252Nm of torque did a workmanlike job but what surprised was the economy, averaging 7.4L/100km on 91 grade petrol with four passengers. This is simply a great allrounder, well shod 17-inch alloy wheels provide a very comfortable ride while the electric power assistance offers good feel whilst parking and on the run. Comfort and convenience items include dual zone climate control, satellite navigation, a head-up instrument display, well bolstered cloth seats, a rear-view camera, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto plus a good level of active safety elements. Thankfully the warning elements are not intrusive like many of the new breed of Chinese SUV’s. Disappointments – no wireless phone charger and the lack of a power rear door. However, the Mazda CX-5 is still up there as one of our best mid-size SUV’s. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the popular Mazda CX-5 SUV today, Mazda’s top seller, it’s been around a long time in ten models, a mix of petrol and diesel and front or all-wheel drive. No hybrid but I’m told its coming. I drove the second tier 2.5-litre six-speed automatic CX-5 Maxx Sport front wheel drive - $43,184 drive-away, which included optional Soul Red Chrystal Metallic paint at $795. A colour that has in many ways become a trademark of Mazda. The CX-5 a good looker, still our fourth best-selling medium SUV, behind Toyota’s RAV4 and getting some strong competition these days from Kia’s Sportage and Hyundai’s Tuscon. I did nearly 900km over the Anzac weekend and it really surprised - well sorted, extremely comfortable for four adults – the Maxx Sport well specified apart from the lack of wireless phone charging and a power rear door. But it has dual zone air-conditioning with rear outlets, a welcome head up display, a rather small 8-inch display screen on the dash but just so safe to use with a rotary dialer to let you scroll through a menu – so much safer than many of the new Chinese SUV’s with their large touchscreens and no active buttons. Warranty 5-years/unlimited km. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

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I finally caught up with the small Chery Tiggo 4 SUV recently – this relatively new Chinese newcomer has received favourable reviews – a highly equipped SUV in two sharply priced grades – the Urban at $23,990 drive-away and the Ultimate at $26,990 drive-away – both surprising in terms of value and very well-built for that money too. Utilising a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 108kW and 210Nm linked to a continuously variable automatic driving the front wheels. The Chery Tiggo 4 Ultimate model with sunroof and dual zone climate control air is incredible value and unmatched in features by the likes of MG’s ZS and Haval’s Jolion while it undercuts the likes of Hyundai’s Kona, Toyota Corolla Cross, Mazda CX-30 and Kia’ Seltos. I just driven Chery Tiggo 4 models and came away impressed – I review the Chery Tiggo 4 on Sunday week. I’m David Berthon

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With sales slowing to just 190 units in the first quarter Mazda has slashed the prices of its large CX-90 SUV from $6,000 to $7800 across the 10-model range. The entry CX-90 G50E Touring now starting at $68,800 plus on-road costs. The flagship D50E Azami Takumi dropping to $91,924 plus on-road costs. The CX-90 was criticised at its launch in late 2023 for pushing the large SUV into much dearer pricing compared to the outgoing CX-9 which was firm family favourite at a much more competitive price. The CX-90 offering two power trains, either a 3.3-litre turbo in-line six-cylinder petrol or diesel, both with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance and linked to eight- speed dual clutch automatics. SUVs now represent 64 percent of Mazda’s sales with the CX-5 still its best seller and with the CX-3, CX-30, 60,70 and 80 models in strong demand. I’m David Berthon

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Driving Mitsubishi’s evergreen small SUV today – the ASX, not the latest small
SUV but outstanding value, long standing and well tried and tested and best
value in the second tier ES grade backed up by a 10-year/200,000km warranty as
long as it’s serviced by a Mitsubishi dealer. But how does it drive – the ASX ES
automatic at just under $30,000 drive-away powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder
driving the front wheels through a CVT automatic. Step into the cabin and it feels
a little dated, very comfortable and practical with great seats but there’s no smart
key or wireless phone charger, but thankfully, it has dials for the climate control
air-con, radio tuning and volume as distinct to the frustrating and distractive
menus on a touch screen. The drive experience also shows its age – the engine
no fire breather and under load, the noise vibration and harshness levels are
such that it feels a little unrefined. No problems with economy however, 8.0L/100
on 91 grade petrol while it exhibits good steering feel and a pleasant ride. A new
Mitsubishi ASX SUV is due in November, a rebranded Renault Capture, although
Mitsubishi has indicated it will not be as affordable as the current model. I’m
David Berthon

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Talking about Mitsubishi’s small ASX SUV today – the ASX has been around for a
long time – first surfacing in 2010 but updated visually three times since. Sharply
priced it remains our fourth best-selling small SUV, strongly recognised for its
value story and a 10-year warranty. A roomy small SUV in seven front wheel
drive grades from $26,240 drive-away for the entry manual GS – I drove the next
grade up, the ES automatic, the best seller and frankly the one to own at $29,740
drive-away. A 2.0-litre four-cylinder driving through a CVT or continuously
variable automatic. This year the ES gained lane departure warning for the first
time, but it lacks rear cross traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking.
Features include a rear-view camera, climate control aircon, rear parking sensors,
rain sensing wipers and air-con ducts to the rear seats. The Mitsubishi ASX ES
competes in a super competitive small SUV segment – not the latest design but
this trusty small SUV with great interior room has been kept competitive with
small tweaks along the way. For a small family in today’s cost-conscious world, it
has one outstanding feature – a 10-year/200,000 km warranty if you keep it
serviced by a Mitsubishi dealer. Drive details next segment. I’m David Berthon

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We already have the luxury General Motors built Cadillac Lyric SUV and it
will be joined next month by GMC’s Yukon Denali luxury 8-seat SUV. The
full-size GMC Yukon Denali offers class defining pulling power in the form
of a 6.2-litre EcoTec 3 V8 engine with a healthy 624Nm of torque linked to a
10-speed automatic. While its official braked towing capacity is rated at
3,628 kilos, the highest braked towing capacity of any SUV on sale in
Australia. Fitted with what called an active response 4WD system the GMC
Yukon Denali is listed to sell at $174,990 and is loaded with comfort and
convenience features putting it firmly in the luxury class. Responsibility for
selling the Yukon Denali rests with General Motors Special Vehicle dealer
network who already handles the Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck and
Corvette sports car. I’m David Berthon

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Congratulations are due to young Australian driver Oscar Piastri. The
Melbourne born 24-year-old has shot to the top of the Formula One world
championship points score after winning his third grand prix of the season
in Saudi Arabia last weekend. Starting from second on the grid and beating
pole sitter Max Verstappen to the first corner. Quite simply, Oscar is a class
act and a wonderful ambassador for Australia in the pinnacle of world
motor sport - the first Australian to lead the points in 15 years. As he says,
“leading the championship is a result of all the hard work we’ve done in the
off-season, the hard work I’ve done personally and the hard work the team
has done. I’m more proud of all those things than I am of the fact that I’m
leading the championship, because ultimately, I want to be leading it after
round 24, not round five.” I’m David Berthon

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Nissan has freshened its small Qashqai SUV range for 2025 adding a new e-
Power hybrid N-Design flagship at around $60,000 drive-away – hybrid power now
available on the two top spec Qashqai’s, petrol power on the lower grades. The
1.3-litre turbo petrol power on the four lower grades replaced on the hybrids by a variable
compression 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo – and here the e-Power works differently
to a conventional hybrid – the petrol engine purely powers a generator connected to a
2.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack – only the e-motor drives the front wheels. The drive
experience is much like a pure electric SUV although at times you hear the petrol motor
fire up to charge the battery. I’ve always highly regarded the Qashqai and this new e-
Power N-Design further impressed with over a 900km range and a nice drive experience
although the larger 20-inch alloy wheels and quality Michelin tyres can display a firmer
ride. The Qashqai e-Power N-Design price is high, but this is a very well sorted small SUV with premium features and well sorted active safety prompts. Nissan making it more
attractive by trimming previous high service costs and adding a 10-year/300,000km
warranty including the battery provided its serviced by a Nissan dealer. I’m David
Berthon

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Nissan’s small Qashqai SUV has been freshened for 2025 in a re-aligned model range
with a new N-Design grade flagship with hybrid power standard – the Qashqai e-Power
hybrid N-Design around $60,000 drive-away. Nissan have added new technology and
equipment, freshened the styling, at the same time cutting the previous rather high
servicing costs and providing a longer warranty – but hybrid pricing remains high
compared to petrol Qashqai models. However, the e-Power N-Design is packed with
premium features – leather seats with massage function, a panoramic glass roof, 20-inch
alloy wheels, a power tailgate and a most impressive digital dash and touchscreen,
thankfully with a mix of buttons The 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo in the petrol models
replaced by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol turbo – and here the e-Power works
differently to a conventional hybrid – the petrol engine purely powers a generator
connected to a 2.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack – only the e-motor drives the front wheels
– this hybrid system adds around 200 kilos over a conventional petrol Qashqai but it
offers over a 900km driving range. Despite the e-Power hybrids exalted price tag the
drive experience is very rewarding. Warranty including battery five-years unlimited km or
an impressive 10-years/300,000km if serviced by a Nissan dealer. I’m David Berthon

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