Motor Torque with David Berthon

Driving the latest Toyota Camry sedan, the mid-range Ascent Sport in the
latest three model range at $42,990 plus on-road costs – now with Toyota’s
fifth generation hybrid system in a refreshed body with a revamped interior
and centre console and a nice choice of fabrics that give it more of classy
feel. As I said earlier, this latest Camry has more of a feel of Toyota’s luxury
brand Lexus. Sedan’s may not be on your radar but for those that like a
sedan over an SUV the Camry Ascent Sport will not disappoint.
Serviceability and reliability have always been a Camry high point – I was
recently in a Camry hybrid taxi that had covered 440,000km still on its
original engine and transmission, still on its third set of brake pads. The
latest hybrid powertrain impressive – i managed 4.4L/100km, the only
downside perhaps the needs for 95 octane unleaded – the hybrid system
smooth, exceptionally quiet and responsive. Five-star safety plus a stack of
active safety elements, a 360-degree camera and wireless phone charging.
Dislikes the small 7-inch instrument display, the top line SL model gets a
12.3-inch unit while the steering wheel controls could be more user
friendly. Otherwise, a very refined sedan for the money.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Toyota Camry has been around a long time - a medium sedan that just
seems to get more refined with each new model – built locally from 1987 to
2017, imported since and fully hybrid since late last year like the rest of
Toyota’s passenger car range. The current three model Camry sedan range
consists of the Ascent, Ascent Sport and SL models prices starting at
$39,990 plus on road costs and running to $53,990. I tested the Ascent
Sport $42,990. And what an exceptional car this is – frankly having not
driven a Camry for some time I came away impressed with its refinement.
Before I get into the performance, the build quality, styling elements an
material inside of this medium sized sedan felt more like Toyota’s luxury
brand Lexus. Sedans may not be in vogue, SUV’s, last month reaching 60.5
per cent of total new car sales, however the Camry Ascent Sport at $42,990
is outstanding value – there’s a lot of equipment for that money, the interior
classy and roomy with a restyled dash and centre console while overall
Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid system is quieter, smoother, more fuel
efficient in a body that now has real character.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s now only one diesel powered medium sized SUV on the market
and fortunately it will be here for a while – the 2025 Kia Sportage remains
the last medium SUV with diesel power proving the most popular
powertrain in the Sportage SUV line-up. Diesel power currently represents
36 per cent of Sportage sales growing from 30 per cent for most of last
year. And despite the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard penalties coming
into effect on July 1 Kia suggests the diesel option will remain for some
time, the company able to offset penalties by achieving credits from its
popular EV3 and EV5 models as well as a growing number of hybrids. The
current 2.0-litre turbo diesel remains popular with its 416Nm of torque
giving it a very relaxed performance - well suited to the four-wheel drive
only diesel range.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ute market just grows year on year and looks set to intensify with new
players – Hyundai Australia the latest player to throw its hat into the ring –
with newly appointed Chief Executive Don Romano confirming his
company cannot be competitive in Australia without one. The local
company hopeful its parent can redesign sister company’s Kia Tasman
with a hybrid or plug-in by hybrid powertrain to suit Hyundai’s
requirements. The new local Hyundai boss adamant that the company can’t
be a viable brand here without a ute in its range. The inability to rejig the
Tasman could see Hyundai look to its strategic partnership with General
Motors to source a U.S. produced pick-up for this market. Romano
adamant that Hyundai needs something to compete with the likes of the
Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger, the two top selling vehicles in the country.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Behind the wheel of Kia’s electric mid-size SUV, the EV5. The first Kia to be built
in China with the battery interestingly supplied by electric car giant BYD. There’s
three trim grades Air, Earth and GT-line, I’m driving the mid-grade EV5 Earth at
$68,990 drive-away, a 230kW dual electric motor all-wheel-drive with a long range
88.1kWh battery and a quoted range of 500km. The drive experience proved
rewarding, my consumption around town running at 18.6 kWh/100km providing a
range of 473km – charge time on my 11kW home charger from 10 to 100 percent
just over 8 hours or overnight. I must admit the Kia EV5 Earth SUV grew on me
the more I drove it – the styling subjective, but I personally got to like it over time,
the interior a highpoint, great seats, the test cars Nougat Beige interior colours
appealing in a dashboard design that is intuitive and different. Biggest gripe, the
overly active and intrusive lane keep assist, speed limit recognition and drive
attention warnings and I’m surprised Kia Australia has not addressed this annoyance. Overall, though, all things considered the EV5 Earth all-wheel drive is
a very rewarding electric SUV.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driving Kia’s electric mid-sized EV5 SUV – similar in size to Kia’s petrol
Sportage, although boxier and the first Kia to be made in China for this market.
Three trim grades Air, Earth, and GT- Line – I’m driving the mid-grade EV5 Earth
at $68,990 drive-away, a dual motor all-wheel drive with a long-range 88.1kWh
battery providing a quoted 500km range. Features include synthetic leather seats,
dual 12.3-inch interior screens,19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a power
tailgate, dual zone climate control and a five-inch climate control display which
frustratingly is partly hidden by the rim of the steering wheel. The interior roomy,
very accommodating in both seat rows with excellent cargo space but
disappointingly there’s no wireless phone charging or 360-degree camera. For a
family vehicle it also lacks a front console storage box but for rear passengers
provides a pull-out storage draw under. I must admit my first visual impression of
the Kia EV5 was not great, but it grew on me in time as did the drive experience
with four drive modes while the charging process on my 11kW home charger was
effortless and relatively fast. Warranty seven years/unlimited km with battery
warranty seven years/150,000km, less than some rivals. Drive details next.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The car market this year has been somewhat unpredictable with a number
of factors affecting various segments. What surprised last month was a
resurgence in sales of the trusty Ford Mustang – a significant delay in the
arrival of the latest S650 model saw pent up demand take the two-door
Mustang to its best sales month in almost seven years. Who said the trusty
V8 was dead in the water. 720 Mustangs were sold in May taking the year’s
tally to 2489, more than it sold for the entire year in 2024. Interestingly, the
volume selling GT Fastback V8 automatic at $86,990 now far more
expensive than it was seven years ago – in mid-1918 it was $21,000 more
affordable at $65,990. The Ford Mustang was Australia’s top-selling sports
car from 2016 to 2022, with more than 33,000 deliveries over that time.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renault’s Koleos SUV has been around in much the same guise since 2016
but holds the distinction of being the biggest selling Renault since that
time – a good all-rounder and selling well in recent times. A new entry
Evolution grade has just been added at $34,990 plus on-road costs
undercutting the previous entry Zen model which sold last year at $42,500.
The new pricing pits the highly regarded Koleos against newer Chinese
SUV rivals, also undercutting the likes of Honda’s CR-V, Mazda’s CX-5,
Hyundai’s Tucson and Kia’s Sportage. The new Koleos Evolution is
powered by a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine driving the front wheels through
a CVT transmission. Features include leather trim, dual zone climate
control, LED headlights, heated front seats and a seven year/unlimited
kilometre warranty.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BMW updated their entry model hatchback last December – now simply
called the 118 this small five door hatch has a lot of presence in a facelifted
body that’s slightly longer and taller. Now $56,500 plus on-road costs but
with more equipment and more tech savvy – slightly longer and taller, still
powered by a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder driving through a seven-speed
dual clutch automatic. This latest entry model BMW has a nice feel about,
the interior especially well sorted with supportive seats, and a well-
constructed dash layout with connected digital and infotainment screens.
But with BMW’s latest iDrive 9 operating system which can become tedious
to use but is very comprehensive. The drive rather sporty in the BMW
tradition with good driving dynamics, beautiful steering, brakes and slick
gear changes with the worst feature being ride quality. I’m not sure
everybody who would buy a BMW 118 would need such a sport skewed
ride but it is far too harsh and spoils an otherwise quality drive. Passive
and active safety systems most comprehensive, a 360-degree camera a
great driving aid while the adaptive cruise control is very polished in
operation. There’s a lot to like in the BMW 118 but ride quality a
disappointment.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driving BMW’s new entry model – the 118 hatchback which arrived last
December at $56,500 plus on-road costs. The small German five-door hatch
restyled and powered by a familiar 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine with
a small lift in power and torque driving the front wheels through a seven-
speed dual clutch transmission. Also included a sports mode with manual
shift paddles. This latest BMW 118 is 41mm longer and 25mm taller, other
dimensions remain unchanged. Internally it has slightly better rear legroom
however like most small BMW’s it’s still on the tight side. The cabin has a
premium feel with well-structured seats while the overall impression is one
of sportiness in the BMW tradition, accentuated by nice finishes and a
modern dash layout. Good instrumentation with a welcome head up display
over, although the 10.7-inch touchscreen with so many options can be
tedious to use. While the air vents below are mounted low and look like an
afterthought. BMW claim to have added significant features to the 118 – the
driver-assist systems also most comprehensive, there’s wireless phone
charging and two USB ports in each row, comprehensive 360-degree
camera views, front and rear parking sensors, parking assist and a
welcome reversing assistant. Warranty five-years/unlimited km. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.