Motor Torque with David Berthon

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chinese brand Chery re-emerged on the Australian market in 2023, having
left in 2015 after sales tanked due to poor safety ratings. However, the
brands reemergence brought positive results firstly with the Omoda 5 SUV
and more recently with the Tiggo 4, 7 and 8 SUVs. Chery sales jumped in
the first quarter this year by 114 percent to 12,603, with the small 1.5-litre
turbo petrol Tiggo 4 Pro now representing 55 per cent of sales. Launched
six months ago it’s just gained a minor facelift with a restyled rear, new
alloy wheels and the word Pro thankfully dropped from its name – the value
packed Chery Tiggo 4 Urban at $23,990 drive-away gains front parking
sensors and six speaker sound in lieu of four, the higher grade Tiggo 4
Ultimate also gaining wireless phone charging and multi-colour ambient
lighting. I’m David Berthon

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kia Australia this week launched their most affordable electric SUV in the
form of the EV3, mimicking their midsize EV5 and larger EV9 models. The
EV3 in three front wheel drive grades Air, Earth and GT-line, the Air with a
choice of standard and long-range batteries, the Earth and GT-Line only
long range. Priced from $47,600 and ranging to $63,950 the EV3 claimed to
offer a driving range from 436km to 604km depending on model. Kia
confirming a comprehensive range of active and passive safety technology
which its Product Planning Manager suggests, may be frustrating to live
with but adding if customers want a five-star ANCAP safety rated vehicle,
these elements must be included under regulatory protocols. They can be
turned off each time you start the vehicle but they must default on to
satisfy regulations. I’m David Berthon

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driving the new electric Leapmotor C10 – a mid-sized five seat SUV with single
electric motor fed by a 69.9kWhour battery driving the rear wheels – I’m driving
the Leapmotor C10 Design $51,500 drive-away which includes a 12-month Charge
Fox subscription. Incredible value in a very highly equipped SUV that undercuts
most of the opposition. The suspension tune by Maserati polished and pleasing
in a family friendly electric SUV that’s well built with simple appealing styling.
Behind the wheel you quickly get the impression the Leapmotor C10 was for the
most part designed by a computer tech head rather than an automotive designer
– in other words, it’s like driving a computer with large centrally mounted 14.6-
inch touchscreen, and a 10.25-inch display screen in front of the driver. No
directional air vents, just a long slot with cooling and heating weak and very slow
to react. The worst feature, no buttons of any kind, a touch screen that needs
more than a touch and a range of safety systems with annoying chimes that are
simply intolerable. Why Chinese manufacturers think we need a constant
reminder or prompt in every aspect of driving staggers me and it’s a buyer turn
off to what could be a nice newcomer. I’m David Berthon

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driving one of the new Chinese electric cars today – the Leapmotor C10, a
company that started business in 2015, backed by the Stellantis company, the
merger of Fiat Chrysler and the French PSA Group. The Leapmotor C10 a mid-
sized SUV in two grades, the Style at $47,500, and the Design at $51,500, both
driveaway. These prices sharp and below similar sized offerings from other new
Chinese brands, as well as the Kia EV 5 and the Tesla model Y. And the price also
includes a 12-month subscription to the Charge Fox network. The specification
impressive – dual zone climate control, LED headlights, power front seats, a
panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, 12 speaker sound, a power tailgate,
a 14.6-inch touch screen, but no Apple CarPlay and Android Auto - all in a roomy
five seat somewhat handsome body with great safety credentials. With one long
slot for an air vent and no directional controls the air-conditioning and heating
response is poor at best. On face value though, a sharply priced very comfortable
family friendly mid-size SUV with a single electric motor with a 69.9kWh battery
driving the rear wheels. But how does it drive – a disappointment unfortunately
with which I’ll explain next segment. I’m David Berthon

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.