Over the Xmas break I drove the top line Genesis GV80 AWD SUV with 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 linked to an 8-speed automatic and limited slip rear differential. Now at around $135,000 drive-away it jumps off the mark with strong performance despite a rather hefty weight, feels absolutely bulletproof, super quiet and despite its dimensions shrinks around you when pushed hard thanks to its road preview electronic adaptive suspension. This sophisticated suspension was refined last year to delete pitch on rough surfaces with a less figidity ride. Safety wise, 10 airbags in total but disappointingly, the head airbags don’t extend to the third-row seats. The luxury equipment extensive, a recent mid-life update saw the price climb however a previous $10,500 option pack including heated and ventilated rear seats, power rear door shades, 3 zone climate control, and a Nappa leather appointed interior is now standard. Quality and fit and finish as good if not better than the dearer top-class German SUV’s. Genesis owner support impressive - a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, five-years complimentary servicing including valet pick-up and return, 10-year 24/7 roadside assistance and 10-year map updates. The wagon version tested here was joined earlier this year by a more sporty looking Coupe. I’m David Berthon

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Talking Hyundai’s luxury brand Genesis today, the flagship GV80 SUV which
now also comes in a rather sporting looking coupe version. However, I’ve just
driven the recently updated 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol GV80 seven-seat all-wheel-
drive SUV, at around $135,000 drive-away with an 8-speed torque automatic. The
GV80 oozes quality and refinement, the body feels bullet proof, superbly
insulated, and exquisitely detailed. Joining the upper echelon of motoring
Genesis knew they had to build something rather special, loaded with luxury
features and standout quality. I covered some long distances over the holiday
break and cruising at the open road limit achieved 8.3 L/100km – impressive for
such a large SUV. The GV80 has what Genesis call a road preview electronic
control suspension – using a forward camera to scour the road surface ahead for
undulations and potholes, it then adjusts the damping force accordingly. Genesis
may not yet match the badge cachet or sales of Mercedes and BMW’s large SUV’s
but in terms of quality, refinement and fit and finish this South Korean brand is up
there with the very best - just so impressive in all it does and offering a cost
saving over the German competition in the process. Only real disappointment –
the lack of a spare wheel. I’m David Berthon

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Mazda’s small CX-3 SUV remains our most popular light SUV, the long-standing
model continues to grow year on year. Mazda have just refreshed the range for
2025, dropping the entry Sport model, the reshuffle seeing the most affordable
CX-3 rise by $3,420. The CX-3 Pure grade now opening the 2025 range at $30,370
plus on-road costs, a rise of $920. The CX-3 has been around in much the same
guise now for around 10 years, it’s an oldie but a goodie, a model I’ve always
highly regarded and despite its age sales last year lifted by 17 percent, and it
remains Mazda’s second-best seller. The new entry Pure grade gains some new
features – adaptive cruise control, larger 18-inch alloy wheels replacing 16’s and
new higher speed active Autonomous emergency braking. I’m David Berthon

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As a long-standing car enthusiast, I was interested in a recent U.S. survey by the
auction house Hagerty. For some time now it has been thought the love of the
automobile evident with older generations would die off moving forward.
However, the survey found the Gen-Z generation, those born between 1997 and
2012, had a significantly greater interest in owning a classic car of example than
Baby Boomers born between 1946 and 1964. The ‘Future of Driving Survey
quizzed Americans about the role that cars play in their life, their behaviours tied
to cars and driving, the role of new cars and a lot more. Contrary to what was
previously thought, driving is alive and well, 77 percent of Gen-Z respondents
saying they either loved or liked driving, indicating a promising future for the car.
Motoring it seems is alive and well. I’m David Berthon

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Heading off on a long drive over the holiday period. Here’s a few simple tips to
manage fatigue one of the three big killers on our roads. The end of the working
day is certainly not the time to head off on that long drive. Statistics show you’re
four times more likely to have a fatal fatigue crash between the hours of 10pm
and dawn so don’t head off after a hard week at work – the highest number of
fatal crashes occur in the afternoon peak period on a Friday. Head off early
morning after a good sleep and a hearty breakfast when your energy levels are
high. Carry plenty of water. – as well as being well hydrated it also means more
toilet stops along the way. Good posture also lessens fatigue. As a guide, sit
upright - stretch out your left arm so that your palm touches the top of the wheel.
Adjust the seat length accordingly and bring the back of the seat up to give you
good lumbar support. Driving long distances is also hard on the eyes – glare is a
major contributor to fatigue so pull the sun visor down to the horizon and cut out
as much sky as possible. All simple stuff I know but it could well save your life.
I’m David Berthon

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I talk about this at this time each year but it’s just so important - holiday time
and you may be about to take long road trip with the family. Time to give a little
thought to fatigue as it’s one of the three major killers on our roads – fatigue
related accidents now account for more deaths than those attributed to drink
driving. We now generally work longer hours. As such, fatigue is far more
prevalent so it’s no coincidence that the highest number of fatal crashes occur in
the afternoon peak period on a Friday. The end of the working day is not the time
to head off on that long drive into the country. Statistics show you’re four times
more likely to have a fatal fatigue crash between the hours of 10pm and dawn –
leave the next morning after a good sleep and a hearty breakfast when your
energy levels are high. Carry plenty of water. Share the driving – one hour on -
one hour off and take 15-minute break every two hours. Long distance driving
with the family is all about teamwork - never let your front seat passenger nod off.
Keep the rear seat solely for the sleepers, A talkative front passenger is another
set of eyes. I’m David Berthon

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I spoke earlier how the Federal Government has announced it is providing $150
million in funding to subsidise loans for electric vehicle purchases. Designed for
workers earning less than $100,000 per year. Surprisingly, the Federal Chamber
of Automotive Industries came out in support of the move despite the fact that EV
sales the world over have slowed and at a time when an increasing numbers of
new and affordable Chinese electric brands and models are entering the
Australian market. I’m not against electric cars, far from it, they offer some
excellent benefits however Chris Bowen’s obsession with subsidizing their
purchase with taxpayer money really irks me – electric car owners don’t pay a
cent for road maintenance whereas petrol or diesel owners contribute 50.6 cents
a litre through fuel excise. Surely it’s time we had a fairer road user charge . I’m
David Berthon

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Fresh from hearing that budget deficits over the next four years are forecast to blow out by another 20 billion dollars comes news the Federal Government will help finance $150 million in low interest loans through the Clean Energy Finance Corporation for workers earning less than $100,000 per year, as well as essential workers such as police officers and teachers, to help them buy an electric car. The media release suggesting the move could save buyers more than $8,000 on a $40,000 loan. According to Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen, the discounted loans help remove barriers to ownership helping more Australians drive cars that can save them thousands of dollars a year. EV owners pay no petrol excise to maintain our roads, currently 50.6 cents per litre, so why should they also get a subsidized loan – it’s ridiculous. I’m David Berthon.

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Driving Mitsubishi’s seven-seat mid-size Outlander SUV – it comes in a large range of front and all-wheel drive models in pure petrol or plug-in hybrid – I’m driving the top-line petrol Exceed 4WD – a 2.5-litre four-cylinder CVT automatic at $52,640. So how does it drive – the naturally aspirated petrol engine with 135kW and 244 Nm of torque is adequate, it’s no fire breather however the continuously variable transmission taps the power and torque well, but push it hard and it tends to surge a little like most CVT transmissions, however for the heavy work it has 8 pre-set manual gear ratios you can access via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles. The suspension is set up for one or seven passengers, as such it’s not sporty but provides a very comfortable ride and driving experience while the steering offers the ability to add more assistance if needed. The driving experience also aided by six drive modes – three, normal, eco and sport that adjust steering and transmission settings plus three offroad modes that give the Outlander a more adventurous spirit. As I said earlier, good economy 8.7L/100 on 91 Octane petrol. As a family carrier there’s much to like with Mitsubishi’s Outlander Exceed and little to criticize. I’m David Berthon

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Driving Mitsubishi’s mid-size Outlander SUV today, the company’s best seller
and the second best selling mid-size SUV behind Toyota’s RAV4. I’m driving the
top spec 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol CVT automatic Outlander
Exceed 4WD at $52,640. On first impression, a roomy plush interior - in fact its
interior space gives the impression you’re driving a much larger SUV and you can
see why it is very popular with large families. And this is its best benefit over the
RAV 4 the fact that it has seven seats. All three rows also offer climate control air
with separate controls in each. Although the third row is best sized for kids.
Equipment comprehensive – a wireless phone charger, power tailgate. leather
seats with memory function up front, a head up display, 12.3-inch digital
instrument cluster, pull up sun blinds for the second-row seats and 10-speaker
Bose sound. And don’t forget Mitsubishi’s 10-year/200,000km warranty, a real
buyer benefit. Servicing, every 12 months or 15,0000kms, the first five years
costing a reasonable $1700. Towing average at 1600 kilos braked and here the
2.5-litre four-cylinder would struggle with a heavy load. Good economy though –
on 91 octane petrol I managed 8.7L/100. Five-star ANCAP safety. Drive details
next segment I’m David Berthon

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