Road Test Archive

With extra space, extra safety, a new engine and fresh looks, no-one could accuse Mitsubishi of going about its recent update of the Triton in a half-hearted manner. David Thomson reports after a spell behind the wheel.

The 1000cc sportsbike market is highly competitive, with four Japanese manufacturers making bikes that seem pretty alike on paper. Peter Mackenzie samples Kawasaki's ZX10R to see if anything makes it distinctive.

There is no better time than summer to consider the merits of the latest addition to Peugeot's coupe-convertible ranks. David Thomson delivers his verdict on the new 308CC.

Less than a year after its launch, the diesel version of the Jaguar XF has a new, stronger heart. David Thomson takes its pulse.

Holden's new Cruze is already performing well on the sales charts, but how does it perform on the road? David Thomson takes to the wheel of the turbo-diesel version to find out.

Does the Mazda MX-5 gain more than it loses when fitted with a folding metal roof and automatic transmission in place of the traditional soft-top and manual gearbox? David Thomson tests the latest version of this iconic Japanese sports car to find out.

Mitsubishi just updated its Triton ute and Outlander SUV, and the changes are more than skin-deep. Richard Bosselman reports.

The packaging and dynamics have moved more mainstream, but the third-generation Prius remains a flagship for Toyota's ever-advancing hybrid technology. David Thomson assumes command.

How does a vehicle named after a nomadic North African tribe handle the demands of New Zealand motoring? David Thomson takes to the wheel of the new Nissan Qashqai to find out.

After a lengthy break, Alfa Romeo is back in the business of producing a supermini. David Thomson has been putting the new machine - the MiTo - through its paces.

Appearing almost two decades after the last model to bear its name, the new VW Scirocco is causing a stir around the world. David Thomson gets behind the wheel to find out what the fuss is about.

A return run to Christchurch provides an ideal opportunity for David Thomson to test the mettle of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Brute-iful: It's a word I've invented, just for the latest Commodore-derived cars from Holden Special Vehicles. Particularly the flagship GTS. She's a real brutey, mate.

Though you may not have noticed it, there is a new version of the VW Golf out and about on New Zealand roads. David Thomson puts the 2.0 TDI version through its paces.

Appearing under the BMW efficient dynamics banner - which promises the unlikely combination of increased power, better fuel consumption and reduced emissions - the 335d is one of the stars of BMW's recently updated 3-series range. David Thomson reports on a rewarding time behind the wheel.

The Postman Pat jibe delivered by my 9-year-old at first sight of the bright red test car gave way to awed admiration as he climbed in and absorbed the key features of its equally striking interior.

With a line-up that includes the Patrol, Pathfinder, X-Trail, Qashqai and Murano, Nissan is fast becoming New Zealand's SUV specialist, but the company has to tread carefully to ensure that each of its models finds a clear space in the market.