A sports-utility vehicle with three or five doors and clean lines, HR-V is marketed by Honda as Joy Machine; this translates better in Japan than it will in Europe, in which the idea of joy means something quite different.

Regardless, HR-V owners really are a satisfied bunch, appreciating the car’s capability to switch seamlessly from the normal front wheel drive to 4×4, the vehicle sensing for itself once the extra traction is needed.

A range of two 1600cc petrol engines emerges (no diesel yet, but maybe once the next generation arrives) neither which offer earth-shattering performance but each of which are adequate for the market slot occupied through the car.

Honda’s reaction to the mid-sized 4x4s of Suzuki, Land Rover and Mitsubishi, CR-V is a competent, solid-feeling multi-purpose player.

Chunky in appearance yet surprisingly pleasing to drive, the equipment is available just with the 150PS, 2.0 litre four cylinder engine – though there is a selection of manual or automatic transmission.

Just like the HR-V, the vehicle could be run in either front-drive or four wheel drive formats. Handling is really as clean as can be anticipated in these kinds of car, and ride quality is nice, too; there is a tendency for the car to wander at high speeds, that is symptomatic on most sports utility vehicles.

Honda’s mainstay model is produced in 3 and 5-door body shells, with a selection of engines and transmissions, and like its smaller stable mate Jazz, displays a higher degree of interior flexibility that generates considerable client satisfaction.

Recent upgrades towards the styling (new lights, revised bumpers) have helped keep your looks fresh, and also the range continues to be added to through the Type S, which slots in between the mainstream petrol models and also the stunning hot hatch Type R; that latter car may be the fastest-accelerating car in its class.

Also new is a stunningly good diesel engine, finally rectifying the one omission in Honda’s small car range.

Offered in both sedan and Touring (estate) variants, the sculpted Accord is a much more substantially-sized car than it discusses first glance; many of the the situation using the stylish Touring version.

Quiet and cozy with a suspension system more geared just as much to quality of ride as it is sporting handling, the vehicle is winning fans for a price that is surprising even its advocates inside the company.

A range of petrol engines- 2.0 and 2.4 litre petrol units with respective outputs of 155PS and 190PS has been accompanied by the 2.2 turbo diesel, an excellent bit of engineering that’s been a long time coming; Honda’s engine designers set themselves very high standards which invested some time to satisfy.

Despite its relatively small scale of operations when put alongside Toyota, Honda remains Japan’s most fascinating auto maker. Asia’s reaction to the European techno-house of Audi, its IMA; for instance, is a truly practical petrol-electric hybrid car, and also the NSX remains the very best supercar that nobody has heard about.

In between these comes an everyman selection of cars, in the simple elegance of their Jazz city car to the Volvo-rivalling Accord Tourer.

Addititionally there is the 1.0 litre Insight, a strange-looking little hybrid car that, because the introduction from the IMA, has fallen out favour. Countering that (rare) sales failure may be the S2000; a neat two-seater sports vehicle that feels distinctly European in execution.

Honda has some interesting product in the pipeline, such as a petrol-electric hybrid version from the Civic Type R which promises sparkling performance allied to outstanding economy Watch also for any stunning new sports coupe in the not too distant future.

An indication from the shape of things to come from Holden, Cruze may be the result of a show car created as a joint venture with GM associate Suzuki, tailored for satisfy that rapidly-emerging market of young drivers who insist upon playing towards the cliched picture of surfing, beach parties and using the rip from tourists.

The styling certainly looks the part; it exudes energy and youth appeal. A modest 1.5 litre engine may be the only choice -although you have the option of automatic transmission in lieu from the standard five speed automatic – and permanent four wheel drive is standard.

Holden been employed by tough to make sure the right balance of on-road handling and off-road capability. The rooftop rack looks as if it was made to carry a set of surf boards, and there’s room about the back for any mtb rack, too.

Holden’s big sedan continues to be the segment leader since its inception, and continues to be the vehicle to possess if you want the mixture of a big engine in a large body shell (it’ll seat six without too much of a squeeze) and cornering energy that strikes a great compromise between the have to handle cleanly and also the imperative to cope with dirt tracks in the outback.

As may be expected Commodore is conservative in its styling, but i am not saying old-fashioned; neat touches like the smooth nose and tail provide a contemporary feel.

The sporting version adds a set of businesslike brake air ducts, that increase the car’s road presence. Engines run from the modest ‘economy’ V6 of 3.8 litres, to the 5.7 V8 also found in Monaro. In from a lusty supercharged 3.8 V6 – so something for everybody.

The distinction between both of these luxury models is difficult to fathom; the Statesman is a little softer compared to Caprice, it seems.

A conservative appearance – which conceals a classy chassis – states this is a range aimed squarely in the older driver.

Accordingly the main concern has been in providing a long wheelbase platform having a smooth driveline – power originates from the V8 of 5.7 litres found in Monaro and Commodore in the Caprice version, but is slightly detuned for the Statesman – along with a relaxed ride.

Having said that handling isn’t bad, provided the vehicle isn’t forced way too hard into corners. In which the cars really enter into their own is the place cruising for hours across the ribbons of tarmac that criss-cross Australia; the large, lazy engine rumbles together with no apparent effort.

A considerable sports utility with permanent four wheel drive and also the Holden 5.7 litre V8 under its bonnet, this machine has been produced for a price of more than three thousand per week.

Selling with equal attract sporty types and outback farmers, Adventra was conceived to become a native reaction to such imports since the Nissan Patrol, but arrives nearer to the Audi Allroad and Volvo XC90.

Based on the Commodore wagon (estate) however with its distinct identity, the equipment has all the required virtues of durability and reliability, but backs this track of good performance on and off road, a higher level of comfort for the occupants, and – through the standards from the class – sleek looks.

These continue to the cabin from the car, that is nicely equipped, and packed with the required quantity of safety equipment. Interior noise levels are very well managed, too.

A substantial two-door coupe by having an impressively powerful V8 under its hood. Monaro may be the sporting flagship of Holden’s range.

Constructed with one eye on export markets (it is now accessible outside Australia) the vehicle handles cleanly, and it has acceleration that harks to the golden age (that browse the 1960s) of muscle cars.

A sleek body style increases the feeling this is a throwback – even though it benefits from Modern day aerodynamics.

What matters using the car may be the power – 329PS, with oceanic waves of torque – and also the fact that it handles much better than anything in the glory days. And contains an engine note that should function as the backing track to some Bruce Springsteen song.

General Motors’ Australian division includes a curious line-up: some of its product is suitable for the size of the continent that may take several weeks to traverse; and therefore it is quite closely aligned to the American ideal of big engines, long cars and cozy suspension – whilst addititionally there is urban-car product transplanted from Europe.

The Barina (a Corsa by another name) Astra and Vectra are types of the latter, whilst the first kind category has such machinery since the Monaro (itself now exported to Europe) and also the Commodore.

Interestingly, even though it was the first car maker to fabricate an all-Australian car and it has been locked right into a battle for market dominance with Ford for decades, the actual threat towards the Australian industry comes from Japan, with Toyota and Honda both especially strong.

However when it comes to big native machinery, it is still Holden store the initiative.

Ford Australia’s reaction to the mid-range sports utility vehicles (SUV) territory has a straight six engine with 250PS and abundant torque.

And in normal with most Ford SUVs is available as whether rear-drive or four wheel drive machine. Your body shell bears greater than a passing resemblance to simply about every other mid-sized SUV available on the market; but just how much creativity and originality will go into a go-anywhere box?

The inside package is adequately flexible and spacious, and driving dynamics are for the upper end from the sector. It is tough to be excited by mid-sized SUVs; everything is expected of these is reliability and functionality, which delivers plenty of both.