The Subaru XV combines impressive rough-road ability with decent on-road manners, says Isaac Bober.

It’s Alfa Romeo’s renaissance car, the one the company hopes will occupy the same passionate place in motorists’ hearts as the hugely popular Alfasud  and Sprint Veloce did three decades ago. The big question is, does it? asks Tony Bosworth. With a whole string of successful models in its wake,

Isaac Bober’s 2014 Fiat Freemont Lounge car review with pricing, specs, ride and handling, safety and verdict.

The Evoque eD4 2WD might be the first Range Rover not to drive all four wheels but it hasn’t hurt the brand, says Isaac Bober. In an event reminiscent of when Porsche announced the release of its Cayenne SUV – which saved the company we hasten to add – Land Rover’s

Ever since the E-Type went out of production, Jaguar fans have been waiting for its replacement. And every time Jaguar announced a new sporting model since 1974, they vehemently denied that it was a replacement for the iconic E-Type. Not this time around. Enter the F-Type Jaguar.

The Ford Ranger Wildtrak sits right at the top of the Ranger tree and is being marketed here and around the world as being more of a car than a work-day truck. The Ranger is a product of the ‘One Ford’ strategy and its development was led by Australians with the project based here too.

Toyota is to be commended for the 86 GT. It offers fun, affordable motoring with looks that’ll have you going weak at the knees. Our pick would definitely be the entry-level 86 GT (manual); ignore the auto – it’s like buying a dog and then doing the barking for it, if you know what we mean.

When the original Mazda MX-5 was launched back in 1989 it arrived like a bolt out of the blue delivering fun, open-top motoring thrills to the likes of you and me. It was affordable and attractive and gave us something we hadn’t had since the demise of the gorgeous Lotus Elan. This new variant is more purposeful than ever before.

The 2013 Mazda CX-5 line-up adds a new 139kW/250Nm 2.-5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine borrowed from the Mazda6. Until now, the diesel variants were the pick of the range. So can the 2.5 petrol take over the mantle?

Isaac Bober’s 2014 Subaru Forester 2.0D-S review with pricing, specs, ride and handling, safety and verdict. Here in Australia, Subaru’s success story has been inextricably linked to the Forester. It’s the brand’s best-selling model in its 40-year history with more than 170,000 units sold here since its launch back in

Overall, the Sorento 3.5 Si 2WD is a nice competent seven-seater that rides and handles well, has a grunty and refined drivetrain, and a decent amount of standard features. It’s the perfect alternative to some of the pricier seven-seaters on the market, but for families that like to get their feet dirty, you’ll need to pay more for the 4WD variant.

The Outback 2.0D CVT is likely to woo those looking to update their current Outback for something a little flashier and more fuel-efficient. That it’s a roomy, comfortable and safe vehicle to drive, that’s as comfortable on dirt as it is on the black stuff, makes this new Outback 2.0D CVT well worth a look.

Overall this new Forester sees Subaru deliver a more premium looking, feeling and driving product that puts it right back at the sharp-end of the pack. It’s likely to appeal strongly to faithful Subaru Forester owners wanting something a bit more comfortable, but it’s classy and competent enough to win new buyers too.

The big question remains: can this very competent, good value car bring buyers back to a category they have been deserting in droves? On a purely rational level, the VF Commodore should be hugely successful. But car buyers are rarely rational, and that bodes ill for the best car this country has ever produced.

The Veloster SR Turbo represents an impressive step for Hyundai. It’s loaded with kit and while it might not rival some established hot hatches it’s still a lot of fun drive, and the matte paint helps give it a bit of street cred.