Australian 4WD & SUV Buyer's Guide September Issue #34 2019

The age of the electric vehicle has been a while coming, but it’s now safe to say that it has arrived. It’s early days yet, but you can now choose from a few different EVs, all of them SUVs at this stage. We’re still waiting on the first electric ute and 4WD wagon. In this issue you’ll find Hyundai’s Kona Electric, Jaguar’s superb I-Pace, Tesla’s very ordinary, overpriced Model X and the new Mercedes EQC. And with each subsequent issue, we’re bound to be testing many more, as EVs move from fringe technology to mainstream transport. I hope you enjoy the magazine and that it helps you choose the 4WD, SUV or ute that works best for you. Feel free to get in touch at bill.mck10@gmail.com…

JOSHUA DOWLING Joshua Dowling is the National Motoring Editor at caradvice.com. au and a World Car of the Year judge. Joshua is renowned for his consumer-first approach and you can also read his regular rants on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling. In this issue, he tests the LDV T60 ute, BMW X7, Mercedes GLE, Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Touareg. JOHN CAREY John is a previous editor of Overlander, a contributor to Wheels magazine where he is a Car of the Year judge, and publications in the USA and UK. He lives in Bergamo, Italy. In this issue, John tests the Mercedes GLC update and EQC. BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS Byron is a complete car tragic. He claims that a dream as a toddler of driving an Austin A35 sealed his fate. Byron writes for goauto.com.au…

Our piggybank indicates a vehicle that we think represents good value for money against the others in its class. It may not necessarily be the cheapest, but taking into account factors such as standard equipment, safety, the way it drives, resale values and quality, it shapes up as a good deal. A capital S indicates a vehicle that scores five stars out of five for occupant protection in ANCAP crash tests. Go to www.ancap.com. au. for more information If you’re after a safe, practical vehicle to carry the kids, look for this symbol. We’ve limited its use to vehicles that have an ANCAP score of at least four stars out of five and have six airbags plus stability control as standard or as affordable options. We’ve also taken into account…

Prices are supplied by manufacturers and do not include on-road charges, which vary from state to state. Note that advertised prices must now include all on-road costs. The best way to get a good deal on a new car is to do your research, test drive each of your shortlisted cars, then decide exactly the make, model, specification, colour and any options you require. Then you simply get a price from a few dealers on that car. If you have a trade in, you want what is called a changeover price. Check current prices and deals at carsales.com.au. Redbook future values in each test are average wholesale prices after three years/60,000km and five years/100,000km for a vehicle in average condition. Go to redbook.com.au for a valuation on your 4WD…

As we went to press, a mid-life update for Australia’s best-selling premium-priced medium SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLC, was arriving in showrooms. Chief among the improvements it brings are more powerful four-cylinder petrol engines in 48 volt mild hybrid drivetrains. I drove the GLC 300 4Matic, which has a 190kW 2.0-litre turbopetrol, assisted by a 10kW/150Nm electric motor. Claimed fuel consumption is 7.1-7.4L/100km. The new GLC 300 is livelier to drive than the 155kW 2.0-litre turbo GLC 250 model it replaces. Though smooth enough, the updated engine is noisy, especially at higher engine revs where the extra power can be felt. For something wearing the threepointed star, it’s not good enough. The new 300 engine’s altered characteristics meant changes to the control software of the GLC’s standard nine-speed automatic. Again, there’s…

Lots of action in 2019 from the British maker, even though it’s suffering at present due to diesel – its traditional powerplant – being on the nose, plus rejection in Europe thanks to Brexit. Just arrived is a new Range Rover Evoque, with a longer wheelbase that yields a bit more rear seat legroom and larger boot (now 591 litres) while the rear seat backs are split 40/20/40 for improved load carrying versatility. Drivetrain options are all 2.0-litre fours, with the turbodiesel available in 110kW/380Nm, 132kW/430Nm and 177kW/500Nm outputs, and the turbopetrol available with 147kW/320Nm, 183kW/365Nm and 221kW/400Nm. The three diesels, and the top spec turbopetrol, use a 48 volt mild hybrid system that runs on battery power alone below 17km/h. All-wheel drive, in high range only, is standard, along…