Best Midsize / Medium SUVs

If you are thinking of buying a RAV4 PHEV GR Sport, please read this first. I'd like to share our experience so far owning this latest version of… Read more

this popular SUV, the Toyota RAV4. We have been in the market for a PHEV for quite some time now. We needed a wagon or SUV for versatility and to take our two Labradors places with us. We have driven and looked at many, many PHEV's. I dismissed all the Chinese cars even despite their fantastic prices set well below their Japanese and European rivals. This is because I don't trust any of their cars for quality, durability, reliability and most importantly, cyber security (see ABC 4Corners programme "Asleep at the wheel"). We first looked at a Skoda Superb Wagon but the salesman said that we wouldn't be happy with it and encouraged us to try an up-spec Skoda Kodiak PHEV. It's basically a VW Tiguan PHEV wearing a different frock. Built in the Czech republic it is a nice car with many nifty features, but the things I didn't like was the switchgear (indicator is the left column stalk and gear selector the right stalk..!), the VW DSG transmission and the puny 1.5L turbo'd motor that has to push around a hefty 2T of car and battery. The Mitsubishi Outlander was a very strong contender except that it has a CVT (Constantly Variable Transmission) which I loathe. But it does have the capability of connecting with the house and being another battery for the house. Clever thing that! We chose the Toyota RAV4 from Llewellyn Toyota Ipswich QLD for the fact that it has an e-CVT and a spare wheel while no other PHEV on the market has one. We also opted for the top spec GR Sport (GR = Gazoo Racing) because, quite frankly, the lower SXE models look ugly..! It has a face only a mother could love and all SXE models have a black roof for some reason. The GR Sport is wearing a bit of eye shadow a fancy frock and lippy to make it more attractive than it's ugly sister. I mentioned that I don't like CVT's yet we bought an e,CVT (Elecrtonic CVT). That's because they two types are chalk and cheese. A CVT has a torque converter, gears, metal cones and a steel belt running on the cones to provide the speed ratios. Lots of moving parts, lots of servicing and lots of bits to wear out and lots to go wrong. By contrast, an e-CVT has a planetary gear set with 2 motor/generators and the petrol engine all permanently connected together. Only Toyota and Honda use this system. There is no clutch, no torque converter, no extra gears. There's very very few moving parts and very little that can go wrong with this unit. In fact, Toyota don't call it a gearbox or even a transmission, they call it a power split device.

Anyway, back to the car itself. As my wife and I are getting on in years, we tend to make little noises and squeaks as we get into and out of our old car; That's us making the noise, not the old car...! With the RAV4, we don't make a sound because it's "so easy to get in and out of, you know" [Top Gear reference]. The door sill and seat hight are just right for stepping into and out of the car. We initially chose a Frosted White one but on reflection went with Feverish Red instead. Most of the cars we have had have been white, so we decided that it was time for a change and we are glad we did. It looks great...! The red with the black accents set the styling off nicely.

But, it's not all sunshine and roses when it comes to the 2026 RAV4 PHEV. So buckle up and hang on. This where the road gets bumpy..!

This is the stuff we wish we could change or should be better: Toyota claim an EV range of 144km and 0.7L/100km in hybrid mode. I call [Content Removed] on their "lab test" results. In the real world where we all actually live, the EV range is closer to 115km and 3-4L/100km in hybrid mode. If you want a better EV range, buy the SXE 2WD; Which indecently should be called a RAV2. [RAV4 = Recreational Action Vehicle 4 wheel drive]. The 2WD model gets better EV range because it does not have the extra electric motor at the back. The RAV4 only takes 95/98RON fuel. It won't take 91RON and E10, so you take a hip pocket hit at the bowser every time you reach for the nozzle. This is possibly to conform with strict overseas emission laws, but if it COULD run on 91 or E10, then why not do it. Maybe it's because it needs the slight extra kick from 95 to boost the Atkinson cycle of the engine? The GR Sport also has F1 style flappy paddle shift levers behind the steering wheel. Why? What was wrong with the "B" setting on the gear shifter that the SXE gets?? Or the one pedal drive that other manufacturers use? I've used the "-" paddle to apply re-gen braking, but never the "+" paddle. And besides, it doesn't have any gears to shift...! Is it intended for the spirited driving enthusiast amongst us to pretend to be Michael Schumacher..? Here's the biggest niggle; The thing that grinds my gears; The thing we absolutely hate; The thing that nearly had us walk out of the dealership without a car. It is the annoying, useless, frustrating, loud, ridiculous, horrible beeping that the tailgate makes when it opens and closes. What is it for; Blind drivers?? Waking the neighbours at 1am to let them know that you are finally home?? There is a function in the system to turn the power tailgate beeping down, but not to turn off. C'mon Toyota. Please fix this before I rip it's electronic voice box out if I can find where you've hidden it..! We recently found a setting where you can turn the power tailgate completely off, but it means that you have to manually open and close the tailgate, pulling and lifting against the power strut resistance. At least the beeping has stopped and now we get an upper body workout... When the drive mode switches from EV to HV (hybrid) mode, the engine comes on but the instrument cluster does not indicate engine RPM to let you know that the engine is alive. Would it be so difficult to have the gauges change automatically when this happens? The car comes with a 10A charging cable and another cable for use at a public charging station. They are presented in their own well made, Toyota monogrammed semi hard cases which is nice. However, there is nowhere in the car to store them. There is a small recess in the right side rear over the 12V battery, but it's far too small for either cable even when you take them out of their cases. The boot space is adequate, but if you leave both of these cases in the back, you loose a considerable amount of cargo space. It's the same with the privacy screen, there's no where to store it. If you are not using them, you need to remove them and store it at home. It's a first world problem I know, but one I think Toyota should address. Also, how come the lower spec SXE models get driver seat memory function, but the top spec GR Sport does not? The GR Sport model has a Heads Up Display. It shows all sorts of useful data about the traffic, your speed, the distance to the car in front etc. However, if you wear sunglasses, it can be difficult to see it even with the HUD brightness turned right up. Also, there is no discrete control for the HUD. You have to dive into the settings to find the HUD controls. Our 11 year old Holden has a dedicated switch and rotary knob for the HUD and it's much easier to operate, and crystal clear when wearing sunnies. Hey Toyota, are you listening! Make the HUD polarised glasses proof...! There is a bulge on top of the steering column. This thing sits there constantly judging you and interrupts every so often to tell you to keep your eyes on the road. This electronic nanny is too sensitive. If you glance at a sign or turn to look at something through a side window, it chimes in and admonishes you. Just like being back in school. "Face forward and pay ATTENTION (insert name)"...

If you've read this far, relax. Because here comes the bit you've been waiting for.

And now the good stuff: The 2026 RAV4 GR Sport PHEV develops 227Kw (308HP) making it the most powerful PHEV SUV's on the market. It has a 2.5L petrol engine with 2 motor/generators at the front and another electric motor at the rear for a bit of extra shove when you flex the right slipper. It'll get to 100 in a little over 5 seconds. It's also a good tow car due to it's 1588kg towing capacity. Not bad for a medium hybrid weighing 1950kg. If you want to tow more and still want a PHEV, get the industrial strength Ford Ranger with 3500kg tow capacity. The seats are extremely comfortable and the ride is pretty good too considering the GR Sport rides on 20" rims, low profile tyres (235/50R20), stiffer suspension, wider track and sportier damper settings than the lower spec version SXE. The 2.5L petrol engine is the same one Toyota use on many of their other products. It's a time tested and proven unit that ticks the reliability box. It's the de-tuned (Atkinson cycle) so longevity is assured. Under the bonnet, there is no power steering pump, no starter motor and no alternator so there is no serpentine drive belt to be replaced. The water pump and power steering are electric which is less load on the petrol engine. The interior and exterior fit and finish is superb too and fit-for-purpose. Except for the faux spoiler on the back which seems superfluous but is added for sporty style. Even though this car is a Hybrid, the Toyota engineers have managed to Tetris the 22.7KWh battery in under the floor and an electric motor under the rear but also managed to leave enough room for a space saver spare wheel in the boot. That's a much better option than all the others who just offer a can of 'instant tyre' spray muck that not only stuffs up the tyre but also damages the rim...! If something goes wrong? No problem. It's a Toyota. So servicing and parts are everywhere. The infotainment system and dials are fairly easy to work out (sometimes). When we got stuck on a setting, YouTube was our friend if we couldn't be bothered trolling through the owners manual bed-time read. We have set the car to charge only when our household solar system is receiving "free" electricity during the day. Then our house batteries can get on with the job of powering our house at night without having to cope with filling the car battery with electrons too. Ah, the joys of being retired..! "There's an app for that". We have full connectivity to the car via the "My Toyota" app on our phones. It spies on the car and keeps us updated on its condition and even it's whereabouts. We can even control the cars systems when we are not actually in it...!

Conclusion: We are glad we paid the Toyota premium and bought a quality product. It's nice to drive, quiet and well put together. The hybrid range is quite good and we wanted a PHEV to go with our 'hybrid' house. It fits our purpose and we'll be using it as our daily driver now that fuel has become so expensive that you need a second mortgage just to sniff petrol these days.

Have we made a smart purchase? For the premium price we paid to buy a Toyota PHEV, we could have bought a heck of a lot of fuel for our other cars. But, it eases our mind to think that we can now go for months without giving the oil companies their extortion money and paying the government anything from our pension to pay the fuel excise. Only time will tell if we've been smart. Look out for future reports.

After recently spending over $42K to purchase a Kia Sportage I was very bitterly disappointed to discover that a hardcopy version of the owners… Read more

manual was not supplied! How ridiculous to expect customers to use their electronic devices to access important information needed when familiarising yourself with a new car! For instance waiting at traffic lights and a warning light illuminates on the dash. You can't pick up your phone to determine what it means can you? I have incurred extra expense in having a hardcopy printed and bound for my own reference and had I known this fact prior to deciding between 2 differing cars I would have chosen the other vehicle and will probably not consider Kia for my next new car purchase.

Bought my 4th Forester in 2026. Went for the Touring this time as it will be the last car I own as I'm nearly 80 and this one has lumbar support with… Read more

all the bells and whistles. Had it 8 months now and done 10,000 km both town and highway. Fantastic car returning 7.5 l/100 on average and 6.7 highway. Kept the others for 2 years each and never any issues. Gravel or bitumen, wet or dry, the car just does everything effortlessly. Happy owner here.

I am extremely disappointed with both Mazda Australia and Mazda Melville Service. After several months of follow-ups, stress, delays, and absolutely… Read more

no accountability, the only thing I received was a repair invoice for over AUD $26,000 — for a car that is worth around AUD $20,000.

This is beyond unreasonable.

Mazda Melville Service keeps saying they are “just a franchise business” and take no real responsibility. Mazda Australia also refuses to help and simply says it is not their problem. The customer is left completely abandoned between the dealer and the manufacturer.

The most frustrating part is the complete lack of after-sales support. Once they sell the car, it feels like nobody cares anymore. No ownership, no proper customer care, and no willingness to resolve serious issues fairly.

I strongly encourage anyone considering buying a Mazda in Australia to first read the large number of customer complaints and consumer reviews online before making a decision.

My experience with Mazda has been one of the worst customer service experiences I have ever had in Australia.

Very disappointing experience with Mitsubishi Motors Australia regarding warranty support for my 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander. The gear selector trim… Read more

began peeling within approximately 2–3 years under normal use. The issue was raised early through the authorised dealer network and dealership documentation referenced deterioration/failure of the adhesive and material fatigue. An adjacent trim component was accepted and repaired under warranty, however Mitsubishi declined the gear selector claim as “external influence.”

Despite repeated follow-up, months of delays, an incorrect repair appointment, and escalation through the Office of Fair Trading, Mitsubishi maintained their position without identifying any actual misuse or specific external cause.

The most disappointing aspect has been the customer service and lack of accountability throughout the process. I purchased a new vehicle and maintained servicing through the authorised Mitsubishi network specifically for peace of mind regarding warranty support and customer care.

Unfortunately, this experience has significantly reduced my confidence in both the Mitsubishi brand and their warranty process.

Would not consider purchasing any vehicle under Mitsubishi for their false "warranty" - as in practicality they are not honouring this warranty.

Reliable mid size SUV, have bought it second hand and sold after 150K KM, didn't face any major issues, despite I missed few services, there was oil seepage but not sure if it was common issue with others, overall its a safer SUV to ride with family Show details

Good value for money,has excellent features and very well appointed with 19 inch alloys,side steps,tow bar,leather trim,heated seats,parking… Read more

sensors,reversing camera,blind spot monitoring,adaptive cruise control,lane departure warning,keyless entry.I paid $19000 for a 2019 Koleos with 98000ks and full service history.Never had cvt transmission before but I am pleasantly surprised at it’s performance and fuel economy.Having owned a Nissan x trail for many years and this vehicle sharing all it’s mechanicals I have no doubts of it being a reliable car that I will keep for a long time.

When purchasing a vehicle it can take me many months of research, walking through some dealerships and when I cut down the list, overnight/24 hour… Read more

test drives. I nearly left the Ford Escape off my list as Ford had already announced it was no longer importing them which was a concern regarding resale values. As the last vehicle I tested drove, I found it was no comparison, it really had some wow features and just showed up the negatives in the other vehicles.

That motor is just fantastic. I drive it 98% of the time in eco mode, and it's perfectly powered in that mode and just has so much reserves. Such a nice handling car to ride. I have the ST Line in AWD which I felt was necessary with so much power on hand.

Space for interior is good for me, and boot room decent. Traveling distance is good and very happy with it. Escape has been very reliable, and only one small warranty issue being the drivers side seat belt holder needing repair and ongoing repairs due to original dealer not fixing it properly.

My only issue with the dealership support locally and having to travel significant distances for servicing and warranty which is annoying.

Most friends who have traveled with me are very impressed with it. I have to admit I also enjoy my time behind the wheel still..

I'm completed 35000 kms now in 18 months and only real concern is tyre placement. Standard is Continental EcoContact 6 and they handle great, ride well and not to noisy, but seriously worn out in 35000 kms. not good, not the vehicle fault but wow still. Better choice please Ford.

As a used vehicle, please go test drive one, especially the AWD versions..

The 8 speed transmission is is most costs barely noticeable and operates well. Pretty happy with it.

I also would like to add, the vehicle tech is quite well sorted without glitches or blank screens so far. The radar cruise is very good, and the headlights are fantastic.

Servicing is terrible in country SE Qld, limited dealers who own multi brands, so are expected to wait unto 3 months for a service booking. Yes thats right! unless your prepared to travel 90 mins for another dealer, but some of these dealers aren't the best to use. I will say Warwick Ford have been one of the better ones mostly.

The Hyundai Tucson NX4 2.0L Diesel Highlander 2023 is my 4th Hyundai car (8th Korean car including Kia). 4 out 8 have had problems. My current Tucson… Read more

is about 3 years old. For most of the first 2 years, it hasn't had any major issues but since this year, I've had the transmission replaced under warranty, then the LNT (Lean NOx Trap) replaced under warranty, shifter system malfunctioned (could not find fault), engine management system malfunctioned (could not find fault), blind spot safety system malfunctioned (could not find fault), and forward safety system malfunctioned (could not find fault). Now the steering wheel and/or front right wheel is making a loud "click" when the steering wheel is turned more than 90 degrees. I have it booked in for service again.

I'm sure you would understand the reasoning behind the fact that I would not purchase a Hyundai/Kia car ever again, let alone spend $60,000 on a car. I think it's time to give some other emerging brands a go. I'm sure I will never look back. Sorry Hyundai/Kia, you've lost me.

Disappointing Experience with BMW – X5 G05 Transfer Case Oil Leak I’ve had a very disappointing experience with BMW regarding a transfer case oil… Read more

leak on my BMW X5 G05.

I had to return the vehicle to BMW on three separate occasions before the issue was properly addressed. On the third attempt, I was charged $850 for an oil change, only to then be advised that the entire transfer case should be replaced.

What makes this even more frustrating is that this appears to be a commonly reported issue across the BMW G05 range, affecting both diesel and petrol models.

For a premium brand like BMW, I would expect better diagnosis, communication and accountability, rather than having to return multiple times and pay additional costs while the underlying issue remains unresolved.

Customers spend a significant amount of money on these vehicles and deserve a much better level of service and support. Very disappointing experience overall

Cost nothing to run, stunning to look at, drive like a dream. Top service team in Paramatta Show details

I love this car, but I've encountered numerous issues since getting it. First, I want to note that the luxury is not that luxurious; the car is quite… Read more

simple inside. However, for that price, it could be more elegant. Funny story, there is no place to put my phone. I even tried buying a sticky holder, but there's nowhere to stick it. Absolutely, zero! So my holder stayed unused. Second, my phone and other objects keep falling into the hole between the seats, which is too narrow for you to reach in and retrieve them. What a luxury! (Being sceptical now).

After three years, I started experiencing a dead battery, which seems to drain quickly in this car. My battery died too often in inconvenient places, like airport parking. For a luxury and expensive car, this feature is not particularly practical. I mean, really? If you have an insurance or annual check-up, it costs so much, and replacing a battery costs me $ 300.

The car is comfortable and smooth to drive, but its minor drawbacks make it impractical. I'm even considering selling it for a more conventional, non-hybrid vehicle that's more comfortable—a real disappointment.

First and last BMW we will ever buy. The iDrive 9 system is full of bugs and requires doing a hard reset on a regular basis. Today the touchscreen… Read more

(which controls everything in the car) stopped working again, completely frozen, can't access anything until the car was stopped, locked and then restarted. The foot operated motion sensor for the tailgate probably only works 2 out of 10 attempts yet somehow while loading the boot it activated and the tailgate starting closing and hid me in the head, splitting my head open and causing it to bleed - this was while I had a baseball cap on! The engine and transmission are great but the user interface is a massive let down and so unsafe as I am constantly searching the menus trying to find something that should just be a physical button. It had the potential to be a great car but the software is a complete nightmare, I would NOT recommend buying this car.

I recently purchased a 24/my25 MG ZST Essence as a second car .I find the steering very vague,constantly requiring correction. I have had wheel… Read more

alignment and pressures checked and wonder if FWD is a new experience I will get used to, or is this unusual in the MG?.. cheers Lee

Hello everyone, I would like to share my detailed experience with GWM. I purchased a HAVAL H6 Hybrid in 2023 from GWM kedron , Brisbane, and… Read more

unfortunately, it has been a very disappointing journey. I have experienced multiple serious issues, including hybrid system battery failure where the car completely stopped and wouldn’t start, wipers failing three times (once during heavy rain, which was very dangerous), transmission faults, and an extremely noisy AC compressor that has already been replaced once and is now failing again.

In addition, the windshield had to be removed twice, and several other issues have occurred more than once. What is even worse is the customer service. Communication is extremely poor, with delayed or no responses despite multiple emails and calls. I am still waiting for approval for my AC compressor and transmission repairs, even though the compressor is under warranty.

I am not alone—several of my friends who own the same car have faced similar problems, often around the same mileage. This clearly indicates a possible manufacturing fault, yet there has been no recall or proper action from GWM.

Overall, this has been a very frustrating and stressful experience. I strongly recommend doing thorough research and reading customer reviews before considering buying a GWM vehicle. Thanks

We have now been waiting 7 months for Volvo to provide a replacement battery cell under warranty for our XC60 T* Plug-in Hybrid. What makes this… Read more

totality unacceptable is that neither Volvo Australia or the Volvo Canberra dealership are able to provide any update on when (or if) the replacement part will be available. It beggars belief that that Volvo’s worldwide supply chain cannot provide any information on the replacement part’s expected delivery timeframe despite multiple follow ups with both Volvo Australia and the Canberra Volvo dealership. We are also not the only parties affected as Volvo Canberra confirmed that two other owners are waiting on the same part. There are no doubt other affected owners across Australia with the same problem and Volvo has shown no interest in positively responding to this issue. The lack of this battery cell means that the car can no longer operate in recharge mode which has resulted in an additional $3000 in extra fuel cost to date over the period in question. The unresolved defect also significantly diminishes the resale value of the car. When we purchased the car from Volvo, its reputation for strong customer service and support was a key reason for the decision. The lack of interest by Volvo, or its Canberra Dealer, in bringing this matter to a satisfactory timely conclusion, demonstrates a disturbing deterioration in Volvo’s reputation for customer service and support. I am wondering how many other Volvo owners out there are suffering in silence while experiencing the same problems with is company.

We purchased three new BMW cars in 2017. An X4, a 420 convertible and a 420 coupe for our daughter. Always serviced via log book at BMW dealer. … Read more

After the expiry of the warranty we had nothing but problems, all motors two litre twin turbo. Overheating, replaced waterpumps, piping cost $8000. All three cars, power windows wouldn't go up plus badge fell off X4 rubber around door perished, drivers door handle rubber fell to bits. Plastic fell off the front seats, so many problems. BMW answer its out of warranty not our problem. Two cars only travelled 50,000 and 60,000 klms.

Servicing – Since ceasing to have our Cayenne serviced by Porsche "Technicians" instead having it carried out at the local Goodyear agency we have experienced… Read more

very few problems, apart from occasionally having the onboard computer reset[ as accurately predicted by the Dogs & Lemons publication]

Have lots of issues, expensive to maintain, very expensive to repair. Show details

Terrible car. I thought Audi is quality German engineering, but I was wrong. Bought brand new in December 2018. I bought it from Audi Penfold… Read more

Burwood In Melbourne. In 6 years we have done only less than 90,000km. Nothing but trouble.

On 27th December, we were travelling from Canberra to Sydney. Suddenly car RPM went very high on Middle of freeway, I stopped on the side of the road to see what’s going on. After switching off the engine, car would not start. Ended getting up tow truck to towed to the Audi Canberra Dealership. They could not find any fault, why car wouldn’t start. After 10 days of constant follow up finally answered to me that there is less compression on all engine cylinders.

To do further testing and investigation they need to strip the engine which will be charged to me $9650, if they find that engine needs replacement, new engine of Q5 3.0 TDI will cost approximately $30,000. Plus plus plus ….

All this unnecessary electronic cr#p keeps going wrong. Parts are extremely expensive. Audi Australia and their dealership are not willing to help or taking any blame of defective piece of German engineering.

Do yourself a favour and don't Audi cars.

There's a reason this car won world car of the year 2022 - it is very good. Show details

Bought the car for one year and decide to sell, its for work purposes but constantly having issues with clicking noise when turning and also panel… Read more

quality is horrible, they got dent easily. Got one at pick up? They fixed it because of courtesy. The tyre holds up only 9000km with normal drive probably twice to thrice a week for first year. The service department said the recommended psi is not right, it should be 42psi as it’s a heavy vehicle, also Giti tyre seems like a solution for them to cut costs they dont think its a good option for heavy vehicle, this us concerning as the car itselt might be fine but could be dangerous on the road, bear in mind with ANCAP test, they could be using different tyres. Sales tune it to 37 for softer drive. It also would not be my driving style issue, I have a model Y that I drove a lot more often, they are similar weight but 3 years in with 40000km, the tyres are still fine. Sales department said it’s not normal and insisted that 37psi is correct, took some photos and said to investigate, never got back to me. Before sales was great but after sales is just horrible. I m very glad that this is no longer my issues. I would recommend think twice before this, ask them about the psi seperately from sales and service. Their response would be amusing.

Honda zrv – It starts with a Honda Euro 2005 ,I bought it in 2017 with 191k in odometer with a sticker on windscreen ( chek up front brake at 193k) I drove the… Read more

car from 191 till now 414000 km not a single part changed from the car only tires and oil and filters and 1 time I change coil plug for 20$,I bought pads set but didn't change them even after more than 200000km, super reliable brand ,that's why we got a Honda zrv , they all made in Japan U can't go wrong with Japan made,it's not pricey more dearer than Chinese brand but U got what U pay for

Sealion 7 is well built and goes great, ride is a bit stiff on our rubbish Victorian roads given the performance spec and low profile tyres that's to… Read more

be expected. The range on the highway is more like 400km than the stated 540km. The electronics, specifically safety systems and Android auto are woeful, they drive me nuts. I wish it wasn't on a lease so I could get rid of it.

Owned for 5 months, and 10,000 kms. So far the Service was amazing from Cranbourne Mazda and the Car is amazing to drive. I drive mainly open road \… Read more

highway and the CX-60 is easy to drive . Just as easy around Melbourne city. I'm getting mid 7Ltrs per 100Kms (7.6) and getting better as the car wears in. Has an amazing interior, and the sound system has depth and quality. This really does deserve the Zoom Zoom

Great EV but just a little too expensive – The Kia Niro GT-Line brings in higher quality feeling materials, like better seat materials than the entry level Niro and elevated different interior… Read more

trim materials.

Over bumps and uneven roads, the Niro never generated a squeak that sounded out of place.

Priced from $72,100 before on-road costs and incentives, this electric Kia is slightly more affordable than the EV6.

It boasts 460km of WLTP range; that’s a competitive range against similarly priced cars. Although, if you can sacrifice the SUV body shape, you’ll get better value in a sedan shape offered by Tesla and Polestar.

If you don’t need that much range, the MG ZS EV will provide the electric SUV experience for nearly $30,000 less.

This electric Kia comes with a 7 year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and high voltage parts are covered by a 7 year warranty, but only up to 150,000km.

Over seven years, the Niro EV will only cost you $1754 to service over 7 yearly services, or every 15,000km. That’s a whole lot less than the hybrid alternatives.

Noise isolation felt superior, particularly thanks to the fact there was no petrol motor onboard.

The upgraded speaker system in the Niro GT-Line helped increase cabin isolation and immersion, and the upgrade is absolutely worth it.

There was some noticeable electric motor noise under heavy acceleration, but nothing out of the ordinary. If you’re looking for a silent daily driver, the Niro is an excellent introduction into electric car ownership.

Adjustable regenerative braking is available via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. You can coast, use one-pedal driving mode, or simply hold a paddle to let the car decide for you in Auto mode.

I loved the one-pedal driving experience here, making it just a little easier to live with when driving around town. Trust me, you feel like you’re taking a step back when you drive a car without the ability to brake once you lift off the throttle.

Don’t expect a rival to a Tesla or a Polestar when it comes to acceleration. There’s no ludicrous mode, but there is a Sport mode.

The electric motor is found between the front wheels, making the Niro EV exclusively front-wheel drive. This motor produces 150kW (201hp) and 255Nm, allowing this family SUV to hurdle to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds.

That instant torque feels a lot faster than a petrol equivalent with the same specifications.

I really enjoyed the look and feel of the rotary shift dial in the Niro EV, however that’s about it.

The lower centre of gravity helps the Niro EV corner a whole lot better than its petrol-powered counterparts.

I found that it was extremely entertaining in corners, and composed when daily driving in the city. The extra weight can make the Niro feel like a more substantial car, but it also will cause the car to ‘crash’ harder on potholes and harsh speed bumps.

The only issue I found when handling was the instant torque to the front wheels. If it’s particularly slippery, and if you give it too much throttle mid-corner, those front wheels will squeal. This is a reason why I prefer rear-wheel drive electric cars.

Kia claims 16.2kWh per 100km of driving. You’ll achieve that in bumper to bumper traffic and on small highway stints. However, I found it closer to 19kWh per 100km in my combined tests. And as mentioned, there’s a claimed 460km of electric range when at 100% charge.

I found the real world range to be just above 400km per charge. It’s not as fast charging as the Kia EV6, which is capable of receiving 350kW of DC charge. The Kia Niro will only accept up to 80kW of DC charge, meaning charging from 0 to 80% will take 45 minutes from a 100kW charger. That’s a little slow considering the rest of Kia and Hyundai’s electric cars are adopting faster charging batteries.

Clearly inspired by the Kia EV6, the Niro’s interior brings all the right features and design cues to fix what was a very bland interior.

I especially love the seat design, steering wheel, centre console design and the curved displays that all help to make the Niro feel just like an EV should: futuristic.

There’s 475L of boot space in the Niro EV, with an additional 20L found in the front boot, AKA the froot or the frunk.

You’re considering this because the idea of a small SUV is the most appealing for you. You want a little extra range, warranty and features, and that’s why you’re looking at this Niro EV compared to something like a MG ZS EV or a BYD ATTO 3.

You’ve got stiff competition from Hyundai with the Kona EV, which has a brand new update coming soon that’ll make Kia shake in their tyres.

If you don’t need a lifted car like this crossover, I’d suggest buying a Tesla Model 3 or a Polestar 2 because of their superior battery technology and slightly better driving experience for less money.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

Sam was really helpful, very knowledgeable , I would recommend him if you need help to look for a good rate of finance. Show details

A perfect blend of performance and luxury – On the outside, panels, doors and trim pieces all fit together neatly and accurately. There was a rewarding weight when opening and closing the… Read more

doors, and panel gaps were a lot neater than they were on the G70 sedan.

A little quirk in the form of two ‘fangs’ protruding over the front bumper from the bonnet panel, made it appear as if there was some miscalculation when putting the GV70 together. Overhangs like this aren’t usually seen on cars produced today. This is a design feature I’m not sure was the best choice when convincing new buyers that the GV70 is a well-built car.

Interior quality was superb. Rich leather, accurate stitching and quality displays came together to form an interior that felt a step above the rest. In comparison to the likes of Alfa Romeo who try to incorporate a ‘flashy’ design with a luxurious and practical interior, the Genesis manages to bring all of those elements together well, without sacrifice.

The base 2.5L turbocharged petrol four cylinder GV70 starts from $66,400 before on-road costs. There’s a 2.2L turbo-diesel four cylinder on offer starting from $71,800 before on roads. However, what we have here is the range topping 3.5L twin-turbo petrol V6 motor, starting from $83,400.

Our tester was fitted with the ‘Luxury Pack’, so it was $90,000 before on roads.

The 3.5L twin-turbo V6 falls into the realm of consideration against performance-orientated SUVs like the Audi SQ5, Mercedes GLC 43 and BMW X3 M40i.

The major reason to consider a GV70 against European rivals is the longer 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, and complimentary servicing and service loan car during this period.

Your first 5 services are included with the purchase of a new Genesis. Not only will they include these services, but they will also pick up your car from wherever you specify, and drop a loan car in its place.

This cabin is an oasis from noise. There’s clearly been a lot of effort thrown into sound deadening efforts in the GV70.

I’m so glad Genesis resisted the urge to turn the top of the range GV70 into an exhaust noise machine, rather, honing in on what makes their cars so enticing. It does this by creating a luxury experience, supported by a tidal wave of engine power.

You can start-up, accelerate and cruise the motorway all without disturbing a sleeping passenger in the GV70.

Active sound-cancellation helps reduce road noise roar, and there’s certainly a minimal amount of wind-noise emanating from this slick exterior.

Here, alongside the refined suspension set-up, the brakes are pleasantly soft when you apply weight to the pedal. It provides what feels like an exponential reduction in speed, rather than an abrupt change in motion.

0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds is brisk for a family SUV. It doesn’t just allow you to effortlessly conduct overtakes on the highway, but it also allows for ghost-like acceleration from a set of traffic lights.

This particular 3.5L V6 twin-turbo V6 produces 279kW @ 5,800rpm and 530Nm @ 1,300-4,500rpm.

Sport + allowed for an optimal launch, with turbo-lag feeling non-existent. I was already at my turn before the other two lanes even thought about leaving the lights.

This is a uniquely fast car. The 3.5L motor is a large displacement motor, so it doesn’t need to string out the revs to get up to speed. Twin turbochargers provide that mid-range punch that pushes you back in your seat, all while any passers-by hear the faint noise of a working V6.

There are 8 gears to choose from in the GV80, and transitioning between them is seamless while the car is in control.

You’re never going to feel a misplaced shift, nor have the car hold gear where you’d rather it just move up or down a gear. Alongside the brakes, the gearbox only adds to what the GV70 is trying to achieve, in placing luxury first above all else.

The combination of suspension and handling is what seals the deal for the driving experience in the GV70.

Suspension is cushioned but firm. However, take a speed bump a little too quickly and those 21-inch wheels transfer that movement into the cabin - all without a disturbing ‘thump’ that some other cars might make in this same situation.

Across rough road surfaces, this suspension makes light work of making the GV70 feel like it’s cruising just above it all.

The lowest scoring section of this review goes to just how thirsty this engine can get.

During my test, I saw peaks as high as 20L per 100km. That’s a hungry motor, but no prizes go to anyone who could have guessed that.

The star feature goes to the 14-inch touch screen that sits up on the dash and will have all of your friends ‘oohing and ahhing’ as they would with an 80-inch TV you bought just in time for Grand Final Day.

It’s a blend of old school luxury (leather and metal) and technology (in the form of lighting and plenty of screens).

There’s 542L of boot space here, and a maximum of 1678L with all the seats folded down.

That’s plenty of room for a midsize SUV, and will get you plenty of places when you need to haul extra equipment along with you. Additionally, making room by folding the seats is easy, thanks to pull tabs in the back that automatically fold the seats flat.

I really wish brands included 40:20:40 seating in their cars more often, because that 60:40 split in the GV70 really took away from this being the ultimate road trip car for four people.

Hands down, this Genesis gets my strongest recommendation as a luxury family car.

Ignore the lust of a carbon fibre cladded, sports exhaust-fitted shouty ‘sports’ SUV, and treat yourself to a luxury driving experience.

The GV70 makes me reevaluate packaging sports cars in with a luxury car; I don’t think that it has to be the case. If you require two cars, a fun hot hatch should quench that sports car thirst.

*Disclaimer - I work for ProductReview as their independent car and motorbike expert. I borrow new cars and motorbikes from manufacturers and owners to review. I am not paid or incentivised by these brands to post reviews. I write and create content to provide insight and information about any new or used vehicle I can get my hands on.

Great deal – With $1000 factory bonus cash back it was a great guy. I love the fact that it’s the same size as my previous car, Kia Cerrado hatch, except it’s… Read more

just hire.’s so much easier to get in an out of Wynyard got physical issues. It’s great on the open road very quiet. Very stylish interior and exterior. It’s great that the boot can drop down to give extra depth. It was a pity it didn’t have a centre console with the flip lead but I bought one that was very easy to install. I’m looking forward to many years of motoring in this little beauty.