2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Calligraphy | Car Review
DriveLife
by Rob Clubley
1w ago
Over Christmas 2023 my family came over to Taranaki for their first-ever trip outside Europe. I wanted to show them some of the North Island’s tourist destinations in style and Hyundai very kindly offered us a vehicle that seemed to fit that bill – the top-spec diesel-powered Santa-Fe Calligraphy. We last tested this generation of Santa Fe back in 2021, with Fred testing the Limited spec and liking it very much, declaring it practically perfect. This late edition, likely the last ever purely diesel Santa Fe, is one of the last available before the new model comes out. Does the impressively hig ..read more
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Quinn honoured for contribution to motoring
DriveLife
by Fred Alvrez
1w ago
Entrepreneur and motor racer Tony Quinn has become the latest recipient of the Neil Nelson Trophy from the New Zealand Motoring Writer’s Guild. The award is bestowed upon individuals whom the Guild has considered to have gone above and beyond the norm in contributing to the motoring landscape in New Zealand. Some of the past 11 recipients of the Neil Nelson Award have included Giltrap Group founder and philanthropist Colin Giltrap, used vehicle importer and Rally NZ chair Peter ‘PJ’ Johnston, the late Formula 1 Ferrari driver Chris Amon, who engineered cars for Toyota New Zealand, and V8 Super ..read more
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2023 Suzuki S-Cross JLX Hybrid AWD | Hybrid Car Review
DriveLife
by Fred Alvrez
2w ago
It’s Suzuki’s largest passenger model and for 2024, Suzuki has added hybrid capability to their S-Cross model along with some other features like driver assist systems. Can a hybrid version lift sale of the S-Cross? We’ve had experience with Suzuki’s Smart Hybrid Vehicle system (SHVS) before when we tested the Swift Hybrid and it left us a little disappointed. Will the S-Cross deliver a better experience? We drive the S-Cross Hybrid model for 1,000km to find out. What We Like and Dislike About The 2023 Suzuki S-Cross JLX Hybrid AWD What we like What we don’t like Standard equipment levels ..read more
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2024 Citroen e-C4 Shine | Electric Car Review
DriveLife
by Fred Alvrez
2w ago
At DriveLife we have fond memories of the 1.2-litre, 3-cylinder turbo-petrol engine fitted to many Citroen and Peugeot models, and now being fitted to Opel models. It’s one of those things that adds character to the car, that engine that just wants to go, and sounds so good. That this engine has won international awards is no surprise. So, what happens when a car like the Citroen C4 loses that characterful engine and goes full EV? Does this mean the C4 has lost something and is just another EV? We spent a week and 500km driving the new Citroen e-C4 to find out if it’s worth adding to your new ..read more
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SSANGYONG NEW ZEALAND REBRANDS TO KGM
DriveLife
by Fred Alvrez
3w ago
SsangYong New Zealand says it is excited to join its international counterparts and is rebranding to KGM Motors (KGM), ahead of the impending arrival of the new KGM Torres SUV. In New Zealand, the new name will sit alongside the brand’s iconic winged logo, which pays homage to KGM’s heritage since its inception in 1954. This corporate identity change will introduce a new refined brand colour scheme and a completely new look and feel. KGM New Zealand’s Head of Brand Marketing Daile Stephens says SsangYong’s name change to KGM is a welcome opportunity to completely rebrand and create a step chan ..read more
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2024 Opel Astra GSe | Hybrid Car Review
DriveLife
by Fred Alvrez
3w ago
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have had some bad press lately, with the upcoming application of Road User Charges (RUCs) to any PHEVs putting a dent into their desirability. There have been stories of PHEV owners blocking off the charging port to avoid the RUCs, but should they? Is running a PHEV that bad a deal when you add RUCs to the equation? DriveLife spent a week in the 2024 Opel Astra Grand Sport Electric, a plug-in hybrid that should, according to Opel, use just 1.0L/100km of petrol. We drive the car for 500km and do the financial math for you. What We Like and Dislike About The 2024 Opel Ast ..read more
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2023 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Limited N Line AWD | Car Review
DriveLife
by Fred Alvrez
1M ago
It’s been too long since we’ve been in a test car that’s not an EV or a hybrid. The Hyundai Kona 1.6T Limited AWD (we agree, the name is too long) is at the top of the spec tree for the Kona range, with only the hybrid version topping it for cost. DriveLIfe attended the launch of the Kona back in November, and due to cancelled flights, ended up driving the new model 600km back to Wellington. That experience was a good one, so surely the top-spec model would be even better – right? What We Like and Dislike About The 2023 Hyundai Kona 1.6T Limited AWD What we like What we don’t like Smooth ..read more
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2023 Volkswagen ID.4 PRO | Electric Car Review
DriveLife
by Matt Fitzgerald
1M ago
Volkswagen as a brand has seemed to have run in my family. I’ve owned two, my wife one, and growing up my Dad also had two. To me, they are kind of like a European Toyota; nothing fancy, no wild design, and nothing to dislike. They are solid, dependable and just do the job. With their investment in electric vehicles across the ID range, I was keen to see if this was still the case and how they stacked up in this segment. One week and 900km later, it was an interesting conclusion. What We Like and Dislike About The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 PRO What we like What we don’t like Great driving rang ..read more
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2023 Cupra Born V+ Debut Edition | Electric Car Review
DriveLife
by Matt Fitzgerald
1M ago
Cupra is a relatively new brand for me. I remember seeing them around, and wondering what these unique and distinctive-looking cars were. In a world where a lot of vehicle design seems to be converging with only a few stepping out into the left field of design, they appear as a breath of fresh air.  When the opportunity came to try their latest electric hatch, it was a no-brainer and something I was really interested in trying. The fact I am seeing more and more of them around must be a good sign, right? What We Like and Dislike About The 2023 Cupra Born V+ Debut Edition What we like W ..read more
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MAZDA BT-50 TO EXIT NEW ZEALAND MARKET
DriveLife
by Fred Alvrez
1M ago
After eighteen years and now in its third generation, the Mazda BT-50 is set to leave the New Zealand market. Mazda Motors of New Zealand have today announced the decision, confirming final shipments of the model are now arriving in the country. Whilst the BT-50 name arrived in 2006 with a facelift to the Mazda Bounty, the first new-generation Mazda BT-50 arrived in 2011 in single cab, freestyle cab and double cab variants.  More recently, the latest generation BT-50, available only in double cab configuration, was launched in 2020.  Fully developed by Isuzu Motor Limited and suppli ..read more
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