By Paul Gover.
Q: Would you recommend the Suzuki Jimny or is it a waste of time?
Jessie Gubbins
A: The all-new Jimny is a cult hit and particularly popular with inner-city owners because it’s lively and easy to park. It’s also great off-road, but noisy and tiring for long highway drivers, so you must consider your needs. It gets The Tick from me.
Q: Just asking your opinion of the 2021 Genesis GV80.
Also your opinion of the Genesis brand in general.
Mike G
A: The GV80 looks good, is brilliant value, has great service support, and drives well. It’s a similar story with the all-new G80, which replaces the dowdy original. As a brand, Genesis ticks all the mechanical boxes but there is no heritage and a sales approach with no showrooms does not suit Australian buyers.
Q: I am looking to purchase a new Subaru XV 2.0s and have two questions.
Firstly, is it a good buy?
Secondly, any comment about the comfort/support of the driver’s seat. Is lumbar support planned anytime soon.
Mark R
A: There is no seat improvement planned, so if that’s a deal breaker then you need to look elsewhere. The Kia Seltos could be better for you.
Q: Just wondering if you could let me know what you think of the Toyota RAV4 Cruiser hybrid?
Michael P
A: The hybrid is the best of the latest RAVs. It’s a trendy choice for many people, which has created a giant delay in deliveries, but if you don’t need a hybrid the basic RAV is still good.
Q: My wife and I need to upgrade our tow vehicle from a Mark 4 Ford Mondeo diesel.
With fuel economy, range, and a towing limit of 3.5 tonnes I am looking at a Mercedes-Benz ML250 diesel, so is it a good choice?
Rob M
A: A secondhand ML will definitely work but the best tow vehicle is always a Toyota LandCruiser if you can find one in your price range.
Q: My wife and I are due to change our Mercedes 2014 C-Class as our five-year lease is due to end.
My wife has her eyes set on the GLC 200 Mercedes SUV, so I was wondering what you think of them or would you recommend we look at something else.
Fabio P
A: The GLC is ok, but my pick in that prestige area of the SUV class is the Volvo XC40. Drive them back-to-back and avoid falling for the lure of the Benz badge.
Q: My second Volkswagen Golf from 2015 has been passed on to our daughter who felt she should have the better car.
So, my big problem is what I do for something a little different for myself.
The two cars I have in mind are another Golf, but an R, or a John Cooper Works Mini Convertible.
Two very two different cars, yes, but I do want something with some fun to it.
Timothy S
A: The all-new Golf R is not coming until late 2021, at the earliest, if that tips the scales. In any case, the JCW Mini has the fun factor dialled up to 9 while the Golf is much more sedate.
Q: My wife has a 2005 Subaru Liberty which has 55,000 on the clock and is looking to buy either a Subaru Forester, Honda CR-V or, her favoured vehicle, a Mazda CX-30.
All the vehicles are the top-of-the-range models with all-wheel drive.
Russell C
A: My choice is the CX-30, which is classy and refined, as well as safe and with solid performance. Besides, it’s the one she wants.
Q: We currently have a 2017 Honda HR-V and a 2018 Civic VTEC Turbo and are looking to change the Civic for an SUV.
We are considering, Skoda Karoq, Kia Seltos, Renault Koleos, Hyundai Kona and Mazda CX-30.
Graeme B
A: My batting order would be: 1. Mazda CX-30, 2. Skoda Karoq, 3. Kia Seltos/Hyundai Kona (they are the same under the skin), but definitely not the Renault with a change of importer coming soon. But drive them yourselves as that’s the best way to choose when they are close on price and function.
Q: I’m soon to purchase a new Mercedes-Benz C200.
We are in our retirement chapter of our lives and intend doing many road trips, so I want comfort, luxury and economy on petrol.
What do you think of this car?
Norma P
A: I like the C-Class and I love Benzes. But when BMW updated and upgraded the 3 Series it went ahead, in my opinion, of the C-Class. And there is an all-new C-Class coming later this year. So there is no reason not to buy the Benz, but you should test drive the BMW and crunch the sums to give a proper comparison so you make the right choice.
