Driving Kia’s Carnival people-mover – the high-grade 2.2-litre turbo diesel 8-
speed automatic GT-Line at $73,060 plus on-road costs. A spacious three-row 8-
seater, and as a large family carrier nothing comes close. Kia Australia has
tweaked the suspension on the latest series, with modified front springs,
upgraded shock absorbers and recalibrated power steering, and it makes the
Carnival shrink around you, behind the wheel feeling much smaller than it really
is aided by an excellent 360-degree camera and front, side and rear sensors.
148kW of power, 440Nm of torque gives it gutsy low down pulling power although
as a front driver it can get some torque steer pull through the steering wheel
under heavy acceleration. And it’s a shame in some ways it doesn’t have all-
wheel drive. Economy, Kia claims 6.5L/100km which I got close too and with a 72-
litre fuel tank the range it offers is impressive. Whether full laden or just with a
driver the suspension tune is compliant with great ride on any surface. With three
available drive modes a really pleasant vehicle behind the wheel apart from the
overzealous lane keep assist, driver attention monitor and speed sign recognition
which is simply over-reactive. Warranty 7-years unlimited km. Servicing $1,519
over three years. I’m David Berthon

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When it comes to moving a large family around nothing else comes close to the 8-seat Kia Carnival - it dominates the people mover segment with around 80 percent of the sales – there’s now 11 variants including a petrol/electric hybrid although diesel represents around 90 per cent of the volume. I drove the 2.2-litre turbo diesel 8-speed automatic Carnival GT-Line at $73,060 updated mid last year and gaining a $5,400 price lift. This is a big people mover – 5.15 metres long and spacious with three rows of seats and if you have a large family, it’s the bees’ knees. You may shun a people mover over an SUV however the Kia Carnival will change your perceptions. With rear power sliding doors its just so safe and practical – the flexibility of the interior a high point with the ability to turn the second row into individual outboard seats, the centre seat can be removed, making a walkthrough to the third row. The prestige GT-line has no options apart from paint and is loaded with features. Yes, it lacks a full-size spare wheel, just a space saver, however the deep luggage compartment is the bonus. The Carnival GT-line simply the burger with the works. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

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Ten years ago it was our best selling large SUV but hard times have fallen
on Jeep’s Grand Cherokee and it has been axed from the local market after
nearly 30 years on sale. The big American built SUV has suffered a fall from
grace with sales sliding 94 percent since 2014 and at its peak it was
averaging around 1400 sales a month. The current fourth generation seven-
seat Grand Cherokee L arrived in late 2022 along with a $20,000 price
increase however as sales have retreated discounts of up to $28,000 have
emerged on the remaining stock. In the tough market conditions Jeep
managed just 4634 sales in 2024, just 1247 being Grand Cherokees.
Stellantis Australia, Jeep’s local distributor, says the decision allows it to
focus its efforts on placing the right products in the right segments that
have the greatest relevance to their customers. I’m David Berthon

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New vehicle sales figures released this week for February show an overall
drop in sales of 9.6 per cent compared to the same month last year. Of
importance, was the drop in battery electric EV sales - the Federal Chamber
of Automotive Industries has now voiced concern at the slow rate of EV
sales given there are now 88 models ON the Australian market. Chief
Executive Tony Weber said this week “we are now two months into the
Governments New Vehicle Efficiency Standard or NVES and consumer
demand for EVs has fallen by 37 percent. Our grave concern has always
been the rate of EV adoption and what assumptions the Government made
in its modelling around consumer demand for EV’s in the NVES – without
consumers demanding EVs the NVES will not succeed. This modelling
remains secret.” He added “it’s time for the Government to consider the
realities faced by consumers.”. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the recently upgraded Honda Civic e:HEV-LX five door hatch at $55,900 drive-away not inexpensive but this is one very impressive small hybrid hatchback, highly equipped, frugal and with very engaging dynamics. A 2-0 litre petrol engine with two motor hybrid assistance driving through an electric CVT transmission. The hybrid power train most impressive, prioritising electric power and the move to petrol power under a heavier throttle is seamless quiet and refined. As I said earlier this is one of the best new cars I’ve driven in the last 12 months. Economy, in mainly city driving an impressive 5.0L/100km on 91 grade petrol. Battery charging when coasting and braking can be adjusted via the steering wheel shift paddles. And on top of 11 airbags a full suite of active safety elements via Honda Sensing technology. The drive experience engaging – on 18- inch alloy wheels with premium Michelin Pilot Sport tyres the driving dynamics are first class. Yes, it’s a little pricey at $55,900 drive-away but the Honda Civic e- HEV-L is loaded with equipment apart from a tyre repair kit and no spare wheel. Warranty five-years unlimited km warranty, battery warranty 8 years with service costs class leading – Just $597 over three years. I’m David Berthon

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Driving the latest Honda Civic hatchback – a model that has evolved since the first generation arrived in 1972 – a small car that established a very strong reputation - the current series refreshed for 2025, the entry petrol engine retired, now in two hybrid variants plus the potent turbo Type R for performance buffs. The entry Civic Hybrid e:HEV- L $49,990 drive-away and the better-equipped Civic e:HEV-LX $55,900 drive-away which I drove. These latest Civics getting small mid- life styling updates - a new grille and bumper, new alloy wheels and a revised range of colours. Inside connected services have been updated with a new Google-based infotainment system. Overall, a very compelling small car package with engaging driving dynamics with clever internal packaging – roomy and well equipped in the e:HEV-LX with full leather interior, power front seats, full panoramic sunroof with power blind, and wireless phone charging. The 2.0-litre petrol engine joined by a two-motor hybrid system driving the front wheels via an electric CVT transmission. The hybrid powertrain prioritises electric running, the petrol engine kicking in only under load, and the transition is seamless. This Honda Civic feels premium in look and feel – simply one of the best new cars I’ve tested in the last 12 months. I’m David Berthon

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Unlike several car companies right now Audi Australia is looking forward to the benefits of the New Vehicle Emission Standards which came into effect on January 1 suggesting it will form the catalyst for setting up the next ten years’ worth of product. Enabling the company to drive a host of new generation technologies directly from Europe which will benefit the consumer. The big Audi innovation for Audi is what it calls Mild Hybrid Plus (MHEV Plus) which is still a 48-volt system as per other mild hybrids but blurs the once clear line between mild hybrid and full hybrid powertrains enabling it to power the vehicle on its own for short distances up to 10km/hour rather than just contributing an extra couple of kilowatts during hard acceleration – the primary electric motor only active to 140km/hour at which point it disengages from the transmission. I’m David Berthon

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New C02 emission targets for new vehicles in Australia will see a number of cleaner and more affordable 4 x 2 versions of our most popular family SUVs dropped from car company line-ups. The first models to be culled under the New Vehicle Efficiency Standards which whilst introduced on January 1 will not start tracking vehicle imports and attracting fines until July 1. A new clause in the new C02 regulations hits 4 x 2 versions of large off-road SUV’s harder than their 4 x 4 equivalent – as such Ford will drop two-wheel-drive variants of its popular Everest SUV, as the lack of a 4 x 4 transmission will categorise them as passenger vehicles rather than light commercials. The move surprising as 4 x 2 versions are lighter, more fuel efficient and emit less C02, the very purpose of the new C02 standards. I’m David Berthon

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