Road test
Winter in South Australia means more rain, and if you like leaving the bitumen for the muddy stuff, we have just the vehicle for you. We’ve also reviewed three other cars, including a zippy city drive and a motoring icon (with a twist).
Words: Mark Borlace
Honda’s newest family-friendly option
Honda’s CR-V was a pioneer of the modern-day mid-sized SUV, and after six generations it remains a family favourite. The original 1997 CR-V sold in droves and the latest model still has plenty to offer.
The all-new CR-V range starts at $44,500 and there are seven models, including a hybrid and some seven-seater options. For this review, we tested the upper spec VTi-LX with the all-wheel-drive option, which retails for about $57,000. Honda fixes that price – no haggling here – under its agency sales model. You’re buying the car directly from Honda (rather than a dealer) so the price doesn’t vary.
The CR-V uses the Honda Connect smartphone app, which is free for the first five years. After that, you’ll need to pay the applicable subscription fees. The app allows you to perform some nifty tricks like remotely locking and unlocking the doors, geo-locating your car, turning the lights on and off and checking your fuel level, all without stepping into the cabin. If the app detects the airbag has deployed, it automatically notifies a call centre which sends emergency services to your location if required.
The all-new model is longer, wider and taller than its predecessors, which gives it a noticeably more spacious cabin and cargo area. It’s almost as roomy as a Mitsubishi Outlander or Nissan X-Trail, although both of those have cheaper entry-point options.
Although not yet tested by ANCAP, it has a comprehensive list of active safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, auto high beam, traffic sign recognition system, and cross-traffic and blind-spot monitoring.
A handy innovation is the wiper’s washing nozzle, which is built into the wiper arm. This provides a better spray straight onto the windscreen with less water use. The hands-free access power tailgate is another convenient feature, as are the 90-degree opening doors that make getting in and out easier, especially if you’re securing kids into their car seats. The thinner roof pillars also provide a better view from inside the car.
The CR-V has the same 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine you’ll find in the Honda HR-V and Civic. Under normal driving conditions, the power is adequate and delivered quietly, but the continuously variable transmission (CVT) gets a bit noisier under hard acceleration. The all-wheel-drive version is essentially a CVT front-wheel drive, with the all-wheel-drive kicking in when it encounters wheel slippage. It’s mainly a vehicle for mud and snow but has hill descent and a full-size spare tyre – important features if you’re heading off road.
Honda has a reputation for high quality, and you get this in the new, family-friendly CR-V.
2024 Honda CR-V VTi LX AWD
Price
$57,000 (estimated driveaway)
ANCAP safety rating
Not rated
Warranty
Five-year warranty with unlimited kilometres
Fuel consumption
Five-year warranty with unlimited kilometres
The vehicle for serious off-roaders
Nissan built its four-wheel-drive reputation in Australia on the back of the rugged Patrol. Although gas-guzzling four-wheel drives aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, for those needing a hardcore off-roader, the Patrol Warrior could be the car of choice.
To help customers make dedicated off-road modifications to their Patrols, Nissan has partnered with Victoria-based PremCar – one of Australia’s best vehicle engineering and modification companies. This helps make modifications legal and valid under Nissan’s factory warranties. The Warrior starts life as a Patrol Ti, which normally retails for about $84,900. After PremCar weaves its engineering magic, the price climbs to $104,160. This is still vastly cheaper than the Warrior’s nearest rival, the Toyota Landcruiser 300 GR Sport.
The Patrol is a decade-old platform and Nissan is trying to squeeze the last bit of value out of this model. The signature trim for the Warrior is a black Alcantara interior. The eight-seater is like most larger vehicles, with the two front rows comfortable for adults, but not so much for passengers in the backseat.
Nissan’s brief to PremCar was to expand the existing Patrol Ti’s capability without compromising comfort or convenience, and they’ve achieved that aim impressively. For example, PremCar has retained the full-size spare alloy wheel by redesigning the tow hitch and including two recovery points.
The Warrior is longer, wider and 50mm taller than the normal Ti model. But it doesn’t have roof rails, so PremCar could keep the roofline below two metres, allowing it to fit in undercover car parks. Despite this, the climb into the cabin is quite the gymnastic task, even with grab handles.
On country bitumen roads, the ride from the dynamic suspension is still comfortable and predictable, considering the Warrior lacks anti-roll bars because they limit suspension travel. Instead, body roll is controlled hydraulically, which does everything that sway bars normally do.
Of note is the Warrior’s exhaust noise. With its bi-modal exhaust, it sounds like any Patrol Ti under normal driving conditions. However, under full throttle or above 3500rpm, the V8 side pipes come into play and emit a NASCAR-type exhaust note.
Get off the bitumen and onto severely rutted roads and the Warrior comes into its own. It has the wheel travel, suspension control and the four-wheel traction to cover seriously rugged terrain, making it one of the most capable four-wheel drives in Australia.
The flexibility of the 5.6-litre V8, from slow crawling the highway to overtaking, is excellent. The downside is that the Warrior is only available in the thirsty V8 model and needs the dearer 95 RON fuel; both factors are a slap to the wallet and environment.
The Warrior is for the select few who need leading-edge capability and towing capacity in a four-wheel drive. This Nissan isn’t cheap to buy or run and it’s not made for city driving but not many four-wheel drives on the market will outdo the Warrior.
2024 Nissan Patrol Warrior
Price
$104,160
ANCAP safety rating
5 stars
Warranty
Seven-year warranty with unlimited kilometres and eight-year warranty on the hybrid battery
Fuel consumption
14.4L/100km (95 RON)
A motoring legend (in disguise)
The Fiat 500 is an automotive icon, up there with the Volkswagen Beetle and Mini for cuteness and popularity. Now in an EV format, this motoring legend is set to have another lease of life and attract a new generation of buyers.
Buying a Fiat 500e is an emotional decision because at more than $57,000 it’s not cheap, and even less so if you choose certain paint options. The value is in the “look at me” styling, which is bound to turn heads.
There’s only one variant available in Australia – La Prima. It comes with a decent list of standard features, including a panoramic fixed-glass roof, heated front seats, a 10.25-inch infotainment screen with DAB digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and adaptive cruise control.
The 1960s retro styling comes at the expense of functionality, with the rear seats only suitable for kids. However, the small hatchback does have 50:50 split rear seats to make some use of the available space. On the other hand, the good thing about the Fiat’s petiteness is the clear visibility from the driver’s seat. This is thanks to the large glass area and higher seating position, and what you can’t see is covered by the blind-spot monitoring system and rear-view camera.
Soft-touch switches mounted in the interior and exterior door trims replace the traditional interior door handles and a set of easy-to-use, dash-mounted push buttons replace the gear shift. There’s also a wireless charging pad for your phone.
The 500e is no sports car, nor is it light at 1.3 tonnes, but the acceleration from the front mounted 87kW motor is all you need to reach highway speeds. The 500e is happiest in the city where it’s easy to drive and park, but if you’re taking it up to the Adelaide Hills or other windy, steep roads, it still handles like a go-kart.
Equipped with a 42kWh battery, the 500e delivers a claimed range of 311km while using power at a rate of around 14kW per hour. Hooked up to an 85kW DC fast charger, Fiat claims a zero to 80 per cent charge capability of 35 minutes.
The three driving modes can be selected via the console-mounted switch. I’d suggest using the RANGE mode that allows one-pedal driving to recover the most electrical energy during deceleration and send it back to battery storage.
You’ll buy the 500e with your heart as its cute, easy-to-live-with nature will overcome the impracticality that comes with such an expensive, small city car.
2024 Fiat 500e La Prima
Price
$57,284
Warranty
Three-year or 150,000km warranty (whichever comes first) and an eight year/160,000km battery warranty
ANCAP safety rating
Not rated
Range
311km
Small on the outside, big on the inside
The compact Swift has developed a reputation as a small but spacious, fun-to-drive city car with contemporary styling. There were three versions of the Suzuki Swift sold in 2017. If you’re looking for a second-hand car, the pick of the bunch is the middle GL Navigator model, especially if you find one with the safety pack option.
The 2017 Suzuki Swift has held its value incredibly well, only depreciating a couple of thousand dollars. Great news for the seller but not so good if you’re looking to buy a used Swift. The middle version is called the Navigator because it’s the base GL but has a navigation system and CVT automatic transmission instead of the standard five-speed manual gearbox. It also comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a reversing camera.
You can also get the GL Navigator with a safety pack that includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning, along with the standard six airbags. The overall value proposition is even better because of the Swift’s frugal fuel consumption.
Suzuki specialises in producing small cars, and the Swift is testament to the Japanese car manufacturer’s skill at making the most of available space. It has great general space and headroom for occupants, yet it’s small enough for everything to be within reach. There’s ample storage space, despite no lidded centre console box. You’ll find three cup holders, bottle holders in the door and a small tray at the bottom of the dashboard. Our friends in the trade say the Suzuki Swift doesn’t have any significant common problems.
The GL has a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, which is competent and powerful enough for a city car. The CVT transmission is one of the better ones on the market and in this car, Suzuki has sorted the suspension and handling, adding to its popularity and driver confidence. The Swift is known for its fuel efficiency, with an average fuel consumption of about 5.5 litres per 100km, so it’s also kinder on your wallet.
Small on the outside and big on the inside, with a good level of safety and other tech, the Suzuki Swift is a great car for someone who’s on a budget and mostly drives in the city.
2017 Suzuki Swift
Price when new
$17,990
Used-car price range
$13,500 to $16,000
ANCAP safety rating
5 stars when new (current Used Car Safety Rating of 3 stars)
Fuel consumption
4.6L to 6.5L/100km (91 RON) (depending on model)
Need used car advice?
An RAA Vehicle Inspection will give you peace of mind before you buy a used car. Find out more at raa.com.au/vehicle-inspection
IMAGES: Autodeadine, Honda Australia, Newspress Australia, Stellantis.
