North East Motor Guide

APRIL 26 - MAY 2 | 2019

Ŷ CERATO GT: It has distinctive sporty looks that are far from being overdone.

GT a finely balanced Cerato front runner

By DEREK OGDEN the world,” says Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith.

“They know what they like … and what they like is that rare combination of style, value and performance which doesn’t come along all that often.

“With the Cerato GT they have one additional opportunity to find what they are searching for and this time it is wearing a badge which comes with proven value and reliability.

“With a localisation program which had a clear focus on what the result was to be, the Cerato GT had to step up to the mark.”

The Cerato GT comes in sedan and hatchback form, selling for $32,990.

The latter was the test vehicle.

STYLING The Cerato GT is hard to miss with an aggressive look up front, leading to a clean profile with 18-inch alloy wheels and rear dominated by twin oval exhaust tips.

The Hatch is longer by 160mm, wider by 20mm and 10mm lower than the standard hatchback yet sits on the same wheelbase.

Overhangs are increased 20mm at the front and 140mm at the rear, resulting in more luggage space, up 43 litres to 428 litres.

INTERIOR The Cerato GT features a stylish but nononsense cabin, highlights being leather upholstery with red stitching, a flat-bottomed, sporty steering wheel with a quality feel, alloy sports pedals, silver door handles and, softtouch door trims.

Further cabin comfort features include climate control air-conditioning and ventilated front sport seats.

INFOTAINMENT Infotainment is taken care of by an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with voice recognition, wireless phone charger, eight-speaker JBL Premium sound system with Bluetooth connectivity.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS At the heart of the flagship is the four-cylinder 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 150 kW of power at 6000 rpm and 265 Nm of torque from a low 1500 to 4500 revs, driving the front wheels through a seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission, with Sport mode. Ŷ Continued page 2 G21d13123-v44/1719

KIA continues its love affair unabated with ‘G’ and ‘T’ (No, not the alcoholic beverage, the sporty suffix).

Hot on the heels of the Picanto GT and various GT-Line models, the Cerato came up with a ‘GT’ variant. Does it earn it?

Added to this is a multi-link independent rear suspension, the work of a local rideand-handling team of engineers tasked with matching the car with Australia’s wide-ranging road surfaces.

Sport mapping added steering sharpness and weighting, as well as more precise shift points in Sport Mode, combine with a more aggressive suspension tune, larger ventilated front disc brakes and 18-inch alloy wheels, to offer above standard stopping performance.

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April 26 - May 2 | 2019

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2

Ŷ LOOKS GOOD: All-new Venue will be Hyundai’s smallest and lowest cost SUV.

Hyundai’s most affordable SUV HYUNDAI has added a new entry-level model to its SUV range.

Launched at the New York International Auto Show the Hyundai Venue sits below the Kona, Tucson and Santa Fe in size and price.

Pricing is yet to be announced but, given that it’s described as “Hyundai’s most affordable SUV”, it will come in below the $23,500 tag on the Kona Go. There’s even speculation that it could start sub-$20,000 for a stripped down basic model.

We’ve yet to see Venue in the metal but photos show a squarish, functional design confirmed by a comparison of dimensions with its Kona sibling.

Although Venue is 130mm shorter and 31 mm narrower than Kona it’s 16mm taller.

It’s also 30mm taller than the class-leading Mazda CX-3.

Driving position height is a big selling point for SUVs so even these small differences will appeal.

Rear storage space volume of 530 litres is only marginally below that of the Kona and significantly more than the CX-3’s 350 litres.

By ALISTAIR KENNEDY As is common in its class Hyundai Venue will only come with front-wheel drive although there will be a “snow drive” mode for improved grip on slippery surfaces.

Standard wheel size will be 15-inch, with 17-inch available as an option.

The infotainment system has an 8-inch Display Audio touchscreen monitor.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto make available the usual smartphone functions, including app-based navigation, streaming audio and voice-controlled search capabilities. There are dual USB ports, 3.5-inch TFT instrument cluster display, rear view camera and Bluetooth hands-free phone.

Venue will be powered by an upgraded version of Hyundai’s Smartstream Gamma 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and paired to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

Power and torque outputs have yet to be announced.

No doubt with younger buyers as the target Venue will come with a choice of eight exterior colours are available including Scarlet Red, Intense Blue, Green Apple and

Denim as well as four less exciting shades of silver, grey, black and white.

The Denim option is likely to appeal especially as it can be optioned with a white contrasting roof and denim cloth and leatherette interior.

Hyundai Venue will come with a good range of advanced safety equipment including Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA); Lane Keeping Assist (LKA); Blind-Spot Collision Warning (BCW); Driver Attention Warning (DAW); and Rear Collision Cross-

Traffic Warning (RCCW).

Details of which of these features will be standard across the range and those that will be either optional or in higher-spec variants will be announced, along with pricing, when the Venue is launched during the second half of 2019.

Venue will be built at Hyundai’s Ulsan factory in South Korea.

Further details will follow closer to its release later this year.

GT a finely balanced Cerato front runner Ŷ From page 1 SAFETY The GT takes on all the active and passive safety systems of the Cerato range, winning a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

These include autonomous emergency braking for pedestrian and cyclist, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines, driver attention alert, front and rear parking sensors, drive mode select, six airbags, tyre pressure monitor, speed limiter, eight-way driver seat adjustment with two memory positions and smart cruise control.

DRIVING A gruff ‘voice’ goes with the Cerato GT engine, especially with the motor accelerating or under load.

However, at no time did the test car power train appear under excess strain.

On the other hand, it’s not the hottest small motor around.

Indeed, engineers, who increased body stiffness for added safety and better handling in line with its sporty exterior, have delivered, with the exception of some intrusive engine noise at times, a quiet cabin environment.

With fuel consumption claimed by the maker to be 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle, the test vehicle used 10.6 litres per 100 kilometres on a daily commute.

Cruising the motorway cut this to 5.3 litres per 100.

A Drive Mode system sets up the car with a range of characteristics from Eco to Smart, the latter I found fitted in best for everyday use.

However, the going tended to be a bit bumpy on some of the neglected roads found in most Aussie cities.

Not sure I would like to do a long country trip in one.

AT A GLANCE The local suspension tuning veers towards the stick-to-the-road stuff on fast bends, so beloved of Aussie drivers used to more expensive hot hatches than the Cerato GT. Leg room in the rear has been sacrificed at the expense of footwell space for driver and front passenger, considered by Kia as being the more likely positions to be filled.

SUMMARY Kia admits it was quite a balancing act to unite the sportiness of the Cerato GT platform, while still keeping the owner happy with driving in conditions normally found on a day-today basis. It’s not a perfect match but does much to deliver at an affordable fee.

ENGINE: 1.591 litres CONFIGURATION: Four cylinders in line MAXIMUM POWER: 150 kW @ 6000 rpm MAXIMUM TORQUE: 265 Nm @ 1400-4500 rpm DRIVELINE: Seven-speed automatic FUEL TANK: 54 litres

3

April 26 - May 2 | 2019

> available online - www.nemedia.com.au

Ŷ TRENDSETTER; The curvy Next-Gen Mazda 3 sets the trend for future product from the Japanese car maker.

The ‘Next’ big thing from Mazda

By DEREK OGDEN THE Next-Gen Mazda 3 may be on the small side but it is a big deal, with even bigger ideas above its station, some might say.

The titular best-seller hatch and sedan not only are cars for today but peer into the future of a whole range of the Japanese automobile manufacturer’s product according to Kota Beppu, the vehicles’ program manager who met with the media at the recent Australian launch.

The development of the latest iteration of Mazda’s most popular car took on an aspirational theme, Beppu says, with a dramatically improved package, including dynamics, noise reduction, environmental performance and overall quality.

The five-door hatch is aimed at the free-spirited person not bound by conventions and social norms, and going their own way in life.

The body, for example, has been shorn of all character lines and consists of pure, smooth panels which literally reflect the changing seasons and surroundings.

The sedan, which will arrive Down Under in the second half of this year, also eschews conventional Csegment proportions forced on them by vehicle size.

Beppu says his team ignored traditional size re-

strictions to create the most beautiful and distinctive sedan on the market.

“We started by extending the total length, and overcoming technical challenges, were able to lower the bonnet and boot lid. The result is sleek, elegant proportions that appear as if they were drawn in one brush stroke,” Beppu said.

Occupant comfort was tackled by an intensive study of the human body.

“When we walk or run, we never experience motion sickness because were subconsciously controlling our legs, feet, pelvis and spine to minimise head movement using only a small number of muscles,” Beppu said.

Through Skyactiv-Vehicle Architecture the driver’s seat naturally straightens the pelvis which helps the driver use their core.

Like human feet the chassis and car body receive input from the road surface and alleviate bumps and dips.

The driving feel is as natural as walking, Beppu adds.

The team also paid attention to the way humans hear and how vibrations react on the human body, creating a cabin in which occupants feel physically and emotionally comfortable.

This included controlling the sound from the audio system – its volume and direction. The speaker layout

has been redesigned to transfer the sound directly to the driver.

The Next-Gen Mazda 3 is available with the choice of two engines – Skyactiv-G 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol – mated to either a Skyactiv-MT six-speed manual or Skyactiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

Latest development Activsense technology debuts across the range with 360-degree view, driver monitoring, front cross-traffic alert and cruising and traffic support. This is standard on the G25 Astina and is a $1500 option on other models.

Next-Gen Mazda 3 is the first model from the company to add a driver’s knee bag to a standard suite of such passive safety measures.

In line with upgrades come new variants based on engine type – G20 Pure, G20 Evolve, G20 Touring, G25 Evolve, G25 GT and G25 Astina.

The previous Neo and Maxx grades have been shown the door.

Prices start at $24,990 for the entry-level G20 Pure manual and top out with the G25 Astina automatic at $36,990.

All come with Mazda’s five-year warranty and fiveyear roadside assistance.

Something for the future

is the addition to the range of the innovative Sky-ActivX engine bringing together the best of diesel and petrol power, resulting in high torque for responsiveness, and seamless, highly controllable driving.

This will arrive in Australia by the end of the year.

On launch were two examples of the five-door hatch – the G20 Evolve and G25 Astina, both automatics, on a drive out of Sydney, north to the Central Coast and back.

The Evolve suffered from the smaller engine size, with 114 kW on tap at 6000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4000 revs, at times being hesitant under the power pedal, while the 2.5 offered a more responsive drive in all departments.

On a mix of city and country driving, fuel consumption was something of enigma, with the latter undercutting its stablemate 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres to 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres, obviously a result of road conditions.

I did like the head-up display with things like speed limits and satellite navigation info displayed on the windscreen at eye level.

Talking of roads, the ride and handling of both variants was outstanding, nod to the work done by the development team.

From the tyres up, there was much to be liked.

The tyres are new and

AT A GLANCE MODEL RANGE: MAZDA3 G20 PURE: $24,990 (manual), $25,990 (automatic) MAZDA3 G20 EVOLVE: $26,690 (manual), $27,690 (automatic) MAZDA3 G20 TOURING: $28,990 (manual), $29,990 (automatic) MAZDA3 G25 EVOLVE: $29,490 (manual), $30,490 (automatic) MAZDA3 G25 GT: $33,490 (manual), $34,490 (automatic) MAZDA3 G25 ASTINA: $36,990 (manual), $37,990 (automatic) NOTE: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mazda dealer for drive-away prices.

unique, being made of a natural damping material that softens bumps, minimising head movement, through added vertical spring without sacrificing handling.

A reworked suspension transfers energy smoother than before, while the body also has damping capability as well as diagonal balance.

The driver’s seat certainly adds to the ride comfort by keeping the pelvis upright and maintaining the natural S-curve of the spine.

Long journeys stay relaxed.

Instruments and controls face the driver for easy access, while the centre console has been changed with

cup holders moving ahead of the gearshift and the centre armrest lengthened.

The infotainment system has been totally reworked, Mazda Connect gaining processing speed, is simpler to use and now has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to choose from.

Eight-speaker audio is standard on lower specced models, while occupants of the GT and Astina luxuriate in premium Bose sound from 12 speakers scientifically positioned around the cabin for optimum reproduction.

All in all, the Next-Gen Mazda 3 presents a tantalising taste of what’s to come from Mazda.

April 26 - May 2 | 2019

> available online - www.nemedia.com.au

4

Used car checkout: Honda Odyssey 2009 - 2017 HONDA Odyssey is a practical vehicle that By EWAN KENNEDY makes a lot more sense than the large sevenseat SUVs. While the Odyssey doesn’t give its people movers.

Power in all Odysseys being reviewed here owner the feeling they can conquer the Simpson Desert, it does offer a smooth, quiet ride came from a four-cylinder 2.4-litre, that was improved steadily with each upgrade or new and excellent interior space.

In the fourth generation, where we pick up model.

If you're going to be carrying a lot of peothe long history of the Honda Odyssey, is acple, and driving in hilly areas you may ďŹ nd the tually lower than some station wagons.

Inside it's positively futuristic, with a sweep- Odyssey struggles at times. (The V6 engine ing-wave dash and instruments that sit in no offered in previous generation Odysseys wasn't carried into the gen-four or beyond in fewer than four layers.

Access to the rearmost seats is easier than Australia.)

Transmission is by a ďŹ ve-speed automatic most, three-row-seat vehicles as the rear pasin the gen-four Odyssey and was upgraded to senger doors go as far back as possible.

Boot space is quite good, but the amount a CVT with the gen-ďŹ ve.

Honda is long established in Australia and of luggage space suffers if all seats are in use.

The boot opening is larger than in the pre- is well represented in metro areas, country vious model, but there's still more encroach- cities and some larger country towns.

Spare parts prices in the commonly used ment at the sides than we like.

Ride comfort and handling are better than items are often slightly lower than average and Honda's reputation for expensive compothe typical SUV’s due to its centre of gravity.

Due to relatively slow sales, January 2012 nents has all but gone.

The Odyssey isn't overly difficult to work saw Honda Australia trim prices and add more on, but give it's aimed at carting kids we reequipment across the range.

Chief amongst these was satellite naviga- ally do suggest that professionals should be employed to do all but the most basic work. tion system that included live traffic updates.

Insurance premiums are generally on the A rear vision camera provided images low side as vehicles like this are almost invarithrough the screen.

There’s also USB, Bluetooth connectivity ably driven sensibly and have fewer than average claims. and audio streaming.

For the 2018 season the Honda Odyssey Finally bowing to pressure from those demanding SUV looks in their people movers, got a facelift, an upgraded interior, revised the ďŹ fth generation Honda Odyssey, launched suspension settings and improved driver asin February 2014, was 150 mm taller and had a sist technology.

We haven't seen any on the used market at bold front with a huge chromed grille.

It wasn't quite SUV is shape but certainly this stage so we won’t cover it in this review. tougher looking than Kia Carnival and Toyota WHAT TO LOOK FOR Tarago in the people mover ďŹ eld.

Check the body for damage as these are It still didn't grab a lot of buyers, but that wasn't such a problem by this time as Honda bulky vehicles and may have suffered from CR-V was selling nicely, and a new Honda carpark damage.

Not to mention that caused by drivers getHR-V was in the ďŹ nal stages of development.

A bonus for some buyers was that the gen- ting things a little wrong.

Similarly, look for scars on the wheels that ďŹ ve could be had with either seven or eight may have been kerbed. seats.

The front left is usually the one that cops Interestingly the rear doors were sliding types as in many other it ďŹ rst.

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Look inside the cabin for damage caused by careless children, or even kids that deliberately kick the seatbacks because they are angry/bored/malicious.

Some owners have complained of a rattle under the dash, but we haven't experienced this.

The engine should start within a couple of seconds of being turned over, even when stone cold.

After an overnight stop is ideal.

The conventional automatic used in the gen-four Odyssey should go into Drive or Reverse without hesitation.

And change gears virtually imperceptibly.

The CVT auto on the gen-ďŹ ve should work smoothly at very low speeds, such as those in carparks.

Once onto road it should be smooth in operation at all times.

Hard braking should be smooth and easy,

Selling your car has never been easier or cheaper!

with the Odyssey staying in a straight line.

The brakes should never lock up.

HOW MUCH? Budget on paying from $7000 to $11,000 for a 2009 Honda Odyssey Luxury; $10,000 to $15,000 for a 2010 Luxury; $15,000 to $22,000 for a 2013 VTi; $19,000 to $27,000 for a 2014 VTi-L; $23,000 to $31,000 for a 2017 VTi-L; $29,000 to $38,000 for a 2017 VTi-L; and $31,000 to $42,000 for a 2018 VTi-L. CAR BUYING TIP Before you take a used car for a test drive check that it's undamaged. If there are any scars point them out to the seller so you don't get blamed for it after your run.

RECALLS: To browse recalls on all vehicles go to the ACCC at: www.productsafety.gov. au/products/transport/cars/.

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