2023 Hyundai Kona Hybrid Review – Upmarket Pizzazz

The new Hyundai Kona Hybrid looks great and is more spacious than ever; a modern family hauler that hits the mark. Since it was a fairly late addition to the smörgåsbord of SUVs when it hit the market in 2017, the Hyundai Kona Hybrid has been playing catch-up ever since. So, it comes as no surprise that its transformation into this second-generation version has come around rather quickly. The ingredients for success ...

Read More

Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron 55 Review – Regal Executive

Gimmick-free and an easier onboarding experience than most EV competitors, the Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron boasts sleek looks and a serene driving experience. Audi has had a confusing few months rebranding their lineup of cars, and their quest to confuse us further continues at pace with the new Q8 e-tron. Though it shares the same name, it has nothing associated with the existing internal combustion (ICE) platform Q8. Rather, this is a ...

Read More

The Lotus Emira Is A Fitting Swan Song – AutoApp Reviews

The Lotus Emira is the last ICE sports car from Lotus, but the brand has also gone all out to make it the best. Having driven various iterations of Elises and Exiges over the last 25 years or so, there was never any doubt about how wonderfully pure the driving experience was. However, it always seemed to be at the expense of comfort, practicality, convenience, and, crucially, quality.  Every time I got ...

Read More

Porsche 718 Cayman GTS Review – Shock and Awe

 Hurrah, you don’t need to sink money into a Cayman GT4 to get a flat-six engine. This is one of Porsche’s big hits; the Cayman GTS. After a solid four years of vouching for that grunty turbocharged four-cylinder in the 718 Cayman, Stuttgart has had a bit of an epiphany and done a U-turn. They've gone and plonk in a slightly detuned version of the latest Cayman GT4's 4.0-litre flat-six, and ...

Read More

Audi Q8 e-tron – Electric Avenue

Looking to set a tentative foot into this new EV future? The Audi Q8 e-tron is possibly the safest stepping stone currently on the market. Audi has had a confusing few months rebranding their lineup of cars, and their quest to confuse us further continues at pace with the new Q8 e-tron. Though it shares the same name, it has nothing associated with the existing internal combustion (ICE) platform Q8. Rather, this ...

Read More

Ora Good Cat – Paw-sitive First Steps

The Ora Good Cat is interesting to look at and to explain to your friends, while coming with a sizeable bit of kit on board. “What is it?” That’s a question you’ll find yourself being asked on a regular basis if you drive the Ora Good Cat, and once you’ve informed the person of the full name it’s usually followed up by another. Although the second question is often along the ...

Read More

Volkswagen Golf R-Line – Sensible Style

Cat A Golf? Check. Stylish R-Line kit? Check. What more could you possibly need? (Article updated 4 November 2023) The Volkswagen Golf is like that dependable friend you've known forever – always there when you need it, and a true crowd-pleaser where it counts. It has the perfect blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice, making it still one of the most desirable hatchbacks on the market today. Now in its eighth incarnation, ...

Read More

Volkswagen Caddy 5 Cargo – Still Got It!

The Volkswagen Caddy can lug your cargo around while putting in a surprising turn of acceleration and fuel economy. Around the mid-2000s, it was possible for private buyers to own panel vans without the need for company registration. At that time, there were many who sprung for just such an option, with the Volkswagen Caddy being among the more popular choices. A couple of car-enthusiast friends got themselves Volkswagen Caddys, and ...

Read More

Hyundai Ioniq 5 – Style and Sense

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 ticks all the grown-up sensible boxes and looks epic on the roads. Who wouldn't want one? (article updated 13 November 2023) The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is the first of a new family of EVs from Hyundai, which has since been followed by the Ioniq 6. Expect other Ioniq models in the near future. And expect those to be rather excellent machines, if this first effort is anything to ...

Read More

2023 Harley-Davidson Softail Standard – Easy Cruising

The Softail Standard captures the essence of classic Harley-Davidson while being approachable. Man As collection day loomed, I found myself sweating more than usual. No, this wasn't just hyperhidrosis. For context, my own bike, a KTM Duke 390, is essentially a featherweight 171kg Class 2B bike powered by a 373cc Class 2A engine. The last time I'd ridden a "big bike" was during my Class 2 Traffic Police or TP test at Bukit ...

Read More

BMW M2 – Compact Charisma

The BMW M2 has matured into a more rounded and grown-up sports coupe, but it lost some of its predecessor’s brash naive charm. The BMW M2 is the smallest, least expensive M car you can lay your hands on today. And this Zanvoort blue unit you see here is also the sequel to the best-selling M car ever in history. Yes, more than 60,000 individuals snapped up the old M2, so ...

Read More

Peugeot 408 – Wild-Looking Fastback

The Peugeot 408 is a tempting fastback that drives more engagingly than most crossovers, whilst maintaining the status quo of a sedan. So, what exactly is this? It’s a good question really – and no one is entirely sure. It's like the automotive equivalent of mixing all your favourite snacks into one bowl – a hatchback, a coupe, and a crossover SUV. Are we witnessing the apex of the crossover trend, or ...

Read More

Land Rover Defender 90 – Small Size, Big Smiles

The Land Rover Defender 90 is a compact two-door marvel that's ready to take on any adventure. The Defender has been a byword of hardy reliability since it was first conscripted into the ranks of Land Rover. Its "go anywhere, do anything" approach made it a star in the world of unpaved routes and undulating terrains. Which is exactly why the Defender had to overcome a deafening roar of polarising opinions ...

Read More

First Drive – Volkswagen ID.4 Pro

The Volkswagen ID.4 is Singapore’s first taste into the world of das elektroauto. Before we rev up the engine, or rather, juice up the batteries, let's set the stage. The ID.4 is the SUV cousin of the ID.3, and it's no secret that within the VW Group's electric family tree, this one's expected to be the best-seller worldwide. So, the pressure's on for this electric city runabout. Under the sleek hood of the ...

Read More

Ford Ranger Double Cab – Prime Pickup

Ford Ranger combines commercial commuting with premium features. First off, its full name is the Ford Ranger 2.0A Turbo 4X4 Double Cab. For brevity's sake, we'll just call it 'Ranger' from now on. Having ridden shotgun in a few pickups, this was my first foray into the premium side of things, not to mention driving one. Also, having seen how Americans enjoy snapping up the Ford F-150, and our Malaysian kinship the ...

Read More