Lexus RX 350h Luxury – Sumptuously Sensible

The RX 350h Luxury cossets while costing less at the pump. With the Corolla Cross and Sienta dynamic duo from Toyota's hybrid stable topping our fuel-economy chart, I was certainly looking forward to reviewing more hybrid vehicles to see how they'd stack up. Therefore, I jumped at the offer when the opportunity to review the Lexus RX 350h Luxury came up. Knowing it would not dethrone the smaller and lighter Toyotas, ...

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Maserati Ghibli GT Mild-Hybrid – Beautifully Flawed

Although the Maserati Ghibli GT has a downsized heart, it doesn’t compromise on fun and enjoyment. It seems like the days of petrol are truly numbered. With pressure from government entities and eco-conscious institutions, we have started to see a massive shift within the car industry. A shift that abolishes fuel burners in favour of efficient alternative means. No matter what option we pick, the outcome will eventually be the same. The ...

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Porsche Panamera Platinum Edition – Sportingly Luxurious

The Panamera Platinum may just surprise you with how it cossets and handles at the same time - give it a go! When Porsche introduced the first-generation Panamera to the world back in 2009, the automotive press industry collectively gasped and recoiled at the way it looked in shock and horror. The backstory, allegedly, was that Porsche’s then head-honcho Dr Wendelin Wiedeking insisted that he had sufficient headroom in the back ...

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Mercedes-Benz EQV 300 – Gentle eGiant

The Mercedes-Benz EQV takes the tried and true V-class formula and gives it an electric twist. Electric offerings are all the rage these days, with more EVs popping up on the market with each new year. Mercedes-Benz doesn't want to lose out on a slice of this new electric pie, and has gone all out to introduce a new suite of EV products. This is their latest one in Singapore yet. ...

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2023 BMW M2 makes driving fun again

The all-new BMW M2 with a manual gearbox reminds us of what we’ll be missing while simultaneously showing us what to expect  SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA: The all-new BMW M2 may be positioned as the ‘baby’ M, the smaller, perhaps even lesser sibling to the M3 sedan and M4 coupe that it shoes its engine with. This M2 might be 50hp down from the Competition variants of the latter pair, but 460hp in ...

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Maserati Levante GT – Anima Italiana

The Maserati Levante GT continues to exude the Italian marque’s famed flair and mantra, now packaged in a family-friendly package. Love them or hate them, SUVs - or crossovers - are here to stay. The general public just can’t seem to get enough of them, and the industry that shifted so much to the point where producing SUVs has now become a make-or-break move necessary for keeping a brand afloat. Here’s where ...

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Porsche 911 Carrera – Base Isn’t Just Base

The 992 Generation of the 911 Carrera shows why it is still THE daily-drivable premium sports coupe. Admittedly, it’d been quite awhile since I last nestled behind the wheel of a 911, with that remarkable and enjoyable occasion being back in 2004 with a 996-generation 911 Carrera 4S. I’ll also admit rather sheepishly to 911-elitism in the past, having repeatedly thumbed my nose at anything less than a Carrera 4S. How ...

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Jeep Wrangler Sahara – Road Warrior

The Jeep Wrangler has been retrofitted with modern creature comforts but still retains its old-school barbarian charm. From its inception, the Jeep Wrangler has always had unique appeal going for it. It's one of those iconic cars in automotive history that exudes a certain philosophy, and to this day it still refuses to bend its traditional formula in order to conform with the rest of the industry. A dinosaur in our strange ...

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Honda Jazz Crosstar Hybrid – A Star Is Born

Raised proportions and a functional demeanour make the Crosstar a viable proposition for prospective buyers. The Honda Jazz (or Fit if you parallel imported yours) has cemented its place early on as being the cheap and cheerful hatchback which could do it all. You had the standard variant for daily commuting, hybrid versions for added fuel efficiency, and even RS models for those who wanted a bit more fun and a ...

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BMW XM: Million Dollar Baby

The BMW XM is M division's take on what a go-anywhere performance plug-in hybrid should be BMW M’s first standalone model since the iconic M1 can do everything, and go everywhere, all at once. You would expect it to, for the best part of $1 million… It may be scarcely believable, but the car tested here is actually only the second time in BMW M’s history that is developed and built as ...

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2023 BMW 330e XDrive: The Really Easy E

A drive from Silicon Valley to Los Angeles shows why plug-in hybrids like the BMW 330e still make sense in a growing EV world. Electric Vehicles (EVs) are undoubtedly the future for the automobile – at least for the next decade anyways, until governments and manufacturers come around to e-fuels… However until then, if or when, the car industry is firmly committed to producing EVs. Like everyone else, I’m all for anything ...

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Mercedes CLS 53 – Regal Rowdiness

Want something that can pounce on most supercars on the road and wake up the entire neighbourhood, whilst still looking discreet? Let me introduce you to the Mercedes CLS 53. This is a tried and tested formula from Mercedes - take a loud boisterous engine, throw it into one of their cars, and magic happens. In the past, this would have meant a guzzling V8 or V12, with lots of other ...

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Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid – Hallowed Thresholds Crossed

Is the Corolla Cross a shot of innovation or JUST another "for-the-sake-of" SUV/crossover? When the Corolla Cross was first launched in Southeast Asia in 2020, Toyota's perceived "slapping of the revered 'Corolla' badge" on the boot lid of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) / crossover made me cross and take an instant dislike to this vehicle. Having grown up with the likes of the KE70 rear-wheel drive Corolla (affectionately known as ...

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Citroën C5 Aircross – Walking On A Dream

If you are looking for style and substance wrapped up in a practical package, listen up. The Citroën C5 Aircross may just be the car for you. (updated: 23 September 2023) The turn of the decade saw a sharp increase in the number of crossovers, each touting more benefits than the last. This has subsequently turned consumers into crossover connoisseurs, who now expect a good 3-in-1 deal: Good looks, Practicality, and Effective ...

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Opel Mokka – Stylish Bean

The Opel Mokka is a refreshing breath of fresh air in a market jam-packed with sugar-less compact crossovers. Coffee is a sacred commodity amongst most of the adult population, and I'm sure all of us have heard countless debates on which cup of brew is arguably the best there is on our shores. In order to edge out the competition, more joints are coming up with their own unique flavours, with ingredients ...

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