A WHOLE IN ONE
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday November 28, 2009
The Volkswagen Golf wasn't an obvious front-runner to be our Car of the Year but it won over every judge. RICHARD BLACKBURN reports. IN A week when Tiger-mania prompted Australians to take an unprecedented interest in the sport of golf, another type of Golf was climbing steadily up the leaderboard in Drive's annual Car of the Year Awards.By the end of the week, the Volkswagen Golf had seen off a quality field of 46 cars in the same effortless manner as Tiger's taming of Australia's best at the Masters.It was an emphatic and unanimous victory, minus the heated discussions that usually break out when you try to narrow 14 finalists down to a single winner.The Golf saw off some of the most prestigious brands in the business over our week of testing at Broadford in central Victoria, beating the likes of BMW's 7-Series, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar's updated XF.But at the start of the week, few judges would have nominated the unassuming hatch as a hot favourite for the major title.When the sixth generation of the Golf arrived earlier this year, many critics ventured that the changes to the car were so subtle that it might have been named Golf five-and-a-half. After all, the new model looked a lot like the old one and its underpinnings were essentially the same.But that was selling the German hatch short. Small improvements in every area made a great car better. And under the bonnet, a revolution had taken place.As other car companies build diesel, hybrid and electric variants of their cars to reduce fuel consumption, Volkswagen's approach to the global warming crisis centres on hot air - or forced induction of hot air, to be precise.The cheapest car in the Golf line-up now comes with a smaller capacity 1.4-litre turbocharged engine that has better emissions but more power than the bigger 1.6-litre engine it replaced. Similarly, the GTI hot hatch version has more power with less impact on the environment.But it's the mid-range model, the 118TSI, that gets our gong as Car of the Year, largely on the strength of an engine that defies automotive convention. The ingenious 1.4-litre is both turbocharged and supercharged and provides the performance of a 2.0-litre engine, with fuel consumption to rival some diesels. Put simply: more fun, less pain at the pump.It is helped by a smart seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that shifts quicker than most drivers can swap cogs manually but doesn't have the typical fuel consumption penalties associated with a conventional torque-converter automatic.It's almost as quick as the previous model GTI but uses just 6.5 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, compared with 8.0L/100km for the older GTI.It's so good that, even faced with quality opposition, it won its category in a canter.The Mazda3, relegated to second place by the Golf in the Best Small Car Over $20,000 class, is a top-notch car that may have come into contention for the overall prize - if not for the Golf.A three-time winner of the class in its previous incarnation, the Mazda3 combines great driving dynamics with a quality interior that includes standard satellite navigation - a first for the class.The other small-car contender, the Ford Focus TDCi, is no slouch either, with a frugal diesel engine, a smooth-shifting dual-clutch auto and excellent steering and handling.But both were comprehensively outclassed in our performance testing. The Mazda was almost three seconds slower than the Golf in the 0-100km/h sprint but uses 20 per cent more fuel in the Government's official fuel cycle.But what of the other category winners?The BMW 135i Coupe (Best Performance Car Over $60,000) and Holden SS ute (Best Ute) were the first out of the contest for the main prize, ruled ineligible because they were category winners from last year and didn't go on to win the main award.Under the criteria, cars that were ranked behind last year's overall Car of the Year, the Honda Accord V6, couldn't win the award this year.In no particular order, the others to fall by the wayside before the final round of voting were the Ford Fiesta, Mazda6, Porsche Boxster, Volvo XC60, Honda Odyssey, Volkswagen Golf GTI, Jaguar XF and Volkswagen Passat CC.The Mazda6 edged out last year's overall champion plus the Ford Mondeo and the new Subaru Liberty in the medium car category. But the four judges (out of nine) who voted against the Mazda6 argued successfully that while it was good, it wasn't good enough for the major gong.The Porsche Boxster and Volvo XC60 also scored narrow wins in their respective categories. The Boxster edged out the Audi A3 Cabriolet by a single vote to win Best Convertible, while three judges out of nine thought the Audi Q5 was better than the XC60 in the Best SUV Over $40,000 class. Neither was a contender for the overall prize, however.Honda's Odyssey failed to make the final cut, despite winning a unanimous vote in the Best People Mover segment. Some judges felt the quality of its cabin had taken a step backwards.The Golf GTI unanimously won its Best Performance Car Under $60,000 category but lost overall honours because the judges thought the Golf 118TSI was better value. An underpowered automatic version cost Ford's Fiesta, the winner of the Small Car Under $20,000 segment, a place in the final.Jaguar's XF, a finalist in last year's awards and the victor in the Luxury Car Over $60,000 class, also wasn't in the reckoning this year. The judges all agreed the car's new 3.0-litre diesel was one of the most impressive engines they'd driven but some thought the hefty price increase that came with it wasn't totally justified.Volkswagen's Passat CC, meanwhile, scored an emphatic victory in the Luxury Car Under $60,000 segment but went no further because of a back seat that provided limited leg and head room, courtesy of its dramatic swooping roofline.That left the Golf facing off against three rivals that met the judging criteria in very different ways - the Land Rover Discovery 4 (Best 4WD), Subaru's Outback (Best SUV Under $40,000) and the Nissan Maxima (Best Large Car).The Discovery won points for its excellent new turbo-diesel engine, its relatively benign handling (for a 2-tonne truck) and the quality of its cabin. But lingering doubts about reliability, combined with some annoying cabin foibles, including a tricky third-row seat mechanism, brought it up short.The Outback's cavernous interior, car-like handling and punchy yet frugal four-cylinder engine, matched to a clever CVT transmission, made it a popular class winner. But some judges were put off by two increasingly common Subaru bugbears: downmarket hard plastic materials on the dash and awkward exterior styling.The Nissan Maxima's incredible value proposition and its spirited 2.5-litre V6 won plenty of admirers but others felt it lacked the fun factor to be an overall winner.That left the Golf to take Drive's major title with its hot-hatch thrills, diesel-like frugality and quality cabin.For videos, photos and more stories on Drive's 2009 Car of the Year award, go to drive.com.au/drive-car-of-the-yearJUDGING CRITERIAHOW do you compare a two-seat sports convertible with a four-seat urban cruiser?It may look as though we're comparing apples with oranges but the way the vehicles in the running for the 2009 Drive Car of the Year award are assessed means we can judge cars on their individual merits.Each was assessed in five key areas: under the bonnet; how it drives; price, quality and equipment; comfort and practicality; and safety.The assessments also drew on the extensive knowledge of the judges, who had to consider what less-obvious attributes €” the extra cost of a safety pack or the underlying technology that makes one drivetrain stand out €” should count towards, or against, a particular nominee.In the end, the cars that ticked most or, like the Volkswagen Golf 118TSI, all of these boxes got the judges' nod.BEST SMALL CAR UNDER $20,000 FORD FIESTAFORD'S baby car, the Fiesta, grabbed the vote of every single judge on the panel but not without first courting controversy.The biggest bone of contention was whether it should be assessed as one car or two. With manual and automatic versions powered by 1.6-litre and 1.4-litre engines respectively, there were enough differences to warrant splitting them.Everybody raved about the manual-only 88kW, 1.6-litre four's flexibility but all agreed the 71kW 1.4 auto-only lacked performance on the open road.Judges noted autos are the favoured option for the majority of small-car buyers, though the consensus in the end was that the Fiesta's shortcomings probably won't be a problem for target buyers in its natural (urban) habitat.Having said that the judges still felt the Ford Fiesta 1.6 was the pick of the range.The Fiesta offers a supple ride, athletic handling, comfort, style and space. It also joins the Mazda2 Neo in offering an affordable safety pack that brings stability control and extra airbags.The 2 was deemed better assembled than the Fiesta, while all agreed its 76kW, 1.5-litre engine was vastly better when hooked up to an auto than the Ford's. The 2 was also competitive in key areas but lost ground in the details.Most reckoned the engine was noisier, it didn't ride or handle quite as well and was generally less refined on the open road.CAMERON McGAVINBEST SMALL CAR OVER $20,000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLFTHE Mazda3's three-year reign as Drive's Best Small Car Over $20,000 is over. And the decision wasn't even close.It wasn't beaten by Ford's Focus TDCi, however. Despite impressing with its supple ride, well-balanced handling and torquey diesel, the Blue Oval's small car lost marks for average braking performance and a cabin that remains downmarket in look and feel.The Focus' new "PowerShift" dual-clutch auto was also considered to be lacking the refinement of Volkswagen's rival DSG system, even if it was effective in isolation.The Mazda3, here in second-generation Maxx Sport sedan form, sets a features benchmark with standard sat-nav and Bluetooth. In the driving stakes, the 3 excelled with a compliant ride and enjoyable handling. Road noise, though, continues to be a bugbear.That a car of the Mazda3's excellence didn't get a single vote emphasised how good the Volkswagen Golf 118TSI was.The mid-spec Golf's 1.4-litre engine may sound small but combined with both a supercharger and turbocharger, it delivers strong performance and frugal consumption. Only the DSG's tendency to hesitate in stop-start traffic prevents perfection.Completing the sixth-generation Golf's emphatic victory were top-notch road manners and an interior that is a stand-out in the category.JEZ SPINKSBEST MEDIUM CAR MAZDA6THE Mazda6 Classic had one of the narrowest margin's of victory , with the mid-sizer securing five of the nine votes.The remaining four were split evenly between Ford's Mondeo LX and Subaru's Liberty 2.5i Premium.The Toyota Prius didn't get so close. All judges agreed that if there were an award for Greenest Medium Car, the petrol-electric Toyota would have won hands down. Against Drive's exhaustive criteria, however, the Toyota's challenge buckled.Subaru's new Liberty raced out of the blocks with excellent back-seat space, equipment galore and an effective mating of engine and a continuously variable transmission. Against that were a host of niggles: disappointing dash plastics, fussy instruments, no split-fold back seat, handling that lacked finesse.The Mondeo LX was admired widely for offering the best ride comfort and noise suppression while still offering driving flair at an attractive price.However, its 2.3-litre petrol engine was underwhelming, saved only by an excellent six-speed auto.While the 6's road noise was the big sticking point, all liked its style, user-friendly cabin and competitive space.Its handling and strong brakes won over every judge, even if its 2.5-litre petrol engine wasn't the equal of the Subaru.Victory, then, was secured on a bedrock of consistency.CAMERON McGAVINBEST LARGE CAR NISSAN MAXIMAIN YET another controversial result, the locally made large cars had their colours lowered by an imported car for the second consecutive year. This time around it was the new Nissan Maxima 250 ST-L.The Maxima is outstanding value at $33,990 (plus on-road and dealer costs). In fact, it had judges questioning whether this leather-clad sedan was really the base model. The Maxima was the cheapest but it felt the most expensive.The Maxima's 2.5-litre engine is good for a humble 134kW of power, though combined with its tricky continuously variable transmission it does a brilliant job of harnessing the output.While the Maxima is the slowest of the group, it offers impressive economy. The Nissan's claimed average fuel use was 9.5 litres per 100 kilometres, second only to the Holden Commodore Berlina.The Commodore was a good all-round contender but the engine-only 2010 upgrade falls short of 21st-century expectations. Thankfully, though, the Commodore still drives competently.The Ford Falcon XT's 4.0-litre six-cylinder is a masterful mix of simplicity and performance that also happens to be surprisingly economical when teamed with the six-speed automatic. For anyone in the market for a large car to tow with, the Falcon XT was the pick.Last year's winner and the defending Car of the Year champion, the Honda Accord V6, was a close runner-up. The judges still loved its engine but the $39,990 price tag didn't help its cause.TOBY HAGONGREEN INNOVATION AWARD TOYOTA PRIUSYOU won't find a maker today who isn't taking steps to address concerns about global warming and the world's oil supply.For 2009's Car of the Year deliberations, Drive has introduced a new award that seeks to recognise a car or technology that makes a tangible contribution to reducing the car's impact on the environment.There were three nominations for this year's Green Innovation Award.The first is Ford's Fiesta Econetic hatchback, Australia's most fuel-efficient car. Judges praised it as a more affordable low-consumption alternative to a hybrid, though it was ultimately ruled out for carrying a hefty premium and being manual only.BMW's EfficientDynamics program is next. It sets out to reduce fuel consumption across the company's fleet without diluting the satisfying driving experience.Judges agreed BMW deserved plaudits but noted many other makers were taking a similar approach to improving fuel consumption across their model ranges.The final nominee, and winner, was the third-generation version of the Toyota Prius. The new Prius improves consumption by 10 per cent compared with its predecessor, while introducing a bigger engine that helps improve overall driveability. It has made hybrid history by becoming the best-selling vehicle in Japan.As other makers start to take bigger steps towards sustainable motoring, it's still Toyota that has made the biggest stride.JEZ SPINKSSAFETY INNOVATION AWARD VOLVO CITY SAFETYROAD safety legislators would have us believe the reduction in Australia's road toll is all about speed cameras and tougher new road rules. This simplistic view ignores the huge advances made by car makers in reducing road trauma.Drive introduced a Safety Innovation Award this year to recognise manufacturers who are taking a leadership role in improving vehicle safety. Three technologies caught the judges' collective eye.Volvo has introduced new crash-avoidance technology in its XC60 soft-roader that guards against the most common accident, the low-speed, rear-end shunt. Called City Safety, it is standard across the XC60 range.Ford also gets an honourable mention for introducing voice-recognition Bluetooth technology as standard across the range on the Mondeo. It allows you to make phone calls without taking your eyes off the road.The final contender was Holden's Commodore utility, which recently became the first ute in the world to gain a five-star crash rating.City Safety was an almost unanimous winner. The technology is not perfect but it is the first step in a new wave of collision-avoidance devices.RICHARD BLACKBURNBEST PERFORMANCE CAR UNDER $60,000 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTITHE Volkswagen Golf GTI, with its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, may have been the slowest of this trio over a quarter-mile. But beyond that it was untouchable, Drive€™s exclusive performance testing revealed.The optional 18-inch wheels fitted to our test car introduced a slightly inferior ride to what we€™ve experienced on GTIs with standard 17s, though the €˜€˜Comfort€™€™ setting of the optional adaptive dampers ensured unruffled progress. On road and track, the GTI was terrific to drive.Inside, supportive seats and a chunky, flat-bottomed steering wheel won admiration, even if some judges thought the dashboard and trim were austere compared with the Mazda3 MPS.The second-generation MPS brought outstanding value to the contest with standard inclusions such as sat-nav and Bluetooth in an attractive and cleverly conceived interior.It continued its predecessor€™s reputation for finely balanced handling, though judges agreed it struggled to get its 190kW of power through the front wheels. Torque steer was particularly noticeable when accelerating in third gear.Subaru€™s Liberty GT Premium laid down the best acceleration figures thanks to its turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder, but not every judge thought it felt sporty enough.It also disappointed with a lack of balance and numb steering, while the interior was criticised for taking a backwards step in quality and design.STEVE COLQUHOUNBEST PERFORMANCE CAR OVER $60,000 BMW 135iWILDLY varying price points and radically different products meant it was more crucial than ever to judge the top-end performance cars against the official criteria, rather than each other.The HSV GTS uses a relatively simple yet devastatingly effective principle and is an impressive performer in a straight line. It€™s less happy in tight stuff.A twin-turbocharged V6 gives the Nissan GT-R true supercar performance, acceleration and handling that is unbeaten in this company.An ideal track-day car, it€™s less happy on the road. Its biggest problem is the unyielding ride (and tyre noise) caused by those 20-inch wheels.Audi€™s S4, while not exactly a plush ride, offers a softer compromise than the Nissan and it can seat five in comfort. The supercharged V6 engine gives the S4 performance shaded only by the GT-R. Its clever transmission, though it can€™t be completely manually overridden, was impressive.But none were enough to stop the BMW 135i. The twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, the conventional manual gearbox and the value driving experience meant that, for our judges, there was no other option. There€™s really nothing that combines the BMW€™s generous abilities with its undeniable charms at such a price.DAVID MORLEYBEST LUXURY CAR UNDER $60,000 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CCLAST year€™s carry-over champion, the Audi A4 1.8 TFSI, was pitted against two Europeans and a local player in 2009.It was the first appearance of the Holden Calais V as a finalist. Its more powerful and frugal V6 engine was let down by a sluggish automatic gearbox. Considered a lot of car for the money, the Calais also struggled to hide its Commodore origins.Looks don€™t play a part in the criteria, but the frumpy Skoda Superb 3.6 FSI won€™t win any beauty pageants. What it lacked in exterior aesthetics, however, it made up for with a luxurious cabin. The 3.6-litre V6 matched to the six-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox showed effortless power. But a less-than-superb ride and potentially weak resale ruled it out.The A4 was a convincing winner last year with its impressive engine, driving dynamics and extensive equipment list.It only just squeezed in under $60,000 with the addition of expensive options, even though it started as the least expensive contender.This year, however, the sexy Volkswagen Passat CC 125TDI swayed all but one judge with its sporty-yet-comfy ride and powerful, economical diesel.Inside, it was the classiest of the bunch €” although there is only room for four and rear headroom is tight.The Passat CC€™s great value, along with the added bonus of stunning presentation, got it over the line.JAEDENE HUDSONBEST LUXURY CAR OVER $60,000 JAGUAR XFBMW€™s 730d leapt immediately into contention this year with a swag of strong performances in key criteria. It proved to be quickest on both road and track with its 180kW, 3.0-litre turbo-diesel six delivering rolling response and fine manners.Cabin space, plush seating and generous specification were all judged to be spot-on for a $200,000 limo.In the end, though, the BMW was undone by its switchable suspension, which did everything but give it a truly comfortable ride. It was considered unlikely the 730d, for all its undoubted strengths, was twice the car of its rivals, which are nearly half the price.The Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI€™s 150kW, 2.1-litre turbo-diesel four was considered to be about as good as it gets for a base-level diesel with its mix of effortlessness, efficiency and refinement, while cabin space, comfort, presentation, safety and handling also received plaudits.There were thumbed noses, however, for the Benz€™s manually adjustable seats and steering wheel, while the ride quality lacked the fluidity of its forebears.No engine was quieter than Jag€™s new-for-€™09 202kW twin-turbo diesel V6, which also delivered rocketship performance and unruffled flexibility.The Jaguar XF 3.0d sailed through the criteria with confident handling, a supple ride and pampering refinement. Some thought the the 3.0d€™s price was a bit rich but when the music stopped, the XF had seven votes, the E250 just two.CAMERON McGAVINBEST CONVERTIBLE PORSCHE BOXSTERBMW€™s Z4 sDrive35i was the fastest car on our track, with its 225kW of power dominating the other entrants.Yet, while the twin-turbocharged, 3.0-litre Z4 was considered fun, judges agreed its dynamics were more sports tourer than sports car.A shortage of steering feedback didn€™t help, though bigger blemishes were the lack of small-item storage and the amount of wind buffeting with the roof lowered.Judges were generally impressed with the hard-topped Mazda MX-5 Roadster but the 118kW 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine was criticised for being thrashy and noisy and overdue for a step-up in the performance stakes.The reigning champ, the Audi A3 Cabriolet 1.8 TFSI, again impressed with its terrific turbocharged petrol engine, practicality and space for four adults.The updated base Porsche Boxster may look the same but its overall package was considered more enticing than ever.The all-new 2.9-litre boxer engine now produces 188kW and is more fuel-efficient while still delivering thrilling performance and an intoxicating soundtrack. The Boxster€™s dynamics are also unrivalled.Judges were also impressed with the addition of more standard features, such as sat nav, though the Boxster€™s cabin was considered short on storage and flair. In the end, though, the all-round ability of the Boxster 2.9 PDK pushed it ahead of the A3 by the narrowest of margins €” one vote.BARRY PARKBEST SUV UNDER $40,000 SUBARU OUTBACKWITH 4WDs gaining their own separate category in 2009, this was the first year two-wheel-drive "off-roaders" were nominated, with front-driven versions of the updated Mazda CX-7 Classic and new Kia Sorento Si. The Sorento may be new, and great value, but it was a familiar Kia story during testing, the seven-seat soft-roader impressing for value and practicality but disappointing on the road.Average handling was compounded by a jiggly ride and an underpowered petrol engine further hindered by its unintuitive gearbox.Renault's Koleos 2.0 dCi doesn't shine dynamically but last year's winner still has plenty going for it including innovative storage; a roomy load area (with split tailgate); and a strong, economical diesel engine. But vague steering, unsupportive seats, fiddly controls and a high price tag conspired to prevent successive wins.Mazda's CX-7 had hitherto been handicapped by a thirsty 2.3-litre turbo engine. While the addition of a more fuel-efficient 2.5-litre normally aspirated version helps, it also provides only average performance.The 2WD base model CX-7 was also found to lack the handling smarts of its AWD siblings but the interior continues to rank highly for form and function.Eventually it was a jacked-up wagon, rather than a compact 4WD, that waltzed to a unanimous win.Subaru's Outback 2.5i was not short on quibbles €” cabin quality has taken a step back €” but no judge argued with its solid build quality, roomy and flexible cabin, ample storage and a 123kW four-cylinder engine that worked in harmony with a CVT auto to achieve good performance and efficiency.JAEDENE HUDSONBEST SUV OVER $40,000 VOLVO XC60LORDING it up on road rather than roughing itoff-road is the name of the game in this category for high-riding luxury vehicles.The Lexus RX350 Sports Luxury was the only contender that failed to get any traction come voting time, despite the range-topper having plenty of praiseworthy elements, including unrivalled standard equipment and safety features for its price, top-notch build and a refined V6.Judges, though, were critical of the dynamics, fidgety ride and some cheap-looking interior details.For any Audis not wearing the sporty S or RS badges, ride quality continues to be an Achilles heel. Niggly progress on the road proved to be a key negative for the Audi Q5 TFSI.The Q5 at least makes the most of its firm suspension on twisting roads with strong dynamics and is accompanied by a sweet-revving 2.0-litre turbo four with plenty of punch.Less endearing to the judges, however, was a firm rear bench, oversized driver's-side mirror and a cabin that seemed sparsely equipped without delving into the Q5's list of expensive options.Volvo's XC60 D5 rated highly for its family-friendly cabin (including integrated child booster seats) and safety (including the world's first low-speed crash-avoidance technology), though the soft-roader secured a six-to-three majority by gaining plaudits in areas in which the company doesn't normally excel.Judges praised the interior's distinctive design with its touches of Scandinavian flair, while updates to the suspension and diesel engine have improved the XC60's overall package.JEZ SPINKSBEST 4WD LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4LAST year we pitched hardcore four-wheel-drives against city-bred soft-roaders in a competition that didn't really compare apples with apples.The decision was made that for this year's award, the tough off-roader class should stand alone.So there's no reigning champion in this class but we do have a two-time category winner - the Toyota LandCruiser GXL diesel.It's up against the Land Rover Discovery 4 3.0d, the latest iteration of a luxury off-roader for the masses.Copping the brunt of the judges' flack was the LandCruiser. More to the point, it was the way the 'Cruiser's stability control program worked."You're in way too deep before it kicks in and then it seems to throw everything at you," one judge said. "But before it does that, it lets you get way too far out of shape."While the inside of the Toyota was described as looking like "a base-model Prado", it impressed with versatility, space and comfort for eight passengers. The 140-litre fuel tank was a bonus.The seven-seat Land Rover had a more premium feel, more equipment and better fuel economy. Judges also noted the performance the Discovery eked from the 3.0-litre V6. It was significantly faster in the 0-100km/h sprint.In the end, it came down to on-road dynamics. "The LandCruiser is a real chore to drive around the city," one judge said. "The Discovery makes you feel like the king of the road."BARRY PARKBEST UTE HOLDEN SSONCE upon a time, a utility was a utility. Simple as that.The Aussie invention has, however, morphed into a variety of sub-sets and this year we're looking at a couple that couldn't be much more different.Our reigning champion, the Commodore-based Holden SS Ute, has retained a lot of the things that make the SS sedan a good thing.It's comfortable to drive and easy to use, thanks to its car-like ergonomics and car-derived driveline. The six-speed automatic gearbox doesn't feel like the smartest but it does make the SS Ute a non-confronting option.And that 6.0-litre V8 is an awesome piece of gear, fitted with what Holden calls Active Fuel Management. It shuts down four cylinders at a steady cruise to save fuel.Let's not forget the Commodore is the world's first ute with a five-star crash rating.The Mitsubishi Triton GLX-RDual-Cab also scores plenty of points for safety. It's the first dual-cab ute, for instance, with stability control. The Triton also comes with front and side-curtain airbags.The high ride allows a lot of body roll. However, it's not soft-riding and the crude ride will wear on some people. But if you have to move more than two people across a boggy field (or building site) then the Triton comes back into its own.Essentially, though, the Holden is the smaller compromise. It's a performance car that can also carry stuff and that's what gets it home.DAVID MORLEYBEST PEOPLE MOVER HONDA ODYSSEYLAST year, the unassuming Kia Rondo won this gong thanks to clever packaging (it's shorter than a Mitsubishi Lancer but can still seat seven people in comfort) and competent driving manners.The Kia Rondo EX still has plenty to recommend it, though the 2.0-litre petrol engine remains its biggest handicap. While it does a game job of shifting the Rondo, it can get buzzy and loud when worked hard.Even without the much-needed diesel engine due next year, it remains a more convincing vehicle than its larger sibling, the Kia Grand Carnival CRDi.The Carnival has eight seats with plenty of room for luggage, a five-year warranty and a more frugal diesel engine (which secured its nomination) but beyond that there's less appeal. Cabin materials and construction lack quality and attention to detail, the diesel engine suffers from turbo lag and a lack of refinement and the Carnival feels cumbersome and clumsy on the road.The new Honda Odyssey feels at home on winding roads, delivering car-like handling and steering, combined with a comfortable and well-controlled ride. The engine would welcome more mid-range torque but is smooth, quiet, willing to rev and relatively fuel efficient.Honda has also addressed the oversights of its predecessor by replacing the centre seat's lap-only belt with a lap-sash, while also adding stability control and six airbags.RICHARD BLACKBURN
© 2009 Sydney Morning Herald
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