Motoringnz
  • News
  • First Drive
  • Tested
  • Videos
  • Views
Motoringnz
  • News/
  • First Drive/
  • Tested/
  • Videos/
  • Views/
Motoringnz

Car Stuff You Should Know

First Drive Review - Motoring NZ

Motoringnz
  • News/
  • First Drive/
  • Tested/
  • Videos/
  • Views/
May 27, 2026

Toyota Hilux BEV first drive: Giant leap best for short adventures

May 27, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
Toyota Hilux BEV first drive: Giant leap best for short adventures

The electric version of this legendary ute is a technical gem, but plan adventures carefully.

Read More
May 27, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
Toyota
Hilux, BEV, diesel, hybrid, Toyota NZ, Multi-Terrain Select, De Dion, CCS, The Heights, Tararua, NEDC, WLTP
May 04, 2026

Honda Prelude first drive: Shaping for a new direction

May 04, 2026/ Richard Bosselman
Honda Prelude first drive: Shaping for a new direction

Stimulation through simulation is the way forward for this revived nameplate. How convincing is it?

Read More
May 04, 2026/ Richard Bosselman/
Honda
Prelude, Civic, CR-V, e:HEV, Carolyn McMahon, electric, hybrid
November 19, 2024

MG ZS Hybrid Plus first drive: New drivetrain adds dollars, makes sense

November 19, 2024/ Richard Bosselman
MG ZS Hybrid Plus first drive: New drivetrain adds dollars, makes sense

As much as petrol-electrics without plugs are but a first step into the future, in the ‘now’ they’re the favoured consumer choice. Given that, this one seems well-timed.

Read More
November 19, 2024/ Richard Bosselman/
MG
ZS, MG NZ, SAIC, MG 3, hybrid
September 13, 2024

GWM Tank 500/ Cannon Alpha PHEV, Ora Lightning first drive: Plugs for play

September 13, 2024/ Richard Bosselman
GWM Tank 500/ Cannon Alpha PHEV, Ora Lightning first drive: Plugs for play

Hybrids and full electric have been this make’s thing. Now it’s considering adding the step between those technologies.

Read More
September 13, 2024/ Richard Bosselman/
GWM
Ora, Cannon Alpha, Tank 500, PHEV, hybrid, EV, GWM NZ, Steve Maciver
November 23, 2023

Hyundai Kona petrol first drive: Mostly more of everything

November 23, 2023/ Richard Bosselman
Hyundai Kona petrol first drive: Mostly more of everything

In its first wave pump-reliant representation, this compact sports utility appeals more on look more than feel, but it’s a big step up all the same.

Read More
November 23, 2023/ Richard Bosselman/
Hyundai
Kona, Hyundai NZ, Electric, EV, Charlie Cowperthwaite, Clean Car, hybrid
October 16, 2023

Suzuki S-Cross hybrid first drive: Never say die

October 16, 2023/ Richard Bosselman
Suzuki S-Cross hybrid first drive: Never say die

A year on from getting a facelift, this well-established model receives a heart transplant.

Read More
October 16, 2023/ Richard Bosselman/
Suzuki
S-Cross, hybrid, Vitara, Swift, Clean Car Standard, Suzuki New Zealand
March 17, 2023

Suzuki Vitara hybrid first drive: Sparking up an old stager

March 17, 2023/ Richard Bosselman
Suzuki Vitara hybrid first drive: Sparking up an old stager

A 48 volt system adds extra zap, but is it enough to utterly re-energise this well-established compact sports utility wagon?

Read More
March 17, 2023/ Richard Bosselman/
Suzuki
Vitara, hybrid, Suzuki New Zealand
October 17, 2022

Toyota Corolla Cross first drive review: New job for old faithful

October 17, 2022/ Richard Bosselman
Toyota Corolla Cross first drive review: New job for old faithful

Dressed for outdoorsy undertaking, more realistically tailored for urban adventuring … a thematic we’ve surely now become well-used to is one Toyota plays to full advantage with its Corolla Cross.

Read More
October 17, 2022/ Richard Bosselman/
Toyota
Corolla, hybrid, CVT, Toyota NZ, AWD
June 10, 2021

Land Cruiser 300 Series first drive review: New, still familiar

June 10, 2021/ Richard Bosselman
Land Cruiser 300 Series first drive review: New, still familiar

Toyota’s latest all-conditions SUV made its global debut today. Here’s how it goes on New Zealand roads.

Read More
June 10, 2021/ Richard Bosselman/
Toyota
Land Cruiser, 300 Series, Toyota New Zealand, diesel, hybrid
June 08, 2021

Toyota Highlander first drive review: From drinking chump to sipping champ

June 08, 2021/ Richard Bosselman
Toyota Highlander first drive review: From drinking chump to sipping champ

The new hybrid doesn’t quite have the V6’s oomph, but you can’t help but be impressed by the other-worldly efficiency.

Read More
June 08, 2021/ Richard Bosselman/
Toyota
Highlander, hybrid, Toyota New Zealand, all wheel drive
First Drive Review - Motoring NZ RSS
  • News/
  • First Drive/
  • Tested/
  • Videos/
  • Views/

Motoringnz

MotoringNZ reviews new cars and keeps readers up-to-date with the latest developments on the auto industry. All the major brands are represented. The site is owned and edited by New Zealand motoring journalist Richard Bosselman.

By Brand Logo.png

NEWS

TESTED

FIRST DRIVE


No results found

250x350 Dummy Block Ad.jpg

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

NEWS
Electric-assist Cannon fires up sector
September 11, 2026
Electric-assist Cannon fires up sector
September 11, 2026

Status as country’s cheapest PHEV ute established, actual efficiency still to be ratified.

Read more →
September 11, 2026
First Drive
Arcfox T1 Premium first drive: Sly start for smallest cub
August 25, 2026
Arcfox T1 Premium first drive: Sly start for smallest cub
August 25, 2026

The electric arm of big player BAIC is ‘vixen’ to be noticed by  kicking in with its smallest export offer that adds tech edge to a price-competitive zone.

Read more →
August 25, 2026
Tested
BAIC X55/B30 roadtest review: For better, not worse
September 9, 2026
BAIC X55/B30 roadtest review: For better, not worse
September 9, 2026

Beijing Automotive’s first models hit high-potential market segments and prove sensible pricing can still buy a sensational specification.

Read more →
September 9, 2026
Toyota bZ4X Motion/bZ4X Touring road test review: Higher trails
September 1, 2026
Toyota bZ4X Motion/bZ4X Touring road test review: Higher trails
September 1, 2026

A big mid-life facelift for the carryover wagon and a new body styling choice lift this type to highly recommended status.

Read more →
September 1, 2026
Nissan Navara Pro-4X roadtest review: New approach, familiar ground
August 25, 2026
Nissan Navara Pro-4X roadtest review: New approach, familiar ground
August 25, 2026

There’s no disputing the closeness to a certain other, but that doesn’t necessarily detract.

Read more →
August 25, 2026
Toyota RAV4 GR Sport PHEV roadtest review: Plug-in play time
August 20, 2026
Toyota RAV4 GR Sport PHEV roadtest review: Plug-in play time
August 20, 2026

The outcry out for a sportier version of Toyota’s top seller  has been answered - and it’s a red-blood with a Green theme.

Read more →
August 20, 2026
Honda Prelude roadtest review: Sound and lite show
August 12, 2026
Honda Prelude roadtest review: Sound and lite show
August 12, 2026

When its heart seems little different to that in nan’s shopping basket how much soul remains?

Read more →
August 12, 2026
MG MG4 Urban/Suzuki e-Vitara 2wd roadtest review: Budget with a battery
August 6, 2026
MG MG4 Urban/Suzuki e-Vitara 2wd roadtest review: Budget with a battery
August 6, 2026

How well does Japan’s small car specialist fare when its first electric faces up to a similar concept from China?

Read more →
August 6, 2026
Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy road test review: Biggest box development
July 30, 2026
Hyundai Palisade Calligraphy road test review: Biggest box development
July 30, 2026

The largest serving has  become even more generous, yet also cuts down on calories.

Read more →
July 30, 2026
Skoda Enyaq RS roadtest review: Mean ’n green
July 22, 2026
Skoda Enyaq RS roadtest review: Mean ’n green
July 22, 2026

The first electric car to achieve the Czech make’s vaunted performance badge is certainly hot - but will the price cool desire?

Read more →
July 22, 2026
BMW i4 eDrive40 road test review: Last but not least
July 9, 2026
BMW i4 eDrive40 road test review: Last but not least
July 9, 2026

Munich’s first all-electric compact executive model will next year bow out to the ‘Neue Klasse’ i3. The final edition of the i4 is set to leave with head held high.

Read more →
July 9, 2026
Kia EV4 GT-Line road test review: Sedan at a stretch
June 30, 2026
Kia EV4 GT-Line road test review: Sedan at a stretch
June 30, 2026

Electrics come in all styles and sizes these day, but nothing else from this age shakes its booty quite like this one. 

Read more →
June 30, 2026

NEWS        |        FIRST DRIVE        |        TESTED        |        VIDEO        |        CONTACT        |        THE CREW        |        TERMS + CONDITIONS

Motoring NZ Logo WHITE.png