ASK THE EXPERT With Paul Gover
Q: Do you think that Toyota’s current advertising campaign, promoting safety features such as lane-departure warning and forward collision alert, is somewhat cheeky?
It’s a bit much to imply ‘Only Toyota keeps your family safe’.
Just interested in your thoughts.
Geoff McDonald
A: It’s marketing, taking the high ground to boost sales, and no-one does it better than Toyota in Australia. But even Toyota can come unstuck, as it did when its ‘Jumping Yaris’ commercial was banned for depicting unsafe driving.
Q: To the best of your knowledge, is it just a racket by the windscreen industry to re-calibrate the ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) after a windscreen is replaced?
Laurie Pepperell.
A: The sensor package at the top of the windscreen needs to be millimetre perfect for the systems, radar and lidar and camera, to operate correctly. That requires special instruments and trained operators to get it right after a damaged windscreen is removed and replaced. It’s not cheap but it’s the price of safety in the age of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. Never forget that the alert package is ‘looking’ hundreds of metres ahead of the car, at speeds up to 110km/h, which means zero margin for error.
Q: I’m looking at a Chery Tiggo7 or 8 – Ultimate model – with a price between $41,000 to $46,000. I have not test driven one yet.
I only drive metro Melbourne generally and have been a Holden man for years, but it’s time to move on.
I’m a retired 65-year-old so my boy-racer days are over.
My missus has test driven the smaller version and liked it. I prefer the larger model with a few more bells and whistles.
My concern is that it is a Chinese car. Are they reliable?
Ken Ashworth
A: The only two Chinese brands I currently recommend are GWM and BYD, because they are spending a lot of time and effort to develop cars which work for Australian drivers and conditions. Chery is not remotely close yet and its cars mostly sell on price. As for reliability and long-term quality on the Chinese side, as well as customer service, I genuinely have no idea because they have not been in Australia for long enough to get a proper read. I have already heard some worrying stories about MG and LDV vehicles.
Q: Just wondering if you could suggest the best options for hiring a vehicle to drive from Vancouver to Toronto in Canada in May.
We will be four adults with luggage – four cases and backpacks – and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Jude
A: Honestly? I’m not prepared to guess because I’ve never done that sort of trip. Best to look at the rental choices in your budget range and consider you will need more space than you expect for a long road trip. So you are likely to be looking for a full-sized SUV, which will be bigger than what you see in Australia, and perhaps an unfamiliar model name, but also dabble on the Web to check fuel economy and the price of petrol where you’re going.
Q: I have got my eyes set on a 2021 Hyundai Genesis GV70 AWD Diesel with 98,000 kilometres on the clock.
In great condition.
Should I buy or move on?
Carl Cramer
A: There is no reason to avoid a Genesis, as Hyundai has done a great job in creating the equivalent of the upscale Lexus division at Toyota. The cars are good, they drive well, and they provide nice luxury touches. But never rely just on a roadworthy for condition. You should always demand a full service history and it’s best to invest the money on a pre-purchase inspection, either from your state motor club or a company like www.carinspect.com.au
Q: Just after your opinion on the new Hyundai Kona.
I’m 62 and currently have a Peugeot 4008 from 2012, so I am looking to upgrade.
Paula Lamb
A: The Kona is a top choice. It will be vastly better than a 13-year-old car for comfort and quietness, but Peugeot has legendary suspension that is great in Australia and will be hard to match.
Q: I am looking to buy either a Honda ZR-V VTix or a Nissan Qashqai TI, both 2025 models.
Currently drive a Honda Euro 2004, so it’s time for an upgrade after 21 years of driving this Honda.
Which is best for either the ICE version or hybrid?
Your thoughts? I’m confused.
James Giann
A: Either car will be a vast jump up from your Accord, even though the Euro was a brilliant car in the day. If you’re already a Honda tragic then the ZR-V is the smart choice, and so too is going for a hybrid to boost economy and resale value – perhaps in 2047? Take a good look at both cars, drive them back-to-back, and try to avoid being seduced by the ‘bells and whistles’ in all modern cars.