Ask the Expert: Lexus NX vs Peugeot 408, Hybrid Buying Advice and Common Car Problems

Ask the Expert with Paul Gover

Q: I am 70-years-old and planning to replace my 16-year-old Mazda6. My budget is around $70,000.I went for a test drive of the Peugeot 408 and Lexus NX350, both hybrid, and I enjoyed driving them. The Peugeot is around $64,000, around my price range, and the Lexus is $87,000. I also test drove the Merceds CLA 200 hybrid at $74,000 which was good to drive but the back seat is a little small.  I occasionally drive my grandchildren around and they might be a little squashed in the back. What do you think of these three cars?
Maria Majer
A: Your best choice depends where you drive and for how long. The Peugeot is brilliant in the country, Lexus better in the city and suburbs. Lexus will do much better on resale and the dealer network and back-up is considerably better. If you think the Benz is too small, take the grand-children for a ’test sit’ to be sure. For me, it would be the Lexus.

Q: I want your opinion on acceptable wear-and-tear of front tyres for a Mini JCW Electric 2025 model.  I purchased the vehicle brand-new for my 52-year-old wife less than 12 months ago and it has done 8200 kilometres. It recently went in for its first service and had its front tyres replaced due to wear. I have researched this particular Hankook tyre, which is a specific model made for electric vehicles and they recommend they should get anywhere from 20-30,000km and recommending you rotate them at 10,000. I didn’t even get the opportunity to do this as they are already worn out. I contacted BMW direct only to have them say all the obvious reasons: pressures too high or low, and wheel alignment out. I check the pressures and it’s a brand new car that’s never hit a gutter or hard bumps.  I understand it’s a performance vehicle with performance tyres but to get just over 8000km out of them seems somewhat strange to me.
Simon

A: First thing would have been to get the wear actually checked, measuring the tread depth, not just relying on a dealership. What was the actual tread depth, and was the wear even across the tread? Your question is not as simple as it sounds, because we’re talking about an EV and not a traditional combustion car. EVs put huge strain on tyres because of their vast torque, from take-off.  So even relatively ‘modest’ acceleration, every day in traffic, could be causing excessive wear.

Q: I’m looking to buy an economical and reliable hybrid car with a budget of $35,000. I have looked at the Toyota Camry hybrid SX model but found them to be over-priced. Can you please advise me on  a car to match my criteria.
Craig Dankers
A: The Camry is not over-priced. It is excellent value and an excellent car that’s actually my top pick for something under $50,000. If you’re comparing it to something Chinese then there is no comparison. The China car wins on price, loses on anything else. If you want something else, head to Kia.

Q: We bought a new Hyundai Kona SX2 five-door in 2025 and the problem is there is a dashboard symbol of a cup of coffee that glows yellow and makes a beeping/pinging noise that is meant to remind you to take a break from driving. It’s called the driver attention warning. It’s not functioning properly and on some journeys it has beeped and flashed every minute or two and only a minute or two after starting your journey. On other occasions it doesn’t make a sound at all. We have taken the vehicle with this problem back to the dealership three times and each time they have told us that they can’t solve the problem.
Shane Regan
A: Get the dealership to replace the sensor, which is looking at the driver’s face and eyes. Don’t negotiate. But, as a personal check, keep your eyes entirely on the road – don’t even glance down at the dashboard or across at the rear-view mirrors – to ensure it’s now being triggered prematurely. I’ve had the same problem with some cars with even the briefest of sideways glances.

Q: I’m seeking advice on a car you’d recommend for an independent mature-aged woman. I live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and do driving to NSW and Victoria now,  possibly up central Oz to visit family who live in Alice Springs. I have grandchildren who surf so may need space or racks for surfboards from time to time. Therefore, I’m thinking of a possible SUV? Nothing too big but big enough, that I could fold down seats to sleep and /or carry camping equipment.
I’m not wanting diesel or manual, not sure about hybrid ? Are there benefits? I’m after safe, reliable with no to minimal blind spots, so a car that will carry me through. And regarding ongoing maintenance and costs. As you tell, I’m not really sure, hence seeking advice.
Kerryann Maloney
A: A hybrid is great for economy when you’re close to home, but almost none have a spare tyre and that’s essential for long-distance trips and up into the outback. And don’t just focus on an SUV, because everyone ’sits up high’ in 2026. Calibrate your thinking by test driving a Skoda Octavia wagon, a brilliant car in all areas and a real bargain. On the SUV front, Skoda also makes some excellent cars, but the Toyota Corolla Cross is the one to consider. Also remember that Chinese brands appeal for price and ’trinkets’, but their dealer network away from capital cities is not great.

Q: My wife currently has a 2017 Honda Civic VTI-LX  with 43,000 kilometres only, which has been bullet-proof and we both love driving it. Apart from the annual service a new battery has been the only replacement. We are looking at trading it in on another Honda, being a CRV e-HEV RS AWD, reason is we both have knee issues, otherwise we would still keep it. I drive a 2025 Ford Everest Platinum, again love it and easy to get into. I traded a 2021 Mazda CX-8 Asaki in for it which I was disappointed with overall. Please, your opinion on the CR-V and what do you think is a fair trade-in offer?

Wayne Dixon

A: I drove the new CR-V recently and it is very good, but surprisingly big now. It’s worth also looking at the smaller HR-V, which also improves the value equation as the CR-V is definitely not cheap. As for a valuation on the Civic, it’s best to go to www.carsales.com.au for pricing of equivalent vehicles.