There was a time when Land Rover boldly proclaimed that they were the makers of the “The Best 4 X 4 By Far”. At almost 70 years of age, and famed for the likes of their Series-derived Defender go-anywhere vehicle, which recently ceased production (due to modern day safety concerns… pfft), we do however look forward to its replacement. The fifth generation Discovery has some very large shoes to fill. The new design is a bold departure from the traditionally blockish styling the previous generations carried, and is certainly a refreshing change.

Of the three A5 body types, the Cabriolet always has a special place I feel. Not that the Sportback and Coupe are not special. The second generation A5 Cabriolet carries over the wave-shaped shoulder line, which gives the A5 its identity. While the wheel arches feature bulges to underscore the A5’s Quattro DNA (but this 2.0 is actually FWD).

The introduction of the new iPerformance range of BMW cars is a first step for the Bavarian manufacturer for things much bigger. The 530e takes all the reliabilities of internal combustion engined motoring, and combines this with their take on the future, plug-in hybrid technology. We will not deny that all this would mean that the infrastructure in a city has to be well implemented, and at least one base charging station (usually your home) must be in-place, before things can take flight.

The Audi RS 3 in my books, is the most special RS model of them all. Their smallest sedan, gets more muscle with a very unique 2.5 litre five-cylinder engine, driving all four wheels. But there is more to this than shoehorning a block which needs room for one more “banger” under the hood.

Mazda’s new CX-9 now benefits from a turbocharged engine. It has been a long while since the Japanese manufacturer fielded a force-fed engine into their range. With the people-carrying capabilities of this new car, it was timely, that they released their 2.5 litre turbo four into the market. Would we see the engine trickle down the product line, to say… the equally well-designed CX-5? Only time will tell.

Volvo’s new XC60 blends excellent sporty staying with that of what most would expect out of a premium SUV. With Singapore’s growing taste for most things SUV-ish, Volvo has delivered a car which we could safely say, takes things a notch up, and doing it Volvo’s own way.

Maserati’s Ghibli brings the joys of Quattroporte style driving, into a slightly smaller package. Perhaps all the more better for our kind of tighter city conditions.

Nissan’s X-Trail gets a refreshed look for 2018. Just like the Qashqai, the X-Trail receives new styling front and rear. There are also a handful of new features intended to breathe life into the car’s mid-life facelifted form. But with new competition from the likes of fellow Japanese manufacturers, and European ones, whom we do admit, have some very pretty designs out there, how does the X-Trail stack up?

One of the boldest SUV designs in our current market gets a higher-powered petrol engine, some less kit, but would the little changes make the 3008 Pug a better drive?

The new easier-on-the-wallet Mercedes-Benz GLC makes more sense to those who love a stylish SUV, but do not see the sense in shelling out the dough for that extra two driven wheels. But would a less powerful 2.0 and no drive to the front wheels be worth the reduction of $10k off the list price of the car?

The 1.4 litre was certainly a gem to drive. We loved how Audi had ensured fuel saving technology, like coasting and cylinder cancellation made the 1.4 Q2 such an attractive buy. Revealed back during the motor show, the #Untaggable car certainly delivered on styling and customisable styling quirks.

Living with an electric car may require some minor adjustments to daily routines. Simple issues like the limited availability of charging points, could almost dictate which supermarket, where would dinner be, or even which cinema do we catch our next movie at.

Audi returns with the new Q5, and carries on with all the good bits the previous car left off, and improving on the little things which brings you a more refined ride. The previous Q5 was Audi’s best-selling car, winning with its well-proportioned exterior, and ease of driving, due to its compact proportions. 

Justifying something in a package usually makes more sense. The Performance Package version of the Porsche Macan Turbo does make more sense, but not from the monetary point of view, but a more important one… Emotions, satisfaction and bang-on performance.

Why yes… MINI had to do a go-quicker model of the Countryman. This one, is bigger, faster, and in all senses better than the car it replaces. But how does it add up? We took this one to Kuantan to give it a good shake-up, and it delivered quite strongly.

Audi is on a roll, with a comprehensive range of SUVs, Sedans, Estates (Avant in Audi talk), and even a supercar. The Audi S4 is what the AMG C43 Sedan is to Mercedes-Benz, the former being the physically larger car. Actually, its 2,825mm wheelbase marginally shorter than the mighty Merc. We take the S4 for a spin, to understand Audi’s spin on what a high-performance sedan should be.

It is not very often that a car leaves a long-lasting impression, but the new Panamera surely did. Styling-wise, there is just a slight departure from the previous car, and it still nods to the 911. There are plenty of expectations to satisfy, it has to drive like a relaxed GT car, provide enough interior space, especially in terms of legroom for the rear passengers, and still deliver on cargo space, to be practical. And the Panamera does it all. Our test car was the base model, and here are our thoughts.

Nissan’s most popular model receives a mid-life facelift, and we liked how effort had been made to make one of the most liked SUVs on our roads even more appealing.

Mercedes-Benz probably has the largest SUV line-up available, from a singular car brand. The GLA to buyers is their foot through the door for those who want to shell out their hard-earned monies, to join the three-pointed star club. 

The thought of a burbling V8 in a compact sized car drives tingles down my spine, and butterflies in my tummy. The Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S Coupe is really one of the best ways to package a V8, and driving nothing but the rear wheels. I cannot stress how good this looks, when you take a vanilla compact-sized C Class Coupe body, flare out those wheel arches and equip the underneath with new arms to house that glorious wider track. And how about those 19 inch twin-spoked rims (you can spec 20 inch rear rims if you like), which fill up those wheel arches, and leaving just enough gap for visual balance. 

And finally here it is, the 2017 Subaru XV. There is much buzz with this car, as it is the second Subaru in their line-up to utilise the new Subaru Global Platform (SGP). Boasting added stiffness and passenger safety, will the new XV, be good enough to entice the buyer in a now very crowded Crossover/SUV friendly market?

When Mazda first introduced the CX-5, it was well received. Their current design language known as KODO – Soul of Motion was first seen in the previous car, and years on, the old car still looks fresh, with its crisp-cutting lines, and subtle flowing bulges. The new car takes on the same design philosophy, but with Mazda upping the game several notches with better materials, while styling hits the mark, prompting second glances at their mid-range SUV.

We tested the 1.4 litre Touran some time back, and we did like how it drove, and how well screwed together the compact MPV was. With the power curbs on our category A COEs for cars above 130bhp, the 1.4 petrol might fall out of reach to some. The 1.6 turbodiesel delivers power sub-120bhp, but has the same maximum torque as its petrol stablemate (and torque is important here).

I guess you could say that the Germans are very thorough breed, and none could be a better example than plastering the AMG C43 badge on just about every C Class-based Mercedes there is. We have driven the C43 Sedan, and we did love the neat handling, all the bits of tech above the 4MATIC which keeps a driver safe, and packaged into a compact-sized sedan about the size of a Japanese compact econobox footprint.