Most popular Popular Cars

As determined by reader page views

  • Honda Civic Type R hatch (2007)

    09 Mar 2009 2:50 PM

    With styling from outer space and a red-line of 8,000rpm, the Civic Type R hatch leaves you in no doubt that it's a hot hatch.

    Specs: petrol , standard

  • 8.0 7.8

    Lexus RX350 Sports Luxury (2009)

    21 Jul 2009 4:13 PM

    Quiet, plush and with enough gadgets on-board — Remote Touch is nice, but where's the hard disk nav and USB folks? — the RX should please most drivers, but it's more of a passenger's car.

    Specs: petrol , No , standard , standard

  • Ford Fiesta CL 5-door manual (2009, WS)

    27 Jan 2009 4:27 PM

    Two extra doors means added practicality. Inside you'll still get a single CD player, steering wheel audio controls and an auxiliary jack for connecting to your favourite MP3 player.

    Specs: petrol , No , standard

  • 10

    Ford Fiesta Zetec 3-door manual (2009, WS)

    30 Jan 2009 5:13 PM

    The sportiest of the new Fiestas doesn't have any extra power, but does include standard Bluetooth hands-free, USB slot, body kit and alarm.

    Specs: petrol

  • Ford Fiesta Zetec 5-door automatic (2009, WS)

    30 Jan 2009 5:18 PM

    Despite being the sportiest Fiesta, the Zetec automatic is still lumbered with the less powerful 1.4-litre engine. Maybe the Bluetooth hands-free, six-speaker stereo with USB and full complement of safety kit will make you feel better.

    Specs: petrol , No , standard

  • 7

    Toyota Yaris YR (2005)

    29 Jan 2008 5:23 PM

    It's ironic but the funkiest looking Toyota is also the cheapest. The Yaris range begins here with the 1.3-litre, 3-door YR.

    Specs: petrol

  • 6.7

    Toyota Aurion Presara (2006)

    22 Feb 2008 3:11 PM

    The top dog of the Aurion tree has 17-inch wheels, a 3.5-litre V6, plenty of fake plastic trees, GPS satellite navigation, Bluetooth hands-free, leather interior trim and rain sensing wipers.

    Specs: petrol , No , standard , 4

  • 10

    BMW 135i coupe (2008 E82)

    12 May 2008 5:03 PM

    Coupes are cool, hatches are not; so say the Americans. Thus BMW begat a coupe version of its Golf-sized 1-Series. The top of range model features the 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine which recently took out the International Engine of the Year award for the second year running.

    Specs: petrol , No , standard , standard

  • 7.7

    Ford Fiesta Zetec 5-door manual (2009, WS)

    30 Jan 2009 5:16 PM

    Five-doors plus Bluetooth hands-free, USB, six-speaker stereo, body kit and a full complement of safety kit equals the Fiesta Zetec. Oddly the sportiest Fiesta (so far) has no extra power.

    Specs: petrol , No , standard

  • Volkswagen Passat Ling Yu fuel cell

    29 May 2009 12:48 PM

    Don't let the plain Jane clothing fool you, there's impressive powertrain technology hiding in this Passat that emits only water as exhaust.

The Explain Series

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Articles

  • Carbon fibre explained

    Hot cars often sprout bits of carbon fibre on their bonnets, wings and dashboards, but what is this enchanting material? How is it made? And is it all it's cracked up to be?

  • Aussie Tesla breaks electric car distance world record

    A Tesla Roadster run in this year's Global Green Challenge between Darwin and Adelaide has smashed the record for the longest distance travelled by an electric car on a full charge, but it had to be driven at an excruciatingly slow pace.

  • Honda U3-X: A noughties easy rider

    At this year's Tokyo Motor Show, Honda unveiled its U3-X personal mobility device that may save some of us from the nasty habit of walking in the future.