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NEWS
Top 10 reviews of 2015
Exotics were nowhere, as readers flocked instead to reviews of SUVs and light commercialsThis year the SUV boom continued, with car-makers responding to market demand by releasing numerous jacked-up wagons and hatchbacks to get their slice of the SUV pie.
The tradie's biggest tool has seen huge growth as well, with large utes such as the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger all being updated or replaced this year on the back of growing sales.
No matter whether they are -- big, small, short or tall -- it seems only fitting that almost all of our most popular reviews and comparisons this year featured SUV's and 4WD utes.
10. Honda HR-V
"The HR-V is an agile and practical example of its kind, and one we think shows a lot of promise. With any luck the model will be the start of a turnaround for the marque, and based on our first impressions, could again help Honda party like it's 1999." – Matt Brogan
"Clever storage solutions such as trays under both front seats, a hidey hole under the front cup holder and a curry/handbag hook in the passenger footwell all point to a user-friendly vehicle that understands a driver's needs. Such features are often missed in the race to the bottom of cost-conscious vehicles but it's great to see these included in the Discovery Sport as they all add up to create one hell of a package." – Andrea Matthews
8. Kia Sorento
"As a quiet-riding seven-seater with families front of mind – and with one of the most comprehensive after-sales packages in the business – the Sorento makes a lot of sense. It's a practical, economical and capable SUV with enough bling to satisfy even the most discerning family buyer. If you haven't considered a Kia before, you'd be silly not to now." – Matt Brogan
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"In short, the HiLux is more refined and more dynamic than before – and let's face it, it needed to be. Increased towing capacity, load-hauling and off-road ability also add to its increasingly all-round appeal." – Matt Brogan
"The diesel engine sounds harsh at idle and under load, though quietens down appreciably at highway speeds, using the overdriven seventh gear of the smooth-shifting autobox to maximum advantage. To be honest, it's not a particularly accelerative lump, either; I'd take the extra lug of the previous 550 variant and sacrifice some economy." – Adam Davis
"Hyundai continues to close the gap on its rivals – lifting its game, while others appear to have reached a plateau. Several drives and multiple opinions later, we believe that the Tucson is Hyundai's best car yet – we expect it to dominate the medium-size SUV segment." – Nadine Armstrong
"Judged in isolation, this new Ranger is a very worthy evolutionary step. This update adds fresh appeal and clever features to an already proven platform, especially in the upper boughs of the family tree, but with plentiful new rivals there's no easy road to sales success." – Rod Chapman
"If you're after a real SUV feel, you're going to have to step up to a larger offering from Mazda. But if you're hunting personality, rather than practically, the CX-3 has plenty." – Nadine Armstrong
"There might be little virtue in easy victory (thanks Sir Hillary), but Ford has proved there is a lot of benefit to be had from sound engineering. Building on the Ranger's not inconsiderable strengths the Everest is indeed a capable and seemingly robust vehicle, one you might say is ready to climb any mountain that stands in its way..." – Matt Brogan
"The dual-cab ute market is one of the healthiest new-vehicle segments in Australia. Sales numbers rival the best-selling passenger vehicle classes with total numbers almost half those of the strong-selling SUV sector. In a nutshell that means nearly one-in-six new vehicles sold Down Under have a tray out back – which makes this test rather important."
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Written byCarsales Staff
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