SUVs remain the most popular vehicle with 57% of the total.

Light Commercial vehicles, driven by our love affair with dual cab Utes was next with 22% of sales.

Passenger cars continue to decline in popularity now accounting for only 17% of sales and trucks make up the rest.

The most popular fuel source is petrol with 44%. The next is diesel with 30%. Hybrids had a fantastic year, reflecting the practicality. They grew from 8% to 14% of sales. PHEVs also grew more than double and now are almost 2% of sales.

The fuel source that dropped is the one that the government is trying to force us into. That’s EVs that declined from 7 to 6% of sales.

Outside the urban jungles EVs simply don’t make sense in Australia. Hybrids and PHEVs on the other hand make a lot of sense. They improve fuel economy, take five minutes to fill up and place no restrictions on consumers lifestyles. And with the PHEVs for many buyers , if they have a convenient charging place, they can drive on EV power daily.

No I can’t see Australians buying not the EV hype too much any time soon.

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the type of cars sold – HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Type of Cars Sold – RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

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Listeners will find Motoring Minute syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

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Large Premium Saloons are few and far between these days. The Audi S8 Quattro comes with a 4.0-litre TFSI V8 engine producing a power of 420kW and 800Nm of torque. Combine this with Quattro drive and an eight speed Tiptronic transmission. This will catapult the S8 from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds, before reaching a limited top speed of 250 km/h.

But the S8 is more than numbers alone. It’s absolutely packed with everything Audi can put in there for performance, luxury, comfort, and safety.

The S8 Quattro is also deceptively quick. It’s so quiet, so powerful, so fast and so stable, that on the freeway you find yourself looking down and it feels like it’s driving 30 or 40 kmh less than you actually are.

There is also a bit of a split personality. The big V8 will happily potter around town without fuss. However, select Dynamic drive mode, switch the transmission to sport and feel the beast being released.

When you consider what you need to spend to get anything even close to the big Audi S8, its surprisingly good value at around $273,000 plus options and the usual costs.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

Readers can find more details about the Audi SQ Quattro HERE 

• Audi S8 luxury sports saloon arrives in Australia
• 2022 Audi S8 continues its sports saloon dominance with 2023 updates
• 2014 All-New Audi S8 Has Arrived in Australia
• 2011 Audi S8 at Frankfurt Motor Show 2011

TO LISTEN TO THE AUDI S8 Quattro RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

Instead of the Audi S8 Quattro, buyers could also look at.

The big Audi S8 Quattro sits in rarefied air.

Big luxury Sports saloons, once the pinnacle of luxury, are now for the chosen few.

Buyers could look at the Lexus LS500, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes Benz S450, BMW 740I, or even the Genesis G80.

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

Listeners can hear Motoring Minute segments around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners.

You can also find Motoring Minute segments syndicated through other news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive – Cars Transport Culture Radio Program. 

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I recently drove the Premium version in a soothing Meta Blue colour.

In the week I had the car there were a lot of people commenting to me about the looks, some liked them, some not so much. I actually like the look.

We took the i30 sedan away for the weekend and the boot managed to fit our luggage and a set of golf clubs as well.

The Premium version comes with

• leather interior,
• heated and ventilated front seats,
• Premium Bose audio system and
• additional safety features such as
  • Parking Collision Warning,
  • Blind-Spot View Monitor and
  • Surround View Monitor),

While there are three engine choices, I had the 2 Litre Atkinson petrol engine. This is matched to a CVT that drives more like an 8-speed automatic.

It had a good balance between performance and economy. For those that want more performance, there is the i30N version, which i will be driving a bit later in the year.

Overall I enjoyed the i30 Sedan. And priced from $38,500 dollars plus the usual costs its not bad value.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Brianna Fraser

Readers can find more details of the i30 Sedan HERE

TO LISTEN TO THE Hyundai i30 Sedan RADIO REVIEW CLICK BELOW

Some other Hyundai i30 articles

• Hyundai I30 Sedan 2024 model upgrade- all you need to know
• 2022 Hyundai i30 Sedan N 2022 Review
• Hyundai i30N Premium DSG 2022 Review
• 2021 Hyundai I30 N hot hatch 2021 Review
• Hyundai I30 N Line Premium Sedan 2021 Review
• i30 Fastback N Limited Edition released for 2021
• 2021 Hyundai i30 hatch Review
• Hyundai I30 Active Sedan 2021 Radio Review
• 2020 Hyundai i30 Active auto Review
• 2019 Hyundai I30 N Line Video Review
• 2018 Hyundai i30 N Review
• 2015 Hyundai i30 Series II 1.6L CRDi Active Review
• 2013 Hyundai i30 Premium 1.6L CRDi Review
• 2012 Hyundai i30 Review

Instead of the Hyundai i30 Sedan buyers could also Look At

In a world that is increasingly heading towards SUVs, its rewarding to see manufacturers keep sedans.

Buyers could look at Mazda6, Toyota Camry hybrid, Subaru WRX, Honda Civic, Kia Cerato,

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

Listeners can hear Motoring Minute segments around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners.

You can also find Motoring Minute segments syndicated through other news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive – Cars Transport Culture Radio Program. 

Listeners can find this program weekly on the Spotify, SoundCloud and the Community Radio Network across Australia.

The post Hyundai i30 Sedan Premium 2.0 CVT 2024 Review appeared first on Motoring Minute.

However, what the biased media won’t tell you is some associated problems.

Let’s chat about an EV we had recently.

It is a beautiful car, comfortable, luxurious, and perfect for inner city driving with a small battery and range.

So, when it came time to charge I went to plug it in at home and then realised that it only came with a mode 3 charger, not a 240V plug. That is an optional extra.

I almost always charge them at home as its convenient.

After searching for a charger close to home I found that of the 5 charging bays within a 10km radius 3 were out of order. 2 were in use for over an hour. So, looking out to 15km from home I found one that was working, in a underground car park with no internet reception. The closest fast charger is 20 mins drive away.

After waiting for another hour, I finally got plugged in. As I’m writing this it’s been an hour and a half and I’ve added some 70km to the range.

I checked the first two chargers I went to, and they have been occupied for 2hrs now. I could have been waiting that long.

As a side point, I could have filled a petrol car in 5 minutes and been on my way for another 500-600kms.

So electric cars may have a place and a number of redeeming qualities, but convenience isn’t one of them

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

Listeners can find more EV articles HERE 

TO LISTEN TO THE CHARGING AND EV  RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

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Listeners can hear Motoring Minute segments around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners.

You can also find Motoring Minute segments syndicated through other news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive – Cars Transport Culture Radio Program. 

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The Mazda6 comes with a 2.5L turbo petrol engine with a six speed AT and FWD. There is reasonable power and torque and it also fairly economical.

The Mazda has a smooth and comfortable ride. Its very quiet and makes long distance driving relaxed. You could say it has a sporty edge to it.

Inside the Atenza is all comfort. Heated and ventilated front leather seats with Alcantara inserts and electric adjustment. Multi zone climate-controlled A/C. Digital instruments and HUD.

The large central screen and infotainment connectivity allows for wireless smart phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay. However, Mazda’s insistence on the dial controls means that the functionality is dated now.

Personally I would opt for the wagon over the sedan as I’m a bit of a wagon fan, but either would make owners happy.

The Mazda6 Atenza sedan is priced from $52,440 plus the usual costs and that’s actually good value.

This is a Motoring Minute

I’m Rob Fraser

TO LISTEN TO THE MAZDA6 RADIO REVIEW, CLICK BELOW

More Mazda6 Thoughts

• Sedan is sleek and stylish.
• The Atenza comes packed with a heap of features for the price.
• Inside the front seats are comfortable and supportive
• Central screen is small by todays standards.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay is great, but the dial controls make functionality problematic.
• Rear seats are a little flat and tight for leg room.
• Boot is long, not very deep and has a small opening.
• That’s why I prefer the wagon. Its just as stylish but more practical
• Engine is smooth and provides enough performance.
• Its relaxing to drive and surprisingly fun as well.
• However, the front wheel drive can be a but slippery in the wet.
• It also can be a little thirsty at times.
• Starting to show its age against newer competitors.
• A Hybrid or diesel version would increase appeal

Also look at.

Sedans are a dwindling market unfortunately.

The segment is dominated by the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Other choices include Hyundai Sonata, Citroen C5-X, Peugeot 508 GT, Genesis G70, or the Audi A4.

Mazda6 Atenza final thoughts

Mazda6 is really starting to show its age, but its aged well in some areas not so much in others.

Packed with both comfort and safety features it is actually good value for $52,440 plus the usual costs.

Its stylish, smooth, and fun to drive and easy to live with.

However, there are newer competitors on offer, and it sits in the segment with the Toyota Camry Hybrid which is dominant.

I would choose the wagon version, still stylish and way more practical.

Radio Segments Motoring Minute

Motoring Minute is heard around Australia every day on over 50 radio channels through the Torque Radio network.

Motoring Minute has an average daily audience of over 550,000 listeners. They are also syndicated through various news sites around Australia.

Additionally Motoring Minute is also broadcast as part of Overdrive Radio Program. This can be found weekly on the Community Radio Network across Australia.

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