Delightful package

Ford searched long and hard for a suitable successor to its cheap, popular Festiva, which is now defunct. After the company scoured the world, it chose the German-built Fiesta to fill the void.

Four models make up the Fiesta range: LX three-door and five-door hatches, Zetec three-door hatch, and the range-topping five-door Ghai hatch.

Outside, Fiesta features a sporty compact body with wheels at its very corners. This gives the car a longer appearance and maximizes interior space. Its short bonnet slopes toward a cute front end, while the rear features large tail light assemblies in the C pillar.

Wide-opening doors provide easy access to a functional interior. The neat dash layout features an integrated audio system and large round air vents. With seat-height and steering-wheel adjustment, the driver’s position scores highly but lacks a footrest. Gauges feature a large speedo and tacho, with graph-style LCD temperature and fuel readouts.

Seats are on the firm side but nonetheless comfortable. In a Police Journal test of Ghai, we were surprised by the roominess of the rear seat; and the car was able to accommodate comfortably four adults.

It comes with plenty of headroom, good all-round visibility, and ample storage bins and pockets about the cabin. Even though it looks small, the rear cargo space will take two fairly large suitcases without the need to drop the rear seat. Enhancing it is the inclusion of a space-saver spare wheel. Dropping the 60/40 rear seat is a simple affair and affords substantially more cargo space.

All Fiesta models are powered by an all-alloy, 1.6-litre Duratec DOHC four-cylinder engine, which produces 74kW of power at 6,000rpm and 146Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. The standard five-speed manual transmission is easy to use, with ratios nicely matched to the engine. An electronic four-speed automatic transmission is available across all models at extra cost.

The three-door LX ($14,490) comes with dual airbags, front power windows and mirrors, single CD, and remote locking. Air conditioning is an extra $2,000, while the automatic transmission-ABS combination adds another $3,000.

The sportier Zetec three-door ($18,990) has:

• Standard air conditioning.
• Fog lamps.
• Wheel-mounted audio controls.
• ABS and alloy wheels.

Ghai manual five-door ($21,490) comes with six-disc CD, map lights and the option of side and curtain airbags.

Fiesta’s on-road performance is very good. The engine is willing, free-revving and provides useable power with excellent fuel economy. It’s light and easy to drive and, with a turning circle of 9.8 metres, is a breeze to park and manoeuvre around town.

One thing we didn’t like was the speed-sensing volume on the audio system. It was occasionally just right at a given speed, but would need turning up when stationary. Fiesta is a delightful package and a worthy competitor to the likes of Echo, Barina, Mazda 2 and Honda Jazz.

...a wide range of luxury items...
...an absolute dream to drive.

Compared to the Monaro...

First seen as a tantalizing prototype two years ago, Holden’s Crewman Cross 8 has to be the ultimate Aussie ute. Like the two-wheel-drive Crewman, it is big, has four doors with seating for five, and boasts a sizeable ute tray. But Cross 8 also has a big V8, Holden’s Cross Trac all-wheel-drive system, a big towing capacity and enough luxury and sports equipment to keep anyone happy.

At 5.3 metres long, Crewman is clearly the longest vehicle Holden has ever put together. But, although sizeable, it is a bit of a compromise – like all dual cabs. A ute tray of credible size comes at the expense of rear legroom.

One can easily recognize Cross 8 over a two-wheel-drive Crewman by its wider track, increased ride height and flared guards. It is built on the same half chassis, half monocoque torque-arm structure as Crewman SS and, at 1,947kg, it weighs some 163kg more.

Cross 8 shares the same beefed-up under-body components as Adventra Wagon, but its longer wheelbase and lower overall ride height (compared to Adventra) gives it less ability in difficult terrain. This ultimate ute, however, was designed as a weekday workhorse and weekend play vehicle rather than a serious off-road machine.

Given its power, AWD ability, effective leaf-sprung rear end and substantial 2,500kg towing capacity, it would be an ideal vehicle for towing dual horse floats and large boats.

Under the bonnet lurks Holden’s big Gen III V8 – the Cross 8 version pumps out 225kW at 5,200rpm and 460Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. It drives all four wheels via a heavy-duty four-speed automatic transmission. Under normal driving conditions, the single-speed transfer case, like Adventra, delivers a 38 per cent (front) and 62 per cent (rear) torque split.

Cross 8 is endowed with a wide range of luxury items and plenty of sports appeal. The range includes a nice leather steering wheel, lots of polished metal, alloy pedals and sporty gauges, among which are two mounted high on the centre facia showing pitch and roll. Other features include:

• Six-disc CD.
• Trip computer.
• Power windows.
• Cruise control.
• Alloy wheels.
• Climate-control air conditioning.

The Police Journal was left impressed after a week with Cross 8. It is a quiet, roomy and (for front-seat occupants) very comfortable vehicle in which to cruise around town – even if, in that environment, the big V8 does have a big thirst.

On winding roads or the open highway, it is an absolute dream to drive. But, on secondary, unsealed roads, Cross 8 really shines. It is not a serious “rock-hopper” but could easily and safely cope with most tracks in the Flinders Ranges, and much of the outback.

At $51,990, it won’t be for everyone. But consider that, compared to a V8 Monaro, it is cheaper, and has as many seats, more doors, the same donk, and similar luxury. It can also go a lot more places and can carry much more gear.

Fuel consumption on test averaged 17.2 litres/100km.

Hyundai’s award-winner

As it builds its range of desirable and affordable cars that offer excellent value for money, Hyundai continues to go from strength to strength.

After some recent upgrades, all Hyundai vehicles now sold in Australia feature:

• Driver and passenger airbags.
• Air conditioning.
• Power windows and mirrors.
• Central locking.
• Power steering.
• CD players.
• Seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters as standard equipment.

As well, Hyundai provides Australia’s best factory warranty of five years or 130,000km.

This is great value in light of Hyundai’s entry model – Getz XL 1.3-litre three-door hatch – with all the above goodies for only $13,490. In fact, the popular Getz 1.5-litre three-door GL hatch ($13,990) recently won best small car (2003) in the Australian Best Car Awards. The Police Journal recently test-drove Getz and Hyundai’s latest Elantra.

It is easy to look at Getz and think: “No way! It is appealing to the eye, but how could it win small car of the year.”

You realize, however, just how pleasant, roomy, functional and well-engineered it is after you have driven it for a while. Outside, it has pleasant European styling with a cab-forward design that maximizes interior space. The three-door hatch the journal tested has long wide-opening doors, which make access to the rear seat nice and easy.

Inside, it is conformable and feels very roomy for a car of its size. Its short bonnet and long, sloping windscreen create a feeling of additional space, with the view across the dash and out of the windscreen reminiscent of a people mover. Seats are on the firm side, but not uncomfortable. Height adjustment on the driver’s seat, adjustable steering and a driver’s footrest enhance the driving position.

Its dash layout is simple and uncluttered, with all controls well-placed and easy to use. Storage areas include a reasonable glove box, long tray under the steering column, sizeable door pockets and rear-seat pockets. Given that the car is compact and the rear hatch surprisingly big enough to carry a full load of groceries, passenger comfort in the rear seat is quite good. The rear seat tumbles forward and creates a much larger storage space, capable of carrying a couple of large golf bags and buggies with space to spare.

The journal test car was fitted with the 1.5-litre engine, which puts out a useful 74kW of power and 133Nm of torque. It also had the optional four-speed automatic transmission with push-button overdrive.

Around town, this car is pleasant to drive and offers ample power. It is smooth, relatively quiet and simple to park.

In the hills, it gave better performance than expected, but the auto tended to hunt between 2nd and 3rd on steeper slopes. Highway performance is remarkably good, with the tacho reading just over 2,000rpm at 100km/h. At this rate, it is very economical, quiet and has plenty in reserve for overtaking. Ride quality is on the firm side but not uncomfortable; and the car corners flat and brakes well.

A five-door hatch is available for $15,490. ABS brakes with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and alloy wheels can be added for $2,400.

...new styling and more equipment.
...smooth five-speed manual transmission...

More power in big small car

Hyundai describes its highly successful, global-selling Elantra as its big small car. It competes in a very popular sector of the market against such rivals as Corolla, Pulsar, Lancer, Astra and Focus.

A recent upgrade of Elantra – which maintains a competitive price – has brought it a more powerful engine, new styling and more equipment.

Hyundai has dropped the GL designation. The entry model is now known simply as Elantra. Elite supersedes the previous GLS, but the Lavita GLS Eurohatch continues unchanged.

On the outside is a new trapezoid grille and reshaped bonnet. Also restyled are the headlamps, front air intakes, tail lamps and the sedan’s boot lid. Elite models feature bigger alloy wheels and individually styled rear wings.

A new HVT (Hyundai Variable-valve Timing) variant of its previous “Beta” 2.0-litre engine offers 105kW of power and 186Nm of torque. The new engine is standard across the Elantra range of four-door sedans and five-door lift-backs.

In addition to extra power, Hyundai claims better fuel economy and reduced emissions. Engines are mated to a smooth five-speed manual transmission or an adaptive automatic transmission that remains a $1,990 option.

At $18,990 (RRP), the new entry-model Elantra is good value for money in light of its standard features. Carried over from the previous model are:

• Air conditioning.
• Driver’s airbag.
• Seatbelt pre-tensioners with load limiters.
• Central locking and electric mirrors.
• Four-wheel disc brakes.
• Fully independent suspension.

The new model also gets an MP3 audio system capable of playing music data files on CD as well as conventional CDs. Other new features include:

• Passenger airbag (which only deploys if the seat is occupied).
• Power windows.
• Remote entry with alarm.
• Driver’s seat adjustment with lumbar support.

Elite comes with all of Elantra’s standard equipment plus:

• Full leather trim.
• ABS brakes.
• Alloy wheels.
• Fog lamps.
• Rear spoiler.
• A sports gauge layout.

Elite manual is a lot of car for the $23,990 price tag. Hyundai offers a Safety Pack, including ABS and alloy wheels, for $2,000 on entry models. One strains, however, to work out how alloy wheels end up in a safety pack.

Elantra is a nice car to drive. Its engine is powerful and generally quiet. Its driving position is good, and all seats are comfortable. Also well sorted out are its ergonomics, with all the switchgear well-located and easy to use.

This car’s only hiccup is that the gear lever knob occasionally makes contact with the handbrake lever when selecting reverse gear. Otherwise, one cannot fault Elantra.