Driving Chery’s Tiggo 7 Pro SUV – available in three 1.6-litre turbo seven-speed dual clutch automatics – I tested the mid-spec Elite front wheel drive at $39,990 drive-away and the top grade Ultimate all-wheel-drive at $43,990 drive-away – both stacked with features a panoramic sunroof, power tailgate, 360 degree camera, power front seats and 18 smart driver assistance systems – all in a comfortable roomy five seat cabin with good luggage capacity, better than average build quality five star safety, a seven-year/unlimited km warranty and low service costs. But that’s where the good points stop. The drive experience average at best with noticeable turbo lag, a hesitant transmission and an underdone suspension tune with inadequate damping and above average fuel consumption. Chinese cars as a rule simply lack driving finesse – yes, they have lots of features, in this case 18 smart driver assist elements but they are not tuned to our market requirements and some features like lane keep assist, driver attention alert and speed zone recognition simply drive you crazy. Also driving conditions here are different to crowded Chinese cities – our traffic is faster moving, and we require better driving dynamics and suspension tune. The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro SUV offers good value but that’s where the buying equation stops.

Driving the new Chery Tiggo 7 Pro SUV today. Chery’s initial arrival here under an importer was marred by an asbestos recall and poor safety scores and it eventually left our market. However, after an absence of eight years it relaunched late last year as a factory backed franchise with the small Chery Omoda 5 SUV. The Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, and goodness knows where they got that name from, is marginally bigger to the Omoda 5. Three models – 1.6-litre turbo seven-speed automatic - the Urban and Elite, both front drive, and in the Ultimate in all-wheel- drive. In a highly competitive SUV market, all three have already been discounted - the Urban by $3,000 to $36,990 drive-away, the Elite and Ultimate models receiving a $2,000 factory bonus - $39,990 and $43,990 drive-away respectively. The Tiggo Pro 7 achieved a five-star ANCAP safety rating and comes with a seven-year/ unlimited km warranty, very well supported with low service costs of $840 over three years. And it’s stacked with 18 active drive assist features and a load of comfort and convenience equipment – I tested both the front drive Elite and all-wheel drive Ultimate. Despite their outstanding value the drive experience simply disappointing. Details next segment.

I’m always amazed at the sentiment still shown for Holden despite the General Motors brand ceasing local manufacture in 2017 and leaving altogether in 2020. Its easy to forget the Holden brand in 1958 held 50.3 percent of our total car market. So, it was sad news for Holden fans when the Echuca National Holden Motor Museum closed its doors for the final time on April 15. Burns and Co. Auctions are selling off many desirable models and rare Holden parts and paraphernalia over two days May 18 and 19 – the auction house claiming many items were rescued from Holden manufacturing plants and dealerships – models include many famous nameplates FX, FJ, HR, HK Monaro, HQ Sandman, Torana, HQ GTS Monaro 350 Coupe and Brougham, HSV 90 Statesman plus a very rare HJ Statesman Coupe.

In the three months to March 31 petrol electric hybrid vehicles (or HEV’s) and battery electric vehicles (BEV’s) continue to gain sales traction however HEVs remain the more popular choice representing nearly 12 percent of the market. On the other hand, sales of pure electric BEV’s in the quarter reached just 8.7 percent share. Plug in hybrid vehicles or PHEV’s are clearly not in favour and only gained 1.17 percent of the market. In the last 12 months we’ve seen a number of new battery electric BEV’s reach our market putting pressure on prices and most are now offering substantial discounts and bonuses to gain sales traction. Just where the total electrified market will reach is still anyone’s guess, but it’s clear hybrids are seen as the best compromise for now.

I spoke earlier of the Maserati Grecale Trofeo SUV – the flagship of the three model Grecale range at $206,000 drive-away. Distinguished over the two lower grades by four drive modes instead of three, height adjustable adaptive air suspension, an electronic diff lock and larger brakes. What is surprising by this somewhat conservatively styled SUV is how it can be driven on a light throttle in a very relaxed manner and the next minute offer a simply staggering performance – long legged it cruises effortlessly yet tap its potent 3.0-litre turbo engine and its becomes an absolute driver’s joy, a Maserati as you might imagine –a push its limits and it hugs the road in a way that inspires confidence – the Trofeo has a fourth drive mode called Corsa, a full race mode if you like, which sharpens throttle and gear shift response, reduces the ride height and tweaks the stability and traction control systems for more driver control. The performance elements of this Maserati SUV are as good as it gets if not better while the interior and touchscreen are a standout, just so classy with premium leather– yes, the appearance is little subdued, and the gear selection is somewhat awkward, but I’d have a yellow one in a heartbeat – I just need to find $206,000 which may prove a problem. Warranty, three-years/unlimited km.

Driving Maserati’s top seller, the Grecale SUV, now representing 75 per cent of the Italian sports manufacturers sales. In three models from $135,700 drive-away, starting with the GT, the Modena, then the flagship Trofeo, Italian for Trophy, which I’m driving today. The styling a little non-descript, perhaps lacking the flare you expect from Maserati but it’s all about performance, this really is a real wolf in sheep’s clothing. Powered by a 3.0-litre turbo V6, a detuned version of Maserati’s MC20 supercar. Not surprisingly, 0 to 100km. takes just 3.8-seconds. Lower Grecale grades offer three drive modes, Comfort, GT and Sport, the Trofeo adds Corsa mode and also gains height adjustable adaptive air suspension, an electronic diff lock and larger brakes. Step into the Grecale Trofeo and your met with a beautifully executed and finished interior. As you’d expect for $206,000 it breathes luxury in a very classy way with premium leather, carbon-fibre elements and 14-way power seats – simply fabulous instrumentation and centre screen with great functionality but the push button gear selection is awkward and fiddly. Aside from this and a three-year warranty I came away from the Maserati Grecale Trofeo with nothing but admiration for its performance – I’ll explain in my next segment.

A few months back I complained of the harsh ride quality on Mazda’s new CX-60 SUV. I wasn’t on my own with the criticism and after numerous media and customer complaints Mazda adopted a production change from last October with softer rear dampers with owners of vehicles built prior to this date offered the upgrade at no charge through their dealer network. It is understood that some replacement parts have already arrived, and some customer vehicles have already received the upgrade with more replacement parts due in the middle of next month. The CX-60 is yet to reach its full sales potential so the suspension fixes can’t come soon enough. This is not the only CX60 running change - Mazda are also addressing the mapping of the eight-speed automatic transmission to improve the drive experience with smoother changes at low speeds. I’m David Berthon

A new Honda Accord is due here in a few weeks – the second longest running automotive nameplate in Honda history first arrived here in 1977 however in recent years sales of the longstanding run-out model have dropped to a trickle. The all-new 11 th generation model will feature a more advanced hybrid powertrain to the outgoing petrol/electric drivetrain. Longer, sleeker and with a wider footprint the new Accord will feature Honda’s first integration of Google services and is expected to be more expensive to the current model which is priced at $61,900 drive-away. Honda this week cut prices on its three top-selling SUVs – the HR-V down $1800, the eHEV L Hybrid down $3100 while the relatively new CR- V, the company’s best seller, was reduced by $600. It’s Civic Type R hatch has also risen by $1,000.