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2022 Mercedes Benz EQB price and specifications

This could be the best electric car option for Australian families.

Based on the Mercedes-Benz GLB, the new Mercedes EQB crossover combines green credentials with seven-seat versatility.

It’s the only seven seat electric car on sale, as Tesla is not currently accepting orders for its Model X, and Korea’s Hyundai Ioniq 7 and Kia EV9 duo are not available yet.

Which means the electric Mercedes-Benz EQB is the only option for electric car customers who need more than five seats.

Priced from $87,800 plus on-road costs as a five-seater, the new Mercedes EQB 250 is available with an extra for of seats for a further $2900.

The EQB 250 drives the front wheels with a 140kW/385Nm electric motor linked to a 66.5kWh battery delivering 371 kilometers of range.

That’s the same hardware found in the slightly smaller EQA, which costs $11,000 less. The electric EQB costs $27,900 more than a petrol-powered two-wheel-drive GLB 200, or $13,900 more than all-wheel-drive GLB 250.

Customers who want more power can pick the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz EQB that uses two motors to deliver a combined 215kW and 520Nm, which delivers a 6.2-second dash to 100km/h at the cost of a slightly reduced 360 kilometers of range.

The all-wheel-drive model costs $106,700 plus on-roads and is not available with seven seats.

Both variants have twin 10.25-inch displays, artificial leather, multi-colour ambient lighting and dual-zone climate control.

A comprehensive array of driver aids includes active cruise control, auto emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and a 360-degree camera.

The EQB accepts charge at a maximum rate of 100kW, which is a little slower than rival machines sold by Tesla, Kia and Hyundai.

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Volkswagen Caddy California camper van review

Sleeping in your car is rarely a comfortable proposition.

Seats designed for driving don’t work well for much more than a short nap and the average set of wheels offers little in the way of privacy or amenities.

That’s why Volkswagen’s Caddy California has a loyal following.

Built for folks who want to take their bed on the road, the Caddy California is a compact, car-like alternative to bulky caravans and camper vans.

Based on the VW Caddy van – a model with close ties to Volkswagen’s Golf – the California is much nimbler than caravan combinations.

Rear sliding doors open to reveal a back seat that folds flat in a similar fashion to many popular wagons. But Caddy’s party piece is a flip-over double bed and mattress that unfolds forward from the parcel shelf.

The arrangement locks into place on each side of the car, providing a sturdy and flat (if not exactly decadent) space to sleep.

Like a fold-down bed mounted to the wall of a cramped apartment, this solution makes the most of a fairly small space.

Clever covers for the windows offer a degree of privacy, though there is no bathroom or sink arrangement. Local red tape prevents VW from selling the Caddy with a gas cooktop found overseas, but third party companies can sort you out. There’s space (and a power outlet) in the boot for a fridge, you can remove the rear seats to free up storage room and aftermarket providers can furnish you with impressive tents that extend the Caddy’s living space.

Priced from $54,990 plus on-road costs (about $65,500 drive-away), the California costs about $10,000 more than an equivalent Caddy Maxi people mover.

Customers used to VW’s passenger cars will find harder cabin plastics and a shorter features list than an average Golf or Tiguan.

Standard equipment includes halogen headlights, two-zone airconditioning, a digital dash and an 8.25-inch infotainment screen with smartphone mirroring.

The California has an impressive array of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go traffic jam assistance, lane keeping assistance, auto emergency braking and a reversing camera with parking sensors.

Those who want more can pick from a long list of extras including metallic paint ($1115), LED headlights ($2000), a 10-inch touchscreen with sat nav ($1625), a panoramic sunroof ($1425), heated seats ($810) and a powered tailgate ($415).

Power comes from a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine sending 90kW and 320Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. While Volkswagen’s passenger cars are largely divorced from diesel, the fuel type remains popular with VW’s commercial arm. Impressive 4.9L/100km economy works in the Caddy’s favour, as does a theoretical cruising range of more than 1000 kilometers between fuel stops.

Compact for a campervan, the Caddy’s dimensions limit its utility as a mobile home, but make it much easier to live with on the road. Accurate steering and powerful brakes work in its favour, the little van feeling more like a fleet-footed hatchback than a lumbering truck on the road.

That said, the Caddy California lacks the refinement of VW’s Golf – a benchmark in the hatchback class. The practical, tall-roofed cabin translates to more noise than you might expect at highway speeds and the combination of a slightly sluggish diesel engine with an occasionally hesitant dual-clutch automatic won’t win universal praise.

Firmer-than-expected suspension is occasionally bouncy at low speed, but as with most commercial vehicles, we suspect it would settle down with passengers or cargo in the back.

Even if it isn’t as plush as a Tiguan or Golf on the road, the California will prove far more comfortable when you arrive at a destination.

VERDICT

An intriguing option for folks who want to hit the road, the Caddy California is a flexible – if expensive – starting point for overnight travel.

3.5 stars

volkswagen caddy california

PRICE About $65,500 drive away

ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 90kW/320Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICING 5-year unlimited km, $2731 for 5 years

SAFETY 6 airbags, auto emergency braking, driver fatigue monitoring

THIRST 4.9L/100km

POSITION 1720 liters

SPARE full size

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2022 Kia Cerato GT turbo hatch review

Want an interesting hatchback without the cost – and compromise – of a high-performance hot hatch? Kia’s Cerato GT could be the car for you.

VALUE

Performance and equipment are central to the appeal of Kia’s Cerato GT, the most expensive model in Kia’s small-car range.

Priced from $37,990 drive-away, it’s about $10,000 more than the entry-level Cerato.

But the GT justifies its expense with a more powerful engine, sportier suspension, a handful of cosmetic touches and a long list of standard features such as leather seats and an eight-speaker JBL stereo.

Kia’s seven-year, unlimited kilometer warranty is similarly generous. But capped price servicing for the Cerato GT is a little dear at about $470 per year, while the turbo motor’s 6.8L/100km fuel use is thirsty for a car this size.

COMFORT

Geared toward customers looking for a fully-loaded machine with a sporty side, the Cerato GT isn’t particularly plush.

Riding on 18-inch wheels with suspension both lower and firmer than regular models, it also has a throaty exhaust note and high-performance rubber that creates more road noise than everyday tires.

It’s not a limousine. But it is more luxurious than many other cars this size, thanks to features such as heated and cooled sports seats, dual-zone climate control, a sunroof and more.

There’s no stress operating the 10.25-inch infotainment screen with wireless charging and smartphone mirroring – you drop your phone in the right place and the car will automatically top up its battery while displaying key features on the central screen.

SAFETY

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see that this car is stuffed to the gills with safety gear – active cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assistance and more.

There are clever touches you won’t find in most small cars, such as a safe exit warning system that watches out for traffic when passengers open their doors. There are also safety benefits in bigger brakes, tauter suspension and top-tier Michelin tires that deliver sharper reactions in emergency situations.

DRIVING

Powered by a 1.6-liter turbo engine, the Cerato GT has impressive 150kW and 265Nm peaks that deliver above-average acceleration. A flat-bottomed wheel with shift paddles linked to its seven-speed dual-clutch automatic steering transmission hints at sporty intent.

We call this sort of car a “warm hatch”, one with more muscle and better reflexes than most cars in this class, but not the uncompromising focus (and $50,000 price tag) of proper performance cars. Kia chose to fit firm shock absorbers to the Cerato, resulting in impressive poise when pressing on – and a harsher-than-expected ride on bumpy roads.

Proper hot hatches such as the VW Golf GTI and Hyundai i30 N have sophisticated multi-mode electronic suspension that allows drivers to choose suspension settings ranging from mild to wild, but Cerato owners have to live with a bumpy ride on every journey.

ALTERNATIVES

Mazda3 G25 SP, from about $35,900
drive away

Gorgeous looks, impressive dynamics and a 2.5-liter engine combine in an attractive package.

Hyundai i30 N-Line Premium, from about $38,400 drive-away

Same turbo engine and generous kit as the Kia, but a less sporty disposition.

Ford Fiesta ST, from about $37,500
drive away

Smaller than the Cerato but thrilling handling and a charming engine.

VERDICT

four stars

Well-equipped and fun to drive, the Kia Cerato GT is a great option for folks looking for a sporty drive without breaking the bank.

KIA CERATO GT

PRICE $37,990 drive away

ENGINE 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo, 150kW and 265Nm

WARRANTY/SERVICE 7-year/unlimited km, about $3300 for 7 years

SAFETY Six airbags, auto emergency braking, active cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert

THIRST 6.8L/100km

BOOT 428 liters

SPARE space saver

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