Eddie is due to retire in the next few months and planning has already started on discovering New Zealand by road — but first he needs a car for the trips.
“My wife and I plan to visit popular destinations in both islands as the mood takes us,” says Eddie.
They’ve picked a passenger car over a motorhome or caravan because they enjoy driving and are after a mid to large size sedan rather than an SUV. Eddie is bucking the trend but a Sedan can offer advantages.
The budget: $40,000
Toyota Camry Atara
The sportier-looking new Camry offers a range of options, with the Atara (RSP $39,990) being a step up from the base model GL. It’s roomy and well-balanced on the open road. The 2.5-litre engine (135kW/235Nm) is combined with a 6-speed auto with claimed combined fuel consumption of 7.8L/100km. Features include leather-bound steering wheel, voice recognition and Bluetooth controls plus reverse camera and USB connection.
Subaru Legacy 2.5i Sport
Subaru has packed a lot of great features into this model at a competitive retail price, $39,990. The boxer engine produces 129kW/235Nm and has a combined fuel consumption of 7.3L/100km and is fitted with All-Wheel-Drive. Standout features include EyeSight driver safety assist programme, 18-inch alloys, fog lamps, tinted rear windows, rain sensing wipers, touch screen infotainment, adaptive cruise control, reversing camera, dual zone air conditioning and leather bound steering wheel with paddle shifters for the 6-speed Lineartronic auto transmission.
Hyundai i40 Diesel DCT
It sits outside the budget at $46,990 but you may want to consider diesel as a power unit option, especially if you intend exceeding the national mileage average of around 14,000km per year.
The 1.7-litre 4-cylinder engine (104kW) has a combined fuel consumption of 5.1L/100km.
Yes, you pay more initially for the vehicle so savings need to be calculated over a long rather than short term ownership period.
The all-new i40 carries a certain presence about it, thanks to European styling with features including heated side mirrors, reverse camera, 7-speed dual clutch automatic, heated mirrors, reverse camera, hill start assist and daytime running lights.