hard shell dinosaur

We have seen this rivalry coming, but pitting a Chery against a Proton is not new in the 3-row segment. 15 years ago, the rivalry between the Chinese and Malaysian carmakers came to a head in the then-popular MPV segment. The Proton Exora dominated the market with its sheer space, abundant features, and affordable price. Meanwhile, the Chery Eastar presented a larger and more powerful powertrain for just RM 10,000 more than the top-of-the-range Exora. That presented the Eastar as the first succe

If you are in the market for a small 7-seater vehicle, your options are limited. The Proton Exora is no more, and neither is the Honda BR-V. The all-conquering Perodua Alza has crowded out many alternatives. If you take out the Toyota Veloz, which is essentially a Perodua Alza with a different badge, the Mitsubishi Xpander is the segment’s only other option. Despite being locally assembled in Pekan, the Xpander has a starting price of RM 99,000, which is still RM 4,000 more than the Rawang-made

Mercedes-AMG’s 45 series has always been about taking something everyday – be it a hatchback, sedan, or in this case, a crossover – and turning it into something extraordinary. The facelifted Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S is no different. It packs the same stonking performance and sophisticated dynamics we’ve come to expect from Affalterbach, but wrapped in a taller, more practical SUV body. Overview: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S FL Price RM 539,888 Segment Compact Premium SUV Engine 2.0-litre turbo in-li

Though the Toyota Hilux is the undisputable king of pick-ups in Malaysia, it is not the segment's game changer. While Japanese pick-ups like the Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, and Isuzu D-Max dominate the market, part of its popularity among buyers is largely thanks to the Ford Ranger. It was the Ranger that helped transform the image of pick-up trucks from commercial workhorses to lifestyle vehicles thanks to memorable slogans, unique special edition models, and an automotive experience that would p

The world of MPVs is about functionality, practicality, and comfort, with a little flair here and there to break the monotony. Throw in electrification, and you'd expect something transformative – an MPV with the space and practicality of a caravan, combined with the tech appeal of a BEV. Overview: BYD M6 Extended Price RM 124,500 Powertrain Single-motor FWD Battery capacity 71.8 kWh Charging 7 kW AC, 115 kW DC, CCS2 Range 530 km (NEDC) Power 204 PS Torque 310 Nm 0-100 Km/h 8.3 seconds (as teste

There’s a saying among car enthusiasts: “If you don’t look back at your car after parking, you bought the wrong one.” While I agree, it’s even more important to look back and feel confident you’ve chosen the best one for your needs and budget. With over 240 SUV variants available in Malaysia, standing out requires a perfect balance of value, practicality, safety, and performance—plus that extra X-factor to win buyers over. The 2024 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TSI R Line certainly brings features and

MG made its Malaysian debut with the MG4 and MG HS BEVs, but the brand isn’t stopping there. Enter the 2024 MG 5 sedan—MG's first ICE model in the Malaysia—poised to challenge stalwarts like the Honda City, Toyota Vios, and the newer Proton S70 in the highly competitive B-segment sedan market. Many challengers have entered this segment, only to fade away. Can the MG 5 carve out a place for itself? To find out, we took it on a journey from Kuala Lumpur to Desaru and back. Let’s dive in. Overview

Blame Tesla. The company sparked the acceleration of battery electric vehicle (BEV) development and its widespread acceptance by consumers, but it also turned cars into 4-wheeled gadgets. Step inside any modern car, especially one powered by electric motors and those coming from China, and you will be greeted by screens. Some might think this is all for the sake of modern minimalism, but having reviewed many recent models, it is more of an irritant in usability. Tesla introduced and somehow, con

Long distance drives are usually one of the better yardsticks to judge a car, but most test drives won't afford you the opportunity to. Fortunately for you though, we've had the 2024 Nissan Kicks for a while, long enough to trek to Melaka and back – and this is what we've learnt. Overview: 2024 Nissan Kicks e-Power Price TBA Segment B-segment Powertrain 1.2L 3-cyl + electric motor, e-Power Power 139 PS (electric motor) Torque 280 Nm (electric motor) 0-100 Km/h 9.5 seconds (claimed) Origin CBU, T

A small car that costs nearly a quarter of a million Ringgit is going to raise a lot of eyebrows. Small is cheap, big is expensive – that’s the usual consumer hierarchy unless you're selling bikinis or diamonds. The profit margin on small cars is too thin for manufacturers to invest their best and the brighest minds into developing it. Also, no ambitious car engineer wants to boast about building the best entry-level luxury car, so motivation to excel is limited. When the CEOs of Mercedes-Benz o