ground clearance

The Nissan Note is a tall-ish hatchback, B-segment rival to the Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris. In Europe, the Note is classified as a mini-MPV, together with the Jazz, despite it being a 5-seater, but that’s just how European consumers sees any tall-ish hatchback. This applies to the Mercedes-Benz B-Class and Volkswagen Golf Sportvan too. Naturally, you would expect the Note to have a higher ground clearance than a sports car, but you’ll be surprised to know that the opposite is true, as noted by

Hans

Nov 27, 2020

Bookings for the 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander is now open. The 1.5-litre naturally aspirated MIVEC engine Xpander is locally-assembled in Pekan but a common question that consumers have is, is it an MPV or an SUV? The short answer is that it’s neither, but if we have to pick one, it will be an SUV, and that’s how we refer to it in all our articles on the Xpander. Yes, we recognize that there’s an even more SUV-like derivative model known as the Xpander Cross, currently on sale in Thailand, Indonesia,

Hans

Oct 23, 2020

We all know the Toyota Avanza. The strangely proportioned 7-seater MPV that has the ground clearance of an SUV. While opinions are split between the car’s look, there was no denying that it was a helpful workhorse whether you’re ferrying workers or family around. Those on the elderly side also love the height clearance as it means easier ingress and egress! If you’re a very observant person, you would notice that according to the Avanza’s VIN plate, the car is made in Indonesia by PT. Astra Daih

Jerrica

Dec 18, 2019

Ultra-high performance (UHP) tyres for SUVs Up to 13,000 km more mileage than competitors 39 sizes for 17- to 23-inches Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) is a one size fit all solution for buyers looking for a practical vehicle and its increased ground clearance is especially practical for Malaysian roads. However, with the rapid growth for demands in SUVs also given rise to sporty and performance-oriented SUVs, some packing more grunt than conventional supercars. For owners looking for a set of suit

Adrian Chia

Aug 14, 2019

Perodua’s technical partner Daihatsu is expected to launch its first hybrid 7-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) in Japan in October 2021. Details are still lacking but the model will certainly ride on Daihatsu’s latest DNGA platform, which is developed to accommodate hybrid drivertrains. The recently launched Perodua Ativa is the first DNGA-based model for our region. Two powertrain options are mentioned as possible candidates – a Toyota-sourced 1.5-litre hybrid (shared with Yaris Cross), or a

Hans

Mar 5, 2021

The Daihatsu Taft is now available in Japan starting at 1,353,000 yen. The Taft debuted as a concept at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon. Available in a 3-cylinder naturally aspirated (NA) variant and a 3-cylinder turbocharged variant (Both 660 cc), all variants are equipped with a CVT transmission. Buyers can choose between a FWD and 4WD drivetrain Measuring 3,395 mm long, the TAFT is shorter than the already small Perodua Axia we are used to in Malaysia. Overall dimensions are 3395 x 1475 x 1630 mm (

Arif

Jun 15, 2020

As is well-known that Touareg can dart through the downtown even in its slightly large body, while Land Rover is born to across the rainforest and have its off-road ability on the ball, so many may suspect that Land Rover is destined to win the off-road contest if racing with Touareg. Confronting the "incontrovertible" opiniton, TFLCAR conducted an off-road test recently, in which the team made contrast of Volkswagen Touareg with Land Rover Discovery, and the video goes way beyond our speculatio

Gemma

Aug 8, 2019

We often come across interesting discussions in our Malaysia Car Fans (WapCar) Facebook group. This particular poll regarding which body styles our readers prefer, caught our attention. It turns out the majority of the respondents prefer SUVs (32%) while sedans trail closely behind at 30%. Hatchbacks come third followed by other mixes of body styles. We all know that SUVs are on an uptrend in recent years for its tall driving position, better forward vision, and high ground clearance. It gives y

Adrian Chia

May 29, 2020

Monsoon season is here and you know what that means – floods. Generally, we don’t recommend driving through floods for numerous reasons but if you have to, we’ve listed a few tips here. Anyway, let’s move on to the main topic at hand – cars with highest wading depth that are currently on sale in Malaysia. If you live in an area that is prone to floods and want a vehicle that is capable of wading through them, we’ve rounded up 5 of them for you. 1. Land Rover Discovery, 900 mm Land Rover is prett

Shaun

Nov 19, 2020

If you’re car shopping in the RM 300k range, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class is likely to show up under your radar. Perhaps you’ve already been to the showroom, and one of the features highlighted by the salesperson was the Airmatic suspension. But what makes it a USP of the Mercedes-Benz C300? Airmatic Suspension is Mercedes-Benz’s term for their air suspension. Compared to traditional strut suspension, there are no coil springs or shock absorbers on air suspension systems. Instead, it uses bags made

Shaun

Dec 30, 2019

The Proton X50 and Perodua D55L are probably 2020’s most talked-about cars in Malaysia. Though both SUVs have yet made their debut, the comparisons between the 2 cars have started since sightings of the Daihatsu Rocky/ Toyota Raize (Perodua D55L in Japan) started surfacing during the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. But how do the 2 SUVs compare in size? Here’s a quick size comparison. While there is much talk about the two being the strongest “competitors” in the B-segment SUV market, the 2 cars’ sizes v

Jerrica

Aug 9, 2020

Toyota Harrier Toyota RAV4 The all-new 2020 Toyota Harrier will officially go on sale in June. From the preliminary specifications released by Toyota, the Harrier appears to share many similarities with the Toyota RAV4. Why does Toyota have two SUVs in the same segment? Here’s a brief comparison. It is true that both SUVs are very similar to each other. The Harrier and RAV4 are categorised in the same segment, built on the TNGA-K platform shared with the Toyota Camry. Both SUVs also share the sa

Jerrica

May 10, 2020

Zeekr has launched its first car, the Zeekr 001 at an event held at the Zeekr Intelligent Factory in Hangzhou Bay, China. After government subsidies, the Zeekr 001 fetches a price around 281,000 Yuan (RM 177,000). The Tesla Model 3 starts at a price of 249,900 Yuan (RM 158,119), slightly cheaper than the Zeekr 001. Zeekr is the new pure electric brand from Geely Holding Group, and plans to take on the premium EV domain. Also Read: Geely's new EV-only premium sub-brand Zeekr aims at Tesla The Zee

Arif

Apr 17, 2021

Cross-segment shopping is now becoming the norm in our current car market. How did something that is close to unheard of 20 years ago become so common and what has happened that allowed us to expand our horizons when it comes to shopping for a new car? That is because in this era of car shopping we are given so many options rather just sedans, hatches and SUVs, and it has also started more competition between the car companies. Car brands are also increasing the cost of building a car and this h

Jerrica

Apr 19, 2020

Suzuki Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. added a new model to its stable by unveiling the all-new 2020 Suzuki XL7 yesterday. This marks the third Thailand launch for the carmaker this year - with the other two being the 2020 Suzuki Ciaz sedan and the 2020 Suzuki Ertiga 7-seater. If the name’s a clue, the XL7 is a three-row 7-seater MPV and doesn’t stray far from how the Ertiga looks - but with a bit more ruggedness. It measures 4,450 mm in overall length, 1,775 mm wide, 1,710 mm tall and has a wheelbas

Sanjay

Jul 3, 2020

Daihatsu has no plans to introduce any sedan models in Indonesia, said the No.2 car brand in Indonesia during an interview with CNN Indonesia. Previously, the company did mull over the prospect introducing a sedan to Indonesia. In 2017, the company previewed the DN F-Sedan concept at the Gaikindo Indonnesia International Auto Show. The low slung, almost coupe-like roofline of the DN F-Sedan was originally conceived as a stylish budget four-door sedan, sharing the same mechanicals and platform as

Hans

Aug 3, 2020

Aston Martin has officially joined the ranks of sport car manufacturers with an SUV in their stable with the launch of the Aston Martin DBX. The 2020 Aston Martin DBX is the company’s first SUV in its 106-year history and the fourth car launched under their transformational Second Century Plan. No doubt, the DBX is Aston’s most practical car measuring at 5,039 mm long, 1,680 mm high and 2,220 mm wide with a boot space capacity of 832-litres. It’s got a ground clearance of 190 mm so a wading dept

Jerrica

Nov 20, 2019

The Honda BR-V is an entry-level, three-row seat, seven-seater vehicle. With a ground clearance of 201 mm, it rides 3 mm higher than even a Honda CR-V (even when fitted with all-wheel drive). At the same time, it’s only has front-wheel drive, with an elongated rear half that looks more like an MPV than an SUV. So what is the Honda BR-V? Is it an MPV or an SUV? The simple answer is that it’s an SUV. Honda Malaysia’s own marketing materials describe it as a crossover, which is just another way of

Hans

Apr 1, 2020

What are the best cars in Malaysia below RM100k? Among the most anticipated launches in the coming months are the all-new 2020 Honda City, 2020 Nissan Almera, Proton X50, or even the Perodua D55L. These will become some the best options for around RM 100k or less. These models happen to be in the B-segment market (some might argue the D55L isn’t but then again, it shares similar wheelbase with the Myvi). From the looks of it, the B-segment market will be segregated into sedans and SUVs. So to pa

Shaun

Aug 25, 2020

Shrinking demand for sedans Hard time fending itself against SUVs and Crossovers Manufacturers shifting focus from sedan to SUVs When Honda Malaysia pulled the wraps off the 10th-generation Honda Civic (FC) in June 2016, it went on to chart unprecedented success in the shrinking C-segment sedan space. The Civic FC single-handedly revitalised the segment and at one point led the segment with more than 68% market share. The Civic remains the most popular model in the segment, having sold more than

Adrian Chia

Aug 29, 2019

Previously we looked at B-segment sedan vs C-segment sedan and now to make things a little more interesting, we're looking at C-segment SUV vs D-segment sedan. C-segment SUV are mid-size SUVs such as the Mazda CX-5, Proton X70, Honda CR-V, etc. D-segment sedans are large sedans like the Toyota Camry, Mazda 6, Honda Accord, etc. Let's take the Honda CR-V and Honda Accord as an example since both are priced fairly close to each other. What do you get when you go for the CR-V over the Accord? CR-V'

Shaun

Oct 30, 2019

Geely has officially launched its largest SUV yet, the Geely Haoyue. At launch, the Haoyue is offered as a 7-seater while a 5-seater configuration will be available in the future. Visually, the Haoyue takes after the Geely ICON’s boxy silhouette. Familiar cues include the expanding cosmos grille, Geely inscription across the tailgate, and slim LED taillamps. Note that the rear quarter glass is fairly big to give the 3rd-row passengers an airy impression inside. The Haoyue aims squarely against t

Adrian Chia

Apr 29, 2020

Earlier this year, UMW Toyota Motor launched the new 2020 Toyota Hilux, which now comes with a more powerful 204 PS/500 Nm 2.8-litre common rail turbodiesel engine, plus an expanded set of safety features which now include Toyota Safety Sense, packing autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure alert, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA) as well as adaptive cruise control. There’s also a 150 PS/400 Nm 2.4-litre engine for the lower variants – same power output as before but

Hans

Nov 20, 2020

Finally, the 2021 Ford Bronco has been unleashed to the world. This after years of teasing, a retro concept car, and a police chase that made it more famous than it could have ever been. Apart from being the media sensation from a certain trial of the century, the Bronco was Ford’s capable 4x4 that could conquer anywhere and everywhere. The latest one seems ready to pick up what the other iconic horse of Ford’s stable had left off. The 2021 Bronco is available in three variants, the classic 2-do

CY Foong

Jul 14, 2020

Ford Thailand has just launched the 2021 Ford Ranger FX4 Max, and you might call it a budget Ranger Raptor or as the Blue Oval puts it “Ranger Raptor-inspired”. The inspiration is mostly visual enhancements which include the FORD-lettered front mesh grille with a dark grey surround. This colour scheme is also applied to the exterior mirror caps, door handles, wheel arch mouldings, and rear tray surround. This buff stance continues around the rear bed with a full-length tubular sports bar, finish

CY Foong

Mar 12, 2021

The Toyota Rush is an SUV that seats 7 people. The B-segment SUV is Toyota’s answer to the Honda BR-V. Both models follow the concept of offering a SUV-looking body with seven seats. It’s essentially an MPV for people who don’t want an MPV. Is the Toyota Rush a good car for families? What are the common problems and common complaints? A high 220 mm ground clearance SUV that seats 7, sounds like a great concept, except for one problem, and it’s a very huge one too. The Perodua Aruz is essentially

Hans

Dec 2, 2019

Model | Gallery The Honda BR-V is a budget seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). If you have a young family and is looking for a seven-seater, the BR-V is a decent choice. It offers a lot more space than a similarly priced Honda City. The 201 mm ground clearance (19 mm lower than Toyota Rush/Perodua Aruz) is also just right - not too tall that it becomes difficult for young children or even the elderly to climb into, and not too low that it makes it difficult for older family members to get

Robert

Sep 4, 2019

The Toyota Innova probably does not need much of an introduction – the first-generation Toyota Innova made its local debut back in 2005, while the replacement model you see here was introduced back in 2016. All variants of the Toyota Innova share a 2.0-litre 1TR-FE 4-cylinder petrol engine that does 139 PS and 183 Nm, sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed automatic. What’s the price of the Toyota Innova? Prices range from RM 115,280 for the Innova 2.0E, RM 123,400 for the Innova 2.0G, and RM 132

Eric

Dec 27, 2019

The Audi Sport Quattro and Subaru WRX STI have cemented their names in the hall of fame of all-wheel-drive cars. AWD is good for performance and the fastest supercars of today mainly use AWD drivetrains. Today, just about any manufacturer has their own AWD system. And while they may differ in names, they basically send power to all four wheels. Some AWD systems are more superior than others, but that is a subject matter for another day. Despite the interesting technology behind AWD cars, most of

Arif

Oct 11, 2020

Mitsubishi Motors Malaysia (MMM) has opened bookings for the highly anticipated 2020 Mitsubishi Xpander. The 7-seater B-segment SUV will come to town to face stiff competition like the Honda BR-V and the Perodua Aruz. But we think that these 5 features make it a winner above all its 7-seater rivals. All Round Monitor (ARM) – bird’s eye view around you Other than the Toyota Rush, the Xpander is the only other 7-seater B-segment car that comes with a 360-degree parking camera. The Honda BR-V, Pero

Jerrica

Oct 23, 2020