X marks the spot
While many car manufacturers set out to cater for all sectors of the market, it’s fair to say that Subaru has “stuck to its knitting”.
THE VOLVO XC90 doesn’t look dated despite being a 10-year-old design. It set the benchmark for the family-friendly SUV when it launched in 2002 and was such a strong design in every respect, little has been changed over the years.
Rural News drove the current model – due soon for replacement – in its sportiest form: the R-Design version.
R-Design brings bigger alloys, stiffer suspension, R-Design exterior trim and sporty leather interior, and dual exhaust. The latter looks great but makes the 5-cylinder turbo-diesel too noisy for a luxury SUV and the chunky 19-inch wheels and sports suspension compromise the ride quality, so we wouldn’t tick the ‘R’ option box.
Otherwise though the XC90 remains the same great luxury family wagon that created the niche since populated by the Ford Territory, Hyundai Santa Fe and many others. It boasts lots of interior space, versatile seating arrangements, cup holders and storage spaces everywhere and unassailable active and passive safety features.
On-road manners are good rather than great, but it’s not a sports car and does what it was designed to do.
The engine is willing and effortless thanks to 420Nm of torque and a 6-speed automatic, the only distraction being the loud exhaust. The sports exhaust probably better suits the 6-cylinder petrol version.
The level of specification is high regardless of the model variant selected (Executive for luxury, R-Design for sport) as you’d expect for $89,990.
Good value and still a great looking, functional design.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.