Super TestCar reviews - Daewoo - Cielo - GL 3-dr hatchDaewoo modelsUsed Rivals7 May 2003 HYUNDAI X3 EXCEL 3D HATCHBACK (1994-2000) Looks, space and keen pricing seduced hundreds of thousands of Aussies, but that doesn't mean that the X3 Excel is a good thing. Suspect durability and reliability, unrefined drivetrains and a truly unappealing interior outweigh any perforance and practicality benefits. Plus it's got a cheapo image. HOLDEN SB BARINA 3D HATCHBACK (1994-2001) THE Spanish-built City's smart styling, sassy cabin and Euro chicness are outweighed by the slug of a 33kW 1.2 litre engine, a drag of a manual gearbox, and dullsville dynamics. The '96 44kW 1.4 version is better, but the best by far is the post-August '97 facelift with its 60kW 1.4 and improved dynamics. FORD WB FESTIVA 3D HATCHBACK (1994-1996) EVEN less appealing than the X3 Excel, the South Korean-built (by Kia) Festiva has cheapness written all over it, from its wispy 46kW 1.3-engine, flimsy build quality and awful dynamics to the tippy-toed styling. Not nice to look at and equally unhappy to drive, the Festiva is below par in most respects. NISSAN K11 MICRA 3D HATCHBACK (1995-1997) AS good as the others aren't, the British-built Micra failed due to high prices. Yet, over its rivals, it displayed superior performance from a 55kW 1.3, good dynamics, excellent packaging, driving pleasure and real character. Plus it looks great, even today. A future classic, and a bargain to boot. All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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