CROSSING OVER

WRITE TO MOTORING AT CARS@NEWS.COM.AU OR PO BOX 2808, GPO SYDNEY, 2001

It’s time to trade in our excellent 2006 Subaru Impreza. We’ve looked at new Subarus and found the SUVs make access easier, so are considering the new Crosstrek. Are there rivals you could recommend for around $4045,000, not necessarily SUVs?

Gerard Casey, email

Crosstrek’s the new global name for Subaru’s XV. North America’s been calling it that since 2015. This third-generation small SUV arrives very soon and the let’s hope the hybrid variant improves on the 6.5L/100km efficiency of the current model, which is disappointing when the larger Toyota RAV4 Hybrid AWD manages 4.8L/100km. If you don’t mind a wait, a 2WD RAV4 GXL Hybrid’s a cracking thing for $42,600 but it may be too large for your needs. Try Toyota’s 2WD C-HR Koba Hybrid ($37,665) for decent kit and fuel economy, while the new Kia Seltos Sport+ is a cracker – it’s thirstier, but at $35,800 plus on-roads it’s well below your budget. For non-SUVs, the Mazda3 is Impreza sized. The hatchback has a tight rear seat and boot, but its design in and out are superb. For $39,190 plus on-roads a G25 Astina is loaded with luxe and gives a brilliant, involving drive experience.

WELL BLOCKED

Re: car key thefts, faraday boxes (which block proximity key signals) prevent remote access to your car. I’d suggest purchasing two – they’re about $50 each – one for keys you use every day and one hidden with spare keys inside. As you mention, there’s no point locking it as this could risk your family’s safety if intruders are involved. Just keep insurance policies current.

Rob Bingham, email

Sensible suggestions. It could be a Faraday pouch or box – I’ve previously suggested such signal blockers to surfers who leave keys in lockboxes on their car. Pouches are available from about $15 – cheap insurance, really.

QUICKER DELIVERY

Re: turning left on a red light, I worked for DHL overseas for many years. An American FedEx executive told me all their pick-up and delivery routes are selected – where possible – at intersections allowing turns on red. I believe UPS do the same. Maybe a short, on demand, traffic light sequence change for pedestrian safety could be investigated for Australia? Alex Gallacher, email

Traffic congestion isn’t improving. We need smarter solutions. I don’t think any road user – especially those regularly navigating major cities – would mind trials of any innovation aimed at improving traffic flow. If major delivery firms – where time is money – prioritise red light turns, that’s ample evidence it’s effective.

ANYONE FOR POLO?

My son’s turning 17 and getting his first car. He’s paying one-third, we pay the rest. Can you suggest options for about $10,000? Michael James, email

The used car market is so stupidly inflated, $10,000 doesn’t buy the late-model cars it would have pre-Covid. That’s troubling for parents, as we want our kids to have as safe a car as possible. Sadly, much of the smart safety tech compulsory in new cars is absent in decade-old cars. My pick would be a Mk5 VW Polo, the facelifted version from August 2014 and ideally one with manual gearbox. They scored five stars in independent crash tests at the time, they drive beautifully, sip fuel frugally and have smart, classy cabins with a colour touchscreen, Bluetooth, audio streaming and cruise control. A 2013/14 Ford Focus manual offers a cracking drive in something a bit larger, while a similar vintage Suzuki Swift would be my pick if you want an auto.

SILENT MENACE

I and others have had close calls in car parks with noiseless electric cars reversing. Shouldn’t they have reversing beeps like heavy vehicles? A partially blind friend had her skull crushed by one and is now totally blind. Wendy A, email

Good grief. It’s baffling why Acoustic Vehicle Alerting Systems (AVAS) – a warning noise emitted by EVs, plug-ins and hybrids – aren’t mandatory to alert pedestrians, cyclists and others. Our government’s dragged its feet on the issue, while the US and Europe already mandate it on new hybrids and electrics. Up to 30km/h, the Nissan Leaf EV directionally beams sound at detected road users. Many other EVs do similarly, but I’ve tested a few which remain silent. As a result, pedestrians can be totally oblivious to them. Your friend’s case graphically shows AVAS must be mandatory (including when reversing) and retrofitted to older EVs, many of which are already hardwired for it.

CROWNING GLORY

As a retired couple there’s no way we can afford a new car. We own an economical 2011 Mercedes B180, but a year ago I spotted an imported 2009 Toyota Crown Hybrid, top of the range and with a 3.5-litre six-cylinder. Neighbours warned me it would cost $10,000 or more if we need to replace its hybrid battery but suppliers told me it was only $3000. If it comes to that, I’ll own a luxury powerful car as economical as our B180 for under $20,000.

Roger White, Goolwa SA

These luxo barge Crown Hybrids are superb – they use about 7L/100km and reach 100km/h in 5.4 seconds. A friend recently bought one a bit older than yours – doilies for the seats and everything – and he’s equally smitten. While electric batteries aren’t cheap, I’ve seen similar $3000 sums for hybrid battery replacements in Toyota Camrys and Priuses. They give you a rebate for the old battery too.