PRETTY SMART
Helen Mason, resource deployment and design manager for KPMG talks about her Nissan
What are you driving?
It’s a 2019 red Nissan X-Trail ST 2019 2.5-litres, seven seater, and auto. I had the roof rack added plus front parking sensors. It had 4500 km on the clock when I bought it but I still got 2.5 years of warranty included. which is peace of mind for repairs as I get to know the car.
Why did you choose this SUV?
The X-trail looked sleek and felt robust. I’m small so I like to be high up on the road so I can see around me. I wanted something I could transport the kids (and their mates) around in easily to their extracurricular activities. We wanted something with a large boot (in the five-seat configuration) so that we could get our camping gear in it (hence the roof rack). I fit comfortably into the front seat, yet so does my husband, who is 6 foot 4. I love that my phone sat nav (Google Maps) works through the radio via Bluetooth. Driving into the city from the Eastern Bays can be problematic with all the roadworks, so I check my route in every day. I also conduct meetings from the car via the hands-free function on the radio.
How does it handle trips outside the city?
It responds well on the motorway. It’s smooth and quiet. I don’t like to use it in Eco mode though as it’s not as quick to respond. In the city particularly, I need to be nifty and the Eco mode slows the acceleration.
Any other cars in your garage?
When my husband got a new job and lost his company ute, for the first time in 10 years he got to choose a car. It’s a BMW 320i 2013 (white, of course). I prefer to drive the X-Trail because I can see where I’m going. The Beemer is low to the floor and I feel like I’m lying down when we are in it.
What were you driving before the X-Trail?
A 2013 2-litre Holden Captiva. It was reliable and had the height and space I like. It had covered over 150,000km though and had a recurring engine fault issue which we could never resolve . . . so off to car heaven it went.
First car?
That was a 1969 orange Mini that I bought off a mate for £50 in the UK. I was 17 and just passed my driving test. It wasn’t roadworthy but I drove it up and down the back yard for the weeks then sold it again and made a £10 profit. Next was a White Triumph Dolomite with a walnut dash and override option. Nowadays, I would love a vintage motor but back then, it was a second hand, slightly over-used car my dad bought at a bargain price. I wrote it off by forgetting to turn my headlights on and smashing into a parked car on the side of the road 200m from my house. I was 18.
If you had to describe your X-Trail as a celebrity?
Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, she’s red, sassy but smart.
Who kicked off your interest in cars?
My now 85-year-old dad. He was a mechanic and he taught me about cars. I would have to do my own service, change my own wheels, and check the brakes. To this day, I hear a strange sound on the car and will have an idea what it might be.
How would you describe your driving style?
My husband would say erratic . . . I would say confident. It’s true I have had a couple of speeding fines in my time but I’m slower nowadays.
Favourite movie car scene?
Grease. The race scene between Danny and the rival gang leader (Scorpions) was epic.
Your thoughts on EVs and driverless cars?
It’s great that EVs are becoming more cost-achievable but my feeling is they require more planning for long journeys. Driverless scares the life out of me. I think humans will intrinsically require the need to control their vehicles.