Popular SUVS for under $25k
You don’t have to spend $50k or upwards for a family SUV. Here are the top used picks . . .
Last year, a huge number of SUV models sold in New Zealand, with mediumsized SUVS making up 19 per cent of the new passenger vehicle segment.
The continued interest means there’s now a wide range of medium-sized SUVS now available in the used market. Here’s a few we found on DRIVEN.CO.NZ.
Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD 2.5 2014, 96,000km, $24,950
($60,790 when new). The Toyota RAV4 has been a popular SUV for Kiwis since it was introduced back in 1995. Last year the fifth generation model was released, and was the second- best-selling new passenger car of 2019. It was also in the top-10 of AA Driven NZ Car of the Year 2019.
The model we scouted was a fourth-gen Limited model. This particular variant replaces the full size spare wheel with a space-saver type for a more spacious boot capacity of 577l with all the seats up.
In tougher conditions, the on-demand AWD system has the ability to split the torque evenly between the two axles. Under normal driving conditions, it keeps the vehicle in front-drive for better fuel economy.
It uses a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission, teamed to a 2.5l engine that delivers 132kw at 6000rpm. Economy-wise, it uses 8.5l of fuel over 100km and boasts 1500kg braked towing capacity.
Mazda CX-5 GSX 2.5 2013, 64,000km, $24,900
($44,095 when new). The Mazda CX5 has a lot to offer, and was the third-bestselling new passenger car in 2019.
Much like the RAV4, the CX-5 has a sixspeed automatic transmission. The model we found was powered by the Skyactiv-g engine, which runs a rather high 13:1 compression ratio and, despite the 2.5l capacity, ticks along frugally, with consumption of just 7.4l/100km.
Rear cargo space is respectable at 403l with the 60/40 split seats up, and 1560l with the rear seats folded flat. This type of interior space is generous for a vehicle of this size.
Kia Sportage 2.0 LX 2016, 54,000km, $24,950
($35,990 when new). Partly due to its more accessible price point, the Kia Sportage has been a favourite with Kiwis for over a decade now.
The LX is an entry-level model and remains popular with buyers who don’t necessarily require an AWD system. It’s a popular city SUV, ideal for those drivers who use their car mainly for the daily school run and weekly shopping.
Despite being the entry model, the Kia Sportage LX isn’t too light on features — this example we found boasts Apple Carplay and a reversing camera. The Sportage packs a 2.0l engine, which develops 114kw at 6200rpm and fuel economy of 7.9l/100km.
Mitsubishi Outlander 2.4 VRX 4WD 2015, 120,000km, $24,995
($54,490 when new). The Mitsubishi Outlander was treated to a facelift in 2015 and some additional touches of luxury. These new features included voice recognition, a 360-degree reverse camera, satellite navigation and even front heated leather seats.
Speaking of seats, the Mitsubishi Outlander has plenty — seven, to be exact. It is also capable of going off the beaten track thanks to its AWD system, with its softened suspension no doubt helping to keep it settled. The model we found has CVT and a 2.4l engine, with fuel economy of 7.5l/100km.
There’s a lot to consider when you’re buying a used car, but you can count on the AA for tips and advice.
Is there anything worse than styling your hair to perfection, only for all your hard work to become undone by wild weather the moment you step outside?
This time of year is notorious for unpredictable weather, which can wreak havoc on hair in myriad ways — not least unravelling your up-do.
Throw a day spent on the water in the mix and you’re facing a slew of potential hair-related dramas that make keeping your hair looking on-point an insurmountable task.
But help is at hand. Enter high-glamour ponytails and polished chignons that tame tresses and keep stray strands under control.
Whatever the weather, these windproof styles will ensure you look your best from the boat to the after party.
ATHLEISURE HAIR by Michael Beel, Dyson New Zealand styling ambassador
“I love an active bun look that is tight and sporty but casual. I like to think of it as ‘athleisure hair’,” Michael says.
Get the look:
1. Begin by blow drying the hair using the Dyson Airwrap styler with its pre-styling dryer attachment on a high heat and high airflow setting until 80 per cent dry
2. Using the Dyson Airwrap styler’s smoothing brush, on low heat and medium airflow setting, brush the hair backwards until completely dry
3. With an elastic band, tie the hair into a high twisted topknot and secure with pins
4. For a more casual look, lightly loosen strands of hair along the hair line
5. Apply a setting spray to finish
Frizz fighters
HIGH-GLAMOUR HIGH-PONY by Sophia El-tayeb, Loxy’s creative director
Sophia says: “Go high for intense glam or low for sleek and classic. Windproof and oh-so chic!”
Get the look:
1. If you’re prone to frizz, apply a leave-in treatment to lengths and ends before blow-drying hair on a low setting. My favourite frizz-tamer is the Olaplex No.6 Leave In Smoothing Cream
2. Smooth hair with a soft brush, pulling strands back from your face and using your other hand to collect them together
3. Secure with a hair tie and apply shine spray to keep it in place
4. A cute way of glamming it up is to take a small section of hair from the pony, slide a bobby pin at the end of the section then wrap it around the hair tie and secure
CHIC CHIGNON by Danny Pato, co-founder and creative director at d&m and International Hairdresser Of The Year 2021
“This style is a red carpet regular. One of my favourite renditions was a folded style from a recent Givenchy spring/ summer 2021 runway,” says Danny.
Get the look:
1. Prep clean, damp hair with a decent spray of Davines Blow Dry Primer and blow smooth by creating tension with a round brush and keeping the nozzle of your dryer pointing down
2. Create your parting using a comb (either centre part or low side part, or even all slicked back), spray generously with Davines Medium Hold Hairspray and comb through to ensure hair is smooth
3. Tilt your head slightly back, tightly gathering your hair to the nape of your neck using a comb; secure the low ponytail with a small hair-tie or bungee
4. Loop and twist your ponytail around to create a wrapped knot effect, leaving a few cm of the ends out. Secure the loop using a few bobby pins
5. Wrap the ends around the hair-tie and discreetly pin
6. Secure everything in place with an ample amount of Davines Extra Strong Hairspray
POLISHED LOW KNOT by Sean Mahoney, stylist at Colleen “A favourite look of mine is a simple, polished low knot I designed for a Kate Sylvester runway show. This look is elegant on its own and can be styled with clips, a chic sunhat or a headscarf if you’re feeling extra glamorous,” says Sean.
Get The Look:
1. Wash your hair with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, like Evo The Therapist shampoo and conditioner for a boost of moisture
2. Gently towel dry and evenly spray Kevin Murphy Ever Smooth from roots to ends, this hero product is a humidity repeller and leaves a frizz-free finish
3. Blow-dry the hair smooth with a paddle brush
4. Section hair into two from ear to ear, keeping the front section out. Use a Cloud Nine Original Iron to straighten small sections at a time
5. Take the under section of hair and tie into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck
6. Spray Kevin Murphy Touchable Dry Spray Wax through the top section of hair to ensure natural hold. Pull all sections of loose hair back and tie into a larger ponytail, then brush out smoothly with a boar bristle brush
7. Loop the ponytail around to make a knot and tie tightly with elastic. Spray the knot generously with Kevin Murphy Session Spray to finish — don’t forget to pop this in your handbag in case you need touch up later
SLEEK PONY by Zoe Clark, Inco Studio director
“A sleek pony is definitely my go-to style,” says Zoe. “It’s sophisticated, cool, and can be dressed up. This is a style that can be worn many ways with variations of height, and parting placement.”
Get the look:
1. Create your desired parting. Choose your elevation or height of where you will tie your pony
2. Apply your choice of smoothing cream or balm (instead of an oil or serum) — it means the hair has the ability to move freely still
3. Brush hair with a bristle brush for maximum smoothness
4. Tie off at desired position using an elastic
5. Accessorise with gold, silver or black clips at the sides of the head (below temples or above ears), or with a large silk scrunchie
There's a tiny oasis on the west coast of Florida where the men wear Tommy Bahama from head to toe and women of a certain age stroll around poolside in tube tops and full jewellery.
It's a “middle-age Nirvana” where crabs talk and you can eat veal-stuffed manatee while wearing your evening culottes and sip tropical drinks served in a mini-aquarium.
This oasis is called Vista Del Mar and it's the whacky invention of Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, who cowrote and co-star in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del
Mar, a gentle salute to women in their 40s getting their groove back.
Wiig and Mumolo, whose Bridesmaids was nominated for a screenwriting Oscar, are irresistible this time as two best friends who stumble into a huge plot to destroy the Florida resort town.
Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar has some pleasant messages — like don't abandon a friendship over a boy, fight to keep your inner shimmer, and you're never too old to grow. It's not gross or sharp, unless you find jokes about how tourists like gifts made of shells a little too close to home.
Wiig (Star) and Mumolo (Barb) play a particular caricature of a Midwestern woman — the hair is fluffy, they adore character socks and eat hot dog soup.
Just a pair of very forgiving and kindly single gals from Soft Rock, Nebraska.
They are members of a Talking Club (run ruthlessly by Vanessa Bayer) and say things like, “It’s so funny to think all the racoons in the world are sleeping right now.” Somehow, the relentlessly optimistic pair don't get grating for viewers over the 100-minute run time. Director Josh Greenbaum's work is straightforward, wisely just letting these gals do their thing.
When their careers at a furniture store take a nosedive, Barb and Star decide on a Florida vacation. “Maybe something is telling us to do something different,” says Star to Barb. To which Barb replies: “Should we try those socks with individual toes?”
In Florida, they wander into a revenge plot laid by a James Bond-like villain (also Wiig) who wants to destroy her hometown of Vista Del Mar with killer mosquitos because residents were mean to her as a kid. The tip-off that's she's evil comes quickly; her lair has an elevator with a button labelled “Lair”.
There are roles for Jamie Dornan as a love interest, Damon Wayans jnr as a bumbling spy, Reba Mcentire as a water sprite and a hysterical turn by Andy Garc´ıa as Tommy Bahama, who delivers this line without cracking up: “It is time to mount the wind and ride it with the fierceness of a hippopotamus.”
Wiig and Mumolo are also behind many of the movie's songs, including the hotel lounge piano tune
I Love Boobies and Edgar's Prayer, which is delivered to seagulls. Of course, there are classic beach bum songs, too, like Cheeseburger in Paradise.
The film nicely sends up spy capers, Broadway and buddy movies and is a lot like its two leading characters — kindly, a little silly and as sweet as a candy-coloured drink at the pool bar.
Clockwise from main, Kristen Wiig (left) and Annie Mumolo play 40-somethings in Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar; Kristen Wiig portrays a particular caricature of a Midwestern woman; Jamie Dornan plays a love interest.