Articles by Dan Pugh

Dan Pugh

Contributor

Dan is CarsGuide’s marketing director by day, with a long-standing passion for anything on four wheels. Like many of us, though, he spends his weekends as taxi driver for his three kids and their friends.

So, if you’re wondering how cars tackle Woolies carparks, battle weekend traffic, ferry the kids to soccer, or act as transport for birthday parties, to local parks, and friends’ houses (all to the tune of a Top 40 hits soundtrack), Dan’s your guy.

Attributes such as boot space, seat folding mechanisms, ISOFIX mounts, USB points and cup holders are more important than the sheer pleasure of driving, but he doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to ride, handling and performance. Dan’s dream garage is vast, but he likes his chances of parking an XP Falcon wagon in his actual driveway, one day.

Kia Carnival Platinum diesel 2018 review

Expert Rating:

13 August 2018 by Dan Pugh

Isuzu MU-X LS-U 2018 review

1 August 2018 by Dan Pugh

The job of family taxi can be relentless and hard-wearing on both parent and car. Between the shopping and school runs, trips to weekend sport, birthday parties and the various other destination, you need a family hauler built to withstand this endless punishment. Enter the Isuzu MU-X 2018. For my...Read more

Kia Optima GT 2018 review

27 July 2018 by Dan Pugh

Sedans are fast becoming the last kid to be picked on the schoolyard football team, but car makers seem largely undeterred as they continue to serve them up for our consideration. So are we missing something? For my weekend review, I'm testing the updated 2018 Kia Optima GT. Priced at $43,290, it's...Read more

Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design Launch Edition 2018 review

17 July 2018 by Dan Pugh

The XC40 is Volvo's third entrant into the SUV market, and it's arguably its most important, with the Swedish brand's sights firmly set on claiming its share of the premium small SUV category . For this weekend test I’m reviewing the Volvo XC40 T5 R-Design Launch Edition 2018. Listed at $56,740, it...Read more

Jaguar E-Pace SE D240 2018 review

29 June 2018 by Dan Pugh

Premium compact SUVs are like the Swiss Army Knives of family cars; small, practical and loaded with useful features. Not exactly what you’d call sexy though, are they? Well, they are now. Enter the E-Pace , Jaguar’s new entrant into the compact SUV category. In the company of such luminaries as...Read more

Lexus LS500h F Sport 2018 review

1 June 2018 by Dan Pugh

In the world of luxury limousines, it's the well-entrenched and much-desired European trio of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi that hold court. It's a brave car maker that tries to muscle in. And here comes one of those brave souls now. For my weekend test, I'm driving the 2018 Lexus LS 500h F-Sport ...Read more