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    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.

    Toyota RAV4 2019 review: GXL 2WD
    By Dan Pugh · 08 Aug 2019
    Does Toyota's latest take on its RAV4 finally move the SUV from good to great? We put it to the family test to find out.
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    Subaru Forester 2019 review: 2.5i
    By Dan Pugh · 12 Jul 2019
    The Subaru Forester 2.5i is a base model in name only, and arrives swimming with the kinds of premium features usually reserved for cars positioned further up the trim tree? Does that make it any more appealing as a family transporter?
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    Volkswagen Amarok Core V6 2019 review
    By Dan Pugh · 03 Jul 2019
    Sure, the Core model doesn't get all the luxury on offer from more expensive Amarok variants. But it does get a thumping V6 engine. And that's more than enough reason to put it to the family test.
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    Nissan Patrol 2019 review: Ti-L
    By Dan Pugh · 03 Jun 2019
    With three rows of seats, acres of space and seat-back TV screens to banish backseat boredom, the Nissan Patrol keeps its passengers happy on family road trips. And with its big V8 engine, the driver will be smiling, too.
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    Hyundai Kona Iron Man 2019 review
    By Dan Pugh · 23 May 2019
    When you think billionaire industrialist Tony Stark, you think Hyundai, right? You do now. Meet the Hyundai Kona Iron Man edition. And one thing is absolutely certain; your kids will love it.
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    Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES 2019 review
    By Dan Pugh · 10 May 2019
    Petrol-powered cars are expensive to run and spew pollutants. But pure EVs are slow to charge and spark range anxiety. But what if you could have the best of both worlds? Enter the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV ES.
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    Alpina B5 2019 review
    By Dan Pugh · 30 Apr 2019
    The Alpina B5 Biturbo might just be the fastest family car you've never heard of. Here's how it fared on weekend duties.Looking for a fast family car but keen to avoid being labelled a show-off by your neighbours? If so, then I might just have the perfect mild-mannered missile for you.Not that the Alpina B5 Biturbo 2019 sedan isn't an eye-catching car. It's more that most people might never have heard of it. Alpina is a German tuning company, which in this case has worked its magic on a BMW M5.As a result, the B5 - priced at a rather hefty $240,349 - is a high-performance sedan that might just go unnoticed.  That money buys you a heap of standard features, including leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, navigation, Alpina-embossed headrests, a 10.25-inch infotainment display, digital radio, Alpina door sills, a sunroof, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, a head-up display, Alpina's virtual instrument cluster, heated front and rear seats, and those 20-inch Alpina alloy wheels.So, how will the B5 handle family taxi duties? My kids and I had the weekend to find out.
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    Mazda 6 2019 review: GT turbo petrol sedan
    By Dan Pugh · 29 Apr 2019
    The Mazda 6 shrinks the gap between mainstream and premium, especially when equipped with its big and turbocharged petrol engine. But how will it fare on family duties for the weekend?
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    Kia Cerato GT sedan 2019 review
    By Dan Pugh · 26 Mar 2019
    Want a sporty-feeling family hauler, but don't want to go for a full hot hatch? Enter the Kia Cerato GT sedan. We put it to the family test.
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    Infiniti QX30 2019 review
    By Dan Pugh · 12 Mar 2019
    Can Infiniti's jacked-up hatchback, the QX30, pass as a family SUV? We put one to the Weekend Test to find out.
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