JMEV ELIGHT
It’s a sedan…and it’s electrified!
Ah, a sedan! What a breath of fresh air amidst the onslaught of SUVs, I thought, as I was tasked with test-driving the JMEV ELIGHT. Then, I discovered that it was an electric sedan, which really piqued my interest. So far, the EVs I’ve tested have been SUVs and a pickup truck or two. Despite being...
Published on 03 Mar 2026
Mahindra XUV 3XO AX7L
Avant-garde ambition at an attainable price
Once known primarily for rugged utility vehicles designed to take a beating in rural India, Mahindra has undergone quite the makeover. With a stronger design identity, serious investment in engineering, and surprising forays into premium features, the new XUV 3XO lands in Sri Lanka aiming squarely a...
Published on 24 Feb 2026
Suzuki Fronx Alpha AT
True-blue, petrol turbo crossover…
EVs, EVs, EVs. That’s what we’ve been mostly sampling for the past many months. That’s also why it was a breath of fresh air to check out the latest Suzuki Fronx in Alpha AT 1.0L Turbo guise, as brought down by Associated Motorways, official agents for Suzuki in Sri Lanka. Suzuki is probably o...
Published on 17 Feb 2026
Chery Tiggo 9 PHEV
A large family hauler that's surprisingly swift for the price
In a way, the Chery Tiggo 9 makes a definitive statement - that it can play in the flagship SUV space. It impresses with space, refinement, and strong value for money even given our vastly inflated prices; thanks to the local punitive import taxes. Smooth, quiet, generously equipped, yet with bliste...
Published on 16 Feb 2026
XPENG G6
We Check Out this Luxury Compact RWD Crossover
Every day there’s another Chinese car in Sri Lanka. However, contrary to popular belief, these aren’t mushroom outfits. XPENG is arguably one of the newer Chinese automakers, but it’s still over a decade old. Founded by two senior executives formerly of GAC Group, XPENG enjoys a strong partner...
Published on 28 Dec 2025
Beijing X55
Traditional, ICE SUV from BAIC
I was “relieved” to be behind the wheel of a traditional, internal combustion-engined vehicle after many a foray with EV’s. Plus, the X55 has received a superb stamp of approval from the general public… the friendly and helpful people of David Pieris Automobiles tells me that a few hundred u...
Published on 09 Dec 2025
Changan Lumin Driven
The Pocket-Rocket City Car
When you first look at the Lumin, it reminds you of a car-character from the movie “Cars”. It has a quirky, toy-like face, and it indeed is toy-sized, in a world of oversized SUVs and macho pick-up trucks. Built as a “City Car”, the full electric Lumin is full of character… when you walk u...
Published on 09 Dec 2025
Jetour X70 Plus
Seven Seat SUV with a Petrol Powertrain
Electric vehicles are plentiful nowadays, but there’s also the good old internal combustion brigade vying for your attention and cheque book. And yes, some of these machines are from China. In fact, since the import ban was lifted, the Chinese auto floodgates have opened with gusto, giving us a ta...
Published on 04 Dec 2025
Maxus T90
It’s a Pickup Truck, it’s Chinese, and it’s from a surprisingly Big Name!
In April 2019, I spent a few days at the facilities of SAIC – Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, in, well, the greater Shanghai area. There, I drove ten vehicles from three SAIC brands – MG, Roewe and Maxus, at their proving grounds which is a joint venture with General Motors. While we a...
Published on 10 Nov 2025
Deepal E07
Transformer Truck Slash SUV
What on earth is this thing? If you’re looking at our photos, you’re probably scratching your head too. When Teranka Carim, CEO of Deepal Sri Lanka told me about an SUV that could convert into a pickup truck… I couldn’t believe my ears. Then he sent me some pictures, and a clearer idea began...
Published on 03 Oct 2025