Our Four Fleet Favourites

Ford Focus

The new Focus gets a sweeping interior upgrade with the most noticeable change to the dash layout. Its previous dash was a cluttered and confusing array of buttons that were far from driver-friendly, but the new version is far more usable. It also gets MyKey, a clever system that allows settings to be tailored to limit naughty teens - or fleet users that don’t like playing by the rules. MyKey can limit the car’s speed, warn earlier of low fuel levels and even dictate how loud the stereo can go. The pick of the Focus engines is Ford’s impressive 1.5-litre EcoBoost, with 132kW/240Nm surpassing the output of the outgoing 2-litre, but with far better economy and emissions figures. A Duratec diesel version is also available.

Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tuscon rejoins the fast-growing Korean manufacturer's line-up, replacing the ix35 globally. The car sits below the wildly popular Santa Fe in terms of price and power - but various trim levels mean it can be just as highly-specced. The bad news with Tuscon is that it costs more than the outgoing ix35, but the good news is that it’s a strong small-ish SUV that more than meets Hyundai’s impressive build quality levels Tech accoutrements include a brilliant infotainment system that plays nicely with smartphones and online services like Spotify. Hyundai NZ is currently awaiting confirmation that it will be. compatible with Apple’s CarPlay, which will be available as a freebie software upgrade during servicing for buyers who take deliver before CarPlay is officially rolled out. Pricing starts below $40,000 and goes up to the flagship Elite Limited all-wheel-drive with a two-litre diesel at $63,990. Pick of the four cylinder engines has to be the new 1.6-litre turbo petrol with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission and 130kW on tap.

Toyota Corolla 

While we don’t produce cars in New Zealand any more, it’s hard to go past the Toyota Corolla as the archetypical Kiwi car. Not only does it constantly top sales lists, there are very few families that haven’t had at least one little Corolla in the garage at some time in its lengthy lifespan. Toyota has rolled out its latest wagon variant which does everything that we’ve come to expect from the brand, and does it well. But the GX wagon doesn’t exactly get the hairs on the back of the neck standing up. If it’s functional fleet machinery that you’re shopping for, this Corolla certainly delivers - and cheaply. With six air-bags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction and stability controls it does it safely as well, with a five-star crash rating. A tricky remote folding function opens the rear luggage space to 872-litres, but with a 1.5-litre engine delivering just 80kW and 138Nm, don’t pack it with anvils. The wagon sells for just $27,990 in auto form, but if you’re happy to change your own gears, drop another $2000.

Mazda CX-3 

Keeping a familiar face across its product range has worked well for Mazda, its ‘kodo’ design language giving all models a smooth, sweeping profile - and the small Mazda CX-3 SUV is no exception. The new model joins the company’s line-up beneath the extremely popular CX-5, offering a smaller footprint perfect for urban users and good crossover option within fleets. The top spec 1.5-litre turbo diesel all-wheel-drive Limited model is the pick of the bunch, sipping fuel at a very sedate 5.1L/100km and emitting an eco-loving 137g/km of CO2. The CX-3 bundles impressive driver assists and safety features - i-Activesense - including rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, auto braking in city traffic and lane departure warning. Internet connectivity for passengers and a comprehensive infotainment package tick the right boxes for the tech-savvy while being simple to use for the ‘digitally challenged.’