Cruise Control

The BMW X3 30 xDrive M Sport is perhaps the brand's most refined Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) yet, as it builds on the nameplate's core strengths while embracing a thoroughly modern aesthetic. Daniel comes away thoroughly impressed, and shares more about it on the show.In our discussion segment, we talk about Holden, Australia's now-defunct national car brand, and ponder why no manufacturers, especially from China, are interested in reviving the brand.In our news segment, we provide updates from Jaecoo, Mitsubishi, Hongqi, GAC and Jetour, and their next moves in the industry.Photo credit: dsf.my

Recently, Subaru shifted its approach for the Malaysian market by bringing in a fully imported model of the Crosstrek, formerly known locally as the XV. Consistent with the brand's reputation, the car has all the bells and whistles that you would expect from a Subaru, but does this new approach come with its own set of compromises? Daniel shares his thoughts.In our discussion segment, we talk about semi-knocked down cars and why this method of assembly might soon be phased out in the local market.In our news segment, we share updates from the industry, including from Honda, Mitsubishi, Isuzu, Toyota and others.Photo credit: dsf.my

In conjunction with the upcoming Merdeka celebration, this episode of Cruise Control takes a look back at Malaysia's automotive landscape post-independence and before the emergence of our national brands, Proton and Perodua. What cars were available on Malaysian roads, and how did they fare? Daniel walks us through this fascinating period, drawing from his research and personal experience.In our news segment, we discuss updates involving Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Jardine Cycle & Carriage and others, and how they're affecting the automotive industry.Photo credit: TY Lim / Shutterstock.com

Dongfeng is a brand that's still struggling to make its presence known in the market, amidst tight competition with other brands in a very crowded space. Regardless, we should not sleep on them, especially in the used car market. Daniel highlights the value that can be found with the Vigo SUV, if you're in the market for one and don't mind exploring the second-hand market.In our discussion segment, we highlight another fire involving an EV in the Klang Valley, and call for more transparency with regard to the actual cause.In our news segment, we discuss developments involving Mitsubishi, SOCAR, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin, Porsche and Maserati, and their influence on the industry.Photo credit: gracethang2 / Shutterstock.com

The Tiggo 9 is another strong offering from Chery, providing both the premium luxury that is now almost standard from this company, and the ability to go off-road in various conditions. Daniel took the car out in challenging conditions and survived the trip to tell you more about it.We also spend time talking about the emergence of kei cars in our market, why they're becoming more prevalent here and whether manufacturers could officially import them.In our news segment, we highlight updates from Chery, Kia, Tata Motors, Honda, Volvo and Nissan, and their influence on the automotive industry.Photo credit: dsf.my

The Ford Everest Sport embraces the rugged, boxy SUV design language that's fashionable now, and after taking the car out for a weekend drive to Ipoh, Daniel thinks it's highly competitive in its segment. The only stumbling block? Tune in to find out.In our discussion segment, we unpack Thailand's decision to replace their aging commercial vehicles with EVs, and whether this is a move Malaysia can follow.In our news segment, we highlight announcements made by BYD, GWM, Proton, Perodua, Audi and BMW and how they're affecting the automotive industry.Photo credit: dsf.my

Daniel returned from his test drive trip to Kemaman with the Jetour T1 full of rave reviews and beaming with smiles, as he wonders whether this is as good as it gets when it comes to a well-priced SUV in the Malaysian market. Tune in to hear his full thoughts on the car.In our discussion segment, Daniel looks at the investments made by automotive companies in neighbouring countries and wonders whether this is a missed opportunity for Malaysia to attract them instead.Our news segment is packed with SUV news, as we cover new announcements by Jetour, Ford, iCaur, and Jaguar Land Rover.Photo credit: dsf.my

This episode of Cruise Control discusses two closely related topics — car depreciation and the used car market. Daniel shares some of the cars that depreciate the most in the Malaysian market, after speaking to used car dealers for his research.We also spend time talking about used European plug-in hybrids in our market and whether they're worth a punt. Hint: it's better to stay away.In our news segment, we talk about Denza's new Grand Tourer, the Z9GT, whose price is set to shake the market, BMW's first M3 Touring here in the country, as well as Maserati's return to the official Malaysian market, among other things.Photo credit: IZWAN IS / Shutterstock.com

MPVs are practical choices for families who want to travel in comfort, and luxury MPVs seem to be the preferred choice among those who can afford them. Despite the rise in the number of luxury MPVs from China, consumers in Malaysia seem to still prefer Japanese MPVs - to the point where they would rather pick used Japanese MPVs in the grey market. Why is this the case? Daniel shares his thoughts and theories.In our discussion segment, we speak about the potential return of physical knobs, buttons and levers in vehicle cabins, as Audi plans to bring them back. Is this the right move, as the industry grows tired of using touchscreens to control everything in the car?In our news segment, we talk about Jaecoo's new J5 EV, Volkswagen launching the Tayron SUV at a competitive price point here in Malaysia and both Xiaomi and Chery announcing their new Extended Range EV (EREV) over in China, among other news items.Photo credit: Harazaki Ananta Hondro / Shutterstock.com

With the 007 moniker, sharp design and a "Combat Mode", Dongfeng's second model in Malaysia truly has a licence to… thrill. Tune in to hear how impressed Daniel was with this car and whether he thinks it can compete with its key rivals, the BYD Seal and the Tesla Model 3.In the discussion segment, we talk about legacy carmakers' position in China, as they struggle for market share amidst the rise of local EV and ICE manufacturers, whose vastly improved quality and value are reshaping the market.In the news segment, we highlight the completion of the first phase of Chery's Smart Auto Industrial Park in Lembah Beringin, the new BMW X5 Neue Klasse, Polestar's precarious position in America, Honda and Nissan potentially collaborating, and other news items.Photo credit: dsf.my

If you're in the market for a used EV supercar, the Audi e-tron GT is a very sleek alternative to the popular Porsche Taycan. Sure, the brand name may not be as prestigious as Porsche's, but if you don't care about status, an Audi is still solid, reliable and trustworthy. There are caveats to this though, as our automotive expert, Daniel Fernandez, shares in this week's episode.In our discussion segment, we talk about removable sunshades and the online chatter surrounding them recently.In our news segment, we discuss updates involving Suzuki and their new e-Vitara, Honda and their new City variants that were launched in Thailand, as well as Chery's new Tiggo 9, among others.Photo credit: Vivid Brands / Shutterstock.com

The Kuala Lumpur International Mobility Show, or KLIMS 2026, was the platform for many manufacturers to showcase their latest cars. Daniel shares some of the biggest launches that caught his attention when his team was there, from Mazda with a new, slightly different CX-5, Hyundai releasing performance variants of their IONIQ 5 and 6, as well as Honda with their new Prelude, among many others.In our discussion segment, we talk about some of the brands that were missing from the showcase, and why they weren't there.Photo credit: dsf.my

The new Toyota Corolla Cross HEV GR Sport comes with the cosmetic updates that you expect from a "sport" upgrade, but does it drive like it's supposed to? Daniel shares his experience after spending a weekend with the car.In our discussion segment, we talk about the Ferrari Luce and the industry's reaction to it. Are people overreacting?In our news segment, we talk about WTC Automotif's milestone achieved with the GAC G3 Emzoom, BYD Atto 3's new model for this year, Ford Everest Platinum's debut in Malaysia, as well as other industry updates.Photo credit: dsf.my

The Jaecoo J5 is another SUV in the market that offers a few differentiating factors that are unique, at a very competitive price. At this rate, will these factors, coupled with its price, turn people away from conventional brands? Daniel shares his thoughts on the show.In our discussion segment, we talk about the Advanced Driving Assistance System or ADAS and how, despite its sophistication, the system can be… annoying to some? Should we learn to live with it?In our news segment, we discuss Denza, GWM, Chery, and Stellantis, as well as Ferrari and its new EV, the Luce.Photo credit: Al Qadri Zul / Shutterstock.com

Diesel prices are on the up now, due to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, but for those looking to get a pick-up truck out of necessity, the new 2026 Isuzu D-Max is perhaps a good choice as it improves on the cabin comfort, while retaining the model's other iconic traits. Daniel shares more on the show, after taking the truck out for a full-day test drive.In our discussion segment, he shares his thoughts on European hybrid cars and the lack of progress European carmakers have made since introducing some models to the market in the early 2010s.In our news segment, we highlight new releases from Xpeng, Land Rover, and Audi, as well as talk about Stellantis' rumoured restructuring of its portfolio.Photo credit: dsf.my

The fallout from the controversial decision by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) to raise the floor price of CBU EVs to effectively RM300,000 (after taxes and other costs) continues, with most voices out there criticising the decision. Daniel decides to share a different perspective on the topic, after digesting most of the conversations out there.In our news segment, we gush over new releases elsewhere, with BYD, Lexus, Lynk & Co, and others all revealing their latest vehicles to the market.Photo credit: Allora Empire Art / Shutterstock.com

The local EV industry woke up to a shocking development today, as the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) is reported to be planning to raise the floor price of fully imported EVs to effectively RM300,000 (inclusive of taxes and other costs), as well as set a minimum power output limit for imported models. Daniel shares his thoughts on this development and what it means for the local auto industry and consumers.In our news segment, we go back to new car launches, including Audi with their brand new Q5s, Jetour with the T1, GAC with a new look GS3 EmZoom, and others.We also review the 2025 Honda HR-V e:HEV RS and ponder whether the HR-V can continue its popularity in its segment.Photo credit: Abdul Razak Latif / Shutterstock.com

Daniel returned from the Beijing Auto Show 2026 with plenty to share! Due to the limited time spent there, he decided to focus on the most interesting showcases relevant to the Malaysian market. Some of the models that he will be highlighting in this episode include Denza's rugged compact SUV, the B3, Huawei's luxury wagon, the Stelato S9T, Lotus's foray into the world of plug-in hybrids with a redesigned Eletre, and Hyundai's China-only release, the Ioniq V, among others. Tune in for a peek into what's next in the automotive world.Photo credit: dsf.my

As EV sales across the world slowly plateau due to various factors, manufacturers are now ramping up production of plug-in hybrids as alternatives to both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles. China leads the way again, overtaking traditional big name manufacturers in this department. Will this mean we'll see more plug-in hybrids in the market in the future? What will this mean for the growing EV market, as well as conventional ICE cars? Daniel shares his thoughts on the matter.In our used car review segment, Daniel talks about the problematic Proton Perdana V6 and why it might be appealing to enthusiasts out there, despite its troubled track record.In our news segment, we talk about the latest Porsche Cayenne, as well as discuss the vehicles that appeared in the Allianz DSF Vehicle of the Year 2026 list.Photo credit: Rathaphon Nanthapreecha / Pexels.com

Perodua launched its latest model, the Traz, in an environment that is vastly different from what it once was. The landscape has become much more competitive, with various SUVs flooding the market at similar prices. Despite sitting at the lower end of the price spectrum, does the Traz offer enough for prospective buyers? Daniel shares his thoughts after taking the car out for a ride.In our discussion segment, we talk about the importance of maintaining a tidy driving cabin and what you can do to achieve that.In our news segment, we talk about Mitsubishi's new Xforce, the MINI 1965 Victory Edition, Quartz Black Proton X50, Tom's Racing Toyota AE86 and Kia's plans for the future.Photo credit: dsf.my