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Published 28 January 2026
From Guy Cox, Sydney, Australia
Ian Smith criticises my comparison of modern SUVs with older small cars. But I didn’t make that comparison. Rather, it was made by Anthony Laverty in his opinion piece. I simply pointed out that, counterintuitively, the switch in public preference had probably led to a substantial reduction in fossil-fuel consumption. In my personal experience, that was indeed the case (Letters, 10 January).
Smith suggests that I should instead compare my Audi Q5 with a “smaller, modern diesel hatchback”. A major problem with his suggestion is that such a vehicle doesn’t seem to exist. Looking through the list of new cars available in Australia, put out by our major motoring association, I cannot find a single diesel hatchback. The class is overwhelmingly petrol, with a praiseworthy sprinkling of hybrids and EVs.


Issue no. 3580 published 31 January 2026
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