Kim Henson writes... While some drivers will only buy new cars, for others there are some excellent secondhand buys available at a fraction of the price of a new model, and running costs can be light on your wallet, BUT you need to proceed with care. Here Kim explains, using his own Honda Civic as an example… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). Writing often about new … [Read more...]
Contributors
Honda HR-V Advance Style Plus – Road Test
A quarter of a century after introducing the Insight as Britain’s first petrol-electric hybrid, the latest Honda HR-V is probably more relevant today, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). While rival hybrids have grown in size compared to the Insight of 25 years ago, there is not that much difference in the footprint of the HR-V. It is now in its third generation and sharing a Honda … [Read more...]
Britain’s car market is turning around
The landscape of leading car brands in Britain is looking different with the arrival of more pure electric cars… says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) Traditional market leading brands are taking a back seat as manufacturers who were among the first to "go-electric" are making big inroads among motorists and businesses seeking to "go-green" and the Skoda Enyaq was top BEV. SMMT … [Read more...]
UK’s new car market contracts in October 2024
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... October saw another month of contraction in the new car market, a concerning trend following August's end to two years of continuous growth. This decline is particularly worrying, as it highlights the volatility of the market right now, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association. UK new car buyers now … [Read more...]
Kia Picanto 1.0 GT-Line – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: If you can remember when cars were actually fun to drive you’ll enjoy the latest Kia Picanto even more with the high specification now added to this anything but basic runabout. We briefly drove the latest baby car from the Korean family in the summer and that was an entry-level model, but we’ve just managed to get our hands on the higher specified … [Read more...]
Icy screens (and other winter woes) are now on the agenda
With the clocks now having gone back and autumn turning inexorably into winter, the weather gets colder and drivers can expect frosty windscreens and icy windows, writes Robin Roberts and WheelsWithinWales. (Photograph by, and copyright, Kim Henson). Car specialist Gold Label Car Care https://www.goldlabelcarcare.co.uk has provided expert advice with 5 ways to de-ice a windscreen for … [Read more...]
Lexus RZ450e – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes: “Lexus has just raised the game in the fierce fight for buyers looking at ‘zero-emission’ pure battery cars”. Enter the Lexus RZ450e series of nine models from £55,595 to £66,695 in Urban, Premium, Premium Plus and Takumi guises, with choices of 18 or 20 inch wheels and single or bi-tone paint finishes. The 450e has the latest electronic axles … [Read more...]
SEAT Arona FR 24 LE – Road Test
SEAT has earned its place as the stylish brand for a younger generation of drivers over the last four decades, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). On sale since 2017, the SEAT Arona is one of the new generation of ‘crossover’ models or tall hatchbacks in the B-sector and the smallest in their sub-compact range under the Ateca. Its introduction has helped SEAT pass the magic million … [Read more...]
Cars that best hold their value
Sports cars, large SUVs and premium hatchbacks tend to hold their value well... Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Cars that keep their value: sports cars top the list of the best car types for resale Sports cars, large SUVs and premium hatchbacks are best at holding their value Models by Alpine, Morgan and Lotus are among those which lose the least value over time Family … [Read more...]
Omoda 5 SUV petrol – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) shares his thoughts on his first drive with the petrol-powered OMODA 5. No-one can doubt the Chinese brand OMODA is very serious about coming to Britain and taking on the legend brands. We were impressed with a first drive of the pure electric OMODA E5 last May and now we’ve had a chance to get some initial impressions of the OMODA 5 petrol version of … [Read more...]
High depreciation rates on some electric cars under scrutiny
The Audi Q4 e-tron shows the highest annual depreciation rate, according to a recent survey from ALA Insurance. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... Audi’s Q4 e-tron has the highest annual depreciation rate on the market, new study shows. The Audi Q4 e-tron has the highest annual depreciation rate of any other car at 18.8% yearly The three vehicles with the lowest … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Golf Match – Road Test
The Golf has been the golden one for Volkswagen, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… Ever since its launch in 1974 when it set a new standard in the hatchback sector it has gone on to become the standard by which any rivals are judged and to which competitors are compared. True, some are roomier, softer sprung, sharper handling and cheaper, but overall the VW Golf is an incredibly … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips – Ford Focus watery misfire
Does your Ford Focus misfire and stutter after wet weather? If so the problem could be easier to isolate and fix than imagined. Kim Henson tells more… This true story should really be under the ‘Steve’s Tips’ heading, rather than ‘Kim’s Tips’, and results from a conversation with my friend 'Steve on the Isle of Wight'. He told me that his family’s petrol-powered Ford Focus was running … [Read more...]
Ford Kuga ST-Line 2.5 FHEV FWD – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives Ford’s Kuga SUV… After its launch in 2008, the Ford Kuga has grown from the company’s first ‘tall’ hatchback into one of their success stories among UK best sellers, and the story continues this year. Now on sale with some very significant updates and improvements to its technology, equipment and design, the Ford Kuga is taking on rivals … [Read more...]
Keep it Clean!
Kim Henson advises ensuring that the wheel arches and underbody structure of your car are kept clean, to prolong its life and make it more pleasant to work on. Recent wet weather in Britain has resulted in many roads being strewn with mud, accumulations of leaves, etc. Inevitably these deposits are transferred to the undersides of passing vehicles, via their tyres. In turn the resulting debris … [Read more...]
KGM Torres K40 – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports… On the 70th anniversary of the founding of their business, KG is celebrating with the launch of their Torres model for today’s 2024 market. Now KG Motors mayn’t be familiar to everyone but acquired the struggling SsangYong Motors, which is undoubtedly better known and respected among owners. The cars are built in Pyeongtaek, about an hour’s … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2024 – Kim’s Report
This year’s eagerly-anticipated International Autojumble at Beaulieu took place over the sun-bathed weekend of 14th and 15th September. Kim Henson was there and here’s what he found… (All words by, and copyright, Kim Henson; photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited. Grateful thanks to Chris for the use of his images). To me there is something … [Read more...]
Retrospective Road Test – 1992 BMW E34 520i
Kieron Fennelly takes the wheel of a 32 year old BMW 5 Series – and rates it as a still-competent classic saloon. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kieron Fennelly.) The 1988-95 BMW E34 was the company’s third 5 Series and consolidated BMW’s reputation for this model as the class-leading executive saloon. By the time of the launch of the E34, BMW had three distinct model ranges, … [Read more...]
Toyota GR86 sports coupé – Road Test
It’s a delicate balance building cars for the masses, for markets around the world and meeting the needs of motorists with a love of motorsports, but Toyota does all three very well, writes Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales)... The new GR86 is a very good example of bringing motorsport engineering into the mainstream, well almost. It has been developed from the earlier GT86, which used a 2.0 … [Read more...]
INEOS Grenadier range – Brief (Off)Road Test
Kim Henson test drives (off road) three examples from the INEOS Grenadier line-up… (All words and photographs by, and copyright Kim Henson). INEOS has been taking the 4x4 world by storm in catering for the many potential buyers who still prefer the ‘traditional’ approach to off-road vehicles. In describing the firm’s Grenadier, INEOS says, it’s “… a serious off-roader that no-one’s building … [Read more...]
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