The GV60 was the first all-electric car from Genesis, now it gets a substantial update that focuses on style and technology, writes Chris Pickering... It says something about the pace of change in the electric car market that Genesis now feels like one of the old guard. Among the Jaecoos, BYDs and Skywells of this world, the Korean brand – a luxury offshoot of Hyundai and Kia – is positively a … [Read more...]
First Impressions
Our brief encounters with new models on the U.K. market
Kia Sportage MY26 – First Impressions
Kia Sportage MY26 – First Impressions On the back of soaring sales in September, a new Kia Sportage has hit showrooms, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). After four generations since 1995 it has become Britain’s most popular family sized SUV and now gets a significant facelift outside and in with a number of technical improvements to build on the range’s powertrain options. The … [Read more...]
Leapmotor T03 – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… The UK new car market is buzzing with electric models at high prices, so it’s worth taking a look at one of the cheapest - the Leapmotor T03. A Stellantis joint venture with the Chinese company, the car is made in Poland on lines previously producing the Fiat 500, another Stellantis brand, and the Leapmotor models are sold through the more familiar … [Read more...]
Kia Stonic GT-Line – First Impressions (model ‘revisited’)
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) assesses Kia’s Stonic compact SUV… When a prolific manufacturer keeps rolling out new models it's all too easy to overlook their older vehicles, as is the case with the Kia Stonic GT-Line S. Kia is on a roll with its brand in Britain, bringing new EVs to market in a constant stream and more are on the horizon this year as it enriches its range and wins … [Read more...]
Tesla Model Y My25 FD dual motor – First Impressions
It can be hard learning to drive, but relearning brings a whole new skill set into the driver’s seat of the latest Tesla Model Y dual motor, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Tesla is a pioneer in the new age of electric cars and after their first Model X SUV hit the market in 2015 it then rolled out the Model 3 saloon two years later and completed its range with the larger SUV Model … [Read more...]
Toyota C-HR 1.8 Design – Brief Impressions
Kim Henson undertakes a short test drive in Toyota’s latest, recently-introduced second generation coupé-styled C-HR SUV… Renowned for technical innovation, everyday practicality and long-term reliability, Toyota has updated the firm’s C-HR line-up of 1.8 litre hybrid and 2.0 litre plug-in hybrid models. For many potential owners the C-HR range ticks all the right boxes in terms of striking … [Read more...]
OMODA 9 Launch (and First Impressions) at The House of OMODA
Guy Loveridge describes his first experience of the new OMODA 9... When one is invited to a launch by a new brand, it is always exciting to see how they approach things. To be invited to their “House” lifts the excitement a notch. When that house turns out to be a hugely stylish, architect designed affair on the outskirts of Hamble and the opening discussion with fellow journalists over breakfast … [Read more...]
Genesis 2025 Model Year GV70 – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) takes a look at, and first drive in, the 2025 Model Year all-electric Genesis GV70... Some 21-years after Genesis was created as the first premium brand by a South Korean car maker, the company is forging ahead with evolving its models, range and sales operations. Being part of the Hyundai Group alongside its bigger-brother Kia, Genesis has enormous … [Read more...]
Kia Picanto 1.2 – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson takes the 1.2 litre version of the 2025 Picanto for a short test drive… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). Kia’s Picanto has been endearing itself to owners for many years, and the latest incarnation of the company’s smallest model is no exception. Deliberately compact, the Picanto is available with a 62 bhp 1.0 litre three cylinder power unit or a 77 … [Read more...]
KGM Actyon – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples KGM’s Actyon coupé-style SUV… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). Recently I had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the KGM Actyon, driving on a variety of roads in north Wiltshire. This newcomer is powered by a 1.5 litre G-DI turbocharged engine (producing 163 PS at 5,00 to 5,500 rpm and maximum torque of 280 Nm or 207 lb.ft between … [Read more...]
Suzuki Vitara – latest 2025 version – First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples the recently upgraded Vitara. (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). For many years Suzuki’s Vitara SUV has been an important mainstay within the company’s range, the model earning a justifiable reputation for reliability, practicality and cost-effective motoring. Our own Wheels-Alive road tests have confirmed that the model is a good bet in all … [Read more...]
Mazda CX-80 FD – First Impressions/First Drive
Mazda has launched a new flagship CX-80 to do battle in the luxury seven-seater SUV sector in Britain, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… After a tough year for car sales in 2024, Mazda did better than most and wants to attract new buyers to the brand with the CX-80, which is slightly bigger than the five-seat CX-60 SUV it introduced in Spring 2022. They share the same platform which … [Read more...]
KGM Actyon – First Impressions
A significant coupé-SUV newcomer arrives from KGM... by Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). It may be unknown to many but KGM has aspirations to become the brand you’ll desire to drive. The former SsangYong manufacturer went bust twice in recent years but in 2022 was rescued by Korean conglomerate KG Mobility which is pursuing a clear programme of new model introductions in conjunction … [Read more...]
KIA EV3 – First Impressions
Kia has something to celebrate this Christmas as it continues to carve out a big slice of Britain’s BEV sales, a decade after launching into it with the Soul EV. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports… At the time 10 years ago, Frozen was trending at the box-office, Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ rang out across radios worldwide, and social media was awash with ALS ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ … [Read more...]
MG Cyberster: Highly Anticipated Electric Sports Car – First Impressions
Unveiled to the world in September 2024, the MG Cyberster sees the Chinese marque produce their first ever fully electric sports car. With breathtaking styling and competitive battery technology, is this still a proper convertible sports car? George Loveridge finds out… Well, let us address that straight away. It’s certainly a convertible! We get the choice of either a black or red folding roof. … [Read more...]
Skywell BE11 FD Long Range – First Impressions
Private buyers who want a high specification electric car and business drivers with eyes fixed on a low tax penalty are targets for the new Skywell range arriving in Britain, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The Cirencester-based importer, Innovation Automotive, is also looking at traditional used car dealers seeking their first new car franchise in a local market area where they are … [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...]
Kia Sorento 2.2 CRD (2025 model) – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) samples the latest Sorento (2.2 diesel version). Twenty-one years after Kia's original Sorento launch the latest variant of the seven seat SUV has been taking design cues from its new all-electric stablemate, the EV9. Unlike the BEV, the Sorento is available in three grades in the UK: ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ with the choice of 190 bhp 2.2-litre common-rail diesel, … [Read more...]
Latest model (2025) Kia Picanto – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) gives his first impressions of the latest version of Kia's city car, the Picanto... Kia is bucking the trend and staying faithful to the city car sector with the arrival of the latest Picanto... While other manufacturers put the brake on city cars to concentrate on mid-sized models and cross-overs, claiming smaller models are unprofitable, the Kia Picanto is … [Read more...]
Honda e:Ny1 electric SUV – Brief Road Test
Kim Henson briefly test-drives Honda’s all-electric e:Ny1 Advance… (All words and photographs by, and copyright Kim Henson). The neat and stylish e:Ny1 is a fully electric SUV, with a powerful electric motor (only) which uses a water-cooled battery to ensure consistent power delivery and to help extend battery life. The battery is low-mounted within the vehicle, helping to optimise interior … [Read more...]
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