Kim Henson reports on a fascinating day driving contrasting models from the Kia line-up… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). This year Kia is celebrating 35 years in the UK, and the ongoing rise and rise of the company is testament to the quality and variety of models produced by the firm. These days Kia offers vehicles across a multitude of market sectors and with a variety of … [Read more...]
First Impressions
Our brief encounters with new models on the U.K. market
Kia PV5 Passenger – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) gives his views... They upset the car market, then the EV sector, and now it looks like Kia will disrupt the lucrative MPV and business categories. Kia predicted their electric PV5 Passenger model and van would reach 2,500 sales in Britain, but it has doubled that and is still climbing with just a five-seat model and very big luggage capacity. The addition … [Read more...]
Maserati MCPura Cielo – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes... When it comes to sports cars and motor-sport, one Italian brand stands out - and it’s not what you may think - Maserati. Rarer than those cars with a prancing horse badge, the Maserati Trident is still the only badge on an Italian model which has twice won the Indianapolis 500 and has endeared it to thousands of American car fans. In the United … [Read more...]
Aion V premium – First Impressions
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes... 'The eight-year long warranty with the new Aion V is going to be a big attraction to buyers.' Back that with eight years servicing, eight years AA roadside assistance, eight years of MoTs and you have the 'great eight' incentive. What's more, each Aion V comes with the promise of an AA technician who will come to your home and do a regular … [Read more...]
Changan Deepal SO5 RWD – First Impressions/Road Test review
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... China’s latest entrant into Britain’s car market is also one of its oldest domestic car makers, Changan, whose name translates as “lasting safety”. After beginning as a munitions manufacturer in 1862 and then military vehicles in 1959, it eased into cars 25 years later and has worked with Suzuki, Mazda and Ford to develop models for its home … [Read more...]
XPeng G6 M2026 – First Impressions
XPeng M2026 – First Impressions Exactly what driving and mobility will be like in future is still uncertain, but for sure, Chinese brand Xpeng aims to be part of it. Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) explains... Like US rival Tesla, Xpeng has roots in technology, software and brainpower rather than horsepower, and it also set its sights on the sky and has produced not a spaceship but a flying … [Read more...]
Mazda6e FD – First Impressions
It’s not turned a wheel on British roads but has already been rated as one of the safest cars you can buy. So writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The all-new Mazda6e has achieved a maximum five-star rating by Euro NCAP in its recent series of tests. In the two categories of Adult Occupant and Child Occupant protection, Mazda’s latest all-electric model scored an excellent 93%. The … [Read more...]
Genesis GV60 – First Impressions
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...]
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...]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- …
- 17
- Next Page »