The Honda ZR-V hybrid SUV range First Drive by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Honda’s tightened its hold on the SUV sector with this month’s announcement of the ZR-V, squarely aimed at families and retail buyers. The Japanese car-maker has a very loyal following and while it wishes existing owners will consider the newcomer when they want to change, it also hopes to hook in … [Read more...]
First Impressions
Our brief encounters with new models on the U.K. market
Latest Honda Civic Type R – First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples the newest version of the Type R… It is more than three years since I enjoyed a week of test driving Honda’s Civic Type R, liking its overall competence and its distinctly sporting personality, which also, cleverly, didn’t detract from everyday family motoring practicality. Fast-forward to 2023 and the latest incarnation of the Type R is with us, some 22 years after … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swace (updated) – First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples the latest, updated version of Suzuki’s British-built Swace estate car… When I road-tested the first generation mid-size Suzuki Swace, in 2021, I rated it highly for its interior space, comfort, practicality and cost-effective economy of running (achieving nearly 60 miles per gallon in almost 500 miles of ‘real life’ motoring). I also enjoyed it dynamically; the Swace … [Read more...]
McLaren Artura – First Impressions
The new McLaren Artura PHEV petrol-electric supercar – The exclusive sports car maker has turned the corner, says Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). A huge multi-million pound investment, new management with encouragement for a brand that has uncompromisingly delivered drivers' cars, has now enabled, embraced and enriched the latest hybrid powertrain technology. But, of course, … [Read more...]
Latest Genesis models (including electric-powered versions) – First Impressions
Kim Henson samples new cars from the Genesis stable… including their latest ‘electrified’ models. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). When I test drove a number of Genesis ‘luxury’ vehicles late last year and in the spring of 2022, the firm was new to the U.K. and at that stage all their cars were petrol or diesel powered, as the Genesis name and brand were introduced to … [Read more...]
Volkswagen ID.5 – First Impressions
Chris Adamson samples VW’s all-electric ‘Premium SUV Coupé… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Chris Adamson). Although relative late-comers to the electric vehicle segment, Volkswagen has been setting some benchmark figures with its ID family (part of its ACCELERATE brand strategy) starting with the ID.3 hatchback, which for some-time led the way in the segment, and then came the … [Read more...]
Suzuki S-Cross Full Hybrid – First Impressions from Robin Roberts
The Suzuki S-Cross Full Hybrid test driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency)... Suzuki has passed another milestone on its road to future mobility with the arrival in UK showrooms of the latest Full Hybrid S-Cross SUV. Using the same powertrain from its Vitara stablemate, the S-Cross Full Hybrid is a logical development of the mild-hybrid S Cross introduced at the end of … [Read more...]
Fiat 500C Dolcevita 1.0 Hybrid – First Impressions
'Bring Me Sunshine!' Chris Adamson samples a cheerful Fiat 500… (Words and photos by, and copyright, Chris Adamson). We may be heading into the depths of winter with dire economic warnings almost as gloomy as the long- range weather predictions – but one way to cheer any motorist is to contemplate the joys of open-top motoring to come next spring and summer. Add in a bit of retro styling and a … [Read more...]
Suzuki S-Cross Full Hybrid – First Impressions
Kim Henson samples the latest version of Suzuki’s popular S-Cross SUV… Suzuki has just introduced to motoring writers their new ‘Full Hybrid’ variants of the S-Cross, as distinct from the ‘Mild Hybrid’ versions of the all-new S-Cross model which arrived late in 2021. Perspective Before looking in more detail at the newcomer, it is interesting and useful to see how Suzuki is doing in what is a … [Read more...]
Latest electric vehicles on test…
New generation EVs are charging into showrooms... ...By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). A whole new cell of cars is being created for our electric future and some of them were lined up at the annual SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) driving day for motoring writers. We have seen hybrid adaptations of some familiar models and they have been joined by pure electric … [Read more...]
SMMT Test Day South provides brief road test/first impressions opportunities a-plenty
Kim Henson reports on this year's ‘Test Day South’, held in Hampshire on 29th September… The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) recently held its annual regional Test Days (in the north and south of the country); always much-liked, useful events on the calendar of many motoring scribes… including me. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). An annual event … [Read more...]
The new MG4
MG4 Preview by Chris Adamson. Photos: MG Motor. Available this month, the new MG4 electric five door hatch-back is a dramatic change in direction for the famous British marque in many ways; both in areas you can see and those you can’t. One of the most striking features of the MG4 is how it looks; in recent years the Chinese owned brand has tended to be rather conservative in its offerings … [Read more...]
Latest Mazda CX-60 Plug-in Hybrid – News and First Impressions
The new Mazda CX-60 PHEV SUV News and First Drive Views… … by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). News The new Mazda CX-60 priced from £43,950 now going on sale is the most powerful model ever from the company. The range-topping SUV is Mazda's PHEV first plug-in hybrid and it combines their acclaimed Skyactiv-G 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a 100 kW electric motor and … [Read more...]
Honda Civic e:HEV self-charging hybrid – First Impresssions
FIRST UK DRIVE OF THE NEW HONDA CIVIC e:HEV… …By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). News If you’ve ever spent a night sleeping in your car it can be a very disconcerting place to wake up, but that was one of the tests engineers set themselves creating the new Honda Civic e:HEV petrol electric self-charging hybrid. Sleeping on the job took on a whole new purpose for them to … [Read more...]
Genesis GV60 – First Impressions
Guy Loveridge takes the wheel of this important all-electric newcomer… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Guy Loveridge). Freshly launched and barely run in, I could nor resist the opportunity to drive an absolutely mint Genesis GV60 at the recent Scottish Open Golf. This event, to the East of Capital City Edinburgh, is title sponsored by Genesis and so what better place to take a … [Read more...]
Latest Vauxhall Astra (‘Mark 8’) – First Impressions
First Impressions of Vauxhall's 'Mark 8' Astra, by George Loveridge (Driving Around)... Vauxhalls are virtually a right of passage in the motoring world. They really are one of those brands where most people can say they’ve had, been in, passed their test in, or even may still own one. I can almost guarantee that if you walk down your street, you’ll be able to find one. Just in 2021, there were … [Read more...]
Kia charges ahead… News and reviews of current models, and a glimpse into future plans…
Kia looks ahead… …reports Robin Roberts, WheelsWithinWales. (All words copyright Robin Roberts, WheelsWithinWales, all images from Kia). Less than ten years ago, Kia began development of its Soul electric car and now it’s one of the world’s leading makers of low carbon models, but is still keeping the internal combustion engine option open. As it prepares to roll out the forthcoming Niro … [Read more...]
Kias galore – briefly test driven in one day
Kim Henson samples the latest model range from the go-ahead firm of Kia… (All words and photographs copyright Kim Henson). Kia’s progress in the U.K. in recent years has been nothing short of sensational, with an ever-broadening line-up of cars offering ‘something for everyone’, from the compact Picanto to the sophisticated Sportage (mid-size) and Sorento (large) SUVs to the gloriously sporty … [Read more...]
Suzuki Vitara SZ5 Self-Charging Full Hybrid – First Impressions
Chris Adamson samples the latest hybrid Vitara from Suzuki… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Chris Adamson). An association with Toyota means that two of the models in the current Suzuki showroom (Swace and Across) share platforms and technology with their Japanese partners – but one model that very much ploughs Suzuki’s own path is the latest self-charging full hybrid … [Read more...]
Latest Kia Sportage, in PHEV form – First Impressions, also Kia News
The new Kia Sportage PHEV plug-in hybrid first drive. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Kia has sharpened its attack on the business sector and introduced a Plug-in Hybrid Electrified addition to its Sportage family-friendly SUV range launched just a few months ago. Some models will qualify for a very low 8% for the current Benefit in Kind company car tax rate and lower than … [Read more...]
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