Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… Skoda has traditionally been a conservative car-maker but it’s undergone a transformation this decade as it responded to changing buying habits and the arrival of electrified cars, notably from the Far East. Initially it was a little slow responding to the new challenges but as part of the Volkswagen Audi Group it quickly developed some very good … [Read more...]
Road Tests
Our in-depth appraisals of new cars available in the UK
Mazda MX-5 Roadster Exclusive – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes...While the tidal wave of the latest electric powered models washes into showrooms, one conventional car floats above them and remains an example of simplicity, style and sales success over a stunning and enviable 37 years. The Mazda MX-5 not only saved Mazda's fortunes in the 1990s but it also effectively revived the traditional affordable sportster … [Read more...]
Xpeng G6 Long Range – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes... "Whatever happens to the planned zero-emissions mandate with its stuttering schedule for implementation there is no denying it is bringing us some interesting and desirable models." But few of the newcomers will have the 'history' of Xpeng, which like Tesla of America, was rooted in technology and software rather than motor cars. Not to be phased … [Read more...]
First impressions after buying an all-electric car (EV)
Gerald Morgan reports comprehensively on his own early ownership experiences with a VW EV (pictured above)... (Text and all photographs © Gerald Morgan) Recently we traded in our VW Taigo for an all electric VW ID.3 (Pro Match S 77kWh) as we decided to go for it before we became too old to adapt… It also coincided with the latest oil crisis. My daughter has a VW ID.3, which is a 59kWh … [Read more...]
Kia EV4 Fastback GT-Line S – Road Test
The Kia EV4 is a landmark model for the brand as their first zero emissions hatchback and Fastback saloon, and it will seriously challenge the Continental luxury brands. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) takes the wheel… The hatchback is built in Slovakia with a slightly smaller bootspace than the Fastback assembled in Korea and both models have a choice of 58.3 kWh standard battery or 81.4 … [Read more...]
Kia Picanto GT-Line S – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… With the previous headline rush into pure electric cars now faltering, there is growing appreciation of what a good petrol car can do for a manufacturer, as in the Kia Picanto GT-Line S. While some rivals had axed their city cars or effectively moved them up market and therefore into more expensive territory, Kia adopted a policy of keeping open their … [Read more...]
BMW iX3 50 xDrive – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes... With VAT-free home charging from October, now is the time to put in your order for the BMW iX3 50 and just hope you’re not stuck in a queue of customers. That will be the only annoying fact if you want to get your hands on the World Car of 2026. It really is very, very good. If you think electric cars are boring, this Neue Klasse BMW iX3 will … [Read more...]
Honda Prelude Advance – Road Test
There is an almost ageless and timeless appeal about the Honda Prelude coupé, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)... It has always been a highly popular part of the Honda line-up and showed the Japanese engineers not only build very competent family cars but, given encouragement, can turn out a capable coupé which turns heads and delivers smiles-better-performance. It has the classic … [Read more...]
VW Golf GTE – Road Test
The popularity of the Volkswagen Golf has hardly dimmed since it was launched over 52 years ago, and there is little sign of this achievement being changed with the GTE phev version. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) puts this model through its paces... There is a mind-boggling range of hatchbacks and saloons with a wide range of engines and selective trim levels, and we have been testing the … [Read more...]
Ford Mustang ‘Dark Horse’ – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson test drives a special 21st Century Ford Mustang (All words and photographs © Kim Henson, except where individually credited). For many car enthusiasts there is something magical about the sound and feel of a V8 engine, and Ford’s current Mustang continues to delight with its vast useable reserves of performance, accompanied by its unique exhaust burble. The sound is heartwarming even … [Read more...]
Leapmotor B10 – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson drives this family-friendly all-electric compact SUV. (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). During a recent multi-vehicle driving day arranged by the Western Group of Motoring Writers, I briefly road-tested the Leapmotor B10, an all-electric, rear wheel drive compact SUV that arrived on the UK market early in 2025. This five door vehicle, roomy within yet built on a compact … [Read more...]
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson reports… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). On the occasion of a multi-vehicle driving day organised annually by the Western Group of Motoring Writers, I recently had the opportunity to briefly test drive Alfa Romeo’s Junior Elettrica Sport Speciale, a compact all-electric SUV. To put the model in context, the Junior models are offered with a choice of two electric … [Read more...]
Volkswagen T-Roc 150 R – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives the latest VW T-Roc... Almost a decade after its launch helped turn around Volkswagen fortunes and create one of its most successful SUV challengers, the T-Roc generation two is on sale. Beaten for demand only by the larger Tiguan, the T-Roc Gen2 is really a completely new model not a facelifted derivative, being redesigned outside and in, … [Read more...]
Kia range driving day event
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...]
Audi Q3 150TFSi S Line Mild Hybrid SUV – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… Audi has a habit of putting its finger on precisely the right section of the market to make a point to rivals. It has succeeded with sports cars, coupés, limousines and big SUVs, so the Q3 really deserves consideration in the compact SUV sector. Essentially it is a taller and roomier vehicle with strong associations to the A3 Hatch and comes in a … [Read more...]
Lexus RZ500e – Road Test
After its British launch in 1990, Lexus raised the bar for other executive marques and today it is the oldest surviving premium brand from Japan, and still the benchmark for British buyers. Robin Roberts gives his views on the car after a week’s motoring with it... From an initial two models in the early 90s, the Lexus line up has dramatically grown to offer something in each of the main sectors … [Read more...]
Honda Civic Advance 2.0 Hybrid – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) writes… Honda has a lot of experience building their capable Civic, and it really shows in the latest line up of a model which can trace its ancestry over 54 years. Today, the Honda Civic hybrid comes in Elegance trim from £34,325, Sport beginning at £35,945 and our Advance version from £39,295. The entry model includes many driving safety systems and … [Read more...]
Toyota Urban Cruiser Design – Road Test
Toyota likes to have a finger in every pie and has cooked up something for the compact MPV or SUV buyers, the Urban Cruiser. Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives the latest version... It is the second generation Urban Cruiser it developed along with Suzuki and this time it has gone full-electric as Toyota wants to offer buyers a selection of power sources which fulfil their … [Read more...]
Polestar 4 Long Range Dual Motor – Road Test
If you are coming around to the idea that battery electric vehicles are the new norm, the Polestar 4 SUV possibly will take you back, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). While the pure EV sector is becoming baffling with its new Chinese entitled brands, the Polestar pedigree goes back a bit further and to a surprising beginning. Polestar Racing was created from the Swedish touring car … [Read more...]
Skoda Fabia 130 – Road Test
Driving enthusiasts of a certain age will fondly remember how Skoda seriously challenged and embarrassed the most expensive works rally teams with its comparatively cheaper Flying Fabias. And in national and club rallies across Europe they can still pull out a few surprises. When skill and low weight combined, the flying Fabias really set the pace for others to follow. Now, a different set of … [Read more...]
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