MG is a becoming a brand to be reckoned with and strengthening its standing in the British market by taking a step back, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). The famous octagonal badge has been seen on UK made models since 1924, but it has also been a century of change, most notably when it was saved by an unknown Chinese brand called Nanjing in 2005 and then almost immediately resold to … [Read more...]
Road Tests
Our in-depth appraisals of new cars available in the UK
Hyundai Santa Fe Ultimate 1.6T PHEV – Road Test
The obvious doesn’t always stare you in the face and it’s therefore easy to overlook, at your cost, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). Take the Hyundai Santa Fe, the big, very big, seven-seater SUV which is probably eclipsed in many eyes by its Korean stablemates along with much more expensive competitors from German and British car plants. The Hyundai Santa Fe was launched as the … [Read more...]
Honda Civic i-DTEC – Genuinely economical! Retrospective road test – and buying used.
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Toyota RAV4 Plug-in GR Sport – Road Test
“Better late than never is probably what you can say about the impressive Toyota RAV4 PHEV”, advises Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). We have always been fans of the Toyota RAV4 but when it launched the petrol-hybrid in 2016 we bemoaned the fact there was no plug-in derivative to improve emissions when other manufacturers were putting them into showrooms. So, Toyota has been slow to roll … [Read more...]
Isuzu ‘New Look’ D-Max V-Cross STEEL Edition Double Cab – Road Test
Kim Henson assesses Isuzu’s D-Max Double Cab (five seater) pick-up, in special STEEL Edition guise – limited to just 300 examples. In the spring of this year I tested the mid-range, comprehensively-equipped Isuzu D-Max DL40 Double Cab during a week of mixed motoring, and was impressed by its build quality, toughness and comfort; built for hard work but easy to drive and to live with in daily use. … [Read more...]
Skoda Kamiq SE 1.0TSI 95 PS – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) test drives Skoda’s latest small ‘crossover’… As the retail motor trade goes through a reset at the moment, squeezed by new technology and rising prices which private buyers are reluctant to embrace or pay, models like the Skoda Kamiq are standing out. It’s a straightforward petrol model for a family, with up to five seats, price-pitched perfectly for many … [Read more...]
Skoda Scala Monte Carlo – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) puts Skoda’s Scala hatchback through its paces… Skoda is emerging as a serious family and business car contender on UK roads, particularly after its extensive facelift and revisions earlier this year. Previously, many looked at Skoda only after discounting the higher priced alternatives in its sector but it has elbowed and shouldered its way to the front, … [Read more...]
Nissan X-Trail N-Connecta Mild Hybrid
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) road-tests Nissan’s latest X-Trail… The Nissan X-Trail was one of the first crossover models when unveiled in 2000 and now in its fourth generation as it enters its third decade, it is still one of the best family cars available. After globally passing seven million sales, today’s British range includes an unusual seven-seat electrified model, which we … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift 1.2 Ultra MEV 2WD – Road Test
The fourth generation Suzuki Swift is already a landmark model, just months after its introduction. Robin Roberts reports… While it builds on the success of previous models over the last 40 years and is one of the most capable city cars on sale it is also the last of its kind since Suzuki announced it will step up its battery electric vehicle range and in that will be a model to replace the Swift … [Read more...]
Honda e:Ny1 Elegance – Road Test
Honda has just raised its game in the burgeoning Battery Electric Vehicle battle in Britain, as Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) explains… Earlier this year it rolled out its family focussed e:Ny1 in two trim levels. The Elegance opens the range from just under £40,000 and comes with heated front seats and 15.1-inch infotainment screen while for just over £2,000 more the Advance version … [Read more...]
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