THE SMALL BUT MIGHTY SUZUKI JIMNY SZ5 ALLGRIP... ...Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Every manufacturer loves to cram features into their model to make as much money as possible, but the Suzuki Jimny has something few ever include, a free smile. The standard-spec smile is something so many modern cars lack but the simple Suzuki has it in spades. And then … [Read more...]
Road Tests
Our in-depth appraisals of new cars available in the UK
Skoda Superb iV PHEV – Road Test
SKODA ADDS iV PHEV PLUG-IN HYBRID MODELS TO THEIR SUPERB RANGE... ...David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) puts the newcomer through its paces. (Photographs by Skoda and David). Skoda’s hugely popular and award winning Superb range of large Hatch and Estate models has received a further boost to their range with the addition of petrol-electric PHEV models. The global car industry is … [Read more...]
Hyundai Ioniq PHEV (2020 model) – Road Test
The more you drive, the more energy you save with the latest Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid, says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… It sounds illogical but it’s true because the familiar standard 1.6 litre petrol engine is now joined by a more sophisticated electric motor and battery system which recovers energy lost during braking. This recovered energy when transformed and pushed into … [Read more...]
Fiat 500 Rockstar – Road Test
Fiat 500 Rockstar hatchback lives up to its name. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). In my experience, if they are not larger than life, rock stars tend to be small and noisy performers, and the Fiat Rockstar lived up to expectations. Very much the noisy baby in the extensive Fiat family of city cars, the 500 has been one of its most successful and in 2019 passed the 3-million … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift SZ5 ALLGRIP – Road Test
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) test drives Suzuki’s all wheel drive Swift… Winter weather is a great leveller for motorists. Heavy rain, snow showers, ice and mud can combine to make any possible winter journey an impossibility unless you have a big and expensive 4x4, or you cannily drive a Suzuki Swift SZ5 ALLGRIP. This is the hatch that’s a match for many winter road washouts or … [Read more...]
Audi A1 citycarver – Road Test
NEW AUDI A1 CITYCARVER FOR THE URBAN JUNGLE. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) is your guide… The citycarver (all lower case letters) is a five door supermini sector sized hatchback based on the Audi A1 Sportback but with pseudo-SUV styling. It is priced from £22,040 and it is aimed at urban jungle motoring says Audi, whatever that is. There is no 4WD option, all models are only front-wheel … [Read more...]
Skoda Kamiq SUV – Road Test
Skoda Kamiq SE 1.0 95hp compact SUV… …put through its paces by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Skoda is making sales inroads with its family-friendly SUV range. Their large Kodiaq and mid-sized Karoq have now been joined by the compact Kamiq as this SUV sector wipes away sales wise traditional saloon and hatchback models across Europe and throughout the USA. No volume … [Read more...]
Honda HR-V Sport CVT – Road Test
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) assesses Honda’s likeable HR-V… The word ‘crossover model’ is often over-used and exaggerated, but not in the case of the Honda HR-V in its top Sport CVT trim. The original Hybrid Recreational Vehicle from 1999 was a more sober suited trendsetter but a lot has happened in two decades as fashions changed. More manufacturers have poured into the market … [Read more...]
Latest Nissan Juke – Road Test
STILL SETTING THE PACE – THE NEW NISSAN JUKE. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) tells all… Launched over a decade ago the first generation Nissan Juke sold in huge numbers with over 1.5 million finding global homes. It brought the then aspirational idea of five door SUV styling to the masses of car buyers who previously had opted for supermini sized hatchbacks. Although prior to Juke … [Read more...]
Ford Mondeo Vignale – Road Test
Ford Mondeo Vignale 5-door executive hatchback 2.0 EcoBlue diesel… …tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Size can make a world of a difference to buyers and that’s where the Ford Mondeo range packs them in. It has consistently won awards for its internal dimensions, roominess and popularity with families and business users and it’s easy to see why. The trend … [Read more...]
Audi Q3 Sportback – Road Test
THE NEW Q3 SPORTBACK – A NEW SLANT FROM AUDI ON SUVS… …by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). As Audi so aptly puts it their new Q3 Sportback is a different slant on their Q3 SUV. It’s a variation on the Q3 theme, familiar versatility but now with a racier coupé inspired side profile and rear end styling themes. But will this edgier dynamic design give Audi a sales edge in the over … [Read more...]
SEAT Ibiza FR – Road Test
Fleet of foot the SEAT Ibiza FR 1.0TSi 115 hp manual five door hatchback… …assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). SEAT built its reputation on small cars although it’s now expanded the range upmarket, but it still knows how to make a good city car with the Ibiza. The Ibiza five-door hatchback range comprises three 1.0 litre petrol engined models of 80, 95 or 115 hp with a … [Read more...]
Latest Ford Ranger – Road Test
THE 2020 REVISED FORD RANGER - RANGE ROUNDUP. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) tells all… *In the UK the award winning Ford Ranger sold 16,458 units in 2019, retaining its top sales position. The 2019 pick-up market sector saw 53,055 total sales, a 1% fall over 2018. Europe’s, and the UK’s, best selling pick-up range received major changes towards the end of last year plus the addition … [Read more...]
Kia XCeed 1.4 T-GDi – Road Test
THE NEW KIA XCEED 1.4 PETROL FIRST EDITION MODEL TEST DRIVEN. Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) tells all… The Kia Ceed has been one of the outstanding success stories of the first two decades of the millennium and as we enter its third a new chapter begins with the XCeed soft SUV styled range of 2WD models. Hatchbacks have given way to SUVs over the last ten years and now this … [Read more...]
Fiat 500 X – Road Test
Aiming to combine the appeal of the retro-styled 500 with the practicality of a compact SUV, Fiat’s 500X has plenty going for it. Kim Henson samples the turbocharged four cylinder petrol-powered 1.3 T4 DDCT Cross Plus version. (All words and photographs by Kim). When Fiat introduced the ‘modern’ 500 in 2007, the company pulled a masterstroke in applying appealing retro styling to the … [Read more...]
All wheel drive Toyota Prius – Road Test
TOYOTA PRIUS RANGE GAINS INTELLIGENT ALL WHEEL DRIVE MODEL… …Tried and tested by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Launched about a year ago was the new fourth generation Toyota Prius which had first use of Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform, which in the case of the Prius lowered the ride height, gave a more engaging drive and improved the interior quality. It also introduced to … [Read more...]
MG HS – Road Test
Chris Adamson puts MG’s family SUV through its paces… (All words and photographs by Chris). Average is often seen as a negative description, certainly when applied to vehicle performance, but I have discovered that it can actually be a virtue. I have come to this conclusion after spending 10 days with the new MG HS, a family-sized sports utility that makes no claims for being the fastest, … [Read more...]
Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV SUV – Road Test
The Volvo XC60 T8 twin engine PHEV large-sized SUV... ...Test-driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Volvo saw record UK sales in 2019, led by its SUV family including the XC60 series. Last year British registrations went up 12% to over 56,200 with the compact XC40 taking 15,445 and the XC60 recording 11,766 sales as the brand out-performed some other premium rivals and … [Read more...]
Mazda3 2.0GT Sport – Road Test
New Mazda3 2.0GT Sport 180hp Hatchback… …test driven by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Some cars are just in your face, over-hyped and over-sold, but not the Mazda3. This refreshed and revised mid-sized hatchback model has an appeal with its restrained but attractive styling, purposeful fittings and ultra efficient powertrains. Oh and a growing list of awards, particularly with … [Read more...]
Ford Kuga – Road Test
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW – FORD KUGA STYLE. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The very popular Ford Kuga mid-sized SUV first launched in 2008 is now in its second generation which was launched in 2012 and continues to be very popular with UK customers. It remained for 2019 the second best selling SUV of any size just behind the British built Nissan Qashqai and ahead of … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- …
- 32
- Next Page »