Mazda has a modest UK range but every model comes with a lot of heart and soul, like the revised CX-30, explains Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)… Originally derived from the hatchback Mazda3 but smaller than the CX-5 SUV, the CX-30 came to the UK for 2020, but of course we all know what happened then as the pandemics swept through the country. Britain and Mazda persevered and now their … [Read more...]
Mazda MX-30 E-EV Crossover – News and First Impressions
News and brief Views about the new Mazda MX-30 R-EV Crossover. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). News Mazda is never afraid to be different and it shows in their latest MX-30 R-EV Crossover launched to the UK’s motoring media recently. Keeping its quirky ‘suicide’ rear passenger doors for easy access to the back seats the real change is up front under the bonnet in the … [Read more...]
Latest Vauxhall Astra GSe hybrid – First Impressions
The new Vauxhall Astra GSe brief first drive by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). As it slips into middle-age, the latest generation Vauxhall Astra has been given a modern make-over. Originally launched in 1980, the Astra has been the bedrock of the company’s offering in the small family car sector as it moved through eight generations. This year it was given a mechanical … [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...]
Nissan Juke Hybrid – Road Test
The latest Nissan Juke Hybrid 2WD Tekna+ tried and tested By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Nissan Juke has been with us for over a decade but it can still hold its own against rivals now it has been given a Hybrid powertrain for higher specification versions. It has just picked up five-stars for safety as well so it’s not lacking where it matters for many families. In … [Read more...]
Toyota Yaris GR Sport – Road Test
The Toyota Yaris GR Sport Hybrid put through its paces by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency)… Toyota dominated this year’s World Rally Championship with their WRC GR Yaris Hybrid and some of this success will promote their sophisticated small car, the Yaris GR Sport Hybrid 5-door hatchback variant. This is not to be confused with the turbocharged 257 bhp GR Yaris 3-door which is … [Read more...]
Suzuki S-Cross Ultra ALLGRIP Full Hybrid – Road Test
Kim Henson test-drives the latest Full Hybrid all wheel drive ‘Ultra’ version of Suzuki’s S-Cross SUV, during a week of stormy weather… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). A well-respected model within Suzuki’s line-up, the practical S-Cross SUV has evolved through the years and within the last 12 months there have been many changes. Before looking in detail at the … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid – Road Test
The new Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid Motion SUV... ...assessed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Suzuki has a knack of bringing to market just what buyers want at the right time. It has built all manner of models including city cars, sports cars, lightweight offroaders and pickups and more recently SUVs which will not tip the bank balance into the red. Essentially applying good … [Read more...]
Latest Honda HR-V – Road Test
The 2022 model year Honda HR-V self-charging hybrid... ...sampled by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The new Honda HR-V is a step-change for this conservative car-maker. While its head-turning, but now discontinued NSX sports car, and still in production hot Civic Type Rs stand out from more run of mill models in showrooms, they made progress with the new Jazz – but have really … [Read more...]
Honda’s latest Jazz – Road Test
Honda’s Jazz EX Mark 4 generation put through its paces by Robin Roberts (and Motoring Milestones). You get more than you expect with the Honda Jazz. Two decades after the first model went on UK sale it still provides unrivalled practicality and versatility in the family compact hatchback market sector. It’s the Tardis of transport thanks to its really clever Magic Seats which take three … [Read more...]
Cupra Formentor – Road Test
The Cupra Formentor V2 e-Hybrid 204 PS SUV… …Tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The head-turning Cupra Formentor e-Hybrid is a genuinely new model in the booming family SUV sector where its stablemate SEAT brand has done so well. Formentor is the first model designed and developed exclusively for the Spanish Cupra sports brand and this spring picked up the … [Read more...]
Mazda3 GT Sport – First Impressions
The first test drive of the new Mazda3 186 PS GT Sport with new e-Skyactive X hybrid technology... By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Just when you think things couldn’t get better, Mazda has improved its acclaimed Skyactiv engine technology. Constant engine development and software revisions have improved combustion and power, reduced emissions and extended economy in the … [Read more...]
Lexus ES300h – Road Test
The latest Lexus ES300h Takumi Saloon tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Motoring Milestones). The Lexus ES300h Takumi saloon delivers some of motoring’s real surprises. This generation is a successor introduced in 2019 to the smaller Lexus GS series, it has the advanced petrol & electric powertrain developed by parent Toyota over some 25 years. Lexus has been setting the standard … [Read more...]
A new McLaren arrives
First view of the McLaren Artura… …By Chris Adamson. (Photographs as individually credited, from McLaren and from Chris). Hybrid hypercar pioneers McLaren first wowed the motoring world with the 2012 debut of the P1, now, almost a decade later, they are set to go hybrid mainstream – well, if you can call a car that costs over £180,000 mainstream that is. Welcome to the Artura, a high … [Read more...]
Honda’s latest HR-V hybrid arrives
Honda HR-V e:HEV breaks cover…… Kim Henson previews the newcomer. Honda’s drive towards electrification of its range continues apace, and in fact is accelerating. During an online press unveiling of the new HR-V e:HEV this week, the firm told us that low/zero emission technology is gaining ground faster in Europe than anywhere else in the world, and that the entire Honda mainstream line-up is … [Read more...]
Toyota C-HR Dynamic Hybrid 2.0 – Road Test
HIGHER PERFORMANCE TOYOTA C-HR HYBRID COMPACT SUV TRIED AND TESTED Continuous improvement is the philosophy of Toyota and few car makers have as much experience of EVs and Hybrids, launching its Hybrid Synergy Drive in 1997, and rolling out more models every few years, writes Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). The Toyota C-HR is a good example of continuous improvement, first … [Read more...]
Honda’s latest Jazz EX Hybrid – Road Test
HONDA’S NEW JAZZ IS SENSIBLE, PRACTICAL BUT NOT A COMPULSIVE BUY… …says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). The previous three generations of the Honda Jazz supermini five door hatchback have in design been all about packaging of its occupants. These features include best in class space, higher seating positions, good visibility, easy access, wide opening doors, good levels of safety and … [Read more...]
New Honda Jazz Crosstar– Road Test
MORE JAZZ BUT DOES IT HIT THE RIGHT NOTE FOR HONDA? By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). It might be music to some people’s ears that Honda is bringing us more Jazz but their F1 programme looks more like hokey cokey! Announced last week Honda F1 is quitting at the end of next year. They were first involved in 1964 and out in 1968, in again in 1983 and out in 1992, back in again in 2000, … [Read more...]
Latest Toyota Yaris – Road Test
ALL-NEW YARIS HAS TOYOTA’S WINNING WAYS… …Says David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). There is a long-standing saying in the motor industry if you are involved in motorsport – ‘Win on Sunday – sell on Monday’, so this week Toyota must have sold a shed-load of new cars in particular the just arrived all-new Toyota Yaris Hybrid. Last Sunday not only did Toyota Gazoo Racing complete their … [Read more...]
Suzuki looks ahead – and introduces new models
Suzuki reveals future plans – and launches a revised Swift line-up plus a new light commercial version of the Jimny. Kim Henson tells all… In the company’s centenary year, Suzuki is planning ahead with positivity, and in an online UK ‘webinar’ (press conference) yesterday (8th September 2020), the firm provided to motoring writers a summary of their plans as they currently stand. I was … [Read more...]