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...]
Suzuki Swace Motion – Road Test
Kieron Fennelly puts the Motion version of Suzuki's stylish Swace though its paces… In 2019, Toyota and Suzuki signed a technology-sharing agreement. For Toyota, the interest was Suzuki’s small car expertise, while Suzuki gained access to Toyota’s electric drive knowhow. In marketing terms, the agreement has spurned several ‘new’ models for both parties: Certain Suzukis are badged Toyotas in … [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...]
Honda Civic e:HEV – Road Test
A LONGER DRIVE IN THE NEW HONDA CIVIC e:HEV... ...By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Sometimes we look forward to long journeys with trepidation and other times with anticipation, and it was definitely the latter in the Honda Civic e:HEV. I briefly tested the new Honda Civic e:HEV family sized hatchback a few weeks earlier at the UK media launch but a longer time in the new car, … [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...]
Kia Niro self-charging mild hybrid – Road Test
The latest KIA Niro 1.6 GDI HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Grade 4 reviewed by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). After being initially launched in Britain in 2016, the Kia Niro Crossover SUV has risen to become the marque’s second best seller in the UK and the third most popular in Europe, consistently increasing sales each year. Constant improvement has seen the core of the range … [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...]
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...]
Suzuki Swace self-charging hybrid estate – Road Test
The Suzuki Swace Estate, SZ5 1.8 petrol-electric hybrid auto, tried by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Collaboration to cut costs but not quality is very evident in the Suzuki Swace manufactured by Toyota in the UK. There’s a lot more component sharing going on throughout the global motor industry than many realise but it’s not been a feature of UK in recent years, with just a … [Read more...]
Toyota Camry – Road Test
The Toyota Camry Excel Saloon revisited by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). After 15 years out of the UK market, the new generation Toyota Camry is turning heads with its striking saloon shape. While hatchbacks and SUVs have come to dominate registrations and estate cars are few and far between, the once highly popular larger saloon can still stand out as a alternative … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swift Sport and Vitara – Brief Impressions of current models
Kim Henson briefly test drives the latest, 48 volt self-charging hybrid system versions of the Swift Sport and Vitara… (Words and photographs – all copyright, by Kim Henson). With self-charging hybrid technology, incorporating an upgraded new lithium-ion battery, applied as standard across the Suzuki line-up, the latest models all employ a compact, lightweight belt-driven ‘Integrated Starter … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki S-Cross 48-volt self-charging Hybrid – Road Test
SUZUKI BACK ON TRACK WITH HYBRID 48-VOLT S-CROSS AND OTHER MODELS. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Fire-up the S-Cross I’m back road testing new cars again now the UK’s pandemic lockdown rules have been relaxed to a certain extent. The rule changes mean that car manufacturers, importers and dealerships are getting back on track and some of us motoring media types are partially able … [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...]
Honda CR-V Hybrid EX AWD – Road Test
Honda’s CR-V has been a tough, reliable contender in the SUV market for nearly 25 years... Kim Henson assesses the latest 2019 Hybrid version, in range-topping EX form, with all wheel drive and CVT automatic transmission. Before I describe the current CR-V in self-charging Hybrid form, I’d like briefly to reflect on the history and reliability of the models bearing that name so far. At the … [Read more...]
Toyota Corolla 1.8 Touring Sport – First Impressions.
Chris Adamson test drives the latest Toyota Corolla 1.8 Touring Sport – and contrasts it with his own first Toyota.... (Photos: Toyota GB). Back in the mid-1980s the second car I ever bought was a nearly new Toyota Corolla SR liftback that I drove all round the UK and even took on holiday to France. It served me well for many years, never gave me any problems and I have to say there was a … [Read more...]