Vauxhall is benefitting from a raft of new models in showrooms. Latest is the Vauxhall Grandland X mid-sized five door, five seater SUV from January and already 75% of sales have gone to retail buyers, making it Vauxhall’s second highest retail selling model range after the Corsa supermini hatchbacks. When launched to the UK media in October last year Vauxhall said they had targeted around … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Peugeot 5008 GT Line 2.0D
Don’t let the anti diesel lobby or increased Government taxes put you off buying the Peugeot 5008 2.0-litre, 150hp turbodiesel seven seat large SUV, it remains fit-for-purpose, says David Miles. Some large SUV styled vehicles, which can carry up to seven people and tow up to 1,800kg when required, are just more user-friendly with a strong diesel engine and of course will return far better fuel … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SsangYong Rexton ELX auto
The world of serious, big 4x4 luxury SUVs is an exclusive one, and they don’t come much more exclusive than the SsangYong Rexton, writes Robin Roberts. “What?” is a question I rightly anticipated from a number of drivers when I suggested the same point to them. It begs explanation, so here we go. To put the company into perspective and where it sits alongside Korea’s better known Hyundai and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Subaru XV 2.0i SE Premium Lineartronic
Although Subaru is a brand with increasing sales in the North America and Australasia, but in the UK the brand has always been and still is a niche choice appealing to older customers with an individual desire to own something different. It is failing to attract a new generation of younger buyers although it still has strong customer retention. Gone are their glory days where sales … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: BMW X3 xDrive2.0d xLine
The BMW X3 has history and enduring desirability on its side in the immensely popular SUV sector which shows no sign of contracting but continues to expand with newcomers from some surprising entrants. Launched for the 2004 model year, the BMW X3 was one of the early sports activity vehicles and pitches against some worthy global rivals from its current manufacturing base in the United States. … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Hyundai Kona Premium GT 1.6 T-GDi
On sale in the UK from the end of last year the first turbocharged petrol powered models in the Hyundai Kona, compact SUV model line up were priced from £16,195 to £24,995 at launch but these have already risen to £16,445 to £25,245, writes David Miles. Mid-year these petrol versions will be joined by two turbodiesel engine options and what is already being described as the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Arona SE Technology 1.0TSI 95ps
The SEAT Arona SUV mid-sized range not only spoils you for choice, it spoils you full stop. There’s a choice of over 20 models in a handful of trim levels and using 95, 115 or 150ps petrol engines as well as 95 and 115 diesels with manual or automatic transmission choices and priced between £13,600 and £20,500. That’s what you might reasonably expect from one of the biggest car groups in the … [Read more...]
Volvo XC40 raises the game
Volvo’s push with introducing new products continues with the arrival in April of the first models in their XC40 compact SUV range of 2WD and 4WD, petrol and diesel models and to come plug-in hybrid and fully electric powered versions to be added to the line-up later, writes David Miles. The Volvo brand has gone from near bankruptcy to high flying under the ownership of the Chinese … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Stinger 2.0 petrol
Kia is rapidly rolling out its range of new executive sporting models with the Stinger series now getting a 2.0 turbo-petrol alongside the initial 3.3V6 petrol, and a 2.2 diesel is due very soon, writes David Miles. Kia’s impressively styled Stinger five door Grand Tourer arrived at the end of last year powered by a 3.3-litre twin turbo V6 T-GDi 365hp, 500Nm petrol engine and I recently … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Abarth 595 Competizione 180 Manual
Brits use to relish small high performance cars, and thank goodness the Italians still build them, like the Abarth 595 Competizione. While the UK may have grown up and developed a taste for family hot-hatches, there is still a lot be enjoyed behind the wheel of this excitable version of the classic Fiat 500 city car. It looks simply stunning with the dark-trimmed brightly badged … [Read more...]