In a world where SUVs have become more sophisticated and are generally soft off-roaders or Crossovers more used to dealing with school runs, shopping trips and family holidays than hard-core off roading, the Jeep Wrangler now stands alone in the rugged 4x4 market following the demise of the Land Rover Defender. The Wrangler’s design DNA dates back to the original Willys jeep of WW2, indeed the … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Weekend roadtest: Kia Soul 1.6GDI 2
Kia Soul is the embodiment of its UK crossover range. It was thought quirky when it came to market a few years ago but the practical shape soon found favour and it has been consistently reworked to keep it up to date. The Carens, Sportage and Sorento fill needs for SUV buyers while the Soul simply offers a cheaper way into moving people or goods and its one of the few cars in its class which … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda HR-V EX diesel
SUV-drivers are very style conscious so I was pleased as punch when a few I know quite well praised the Honda HR-V, writes Robin Roberts. One asked what it was while another said they loved the sweeping lines, and both said they would certainly think of buying one next time around. Honda’s sub-compact SUV was deliberately styled to give it a coupe character but blend it with the versatility … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Crossland X proves size matters
Size really matters in the burgeoning SUV sector and the new era of sub-compact models is being joined by the Vauxhall Crossland X, writes Robin Roberts. It’s shorter and lower than the sibling Mokka X AWD and close to the Astra Hatch but it features an elevated seating position and a user-friendly interior to the front-wheel-drive only platform. There’s a familiar look to the front of … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: VW Beetle at 80
The iconic Volkswagen Beetle is about to turn 80, but still looks and feels young, says David Miles. With more and more volume produced cars these days looking more and more alike, there are very few iconic core designs left to tempt those owners who do not want run-of-the mill designs, they are independent minded, aloof to what is the latest must-have - me-too fashionable car, hatchback, SUV … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Land Rover Evoque Convertible
Just when many thought that big 4x4 sales had reached the end of the road, the arrival of the Evoque Convertible has taken them down a new track, writes Robin Roberts. It has been an unqualified success since it was announced in November 2015 and the world’s drivers just couldn’t wait to get their hands on them a year later when they hit the roads. As the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus GS300h
Toyota and Lexus have long been the stalwart pioneers of using hybrid technology for some of their passenger car ranges to reduce CO2 emissions, improve fuel economy and boost performance, and where they led others now follow. The growth in Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles (AFVs) as the industry calls them covering hybrids, petrol/diesel hybrids, plug-ins, pure electric, hydrogen and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi S4 Saloon 3.0TFSI q
Capable and quick, the Audi S4 is one of those Q-cars you may not notice, until you drive one. A lot of attention tends to be focused on Audi’s road-burning R8s, its RS selection of saloons or maybe just its sporting TT types, but if you want to be more subtle but still be swift, then the Audi S4 should be on your list to try. There are saloon or estate derivatives, the later is more … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Hyundai i30
The all-new third generation Hyundai i30 five door hatchback range went on sale in the UK from 1 March this year and it will be followed by Tourer estate versions due this summer. The two ranges will be similar in terms of engine and specification choices, but a little more expensive and all are covered by Hyundai’s much praised five years unlimited mileage warranty. The new i30 prices start … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Alhambra Connect 150
It’s long in the tooth but can still give rivals a nasty bite, 21 years after the original SEAT Alhambra was launched. From that collaborative venture sired the Volkswagen Sharan and Ford Galaxy, and the Alhambra was conceived to take on French and Italian rivals but Ford withdrew in the early 2000s when it introduced the new Galaxy and now the MPV is solely made in Portugal for the two VW … [Read more...]