The Subaru Levorg is not what you might call eye-candy, but it has EyeSight. That’s the latest all-embracing collision avoidance technology which reduces the likelihood and severity of accidents. It may not be in the forefront of your mind when looking for an all-purpose 4x4 quality estate, but the Levorg really can hold its own against some of the better brands from Germany. Subaru has a … [Read more...]
Roadtests
New Year’s Day drive: Ford Edge Titanium 210
There are no certainties in life but with official UK new vehicle sales figures not due to be released until Friday it is already likely that Ford will again top the sales chart for 2016 and the commercial vehicle league as well, writes David Miles. Also most likely is the fact that in 2016 Brits will have bought more SUVs/4x4s/Crossovers than in 2015 when 355,118 were sold … [Read more...]
Weekend review: 2016 in the mirror
The relentless rise of Sports Utility Vehicles seems to have dominated discussions among motoring writers, drivers and the industry during 2016 but it was a more familiar family-car which impressed just before the dawn of 2017. Looking back at our testing diary for the year and also the brief opportunities for some first drives in a host of cars, we picked out about 20 which were memorable and … [Read more...]
Christmas drive: Honda Civic Type R GT
If you believe Christmas is for children and you don’t’ want to grow up, I have the answer - buy a Honda Civic Type R GT. The British-built slingshot from Swindon embodies the edginess of youth with the practicality of a family hatchback. School-runs, family shopping and rellies-round-trips can be undertaken or endured, but come the weekend and you head for your favourite bit of winding road … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Optima PHEV saloon
Time is running out if you want to save yourself from a little known tax and benefits hike with 'green cars', says David Miles With significant tax changes due for all new cars bought from 1 April next year, both in terms of VED road tax and Benefit-in-Kind company car tax, sales of alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) in the UK will only continue to grow. The choice is also getting better … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: New Citroen C3
The arrival of the new Citroen C3 takes the company in two directions at once. The French maker’s legendary comfort returns while its forward looking technology is projected with the availability of ConnectedCam. This is a real-time forward-facing camera which continually records what it sees through a very wide angle lens, ideal for use with incident claims, but which can also be operated … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V40
Volvo’s best selling model range is the family of lower medium or compact C-segment sized V40 and V40 Cross Country five door hatchbacks. New are LED headlights which Volvo claim as the first models in their segment to get such items and ‘Thor’ shaped daytime running lights. Also new are grille meshes with the visually striking Volvo Iron Mark design. In addition eight new design … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Ateca 2.0 TDI 150
It had to be only a matter of time before SEAT produced their much needed SUV or Crossover vehicle range. SEAT had a big hole in their range of offerings to customers. With almost half the UK new car market now taken up by sales of SUVs, 4x4s or Crossover models it showed in SEAT UK sales with an 11% drop in new car sales in 2015, a further fall of 10% for the first six months of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 150
There are many drivers when it comes to buying a car, and I don’t mean the one behind the wheel, writes Robin Roberts. Take the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso 150, for instance. Is it room, performance, economy, ride or handling which makes someone decide to buy? Or is it a child? Certainly with the latest test model the most vociferous and praiseworthy were two children and I bet their … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V90 D4 Inscription
Volvo is on a roll, says David Miles. In September Volvo launched their premium brand graceful and sophisticated S90 large saloon and the V90 estate models. S90 saloons are priced from £32,555 and rise to £42,055. The more popular V90 estates start from £34,555 and rise to £44,055. Volvo UK do not talk about sales numbers but the brand has seen an increase so far this year of new … [Read more...]