Britain’s best selling family car has just got better, and it’s going to get better still, writes Robin Roberts. The newest Ford Focus had barely arrived in showrooms in the autumn before changes were being made to benefit from the latest WLTP emissions legislation, so the 150ps version tested here is now replaced by a 182ps derivative in ST-Line X form. However, a number of the lower powered … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Civic 5dr 1.6 diesel
Built in Britain for global sales the 10th generation Honda Civic is available in five door hatchback body style and now a Civic four door saloon, built in Turkey for European markets, has been added to the range, writes David Miles. Also a new 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine with manual and automatic gearbox choices has joined the line-up for both body styles. There is no … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Lexus CT200h Premium
The Lexus CT200h set the bar for the hybrid revolution in the compact premium sector when it arrived in 2011, and its raised its game still further with the latest version, writes Robin Roberts. Using the well-engineered powertrain from its sister company’s Toyota Prius introduced in 1997, the Lexus CT200h has been further retuned and it is and impressive combination of petrol and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Stinger 3.3 T-GDi V6 GT
In a radical move, Kia has launched into the high performance executive hatchback sector after years of building family models and business cars. The South Korean brand of Kia launched in Europe in 1991 has moved steadily from budget to award winning mainstream models with long seven-year 100,000-mile warranties and successive years of record UK sales. The brand has recently entered the premium … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Fiesta Vignale 1.0 5dr automatic
Whether or not you agree with Brexit, Britons’ love choice and which is why the Ford Fiesta has been voted the country’s top car for decades. Nearly 40 possible versions are available to British buyers with three and five-door bodystyles, six trim levels and a choice of petrol or diesel engines with manual or automatic transmissions. Essentially there is something to please almost anyone and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Peugeot 308 Allure 1.2 PureTech 130 automatic
The Peugeot 308 range of C-segment five door hatchbacks and SW estates arrived in the UK late last year and heralded a range of minor styling changes, even more fuel efficient petrol engines and better infotainment and connectivity functions. They now all have the Peugeot i-Cockpit taken from the award winning 3008 SUV with its 9.7-inch touchscreen, connected 3D navigation with TomTom live … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Seat Ibiza 1.0TSI 95ps Xcellence
The latest SEAT Ibiza is the hero of the brand and has been decorated. The fifth generation of the super-mini series is the first to use the VW Group’s new MQB A0 modular platform, which dramatically cuts cost while permitting immense adaptation. It gives the newest Ibiza more room and better performance including economy and a better ride/ handling balance. SEAT has also … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI FR
The new fifth generation SEAT Ibiza hatchback is only available as a five door and it is the first model in the Volkswagen Group of brands to use the new MQB AO modular platform, even before VW’s own new Polo supermini sized hatchback comes to market next year. Ibiza has been the Spanish brand’s best selling model range and the first four generations have spanned over 30 years … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: DS5 Performance Line 180 auto
Young upstarts often have a something to teach us and to learn, and that’s true of the DS5. The brand is just over five years old and came about by the desire of parent PSA to have a halo range which rekindles the chic of the first DS launched in 1955 as one of the Citroen luxury models. It is even sold through DS Stores and DS Salons, not a humble traditional dealership. There are five … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Astra Elite diesel hatch
You could be forgiven for wondering how conservative Vauxhall would emerge as one of Britain’s Brexit champions with its Astra. This family focused five-door hatch and sports tourer is now in its seventh generation and rolling off the Ellesmere Port production lines bound for British and European markets, and it’s also pushing out Opel-badged versions as well for the first time. It … [Read more...]
