Toyota has teamed up with naturalist and adventurer Steve Backshall to provide ideas for adventures in nature to keep kids amused during the summer holidays. Steve, a father of three young children and presenter of Deadly 60 and Expedition with Steve Backshall, is passionate about encouraging children to be free in nature. He and his wife, two-time Olympic champion and triple world champion … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda CX-5 2.0 Newground
While not having a huge range, Mazda has a well-defined line up in significant sectors. Most people will blurt out MX-5 if asked to name their most identifiable model, so you may be surprised to learn that the crossover CX-5 has been their global best seller since 2014. Over 70,000 are now on UK roads and it makes up 25% of Mazda British sales. Produced from 2012, in the UK it replaced the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Lexus NX450h + Takumi PHEV
Lexus has come a long way in a short time with its luxury compact SUV NX450h+. Launched in 2014, the Lexus NX range brought a new player into the compact luxury crossover sector and it made significant inroads before being replaced in 2021, but it’s still based on the latest Toyota RAV4 platform with refinements to the suspension. And that's no bad thing. The second generation introduces the … [Read more...]
First drive: Kia Sportage PHEV
Kia has sharpened its attack on the business sector and introduced a Plug In Hybrid Electrified addition to its Sportage family-friendly range launched just a few months ago. Some models will qualify for a very low 8% for the currnt tax year and lower than most rivals which come with a 12% penalty and total cost of ownership will be lower than other Sportage electrified models. The introduction … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SsangYong Rexton Auto
In the automotive sector there are rarely surprises, except with the SsangYong Rexton. The Korean company has been making 4x4 models for over 65 years, a little less than Land Rover but it has evolved just like its better-known UK rival. Today’s Rexton is the fourth generation since being introduced in 2001 and it retains the rugged reputation it has earned among those who really need a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia EV6 GT Line S 77.4kWh AWD
It’s official, Kia’s new generation pure-electric EV6 is the top-performing Car of the Year 2022. Earlier this month it beat 60 other new cars, electric and with internal combustion engines, to the coveted CoTY award judged by 59 motoring journalists from 22 European countries. It is the first Kia to win the internationally acclaimed award and set a very high standard for the new generation … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: First drive Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid
Suzuki has not skimped on kitting out their new-age full hybrid Vitara SUV and it represents much better value than its closest eight rivals. Every model gets intellingent braking assistance, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise, seven airbags, Smartphone connectivity, remote key, navigation and climate control. On top of this standard … [Read more...]
First drive: All new Kia Sportage arrives
Having given our readers a static view sneaky peek of the all-new Kia Sportage last November at a Kia UK media test driving event for other models in the range, this week we got behind the wheel of this important mid-sized SUV family favourite, writes David Miles. Here is a quick specification résumé of the all-new Sportage UK line-up: It is the fifth generation Sportage with the original … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Enyaq iV 80 EcoSuite
Wow, it’s a Skoda! That was the reaction our Enyaq generated in a few people during our test of the company’s first pure battery SUV and which marks the change of direction it is going as we begin our journey into the zero emissions future. Engineered on parent Volkswagen Group’s electric modular platform it is the first time that this chassis has been built outside Germany. It won’t be the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi Q3 S line TFSl e 45 Automatic
Audi has been one of the most successful brands in modern times as it aims squarely at making the cars people want to buy and their Q3 subcompact crossover hits the nail on the head. Initially launched in 2011 with a mid-life facelift afterwards, the larger second generation hit the road in 2018 sitting on the latest versatile MQB platform from the Volkswagen Group and offers hybrid powertrains … [Read more...]