With the arrival of so many new SUVs, Crossovers and 4x4s it easy to be confused on which is the best and most suitable model to buy, writes David Miles. One thing for sure is that the availability of such vehicles has grown out of all traditional proportions as manufacturers chase sales. The mid-sized SUV sector has grown faster than the small SUV/Crossover market and generally … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: New Audi A8 ahead of its time
The new fourth generation Audi A8 is really ahead of its time. It is the first car in the world to be built for the forthcoming age of autonomous vehicles which don’t require driver interaction in traffic at up to close to 40mph, the so-called Level 3 or “eyes off” category. As legislation changes to allow the Level 3 to be ‘turned-on’, beginning in America but gradually being rolled out … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Milano Edizione 2.0 petrol
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio can be bought with your head or your heart, says David Miles. Such is the public’s obsession with SUV/Crossover vehicles that even Aston Martin, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari and luxury car producer Rolls Royce feel-the-need to enter this market sector. They join the already established premium brands of Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz … [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: Mitsubishi Outlander 4, 2.2 DI-D automatic
Mitsubishi Motors celebrated their 100th anniversary of car production in 2017 having produced their first car – the Model A in 1907 and their first 4WD model the PX33 in 1933, writes David Miles. Imports first began to Europe beginning in the UK in 1974 with the Lancer and Galant saloons and the first Shogun 4WD range came in 1983. Today Mitsubishi Motors is part of the Renault-Nissan … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Grandland X Sport Nav 1.2 130PS
First impressions can last, as was the case with the new Vauxhall Grandland X, writes Robin Roberts. We liked it when driven at the UK launch in October and now the first models are getting into customers hands with rave reviews and awards being scooped up along the way. It’s easy to see why it’s done so well. Vauxhall Grandland X is very carefully specified over its 17-model range in four … [Read more...]
SEAT Arona adds to choice and confusion
Another week arrives and yet another new range of SUV models is released into our new car market already overflowing with choices, writes David Miles. This time it’s the SEAT Arona SUV largely based on SEAT’s recently introduced Ibiza supermini sized hatchback range. They both share the VW Group’s A0 version of their highly rated MQB platform. Priced from £16,555 to £24,235 the range of 24 … [Read more...]
Bigger, bolder, better Polo arrives
The sixth generation VW Polo has arrived in the UK bigger and better than before, says David Miles. Over 14 million Polos have been sold to date throughout five generations and in 2017 it was the UK’s seventh best-selling car with 47,855 registrations. Despite triggering the diesel emissions scandal which contributed to a fall of 17.1% in UK diesel powered car sales, Volkswagen ironically … [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 Ateca SE 1.6TDi 115ps
The award-winning SEAT Ateca is a strong challenger in the booming SUV sector which has overtaken most family favourite hatchbacks and estates. The range is wide, with a choice of 115 1.0 or 150 1.4 petrol engines alongside 115 1.6 or 150 and 190ps 2.0 diesels in five trim levels with or without intelligent 4WD. We have previously tested the 115ps 1.0 litre petrol before and were very … [Read more...]