The citycarver is a 5-door supermini sector sized hatchback based on the Audi A1 Sportback but with pseudo-SUV styling, writes David Miles. It is priced from £22,040 and it is aimed at urban jungle motoring say Audi, whatever that is. There is no 4WD option, all models are only front-wheel drive so it’s another case of styling over function. The starter citycarver model is actually £1,400 more … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai Ioniq Premium SE PHEV
The more you drive, the more energy you save with the latest Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid, writes Robin Roberts. It sounds illogical but it’s true because the familiar standard 1.6 litre petrol engine is now joined by a more sophisticated electric motor and battery system which recovers energy lost during braking. This recovered energy when transformed and pushed into the 8.9KWh … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Juke Tekna 1.0 DIG-T 117hp Auto
Launched over a decade ago the first generation Nissan Juke sold in huge numbers with over 1.5-million finding global homes,writes David Miles. It brought the then aspirational idea of 5-door SUV styling to the masses of car buyers who previously had opted for supermini sized hatchbacks. Although prior to Juke there had been small boxy shaped SUVs/4x4s from mainly Japanese manufacturers … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Suzuki Swift SZ5 Allgrip
Winter weather is a great leveller for motorists, writes Robin Roberts. Heavy rain, snow showers, ice and mud can combine to make any possible winter journey an impossibility unless you have a big and expensive 4x4, or you cannily drive a Suzuki Swift SZ5 Allgrip. This is the hatch that’s a match for many winter road washouts or white-outs. What’s more it will not break the bank or cost you high … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Audi Q3 Sportback
As Audi so aptly puts it their new Q3 Sportback is a different slant on their Q3 SUV, writes David Miles. It’s a variation on the Q3 theme, familiar versatility but now with a racier coupe inspired side profile and rear end styling themes. But will this edgier dynamic design give Audi a sales edge in the over supplied medium sized SUV/Crossover market sector where numerous brands have stepped … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda HR-V Sport CVT
The word ‘crossover model’ is often over-used and exaggerated, but not with the Honda HR-V in its top Sport CVT trim, writes Robin Roberts. The original Hybrid Recreational Vehicle from 1999 was a more sober-suited trendsetter but a lot has happened in two decades as fashions changed. More manufacturers have poured into the market for practical but performance edged cars, some without any real … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Ranger Double Cab Limited 2.0-litre
In the UK the award winning Ford Ranger sold 16,458 units in 2019 retaining its top sales position in a market sector of 53,055 sales, a 1%fall over 2018, writes David Miles. Europe’s, and the UK’s, best selling pick-up range received major changes towards the end of last year plus the addition of new variants to the line up which includes 2-door 2-seat Regular Cab, 2-door 4-seat Super Cab and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500 Rockstar TA hatchback
In my experience, if they are not larger than life, rock stars tend to be small and noisy performers, and the Fiat Rockstar lived up to expectations. Very much the baby in the extensive Fiat family of cars, the 500 has been one of its most successful and in 2019 passed the 3million sold mark. That success has been down to the fact it meets the needs of so many at comparatively … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Prius AWD-i petrol-electric hybrid
Launched about a year ago was the new fourth generation Toyota Prius which had first use of Toyota’s New Global Architecture platform which in the case of the Prius lowered the ride height, gave a more engaging drive and improved the interior quality, writes David Miles. It also introduced to the Prius brand a more acceptable exterior body style now similar to subsequent other new Toyota models … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Kamiq SE 1.0 95ps
Skoda is making inroads with its family friendly SUV range, writes Robin Roberts. The large Kodiaq and mid-sized Karoq have now been joined by the compact Kamiq as this SUV sector wipes away traditional saloon and hatchback models across Europe and throughout the USA. No volume manufacturer can be without at least one SUV and VW sub-brand Skoda has enormous resources to utilise as it extends … [Read more...]