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: Volkswagen ID.4 77kWh 204ps
Some may think Volkswagen has been late to the ev-party being enjoyed by rivals, but its distinctive ID.4 is undoubtedly one of the best and a head-turner. VW has dabbled with small electric versions of its cars beginning with the Up! and its Golf-sized ID.3 hatchback is sold exclusively across Europe, but the larger ID.4 is a global car which will have the world at its wheels. It … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Cupra Leon Hatch 2.0TSi DSG 245ps
Cupra is inviting you to join the Q-car queue with its latest Leon 2.0TSi. Based on the family-friendly SEAT Leon, the tuning arm’s version is a return to the hot-hatch era with a car which pushes out 245ps, can exceed 150mph and covers the indicative 0-62mph mark in under 6.5 seconds. Q-cars are essentially “sleeper” or quiet cars which are not overtly sporting but which nevertheless pack 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...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Ceed 1.0T-GDi
Pitching against some of Europe’s best compact family cars, the Kia Ceed is now more competitive than ever. This third generation of the five-door hatchback to be built in Slovakia launched last year, gives nothing away to rivals and beats most with its equipment and value. But that’s almost doing it an injustice because it actually drives extremely well too with front strut and rear … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Genesis G70 Shooting Brake Luxury Line
Britain is a very lucrative if sometimes specialist car market and that’s what newcomer Genesis is counting on with a small model range which includes the G70 Shooting Brake. This semi-estate designed for the European market and no-where else appeared in late 2021 alongside a saloon and two larger SUVs with simple choice of petrol or diesel engines. The G70SB can be specified in any of three … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda HR-V Advance Style
The new Honda HR-V is a step-change for this conservative car-maker. While its head-turning but now discontinued NSX and still in production hot Civics stand out from more run of mill models in showrooms, they made progress with the new Jazz but have really ramped up styling in the new HR-V launched last autumn. It’s bigger than the last generation and there is much more room inside the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Ibiza 1.0TSI FR 95ps
The Coronavirus pandemic masked a lot of changes made by car-makers last year and the SEAT Ibiza was one of them. SEAT was well advanced with giving the highly popular Ibiza family hatchback a mid-term make-over before the pandemic virtually paralysed production and it has raised the bar for the car against more expensive rivals. There is a new look to the car front to back with revised apron … [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...]