The latest Volkswagen Passat is not only the sleekest shape to carry the name but also probably the most sophisticated. It will surprise many to know that the original Passat was unveiled in 1973 and in 52 years there have been over a dozen derivatives, being sold as a hatchback, saloon and estate at various times around the world. It is the brand’s second … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: MG Cyberster Trophy
A century after the brand was created, MG sports cars have been reimagined for today’s motoring generations. The 2024 launch of the MG Cyberster turned heads with the two-seater convertible’s dramatic styling and opened-eyes with its performance as the world’s first fully electric open-topped sports car. It was a brave decision by MG’s Chinese owners SAIC … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Lexus UX300h
It’s been a bad 12 months for the British car market, but not for Lexus. The luxury Japanese brand has just enjoyed a 4.5% rise in sales in 2024, mostly due to a strong surge in its electric models. But wisely, Lexus has decided to keep a wheel in both tracks of development, one set in the electric mode and the other in the hybrid highway. And it’s worked … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Prius Design PHEV
The Toyota Prius was ahead of its time when created and today’s model still sets standards for others to aim at achieving. Conceived in the mid-1990s, the Toyota Prius was the world’s first mass produced hybrid car when it was launched in 1997 and we have now seen five generations or evolutions of the car, which has been a saloon as well as a lift-back. It … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Niro HEV ‘2’ 1.6 GDi
It is no surprise to me that Kia is doing well in sales terms. The firm’s comprehensive range provides vehicles to suit a wide range of preferences and practical needs, and for U.K. buyers the company’s line-up currently includes petrol-powered, hybrid propulsion and fully electric models. In other words they cover ‘all bases’. Reassurance for buyers is … [Read more...]
Mid-week roadtest: Mazda CX80
Mazda has launched a new flagship CX80 to do battle in the luxury seven-seater SUV sector in Britain. After a tough year for car sales in 2024, Mazda did better than most and wants to attract new buyers to the brand with the CX80 which is slightly bigger than the five-seat CX60 SUV it introduced in Spring 2022. They share the same platform which has been … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda3 Saloon 186ps Exclusive-Line
While every maker wants to be distinctive and have desirable cars they also tend to follow fashion and sometimes end up with dull models which look no different to one another, but thankfully the Mazda3 range offers an alternative. Its range has developed from saloons to hatchbacks and Cross-over models, but among them is a hidden jem in the shape of the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo XC40 Ultra B4 Mild Hybrid
Think family cars and I bet the next image in any driver’s eyes is a Volvo. Once associated with the immensely practical, purposeful and frills-free Estates, the company has undergone a rejuvenation and now offers a range of sophisticated SUVs brimming with the latest safety technology. They also started off big to sell to the US market but realised they … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Suzuki Vitara Ultra Allgrip
The highly popular Suzuki Vitara has been given a make-over for 2025 to enhance the appeal of this already highly competitive medium sized SUV. The Vitara hybrid remains a strong selling model in the range and Suzuki has redefined its styling, raised the level of standard equipment and technology as well as further improved hybrid efficiency to stretch the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi A3 Sportback 35TFSi
Twenty-nine years ago the first Audi A3 established the premium compact class and today the fourth generation sets a high standard which rivals really struggle to match. From that initial model in 1996, the A3 series has evolved into a comprehensive range of saloons and semi-estates or coupes with individual emphasis on sophistication or sportiness to … [Read more...]
