After its British launch in 1990, Lexus raised the bar for other executive marques and today it is the oldest surviving premium brand from Japan, and still the benchmark for British buyers. From an initial two models in the early 90s, the Lexus line up has dramatically grown to offer something in each of the main sectors and delivers a range of powertrains … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Civic Advance 2.0 i-MMD
Honda has a lot of experience building their capable Civic, and it really shows in the latest line up of a model which can trace its ancestry over 54 years. Today, the Honda Civic hybrid comes in Elegance trim from £34,325, Sport beginning at £35,945 and our Advance version from £39,295. The entry model includes a lot of driving safety systems and heated … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Urban Cruiser
Toyota like to have a finger in every pie and has cooked up something for the compact MPV or SUV buyers, the Urban Cruiser. It is the second generation Urban Cruiser it developed along with Suzuki and this time it has gone full-electric as Toyota wants to offer buyers a selection of power sources which fulfil their needs in different markets. The range in … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Polestar 4 LR DM
If you are coming around to the idea that battery electric vehicles are the new norm, the Polestar 4 SUV possibly will take you back. While the pure EV sector is becoming baffling with its new Chinese entitled brands, the Polestar pedigree goes back a bit further and to a surprising beginning. Polestar Racing was created from the Swedish touring car racing … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Fabia 130
Driving enthusiasts of a certain age will fondly remember how Skoda seriously challenged and embarrassed the most expensive works rally teams with its comparatively cheaper Flying Fabias. And in national and club rallies across Europe they can still pull out a few surprises. When skill and low weight combined, the flying Fabias really set the pace for … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Arona 1.5 TSI FR Sport
SEAT knew what they were doing when launching the original Arona compact crossover in 2017 and it has become one of the brand’s best sellers after revisions in 2021 and 2025. Using platforms and powertrains from within the Volkswagen Group it reduced costs but not quality when pitching into the all-important family sector. Being not too big under 4.2 m … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volkswagen Tiguan Mild Hybrid
Volkswagen has eased off the throttle to becoming a pure electric brand and wisely continues to develop its semi-electric mild hybrid line up. The Tiguan MHEV is one of the third generation of this highly popular model, its best seller worldwide including 29,800 registered in Britain last year. In a world and market where change happens and then goes in a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Geely Starray EMi Hybrid
The UK car market is changing forever and being transformed by the arrival of Chinese brands including the very recent Geely group. Many may not have heard of Geely, but it is the money and technology behind Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and familiar TX London Taxi. That’s an impressive family to which you belong but a few years ago Geely decided to introduce … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Geely EX5 Max
If you think Geely is a new brand in Britain, think again. While it launched its first badged model, the Geely EX5, last year it has been quietly contemplating its place and plans for some years. Geely is deeply involved behind the scenes with our own Lotus sports car makers, and is providing the knowledge and expertise for Volvo and Smart electric … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: GWM Poer300 Double Cab
Once upon a time pick-ups were the workhorses of the countryside and contractors. Then it changed and they became the way to save on a tax return without suffering too much in refinement. Advance a couple of years and the market reverted to tax changes which really favoured the basic pickup and many models became much more expensive and a tax liability … [Read more...]
