The French love family life and it shows in the Peugeot 5008 series of SUVs. Developed from the firm’s smaller 3008 SUV, the larger seven seater SUVs are available with Active, Allure, GT Line, GT Line Premium and GT specification levels depending on the engine chosen. While Peugeot’s platform has simply been extended to offer more room and luggage space the powertrains are … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Sunday drive: Ford EcoSport 1.0 manual 2WD
The latest Ford EcoSport compact SUV is the best yet after a troubled start in 2014, but it's still behind rivals, says David Miles Under Ford’s then current ‘One Ford’ global vehicle policy, to meet the demand for SUVs, which started in 2010 and has grown rampantly since then, Ford brought their Brazilian designed chunky looking EcoSport to the UK and Europe in 2014. Poor European sales due … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Isuzu D-Max Blade Auto
Niche is nice, says Robin Roberts. The specialist vehicle market is where the money is to be made if you have the right products selling at the right prices, like the Isuzu D-Max pickup. The D-Max range, which took over from the Rodeo series, comprises single, extended and double-cab models using the same engine and with a choice of six speed manual or automatic transmission. They come with … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid
Toyota's experience in hybrid technology has given them an edge with their distinctive C-HR SUV, writes David Miles. It's a compact five door with 1.2T petrol, or 1.8 petrol electric hybrid, powertrains and the latter underpins the Prius hybrid, and the C-HR uses the Global Architecture platform of the Prius. Unlike the blandly styled Prius the C-HR (Coupe High Rider) is a very different … [Read more...]
Winning the generation game
It maybe from another era but the truth is the Vauxhall Corsa is even more relevant today than when it first appeared 25 years ago, writes Robin Roberts. Born in the Britpop, Walkman and shell-suits age to the sounds of The Spice Girls it has outlived them and is still Vauxhall’s best-seller. What’s more it consistently lurks in the top ten best sellers list and blocks out more modern … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda CX5 2.2D Automatic
Mazda has a thoroughly deserved reputation for quietly getting on with the job and building some great if unassuming cars, such as the CX5 SUV. It also proves it’s not a one-trick pony best known for the stunning sporty MX-5 two-seater. No, it also builds a very good SUV in the shape of the CX5 and you may consider it’s the natural step up from the sports car when family responsibilities kick … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Grandland X Ultimate tops new range
Vauxhall is benefitting from a raft of new models in showrooms. Latest is the Vauxhall Grandland X mid-sized five door, five seater SUV from January and already 75% of sales have gone to retail buyers, making it Vauxhall’s second highest retail selling model range after the Corsa supermini hatchbacks. When launched to the UK media in October last year Vauxhall said they had targeted around … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Peugeot 5008 GT Line 2.0D
Don’t let the anti diesel lobby or increased Government taxes put you off buying the Peugeot 5008 2.0-litre, 150hp turbodiesel seven seat large SUV, it remains fit-for-purpose, says David Miles. Some large SUV styled vehicles, which can carry up to seven people and tow up to 1,800kg when required, are just more user-friendly with a strong diesel engine and of course will return far better fuel … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SsangYong Rexton ELX auto
The world of serious, big 4x4 luxury SUVs is an exclusive one, and they don’t come much more exclusive than the SsangYong Rexton, writes Robin Roberts. “What?” is a question I rightly anticipated from a number of drivers when I suggested the same point to them. It begs explanation, so here we go. To put the company into perspective and where it sits alongside Korea’s better known Hyundai and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Subaru XV 2.0i SE Premium Lineartronic
Although Subaru is a brand with increasing sales in the North America and Australasia, but in the UK the brand has always been and still is a niche choice appealing to older customers with an individual desire to own something different. It is failing to attract a new generation of younger buyers although it still has strong customer retention. Gone are their glory days where sales … [Read more...]