The sales chart for SUVs, 4x4s, Crossovers, call them what you will, is at its highest sales level ever. The latest BMW X3 five-door, five-seater range is priced from £31,295 for the new 18d SE in a two wheel drive configuration or from £33,295 for the 20d with their xLine 4x4 traction and it is their best selling version. Both have 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. Top of the range is the … [Read more...]
Roadtests
Weekend Roadtest: Hyundai i20 SE
The British car market is changing and established models are moving into new areas but the familiar five-door hatch still has an important role to play such as the Hyundai i20. The family-friendly hatch fulfills its role very well and deserves to be considered alongside more prominent rivals, particularly if you look at its refinement, features, build quality and warranty. There are 25 … [Read more...]
You’ll warm to the latest Peugeot 208 GTi
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their GTi models Peugeot has come up with a limited edition of their 208 with added GTi spec and performance. If you haven’t seen the television advertising for the 208 GTi 30th Anniversary three-door model I suggest you do. – it’s a good ‘brand image builder’. The bad news for us but the good news for Peugeot is all the UK’s allocation of just 100 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Leon Cupra 280
The Spanish love bulls and horns, which probably explains their passion for the SEAT Leon Cupra 280. It is the sort of car which hot-hatch fans love for its performance at weekends and which is still civilized enough to drive every day. You see a flamenco dancer and you know you are in for a treat and it’s the same with the SEAT Leon Cupra 280. It’s stylish, swift and sophisticated. From … [Read more...]
Duster cleans up in the budget-SUV sector
Dacia was bought by Renault in 1999 although the Romanian vehicle brand was formed in 1966. New Dacia has since proved a huge sales hit with European customers because of their value for money credentials. It has been Europe’s fastest growing brand for eight consecutive years and in some markets Dacia models are actually badged as Renaults. European Union sales for Dacia increased by 24% to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2D LWB SG4
Country life comes in many shapes and sizes and one of the most familiar is the Mitsubishi Shogun. There are eight long and short wheelbase models with a few trim options but we tested the 3.2D in top spec which is arguably the most desirable and recognized. It is as common in the country as the venerable Land Rover Defender, but its days are numbered, and for anyone who wants more comfort … [Read more...]
Weekend Roadtest: Suzuki SZ5 S-Cross
Something that is not obvious can still turn heads, like the Suzuki S Cross. The television adverts show this new generation SUV driving down a street, causing curtains to twitch and neighbours’ excuses come forth to get a chance to ride in one. The reality is you don’t need an excuse, just an open mind and individuality. Suzuki has a tremendous reputation for making affordable and able 4x4 … [Read more...]
Weekend Roadtest: Nissan Pulsar N-Tec
The new Nissan Pulsar radiates success. It pitches into the heart of Britain’s most hotly contested family sector, and the N-Tec 1.5dCi emerges head and shoulders above most rivals at the price. The range of 15 models with a choice of petrol or diesel engines, manual or automatic transmission and in four trim levels spans the £16,000 to £22,345 basket and our test car was about mid-way and … [Read more...]
Weekend Roadtest: Ford Focus 1.5 EcoBoost
There is now even more to love about Britain’s most popular family car, the Ford Focus. Second in sales last year to Fiesta, Focus has been revamped for 2015 with changes to the powertrain, chassis and interior as well as some subtle external mods. At the new model’s international launch last autumn we were unable to drive the Bridgend-built 1.5 EcoBoost petrol turbo, but we have now and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai iX35 Premium Auto
When style and suitability meet, there are fewer successful combinations than the Hyundai iX35. It was one of the first of the modern cross-over models which combine the looks of one sector with the size and features of another. Just about everything is right for buyers in this medium-sized model so long as they don’t want to be the first away from the lights or need to carry enormous … [Read more...]