Toyota’s original SUV is now its flagship hybrid and most powerful. However, it’s not all about power as it also delivers excellent economy and a long electric-only range with good real-world performance. For MY2023 it’s sold in Design, Dynamic and Dynamic Premium specifications, a far cry from when it hit our roads in the mid-1990s. Prices start at £44,140 and equipment fitted and option … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Lexus NX450h + Takumi PHEV
Lexus has come a long way in a short time with its luxury compact SUV NX450h+. Launched in 2014, the Lexus NX range brought a new player into the compact luxury crossover sector and it made significant inroads before being replaced in 2021, but it’s still based on the latest Toyota RAV4 platform with refinements to the suspension. And that's no bad thing. The second generation introduces the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Corsa-e Elite Nav 11kW
Britain’s oldest car-maker is gearing up for the electric future, beginning with the Corsa-e, writes Robin Roberts. The highly popular small hatchback is a natural starting point aimed at those who mostly commute or have low mileage lifestyles. Responding to the UK Government’s drive towards lower and zero emission cars from 2030, the Vauxhall Corsa-e is available in six trim … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda CX-30 2.0 180ps 2WD GT Sport
I have always been sceptical of the car awards bandwagon, until now. In the week I was testing the Mazda CX-30 I learned it is one of the SUV finalists in the 2020 World Car Awards, and it is probably justified being included. Even before it was introduced, CX-30 picked up a five-star Euro NCAP rating for its adult occupant safety and range of i-Active sense safety features such … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda3 2.0 122ps Sport Lux 5dr
A lot is being pinned on the all-new Mazda3 hatchback, and deservedly so. Launched in the UK in spring 2019, it is competing in a tough sector of family and company cars but its about to get a big boost this autumn. The new Mazda3 hatchbacks initially came with either a 122ps 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol or 116ps Skyactiv-D diesel engine, in five trim levels: SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai i10 Play
Schools are out and holidays are here, time to Play. The carefree approach mayn’t be what Hyundai had in mind but their city car is certainly light hearted and cheery. The i10 series is entry level to Hyundai range and comes in no less than seven trim levels, Play is second tier, with 67ps 1.0 litre or 87ps 1.2 litre petrol engines, 5sp manual or 4sp automatic … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC EX Hatchback
The UK market has been the largest for Honda sales in Europe accounting for over a third of their 100,000 new cars sold in the EU and Civic has been an icon, writes David Miles. But the World changes, sales fluctuate, the public seems to want SUVs not conventional hatchbacks or saloons, electrification and hybrid are fashionable words and, yes Brexit has put spokes in many wheels. So Honda will … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi A1 Sportback 30 TFSI S line
Audi experience in the luxury sector really shows in its supermini A1. First shown in 2010 as a 3-door, the 5-door came 12 months later and arrived in Britain in 2012, and it’s a successor to the Audi A2. Today, Audi’s entry level model comes in a comprehensive range of over 30 versions utilising some 5 engine choices with manual or automatic gearboxes, and 7 trim levels in 3 or … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Ceed 2 1.6 GRDi Eco
Kia has firmly planted itself in the UK family market with the mid-sized Ceed. This rival to the Focus, Astra and Golf has been comprehensively re-engineered for 2019 and it’s wider and longer, has good headroom and a decent sized boot and comes very well equipped and finished. The new Ceed comes in five-door hatch or sports wagon bodystyles, based on three engine options, two transmissions … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: MG ZS 1.5 VTI-tech Exclusive
With the uncertainties of Brexit, higher interest rates and fuel prices, plus new WLTP fuel economy and CO2 figures now being applicable and the demonising of diesel engines, there are a lot of uncertainties in the UK’s motoring world and new car sales are being affected, writes David Miles. Sales in the retail, fleet and business sectors fell 20.5% for the new registration plate change month … [Read more...]
