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...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Arona FR 1.5 TSI EVO 150
Working requirements mean that sometimes we can only spend a comparatively short, but informative, time in a test car. A quick run in a few hours can often highlight the pros and cons of a car so the best and worst features stand out. Other times you need to spend a few days in the driving seat to appreciate the subtlies. In between these extremes a car’s character can ease itself into your … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford EcoSport ST Line 140
Ford aims to punch above its weight with the latest EcoSport, writes Robin Roberts. It was launched in South America in 2004 but the model we know today is the second generation which appeared in 2012, was updated in 2014 and again in 2017 for global sale, and manufactured in six plants. Currently in the UK there are nearly 20 versions of the EcoSport in ST-Line, Titanium … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai Kona SE 1.0 pet. 2WD
While it takes its name from a Hawaiian island, the Hyundai Kona is really more of a landmark in the mainstream SUV sector. Kona is available in 11 versions based on five trim levels powered by choice of new 115 or 136 six or seven speed 1.6 turbo-diesels, alongside 120ps 1.0 2WD six speed and 177ps 1.6 AWD petrol engines, all sharing a five-door SUV-styled body. Our … [Read more...]
