As Audi so aptly puts it their new Q3 Sportback is a different slant on their Q3 SUV, writes David Miles. It’s a variation on the Q3 theme, familiar versatility but now with a racier coupe inspired side profile and rear end styling themes. But will this edgier dynamic design give Audi a sales edge in the over supplied medium sized SUV/Crossover market sector where numerous brands have stepped … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia XCeed ‘2’ 1.0 T-GDi
So what is the new Kia XCeed, asks David Miles. Well it’s the latest member of the Ceed C-segment family that until recently comprised the Ceed five door hatchback, Ceed Sportswagon estate and the newer ProCeed Shooting brake models, making it Kia’s third best-selling model range after the Sportage mid-sized SUV and the Picanto city car. They account for around 10% of Kia’s total annual new car … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: New Mitsubishi ASX
The 2020 model year Mitsubishi ASX has received a significant makeover for New Year sales from £20,295, writes David Miles. The first generation ASX since 2010 accumulated an impressive 1.36-million global sales with 31,000 in the UK, making the ASX Mitsubishi’s third best selling passenger range taking 22.6% of overall UK sales. The ASX is the starting point in Mitsubishi’s SUV model line up. … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo XC40 T3 R Design
It may be a throw-back to Nordic history, but when there is news of a new Volvo, heads turn towards the horizon. They are not always the first to introduce a feature or model in a sector, but you can bet their version will be significant. And you cannot get much more significant that the latest Volvo XC40 R-Design with its new three-cylinder 1.5 litre petrol engine, the … [Read more...]
Mid-week motoring: Suzuki Vitara upgraded
On sale early in 2019, although UK order books were opened in September, is the upgraded Suzuki Vitara with mild styling updates but more notable are new engine options and specification upgrades, says David Miles. Priced from £16,999 to £25,649 the nine variant 2019 model line-up sees 1.0-litre and 1.4-litre Boosterjet turbocharged petrol engines replacing the previous 1.6-litre 120hp petrol … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Sportage improves for 2019
The Sportage is Kia’s best selling model in Europe with over five million global sales during its 25 years of production through four generations, writes David Miles. In the UK 40,000 were sold last year and so far this year nearly 30,000 have found UK home making it the UK’s 10thbest selling model range overall. The Sportage accounts 40% of the company’s UK sales. In its medium sized SUV … [Read more...]
First Drive: New Audi A6 Saloon and Avant
Audi success has been built on the sum of its parts, writes Robin Roberts. Whether that’s quattro technology, TT-style or out-and-out performance through the wheels of the R8, but it’s also been piling up sales with estates. The runaway demand for its RS4 and RS6 estate or avant models over years is probably better known than the popularity of its 100 and then A6 wagons, and the A6 last year … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mitsubishi ASX 1.6 2WD
Mitsubishi has always risen to a challenge. It has produced some memorable models and then moved on but with a few exceptions like the popular Shogun and Pickups, but they have also set benchmarks with models like the Outlander MPV PHEV and it seemed only a matter of time before they entered the booming Crossover sector with their ASX. That was in 2010 and there have been four generations of … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Fiat 500X 1.4 MultiAir 140hp DCT auto 2WD
Such has been the huge growth in demand for SUV/Crossover types of vehicles that manufacturers right across the car industry have flooded the market with their offerings so it’s easy to forget or overlook some of those that have been with us for a while. One such range is the Fiat 500X compact SUV, first launched in the UK in 2015, with five doors and the choice of 2WD and 4WD models. … [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...]
