Diversity has driven the car industry for over a century responding to the changing society it serves, so we shouldn’t be surprised when a traditional sporting brand looks at something different,writes Robin Roberts. Premium brands including Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Jaguar, Maserati and Porsche are examples which come to mind, but there is also the more affordable sporting Italian marque … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus UX 250h Takumi E-four AWD
Lexus has shaken up the UK car market in every sector it’s entered and with the latest UX urban SUV its challenge intensifies, writes Robin Roberts. Intended as an introduction to the Lexus range, the UX is their first contemporary compact SUV with the urban driver in mind rather than the country living/ loving driver who needs a serious off-roader. That’s not underselling the Lexus UX as it is … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Kuga 2.0 diesel auto 4WD
The very popular Ford Kuga mid-sized SUV first launched in 2008 is now in its second generation which was launched in 2012 and continues to be very popular with UK customers, writes David Miles. It remained in 2019 the second best selling SUV of any size just behind the British built Nissan Qashqai and ahead of the South Korean Kia brand’s Sportage. In the Spring of this New Year the all-new … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi TT Coupe 245ps TFSi S tronic
The Audi TT sports model has been nothing but a success for the company, but still strives to please owners, writes Robin Roberts. With roadster and coupe body choices, four trim levels and 1.8 or 2.0 petrol and diesel engines in a range of power outputs there is something for everyone in the UK. No wonder you see so many Audi TTs on our roads. There’s little doubt the TT was a turning point for … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Kuga ST-Line Edition 2.0 TDCi
The Ford Kuga five door mid-sized SUV was introduced in 2008, the second edition in 2016 and the third generation is due from 2020 with Mild Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid and Full-Hybrid powertrains plus petrol and diesel engine options, writes David Miles. But before the all-new Kuga appears with its new global C2 architecture/platform, I have just had a driving week with the latest … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V60 D4 AWD Cross Country
Although it’s Volvo’s range of SUVs, the XC90, XC60 and the new XC40 that hog the limelight of the Scandinavian brand’s significant popularity and sales growth in the premium car market, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Volvo has excelled for over 60 years in producing estate cars, David Miles reminds us. With the large V90 estate firmly established, more recently the mid-sized V60 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Ateca 2.0TSI 4Drive DSG
If you ever thought SUV’s are boring, then the SEAT Ateca FR 2.0TSi will change your mind in an instant. It is one of the growing families of SUVs, and that includes a number from SEAT and the rest of the parent VW Group, but it brings a little extra pizzazz to the family party. The proportions and practical nature of this Ateca are a good starting point for the driving enthusiasts at SEAT … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda CR-V 2.0 Hybrid, EX Auto
Billed by Honda as the world’s best selling SUV with over 9.0-million sales in 150 countries since the first generation model was launch in 1995, the latest generation range was launched towards the end of last year, writes David Miles. However the new range had no diesel and no 2.0-litre VTEC petrol engine options and came only with their 1.5T VTEC 173hp manual gearbox or … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai Santa Fe Premium SE
The Hyundai Santa Fe has been the bedrock of the brand since launched in 2001, but it’s no dinosaur. The fourth generation of this highly popular large SUV is packed with the latest features and choices to please any family with the emphasis on enjoyment and living. Split over four trim levels the price range is £33,425 to £43,295 and there are 15 versions of the Hyundai Santa Fe with five … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Kodiaq Sportline 2.0 TSI
As an example of this fast changing world, Skoda recently introduced Sportline versions of their award winning large SUV – the Kodiaq, writes David Miles. I was due to test the 1.4 TSI 150hp turbo petrol powered model, but that was substituted because under the WLTP changes it is due to be replaced by the Volkswagen Group’s new TSI 1.5-litre 150hp, cylinder on demand petrol unit. So a … [Read more...]
