After being launched in Britain in 2016, the Kia Niro has risen to become the marque’s second best seller in the UK and the third most popular in Europe, consistently increasing sales each year. Part of that success is down to being right sized for the UK but also careful marketing has ensured its high specification appeals to retail buyers while its running costs make it attractive to businesses … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi Q3 S line TFSl e 45 Automatic
Audi has been one of the most successful brands in modern times as it aims squarely at making the cars people want to buy and their Q3 subcompact crossover hits the nail on the head. Initially launched in 2011 with a mid-life facelift afterwards, the larger second generation hit the road in 2018 sitting on the latest versatile MQB platform from the Volkswagen Group and offers hybrid powertrains … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Arona 1.0 TSi Xperience Lux
SEAT broke new ground for itself when launching the Arona subcompact crossover in 2017 slotting beneath the slightly larger Ateca, and it's just strengthened itself with a completely new look outside and in together with a host of technical upgrades. The industry has been falling over itself to bring in crossover models between MPVs and hatchbacks due to their wider practicality and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Sorento 4 1.6HEV
The Kia Sorento 4 is full of surprises in a market which often delivers nothing out of the ordinary, writes Robin Roberts. I mean; what car comes with an beach, a wood-burner, a café or its own forest? They are part of the “nat sounds” available in the highly sophisticated infotainment system and are a calming or relaxing influence in a car which is already in the lowest stress … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Peugeot 3008 Allure 1.2L PureTech 130
The Peugeot 3008 mid-sized SUV unveiled in 2008 has regularly been renewed until we have the latest tweaks, writes David Miles. When originally launched the 3008 was ahead of the game in terms of being a family affordable SUV and was instrumental in the growing popularity of such models. Peugeot call it ‘new’ but I’d say revised. Now the compact SUV market sector has mushroomed during the last … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen C3 PureTech 110
When a car-maker refreshes and updates one of its best selling models their rivals and customers had better take notice and the new Citroen C3 deserves that attention. It underwent an extensive makeover last year but global events overshadowed it so it was good to catch up with the compact five-door model a short time ago. The third generation C3 was launched in 2016 and has secured over … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Suzuki Swace, SZ-T
The Suzuki Swace hybrid 5-door mid-sized estate is the second recent model to join the Suzuki range from their partnership with Toyota formed in 2019, writes David Miles. Toyota also manufacture the Across large-ish Plug-in-Hybrid SUV which is based on the new RAV4 PHEV. The addition of Swace and Across models to the Suzuki range means all Suzuki models throughout their line-up are hybrids and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Fiat 500X Sport 150
Fiat know a lot about turning the ordinary into the extra-ordinary, like they have with the hotter version of the very popular 500 series, writes Robin Roberts. Their best seller for 60 years, the Fiat 500 is boosted by the X Sport, given a beefier 150bhp 1.3 litre four-cylinder engine in the top model tested with a silky automatic transmission & column paddles. If you’ve had a good … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen C5 Aircross PHEV
The Citroen C5 Aircross has been a winner for the French marque from its 2017 launch and it’s about to ease them into a new era, writes Robin Roberts. Within six months of going on sale, over 50,000 models had been delivered and it’s updates include a Plug-in Hybrid Electric version. That brings a big saving at first registration and if you only do a 15-miles commute each way and have access to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Subaru Forester 2.0XE automatic
Some car-makers shout about their success in your face but Subaru doesn’t need to because the all-new Forester 2.0XE Premium Lineartronic actually watches your face. Facial recognition is fitted to the instruments to ensure the driver’s eyes concentrate on the road ahead and this combined with a suite of safety features using exterior cameras and sensors to keep the car on course … [Read more...]
