Kia Ceed has been one of the outstanding success stories of the first two decades of the millennium and as we enter its third a new chapter begins with the XCeed, writes Robin Roberts. Hatchbacks have given way to SUVs over the last ten years and now this sector is further developing with the full size models being joined by compact versions which do everything of their larger … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Micra Tekna IG-T100 CVT auto
The 100hp turbo petrol engine is perky in performance and the design of the five-door supermini sized hatchback body is blindingly more eye-catching than the previous four generations of Micra which have been served up since 1983, writes David Miles. Most recently Nissan further revised some of the power units available in the updated range and these EU6 compliant units include a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Citroen C5 Aircross Flair BlueHDi 130A
Family life endures a lot and so must their choice of car, writes Robin Roberts. The Citreon C5 Aircross replaced the smaller C4 and was designed, engineered and is marketed as a more sophisticated model for today’s market. That seems to have clicked with buyers. Just six months after its UK launch the C5 Aircross passed 50,000 unit sales, a remarkable achievement in a tough British market. In … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Octavia vRS 2.0TDI 185 estate
The Octavia C-segment range of five door Hatch and Estate models is Skoda’s best selling model range accounting for 29% of their total UK sales,writes David Miles. The Octavia is available with a wide range of engine options, four TSI petrol units and three TDI diesels with power outputs ranging from 115 to 245hp. There is also the choice of DSG twin-clutch automatic transmissions with six … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: New Ford Mustang Convertible 5.0 V8
The first official Ford Mustangs came to Europe and the UK in early 2016 and now we have the updated 2018/19 versions with added safety equipment, revised engines, increased personalisation options and a variety of styling tweaks, writes David Miles. As before the Mustang is available in two-door 2+2 seater Fastback Coupe and Convertible forms, but now with the choice of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross4 AWD auto
It may be over a century old, but Mitsubishi is very much up to date with the Eclipse Cross SUV. The normally conservative Japanese car-maker is now part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance and the Eclipse Cross is the last to be designed and built before it was subsumed, but that’s not to decry its all round excellence. There are eight versions of the Eclipse Cross, all petrol, with a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda CX5 2.2D Automatic
Mazda has a thoroughly deserved reputation for quietly getting on with the job and building some great if unassuming cars, such as the CX5 SUV. It also proves it’s not a one-trick pony best known for the stunning sporty MX-5 two-seater. No, it also builds a very good SUV in the shape of the CX5 and you may consider it’s the natural step up from the sports car when family responsibilities kick … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Hyundai Kona Premium GT 1.6 T-GDi
On sale in the UK from the end of last year the first turbocharged petrol powered models in the Hyundai Kona, compact SUV model line up were priced from £16,195 to £24,995 at launch but these have already risen to £16,445 to £25,245, writes David Miles. Mid-year these petrol versions will be joined by two turbodiesel engine options and what is already being described as the … [Read more...]
