Kia has built its reputation in the UK with its family-friendly SUVs so it was probably only a matter of time before introducing its compact SUV. Based on the Rio hatchback, the new Stonic has a longer body and stands slightly higher on the road with added ground clearance over the supermini stablemate. The Kia Stonic comes in eight versions: two engines and four trim grades –‘2’, ‘GT-Line’, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW T-Roc Cabriolet Design 1.0 TSI 110PS
The Volkswagen T-Roc Cabriolet is definitely good for your health this summer. We are increasingly being implored to get out into the fresh air to reduce the chance of catching Coronavirus but there are few true family four-seater convertibles on the market at this price. You don’t want to be cooped up in a tin-top on a hot day, or any day for that matter, and a the very modern T-Roc Cabriolet … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake
You can rightly expect exotic sports cars to turn heads, but when an estate car from a volume manufacturer manages to do that, you know the designers have created something very pleasing to the eyes. So it was full marks to the designers of the Volkswagen Arteon Shooting Brake which never failed on our test to turn heads with its sleek styling and practical design. The … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Jeep Wrangler Sahara Unlimited
Respect is earned, not awarded, in the motor industry, and one of the most influential vehicle brands is Jeep, now on the eve of celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021. Think about that for a minute; it was born out of WW2 conflict, battled through the 20thcentury’s consumer culture and taken on many imitators. It’s doubtful that Land Rover would exist if it wasn’t for Jeep and after seven … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Octavia SE L FE Estate 1.5 TSI
The all-new Skoda Octavia range of Hatch and Estate models is well and truly in circulation after the initial COVID-19 lockdown delays and are making their way to eager UK customers with more versions just announced, writes David Miles. The Octavia has been Skoda’s best selling global model range with 400,000 of them rolling off the production lines each year. They are built in the Czech … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mitsubishi ASX Exceed 4WD
Family-friendly Mitsubishi Motors know how to stir up arguments. The latest third-generation Mitsubishi ASX is now better able to take on rivals than the immediately preceding products with its bolder styling, well revised and updated interior and cutting edge convenient technology. For 2020, Mitsubishi fitted a more powerful 150hp 2.0 litre petrol engine and choice of five-speed manual … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia XCeed FE 1.4 Auto
So what is the new Kia XCeed?asks David Miles. Well it’s a Crossover styled member of the Ceed C-segment family that is also made up of the Ceed five door hatchback, Ceed Sportswagon estate and the ProCeed Shooting brake models. The Ceed family is Kia’s third best selling model range after the Kia Sportage mid-sized SUV and the Picanto Picanto city car. All new Kia passenger cars are covered by … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Ibiza FR 1.0TSi 115ps manual
SEAT built its reputation on small cars although it's now expanded the range upmarket, but it still knows how to make a good city car in the Ibiza, writes Robin Roberts. The Ibiza five-door range comprises three 1.0 litre petrol engined models of 80, 95 or 115ps with a choice of 5 or 6sp manual gearboxes and 7sp auto with the most powerful, plus 95ps 1.6 diesel 5sp manual-only … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: DS3
The DS3 Crossback Compact SUV serves style and function as standard, writes David Miles. Yet another SUV recently joined the ever-growing fashionable market sector – this time it’s the compact DS 3 Crossback. For those that don’t know DS Automobiles is marketed as the premium brand from the PSA Group which already has Citroen, Peugeot and Vauxhall brands in its stable. In fact … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Jaguar E-Pace 250hp petrol AWD
The rejuvenated Jaguar brand is on the hunt for new buyers in the booming SUV sector and its compact E-Pace is squarely aimed at the compact segment within these mushrooming models, writes Robin Roberts. To meet as many wishes as possible, the E-Pace series is available in standard or R-Dynamic styles, each trimmed to S, SE or HSE specifications and the choice of three diesel and two … [Read more...]
