The Nissan X-Trail has been a long-lived and much loved member of the Japanese family, sitting above the smaller Qashqai SUV with which it shares much of its components and technology. Launched in 2001 as a tough dual purpose 4x4 alternative to the bigger and heavier Patrol 4x4, the X-Trail has gone through three generations and it cannot be too … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Kuga ST-Line X 2.5 PHEV
After the Coronavirus lockdown Ford is in full delivery mode with the all-new third generation Kuga SUV 5-door range, writes David Miles. That’s good timing as pent-up demand by UK customers saw overall new car sales increase by 11% in July but sadly remain nearly 42% down for the year-to-date. The Kuga is crucial in Ford’s sales performance as it … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Suzuki S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet SZ-T Hybrid
Fire-up the S-Cross: I’m back road testing new cars again now the UK’s pandemic lockdown rules have been relaxed to a certain extent, says David Miles. The rule changes mean that car manufacturers, importers and dealerships are getting back on track and some of us motoring media types are partially able to sample new models. However availability of test … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Audi Q3 Sportback
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 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Ranger Double Cab Limited 2.0-litre
In the UK the award winning Ford Ranger sold 16,458 units in 2019 retaining its top sales position in a market sector of 53,055 sales, a 1%fall over 2018, writes David Miles. Europe’s, and the UK’s, best selling pick-up range received major changes towards the end of last year plus the addition of new variants to the line up which includes 2-door 2-seat … [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 … [Read more...]
Mazda CX-30 order books open
The new Mazda CX-30 enters the booming SUV sector in January. Sitting between the CX-3 and CX-5, the newcomer is priced from £22,895 for the 26 models in five trim levels, with rear or 4WD and 122ps or 180ps 2.0 litre Skyactiv petrol engines, 6sp manual or automatic transmission. Both units feature the latest compression ignition petrol engine in two power … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Qashqai Tekna 1.3 DIG-T 160hp Auto
The British built Nissan Qashqai is today generally recognised as the founder of the Crossover vehicle market sector when it was launched in 2007, wrties David Miles. It offered SUV styling with family hatchback sizing and practicality with 2WD and 4WD traction options. But it was in fact the Matro Rancho launched in 1977 that brought the ‘off-road … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]
