Size can make a world of a difference to buyers and that’s where the Ford Mondeo packs them in, writes Robin Roberts. It has consistently won awards for its internal dimensions, roominess and popularity with families and business users and it’s easy to see why. The trend towards compact cars has seen the Mondeo segment shrink in numbers if not individual dimensions, but if you really … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia XCeed 1.4 TGDi FE automatic
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 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 look’ to the family hatchback market at a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: FIAT 500X Cross Plus, 1.3A
With the on-going arrival of all-new SUVs of all sizes in full swing, the popular market sector also offers updated versions of SUVs which have been available for much longer, writes David Miles. At the compact end of the SUV market one such revised and refreshed model range made its UK debut at the end of last year. This was the refreshed five-door compact Fiat 500X, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai Kona 4WD 1.6 Auto Premium GT
There is a lot of noise generated about SUVs at the moment but the Hyundai Kona does not shout about its abilities, it just delivers them.This fuss-free formula is favoured by those who need the space and equipment of a quality SUV which decides when you can get away with front wheel drive or would benefit from all-wheel-drive.Best of all it does not bring you out in a sweat on the road or … [Read more...]
Mid-week wheels: Honda CRV 4WD auto
Now here's a simple question with a surprising answer, says David Miles.When asking what is the World’s best selling SUV: would it be a Land Rover/Range Rover of some type, a Ford, an Audi, BMW or Mercedes or a Kia, or Hyundai, a Mitsubishi, Suzuki or perhaps one of a multitude of American brands other than Ford? In fact it’s Honda’s CR-V and since the first generation model went … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Peugeot 308GTLine 130 automatic
The Peugeot 308 has been European Car of the Year and is very much up to date now after a comprehensive reworking, writes Robin Roberts.The Peugeot 308 succeeded the 307 in September 2007 with the first generation running until 2013, then voted CoY in 2014 with the second generation and in 2017 it was given a very comprehensive styling, equipment and powertrain makeover. This essentially gave … [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...]
Sunday drive: BMW X3 30d M Sport xDrive Automatic
According to authoritative motor industry sources the figure of three, or of a third, seem to be the most recently used; diesel new car sales have fallen by a third, SUV sales are up by a third, women drivers now own a third of UK cars, BMW’s X SUV models now account for a third of their global sales and the new third generation X3 is now being delivered to UK customers, says David Miles.Being … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Isuzu D-Max Blade Auto
Niche is nice, says Robin Roberts.The specialist vehicle market is where the money is to be made if you have the right products selling at the right prices, like the Isuzu D-Max pickup.The D-Max range, which took over from the Rodeo series, comprises single, extended and double-cab models using the same engine and with a choice of six speed manual or automatic transmission. They come with … [Read more...]
