Working requirements mean that sometimes we can only spend a comparatively short, but informative, time in a test car. A quick run in a few hours can often highlight the pros and cons of a car so the best and worst features stand out. Other times you need to spend a few days in the driving seat to appreciate the subtlies. In between these extremes a car’s character can ease itself into your … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Ford Fiesta Active X
There is a global love affair with SUVs, 4x4’s, off-roaders and crossovers, call them what you will, and they come in all sizes and capabilities at hugely varying cost. But the demand has been so great that it has even spawned SUV styling to be added to affordable hatchbacks and expensive premium brand saloons/estates as manufacturers cash-in on the craze. The newest of the sudo-SUV arrivals … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Picanto X-Line 1.25 MPI
The Kia Picanto five door city-car range launched in May 2017 and has gained an X-Line Crossover/SUV version for 2018. Although small City Car sales fell by 10% in the UK last year, close to 69,000 buyers were still attracted to this segment and Kia aims to boost its Picanto sales by a adopting the more desirable Crossover/SUV styling craze with their new X-Line versions from £12,595. Other … [Read more...]
Eclipse foreshadows new age for Mitsubishi in UK
The new Mitsubishi Eclipse is going to become a memorable model. Now in their 101st year of vehicle manufacturing, Mitsubishi Motors is part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance and last year this consortium became the World’s largest manufacturer of cars and light commercial vehicles. Together they and their sub brands, which include Dacia and Infiniti, sold over 10.6-million new … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta 1.5 dCi 110
The Nissan Qashqai is a C-SUV segment mid-sized ‘Crossover’ first launched in 2007 and is generally credited with launching the term Crossover. In real terms what does Crossover mean, well the space of a C-segment family hatchback with the raised ride height and styling of an SUV and some models also add the seating and load carrying flexibility of an MPV people carrier. Since the launch of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mitsubishi ASX 2.2 Diesel 4WD
A raft of changes this year virtually guarantee the Mitsubishi ASX will continue to be one of the sought-after mid-sized Crossover SUVs. It has always been keenly priced and while it is now slightly more expensive and still lacks some features which are becoming standard on rivals, the ASX is still a good buy with a strong pedigree. Mitsubishi founded its UK reputation on and off road with … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Soul 1.6GDI 2
Kia Soul is the embodiment of its UK crossover range. It was thought quirky when it came to market a few years ago but the practical shape soon found favour and it has been consistently reworked to keep it up to date. The Carens, Sportage and Sorento fill needs for SUV buyers while the Soul simply offers a cheaper way into moving people or goods and its one of the few cars in its class which … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Mini goes maxi
In the 58-year history of Mini , the all-new second generation Countryman five door Crossover/SUV type is the largest ever to go on sale, says David Miles. UK deliveries started in February with prices from £22,465 and running through a 17 model range up to £32,275. These on-the-road prices will marginally incrase after the new First Year VED rates come into force from April. Currently the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: New Mitsubishi ASX
A much improved Mitsubishi ASX is now on sale, writes David Miles. The revised, higher specification 2017 Mitsubishi ASX mid-sized Crossover/SUV range costs from a competitive £16,184 on-the-road or £169 a month PCP finance plan over three years. All models have a five year, 62,500 mile warranty and keeping running costs affordable Mitsubishi’s Service Plan covering scheduled … [Read more...]