MG is a becoming a brand to be reckoned with and strengthening its standing in the British market by taking a step back. The famous octagonal badge has been seen on UK made models since 1924, but it has also been a century of change, most notably when it was saved by an unknown Chinese brand called Nanjing in 2005 and then almost immediately resold to the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Picanto GT-Line
If you can remember when cars were actually fun to drive you’ll enjoy the latest Kia Picanto even more with the high specification now added to this anything but basic runabout. We briefly drove the latest baby car from the Korean family in the summer and that was an entry-level model, but we’ve just managed to get our hands on the higher specified GT-Line, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Suzuki Swift 1.2 Ultra
The fourth generation Suzuki Swift is already a landmark model, just months after its introduction. While it builds on the success of previous models over the last 40 years and is one of the most capable city cars on sale it is also the last of its kind since Suzuki announced it will step up its battery electric vehicle range and in that will be a model to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda MX-5RF 2.0 Homura
Sometimes, the simple things in life please the most and that’s certainly the case with the Mazda MX-5. The classic yet modern sports two-seater is straightforward, front-engine and rear-wheel-drive engineering, but underneath it embodies some of the latest technology to make owning, driving and enjoying the open-air experience in safety and, when the sun’s … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Yaris Premiere Edition
The Toyota Yaris has been one of the brand’s most successful models with over 10 million made, and it’s not resting on its laurels. This Spring the familiar Yaris hatchback range was increased with the addition of the Premiere and GR models which have brought more electric power and greater refinement to the range. Toyota has launched the new Yaris in five … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Jazz Crosstar Advance Sport
The Honda Jazz is one of the brand’s longest-lived models and remains one of its best kept secrets over 42 years. Improved for 2024, the Jazz range begins with the Elegance and Advance hatchbacks at £26,395 or £27,550 with the Crosstar Advance topping them at £28,550 before roadtax is added. The slightly taller Crosstar Advance gets the same bodywork … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Octavia Estate SE L TDI
Diesel cars are a dying range but I must say long live the Skoda Octavia Estate turbo-diesel. It’s going to become a model we will look back upon and ponder; wonder why such a thoroughly good all rounder has to be replaced by much more expensive, less practical and, frankly, less satisfying electric rivals. It’s one of the oldest model names in the Skoda … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Jazz Advance Sport
A lot of airtime and column centimetres have been taken up with Wales’ default 20mph urban limit, but I’ll let you into a little secret, you can do 100 in a Honda Jazz Advance Sport, and it’s perfectly legal. The fact is I am not talking about the sporty Jazz’s speed, rather its ability to return 102mpg: yes over a ton. Even on a busy day you’ll probably … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: KIA Ceed 2 1.5T-GDi
To some motoring journalists the Holy Grail of a range is the entry-level model of any series. Mentioned in price lists but rarely seen in showrooms or on the road, these starter models are often just a price point to get into a sector and destined to become the model of choice in daily rental fleets. Now, I had a former colleague who always bought the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Leon Hatch 1.5TSI FR Sport
SEAT Leon has raised its game in the very competitive family car sector as the industry slowly pulls away from the Covid pandemic and components shortages. It was unfortunate timing for the comprehensively revised Leon to be announced three years ago to date and all the changes are only now really appreciated. The new-look SEAT Leon comes in six trim … [Read more...]
