The fashion of buying saloons and hatchbacks is looking distinctly outdated with the clamour for must-have SUVs showing no signs of easing off. But the other interesting trend is the turn towards quality cars which hold onto their value over longer periods and which is being felt further down the buying chain. What goes around comes around, as Mercedes-Benz knows better … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Dacia Logan MCV
The Dacia Logan estate runs on air, well almost, says David Miles. Before I tell you anything about the 2017 Dacia brand, their sales or their low prices, I must explain the headline. My Dacia Logan MCV (Maximum Capacity Vehicle) family five door estate with a 1.5 Renault sourced dCi 90hp turbodiesel engine returned an unbelievable 86.07mpg during my week long test driving … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V90 D5 PowerPulse AWD
Volvo has been producing big estate cars for over 60 years having been established in 1927, writes David Miles. And under their current ownership/partnership of the Chinese Geely Holding company since 2010, the premium Swedish brand now goes from strength to strength introducing high class, premium quality models. In 2016 their record global sales in over 100 countries were 534,332 cars, an … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Leon ST Estate
Launched in April this year the revised SEAT Leon range of SC three door coupe, five door hatchbacks and ST estates is available with nearly 70 derivates and prices ranging from £17,455 to nearly £34,500, says David Miles. It is supported by a wide range of petrol and diesel engine options from the diminutive but impressive new 1.0-litre TSI three cylinder 115hp turbo petrol to the 300hp 2.0 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: 2017 Skoda Octavia Estate
The 2017 revised Skoda Octavia range of C-segment five door Hatchbacks and Estates have recently gone on sale and all retain their class-leading roominess, high specification and most are available at competitive prices. The huge interior space offered by these models is in keeping with the huge number of models in the 2017 line-up. I counted 58 variants at prices ranging from £17,195 to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: VW Passat GTE Hybrid Estate
Despite all its recent faults there is no denying that Volkswagen do make some very good cars, like the Passat Estate with the latest hybrid powertrain, says Robin Roberts. A well-designed small petrol engine seamlessly works in conjunction with an electric motor to give the medium sized Passat estate a surprisingly lively and economical performance with a low tax bill. The latest Passat … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V90 D4 AWD Estate
Volvo’s award winning large S90 saloon and V90 estate ranges see the addition of sporting R-Design derivatives for both body styles with front wheel drive and AWD drivetrains and AWD Cross Country versions are added for the V90 estate line-up, reports David Miles. All are diesel powered with an eight-speed automatic gearbox for now although petrol versions could be added to the UK … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo V90 D4 Inscription
Volvo is on a roll, says David Miles. In September Volvo launched their premium brand graceful and sophisticated S90 large saloon and the V90 estate models. S90 saloons are priced from £32,555 and rise to £42,055. The more popular V90 estates start from £34,555 and rise to £44,055. Volvo UK do not talk about sales numbers but the brand has seen an increase so far this year of new … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Octavia SE Sport estate
Skoda is the UK dealers' quiet success story you probably haven’t heard about unless you’ve ridden in a taxi, writes Robin Roberts. The fact that taxi drivers across the country love the Skoda Octavia with its roomy interior and luggage space speaks volumes, literally, for the car and the model. With over 1,700 litres maximum behind the two front seats and up to 640 litres four up it is a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Superb L&K Estate
Being part of the VW Group the Czech brand has call upon the knowledge, technology and components used in Audis, VWs and SEATs. But it means the new Skoda Superb Estate’s competitors include the Audi A6 Avant, VW Passat Estate plus the likes of the latest Ford Mondeo Estate, Mercedes E-Class Estate and BMW 5 Series Touring. The Superb Estate is bigger than all of them and cheaper. The new … [Read more...]