Respect is earned, not awarded, in the motor industry, and one of the most influential vehicle brands is Jeep, now on the eve of celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021. Think about that for a minute; it was born out of WW2 conflict, battled through the 20thcentury’s consumer culture and taken on many imitators. It’s doubtful that Land Rover would exist if it wasn’t for Jeep and after seven … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Jazz hybrid supermini
The previous three generations of the Honda Jazz supermini five door hatchback have been all about packaging of its occupants, David Miles explains. These include best in class space, higher seating positions, good visibility, easy access, wide opening doors, good levels of safety and other equipment. They are wrapped up in Honda’s legendary reputation for engineering quality and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Nissan Juke Tekna+ manual
Designed and built in Britain, you can expect a loyal following for the Nissan Juke which is now in its second generation after more than a decade setting the trend for family SUVs. Since September 2010 it has been snapped up by over 1.5 million owners around the world who wanted to add style to the school-run and other social outings. Building on its link with Renault and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Jazz Crosstar e-HEV
It might be music to some people’s ears that Honda is bringing us more Jazz but their F1 programme looks more like hokey cokey, observes David Miles. Announced last week Honda F1 is quitting at the end of next year, they were first involved in 1964 and out in 1968, in again in1983 and out in 1992, back in again in 2000, out in 2008 in again in 2015 and now out again in 2021. The company says it … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia XCeed 1.6 GDI PHEV 3 auto
The all-new Kia XCeed PHEV is their strongest challenger yet to family car rivals. Its combined powerful petrol-electric powertrain with very low emissions and ownership costs, quality fittings and finish embodied in a roomy five-door body is the latest addition to the popular Slovakian-built series. The XCeed is based on the better known Ceed platform but with different front and rear ends … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: SEAT Leon FR 1.5 TSI EVO
The all-new range of Leon five door hatchbacks and estates are now with us with additional versions added in the last few weeks, writes David Miles, In 2019, SEAT sold 574,100 cars, the highest figure in the history of the company and since the original Leon was launched in 1999 it has achieved over 2.2-million global sales, 252,416 of them in the UK. It is SEAT’s best selling global model … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: First drive Jeep Renegade 4xe
Jeep has turned a corner with its new plug-in hybrid Renegade. Without compromising its famous off-road abilities the Renegade 4xe adds emission lowering and power enhancing electric drive. It’s the first electrified Jeep to be sold in Britain and uses the familiar 1.3 litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor or generator driving the front wheels coupled with a hefty 60hp … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Subaru XV Premium Lineartronic petrol
If you have to ask, you don’t know - and that’s very much the personality of the Subaru XV Premium Petrol Lineartronic SUV. Subaru has never fielded a huge range or enjoyed head-turning sales, but its best sellers have and are still highly sought after and popular with fanatical owners. Few will not have seen the famous blue and gold Imprezas sweeping all before them in the World or British … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia Niro 1.6 GDi PHEV ‘2’, 6-speed automatic
There is increasing pressure for UK MP’s to ban all sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 and potentially phase out sales of hybrid models by 2035, writes David Miles. This pressure is from the Committee on Climate Change, the Government’s independent advisory body who want the deadline shortened. But information released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders last week show … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Toyota Corolla Touring Sports Trek 1.8 Hybrid
With staycations forced upon many of us due to the pandemic lockdown on overseas travel, activity holidays in the UK are at record levels whether it involves hotels, B&Bs, caravanning, camping, glamping, boating or hiking, writes David Miles. UK sales and rentals of motorhomes, caravans, campers, tents and even Shepherd’s Huts are booming. With long term overseas travel restrictions … [Read more...]
