Of the legacy car-makers, Volkswagen has developed a very wide and strong range of new generation electric models. It has been working on electric cars for many years so it was probably only natural that modernising its best selling Golf family car would feature in its approach to the future, and the ID.3 fills the sector in which its petrol and diesel hatchback did so well before it led to the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Karoq Sportline 4×4
It’s a familiar problem; you have to pick up a Christmas tree and somehow get it home along with maybe a few other seasonal plants and excited children. Most motorists resort to tying the netted tree onto their roof and hoping it stays there but the flexible seating in the Skoda Karoq offers a more practical packaging solution unless you have a very long tree. The split folding rear seats drop … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda HR-V
Honda is for humans not robots and it shows in their model range with the HR-V. The third SUV in their line-up after the Jazz and CRV, the third generation HR-V comes only with a petrol-electric powertrain utilisig two electric motors and an Atkinson-cycle petrol engine for greater efficiency as a hybrid and it showed with our overall and effortlessly achieved economy. It has been produced … [Read more...]
Sleeker Toyota C-HR announced
The sleekly styled latest generation Toyota C-HR is now on sale with deliveries beginning in January. The new model presents an even more dramatic rendering of the coupe-like design that set the original Toyota C-HR apart from the SUV mainstream. It also raises the bar in terms of equipment features, with seamless connectivity, responsive and powerful multimedia functions, fully digital and … [Read more...]
First drive: Vauxhall Astra GSe
As it slips into middle-age, the Vauxhall Astra has been given a modern make-over. Launched in 1980, the Astra has been the bedrock of the company’s offering in the small family car sector as it moved through eight generations. This year it was given a mechanical boost with hybrid technology adding to the petrol power in a bid to lower emissions and better compete with younger rivals, … [Read more...]
First drives: Honda e:Ny1 & CR-V phev
Honda is revamping its range of offerings as the new era in electric mobility approaches, but it’s also keeping some tried and tested models. With 13 of the top 20 UK models now SUVs in a sector that has grown to almost 56% of annual registrations, Honda could not ignore what buyers want. It’s city-car Honda e has been joined by the e:Ny1 compact SUV bringing more room and range for families. … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Subaru Outback 2.5ES Touring
Subaru is a bit of a lone-wolf in the car world. Part of Fuji Heavy Industries and founded 70 years ago, it’s the brand’s golden anniversary in Britain next year after it launched with a compact and capable little estate car and pickup at prices which made hundreds of farmers and country-folk very happy. It also became a byword for British fans of the World Rally Championship in the 80s and 90s … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Focus Active X Estate
If you are selling Britain’s most popular family car it is difficult to improve on it, unless you offer an estate version like the Ford Focus Active X. The groundswell of sales lift towards MPV or SUV bodystyle across Europe but in Britain there is still strong demand for estates and some brands have given away sales to competitors by ending these highly practical, economical … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Proceed GT-Line S
Having a finger in every pie is very satisfying for KIA, It means they can offer the wide range of buyers something and you are not hit too hard if tastes change and a design goes out of fashion. With the resurgence of interest in estate cars for load-lugging over and above the more limited hatchback shapes it was natural that their highly successful Ceed family car would be joined … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Genesis Gv60 Premium
Having the right face can open doors for you and this is the thinking behind the latest Genesis GV60 ev. It is the first model to use the company’s new pure electric platform, winning independent awards for its sophistication and performance and has just been updated with a raft of features designed to make owning, driving and enjoying the 'baby-Genesis' a better experience. So, after a very … [Read more...]