The Suzuki S-Cross has been a story of evolution and survival and continues this day as one of the brand’s most popular practical multi-purpose models. It can trace its origins to 2006, a joint venture with Fiat and a different name, the SX4, standing for Sports X-over 4 Seasons. The third generation built in Hungary for European sales has been on sale … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Hyundai i10 Advance
The motor industry’s headlong plunge into SUVs, MPVs and Crossovers has left the market short of compact city cars which are perfectly matched to the real-world needs of many drivers. While some manufacturers stopped making traditional small hatchbacks and are now living to regret their decisions as market share slides and rivals fill the gap, Hyundai has … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Stonic GT-Line S
When a prolific manufacturer keeps rolling out new models it's all too easy to overlook their older vehicles, as is the case with the Kia Stonic GT-Line S. Kia is on a roll with its brand in Britain, bringing new EVs to market in a constant stream and more are on the horizon as it enriches its range and wins awards within the industry.So it was good to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: X Peng G6 Long Range
Among the newest of the Chinese car-makers coming to the UK, XPeng has partnered with the people who brought us Subaru and Isuzu in Britain, so let that be a warning to rivals. The Chinese company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong, with offices in Mountain View, California, and Munich. It has partnered platform and electrical … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: KGM Tivoli K40
The familiar Tivoli mid-sized suv has been relaunched and refocused to take on rivals which offer less to an increasingly cost-conscious client base. Introduced in 2015 under a SsangYong badge before the manufacturer ran into trouble and then relaunched as KGM with improvements inside and out in 2024 so we have just one trim level, the K40, with a 1.5 litre … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Prius Design PHEV
The Toyota Prius was ahead of its time when created and today’s model still sets standards for others to aim at achieving. Conceived in the mid-1990s, the Toyota Prius was the world’s first mass produced hybrid car when it was launched in 1997 and we have now seen five generations or evolutions of the car, which has been a saloon as well as a lift-back. It … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volvo XC40 Ultra B4 Mild Hybrid
Think family cars and I bet the next image in any driver’s eyes is a Volvo. Once associated with the immensely practical, purposeful and frills-free Estates, the company has undergone a rejuvenation and now offers a range of sophisticated SUVs brimming with the latest safety technology. They also started off big to sell to the US market but realised they … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi A3 Sportback 35TFSi
Twenty-nine years ago the first Audi A3 established the premium compact class and today the fourth generation sets a high standard which rivals really struggle to match. From that initial model in 1996, the A3 series has evolved into a comprehensive range of saloons and semi-estates or coupes with individual emphasis on sophistication or sportiness to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Omoda 5 SUV petrol
No-one can doubt the Chinese brand Omoda is very serious about coming to Britain and taking on the legend brands. We were impressed with a first drive of the pure electric Omoda E5 last May and now we’ve had a chance to get some initial impressions of the Omoda 5 petrol version of their new SUV. Yes, a petrol powered newcomer joins the range at a time when … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Subaru Crosstrek Touring
Subaru has one of the smallest model ranges on sale in Britain, but arguably it is also one of the best. After building a reputation on performance in the World Rally Championship, Subaru has since focused on active leisure and lifestyle buyers and now is exclusively a four-wheel-drive producer. Early in 2024, the new Subaru Crosstrek replaced the … [Read more...]