The Honda Civic made in Britain has been a cornerstone of the Japanese company, but times are changing. They will be exiting their Swindon factory in 2021 after 36-years as the company realigns its manufacturing and concentrates on fuller utilization of its home plants. But that decision does not dent the appeal of the latest Civic hatchback, arguably the best so far, and it's … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Vauxhall Astra Hatch 1.5 Turbo D 122hp
The revised British built Vauxhall Astra has arrived in showrooms and that's good news for the 25% of Brits who have either owned or driven one since the Mark 1 appeared in 1979, writes David Miles. Since then through seven generations covering 40 years over three million have been sold in the UK, 30,000 of them in 2018. Now a major refresh sees the Vauxhall Astra continue with five door Hatch … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Astra 1.2 145ps EliteNav
If proof was needed that sleeping giants are a threat, then the Vauxhall Astra proves it with the facelifted models now reaching showrooms, writes Robin Roberts. The model has been a staple of the Vauxhall brand for 40 years as the eighth-generation arrives and it’s arguably the best, and has benefitted from input by new owners Peugeot Citroen. A new or revised range of engines … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Superb hatch 1.5TSI SE L
Car sales have been built on the sheer variety of models available over the years and the expression ‘horses for courses’ explains the global success of the Skoda Superb,writes Robin Roberts. The first Superb models appeared 85 years ago and the modern models launched in 2001 as the Skoda flagship series and they have stayed at the top ever since. It’s easy to understand why when you … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Vauxhall Insignia hatchback 2.0 turbodiesel
Although I tend to review new or at least recently refreshed cars, just occasionally it is time to relook at a longer serving model which still continues to pull-in awards, mainly due to the space it offers, its extensive range of models and its competitive pricing, writes David Miles. So it’s my refreshing time with the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport - a very grand title for a volume … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Scala SE
The Skoda Rapid would be a hard act to follow, but the Scala launched this summer really overtakes it. Within weeks of its launch the Skoda Scala started winning awards for its family friendly practicality and praise for its styling around the new roomy interior. Scala is the first VW Group product to be built on the latest MQB A0 modular platform developed for all future Group models and simply … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda3 2.0 122ps Sport Lux 5dr
A lot is being pinned on the all-new Mazda3 hatchback, and deservedly so. Launched in the UK in spring 2019, it is competing in a tough sector of family and company cars but its about to get a big boost this autumn. The new Mazda3 hatchbacks initially came with either a 122ps 2.0-litre Skyactiv-G petrol or 116ps Skyactiv-D diesel engine, in five trim levels: SE-L, SE-L Lux, Sport Lux, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Ceed 1.6 T GDI GT
It’s all change with Kia as it moves up a gear. The Korean carmaker has recorded its best-ever UK half year sales figures with 53,232 new cars delivered to customers by the end of June 2019. That performance bucked the general market trend and surpassed 2018’s half-year figure of 51,506 by 3.35 per cent. The new Ceed series runs to nearly 20 models using petrol or diesel engines from 1.0 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport Elite Nav
When size matters, the Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport has big appeal. The market for large hatchbacks and saloons is supposed to be shrinking as ubiquitous SUVs take over, but why be like everyone else when you can be different and look the part? This hatchback offers extremely good room for five with a boot capacity over 1400 litres so it will be popular among those who like the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC EX Hatchback
The UK market has been the largest for Honda sales in Europe accounting for over a third of their 100,000 new cars sold in the EU and Civic has been an icon, writes David Miles. But the World changes, sales fluctuate, the public seems to want SUVs not conventional hatchbacks or saloons, electrification and hybrid are fashionable words and, yes Brexit has put spokes in many wheels. So Honda will … [Read more...]