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...]
Nissan dramatically improve new Qashqai e-Power
The new generation Nissan Qashqai e-Power is arriving in showrooms and promises greater performance, lower consumption and emissions along with cheaper prices in some versions. The latest Newcastle-made five models cost from £34,860 to £43,210 which means some are the same as the previous series or slightly cheaper. Nissan Qashqai e-Power models are unique … [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: Mazda3 Saloon 186ps Exclusive-Line
While every maker wants to be distinctive and have desirable cars they also tend to follow fashion and sometimes end up with dull models which look no different to one another, but thankfully the Mazda3 range offers an alternative. Its range has developed from saloons to hatchbacks and Cross-over models, but among them is a hidden jem in the shape of the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: MG ZS Trophy Hybrid+
MG is a becoming a brand to be reckoned with and strengthening its standing in the British market by taking a step back. The famous octagonal badge has been seen on UK made models since 1924, but it has also been a century of change, most notably when it was saved by an unknown Chinese brand called Nanjing in 2005 and then almost immediately resold to the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Kuga ST-Line FHEV
After its launch in 2008, the Ford Kuga has grown from the company’s first ‘tall’ hatchback into one of their success stories among UK best sellers, and the story continues this year. Now on sale with some very significant updates and improvements to its technology, equipment and design, the Ford Kuga is taking on rivals including many in the showrooms of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota RAV4 Plug-in GR Sport
Better late than never is probably what you can confidently say about the impressive Toyota RAV4 PHEV. We have always been fans of the Toyota RAV4 but when it launched the petrol-hybrid in 2016 we bemoaned the fact there was no plug-in derivative to improve emissions when other manufacturers were putting them into showrooms. So, Toyota has been slow to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Nissan X-Trail N-Connecta Mild Hybrid
The Nissan X-Trail was one of the first crossover models when unveiled in 2000 and now in its fourth generation as it enters its third decade, it is still one of the best family cars available. After globally passing seven million sales, today’s British range includes an unusual seven-seat electrified model, which we have tested here in Mild Hybrid … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Civic e:HEV Advance
Honda has a lot of pride in the Civic, and that's justified. Honda started making Civic models in 1972, nine years after it expanded from motor-bikes into cars with the N360 and then the 1300, and Civic put the brand on the world map for automobiles. So the Civic is the company’s longest established and arguably best known model, which also spurred … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota C-HR Excel 1.8 FWD
Dramatic styling marked the 2016 arrival of the Toyota C-HR suv and now that’s been facelifted and given a technical make-over inside as well. Toyota’s Coupe-High Rider, to give it the full title, is one of the brand’s best selling models in Britain and has hit the sweet-spot in showrooms over the last eight years but with newer rivals sweeping in there … [Read more...]