In recent weeks I have watched a variety of documentaries from the wildest and most remote places on earth and while the presenters change with each programme there seems to be a satisfying, reassuring continuity as they are all conveyed in a Toyota Land Cruiser, writes Robin Roberts. Its reputation to get you anywhere, and with precious presenters that also means getting them back, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SsangYong Tivoli Ultimate Petrol Auto
Everyone likes surprises, especially if they give you even more than expected such as with the SsangYong Tivoli SUV, writes Robin Roberts I think it’s a bit of liberty calling it an SUV when the petrol version tested is only 2WD and is little more than a taller hatchback, but the Tivoli goes deeper. In the Tivoli range of SUVs there are four trim levels spanning £14,000 to £21,700 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: 2019 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (Plug-inHybrid Electric Vehicle) finished another strong sales year in 2018 as the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid vehicle with 8,701 vehicles registered, an increase of 16% over 2017. The uprated Outlander PHEV was launched last September with improved EV and petrol-engine performance and increased efficiency resulting in the new WLTP figures of 139mpg and 46g/km … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Sportage GT-Line S 48v
Success can be measured or judged in many ways, and one of those is behind the wheel of the Kia Sportage, writes Robin Roberts. It is the Korean’s brand’s best selling model in Britain, and last year a record number of Kia models were sold including their globally best-selling SUV. So it can be said to be the most desired model in their UK range since the brand entered Britain in 1991, but … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: MG ZS 1.0T GDI Exclusive auto
Sometimes it’s the little things which bring the biggest surprises, like the MG ZS SUV with a sub-1.0 litre engine and an automatic gearbox, writes Robin Roberts. Now years ago you would have baulked at a five-seat family car with a 999cc engine and lumbered with an automatic transmission. But I can tell you things have really changed for the better. The MGZS … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Skoda Kodiaq Sportline 2.0 TSI
As an example of this fast changing world, Skoda recently introduced Sportline versions of their award winning large SUV – the Kodiaq, writes David Miles. I was due to test the 1.4 TSI 150hp turbo petrol powered model, but that was substituted because under the WLTP changes it is due to be replaced by the Volkswagen Group’s new TSI 1.5-litre 150hp, cylinder on demand petrol unit. So a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Jeep Compass Limited 2.0 MultiJet II
On paper the new Jeep Compass compact SUV has all the elements for it to be heading in the right direction in terms of size, five star safety equipment, five year warranty, inclusive specifications and some competitive prices in a fast growing SUV market, writes David Miles. The second generation Jeep Compass arrived in the UK in February and is positioned in the Jeep range between … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus RX450h
There are no shortage of SUVs, small, medium, large and very large, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all electric are all available depending on the model and from ‘budget’ buys to ‘upper-class’ premium brands, all cashing in on the seemingly unstoppable public demand, writes David Miles. Sales of SUVs of all sizes now account for over 35% of the European new car market, a figure more … [Read more...]
Mid-week motoring: Aston Martin twin-test
The Aston Martin story has all the excitement, luxury, twists and turns of a good James Bond book, but the reality in your hands is an exclusive range of high performance sports cars which now include the DB11 Volante and Vantage coupe, writes Robin Roberts. These are the latest additions to the range which comprise limited edition and Continuation models for the uber-rich AM enthusiasts and … [Read more...]
Vauxhall Crossland X Ultimate arrives
Vauxhall has introduced a new top-of-the-range Crossland X Utlimate to its SUV range. It features an eight-inch touchscreen, the Navi 5.0 IntelliLink infotainment system provides seamless smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Key features such as a driver drowsiness system, forward collision alert and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection are standard, … [Read more...]