Britain runs on vans of all sizes and capacities, so the entry of the world’s biggest motor manufacturer into this booming sector must be significant. After offering small and medium sized vans through its Professional line, Toyota has added the Proace Max, its first heavy duty range in Europe and it has immediately ramped up the competition against longer … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible
When you hit 70 years, most things that haven’t fallen off or out may be about to, but that is really the turning point in the case of the Toyota Land Cruiser. From prototypes developed before and after World War Two, the model that became the Land Cruiser was commissioned by the Japanese Government in 1951. Ever since it has become a story of global … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota HiLux Invincible X
Reality shows are all the rage and if there was one about vehicles I think the star would be the Toyota HiLux. It has faced and overcome challenges such as being blown up in a building being demolished and drowned in a rising tide, only to start up with what I would term “tinkering”, apart from needing to replace a broken windscreen when it was dug out of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Isuzu D-Max V-Cross Double Cab
For a long time Isuzu vehicles have rightly and widely been recognised for their reliability, toughness, practicality and reasonable running costs. Sales of the D-Max pick-up range have been rising year by year, and, having test-driven three different examples in the last three years or so, I can quite understand why. (My reports on these vehicles can all … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Superb 150 tdi SE L Estate
Value for money rarely comes with the sophistication and refinement of the Skoda Superb SE L Estate. Skoda introduced the Superb range in 2001 and it has gone through to the fourth generation, growing in size at each point until the current version based on a stretched version of the VW Group’s MQB Evo platform, also underpinning the largest models in the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Volkswagen Touareg Black Edition
For some, the Volkswagen Touareg is very old school, but for many newcomers it can still teach them lessons. If you have to regularly cover long distances at all hours, with or without people or luggage, or have to tow a horsebox or trailer, the Touareg will perform such tasks without trouble. Appropriately named after a nomadic Sahara group, the VW … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Octavia Estate SE L TDI
Diesel cars are a dying range but I must say long live the Skoda Octavia Estate turbo-diesel. It’s going to become a model we will look back upon and ponder; wonder why such a thoroughly good all rounder has to be replaced by much more expensive, less practical and, frankly, less satisfying electric rivals. It’s one of the oldest model names in the Skoda … [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 … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SsangYong Musso Saracen+
The SsangYong Musso has just extended its appeal, literally. We tested the double-cab Musso back in late 2022 and were impressed with its room and practical points and as we were giving it the once over, SsangYong Motor UK announced a little extension to the range. Actually it added 12-inches to the loadbed of the top specification Saracen, adding a + sign … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Isuzu D-Max AT35
With so many vehicles looking almost identical, it's refreshing to review the impressive Isuzu D-Max AT35. Put simply, there is very little else on or off road quite like it. What's more it is not just frills without purpose as it comes with pedigree and practicality. Isuzu is one of Japan’s oldest vehicle makers founded in 1916, came to the UK in 1987 … [Read more...]
