The second generation Volvo XC90 large SUV with 4x4 traction and seven seats is the flagship of the revitalised Volvo range, writes David Miles. It was introduced in 2014 and recently it has undergone its mid-term revisions to keep it relevant in today’s expanding SUV market sector. It was the sales and image success of the premium brand XC90 that led Volvo to producing similar in style the XC60 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Audi S7 Sportback 349hp TDI quattro
Currently the S7 model is the top of the range version in Audi’s new A7 Sportback range but order books are open for an even more powerful – and faster RS7 variant arriving early next year, writes David Miles. The Sportback is the five door coupe version of the Audi A6 luxury Saloon and Avant estate family. A7 Sportback prices start from £48,175 with the S7 priced from £68,680 and the … [Read more...]
Midweek motoring: New Citroen C5 Aircross first drive
This is a big year for the French Citroen brand, writes David Miles. It’s their 100thanniversary and already has got off to a successful start with their products picking up several Car/Van of the Year Awards in the current round of annual ‘Oscars’ given by the motoring media. Also, Citroen won the first round of the 2019 World Rally Championship – the famous Monte Carlo Rally, … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: BMW X4 2.0d M Sport
BMW has been in the driving seat of the SUV sector for a number of years, notably in America but also in Europe, writes Robin Roberts. It has gradually spread its experience through all sizes of cross-over models but it’s arguably in its element with the X4, the bigger stablemate to the X3 and without going into the higher priced and larger X5 family series. Up to now it’s range … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport GSi
The new Vauxhall Insignia range of Grand Sport five door D-segment hatchbacks and Sports Tourer estate were launched last year and in March this year the flagship higher performance GSi versions in both body styles arrived in UK showrooms, writes David Miles. Prices start from £33,415 on-the-road with both engines costing the same, only the price of the body style differs. In addition … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda CX5 2.2D Automatic
Mazda has a thoroughly deserved reputation for quietly getting on with the job and building some great if unassuming cars, such as the CX5 SUV. It also proves it’s not a one-trick pony best known for the stunning sporty MX-5 two-seater. No, it also builds a very good SUV in the shape of the CX5 and you may consider it’s the natural step up from the sports car when family responsibilities kick … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SsangYong Rexton ELX auto
The world of serious, big 4x4 luxury SUVs is an exclusive one, and they don’t come much more exclusive than the SsangYong Rexton, writes Robin Roberts. “What?” is a question I rightly anticipated from a number of drivers when I suggested the same point to them. It begs explanation, so here we go. To put the company into perspective and where it sits alongside Korea’s better known Hyundai and … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer 210hp
Not everybody is being seduced by the frantic must-have need for an SUV and there is still a small but important need for roomy large estates both with 2WD and 4WD and the Insignia Country Tourer is one option. Vauxhall’s first generation Insignia range of D-segment Hatchbacks and Tourer estates was launched in 2008 as a replacement for their Vectra models and they received a facelift in 2013 … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo S90 D5 PowerPulse AWD R-Design
Volvo’s premium brand executive S90 four door large saloons and V90 estates 2WD/AWD models came to market in September 2016 and this was followed earlier this year by AWD D4/D5 Cross Country V90 estates and the T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid petrol/electric powertrain for both the S90 and V90 ranges. And it’s just been announced that S90/V90 models are to gain a T4 190hp turbo petrol … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: DS5 Performance Line 180 auto
Young upstarts often have a something to teach us and to learn, and that’s true of the DS5. The brand is just over five years old and came about by the desire of parent PSA to have a halo range which rekindles the chic of the first DS launched in 1955 as one of the Citroen luxury models. It is even sold through DS Stores and DS Salons, not a humble traditional dealership. There are five … [Read more...]
