In five years the Swedish Volvo premium brand has transformed from roomy, solidly built, conservatively-styled models appealing to older buyers into dynamic SUVs, estates and saloons with much more kerb appeal whilst retaining their high safety reputation, writes David Miles The latest new model is the S60 mid-sized four door saloon range, in essence a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: FIAT 500X Cross Plus, 1.3A
With the on-going arrival of all-new SUVs of all sizes in full swing, the popular market sector also offers updated versions of SUVs which have been available for much longer, writes David Miles. At the compact end of the SUV market one such revised and refreshed model range made its UK debut at the end of last year. This was the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Arona FR 1.5 TSI EVO 150
Working requirements mean that sometimes we can only spend a comparatively short, but informative, time in a test car. A quick run in a few hours can often highlight the pros and cons of a car so the best and worst features stand out. Other times you need to spend a few days in the driving seat to appreciate the subtlies. In between these extremes a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Mazda6 Tourer Sport Nav+ 165ps
The Mazda6 has undergone a transformation this year. Announced in July, the new Mazda6 series is radically different and upgraded to the previous generation both outside and in, and the emphasis has been to ramp up driving enjoyment and safety technology with more features than ever before as standard. It’s an impressive package for a mainstream model … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Range Rover Evoque 2.0 Si4 Petrol
The Range Rover Evoque is one of the most successful models in the company’s long history and it looks like maintaining that position for many years to come with its latest engines, writes Robin Roberts. Land Rover has played a very careful game of balancing global diesel demand with cleaner petrol technology and the new Si4 series … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Fiat 500X 1.4 MultiAir 140hp DCT auto 2WD
Such has been the huge growth in demand for SUV/Crossover types of vehicles that manufacturers right across the car industry have flooded the market with their offerings so it’s easy to forget or overlook some of those that have been with us for a while. One such range is the Fiat 500X compact SUV, first launched in the UK in 2015, with five … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Fiesta Titanium 125ps 1.0 3 dr
It’s seventh heaven for the Ford Fiesta. Britain’s best selling city car retains the familiar name and trim levels as the seventh generation arrives in showrooms but underneath there are some significant and worthwhile changes. The new model is physically bigger than the previous series, it has more interior room particularly in … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Dacia Sandero Stepway Ambiance TCe90
There is doom, gloom and then there is Dacia, writes Robin Roberts. The Renault subsidiary and Romanian made models are the quiet success story in a year that has ruffled feathers of some peacock producers who’ve made a lot of noise about Brexit and dire warnings of impending disaster. Meanwhile, Dacia and its delighted 154 UK dealers – … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Kia Soul 1.6GDI 2
Kia Soul is the embodiment of its UK crossover range. It was thought quirky when it came to market a few years ago but the practical shape soon found favour and it has been consistently reworked to keep it up to date. The Carens, Sportage and Sorento fill needs for SUV buyers while the Soul simply offers a cheaper way into moving people or goods and … [Read more...]
