The hot-hatch has been reborn for Gen-Z, and there’s a thumbs up from their parents too if they want to enjoy driving a Toyota Yaris hybrid. The one-time must-have cars for the young drivers of the 1970s seemed to die out in the first decade of this century, but someone forgot to tell Toyota. It launched the original Yaris in 1999 and the second … [Read more...]
Easter roadtest: Ford Capri Premium AWD
The Ford Capri name is back and turning heads some 55 years after the original model. The first Ford Capri designed by the same man who styled the Ford Mustang was produced from 1969 to 1986 and covered three generations with two million models registered. Originally made in Ford Halewood, Liverpool plant, the new all-electric Capri uses the Volkswagen … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: KGM Tivoli K40
The familiar Tivoli mid-sized suv has been relaunched and refocused to take on rivals which offer less to an increasingly cost-conscious client base. Introduced in 2015 under a SsangYong badge before the manufacturer ran into trouble and then relaunched as KGM with improvements inside and out in 2024 so we have just one trim level, the K40, with a 1.5 litre … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Cupra Tavascan V1
A brand which has accelerated from racetrack to road has to be something special, so the Cupra Tavascan deserves consideration if you’re looking for an edgy everyday car. Developed from the SEAT Sport series into the Cup Racing range nearly 30 years ago the Cupra line up represents the most powerful and advanced sophisticated series from its parent … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Yaris Premiere Edition
The Toyota Yaris has been one of the brand’s most successful models with over 10 million made, and it’s not resting on its laurels. This Spring the familiar Yaris hatchback range was increased with the addition of the Premiere and GR models which have brought more electric power and greater refinement to the range. Toyota has launched the new Yaris in five … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: BYD Atto 3 Design
There is no doubt that China’s BYD car company is a new major challenger to legend European manufacturers with its Atto 3 cross-over. Not only does it have Europe’s familiar family cars in sight but it will be aiming to pick off sales from the Korean and Japanese brands which have had it much their own way up to now. Build Your Dreams, to give the company … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Jazz Crosstar Advance Sport
The Honda Jazz is one of the brand’s longest-lived models and remains one of its best kept secrets over 42 years. Improved for 2024, the Jazz range begins with the Elegance and Advance hatchbacks at £26,395 or £27,550 with the Crosstar Advance topping them at £28,550 before roadtax is added. The slightly taller Crosstar Advance gets the same bodywork … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Subaru Solterra Touring
Subaru made its name in Britain with some compact go-anywhere estates before its reputation accelerated through the World Rally Championship. Both disciplines relied on a thoroughly designed and engineered all-wheel-drive system which would put much more expensive and complicated, if less reliable, rivals to shame. Subaru was better where it matters, as … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: SEAT Leon Hatch 1.5TSI FR Sport
SEAT Leon has raised its game in the very competitive family car sector as the industry slowly pulls away from the Covid pandemic and components shortages. It was unfortunate timing for the comprehensively revised Leon to be announced three years ago to date and all the changes are only now really appreciated. The new-look SEAT Leon comes in six trim … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Nissan Juke Hybrid 2WD Tekna+
The Nissan Juke has been with us for over a decade but it can still hold its own against rivals now it has been given a Hybrid powertrain. It has just picked up five-stars for safety as well so it’s not lacking where it matters for many families. In production since 2010, the Juke crossover sits below the larger Qashqai and was intended to have a more … [Read more...]
