Category Archives: Road Tests

KIA NIRO HEV 4: the gloves are off…..


IF there’s one thing likely to grab the attention of your average driver it’s a heated steering wheel.

Not, admittedly, at this time of year, but as the night’s begin to draw in and the mercury begins its inexorable plummet downwards, little touches like that mean a lot.

As do heated seats front and rear and a cabin that can warm up quickly and efficiently. Continue reading

HONDA ZR-V: smart hybrid with a conscience

 

HONDA have slotted another hybrid SUV into their range between the HR-V and CR-V – and with its ‘out of sight’ bits the same as the Civic, you’re odds-on looking at a winner.

ZR-V has its own look with a distinctive grille and sleek headlights and while there’s only a single engine option in the  ZR-V,  it’s a pretty good one. Continue reading

CUPRA FORMENTOR V2: sporting the premium look


THERE are other electric and hybrid models in the range, but CUPRA’s Formentor with a good old infernal combustion engine still makes a case for ownership.

Sleek, stylish, sporty and decently equipped, it’s also shows up well as a family car.

And while a 1.5 litre engine under the bonnet might seem at odds with the brand’s sporty pretensions it still hits the spot as a desirable and alternative premium product. Continue reading

MAZDA CX-60 AWD: upmarket big diesel that bucks the trend

NEVER let it be said that Mazda simple follow the rest of the motoring herd – because they don’t.

While the rest are tearing up the rule book and heading down the electrification route, abandoning the diesel engine in a layby on the way, the Japanese manufacturer is heading for the hills with an all new six cylinder in-line 3.3 litre derv drinker. Continue reading

NISSAN X-TRAIL: flagship model has family appeal


WHAT started off as a relatively cheap and chunky 4×4 back in 2001 has become something a bit different – particularly when it comes to quality.

Because there’s nothing cheap about the interior of the latest X-Trail, Nissan’s flagship SUV – the fit and finish is way above what you got for your money back then. Continue reading

VW ID.BUZZ STYLE: retro style is a visual winner

THEY say you never get a second chance to make a first impression – and what an impression Volkswagen’s ID.Buzz makes.

Whether in wacky, over-the-top garish colours or a more subtle metallic hue, it’s a car that has no rivals – because at present there’s not really anything else like it on the market. Continue reading

VOLVO XC60 RECHARGE: putting the P in Premium

THERE’S a widely-held view (in our household, anyway) that says you’re safer in a modern day Volvo than going for a walk with the Green Cross Code man.

This is a car that has to rank among the most family-friendly and superbly finished of vehicles, and a shoe in for anyone who wants to buy into Volvo’s enviable safety reputation but doesn’t feel the need to go full out with its bigger XC90 stablemate. Continue reading

GENESIS GV60 AWD SPORT PLUS: giggle inducing performance

JUST about anything that takes the stress out of car ownership has to be a serious consideration – and the concierge service offered to Genesis owners is just that.

No longer the need to worry when the next service is due – every customer gets their own on-call personal assistant to take you through the ownership experience. And when it comes to service time, they’ll arrange to pick it up, do the necessary and then pop it back to you. Fully valeted too. Continue reading