Car Reviews

We get up to speed with the first of a new generation of Smart cars – the awkwardly-titled #1… The Smart #1 compact SUV is the first fruit of a new joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese giant Geely, which also owns Volvo, Polestar and Lotus. Sharing a platform with …

Volkswagen’s bestselling EV in the UK has had an update for 2023 – we drive the new, improved ID.3… The VW ID.3 electric hatchback has been treated to a mild makeover and tech update, despite only being launched in 2020. Volkswagen has listened to feedback (some of it lukewarm) and …

Is the Abarth 500e a proper electric pocket rocket? We get behind the wheel to find out… If you’ve ever driven or heard one of the Abarth-tuned Fiat 500s over the years, you’ll know that they are cars that bombard the senses. Not only do they look suitably sporty, they …

We get to grips with Alfa Romeo’s first plug-in hybrid – the Tonale SUV… Slotting in below the Stelvio in the Alfa range, the Tonale is arguably one of the best-looking mid-sized crossovers on the market. It’s athletic and well proportioned, it features some delicious Alfa Romeo design cures, such …

We road test the iX1 – the 100% electric version of BMW’s much improved entry-level SUV… Back in November 2022 I reviewed the impressive new third-generation BMW X1. As well as an extensive drive of a petrol model, I also got a quick whiz in a pre-production LHD pure electric …

We road test the newest entrant to the family crossover scene – the full hybrid Honda ZR-V… Slotting in between the HR-V and CR-V SUVs in terms of size, the all-new ZR-V is a very important car for Honda – and it’s tasked with an mighty challenge. Not only do …

We get behind the wheel of an intriguing new version of Mazda’s big SUV… I can’t remember the last time I tested a new diesel. There’s an avalanche of new hybrids and EVs, but diesels are a bit niche these days. Diesel once accounted for more than half of UK …

We get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz EQC – the EV version of the mighty GLC… The EQC was the first all-electric model from Mercedes-Benz when it was launched in 2019, and its upmarket rivals include the BMW iX3, Audi Q8 e-tron, Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model X and Genesis …

We road test the new, improved version of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid family hatchback… The world may be in the midst of an electric car revolution, but there’s still space for hybrids and the latest Toyota Corolla is still one of the best. Full or ‘self-charging’ hybrids are not as …

We drive the new full hybrid version of the Jogger – Dacia’s fantastic family car… If ever a model epitomised Dacia’s value for money philosophy, then the Jogger is it. In fact, it’s hard to believe that the Renault-owned Romanian budget brand only entered the UK market 10 years ago. …