Freelance motoring writer and member of the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers with a love of cars, motorbikes and running.
I lied about the love of motorbikes. They scare me to death - although I would like to own a Ducati 996 in red which I would just look at but never ride. No, not ever.
BACK in 2010, the Dacia Duster arrived on the scene with a refreshing lack of pretence. It was robust, practical, and proudly utilitarian. Over 2.2 million global sales and more than 40 awards later, the latest, all-new Dacia Duster marks the model’s third generation.
It still marches to the beat of its own drum, offering families, adventurers and value-conscious buyers … Read the rest
THE Nissan Qashqai (or Cashcow, as I’m sure the bean-counters at Nissan refer to it) has managed to carve out an envious position in the UK SUV market, selling almost 5,000 units in 2024 alone. This year it could do even better.
Since its original launch in 2006, the Qashqai has become something of a household name in the UK—a … Read the rest
I’D LIKE to say the Ford Capri is back, but this new EV is as much like the original Capri as the Mustang Mach-E is like a true Mustang. i.e. not similar at all. Gone is the sleek, rear-wheel-drive coupé that graced British roads in the ’70s and ’80s. In its place stands a fully electric SUV coupé, sharing its … Read the rest
The Mazda MX-5 is the sports car that barely needs an introduction. If you are at all interested in driving, chances are you’ve thought about, owned, or lusted after an MX-5 at some point. Now in its fourth generation, and with 35 years under its belt, Mazda’s little legend has had a subtle, but meaningful, update.
It remains a compact, … Read the rest
In the ever-growing universe of electric vehicles, the Kia EV6 continues to shine brightly. First launched in 2021 and now comprehensively updated for 2025, this new iteration of the EV6 is more than just a facelift, having a bigger battery capacity which provides up to 361 miles and some nifty tech updates that keep it ahead of the trailing pack. … Read the rest
THE popular Puma remains Ford’s go-to model for drivers who want an SUV that’s more compact and stylish than the Ford Kuga. It’s more crossover than SUV and closer than anything else to the much-missed Fiesta, on whose platform it is based.
The Puma range starts with the Titanium model, from £26,580, while the middle-ground ST-Line model starts from £27,480. … Read the rest
THE Skoda Superb Estate has long been the go-to choice for people who appreciate value and quality but also want a huge amount of practical space.
It covers a plethora of needs: Business users who rack up motorway miles and want comfort without the cost of an Audi Avant, dog owners, DIYers and adventure-seekers who want to fit a surfboard … Read the rest
There are two things you need to know about the latest, Chinese-built, MG ZS Hybrid+ : It’s a huge improvement over the older ZS model, and it’s also a genuine bargain in the UK. Not so much in the USA – although things can, apparently, change by the hour . . .
The old ZS EV has been dropped completely, … Read the rest
The new Ford Explorer EV is a mid-sized, fully electric, family SUV whose name isn’t going to cause any controversy in the UK as virtually no one here has heard of the original American gas-guzzler. Unlike the Capri or Mustang, we couldn’t give a damn about the Explorer’s heritage so won’t be taking to social media to vent our anger … Read the rest
THE Subaru Crosstrek is the Japanese manufacturer’s latest adventure/family-friendly SUV that replaces the XV and is their smallest model, behind the Forester and Outback.
Always the farmer’s favourite, Subaru now manage to produce motors that are popular with anyone who fancies a bit of 4×4 reliability. Whether you’re dodging potholes, taking the dogs to the woods, or the kids to … Read the rest
