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.
The Kia Picanto is the smallest model offered by Kia in the UK, and it seems to be a popular choice judging by the number of them on the roads. Even the 1st-generation models are still commonly seen, which is a testament to their dependability. This 3rd-generation model has been around since 2017 and has had a couple of facelifts … Read the rest
What is it?
The Range Rover Sport is a luxury, sporty, SUV that is very much like – but not exactly like – the even more expensive Range Rover.
Tracing its roots back to 2005, the Range Rover Sport may no longer be available with 7 seats but it is still very spacious and is the perfect family-lugger. Especially if … Read the rest
What is it?
IF the Subaru Solterra looks familiar, then that’s because it shares its platform with the Toyota bZ4X. And apart from a different front grill and some changes in the tail lighting, they’re pretty much identical-looking mid-to-large-sized electric SUVs. Both get the odd-looking, but somehow appealing plasticky front wings. However, “Solterra” is much easier to remember than … Read the rest
IF you’re in the market for a well-specified, spacious family SUV that costs less than an entry-level Ford Focus, then the £23,495 MG HS seems to have it all sewn-up.
Okay, the Dacia Duster is cheaper but it’s also smaller and will feel like a compromise-too-far when you’re sat in it. The Citroen C5 Aircross is more Crossover than full … Read the rest
WE’VE all heard of the Nissan Leaf – the first mainstream Electric Vehicle to gain some traction for the advancement and acceptance of the EV. It was revolutionary when first introduced back in 2011.
So, it’s somewhat surprising that it has taken Nissan so long to come up with another family EV – the Ariya. The Covid pandemic may have … Read the rest
The weather conditions over the 2023-2024 Christmas and New Year period were shocking for most of the country – and particularly bad for those north of the border.
So, with some trepidation, I contemplated the drive back down south to visit relatives and friends in England – which would include a ¼-mile, steep, rough track leading to my sister’s farm … Read the rest
THE Ford Focus Active appears to be for people who don’t want an SUV and won’t consider a “Crossover” because it’s still too extreme. But they DO want plastic wheel arch covers and roof rails.
If that’s the case, then Ford has nailed it with the Focus Active, because it just doesn’t look like a Crossover. At first (and even … Read the rest
ASTONISHINGLY, the last Renault I reviewed was the Scenic – way back in 2017. Its infotainment screen was (outrageously) mounted vertically in the centre console. At the time, I think only Tesla was using the portrait option. How things have changed . . .
However, I do have a fondness for all French cars, which goes back many years to … Read the rest
It was a bitterly cold winter’s day when the Dacia Duster arrived on my driveway. With snow imminent, I was hoping it would be the “Extreme” dCi diesel version – the only one that comes with all four wheels driven.
However, it turned out to be a petrol TCe 90, which is strictly 2WD only. Shame. No matter, it did … Read the rest
FROM certain angles, the front of the new Honda ZR-V looks a little grumpy. Maybe it is the weight of expectation – after all, it is going up against the titanic duo of the Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai.
However, I suspect it’s just a bold reflection of Honda’s intentions for the ZR-V in this very competitive segment. It’s determined … Read the rest
