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Car Reviews

No-compromise MG HS has it all for less

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

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Car Reviews

The Nissan Ariya EV is full of surprises – and almost all of them good . . .

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

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Car Reviews

Nissan X-Trail vs Storm Pia – Or, how Tech Tamed the Torrent

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

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Car Reviews

Ford Focus Active 1.0 EcoBoost mHEV – Review

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

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Car Reviews

Crikey, this new Renault Austral is a bit of alright

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

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Car Reviews

Dacia Duster still cleans up when it comes to value-for-money SUVs

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

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Car Reviews

Clever Honda ZR-V makes the case for a driver-focused family SUV

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

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Car Reviews

Skoda Enyaq Coupe iV 80 SportLine Plus – Review

THE Enyaq is Skoda’s fully-electric SUV that has been winning plaudits for its family-friendly practicality. But some bright electron thought it would be a good idea to give it a sexier, sloping profile and whack in a huge glass roof. And the powers-that-be said “Oh, go on then. We’ll call it the Skoda Enyaq Coupe and we’ll use the word Read the rest

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Car Reviews

Ford Kuga Black Package Edition – 2.5 Duratec PHEV Automatic – Review

THE Ford Kuga seen some changes in the past year-or-so with the diesel variant being dropped altogether and some sparkly new special editions gracing the forecourts.

This 3rd-generation Kuga is a far car from the jacked-up Ford Focus of 2008 which first bore the Kuga name. It’s now a decent sized, all-out family SUV that packs some excellent … Read the rest

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Car Reviews

Swace of time complaining about it’s origins . . . this updated Suzuki is the perfect family estate

SUZUKI hit on a winner when they buddied-up with Toyota to bring us the Swace – a practical, frugal hybrid Estate which is well-equipped and also benefits from being extremely easy to live with.

The fact that it is a re-badged Toyota Corolla Touring Sports matters not a jot. If it means savings are made that can be passed onto … Read the rest