Author: Robin Roberts

The Hyundai Tucson is a quality SUV which many prospective buyers might overlook, at their cost. The Tucson range runs to five models, SE Connect, Premium, N Line, N Line S and Ultimate, from £31,535 to over £44,575 with 2WD, or with PHEV powertrain to stretch economy and 4WD. Power outputs accordingly range from 150ps to 265ps with model dependent manual or automatic transmission. Our revised mid-range Premium grade model used one of the more powerful SmartStream advanced petrol engines with additional boost from a 60ps electric motor, which really transformed the performance when switched from the eco to sport…

Kia is riding the crest of a new wave with its range-topping luxury EV9 SUV this spring. The Kia EV9 achieved a remarkable dual victory at the 2024 World Car Awards at the New York International Auto Show in March, being voted World Car of the Year and World Electric Vehicle., taking KIA to five titles in the prestigious awards. Kia has given a strong incentive to buy an EV 9 which is now available with a 4.9 per cent APR on finance with no minimum customer deposit, existing Kia finance takers can also get a further £500 discount and…

The 24-plate change boosted new-car registrations in March, according to SMMT figures. But private buyers have put the brakes on pure electric purchases and the car makers want Government incentives to be increased if it wants to meet emissions targets.. March signals a twentieth month of consecutive growth for the automotive sector, a remarkable milestone for the industry, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK commenting on the latest SMMT new car registration figures. In March, a total of 317,786 new cars were registered,…

When the going gets tough, so it’s said, the tough get going and the Subaru Outback will probably lead the way for most drivers. It mayn’t be an obvious choice because it does not look like a classic big-wheeled off-roader with enough space around the wheel arches to coral a sheep, or two. Nor does it have a slab-sided body and brick-like profile which can turn a practical car into a poor looking car. But it does have a discerning ability to take just about everything in its stride and deliver the driver and passengers in utter comfort to their…

Mazda has a modest UK range but every model comes with a lot of heart and soul, like the revised CX-30. Originally derived from the hatchback Mazda3 but smaller than the CX-5 SUV, the CX-30 came to the UK for 2020, but of course we all know what happened then as the pandemics swept through the country. Britain and Mazda persevered and now their feature-packed compact SUV has been given a comprehensive make-over, notably inside. The 2024 range has been revised and facelifted for each of the 18 models in Prime-Line, Centre-Line, Homura, Exclusive-Line grades, and the Takumi, which we…

KIA has turned the corner into a new market segment with its EV9 pure electric model. The EV9 seven-seater launches in three trim levels and an additional range-topping six-seat option from £65,025 to £78,775 in rear wheel drive or all-wheel-drive configurations depending on trim with 200bhp single or 378bhp twin motors. That puts it squarely into Mercedes and BMW electric model territory alongside the latest VW ID.Buzz or Tesla Models X and Y. We wanted to see how the entry-level EV9 Air measured up as it turned the corner for the brand, and it’s an impressive addition to the luxury…

There is no doubt that China’s BYD car company is a new major challenger to legend European manufacturers with its Atto 3 cross-over. Not only does it have Europe’s familiar family cars in sight but it will be aiming to pick off sales from the Korean and Japanese brands which have had it much their own way up to now. Build Your Dreams, to give the company its full name, launched in Britain with the Atto 3 mid-way through 2023 and followed up at the end of the year with its Dolphin and Seal saloons as it progressively establishes 90…

As the EV market expands, Honda has rolled out its challenger in the family sector, the e:Ny1. A couple of years ago, Honda briefly introduced its city car sized e model but that had severe limitations in terms of size, range and appeal so the much larger e:Ny1 will take the Japanese firm’s fight to the chargers. It’s a wise move as SUV models account for more than half of UK registrations and that shows no sign of slowing, even if the BEVs within that are finding it hard going. All manufacturers now have to sell 22% of their range…

The Honda Jazz is one of the brand’s longest-lived models and remains one of its best kept secrets over 42 years. Improved for 2024, the Jazz range begins with the Elegance and Advance hatchbacks at £26,395 or £27,550 with the Crosstar Advance topping them at £28,550 before roadtax is added. The slightly taller Crosstar Advance gets the same bodywork upgrades, front, back and sills as its stablemates although in distinctive black trim, but has more ground clearance and comes with roof rails to fit racking or a box as well as water repellent upholstery to cope with active lifestyle users…

The Government must do more to get people to adopt EVs, says a Lords Committee. “If it fails to heed our recommendations the UK won’t reap the significant benefits of better air quality and will lag in the slow lane for tackling climate change,” said Baroness Kate Parminter, Chair of the inquiry. The inquiry was launched in August 2023 to identify the main obstacles and barriers to a successful and equitable transition to the Government’s EV target for passenger vehicles and to make clear and targeted recommendations for change to meet that target. Yesterday, it was reported by the Society…