Author: Robin Roberts

From initially resisting the new technology on cost grounds including writing off established investments in petrol and diesel engine technology and having to develop hybrid or pure electric powertrains, along with making tens of thousands of workers redundant, manufacturers have struggled to convince buyers into showrooms or on-line. It’s not helped that the recharging network has been a piecemeal development which has shown up under-capacity and cost and in some cases the simple inability to provide a home charger at all. Alongside these are questions over the real environmental costs of mining materials and building the batteries and electric motors.…

With so many vehicles looking almost identical, its refreshing to review the impressive Isuzu D-Max AT35. Put simply, there is very little else on or off road quite like it. What’s more it is not just frills without purpose as it comes with pedigree and practicality. Isuzu is one of Japan’s oldest vehicle makers founded in 1916, came to the UK in 1987 with the Trooper SUV and then introduced the first pick-up the following year, the TF. The D-Max launched in 2012 and has been refreshed mid-term in 2017 before the all-new D-Max appeared in 2021. To build on…

However you look at it, the Toyota Corolla is remarkable among models and, perhaps not surprisingly as a result, is the world’s best-selling nameplate over six decades. Now in its 12th generation, the Corolla is the first to use the company’s fifth generation hybrid petrol electric technology in its 1.8 engines coming from North Wales and all assembled in its Burnaston, Derby plant, so it’s one of the British motor industry’ success stories. The latest Corolla Hybrid comes with intelligent cruise control; improved pre-collision system, cross-over avoidance; emergency driving stop and over the air updates to essential data, as well…

With motoring costs soaring a lot of drivers are downsizing and face the dilemma of what to buy, yet do not realize how good a modern small car can be. In fact, a recent study found the typical family car today has over £32,700 of features fitted as standard which were not there a decade ago and after adjusting for inflation. We recently found ourselves facing a 400 miles trip with our Kia Picanto 1.0 triple-pot engined five-speed manual test car and began with some apprehension but also excitement at the opportunity to give a decent run to a modern…

As motoring costs escalate one brand which has widened its appeal is Skoda. From being the one time cheap if not cheerful car range, Skoda can now add a smile to choice, particularly for families who appreciate value for money. With SUVs the mainstay of sales in Britain and Europe thanks to their versatility, the very capable Skoda Kodiaq does a fine job for a number of reasons and has won a number of awards. There are five versions and nearly 20 models in the company’s biggest model series, up to seven seats, and vary only in trim and choice…

As day follows night it was inevitable that Skoda would not only enter the burgeoning electric vehicle market but would bring to it something a bit different, a bit sporty. It has an impressive record among rallying and racing drivers and enthusiasts and any Skoda carrying the vRS badge is always a bit special. Enter the Enyaq vRS Coupe. The Enyaq EV first appeared as an SUV in 2020 but Skoda added the vRS Coupe derivative to link with its sporting history at the end of 2022. Our hyper green test car was equipped with £2,700 of extras including electric…

In a year which has seen Britain’s new car market bump along and end up way below expectations, Genesis has provided a head-turning performance building on exclusivity and service which most manufacturers cannot match. Genesis is the premium brand of Hyundai, which includes KIA, and has been on USA sale for a decade so they are not newcomers to the market but comparatively recent additions to the UK. The Genesis range comprises compact hatchbacks, medium-sized semi-estates, saloons and SUVs and the majority of sales so far have been SUVs among the 1,000 models sold by the brand in Britain in…

To some observers it’s a Bentley, to others an Aston Martin, and some will simply ask what is it as they have never seen a Genesis on the road. Those questions are testament to the design and rarity of the Genesis GV60 pure battery SUV and they are all good points about this premium sector model from the Hyundai Motor Group. Not only does it look very up market, exclusive and sophisticated, but it is. There are three versions of the GV60; the 168kW  RWD Premium, 234kW Sport AWD and the model we evaluated, the 360kW Sport Plus dual motor…

The feathers are about to fly in Britain’s all-electric car market after the entry of a new Chinese brand this spring. The GWM ORA Funky Cat First Edition is being imported from £31,995 by a part of the IM Group, which is already well known through its Subaru and Isuzu distribution and its supply of assured parts for the Mitsubishi marque, which pulled out of direct UK sales three years ago. The new brand is available on line or through a handful of dealers in Bristol, Braintree, Wolverhampton and Glasgow, but more will be added in coming months as retail…

KIA has risen to become one of Britain’s most popular range of models and the family-friendly Ceed has a lot to do with that, last year helping them pass 100,000 UK registrations over three decades. After the Sportage and Niro the Ceed is their most popular model and takes about 10% of sales as a coupe ProCeed, Sportwagen semi-estate, hatchback or the SUV XCeed we tested and facelifted for 2023. Essentially there are four models, each in standard or premium trim, from about £23,400 to £31,000, fitted with the same petrol engine and transmission in grades 2,3, GT-Line and GT-Line S.…