Author: Robin Roberts

Kia has been in the forefront of the modern drive towards electric cars and its highly successful Niro compact SUV is the latest aimed at the mass market. It completes the Niro line-up which started with petrol models and then progressed to petrol-hybrids before adding the pure electric model this autumn and the latest models are slightly longer, wider and taller with stretched footprint. It is the second biggest selling Kia UK model series and comes in three trim levels. Using all its experience gained with the urban runabout Soul and at the other end of the market, the EV6…

To thousands of users, the Toyota Hilux is the golden oldie but 50 years after it hit British tracks, trails and tarmac it’s definitely less of the oldie and actually a very up to date model. Toyota keep updating but not altering the sound basics of their beloved and highly popular pick-up. With five models to choose it now has the strongest appeal to those who want a workhorse, or a weekend getaway for those with an active lifestyle. It comes with a choice of 2.4 or, as we tested, a 2.8 litre four-cylinder diesel engine, selectable 2 or 4WD…

Volvo has set out to change its drivers’ views on mass market electric cars with the latest addition to its battery-only range. It’s different from the moment you go on line to look at the C40 Recharge, with single or twin motors utilising 67 or 75kWh batteries and powering 231 or 408hp motors with front or all-wheel-drive. After the larger XC40 Recharge the more compact C40 Recharge will appeal to those wanting a sleeker looking, more sporty appearance without sacrificing practicality. It’s also available only on line. Volvo has carefully developed the C40 Recharge Twin to build on the EV…

Pick-ups have been the vehicle of choice for generations in the countryside and the backbone of the construction industry. A few years ago manufacturers raised their game when they realised traditional SUVs were becoming too expensive and a whole new customer profile was appearing in the shape of the active-lifestyle lovers. Meeting the twin needs of those who want a pickup for pleasure or one for purpose saw the emergence of the models such as the SsangYong Musso in the dying decade of the 20th century, How times have changed since. SsangYong sell a comparatively small range of carefully chosen…

We all want more for our money these days and the Audi A1 brings big car luxury features to a more affordable market. The A1 was introduced as the marque’s challenger to the growing number of superminis in 2010, initially with three-doors and then a five-door Sportback was added in 2012 and this first generation continued along with a lively S1 derivative until 2018, but in 2022 it underwent a comprehensive facelift. The result is that only the Sportback style remains with a choice of 1.0 litre 3cyl 110ps or 1.5 4cyl 150ps engines, both petrol, and Technik, Sport, S…

It’s the end of the road for the Ford Fiesta, the car maker announced this week. The highly popular baby Ford created in the wake of the early 1970s oil crisis to get Britons moving again  will roll off the Cologne, Germany productions line for the last time next June, after 45 years of sales. But before then, the axe will also fall on the sibling Ford S-Max and Galaxy SUV and MPV models in April after time was called on their Mondeo stablemate earlier this year and the Ford Focus will follow in a few years. Ford said it’s…

Sometimes we look forward to long journeys with trepidation and other times with anticipation, and it was definitely the latter in the Honda Civic e:HEV. Briefly tested and impressed a few weeks earlier, a 320 miles round trip in a few hours was going to be confirmation of our initial impression or realisation we had got it wrong then. We need not have worried, of course. The latest Honda Civic e:HEV is a very worthy successor to the previous Civic series and is a larger, smoother and more refined model by some margin. Honda has invested a lot in the…

Suzuki has passed another milestone on its road to future mobility with the arrival in UK showrooms of the latest Full Hybrid S Cross SUV. Using the same powertrain from its Vitara stablemate, the S Cross Full Hybrid is a logical development of the mild-hybrid S Cross introduced at the end of 2021. That has been a runaway success for Suzuki despite constraints imposed by this year’s semi-conductor shortages and now the S Cross FH model brings added refinements within its outstanding packaging and price. Grade for grade, the newcomer easily undercuts rivals using Suzuki’s policy of giving owners all…

A whole new cell of cars is being created for our electric future and some of them were lined up at the annual SMMT driving day for motoring writers. We have seen hybrid adaptations of some familiar models and they have been joined by pure electric derivatives but these are about to be replaced by a completely new generation from the world’s car-makers. After Tesla broke new ground with their long range and highly sophisticated battery electric vehicles in the first decade of this century traditional and familiar car makers started developing and refining their own projects using Tesla models…

A point by charge-point study is being carried out into how drivers of electric vehicles boost their power. Zap-Map, the UK’s leading charge point mapping service, and UK law firm TLT have joined forces to uncover where, when and how UK consumers are charging electric vehicles (EV) – and what this means for the development and funding of the public charging network in future. The report sees industry experts share their analysis of Zap-Map survey data, sharing insights into the public charging network and funding landscapes – from taking the temperature on investor confidence through to describing new funding models…