Author: Robin Roberts

The UK new car market’s recovery continued in June, with registrations rising 11.4% to reach 213,166 units in the best performance for the month since 2019, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, but which warned of problems ahead for the sector. Growth was recorded across all sectors, with registrations by private buyers up 12.5%, fleet deliveries increasing by 10.5% and the smaller business segment posting a 17.1% rise. Fleets continued to comprise the lion’s share of the overall market, accounting for six in 10 (59.5%) new cars registered. Wales recorded 6,282 registrations in June, about 7.8% up…

Despite the drive towards a greener car market, the choice of what you can buy in Britain has been largely limited to SUVs and smaller cars, but that’s changing with the arrival of the Mazda6e medium-sized  saloon. The result of a joint venture with China’s Changan company which provided the powertrain and platform, the UK specific Mazda6e has a new 78kWh single battery specification – priced at £38,995 for the Takumi and £39,995 for Takumi Plus. With stylish premium saloon proportions combined with hatchback functionality – the Mazda6e reinvents the Mazda6 for the electric age after its introduction in 2002…

The Mitsubishi Outlander has returned to showrooms and country life like it has never been away. Following a gap of just two years after Mitsubishi decided to contract in Europe, the famous three-diamonds are glinting again on the very latest version brought in by the team behind Subaru, Isuzu and a few Chinese brands, International Motors Group. For them and a grateful number of former Mitsubishi owners, there had been a hand-holding arrangement since 2024, when the extensive parts supply was maintained through the network to assist about 55,000 models sold in the series. That has enabled Outlander Gen5 sales…

After months of anticipation, the seventh generation of this global best selling pick up is now available and it’s more powerful, economical, better specified, comfortable and capable than ever before. In five-seat double cab layout it can be bought in Titan or higher Barbarian trim with a commercial version to come later this year. The top spec model has the new super select 4WD-II with shift on the fly permitting selection of full-time all wheel drive on any surface if the usual rear wheel drive is not enough. Seven drive modes cover any possible terrain, it carries over a tonne…

Almost a decade after its launch helped turn around Volkswagen fortunes and create one of its most successful SUV challengers, the T-Roc generation two is on sale. Beaten for demand only by the larger Tiguan, the T-Roc Gen2 is really a completely new model not a facelifted derivative, being redesigned outside and in, offers more space and comes with the latest powertrain, driving and comfort systems usually found in a class above. Sitting on the multi-purpose MQB platform which can be utilised under a variety of body sizes and styles, the latest T-Roc is initially offered with a choice of…

They upset the car market, then the EV sector, and now it looks like Kia will disrupt the lucrative MPV and business categories. Kia predicted their electric PV5 Passenger model and van would reach 2,500 sales in Britain, but it has doubled that and is still climbing with just a five-seat model and very big luggage capacity. The addition of a CV derivative is another challenger to legend models from European manufacturers and it has even produced a wheelchair accessible version along with plans for six or a seven seater. When it was revealed as a concept in January 2024…

When it comes to sports cars and motor-sport, one Italian brand stands out – and it’s not what you may think – Maserati. Rarer than those cars with a prancing horse badge, the Maserati Trident is still the only badge on an Italian model which has twice won the Indianapolis 500 and has endeared it to thousands of American car fans. In the United States, posers want to be seen in Ferraris, while driving enthusiasts slip into a Maserati to secretly  enjoy their winding, wide roads. Maserati has been in the hands of two Italian families since its foundation in…

Audi has a habit of putting its finger on precisely the right section of the market to make a point to rivals. It has succeeded with sports cars, coupes, limousines and big SUVs, so the Q3 really deserves consideration in the compact SUV sector. Essentially it is a taller and roomier model with strong associations to the A3 Hatch and comes in a wide range of models. Audi has a bewildering choice in the Q3 series essentially with Sport and S Line names but added into the mix are various Launch or Edition models. The power ingredients comprise 1.4 or…

After its British launch in 1990, Lexus raised the bar for other executive marques and today it is the oldest surviving premium brand from Japan, and still the benchmark for British buyers. From an initial two models in the early 90s, the Lexus line up has dramatically grown to offer something in each of the main sectors and delivers a range of powertrains to suit the needs of every customer. Luxury SUVs have always been popular in the UK and the latest Lexus RZ series is a clear evolution of the first since its introduction in 2023. Announced in autumn…

New analysis from vehicle history platform carVertical shows electric models are now the most commonly clocked cars in the UK, with 3% of those checked showing evidence of mileage tampering. That puts EVs ahead of diesel cars (2.8%), petrol cars (2.5%) and hybrids (2%) and comes at a time when many households are looking for ways to cut motoring costs by switching to an EV. The data shows some used EV brands may carry a particularly high risk. Among electric cars checked by carVertical in the UK, Kia had the highest share with mileage discrepancies extending to (13.6%) or one-in-eight…