Author: Robin Roberts

The Toyota Prius was ahead of its time when created and today’s model still sets standards for others to aim at achieving. Conceived in the mid-1990s, the Toyota Prius was the world’s first mass produced hybrid car when it was launched in 1997 and we have now seen five generations or evolutions of the car, which has been a saloon as well as a lift-back. It is one of the most popular of Toyota’s model range fulfilling the role of a family car as well as being a model of choice among taxi drivers around the world, but with the…

While every maker wants to be distinctive and have desirable cars they also tend to follow fashion and sometimes end up with dull models which look no different to one another, but thankfully the Mazda3 range offers an alternative. Its range has developed from saloons to hatchbacks and Cross-over models, but among them is a hidden jem in the shape of the classic saloon. Yes, a car with a boot which does not break the bank has been retained.  The Mazda3 has been in production since 2003 and four generations have rolled off lines across the Far East. In some…

It may be unknown to many but KGM has aspirations to become the brand you’ll desire to drive. The former SsangYong manufacturer went bust twice in recent years but in 2022 was rescued by Korean conglomerate KG Mobility which is pursuing a clear programme of new model introductions in conjunction with the resources of Gibralta-based Bassadone Automotive Group, founded in 1904, which works with Toyota and Jeep and has franchises across the Continent. The first fruit of this new-found investment by KGM is the third-generation Actyon, first released between 2005 and 2011 and then from 2012 to 2018. Further vehicles…

Think family cars and I bet the next image in any driver’s eyes is a Volvo. Once associated with the immensely practical, purposeful and frills-free Estates, the company has undergone a rejuvenation and now offers a range of sophisticated SUVs brimming with the latest safety technology. They also started off big to sell to the US market but realised they needed to offer a more compact SUV models for Europe. That process of change was started by the XC40 series in about 2018 which spawned petrol and diesel models before moving with the times and into the electric age. After…

The highly popular Suzuki Vitara has been given a make-over for 2025 to enhance the appeal of this already highly competitive medium sized SUV. The Vitara hybrid remains a strong selling model in the range and Suzuki has redefined its styling, raised the level of standard equipment and technology as well as further improved hybrid efficiency to stretch the mileage range. Vitara now utilises the Motion and Ultra grade names which follows on from being introduced previously for S-Cross, Swace and Swift models. Various changes include a re-designed front grille and bumper, rear upper spoiler incorporating rear window side spoilers,…

Twenty-nine years ago the first Audi A3 established the premium compact class and today the fourth generation sets a high standard which rivals really struggle to match. From that initial model in 1996, the A3 series has evolved into a comprehensive range of saloons and semi-estates or coupes with individual emphasis on sophistication or sportiness to satisfy the wide tastes of drivers and owners. The latest A3 Sportback comes with five-doors and a range of engines including mild hybrid we tested along with manual or automatic transmission. It has been joined by a PHEV version in the range a few…

Kia has something to celebrate this Christmas as it continues to carve out a big slice of Britain’s BEV sales, a decade after launching into it with the Soul EV. At the time 10 years ago, Frozen was trending at the box-office, Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ rang out across radios worldwide, and social media was awash with ALS ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ videos. Over the years Kia has added 70,000 BEVs to UK roads with the EV6, Niro EV, EV9 and now puts the compact SUV EV3 into showrooms as it rolls out a plan to produce nine fully electric vehicles into the UK by 2027. That…

Private buyers who want a high specification electric car and business drivers with eyes fixed on a low tax penalty are targets for the new Skywell range arriving in Britain. The Cirencester-based importer, Innovation Automotive, is also looking at traditional used car dealers seeking their first new car franchise in a local market area where they are already highly regarded. Seven dealers have been appointed and they want to reach 50 before 2026. The Skywell BE11 is the first model from the brand created with the joint venture of consumer electronics groups, Skyworth, and electric bus maker Nanjing Golden Dragon and it…

Motorists are paying too much to keep driving, say Government watchdogs and the RAC. Petrol and diesel prices are staying high because there are fewer forecourts vying for business, according to the latest report from the Competition and Markets Authority. And EV charge-point operators have not slashed prices despite wholesale generation costs coming down, added the RAC. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said, “It’s disappointing to hear that the CMA is still concerned about competition among fuel retailers, and that margins remain higher than historic levels – especially after it announced this summer that drivers were overcharged by £1.6bn…

A quarter of a century after introducing the Insight as Britain’s first petrol-electric hybrid, the latest Honda HR-V is probably more relevant today. While rival hybrids have grown in size compared to the Insight of 25 years ago, there is not that much difference in the footprint of the HR-V. It is now in its third generation and sharing a Honda portfolio with the smaller Jazz and larger CRV SUVs, the HR-V neatly sits between them. It is arguably one of the most eye-catching family cars both externally and internally and our range topping MY25 example had a very good…