Author: Robin Roberts

The UK new car market has hit the half year million motors mark for the first time in five years, after new car registrations rose in June by a modest 1.1% to reach 179,263 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. As a result, so far in 2024, 1,006,763 new cars have been registered, up 6.0% on the previous year but still down -20.7% on 2019. June’s market growth was driven primarily by the fleet sector, where uptake rose by 14.2%, while private retail demand fell for the ninth consecutive month, down -15.3%. Retail buyers accounted for fewer than four…

Subaru has one of the smallest model ranges on sale in Britain, but arguably it is also one of the best. After building a reputation on performance in the World Rally Championship, Subaru has since focused on active leisure and lifestyle buyers and now is exclusively a four-wheel-drive producer. Early in 2024, the new Subaru Crosstrek replaced the venerable XV model in the brand’s UK range alongside the Forester, Outback and Solterra BEV and is available in Limited and Touring trim levels with prices starting at £34,345 and going up to £36,345 for the range-topping Touring variant, the version we…

The latest Audi Q4 e-tron is proof that you can get more than you expect, even in today’s cut-throat and complex car market. When originally launched in March 2021 it was the fourth fully electric model in the brand’s e-tron series but it’s undergone continuous improvement and towards the end of 2023 it was boosted with a bigger battery and significant suspension and equipment changes to enhance driver appeal and practicality. It’s worked very well. Built on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform which permits adaptation to a variety of body shapes, sizes and powertrains, the Q4 e-tron is a mid-size…

Sometimes, the simple things in life please the most and that’s certainly the case with the Mazda MX-5. The classic yet modern sports two-seater is straightforward, front-engine and rear-wheel-drive engineering, but underneath it embodies some of the latest technology to make owning, driving and enjoying the open-air experience in safety and, when the sun’s not shining, in sophisticated style with a snuggly fitting roof. Earlier this year Mazda unveiled the current range. The eight models features four Roadster and four RF models with a choice of Prime-Line, Exclusive-Line and Homura trim grades. Prime-Line cars are powered by the 132ps 1.5-litre…

Lexus has returned to the compact executive market with its LBX petrol hybrid, and it’s anticipated to be a big player for them in the UK. The prestige brand’s first foray into the smaller executive sector was just before the new millennium when it introduced the IS200 series. That was based on a highly successful Toyota Altezza and this time around the LBX is derived from the Toyota Yaris Cross, but with some neat Lexus features you’d rightly expect to raise its game against rivals. There is a very wide 11 model LBX range from Urban at almost £30,000, through…

“Covid cars” – models made during the pandemic with irregular specifications – are causing valuation issues as they start to appear on the used market, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. Marcus Blakemore, chair of the trade body’s Industry Trends Committee, said that dealers and traders were buying cars expecting them to meet certain equipment and specification levels, then finding key items are missing. “During the initial stages of the pandemic, there was massive supply chain disruption, especially around availability of microprocessors. As a result, manufacturers improvised on the production line, removing key items just to keep things moving. “Depending on…

The green flash on UK number plates is going to appear on more pure battery vehicles cars this year than ever before and some of the cars behind the plates are not run of the mill models but bursting with performance. potential. British motorists can enjoy more battery electric vehicle choice today than ever before, with 29.3% of models on the new car market available as zero emission, according to new analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. There are now some 102 battery electric models to choose from, up from just 16 in 2014, demonstrating the massive…

The Toyota Yaris has been one of the brand’s most successful models with over 10 million made, and it’s not resting on its laurels. This Spring the familiar Yaris hatchback range was increased with the addition of the Premiere and GR models which have brought more electric power and greater refinement to the range. Toyota has launched the new Yaris in five versions from £22,640 to about £29,715. They are all highly equipped for their class and the top versions get the latest stronger electric motor to boost mid-range acceleration as well as a bigger instruments display with 12 possible…

If you thought that BMW don’t just build cars but also desires, you don’t have to look further than the new iX2 XDrive 30 sports activity coupe to appreciate the fact. Announced last autumn with the second generation X2 series including its petrol powered stablemates from £39,365, the iX2 20 and 30 series models were their first pure electric versions, and naturally there is an M Sport derivative, which we tested. The iX20 begins from £50,710 in two-wheel drive. Out car cost £56,540 and was fitted with over £9,124 of options inc. M Sport Pro pack, Technology Plus Pack,  surround…

Candidates across the UK could on average travel 25 miles for a driving test by 2030 as test centre locality and available test slots dwindle, according to new data. But that’s certainly not the case in Wales, says insurance broker Marmalade. Marmalade calculate the average distance learners will go to a test centre will rise from 12.33 miles last year to 15 miles next year and by 2030 it forecasts a distance of just under 24.5 miles. In Wales the average distance has dropped from 9.6 miles in 2019 to 9.2 miles last year and it’s forecast to fall again…