The first impressions in the car park were actually quite good. The Chevrolet Cruze looked sharp. It looks distinctive and, in a land of hatchbacks, it stands out by being a saloon.

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Tags: Chevrolet,Saloon

When I had my first real drive of the Jaguar XF I was just about as impressed as I hoped to be, given all the compliments that were flying around from those who had driven the new generation Jaguar before me.

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Tags: Jaguar,executive saloon

It was this time last year that BMW first took the wraps off the new BMW Z4. The most notable change was the switch from a soft top convertible roof to a folding steel roof.

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Tags: BMW,Sportscar

I have to admit that I did not approach my road test of this Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi in a particularly positive frame of mind. After all here was Ford’s 4x4, basically stripped of its most important element – four wheel drive!

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Tags: Ford,Hatch

It looks the part. It may be based on the ubiquitous Focus, but there is no mistaking the sporting aspirations of the RS.

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Tags: Ford,Hothatch,Sports

Motor manufacturers constantly have to scan the far horizon looking for signs as to what type of car the buyers of the future will want. It takes time to develop a new model, so you have to have a pretty good idea of what will be the expanding markets in the future.

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Tags: 4x4,Volvo,SUV

If British Leyland executives in the 1970s hadn't forgotten the importance of playing to our strengths, then something like the Daihatsu Copen might have wearing an Austin Healey Sprite badge today.

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Tags: Sportscar,Daihatsu

“It’s a door on wheels!” That was the first reaction from interested onlookers when the Toyota IQ first rolled up into the office car park. Sure enough in profile it looks as though the side of the car is almost entirely composed of door.

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Tags: Toyota,city car

The previous Honda Jazz built up a loyal following among those who wanted a practical small family hatchback which came with the promise of reliability that is expected with the Honda badge. The new car builds on that and adds greater levels of refinement.

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Tags: Hatch,Honda,Supermini

When I was in the thick of my hot hatch era, one of my friends had an Alfasud. They were great cars to drive, with more than a touch of Italian style and flair, but they were a little lacking in the durability department. The new Alfa Romeo Mito is Alfa’s first real foray back into the small hatchback class since the late lamented Alfasud.

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Tags: Alfa

It doesn’t seem that long ago since I was raving about the new Volkswagen Golf GTI, but now there’s an even newer one and I’ve just been driving for the past week.

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Tags: Volkswagen,Hothatch

You could almost swear that the Toyota Avensis Tourer came off the same production line as the Honda Accord Tourer, so similar is their appearance. Both have a classic estate car profile with a rising window line that gives a tapering glasshouse towards the rear.

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When the Suzuki Vitara first hit the UK market it quickly gathered an almost a cult following. Here was a small affordable off-roader with style and presence.

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Tags: Suzuki,4x4,SUV

If the people at the BBC are looking for something funky to replace the police box in future episodes of Dr Who, then perhaps they should consider equipping the new doctor with a Citroen C3 Picasso.

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Tags: Citroen,MPV,Hatch

I've always had a soft spot for small engined cars. Ever since my student days when I tried to extract maximum performance from my 875cc Hillman Imp with just the merest whiff of petrol.

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Tags: Suzuki,Hatch

Last year Audi gave the Audi A3 range a subtle refresh. Knowing the Audi A3 very well, I could spot a few of the updates – the lights, the move of the indicator repeaters to the door mirrors, for example.

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Tags: Audi,Hatch

So well known is the Renault Clio that its estate car sibling, the Clio Sport Tourer, is a little in shadows. I coaxed it out to give it the chance to prove itself on a five-day test as my everyday transport.

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Tags: Renault,estate

In my first road test of the Nissan Qashqai I pointed out that – despite its off-roader-meets-MPV looks, it really was just a normal four or five-door hatchback with interesting packaging. Well, now the Qashqai has grown up. Meet the Qashqai +2.

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Tags: Nissan,4x4,Family hatch,SUV

When I tested the new Kia Cee’d, I commented that Kia had gone mainstream with a quality product that stood comparison with products of our established favourites. The Kia Pro_cee’d builds on that bridgehead with a car that is even more in tune with European tastes.

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Tags: Kia,Hatch

The Honda Accord Tourer is probably not the first car that comes to mind when you are looking for an executive estate car. But maybe it should be.

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Tags: Honda,estate

If the Kia Soul surprised with its rather funky style and individuality the Magentis is much more what we have come to expect from Kia. Practical, conservative and maybe even a tad dull.

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Tags: Kia

OK, I’ve brought you my report of the new Ford Fiesta, so what’s different with the Econetic? Well let’s start with the fact that this car is so low on CO2 emissions that you get handed your tax disk totally free-of-charge.

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Tags: Ford,Supermini,economy,environment

Kia make cars you buy with your head, not your heart. They’re a bit like sensible shoes. Reasonable price, practical and they make sound sense. But they are not going to get the pulse racing.

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Tags: Kia,Hatch

If you simply count the number of vehicles sold, the Vauxhall Vectra has to go down as a successful model. But as Ford found with the Mondeo, being the darling of the fleet buyers can be a double-edged sword.

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Tags: Vauxhall

The new Seat Ibiza offers budget price motoring with a keen purchase price and great fuel economy. Just don’t expect it to feel too sophisticated.

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Tags: Seat,Hatch

It would be hard to overestimate the importance of the Volkswagen Golf to the Volkswagen Group. Ever since the European demise of the original Volkswagen Beetle, the Golf has been the mainstay of the range.

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Tags: Volkswagen,Hatch

The Skoda Superb offers limousine accommodation, lots of practicality and more than a little luxury. Pity about the rather naff name.

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Tags: Skoda,executive saloon

The Jaguar XF still causes a stir everywhere it goes, with people queuing up to sit inside and see the surprise-and-delight features of pulsing start buttons, rising gearchanges and swivelling vents.

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Tags: Jaguar,executive saloon

After a bad start due to the snow, I grew to like the BMW 318d. Just keep off the white stuff!

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Tags: BMW

Anyone familiar with the Audi Q7 will be in no doubt about the manufacturer of the new Audi Q5. It looks pretty much like a more compact, more manageable version of the Q7. And it is.

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Tags: Audi,4x4

It has taken the French motor giants some time to take the plunge into the 4x4 market. Peugeot Citroen made the move with the help of Mitsubishi, using the Outlander as the basis for the Citroen C-Crosser and the Peugeot 4007. Now, finally Renault has taken the plunge.

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Tags: Renault,4x4,SUV

After a disappointing time with the last Mercedes-Benz, the A-Class has restored my faith in the products of Stuttgart.

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Tags: Mercedes,Hatch

The Suzuki Splash offers offers four-door convenience for supermini buyers.

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Tags: Suzuki,Hatch,Supermini

Ford’s Verve concept, unveiled last summer, hinted at a radical new look for the Ford Fiesta. It wasn’t all show either, the new Fiesta is remarkably faithful to the look of the concept car and, as a result, it is quite a looker. The even better news is that it matches good looks with all round ability.

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Tags: Ford,Supermini,Hatch

The new Mazda 2 proves an appealing, nimble and willing small hatchback.

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Tags: Mazda,Supermini

Nissan’s Murano is an effortless, comfortable and practical off-roader.

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Tags: Nissan,4x4

The Volkswagen Passat CC. The first question is trying to work out what it is and why they have produced it.

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Tags: Volkswagen,Saloon

I remember a few years ago driving a Volkswagen Polo which refused to do anything less than 48 mpg on a regular commute. I remember how remarkable that seemed. Now, however, more and more cars are producing surprising results.

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Tags: Fiat,Family hatch

For just £20,850 this Mercedes-Benz brings you the image of driving a car with the three-pointed star. But, while that might suggest a degree of opulence, on this particular Mercedes-Benz that image is combined with remarkably parsimonious drinking habits and low emissions. My daily commute was despatched with a shrug and an average of over 40 mpg.

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Tags: Mercedes,Family hatch

The Toyota Auris was designed in France for the European market and it is built here, at plants in the UK and Turkey.

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Tags: Toyota,Family hatch

My first drive of the new Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI Estate Sport was a mixed experience. Out on open country roads it was a delight to drive, providing greater driver involvement and feedback than any Mercedes saloon or estate car I can remember. But in stop-start motoring conditions it was another matter.

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Tags: Mercedes,estate

Judging by the first drive, the new Volkswagen Scirocco looks set to be as successful as its 1970s and 80s predecessor. It is an affordable and hugely enjoyable sports coupe at a reasonable price.

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Tags: Volkswagen,Coupe,Sports

It is possible to get off on the wrong footing with the Lexus LS600h L.

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Tags: Lexus,Luxury

Coupé cabriolets are the current hot ticket on the motoring scene. With their folding metal roofs, these cars aim to offer the best of both worlds – the full open air motoring experience, plus the comfort and security of a metal roof. Read More...

Tags: Volkswagen,Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz has clearly tried hard to appeal to a younger, sportier with the launch of the new CLC. I say new, because the CLC only arrived in UK showrooms on June 12. It bears sharp new looks to align with the new C Series, although the underpinnings are substantially those of the previous SC. Read More...

Tags: Mercedes

From a UK perspective, it is easy to forget that Honda produces a sports executive saloon. It may be quite high-profile in markets like the United States, but there it bears the Acura badge of Honda's US prestige brand. In this country it is badged as a Honda and is somewhat eclipsed by the more high-profile small and medium sized hatchbacks and SUVs. Read More...

Tags: Honda

The latest report from Transport for London states that despite 70,000 fewer cars a day entering the central zone and 30,000 fewer in the Western Extension, congestion in both of these areas is every bit as bad as it was before the charge was introduced, according to the Association of British Drivers. Read More...

Tags: Roads

Imagine a Ford Focus on stilts and you get the basic idea of the Ford Kuga, the blue oval's belated entry in to the small sports utility vehicle (SUV) market. Ford say it combines element os an estate car, an SUV (so far so good) and a coupé (umm, let me think about that last one. Read More...

Tags: Ford,4x4

Back in my college days, I remember how one of my fellow students fell for the charms of a second hand Fiat 500 which, even in those days was well past its prime. Knowing my interest in cars she would always come to me to ask for advice about its latest ailments. On this particular occasion, the little Fiat displayed no intentions of starting. Frustrated by lack of success with my pokings and proddings, I asked her why, precisely, she had chosen to buy this particular car.

"It looked like it needed a mummy," came the disarming reply. Well the cuteness that worked on my fellow student all these years ago is now back with the new Fiat 500. Read More...

Tags: Fiat,Supermini

Whereas the previous Vauxhall Agila was instantly forgettable, the new one at least has some presence. It has a cheeky style and, inside, some fairly loud seat graphics. Read More...

Tags: Vauxhall,Supermini

We have been here before. From time to time manufacturers cast an envious eye at the reputation of Germany's finest prestige car manufacturers – Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz – and think to themselves 'we would like a slice of that'.
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Tags: Citroen,Family hatch

I remember the launch of the Audi A5 last summer. Bravely, Audi unveiled it alongside the stunning Audi R8 sports car - a move that could have eclipsed the new four-seat coupe, but it did not. The A5 held its own with its classic Audi look, given the slightly more edgy style that we have since seen on the new A4. Read More...

Tags: Audi,Coupe

You can see how Skoda is thriving as part of the Volkswagen Group by the way it range of models keeps growing. If you count the Skoda Roomster as a Skoda Fabia (which effectively it is) there are now three distinct model choices at the start of the Czech manufacturer's range. Read More...

Tags: Skoda,estate

It's amazing how the BMW 1 Series hatchback with its slightly gawky styling has been transformed into an attractive coupé. But it is such a logical car for BMW. It is very much in tune with the ethos of the German marque. This is, after all, a vehicle with a sporting flavour using the latest engine technology to achieve its expected performance with outstanding economy. Read More...

Tags: BMW,economy,Coupe

When Seat launched its Altea Freetrack 4 it was the Spanish marque's first foray into the off-road market. Based on the long-wheelbase Altea it aims to combine the practicality of an MPV with the ability to take to the the rough(er) stuff. Read More...

Tags: Seat,4x4

The first time I saw the new Mini Clubman in the my local Mini showroom as I headed across to the car, one of the staff made me an offer. "Free dog with every Clubman," he quipped with a grin. Read More...

Tags: Mini,estate

I can see where Daihatsu was coming from when they designed the Materia. Nissan and Honda have tried to woo young trendy buyers with cuboid cars. Nissan even call theirs the Cube in the Japanese Market. Daihatsu, too, wants to appeal to younger customers and that is where the Materia comes in. Read More...

Tags: Daihatsu,Hatch

News of a potential increase in the use of average speed cameras, sends shudder down my spine. It's not that I have any desire to flout the speed limits. I just think that the best place for our eyes to focus, as drivers, is on the road.... not on our speedometers! Read More...

Tags: Speed ,Speedcameras

When Volkswagen set out to build their new off-roader, the Tiguan, their stated intention was to produce a smaller version of the Touareg. The newcomer certainly looks the part. Like its bigger sibling the lines are classy, perhaps even understated. Indeed, despite its newness, the Tiguan caused little stir. Read More...

Tags: Volkswagen,4x4,SUV

The Land Rover Freelander, Britain's favourite small 4x4, has grown up. Not that it has grown much bigger, but Freelander 2 is a more sophisticated, more refined and more up-market vehicle to keep the Freelander at the forefront of this market. Read More...

Tags: LandRover,4x4,SUV

Drive a big off-roader these days and you may invite some questioning about your need for such a large vehicle. That's a more likely line of questioning if your choice of off-roader carries a badge that presents an image of luxury.
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Tags: Volkswagen,4x4,SUV

Renault chose to play it fairly safe, in styling terms, when it launched the new Laguna in October. So, when I picked up the new Laguna Sports Tourer - which won't go on sale until January 2008 - it didn't really attract much attention for a model that no-one had seen on the roads yet. Read More...

Tags: Renault,estate

I remember a year or so ago I was amazed at a Volkswagen Polo diesel that - try as I did - I could not get to do less than 48 mpg. That memorable performance has now been upstaged... by a Volkswagen Polo. But this one is the Polo BlueMotion, which, in its basic form, has such low emissions that it costs nothing to tax in the UK. Read More...

Tags: Hybrids,Volkswagen,economy

Considering that Citroen has had a long involvement in events like the Dakar Rally, in the tough off-road conditions of the Sahara, it's perhaps surprising that it has taken until now for the famous chevrons to appear on the nose of an off-road vehicle. The new Citroen C-Crosser is the product of international collaboration between Citroen, its sister company Peugeot and Mitsubishi. Read More...

Tags: Citroen,4x4,SUV

Such has been the pace of Audi’s new model programme in recent months that the German manufacturer has seen its UK sales continue to grow. A series of strong new models have undoubtedly helped them to achieve this remarkable growth – Q7, TT, the R8 and the A5.. This time it is the turn of the new Audi TT for the road test spotlight. Read More...

Tags: Audi,Coupe

When the Mazda MX-5 was launched it neatly stole a sector of the market that was, until the 1970s, as British as the Union Jack. Britain was the past-master at producing open sports cars and selling them around the world - Austin Healey, MG, Triumph and arguably the car that the MX-5 most wanted to be, the Lotus Elan. Read More...

Tags: Mazda,Cabriolet

"I have a Nissan Cash Cow to deliver to you." At least that's what I thought the guy on the phone said. The thought of a car that I could milk for money, sounded pretty attractive, but, unfortunately I think he had just fallen foul of the recent Oriental liking for strange names. Read More...

Tags: Nissan,Family hatch

The Mercedes-Benz R Class is what could probably be described as a crossover vehicle. That is, it crosses over accepted market segments. It's an estate car. It's a six-seater so it is part MPV. And it is a four-wheel-drive, so it is part SUV. The trouble is, this crossing of boundaries makes it difficult to pin-point who will want to buy one. Read More...

Tags: Mercedes,estate,SUV

It's an odd feeling sitting in the driver's seat doing nothing more than feathering the brake pedal while the car parks itself. The park assist system is probably the headline-grabbing technology on the car that has everything... or at least you can have everything if you pay for the right level of specification. Read More...

Tags: Lexus,Luxury,SUV

Kia has two established niche markets where it is seen as a serious player in the UK - the MPV Sedona, beloved by taxi companies, and the Kia Sportage. Until the Cee'd, however, its saloons and hatchbacks have appealed largely to the motorist on a tight budget who is determined to drive a new, rather than second-hand car. Read More...

Tags: Kia,Family hatch

When Subaru first appeared in the UK they were seen as workhorse vehicles for rural types. Pick ups and estate cars with some go-anywhere ability thanks to their four wheel drive system. Then, along came Colin McRae spearheading their high-profile world rally championship successes, Subaru suddenly became the sporty.
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Tags: Subaru,4x4,SUV

Volkswagen have celebrated thirty years of the Golf GTI with the launch of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Edition 30. And if you have been disappointed by the "softness" of some of the preceding models of GTI, this one is a cracker... a fire cracker! Read More...

Tags: Volkswagen,Hothatch

Just over a year ago I was driving a Ford Consul convertible down the road into St Andrews and it set me thinking about how long it had been since Ford had been in the market with a drop-top version of one of their mainstream models. If you discount the SportKa, you have to look back to the Ford Escort Cabriolet.
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Tags: Ford,Cabriolet

I remember going on the press launch for the first Hyundai Coupé (as opposed to its predecessor the Hyundai Scoupe - S Coupe get it?). The Scoupe was best forgotten so I didn't hold out much hope for the Coupé.
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Tags: Hyundai

Almost everyone remarks about the Audi Q7’s size. So, if Audi’s intention was to make an impression with their first ever off-roader, they certainly succeeded with the new Audi Q7. Read More...

Tags: Audi,4x4,SUV

With Ford having bought the Rover name to protect their own Land Rover brand, SAIC - who bought the rights to the Rover models - have had to reconsider their plans to start producing the cars with the Rover badge.
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Tags: Kia,MPV

I find out how to do 57.6 mpg in a 4.7-metre long off-roader (with a little practice and some help from downhill gradients!). Read More...

Tags: Hybrids,Lexus,4x4

I remember my “hot hatchback” years with considerable fondness. In the mid 80s the car to have was the Peugeot 205 GTI and I was fortunate enough to be able to graduate from the 1.6-litre to the top performance 1.9-litre.
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Tags: Audi

Jaguar’s design team under Ian Callum faced a tough challenge in creating the new Jaguar XK Coupé and Cabriolet. To satisfy the traditionalists, the new model had to have the unmistakable looks of a ‘big cat’. But, at the same time, it was important for the future of the company it would appeal to a new, younger generation of buyers. Read More...

Tags: Jaguar,Coupe

Over the years I have been lucky enough to drive some exotic machinery. But I'm pretty sure that the most powerful car I have ever driven is my most recent test.
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Tags: BMW,Supercar