Volkswagen Passat Estate

It may look similar to the previous model, but the new Passat Estate is better to drive and more practical.   It may bear a striking similarity with the old car, but the eight-generation Passat Estate is totally new. The Volkswagen Passat is based on an enlarged version of the VW Group’s versatile MQB platform. This eighth-generation model is designed to be an upmarket family car, while the Estate has more space than ever. Lighter...

New Honda Civic Type R

New Honda Civic Type R is a serious hot hatchback that’s usable every day, but its looks won’t please everyone. The new Civic Type R is Honda’s latest salvo in the on-going hot hatchback war – and on first impression it certainly has what it takes to rival talented competitors such as the SEAT Leon Cupra and Renaultsport Megane. Some major changes have been made for the new hot Civic, the biggest being a turbocharged engine for more...

New BMW M135i 2015 facelift

The BMW M135i brings M car thrills to the hot hatch segment. Does it feel all the more desirable in 2015 facelift guise.   Due to the added kit and boost in power, the BMW M135i no longer falls below that magic £30k threshold. But even at just over £31,000, this three-door manual model still represents incredible value for money.   Back in 2012, BMW’s newly created M Performance division launched the M135i. The first foray...

Ford Mustang Convertible Ecoboost 2015

The Ford Mustang Convertible isn't brilliant in the bends, but it looks great and is decent value. Britain has waited for more than 50 years for a Ford Mustang to be sold here and later this year it’ll finally arrive. Also available as a retro Coupe, the elegant Convertible aims to grab a slice of the drop-top market we Brits love so much. While it goes up against premium convertibles like the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, it’s offers better...

Jaguar XE

Even as a prototype, the new Jaguar XE has the style, price, spec and driver appeal to be a real rival to the 3 Series and C-Class. The long-awaited Jaguar XE has a tough job on its hands, competing against some of the most efficient, hi-tech and driver-focussed compact executive cars in the world. And it delivers. It might not be quite as sharp as a BMW 3 Series to drive, but it’s pretty close and we prefer the slightly more relaxed, comfortable...

BMW 116d Efficient Dynamics

For most buyers, the standard 116d will offer everything they need. It emits 94g/km and returns 78.5mpg, and is ever-so-slightly faster to 62mph. The EfficientDynamics model costs £850 more, but for fleet customers, the money you’ll save on company car tax – and the added fuel economy gains – will be an attractive proposition. The BMW 1 Series accounts for around 20 per cent of all BMW sales – second only to the bigger 3 Series. A facelifted...

Volkswagen Scirocco

The VW Scirocco still delivers a strong combo of coupe-like style, space and ability, but is starting to feel its age.   Scirocco is a name blasted from Volkswagen's past to give its sporty coupe a bit of more by way of identity. Back in the 1970's the Giugiaro designed Scirocco featured a wedgy profile and, like the new one, was based on the Golf hatchback of its day. The revival began in 2008, when the rakish, muscular new Scirocco...

Ford Kuga

The Ford Kuga is a well built and capable mid-sized SUV that challenges the Mazda CX-5 for class honours. The Kuga is one of three SUVs offered from Ford. Occupying the space between the EcoSport and soon-to-be-introduced Edge, the Kuga is based on the same platform as the Focus hatchback and takes on the likes of the popular Nissan Qashqai, Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5. When the Kuga was mechanically updated at the back end of 2014, a...

Hyundai i20 Coupe

Three-door Hyundai i20 Coupe is good value and looks great. Despite the obvious associations with the i20 five-door, Hyundai wants us to think of this new i20 Coupe as a totally separate model. It’s aimed at an altogether younger audience, and with prices starting from less than £13,000 it looks extremely good value. Buyers get a choice of just two engines from launch – an 83bhp 1.2-litre petrol, or an 89bhp 1.4-litre diesel. Neither offers...