Nissan X-Trail v Land Rover Freelander 2 - Want to talk 4×4s? Then you can’t go far without mentioning Nissan. Its range extends from the Qashqai hatch to the hardcore Patrol, and all-wheel-drive cars make up 27 per cent of the brand’s sales. Read the rest of this entry »
Volvo V50 - Volvo V50 D5 SE Sport. Volvo mildly revised load lugger looks better, but does it load better?. The Swedish brand has revised its smallest estate range with the addition of two new engines. Alongside a fresh entry-level 2.0-litre petrol unit, there’s now the option of the potent D5 diesel powerplant for the first time. Read the rest of this entry »
MINI One - It’s stylish, fashionable and desirable, but few people would label the new MINI cheap. Go for the entry-level One, and the price tag looks more tempting – but without the Cooper badge and delicious details, is the basic British favourite still a winner? Read the rest of this entry »
Mitsuoka Orochi - Say hello to the Mitsuoka Orochi, Japan’s answer to the Ferrari. It looks as though it’s from another planet, but this outrageous supercar is Japan’s answer to Ferrari’s finest! If you want to really stand out from the crowd, nothing comes close to the Mitsuoka Orochi. Read the rest of this entry »
Renaultsport Megane - Renaultsport Megane dCi 175 - So, you can understand Renault’s reluctance to upset these customers – and as a result, it has taken years for the manufacturer to add the coveted badge to a car with diesel power. The 2.0-litre Mégane dCi changes all that – but the question is, will it be accepted into the Renaultsport elite? Read the rest of this entry »
Mazda CX-7 - Mazda’s CX-7 is a stylish soft-roader with sporting intentions. Does it deliver? The Japanese manufacturer is billing the CX-7 as a ‘sports crossover’ – so what exactly does that mean if you’re considering buying one? Read the rest of this entry »
Ford Mondeo - Ford’s entry-level Mondeo offers the same space, but does it have the billing of its flagship brothers? To scoop first place, the blue oval’s new family star went through rigorous testing both on the road and the track with a range of engines and trims. However, the models pictured in our New Car Honours had bells and whistles not everyone can afford. Read the rest of this entry »
BMW M3 - An incredibly accomplished driver’s machine, but its pace isn’t easy to tap into. Driving : The M3 packs the first-ever V8 in a full production M3. Peak torque arrives from 3,900rpm, which results in a wonderful gutsy surge of power throughout the rev range. Read the rest of this entry »
Chrysler 300C SRT-8 - Driving - The big Chrysler feels sporting the instant you fire its 6.1-litre HEMI. It burbles menacingly, hinting at vast power reserves, and is at its best when used hard; roaring, bellowing and providing startling acceleration given the car’s two-tonne kerbweight. Against the clock, the SRT-8 posted blistering times. A hesitant auto meant it was slow off the line, but it swept from 30-70mph in only 4.1 seconds, and to 100mph in less than 12 seconds. Read the rest of this entry »
Citroen C6 2.2 HDi - Introducing a cheaper 2.2-litre HDi engine makes sense, but the C6 is still hard to recommend. Read the rest of this entry »