Reviews

Three months and 3,000 miles into our long term Honda HR-V test and the car is proving to be reassuringly predictable and practical. While these might not be the most exciting of virtues for a new car, they are fundamentally what most buyers seek especially in the small crossover sector. The most predictable aspect of our HR-V is its fuel ...

The arrival of the 124 Spider in showrooms is a boost for the UK dealer network, which can look forward to future sales of stylish convertibles that gains its inspiration from the past. Of yesteryear Fiat drop-tops the original 124 Spider, built between 1966 and 1980, was the most successful both in terms of sales and the perception of the ...

Honda’s back in the crossover market with the all-new HR-V after an absence of 10 years. This is good news for dealers who have been unable to compete in what has become the sweet spot of the new car market. Has the long wait between HR-V generations been worth it? Judging by our experience over the last two months we ...

The launch of the Kia Niro is a significant step in the brand’s bold pledge to cut 25% from average CO2 emissions across its range by 2020. Dealers have been selling the all-electric Soul EV supermini crossover since 2015 but the Niro will be their first opportunity to compete in the hybrid market. By the end of the decade Kia ...

For an American manufacturer, the lack of a large SUV in Ford’s UK range must have been something of an oversight. Its last foray into the segment was with the unloved Explorer, a car that couldn’t hope to compete with European competitors. Things have changed. With the “One Ford” rallying call meaning every model in every territory must be competitive, ...

The arrival in showrooms this month of  the fourth-generation Renault Megane is one of the brand’s most significant launches following its product and dealer cull back in 2012. After that low point Renault dealers are enjoying strong sales on the back of the latest Clio and all-new Captur and Kadjar crossovers. However, success in the C-segment is crucial to Renault’s ...

Honda dealers can be excused for holding their heads in their hands after the brand took the decision not to replace the original HR-V after it ceased production 10 years ago only to then see all its competitors launch vehicles into what has become the fastest growing new car sector. The original HR-V, launched in 1999, was a quirky looking ...

It’s been a long time coming but Seat finally has a presence in the fast growing SUV sector with the new Ateca, which will go head-to-head with the Nissan Qashqai, Renault Kadjar and its own sibling, the Volkswagen Tiguan. Built on the same platform that underpins the well-liked Seat Leon, the designers have managed to retain the sharp-edged styling of ...

The Avant version of Audi’s latest generation A4 entered showrooms at the beginning of the year to further strengthen the brand’s expanding line-up. The Avant treatment builds on the success of the saloon, winner of the What Car? 2016 Car of the Year honours, and with the added space, functionality and sleek looks presents an even more compelling proposition. There’s ...

Back in 2012 Motor Trader accompanied a small group of UK dealers to China to test drive a pre-production version of the MG3 hatchback and tour the factories operated by its Shanghai Automotive parent. The trip also included an unexpected sneak preview of a picture of the GS, the brand’s first ever compact SUV; a car every dealer said they ...