REVIEW: Volkswagen Golf GTE PHEV

Like a hybrid GTE that will go 80 miles on electric power alone!

The 2024 Volkswagen Golf GTE is a plug-in hybrid that’s as much about efficiency as it is about delivering a fun drive. Think of it as a Golf GTI, that’s actually a hybrid, and that can drive over 80 miles on electric power alone! Finished in a pastel egg-shell (or Crystal Ice if you’re being official) Blue, this GTE looks the part with subtle blue accents on the grille and badging, setting it apart from its petrol-powered siblings. But is it just another Golf with a plug, or does it bring something special to the table? Let’s take it for a spin and find out.

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25/11/2024 0

Review: 2025 MG ZS Hybrid+

A Great Affordable and Fun SUV – But No EV?!

This is the all-new second-generation MG ZS, tested here in Hybrid+ form in the top-of-the-range Trophy spec. Slightly bigger, with more features, and prices only up by around £1,000, it remains a competitive B-segment SUV.

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24/09/2024 1

2024 BYD Seal Design RWD Quick Drive Review

Do you really need the all-wheel drive Seal?

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting BYD’s new UK headquarters in Uxbridge, where I got up close and personal with their latest models. Among the range was the BYD Seal, which I’d previously reviewed in its all-wheel-drive (AWD) form. This time, though, I had the chance to take the rear-wheel-drive (RWD) version for a spin. Is the RWD variant just as good, or does the AWD offer something more? Let’s dive in and find out.

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18/08/2024 0

Review: Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range RWD Ultra

A Compact Electric SUV that likes to do things differently

The Volvo EX30 is the baby SUV in the Swedish brand’s electric SUV lineup, and it’s making quite a statement. Billed as a compact crossover, it offers a blend of stylish design, advanced technology, and the kind of practicality we’ve come to expect from Volvo. Plus of course, solid quality and assured safety. But with a starting price of £33,795, can it really deliver on all fronts? I got behind the wheel of the Single Motor Extended Range RWD Ultra, priced at £42,045, to find out.

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12/08/2024 0

Review: 2025 MG HS Petrol & PHEV Driven

Hugely popular and importance SUV for MG just got bigger and better?

MG is truly on a roll, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and marking it with the launch of several new cars, including their UK best-seller, the all-new 2025 MG HS. With over 57,000 units sold in the UK alone, the MG HS is now the eighth best-selling car in the country this year. This isn’t just a facelift; it’s a full-blown second-generation model based closely on the Chinese third-gen Roewe RX5 introduced in 2022.

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03/08/2024 4

2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line Review

A Fresh Facelift for an Urban Favourite

In the world of city cars, the Kia Picanto has long been a favourite for its practicality, reliability, and value for money. The 2024 Kia Picanto GT-Line brings a fresh facelift to this third-generation model – and marks 20 years of the Picanto nameplate.

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30/07/2024 0

2024 Volkswagen Golf GTI Review

Last of the Hot Hatches?

Remember the days of the hot hatch battles, where every manufacturer from Ford to Peugeot and Honda would vie for the crown with the standard-bearing Volkswagen Golf GTI? Frankly, they appear to be over. And the VW has emerged victorious by dint of being the last man standing.

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29/05/2024 1

Review: 2024 Volkswagen Passat Estate

Does Default Estate Herald a Comeback?

In the past whenever a family was in need of a vehicle that could carry them and all their ‘stuff’ or which could double as a business vehicle, or if you had dogs, then you’d get yourself an estate car, or a station wagon as it’s known across the pond.

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28/05/2024 1

2024 Suzuki Swift Review

A Modern Marvel with an Old-School Soul

The all-new 2024 Suzuki Swift is a rarity in the new car market. It’s compact, it’s not electric, it’s relatively affordable and it is offered with three pedals, a manual gearshift and a mechanical ratchet handbrake!

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18/05/2024 1

2024 Volkswagen Tiguan Review

All-new platform has improved one of Europe’s favourite SUVs

It’s one of Volkswagen’s global best-sellers and a favourite SUV for Europe. This is the new 2024 Tiguan, arriving on a new platform with a fresh blend of style, functionality, and performance, solidifying its position as a top contender in the market. There’s revised family face, spacious interior, ID-range inspired controls, advanced technology, and a refined driving experience.

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03/05/2024 0