Subaru Outback ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

What is it?

The Outback is Subaru's roughftie toughtie Legacy-based estate that offers buyers genuine off-road ability as it’s fitted with a permanent symmetrical four-wheel-drive system. 200 mm of ground clearance and beefy body mouldings ensure that rough terrain can be tackled with minimal fuss.

2013 sees a raft of revisions that go a lot deeper than the new headlights, bumpers and attractive gunmetal alloys that certainly give a much more appealing look to an otherwise average-looking estate car. As do the now body coloured cladding which are standard on the new SX trim level seen here.

Under the skin the biggest difference is the combination of Subaru's 148 bhp, 2.0 litre boxer diesel engine which for the first time is available with a Lineartronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) due to strong customer demand. Subaru say that the new pairing will account for up to 75% of Outback sales which is good news as the Outback is a very strong seller for Subaru globally.

Modifications to the suspension have also taken place which Subaru say provide a more stable ride, increased comfort and enhanced handling characteristics.

Kia Picanto City ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

What is it?

The Picanto is Kia's city car contender that takes on rivals from Volkswagen and Fiat as well as its Hyundai cousin the i10 amongst others. For the first time the Picanto is available as a more slick-looking 3 door.

Here we are testing the City version which is the latest of Kia's 'Originals' collection. It comes with a host of equipment to attract young city-dwellers along with reasonable running costs thanks to a small 1.0-litre petrol engine under the bonnet.

Citroen C3 Picasso ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

What is it?

The C3 Picasso is Citroen's smallest MPV rivalling the Ford B-MAX, Vauxhall Meriva and Nissan Note amongst others. As its name suggests it's based on the C3 supermini but is taller, a little longer but rides on the same wheelbase. Having been on sale since 2009 it has recently gone under the knife with minor revisions to the front bumper and inside there are new options such as Citroen's eMyWay sat nav system and full leather for the first time.

One aspect that sets the C3 Picasso apart from its peers is its styling. For a car with such a cube-like shape it looks fantastic. It’s the details that make it stand out such as the curved rear window, character line that sneaks down beneath the rear quarter window following the curve of the door handles and the high-set taillights with chrome surrounds. The new Ink Blue paint finish also looks classy as does the new re-profiled front bumper with LED DRLs and chrome grill with Citroen chevrons

What's it like inside?

Firstly for a car that isn't much bigger than a supermini there is ample space for small families and the clever rear seats recline, slide forward or backwards or can be folded completely flat very easily. The spacious 385-litre boot also has a false floor with two different positions ideal for hiding smaller items away underneath.The passenger seat can also fold flat if longer items need to be carried.

The cabin has plenty of neat storage areas dotted around and thanks to generous windows feels light and airy especially when opting for the full-length panoramic roof fitted to our test car.

Citroen's flair for design isn't only evident on the outside. The Picasso's interior has a seriously funky design with neat air vents that sprout out from the dash top, a whizzy looking central speedo that let's daylight shine through and weird recesses in the dash that are finished in textured snakeskin-like plastic. Trim quality is far from plush but it feels build to last and the mixture of gloss black and silver trim certainly helps lift the ambience and the layout is easy to navigate.

The only letdown is the crudely integrated sat nav screen that's almost positioned in front of the central dials making it look like an afterthought. It's also disappointing that there are three different displays on show with completely different graphics. The multifunction computer looks particularly dated and the information it shows could easily have been integrated into the eMyWay system as in other applications.

Is it cheap?

The range kicks off at a very agreeable £12,995 for a 1.4-litre petrol VTi which is a little sparsely equipped doing without essentials such as air conditioning but good deals should be easy to secure from Citroen's dealers.

The VTi comes with remote central locking, electric front windows and mirrors, a CD player with MP3 connectivity and a host of safety kit although ESP costs extra. It's worth noting that the C3 Picasso only managed a 4 star Euro NCAP crash rating which is some way behind rivals such as Ford's B-MAX.

The car you see here is a range topping Exclusive which comes fully loaded with items such as alloy wheels, climate control, a leather clad steering wheel, electric front and rear windows, cruise control, rear parking sensors, Bluetooth connectivity and automatic lights and wipers. It also gets family-friendly features such as rear sublinds and fold-down tray tables with a small spotlight so the kids can see what they are doing in the dark. It will set you back a pricey £17,865 though.

You also must be careful with the options list too as our car was fitted with a panoramic sun roof (£550), black leather interior (£955), metallic paint (£495), eMyWay navigation system with reversing camera (£750) and a black pack (£210) which includes larger 17" wheels and gloss black bumper inserts. These push the price up to an astonishing £20,825 - that's slightly more expensive than the larger C4 Picasso VTR+.

Running costs are wallet-friendly across the range. Our car's 115 bhp HDi diesel engine can return 61.4 mpg on a combined cycle and emits a very good 119 g/km of co2 resulting in an annual tax cost of only £30. During its week with us we achieved around 49 mpg which considering the amount of congestion we encountered was pretty remarkable.

Is it any good to drive?

As long as you value comfort above fun which admittedly most buyers will. The C3 Picasso has soft suspension that does a decent job of soaking up ruts and ridges and is very refined on the move. The large alloy wheels do sometimes let the side down especially when riding over sharper undulations so unless you really need them stick to the smaller 16 inchers.

There is little to get excited about in the handling department. The steering it very light which is ideal for around town but provides little feedback and the soft suspension dishes out lots of lean in corners and the body tends to lurch and wallow around quite a bit .

With 115 bhp under the bonnet the 1.6-litre HDi unit is punchy and although a little gruff at times settles down at higher speeds and delivers its power smoothly. Annoyingly the 6-speed manual gearbox is vague and notchy but its location high up on the centre console is ideal.

The commanding driving position gives a great view out helped by the massive windows that present no real blind spots at all which is rare a modern car. The tiny front windscreen pillars make the biggest difference giving unparalleled visibility.

The seats are pretty comfortable especially those in the back although the front ones are a little flat and lack side support so you do find yourself leaning a bit when cornering. The drivers armrest is a welcome addition though.

Tech Data

Price as tested: £20,825 (£17,865 excl options)
Engine: 1.6 16v 115 bhp - 0-62mph: 11.2 secs - Maximum Speed: 114 mph -
Economy: 51.4 mpg (urban) 70.6 mpg (extra-urban), 61.4 mpg (combined) Emissions: 119 g/km (Band C) - VED (12 months): £30
Dimensions: Length: 4,078 mm - Width: 1,766 mm - Height: 1,670 mm - Wheelbase: 2,540 mm
*data from Citroen UK

DriverVIBE Verdict

Despite its advancing years the C3 Picasso still looks as fresh as it ever did.

It may not be the fastest or best handling but it offers all of the attributes that small families demand including high levels of comfort, practicality, low running costs and a versatile cabin full of clever design touches.The fact that it looks so good inside out is an added bonus and makes it stand out from the crowd.

It isn’t perfect though. If you opt for the higher trim levels and delve into the options list the price can get a little silly. Some may also be a little disappointed with the interior quality and notchy gearbox but most will probably look past this and will see the C3 Picasso as the accomplished all-rounder that it is.

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob McSorley (info@DriverVIBE.co.uk).

Kia pro_cee'd GT ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos By Rob McSorley

So here it is. What Kia describes as the most eagerly anticipated new model in their entire history. As a trophy of their arrival as a mainstream manufacturer the pro_cee'd GT has been specifically designed for us Europeans who can't get enough of our potent hatches.

Kia however has chosen not to hold the GT up against the big-hitting players such as the VW Golf, Ford Focus ST and Renaultsport Megane. It makes a lot of sense as it's well down on power and Kia say a greater emphasis has been put on usability which it should be easier to live with day-to-day

With a starting price of just £19,995 this pro_cee'd GT is seriously cheap and still comes with Kia's very attractive seven year warranty. It should represent an interesting ownership proposition so we got our hands on an early example to see if it's any good.

The three door pro_cee'd is great starting point as it's certainly a looker. The GT adds the usual sporty touches such as 18 inch alloy wheels, extended side skirts, a tailgate spoiler, twin exhausts and more butch bumpers front and rear. There's also gloss-black honeycomb grills at the front and a saucy red pinstripe on the lower edge of the bumper. Menacing looking 'ice-cube' LED DRLs complete the look. It gels together brilliantly with oodles of road presence and is arguably more eye-catching than its stablemates.

The cabin has also been spiced up with the GT treatment. There's red stitching everywhere and figure-hugging Recaro sports seats clad in leather and faux-suede which grip you in all the right places. Red GT emblems on the steering wheel, floor mats, seat faces and kickplates as well as alloy pedals to help remind you that your are in something a little special.

The rest of the design is the same as other cee'ds so has plenty of stylish piano black trim with a driver-focused layout bringing all of the controls within easy reach. Its constructed using plush materials throughout and the black headlining and low roofline make for an appealingly cocooned feeling from inside. The dials are also very cool; the central dial is an LCD TFT screen which has two different displays that change by hitting a button labelled 'GT' on the steering wheel. When you do a digital speedometer is displayed with turbo boost and torque metres either side.

Cabin space is as before so there’s plenty of room for four adults and access to the rear is easy thanks to very long, wide opening doors. The boot too isn’t much smaller than the more practical 5-door cee’ds. The rear is however a little dark because of the small windows.

Under the bonnet Kia has fitted the GT with a 1.6-litre direct-injection petrol engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger; similar to the unit found in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. It produces 201 bhp and 195 lb ft of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. Shorter gearing sees it reach 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and tops out at 143 mph.

To cope with the additional power the pro_cee’d has lowered suspension with stiffer springs and dampers, a thicker rear anti-roll bar and larger brakes. Its alloy wheels are also shod with sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 3 Tyres. Furthermore the steering has been completely retuned and gone is Kia’s Flex Steer system in favour of a single, weightier setup.

From the moment you set off the chassis’ new found stiffness if evident but the ride is still well damped and deals with bumps very well. Even when it does encounter a deep rut it remains composed. 

Throw the pro_cee’d into a corner and there is very little lean and bags of grip and the chassis remains neutral although it isn’t quite as agile as it could be. The steering is meaty but doesn’t feel very natural as its weighting is inconsistent and although accurate doesn’t give the driver much in the way of feedback. The brakes are responsive but can suffer from fade when really worked hard. 

The GT may be down on power compared to rivals from Ford and VW but it is far from slow. Its short gearing makes it feel much quicker than the figures suggest and once the turbo kicks in all hell breaks loose. You are instantly shoved back in your seat as you hurtle forward and the power keeps coming; it’s seriously addictive. 

Occasionally however it struggles for traction when the turbo fires up mid-corner spinning the inside tyre or both. You have to be very careful in the wet. The only minor annoyance is the engines slightly strained soundtrack and only gets worse the more you work it.

When you aren’t ringing its neck the pro_cee’d GT is pretty refined. The engine remains quiet and the composed ride makes it ideal for longer journeys. Tyre and road noise levels are also impressively low which means the GT is a great day-to-day motor.

Unfortunately running costs are a little more expensive than its rivals despite the power deficit. Kia quote 38.2 mpg combined but you would need to drive the pro_cee’d GT like a nun to achieve anywhere near that. During our week we managed 28 mpg which is probably more realistic. Emissions are also slightly higher than the VW Golf churning out 171 g/km of CO2 placing the GT in VED band H. 

Kicking off at just £19,995 for the cheapest pro_cee’d GT represents superb value for money. That’s around £6,000 cheaper than a Golf GTi and nearer in price to the Peugeot 208 GTi which is much smaller. It’s isn’t short of kit either. Automatic headlights, air-conditioning, cruise control, reversing sensors, Bluetooth, electrically folding/heated door mirrors and part-leather trim all comes as standard. 

Tech Data

Price as tested: £19,995
Engine: 1.6 16v 201 bhp - 0-60mph: 7.4 secs - Maximum Speed: 143 mph -
Economy: 29.1 mpg (urban) 46.3 mpg (extra-urban), 38.2 mpg (combined) - Emissions: 171 g/km (Band H) - VED (12 months): £195
Dimensions: Length: 4,310 mm - Width: 1,780 mm - Height: 1,425 mm - Wheelbase: 2,650 mm
*data from Kia UK

DriverVIBE Verdict

If 10 years ago Kia announced the arrival of a potent hatchback we would all have laughed. Today however things are very different. Kia has taken a great risk with the GT but it seems to have paid off. 

It’s quick, looks fantastic inside and out, comfortable, comes with plenty of kit and is seriously cheap. When you factor in Kia’s seven year warranty the pro_cee’d GT starts to make a lot of sense. 

It may lack the outright pace and handling prowess of its rivals and cost a little more to run but it is still hugely fun and easy to live with day-to-day. Having already been impressed by the standard pro_cee’d the GT is better in every way and has exceeded our expectations.

It also bodes well for future GT models that Kia has hinted could be on the horizon along with an even hotter version of the pro_cee’d. There will also be a GT version of the five door cee’d next year for those who need the additional practicality.

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob McSorley (info@DriverVIBE.com).

Citroen C4 Picasso ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

If you have a family to cart around including all of their clobber MPVs make an ideal choice. With hugely practical interiors full of innovative storage solutions, different seating permutations and high levels of comfort your precious cargo couldn't be in better hands.

Citroen has been in the MPV game for quite a few years now with their aptly named Picasso models and now there is a new one. Here we review the new second generation C4 Picasso five-seat MPV that’s the first PSA Peugeot Citroen model to sit an all-new platform dubbed EMP2. 

At a cost of £630 million the modular platform will eventually underpin the entire Peugeot and Citroen ranges as well as future GM models due to a recent tie-up. Constructed using the latest manufacturing techniques and high strength composite materials it weighs a lot less than before and is said to bring new levels of comfort and driving dynamics. It is also more space efficient

As a result this new C4 Picasso is smaller than the old car but bigger on the inside, has much sharper styling and packs plenty of modern technology. But how good is it? We find out.

Suzuki Alto ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Leo Kimitri

In a decade of never ending belt tightening, budget cars are in – as seen in Skoda’s astronomical rise in popularity. However, with Skoda moving ever more upmarket, other companies have taken on the baton of providing the most bang for your buck and reintroducing the £6,000 new car into Britain.

Dacia’s Sandero may have stolen the limelight as the UK’s cheapest car, but when Suzuki’s VAT free offer’s in town you can pick up the most basic version of Suzuki’s Alto for just £4 more. Unlike the Sandero, the £5,999 Alto doesn’t scream blatant cost cutting with luxuries Sandero Access owners can only dream of, such as painted bumpers, hubcaps, a radio with two speakers, front electric windows and most decadent of all, a choice of colours.

Though the cheapest Sandero is a large car for the money, even the most basic equipment has been stripped out, making it easy to see the Sandero’s £5,995 headline price as nothing more than a marketing ploy to get buyers into Dacia showrooms – before persuading them to part with much more cash for a higher spec model. It really is hard to imagine many people paying six grand just for the new car smell considering the Sandero’s minimal equipment tally…

In contrast Suzuki’s Alto secures its low price with its small size and simplicity and no doubt the fact that Suzuki sells hundreds of thousands of Altos in India. But how does it fare on UK roads?

Suzuki has a reputation for producing uncomplicated, bulletproof small cars and the Alto is no different. Fire up the engine and the tiny 1.0-litre three cylinder motor splutters into life with a fizzy enthusiasm. The gearstick slots between gears smoothly with little slack and even as you pull off the car feels light and the engine eager.

Another thing that you notice is that all the controls are a little heavier than you might expect from a city car, especially compared to newer rivals; if you want to put the least amount of effort possible into driving, you’ll find lighter steering and clutches in many other small cars. However, the flipside is that Alto gives lots of feedback through the steering wheel and a reasonable sense of how much grip the front tyres have.

Less impressive is the drab interior which features a very basic, plastic-heavy dashboard, shapeless seats and several buttons which become hard to read when the sun is shining on them thanks to grey text on a silver background. The dials however are extremely clear with a very simple, large speedometer dominating. Surprisingly however visibility isn’t great for a city car, with hefty rear pillars and small wing mirrors making the car feel more unwieldy than it should do on narrow urban streets.

Space upfront is reasonable, however the rear seats betray the car’s small dimensions – average height passengers will fit, but taller adults may struggle to get comfortable. The front seats don’t adjust for height either, so particularly short or tall drivers may find it hard to get the seat into a comfortable position. The boot is also comically small with an inconveniently tight opening and high lip, which makes it tricky to load heavier items.

Driving around town the engine feels responsive and performs well for a 1.0-litre motor, in part down to the Alto’s small footprint and light weight, though the engine requires revving to make the most of its performance and tackle inclines and it produces a charismatic three cylinder thrum in the process. The noise is not unpleasant, but is more intrusive than in some, admittedly more pricey rivals. 

The gutsy engine means that the Alto can maintain motorway speeds quite easily, picking up well from 70mph. At these speeds the car is surprisingly refined with the engine barely audible and only slightly high wind noise adding to the volume inside. Rough tarmac does throw up a lot of road noise though.

What is more of an issue, are the weak brakes. Brake hard on an A road and there is the very real possibility of locking the narrow wheels, which considering the Alto’s underwhelming NCAP 3* safety rating is a slight worry, especially for parents who might consider the Alto as new (read “safe”) wheels for their 17 year olds.

Another concern is that the ride is quite firm and allied to the car’s short wheelbase this seems to exaggerate any bumps in the road, meaning that the Alto can quickly become tiring to drive over scarred tarmac. The Alto does however, grip well around bends despite its skinny tyres, though flat seats and body roll discourage overly enthusiastic driving.

Other things that might become irritating are the lack of air conditioning, which can make for uncomfortable summer journeys and the absence of a pollen filter. Park under trees and the car will fire leaves and seeds through the vents when you fire the car up – considering how cheap a pollen filter must be, this feels like a false economy. 

Tech Data

Price as tested: £5,999
Engine: 1.0 12v 66 bhp - 0-60 mph: 13.5 secs - Maximum Speed: 96 mph -
Economy: 54.3 mpg (urban) 74.3 mpg (extra-urban), 65.7 mpg (combined) - Emissions: 99 g/km (Band A) - VED (12 months): £0
Dimensions: Length: 3500 mm - Width: 1600 mm - Height: 1470 mm - Wheelbase: 2360 mm
*data from Suzuki UK

DriverVIBE Verdict

Unlike Dacia’s Sandero, the Alto feels like a small, basic car, rather than a larger car which has had bits ripped off. It is perfectly competent around town and performs surprisingly well on faster roads, however it does have a number of downsides – though nothing you couldn't forgive considering the bargain price tag. However, many people will be better served by a larger used car. But, for those drivers who just want the cheapest, smallest car for pootling around town then the Alto could fit the bill.

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob McSorley (info@DriverVIBE.com).

Peugeot 208 XY ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

With Peugeot's aspirations to push themselves upmarket out in the open the first model to be launched with this idea in mind is the new 208 XY. Intended to rival cars such as the MINI and its DS3 cousin the XY is aimed at the more fashion conscious among us - Peugeot say the XY is ‘designed to be the epitome of urban chic’.

It sits towards the top of the 208 range, just below the sporty GTi and promises to be the most luxurious supermini the brand has ever produced. We got our hands on an XY fitted with Peugeot's 1.6-litre 115 bhp HDi engine to see what it has to offer.

Luxurious cars have to be well kitted and the XY certainly delivers. There isn’t a huge amount it doesn’t have. Highlights include the seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system, DAB digital radio and sat-nav, special 17-inch alloy wheels, panoramic glass sunroof, automatic lights and wipers, ear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control.

To distinguish the XY from lesser 208s are completely unique paint finishes, purple badging, alloy wheels, headlight graphics, a slatted grill and chrome everywhere. It also borrows its wheel arch extensions and skirts with the GTi. It comes together well looking plush and sporty even in the girly Purple Night finish of our car.

The cabin has been given an upmarket spruce-up with plenty of silver, high-gloss plastics dotted around and great looking machined aluminium dials with purple digits. The leather seats with purple stitching are deeply bucketed are as comfortable as they look. The small steering wheel with high-set dials are pretty unique but we like them a lot. The materials used are also of good quality bar the tops of the door panels which are scratchy.

Cabin space is very competitive with plenty of room in the front and decent room for two in the rear although getting in isn't the easiest. The boot too is a good size and shape. The panoramic roof floods the 208s cabin with light and makes it feel larger than it is.

On the road the XY is a halfway-house between the standard 208 and the GTi as it shares its wider tracks with the latter but rides on standard springs and dampers. It means that you still get a composed and comfortable ride but in corners it's much more stable and planted. It has a pretty good chassis which turns in keenly and grips well but the steering is over assisted and lacks a little feel. 

Fitted with Peugeot's proven 1.6-litre HDi diesel unit you get a slick shifting 6-speed box rather than the horrible 5-speeder in the lower output 92 bhp variant. With 115 bhp and 199 lb ft of torque on offer from 1,750 rpm this 208 will scamper to 62 mph in a swift 9.7 seconds. It's a tad grumbly at times and a little docile at lower revs but once the turbo is awake it has plenty of power. 

Thanks to standard fit cruise control and low levels of wind and tyre noise the XY is great for tackling long motorway jaunts. Economy is very good returning a claimed 74.3 mpg on a combined cycle. We managed 63 mpg which is still pretty good. With low emissions of just 99 g/km buyer won't pay road tax or congestion charges thanks in part to an unobtrusive stop-start system.

Tech Data

Price as tested: £18,045
Engine: 1.6 litre 8v 115 bhp - 0-60 mph: 9.7 secs - Maximum Speed: 118 mph -
Economy: 61.4 mpg (urban) –83.1 mpg (extra-urban), 74.3 mpg (combined) - Emissions: 99 g/km (Band A) - VED (12 months): £0
Dimensions: Length: 3,962 mm - Width: 2,004 mm - Height: 1,460 mm - Wheelbase: 2,538 mm
*data from Peugeot UK

DriverVIBE Verdict

Adding an ultra-plush version of the 208 range makes perfect sense and provides Peugeot with a model to take on rivals from MINI, Audi and Citroen.

The standard 208 is a great place to start and the XY only improves on its strong talents. It looks great, drives well, is economical and comes loaded with equipment. It should appeal to those who want something a little special but perhaps can't stretch to a GTi which costs more to run and insure.

The only problem the XV has is that for the same money you can get yourself an Audi A1 or MINI which have the premium badge that so many people crave. The latter is also better to drive. Still the XY is a great alternative and is available with a range of different engine options to suit all tastes.

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob McSorley (info@DriverVIBE.com).

Chevrolet Captiva ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

The Captiva was the very first mainstream model launched by Chevrolet that wasn't simply a rebadged Korean Daewoo. It has since been followed by an entire range of General Motors related cars that really bolstered the credibility of Chevrolet in the UK. To keep the Captiva looking its best it has recently benefited from a series of minor revisions so we thought we would see what it has to offer.

With probably one of the biggest grills you will see on a European car the Captiva certainly has plenty of road presence aided by its generous dimensions. New for 2013 are revised front and rear bumpers, squarer twin exhausts and smart full LED rear lights replacing the tacky looking clear lense items that went before. 

In a world where manufacturers are constantly pushing the boundaries of interior quality the Captiva is pretty old hat. The trim feels cheap and doesn't look particularly appealing with smatterings of cheap-looking silver trim all over the place. The design too is showing its age with a steering wheel that appears to have been lifted straight out of a truck and the pixelated stereo display harks back to the era of Pac-Man.

Thankfully Chevrolet's obsession with handy storage compartments is evident - there are loads including a clever hidden compartment under the centre cupholders. The cabin is very spacious with our car boasting two additional seats in the cavernous boot that offer a little more room than a lot of other Captiva-sized cars. It's also a very comfortable place to be with a commanding view of the road and plenty of seat and wheel adjustment for the driver.

Our mid-level LT comes well equipped boasting alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, cruise control, front and rear electric windows, rear parking sensors, half leather seats, automatic lights and wipers and a USB and Bluetooth compatible DAB stereo. At £28,925 it is hardly cheap but it's certainly a lot of metal for the money and who pays list price for a Chevy anyway?

Propulsion comes from a 2.2 litre 16v 181 bhp diesel unit with 400 Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm. Having to lug around nearly 1,900kg means that performance is adequate taking 10.6 seconds to reach 60 mph topping out at 118 mph.

Engine refinement is respectable and the delivery of power is smooth with good mid-range muscle ideal for overtaking and climbing inclines. Our cars 6-speed auto box changes cogs pretty seamlessly but it is slow to kickdown and those changes are far from quick. 

The driving experience is pretty good as long as you aren't in a hurry. The Captiva rides comfortably and quietly only coming unstuck on really decayed surfaces and passengers are well insulated from external noises. The steering is also nice and light.

However keener drivers probably won't be drawn to the Captiva. When pushed it rolls excessively in bends and the steering is devoid of any feel amplified by the huge wheel itself. On sweeping country roads it also wallows around quite a bit and the chassis tends to run out of grip more quickly than you would usually expect of a four-wheel drive. Still when the weather turns ugly having all-wheel drive will be very worthwhile.

Running costs are another area that will make you wince with emissions of 208 g/km which results in an annual VED cost of £270 (Band K). It's worth noting that first year VED will set you back an eye-watering £600. Economy is also lacking, we only managed 27 mpg on a combined cycle which means frequent fill ups despite the large fuel tank.

Tech Data

Price as tested: £28,925
Engine: 2.2 litre 16v 181 bhp - 0-60 mph: 10.6 secs - Maximum Speed: 118 mph -
Economy: 27.1 mpg (urban) –43.4 mpg (extra-urban), 35.7 mpg (combined) - Emissions: 208 g/km (Band K) - VED (12 months): £270
Dimensions: Length: 4,673 mm - Width: 1,849 mm - Height: 1,756 mm - Wheelbase: 2707 mm
*data from Chevrolet UK

DriverVIBE Verdict

The Chevrolet Captiva isn't fast, economical or particularly plush inside. It’s also showing its age in a number of areas. But what is does offer is excellent levels of comfort, refinement, space and good kit levels. When driven in a relaxed manner - which suits its character - the Captiva makes a superb alternative to similarly priced rivals from Hyundai and Kia and is certain to prove dependable. The in-your-face styling also holds plenty of appeal.

All photographs and text are the exclusive property of Rob McSorley (except where stated otherwise). They are made available for your personal viewing enjoyment only. No images are within the Public Domain. The photographs may not be copied, reproduced, redistributed, manipulated, projected, used or altered in any way without the prior permission of Rob McSorley (info@DriverVIBE.co.uk).

Suzuki Swift 4x4 ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

So you are looking for a motor with added traction for those slippy rural tracks and icy British winters but you don’t want a big car and the associated running costs. What do you buy? 

You could pip for one of the many crossovers that are available with four driven wheels which would probably make perfect sense. But if your budget won’t stretch towards £18,000 there is only one option - Fiat’s dinky Panda 4x4. 

Well now there is another contender. Suzuki has very recently refreshed the Swift and have added a 4x4 version to the range. Suzuki has offered a four-wheel-drive Swift for quite a few years in other markets but now it’s available in the UK. We managed to get our hands on one of the very first to see how good it is.

Visually the changes to the popular Swift supermini are pretty hard to spot. There’s a reprofiled front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights, a revised grill, new wheel designs and turn signals integrated into the wing mirrors on the top SZ5. It's no bad thing that the changes are minimal as the Swift still looks fresh with its massive front lights, floating roof and pert little rump.

The 4x4 version is differentiated from the rest of the range with a ride height increase of 25mm, black wheel arch and sill extensions and metallic skid plates front and rear. They are made of plastic though so are for show only.

Inside there are new seat fabrics but you would be hard pressed to notice them. The rest of the interior is the same as before so is well laid out, easy to navigate and is reasonably appealing but a little sombre - if acres of black trim is your thing you will love it. The trim looks better than it feels with an abundance of thin, hard plastics throughout.

At least the cabin is pretty spacious in the front with lots of headroom and rear passengers don’t fare too badly. For such a small car the seats are nice and large and very supportive and comfortable. The boot though is quite a bit smaller than a Fiesta at 211 litres and has a very high lip.

The 4x4 is available only in SZ3 and SZ4 trims - our car is the latter. It comes very well equipped with cruise control, electric windows front and rear, keyless entry, 16 inch alloy wheels, digital climate control and 7 airbags. Suzuki currently has a VAT-free deal on the Swift range - excluding the Sport - which makes this model yours for just £13,165 - usually £15,739. It’s certainly a lot of car for the money.

There is only one engine to choose from which is a 1.2-litre, 4 cylinder petrol unit serving up 92 bhp. With only 87 lb ft of torque at 4,800 rpm you really need to work the engine hard to make any sort of progress. 0-60 mph takes a leisurely 13.4 seconds and it feels it. The extra running gear on the rear axle weighs 65 kg so is partly to blame. The engine is however smooth and reasonably refined.

The rest of the driving experience isn't much different from other Swifts. The steering is light but sharp and offers plenty of feel. The 5-speed gearbox also has a precise action and well spaced ratios. Despite the extra ground clearance it still handles brilliantly with surprisingly little lean, excellent agility and absolutely oodles of grip. It also rides very well cushioning occupants beautifully from poorly surface roads.

The Swift’s four-wheel-drive system is pretty simple consisting of a viscous coupling and does without any selectable settings for different conditions. It means that the 4x4 is ideal for muddy country lanes and snowy conditions but little more. Despite the additional ground clearance the rear running gear hangs low under the car limiting the Swift’s off-road ability.

The penalty for the additional traction is smaller than we expected. Emissions are up by 10 g/km to 126 g/km and fuel economy down by 5.2 mpg to 51.3 mpg combined. We managed 45 mpg over a range of different conditions which is pretty good. Furthermore VED only costs £105 per year which is hardly a big price to pay.

Tech Data

Price as tested: 13,116
Engine: 1.2 litre 16v 92 bhp - 0-62 mph: 13.4 secs - Maximum Speed: 103 mph
Economy: 43.4 mpg (urban) –57.6 mpg (extra-urban), 51.3 mpg (combined) - Emissions: 126 g/km (Band D) - VED (12 months): £105
Dimensions: Length: 3,850 mm - Width: 1,695 mm - Height: 1,535 mm - Wheelbase: 2430 mm
*data from Suzuki UK

DriverVIBE Verdict

By adding a 4x4 variant to the UK Swift range Suzuki instantly has a rival to Fiat’s Panda 4x4.

The Swift 4x4 drives brilliantly, has a decent interior and comes with plenty of standard equipment - especially in SZ5 trim. There are also good levels of space for passengers. With running costs only marginally higher than the two-wheel-drive variant the penalty for the vastly improved traction in slippery conditions is well worth it.

It’s only let down by a small boot, breathless petrol engine and a cabin that is a little on the cheap side. However the latter is easily forgiven as the Swift 4x4 represents superb value-for-money costing just over £11,000 for the mid-spec SZ3.

Crucially the Swift 4x4 is cheaper, better equipped and nicer to drive than the Panda 4x4 so is definitely worth considering.

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