Kia Rio CRDi ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

It’s no secret that the supermini class is not only brimming with talented offerings from a range of manufacturers but it is also one of the hardest fought sectors. Kia’s previous Rio failed to make much of an impact as it was woefully dull to look at and drive but the all-new Rio promises to be a true contender. Key to the Rios success is not only its more appealing design but its headline-grabbing economy. The smallest 1.1 CRDi engine claims to offer 88.3 mpg on a combined cycle. Read on to find out if the Kia Rio is as good as the figures suggest and whether it can now be considered a viable alternative to the current class leaders the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.

Peugeot 208 HDi ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

We have already been impressed with Peugeot's little 208 in various petrol guises but now we get to see how it fares with diesel power under the bonnet. Here we try the smaller of the two diesel units on offer the 1.4 litre HDi in Active trim which sits near the bottom of the range. Offering penny pinching economy and free road tax we find out how the 208 fairs and whether it can rival the very best in the class.

Kia Sorento ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

At first glance this 'new' Sorento may appear to be a mildly revised version of the outstanding car but actually Kia state that it only shares its roof, doors, bonnet and windscreen with the old model. So where have all of the changes been made? Well there are changes to the exterior but most are under the skin as this Sorento actually sits on an all-new platform shared with its Sante Fe cousin. When we sample the previous generation last year we found it to be hugely practical and rugged if a little dull and cumbersome to drive. The new model promises to change this, read on to find it if it succeeds.

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack ON THE ROAD

Review & Photographs by Rob McSorley

The Volkswagen Passat is one of those cars that is often the default choice for both private and fleet buyers who want a no-nonsense family car offering plenty of space and refinement. But what about those who like the reassurance of all-wheel-drive for driving in trickier conditions? Volkswagen is widening the appeal of the Passat Estate with this, the new Alltrack. It comes with permanent four wheel drive, raised suspension and beefy body mouldings and rivals the likes of the Audi A4 AllRoad and Volvo XC70 by offering similar levels of space and kit. Its trump card however is its price which undercuts both rivals by over £5,000 kicking off at £28,580. We find out if its a credible rival.

Kia Cee'd Sportswagon ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

Having already been impressed by Kia's second generation Cee'd when we tested the hatch in September last year the brand are building on its success with this, the new Sportswagon. Aimed at small families who need a little extra space in the luggage department this new addition to the Cee'd family offers subtle good looks and plenty of additional space in the boot. When we tested a fully loaded 'Tech 4' hatch we felt that although it came loaded with standard equipment it was a little too pricey and were convinced lower trim levels would shine more brightly. So here we are testing the most basic trim level logically named '1' to see how it compares.

Citroen DS3 ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

At launch Citroen's DS3 had a lot to live up to spearheading the launch of the brands new premium DS range which promised to offer buyers a previously unseen level of premium luxury missing from the companies mainstream models. Entering the hotly contested premium hatch market dominated by the hugely successful MINI and Fiat 500 the DS3 had to be very good to succeed. Since then there have been further additions to the class from Audi and Vauxhall so we hit the road in a top spec DSport equipped with PSA's peppy 1.6 THP petrol engine to find out if it still has what it takes to compete.

Chevrolet Volt ON THE ROAD

Review by Rob McSorley

Photos by Mat Brooks

Due to skyrocketing fuel prices more than ever buyers are seeking more fuel efficient cars. The market is saturated with hybrid and EVs that all come with big claims. General Motors have been a little slower to react to the sea of change but this is about to change, now they have their very own Eco warrior the aptly named Chevrolet Volt, sister to the Vauxhall Ampera. Different from everything else on the market the Volt is a range-extender and is claimed to offer a staggering 235.4 miles per gallon, but is it any good? Read on to find out.

Isuzu D-Max ON THE ROAD

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

Isuzu have been making dependable rugged trucks for as long as I can remember and their latest offering promises to be better than ever before. It has more cabin space, better economy, a larger bed and an improved driving experience. We find out how good the D-Max is and whether it is a viable option for day-to-day family life.

TWINTEST Mitsubishi Outlander vs Subaru Forester

Review & Photos by Rob McSorley

Subaru’s Forester and Mitsubishi’s Outlander couldn't be more different yet their purpose is exactly the same. If you need to transport a family of five in comfort with enough space for luggage and live in a rural location or occasionally do a little offroading then both of these offerings could be for you. The question is which one is the better car. Read on to find out.

Mazda 6 BRIEF ENCOUNTER

Review & Photos by Leo Kimitri

What you’re looking at is “The most important car Mazda has ever made”, according to the company itself. 

Mazda might have been selling cars in Europe since the ‘60s, but despite a few cult models, many car buyers wouldn’t even consider stopping at their local Mazda dealer.

Mazda hopes to change that with its new 6 though, which it’s billing as a premium product, one rung above popular models such as the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia. Ambitiously targeted against high end models like BMW’s 3 Series and Audi’s A4, the new 6 is a sharp looking machine. This 6’s concept car curves alone should whet the appetite of many prospective buyers. But does the car have the talent to back up the looks?