Independent Reviews of New and Used Cars

"A bright light blue small Volvo SUV with white wheels and a white roof designed to replicate the look of a science fiction transformer robot. Really?"

Jonathan Crouch finds in ŠKODA's improved Kodiaq vRS all the car he might ever need....

This improved version of the fifth generation SEAT Ibiza supermini offers small car buyers a smarter set of more media-savvy talents. It'll need them if it's to distance itself from its Volkswagen and ŠKODA design stablemates and continue as a credible alternative in this tightly fought segment. There aren't many exterior changes to this revised version of the MK5 model, but you might spot the now-standard full-LED headlights and the revised alloy wheel designs.It's still a five-door-only design with short front and rear overhangs and at the front of the car, triangular full-LED headlights dominate. Inside, the update changes are a little easier to spot, with a new floating central infotainment system with bigger screen sizes - either 8.25 or 9.2-inches, depending on spec. Top variants now get a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit instrument binnacle screen too. The car's MQB A0 platform allows for a longer-than-average wheelbase, which translates into decent rear seat space and a decently-sized 355-litre boot. SEAT has had a good look at the engine range. It's nearly all petrol-powered, things kicking off with the old 80PS 1.0 MPI unit at the foot of the range. Try your hardest to ignore this aging unit and graduate instead to the far-preferrable (and more economic) 1.0-litre TSI three-cylinder turbo powerplant which produces either 95 or 110PS.

BMW is leaving no stone un-turned in its efforts to fill every possible premium market automotive niche with desirable products. Here's another one - an improved take on the second generation version of the company's fashionable X4. Jonathan Crouch reports.

The GR Yaris hot hatch shows Toyota's extreme side. Jonathan Crouch takes a look...