Independent Reviews of New and Used Cars

Image is everything when it comes to premium mid-sized SUVs and on that basis, this improved MK1 GLC proved to be a very desirable package. In terms of styling, technology and efficiency, it borrows hugely from other Mercedes models - to very good effect. Of course, this car’s two closest arch-rivals, the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 have strong followings. And beyond those cars, there are trendier-looking options from the 2019-2022 period - a Range Rover Evoque or an Alfa Romeo Stelvio for instance. Others may want the seven-seat capacity of a comparable Land Rover Discovery Sport. As an all-rounder though, combining many of the qualities you’ll find in all of those cars, the GLC remains a tempting package. A segment benchmark? You’d have to say so.

Honda’s eleventh generation Civic family hatch embraces full-Hybrid tech. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

The Arona, says SEAT, is designed for ‘drivers looking for a sense of excitement, distinction and functionality. People who know that age is just a number, not an outlook on life.’ In other words, the people who’ve been busily buying Nissan Jukes and Renault Capturs in considerable numbers over the last five years. The Spanish maker wants in on this lucrative market and the improved version of this little Crossover looks to have everything necessary to entitle them to a useful slice of sales in this segment. The potential for personalisation will be key to this car’s prospects, as will the efficiency made possible by its efficient engines and light, stiff MQB-A0 chassis. It took some time for the Iberian maker to bring us a Crossover of this kind but over 350,000 global sales since this model’s original 2017 launch have shown that quite a market exists for it. This crossover’s got plenty of life left in it yet.

“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?”

An extra seating row can make all the difference. Having this Lexus RX in longer-wheelbase ‘L’ form means that when you want a night out with friends for example, you need only take one car. Or the kids can invite friends back. Everything’s much easier in those kinds of situations. And the RX can at last compete on equal terms with many of its most important direct segment rivals. Otherwise, the reasons why you might want an RX haven’t changed. This isn’t the most capable luxury SUV you can buy from its period. It isn’t the sportiest to drive. And it’s not the most affordable to buy. But despite all of that, it’s worth a look. Once you’ve bought the thing, after all, its running costs can be usefully less than even the most frugal of its diesel competitors. While other manufacturers dithered over hybrid technology, Toyota’s Lexus division got on and developed it. Their first hybrid RX was an impressive achievement and this fourth generation design added a more style and extra technology to existing strengths of comfort, refinement and a high specification. It’s a tempting package - and in RX L form, a usefully more spacious one.