Car Reviews

2019 Peugeot 508 SW

Peugeot’s second-generation 508 was well received when it debuted in 2018, and now the French company has broadened its appeal with an estate derivative, known as the 508 SW. Prices start from £27,630 – a £1600 increase over the saloon – but with generous standard equipment and a longer body than is typical of competitors in this segment, the 508 SW makes for a tempting alternative to the dominant German premium estates.

Ben Barry

January 9, 2020

2019 Mini Cooper S

The humble British Mini was the poster boy for the Swinging Sixties. In 2000 the brand was bought by BMW, who added their engineering know-how to offer up some great engines and fantastic connectivity. As consumer tastes changed, the original Mini’s dimensions ballooned into baby SUV and estate versions, but that cheeky, chic vibe continued. We’ve tested the hot version, the Cooper S, although there’s still the John Cooper Works (JCW) above that if you’re after serious dynamics.

Ben Barry

January 9, 2020

2019 Land Rover Discovery Sport [P250]

The Land Rover Discovery Sport has always made a strong case for itself, thanks to a blend of comfort, best-in-class off-road ability and because it’s unique in offering an optional seven-seat layout in such a compact footprint. Now the reason to buy Land Rover’s worldwide best-seller just got stronger thanks to a mid-life facelift that includes mild-hybrid technology to boost fuel economy. A range of four-cylinder turbocharged diesel and petrol engines are available. We’re testing the Discovery Sport in P250 trim – the most powerful of the petrol variants, with 248bhp.

Ben Barry

January 9, 2020

2019 Ford Fiesta

Ford’s popular Fiesta has been on sale for more than 40 years, and consistently tops the UK’s best-seller list (in fact it has retained pole position since 2008). The full range of Fiestas on offer includes an SUV-style Active model, a more sporty ST-Line version and premium Vignale model. In fact, with the different trim levels taken into account, there are more than 20,000 possible iterations of the Fiesta. We’ve tested one of the most popular versions, the 1.0-litre EcoBoost Titanium hatchback.

Ben Barry

January 9, 2020

2019 Alpine A110

Before the Alpine A110 arrived, there were few choices if you wanted a relatively affordable lightweight mid-engined sports car. You’d have probably chosen a Porsche Boxster or Cayman, or maybe a Lotus Elise or Alfa 4C. So the Alpine is a very welcome addition to the market – not only because it’s another contender, but because it’s sensational too.

Ben Barry

December 18, 2019

2019 Volvo V60

Volvo might now make SUVs, crossovers and hatchbacks, but nothing captures the spirit of the Swedish company quite like the family estate car. Now there’s a new one: the Volvo V60. It’s the estate version of the S60, and a premium rival to the usual German suspects: the BMW 3-series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4.

Ben Barry

December 18, 2019

2019 Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen’s pert Polo has been knocking around for more than 40 years, selling 14 million examples in the process. With a wide choice of small petrol and diesel engines, and four different gearboxes on offer, there’s a Polo for everyone. The latest version offers more interior space than before and a dynamic exterior design, but the three-door option is no more: the Polo is available as a five-door model only.

Ben Barry

December 18, 2019

2019 Mini Clubman John Cooper Works

John Cooper Works or JCW is the name given to the most powerful Minis available. Until recently the entire range got the same 228bhp power output, from the relatively compact hatchback and convertible models through to the much larger and heavier Clubman and Countryman SUV – which left those larger models at a disadvantage. Now Mini has tipped the scales firmly back in the Clubman and Countryman’s favour with a 302bhp upgrade for their four-cylinder turbocharged engines as part of a mid-life facelift. We’re testing the Clubman John Cooper Works, available from £34,250.

Ben Barry

December 18, 2019

2019 McLaren GT

The McLaren GT manages to be both an entirely new kind of McLaren and an entirely familiar one all at the same time. Its newness comes from the GT being McLaren’s first ever foray into the grand tourer category. And the familiarity? It’s because the GT recycles key components used if generally hidden in all other McLarens – including its chassis, engine and gearbox – though there are important differences. With a price from £163,000, the McLaren GT is positioned at the entry-level end of McLaren’s range, and is comparable to its 570S Spider sports car. McLaren hopes you’ll buy one instead of an Aston Martin DB11, Ferrari Portofino and maybe even a Bentley Continental GT – all GTs available for comparable money.

Ben Barry

December 18, 2019

2019 Ford Focus

The humble Ford Focus has consistently been in the top 10 best-selling cars in the UK. The reason is a great blend of practicality, versatility, smooth petrol and diesel engines and slick gearboxes. There’s a Focus for everyone out there, whether you prefer value for money, a more sporty hatchback or the premium materials of the Vignale top trim level.

Ben Barry

December 18, 2019

2019 Ferrari F8 Tributo

Until recently, Ferrari’s mid-engined V8 supercar range offered either the regular 488 GTB, or the more powerful, more track-focussed 488 Pista. Now Ferrari has combined the (discontinued) GTB chassis with the Pista’s engine, plus updated the interior and wrapped it all in a significantly refreshed design. The result is the F8 Tributo.

Ben Barry

December 18, 2019

2019 BMW X2 20d

The Range Rover Evoque proved just how strong demand was for a compact premium crossover, and ever since then rivals have been scrambling to catch up. The X2 is BMW’s answer. It’s based on the same underpinnings as the BMW X1 and Mini Countryman and comes with a range of three- and four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, and either sDrive front-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive. We’re testing the X2 in xDrive 20d M Sport trim.

Ben Barry

December 18, 2019