Road Tests

Road Test: Fiat Croma

Published: 30 August 2005

Sales of the new Croma may not hit the roof, but nor will its passengers in this most generous of saloons, which shrugs off its old image to suit today's needs. John Simister tests it out

The Verdict: Ssangyong Rodius 270 XDI SE

Published: 30 August 2005

Its unfortunate name may have made it the butt of jokes, but David Wilkins was very impressed by the size and quality of SsangYong's new MPV

Lexus GS 430: Who's a big boy now?

Published: 28 August 2005

The Lexus GS boasts a hefty build, velvet-smooth engine and shapely exterior. Mercedes and BMW should be worried, says Michael Booth

Road Test: BMW 730D SE

Published: 23 August 2005

The new-look BMW 7-series handles like a dream, sounds like a symphony and has more toys than Hamleys. John Simister packs up his family and drives to France in high-tech luxury

The Verdict: Jaguar XJ

Published: 23 August 2005

The marque is a late entrant in the luxury diesel stakes, but the new XJ impresses with its fine handling and beautiful styling, says Melanie Bien

Porsche Boxster: Fast track

Published: 21 August 2005

The new Porsche Boxster is fast and fun. One problem: where to drive it in gridlock Britain? Michael Booth dreams of his race-circuit debut

Road Test: Vauxhall Astra VXR

Published: 16 August 2005

The new Vauxhall Astra is such a hot hatch that it comes with a fiendish device to hyperactivate its accelerator. John Simister lights the blue touchpaper and tries to remain in control

The Verdict: Hyundai Sonata

Published: 16 August 2005

It looks the part, but is the new Hyundai Sonata sweet music to demanding motorists' ears? David Wilkins conducts his own test performance

Chrysler Grand Voyager 2.8 CRD Limited XS: Grand day out

Published: 14 August 2005

It may be slow, cumbersome and poorly made, but the latest Chrysler Voyager is saved by its incredible flexibility says Michael Booth

Road Test: Mercedes-Benz R-Class

Published: 09 August 2005

Has Mercedes lost the plot? Its latest effort, the R-class, is a 4x4 behemoth intended for the US market. John Simister takes to the wheel and imagines it ruling the roost on the school run

The Verdict: Vauxhall Monaro VXR

Published: 09 August 2005

Vauxhall's new 6.0-litre beast has a Down Under heritage and bags of beef, says David Wilkins. It also drinks like a fish, but the ride is spectacular

Hyundai Sonata: The camera lies

Published: 07 August 2005

It costs less than £17,000 and looks like an Audi. But before you get excited, that's where the comparison ends, says Michael Booth

Road Test: Suzuki Swift Sport

Published: 02 August 2005

Suzuki is known for building great racing bikes, but its cars haven't made much of an impression. Maybe that will change when the new Swift Sport arrives. John Simister reports from the test track

The Verdict: Aston Martin DB9

Published: 02 August 2005

A vision of loveliness on the outside, a growling monster on the inside. The Aston Martin DB9 is the car with everything, says David Wilkins

Volkswagen Passat 2.0 SE TDI: Middle of the road

Published: 31 July 2005

The new Volkswagen Passat is a solid performer that's hard to fault. But Michael Booth can't help wishing it was just a little more exciting

Road Test: Kia Rio

Published: 26 July 2005

Kia has come out of the motoring journalist's file of horrors and started to make cars you would want, not just tolerate. John Simister hails the reformed and confident Rio

The Verdict: Vauxhall Astra SRI 2.0 Sport Hatch

Published: 26 July 2005

The Vauxhall Astra is back in a new incarnation - but with the old image problems that obscure its consistent efficiency, reports David Wilkins

Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible: Retrograde movement

Published: 24 July 2005

The soft-top version of Chrysler's PT Cruiser suffers from all the original's faults, plus a few more all of its own, says Michael Booth

Road Test: Clio Renaultsport 182 Trophy

Published: 19 July 2005

The Clio Renaultsport 182 is the standard bearer for a rapidly dying breed: hatchbacks which let the driver take the lead and aren't over-burdened with luxury extras. John Simister reports

The Verdict: Bentley Continental Flying Spur

Published: 19 July 2005

Bentley's Flying Spur is both understated and stately, with clean lines that belie its huge mass. Sean O'Grady applauds such craftsmanship

Bentley Continental Flying Spur: Not-so-hot Spur

Published: 17 July 2005

It may have a Bentley badge and masses of power, but Michael Booth reckons the Flying Spur isn't much more than a VW with pretensions

Road Test: BMW 3-Series Touring

Published: 12 July 2005

The new 3-series Touring has all the finesse you'd expect from a BMW. But its host of rugged gadgets point to a car that's meant to be used as a workhorse. John Simister puts it through its paces

The Verdict: Nissan 350Z