Road tests

Car designers rarely subscribe to the theory of fixing something only if it's broken, but Smart's stylists have never taken the conventional approach.…

You're in the market for a practical supermini-cum-MPV, but also hanker after diesel power to ease economy that bit further. The problem is, our class…

The words 'Audi' and 'bargain' have rarely, if ever, appeared in the same sentence together. Until now, that is. So what's changed? Well, the German m…

Some good news for those still mourning the recently departed Ford Puma: its soul goes marching on in the new Sportka. The blue oval's chassis boffins…

If there is one model that has kept Citroen's ageing Saxo alive for nearly seven years, it's the VTR. While the hair-raising VTS supermini was the ver…

It's not every day that two brand new off-roaders turn up at the same time. So is it a coincidence? No. Porsche's Cayenne and Volkswagen's Touareg are…

It's easy to be cynical about the Jaguar XJ6 as it uses the S-Type's 3.0-litre 240bhp engine to create a new entry-level model. But the firm is adaman…

What would it take to make you Express an interest in a van? How about thousands of pounds off your annual motoring bills? MG Rover is hoping to tempt…

Jaguar is going for the jugular. The all-new seventh-generation XJ is the Coventry firm's most advanced production car ever - although you'd be forgiv…

If you like the design, equipment and style of an executive saloon, but don't fancy the expensive running costs, here's a car that SEAT claims will sa…

The diesel engine's rise to power among luxury cars is now virtually complete. Last month saw the arrival in Britain of the first oil-burning prestige…

Vauxhall is the first to admit that the VX220 hasn't been the success it had hoped. Despite having striking looks, supercar performance and fantastic …

When the Ka arrived six-and-a-half years ago, it caused a real stir. Here was a Ford which looked amazing, was cheap to buy and fantastic to drive. Bu…

If you think MP3 is a trio of politicians or maybe the latest boyband, then you're not keeping up with recent advances in technology. MP3 allows music…

With a ride hard enough to rattle out your fillings and huge bucket seats, the Civic Type R isn't practical enough for most people. Enter the new Type…

Car fans who visit any French city can't help but notice a strange phenomenon. High-flying executives have shunned their posh saloons and instead are …

While there's no denying the Discovery's status as one of the finest full-size SUVs, even the biggest successes can get it wrong - as in the case of t…

It might have won the hearts of a loyal band of owners, but the Smart City Coupe has always been something of a compromise.

There was a time when the Subaru Impreza could do no wrong - buyers faced a long waiting list and many would-be owners resorted to importing cars from…

As unlikely combinations go, the Ford Focus ST170 Estate is up there with peanut butter and jelly. Blending the speed of a hot hatch with the practica…

The words 'base model' don't really work with a car such as Mercedes' SL, but that is essentially what this newcomer is. Priced at £56,340, it's £11,4…

If you heard that MG had swapped the ZT 160's V6 for a four-cylinder 1.8-litre engine, you might feel short changed. But the powerplant switch has bee…

Put the kettle on, because this is a commercial break - a break designed to appeal to company car users. If you can prove that you need to carry goods…

Say hello to one of the most significant new Peugeots of 2003! No we haven't gone mad, we really do think that much of the Partner Combi Escapade. Bas…

Before the dark days of joyriders and huge insurance premiums, the GSi badge meant something to Vauxhall owners. An Astra with these three letters on …

There was a whole industry built around tuning the classic Mini, but so far the go-faster brigade has kept away from the new model. However, all that …

Look familiar? The Partner Combi has burst on to the budget-MPV scene, and Auto Express is first behind the wheel. It's based on the virtually identic…

They're not renowned for their lively performance or good road manners, but if you're looking to blaze a trail in an SUV, Nissan reckons it has the an…

It takes more than a pretty face and a few choice extras to make the grade in the fleet and family sector these days. Honda knows it, and has pulled o…

What a difference 25 years can make. A quarter of a century ago, VW's hot hatch revelation, the Golf GTI, was the talk of the motoring press. But it c…

With winter approaching, the weather is turning against roadster fans. But Toyota is tempting those hardy enough to its sprightly MR2 with key upgrade…

Things might look rosy now, but wind the clock back and the current Astra and Zafira were still on the drawing board...

Think 150bhp is enough? Then think again... VW has squeezed an extra 30bhp out of its trusty 150bhp 1.8-litre turbo engine, and added another string t…

It seems Lexus believes that good things come in small packages - especially as far as building estate cars is concerned. On sale now, the new 2.0-lit…

Why do enthusiasts get so excited at the thought of an Alfa? The rich motorsport heritage? The gorgeous Italian styling? Sure, both are useful in the …

If you're someone who wants to be different from the pack but not considered weird or eccentric, expect a call from your local Saab dealer.