Used car tests

The X-Type was built to take Jaguar into the mainstream. The 'baby' Jag drew heavily on parent firm Ford's Mondeo

It's the nation's favourite car, and also one of the best. The Focus has topped group tests ever since its launch in 1998, and is still competitive ev…

After testing the waters with its radically designed Avantime and Vel Satis, Renault took its biggest gamble in 2002 with the new M�gane. The bold sty…

Alfa Romeo has made some of the world's most stylish cars over the last decade. The problem is, its best looking models are also usually the least rel…

As makeovers go, MG's 2001 revamp of the ageing Rover 25 was up there with the very best of them. Gone were the restrained looks and traditional cabin…

You wouldn't believe it, but you can now buy an Aston Martin for the price of a Ford Mondeo. The exotic machine is stunning to look at, yet second-han…

In 2002, Honda's new seventh-generation Accord intentionally moved upmarket.

If you're looking for great value, good comfort and plenty of equipment, Toyota's British-built Avensis is a used purchase with plenty of common sense…

The C-Class got smart in 2000. While the 1993 original was solid, it wasn't stylish - crucial when your rivals are the desirable BMW 3-Series and Audi…

Of all the Nineties' big MPVs, the Ford Galaxy has consistently been a top-seller. Launched in June 1995, it offered impressive new levels of driveabi…

Is this the world's ultimate 4x4? With a peerless image, good looks, plus on and off-road ability to embarrass many rivals, the Range Rover astounded …

Hyundai's finest-ever car is also its best value. The cheeky Getz supermini was launched in October 2002 as an able, good-looking, fine-driving baby i…

The funky SEAT Ibiza is the supermini that's got the lot. Styling is sporty and distinctive, and prices are competitive

Executive luxury has never come as cheap as this. Thanks to Renault, you can get your hands on a BMW 5-Series rival for £13,000. The French firm's unl…

The Grand Vitara was a more luxurious replacement for Suzuki's long-running Vitara at its launch in April 1998. It was usefully larger, more refined a…

Stilo is the Italian word for style - but the look of Fiat's family car has never caught the imagination of buyers. However, this makes it a great use…

The first Vectra was so maligned, it's a wonder Vauxhall didn't rename the car's all-new successor when it was launched in 2002. Significantly larger,…

The GS300 never caught the imagination of the image-conscious car buyer

Put your preconceptions aside - the Hyundai Elantra is rather good. There's a roomy saloon or a practical hatch to choose from, and if you go for the …

Few models shocked the public as much as BMW's 7-Series replacement of 2001. With a new direction of design, it was challenging to say the least - par…

The Kia Rio is famous in the US for a good reason - its 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. On such a cheap car, that's remarkable - sadly, it was slashed…

Made by the firm responsible for the original off-roader, the Jeep Grand Cherokee lives up to the legend by offering immense cross-country ability and…

Quirky Citroen's transition to mainstream motoring peaked with 1997's Xsara. Based on a modified ZX, its restrained styling and better build quality b…

Despite an improving range, Daewoo's best models are still usually its smallest. After the cheeky Matiz city car came the Kalos, a five-door supermini…

What's an A4 got that a 3-Series or C-Class hasn't? The answer is subtlety.

You've got to hand it to Peugeot, it's persistent. Despite the decreasing popularity of large mass-market executive cars in the Nineties, the French g…

The 1994 'X300' Jaguar XJ6 was an unashamed retrograde model. Essentially an XJ40 with 'traditional' four-headlamp front

Before the RAV4 arrived in 1994, most 4x4s were designed for driving across rough terrain, at the expense of road manners. But the Toyota combined car…

Few cars can boast a reputation as legendary as that of the 911. It is and always has been one of the world's most desirable supercars. But in 1997, P…

It has never been a top seller, but there's more to Citroen's C5 than meets the eye. Although not the most attractive family car, it's extremely pract…

If value for money is your priority, then a Hyundai will always be near the top of your shortlist. With a five-year warranty as standard and a range w…

Big Italian executive cars aren't renowned for holding their value, but this makes for some excellent deals when buying used. That's certainly true of…

Until the 6 zoom-zoomed on to the scene at the beginning of last year, Mazda saloons had something of a dull reputation. Its 626 predecessor was decen…

Small cars have been a French way of life for years. With the likes of the Citroen 2CV and Renault 4 selling by the multi-million, the market for basi…

The 1990 Ford Escort did not have the best start in life. Criticised for being dull in comparison to rivals, it was slated for having inferior dynamic…

Think of Vauxhall and you probably conjure up Vectras, Astras or Corsas. All are fine cars in their fields, but do little to stir passion. It's a pro…