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Friday, 19th of March 2010
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Featured road tests and consumer reviews
Our road test reports are clear, concise and comprehensive. All vehicles are rated on performance, ride & handling, build quality & reliability, safety & security, space & practicality plus ownership and value. Whether you are looking for a new or used car; RoadTestReports.co.uk will provide you with all everything you need to make an informed decision. These reports are complemented by car reviews submitted by the members of the public who drive the vehicles day in day out.
Featured road tests
Skoda Octavia Estate Full Road Test Report
1.6 TDI CR Greenline - It appears to be a marriage made in heaven, on one side you have Skoda which appeal to the Guardian reading, sensible people concerned with the state of the country and the world, while you have the g... read more
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Full Road Test Report
E350 CDI Sport - Following hotly on the heels of the all-new Mercedes E-Class saloon comes the similarly all-new E-Class Coupe. Faithful to Mercedes’ B-pillarless design, this mid-sized, two-door Merc is for reasonabl... read more
Renault Trafic Full Road Test Report
Sport Van 2.0 D SL27 Dci 150 - French maker Renault introduced the Trafic Sport van as its most stylish work vehicle ever and if you take a look at the pics, the marketing talk may just have had a point. Renault believes that if yo... read more
Honda Jazz Full Road Test Report
1.4 i-VTEC ES i-SHIFT - Looking for something to make the pulse race? Then move along. Looking for a well made car, easy to drive, with high fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions? Then the Honda Jazz could well be for you. H... read more
Honda Civic Full Road Test Report
Championship White Civic Type R 2009 - The ‘normal’ Type R not good enough for you? Waiting for something from Honda to really make you excited? Well, this car might make you sit up and notice. The strictly limited edition Championship Whi... read more
Subaru Forester Full Road Test Report
Diesel - Heavily facelifted this year, the Forester has now caught up with the rest of the SUV crowd with the option of a diesel engine. The Japanese brand is boasting top fuel economy with the lowest insuranc... read more
Kia Rio Full Road Test Report
1.5 CRDi - The current Rio was launched in 2005 and it signified a major advancement over the old model for the Korean manufacturer. In terms of size it’s a hard car to pigeonhole as it’s bigger than, say, a B-s... read more
Contact Customer Services at Kia Motors UK on 0845 601 7521 or email
Peugeot Partner Full Road Test Report
Tepee Outdoor - Peugeot has introduced the Partner Tepee Outdoor to its range. The French maker is expecting lots of interest to come from families who need lots of space. So how did the Partner Tepee measure up when... read more
Nissan Qashqai Full Road Test Report
2.0 dCi Acenta 4x4 - The Nissan Qashqai is a breath of fresh air – it’s stylish 4x4 image, spacious cabin and solid build make it a perfect choice for young families. The looks and driving position of an SUV that drives l... read more
Contact Sarah Tare at West Way Nissan on 0845 344 1487 or email d1694svman@westwaynissan.co.uk
Honda CR-V Full Road Test Report
2.2 CDTi - The vehicle we tested was the 2.2 CDTi which makes up the majority of the CR-V sales for Honda in the UK.... read more
Contact Darren Godbert at UK Carline on 01995 641111 or email darren@ukcarline.com
Featured consumer reviews
Doug Newcomb, Kent
Ford Ka SportKa 1.6 AND 2001 Style 1.3
I bought my first Ka in April 2008, this blue Y-reg 1300 was my first car and was the car I learned to drive in. I’m a big petrolhead and car enthusiast and I deliberatly took the Ka over cars like the 106/Saxo and VW Polo because of the way it drives. The little Ka, even in base-spec like mine will go round bends better than some cars that cost three or four times as much new! Of course, the Ka 1.3 will never be the king of straight-line speed, and if I bought another 1.3 Ka, I would probably go for the 2003-on model, which recieved a new 70BHP 1.3 engine (1996-03 cars have the 60BHP pushrod Endura-E unit that can trace it’s roots back to the Ford Anglia engine of the 60’s). However, that said, if your budget can only stretch to a pre-2003 model, then it’s far from the end of the world. My Ka has the old engine and will happily sit at 70 MPH on the motorway, theres a bit more to give afterwards and the little Ka will max out at about 100 MPH. The Ka makes a brilliant car to learn to drive in, with an easy clutch, good visibility and group 2 insurance (bear in mind that if you’re a 17 year old bloke then its still going to be £1k+ for your insurance. Even on this!). Reliability on my 2001 example has been excellent and I’ve covered about 12000 miles in it since I got it at 23k. For my 18th birthday this Feb, I decided to buy myself a little present and I upped the ante by buying myself a 2004 SportKa with 56,000 miles on the clock. The Sportka came out in 2003 and is the result of Ford shoe-horning its 1.6 litre 100 BHP engine under the bonnet of the little Ka. I have to say, that if you’re serious about having fun, then this is the Ka to go for. It’s got an improved steering and suspension set up, better brakes and a more sumptious interior (with optional leather seats and air-con). The SportKa puts in a very respectable 0-60 time of around 9 seconds, but in the real world its the time it takes to get from 40-70 that really counts, and the SportKa does this so quickly that it can put the frightners up BMW 320 drivers on a regular basis. Through the corners, the SportKa will blow other small hot hatches like the Saxo VTR to kingdom come. My Dad has a new VW Scirocco 2.0 TSi and even he admits that he has to push it to keep up with the SportKa in the bends. The slight downside to this is that the SportKa isn’t as economical as the 1.3. But, thats the price you pay for more power, and in any case, it’s no real gas-guzzler. I still have both Ka’s, I use the SportKa daily for a 75 mile commute. My girlfriend is learning to drive in the 1.3 IMPORTANT- Things to look out for. RUST! Ka’s do have a tendency to get rusty. Look for cars that have been cared for, places to check include the bottom of the boot lid, around the fuel filler cap, and around the bottom of the doors as they stand proud of the side of the car and are prone to stone chipping. Some Ka’s have been known to suffer from water ingress into the ECU (the cars electronic brain that controls the engine) look out for misfiring engines. High mileage Ka’s with the old Endura engine can sound very tappety (clacky sound) this comes with age and theres not much you can do. Listen out for a P or R-reg Ka to drive past you in the street and you might hear what I mean. Whilst on the subject of mileage, pre-03 Ka’s only have 5-digit odometers, so if you come across a P-reg Ka that appears to only have 50,000 on the clock, then check the history, it might turn out to be 150,000! Post-03 cars have LCD screens for odometers which will read up to 999,999 miles. There have been reports of older Ka’s with engines that sieze up. As long as you use the car fairly regularly, then you should’nt experience this. This only seems to be an issue with Endura powered Ka’s. Would I have another? Absoloutley, I thoroughly recommend the Ka and SportKa to anyone in search of a cheap, fun and if you go for the 1.6, fast little car. My Ford dealer has been great with me and I find the running costs excellent. How much to pay? £700-1000. This will get you into the driving seat of an early model Ka. Bear in mind that these cars can be getting on for almost 14 years old now, and they will most likely be a bit (or alot) ropey. Many of these cars will have done alot of miles so insist on a full service history. Very early base-spec cars (’96-97) had no Power Steering, best to steer clear. £1000-2500. The market for Ka’s opens up here and you should be able to pick up a nice pre-03 Ka 1.3 here. Be picky with colour, mileage and spec because base cars dont have a lot of equipment. £2500-£4000. You’ll be able to get an nice post-03 model 1.3 or an early Sportka for around £3k. Very low milage 1.3’s (less than 20k) are around for £4k £4000+ This is the domain of the SportKa and the last 2005-09 registered 1.3’s. These will be the cars on the Ford dealers forecourt and should be immaculate. Dont accept anything less than that.
Submitted: 04/03/2010 17:12:40
Syd Taylor, Staffordshire
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC Si
You won’t find civic pride in our town centres these days, with litter adorning the pavements and our once prestigious municipal buildings left to go to seed, as they are turned into drinking dens for the ’alco-pop’ generation. But you will find civic pride in the driveways of the fortunate owners of Hondas superb hatchback. Some would be tempted to call this cars design ’futuristic’ but the wonderful thing is that it belongs, not to the future, but to the ’here and now’. Unlike many of its ’wannabe’ rivals, it is a true precision instrument tailored for the needs of today’s sensible, but enterprising, motorist. VW’s Golf might be the benchmark ingot of ’Tiger Tank’ solidity but the Honda Civic is the benchmark for chronometric standards of engineering. The owner/driver knows he can depend upon Hondas established reputation, which is second to none. A dreamlike combination of style, performance, comfort, reliability and definite class is available for a price that’s great value at £17,559. Surely this is too good to be true. Well, it almost has you rubbing your eyes in disbelief. How do they do it when you consider that low a spec. Ford Focus costs more than this Honda. It is said that the Japanese habit is to ’hint’ at things rather than being too explicit, so let me lay it on the line. This car, for what it is, for what it does, for what it costs and for what it gives its owner in terms of pride of ownership, is as good as it gets. It might not get you from A to B as fast as a Bullet Train but you’re guaranteed to arrive at your destination with a minimum of strain. In its understated and stylish way, this machine is a veritable temple to technology - a dynamic demonstration of all that is best in the progressive world. The build quality is of the highest order and the equipment list is lengthy - and on this Si spec. car you get climate control, an excellent audio system, half-leather upholstery and, of course, power windows. You even get a refrigerated glove box for storing your chocolate in the summers that we never have. Needless to say, it’s a very practical and flexible five-door hatchback. Hondas respect and consideration for its customers is evident down to the smallest detail. While most of the niceties of design are tucked away in the internal mechanicals, one cannot help but be aware of them every time one switches on the ignition. Beyond the attractive surface lines of this machine and the ergonomically perfect and attractively different interior, there is the beauty and poetry of refined mechanical and technological excellence. A near perfect position was easy for me to tailor on the comfortable and supportive seats, setting the mood for particularly relaxed driving. The 140PS 1.8litre VTEC engine is a jewel to enjoy, revving sweetly and smoothly to take you to speeds up to nearly 130mph - yet at the same time just sipping fuel. I easily achieved an overall 45mpg, which is in stark contrast to the pathetic showings of some ’superminis’ I could name. There’s the finest ’snickety snick’ six speed gearbox in the business, transmitting drive to the front wheels; so piloting the Civic is delightful - whether you’re subsonic or supersonic. It drives so nicely, majoring on that hard to achieve, ideal balance between ride comfort and pin sharp handling. Labour intensive twisty roads that can make a chap perspire in other vehicles become a delight to traverse in the Civic. Poised like a Sadlers Wells artiste, the fluency and composure are so reassuring that one is tempted to be bold. This is just the sort of car that bureaucrats in the bowels of the Ministry for Perpetual Misery would tax out of existence, despite its clean breathing exhaust and super safety gear - not only that, but my test car came in inflammatory Terrorist Red. For Home Counties purchasers, in the past, the hallmark of a cars reliability was the extent to which one could depend upon it for a trip to Scotland. With the Civic one feels that a thousand John O’Groats trips a day for a hundred years wouldn’t be out of the question before one would even begin to hear a squeak of complaint. Sweet as silk, keen as a blade and smooth as cream - Honda just seem to keep pouring it on: and I have to say, ’I like it’. If only the Community Charge could be such good value for money, we might then see the rebirth of those ’Civic’ values we all aspire to, but which are only attainable these days to the fortunate buyers of the exceptional all-rounder that is the Honda Civic. Driving one of these cars is to feel reassured that your needs are being conscientiously attended to, that your individuality is recognised and that you’re afforded due respect for your good sense is seeking such a car in the first place. And all for a price that’s guaranteed not to raise any complaints.
Submitted: 19/02/2010 21:13:24
Alan Beake, England
Mitsubishi Colt Cabriolet CZC
This car is a delight. It’s different from all the others on the road because it has character and a most distinctive appearance. Of course it’s a two-seater but the rear seats integrate well into the complete design. Handling, performance and economy are all commendable. The open top option and its operation for a car of this size is probably as well thought out as any other brand. If ever there was a need for a test run, this is it. If you are looking for a stylish yet small cabriolet with many features, if you don’t need more than one passenger, if you want good performance, economy and reliability try the Colt Cabriolet CZC. Young driver or older driver you won’t be disappointed.
Submitted: 16/02/2010 13:28:23
Syd Taylor, Staffordshire
Chevrolet Cruze LS 125PS Diesel
For motoring in some syle at very sensible money that won’t bring your bank manager out in a sweat - and at the same time offering a level of opulence that would bring a smile to the ghost of Elvis - this compact sedan provides more than you might expect, for less than you might anticipate. Cruze prices start at £11,495. The 2.0litre 125PS diesel LS tested here costs £14,9950.). At first sight to the British motorist, this sleek, dark and purposeful car has the air of a man of mystery. It looks purposeful - but to what end? It holds secrets impossible to pigeonhole. What sort of man or woman might one expect to find behind the wheel? Is it a force for good or a harbinger of hard times? I’m pleased to tell you that like the famous chocolate with the wrapper off - all is magic within. Coming from General Motor’s former Daewoo plant in Korea, but soon to be produced in Ohio for the American market, it’s a quantum step forward in quality terms from previous Daewoo models. While the world is full of hatchbacks, Chevy are giving us a Focus sized ’sedan’ (four door saloon car if you’re a ’proper’ chap) based on the new GM floor-plan, upon which the new Astra is also built. While the cabin does not exude the opulence of luxury class cars, it reassures with a pleasing level of ergonomically and aesthetically tailored design - allowing driver and passenger alike, a comfortable reassuring ambience that enforces no extremes and yet incorporates an element of ’flair’ to lift it above the mundane. In a phrase, the cabin imposes dignity - but dignity with a touch of dash. There’s a chrome high-tech feel to the business like appendages in the LS, second from top spec. model tested, while the upholstery and surrounds are sober suited, styled for comfort, easy on the eye and - one has to say - easy on the pocket too. Eschewing the more obvious retro references favoured by lovers of Americana, it none the less embodies through style cues, a notion of ’Transatlantic’ taste: witness the bold Chevy logo on the front grille. Drive away and the clutch engages positively with the torquey (300Nm at just 2000 rpm) engine feeling ready to go from the off. Controls are readily, immediately, unequivocally and assuredly to hand. Drive half a mile along the road and despite the short acquaintance you feel you already ’know’ the car. It’s a motorcar that you feel sure won’t let you down and most certainly will never engender a frown. You know from the support that the seats give to your back that the designers knew exactly what they were doing - and the same sense of confidence attaches itself to the dynamics of the car in motion. The merest hint of torque steer serves only to establish a feeling of contact with the terrain. Drive boldly and performance from the 2.0litre,125PS diesel (you can have a 150PS diesel if you choose the LT variant) is - despite what has been muttered elsewhere and by those who should know better - more than adequate,with an achievable top speed of over 120 mph. Economy too is jolly good, with 45mpg easily achievable overall. Pussyfoot about and you would, no doubt, get around 60mpg on a decent run. Never do the mechanicals feel under stress and you’re always in for a smooth and quiet ride.(one of the benefits of a saloon over a hatchback). Handling is good too, with rapid travel never disturbing the Chevy’s equilibrium. Want to stop? Braking is as easy as thinking. Acceleration is amply sufficient: lively enough for a car half the size - brisk enough to elicit an ’Oh Dear!’ From the vicar - but slam the anchors on and all is sacred and holy once more. Was that a flash of silver? A cloud of dust? Well no, actually - but this car certainly has a ’Yipee yi yey!’ quality to it. And nothing could be finer than a trip to Carolina in a Chevy of this pedigree. In case you haven’t guessed, I like this car because it’s different. Not only that, but because it’s different in a good way. It has the hallmark of originality so lamentably lacking in the current new car market. It ticks all the boxes, but manages to box clever and makes the driver feel part of quite a special machine. It’s a car for the sensible individual who likes a dash of individuality - but not at the expense of good solid sense and taste. There’s nothing here to frighten your granny and yet there’s plenty to appease the young at heart. At the price it surely has to be a bargain. As the man said ’Why pay more?’ You can if you must, but for me, all’s OK with the cars in the Chevy corral. With this model pitched most competitively at a challenging market sector, I have to say that Chevrolet have definitely won their spurs. I’d love to see prospective purchasers galloping down to the showroom. We’ve come a long way from the covered wagon and it’s good to see that happy trails are here to stay.
Submitted: 01/02/2010 19:42:26
Chris Richmond, Norfolk
Ford Transit Connect T200
Let’s start with the good points: The driving position is nice and high, with a short bonnet which makes it easy to manouvre into tight spaces, the ride quality is also good. There are very basic features - nothing fancy to distract you, and not a lot to go wrong with it, and the styling is up-to-date. The gearbox is almost silent - especially in reverse due to the stronger MTX-75 Mondeo gearbox with syncromesh reverse. The engine (mine being a TDdi) sounds very smooth - none of that diesel clatter like the Escort diesel, and none of the fiddly bits like a TDCI. The lighting is slightly intelligent, so that you can still see what you’re doing in the dark when the doors are closed, but lights go off when you start the engine. The central locking is also very handy. There is plenty of room in the back due to it’s cube-style shape and it’s nice to have the height without having to compromise on width and weight limits of a bigger van. The engine is pokey for only 75 horsepower and the turbo is quiet. The large and wide-angle mirrors are a brilliant idea. The rear bumper is solid which means there’s hardly any damage to the van if you back into anything. You can’t fault the handling in ice and show - she handles perfectly! (watch those poor Vauxhall Combos struggle!!! hehehe) But now for the faults... Interior is made out of cheap plastic which scratches easily, exterior plastic colour fades quickly and is hard to bring back to colour. The alternator wiring loom is too short and prone to breaking and chafing, causing the battery light to come on when it finally breaks. The sound system isn’t anything special. The clock slows down 1 minute every 3 weeks. Passenger seat isn’t comfortable at all. Should have come with a 6-speed box, or higher ratio 5th gear for motorway journeys. Apart from the above, I am happy with it. I’d only replace it for the newer 2009-10 version, as the styling is nicer :-)
Submitted: 21/01/2010 10:42:39
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