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Toyota has a pretty robust reputation for quality, and the C-HR feels as well screwed together as we’d expect. A Toyota C-HR in Excel trim spent six months on our long-term test fleet, and we didn’t encounter any interior foibles during this time. Infotainment, sat-nav and stereoThe entry-level Icon C-HR has a smaller 8.0-inch screen, while everything from Design trim and above gets the larger 12.3-inch screen we’ve tried in other Toyota cars, including the Toyota bZ4X. The previous C-HR had an outdated-looking infotainment setup. The latest screen is much improved, not just in terms of layout but also in…

2024 RenaultAustral21,661 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2LCash £22,399View Austral2024 RenaultAustral30,430 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2LCash £19,995View Austral2025 RenaultAustral17,644 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2LCash £21,750View Austral2025 RenaultAustral23,467 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2LCash £19,700View AustralThere are three trim levels to choose from with the Austral, starting with Techno, then moving through Techno Esprit Alpine and Iconic Esprit Alpine. The latter two feature sportier styling inspired by Renault’s Alpine sporting brand, while standard equipment on all cars includes two-zone climate control, park assist, keyless entry and starting, reversing camera, auto main beam matrix LED headlights, a 12-inch portrait touchscreen and 12.3-inch driver’s display. Renault Austral prices and latest dealsHow much does the Renault Austral cost? Well, official ‘on the…

Despite all of this, it’s still a slightly plusher environment in an E-208 than you’ll find in Vauxhall Corsa, and the materials are probably better resolved than they are in the likes of the BYD Dolphin or the MG4. Infotainment, sat-nav and stereoA 10-inch touchscreen is fitted to all post-facelift E-208s, along with a 10-inch digital instrument cluster. The GT and GT Premium also overlay projection-based 3D graphics onto the display. Advertisement – Article continues belowThe infotainment system is packed with features, but the menu system can be confusing at times, and it’s less intuitive than the units you’ll find…

DS is less of a known quantity because of its links with Citroen, but the company is attempting to offer a concierge level of service to DS No8 buyers. VerdictWinner: Volvo ES90There’s a bit of a price difference between these two cars, with the base version of the ES90 costing more than the highest-spec DS No8, but it really is a case of getting what you pay for. The Volvo is more luxurious, more efficient and has better space in the back, and yet the base model is so well equipped that it seems frivolous to upgrade to another version.…

All Souls are well equipped. The First Edition came with leather trim, adaptive cruise control, a Harman Kardon hi-fi, a head-up display and LED headlights. Also standard were heated front seats with eight-way electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, a reversing camera, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  When the First Edition morphed into the Maxx, the electric driver’s seat adjustment was ditched, but a heated steering wheel and rear parking sensors became standard.  The Explore continued with the Maxx’s standard equipment, plus electric driver’s seat adjustment; Urban ditched the heated seats and steering wheel, the leather trim…

When starting off in the Z9GT, the first thing you notice are its electric doors. All four open and close at the touch of a button, and then the driver’s seat slides back to ease access – all of which adds a bit of flamboyance to the start-up process.  Being an EV, the Z9GT sets off in a smooth, silent manner and at low speeds all the controls feel well calibrated – in particular the steering. At 5.2 metres long and two metres wide, the Z9GT might not seem the best fit for urban areas, but there’s rear-wheel steering here…

First of all, I find the overly soft seats to be uncomfortable after only 15 minutes on the road. The general driving position doesn’t help, either, due to the almost bus-like angle to the steering wheel. I sometimes catch myself doing a bus-driver-like wheel shuffle when going around sharp bends.  Advertisement – Article continues belowPut the Sealion 7 into drive and it’ll creep forward, but press the throttle pedal and not much happens. Response from the electric motor is painfully slow, to the point where one has to take this into account when pulling out of junctions or overtaking. It’s…

The Mazda 6 is another tough adversary, thanks to its smart styling, excellent dynamics and appealing interior, along with decent equipment and superb build quality at reasonable prices. The Ford Mondeo, Hyundai i40, Skoda Octavia/Superb and Vauxhall Insignia are also hard to beat. All offer hatchback or estate practicality with lashings of equipment and at keen prices.  What to look forSpare wheelMost Passats come with a steel space-saver spare wheel, but the GT-specification car is fitted with a full-size alloy spare. Filling upYou can’t put the wrong fuel in your Passat; a misfuel prevention device is fitted to every oneof…

The 308 is a light car, though, with the 1.5 BlueHDi 130 Active model weighing in at just 1,204kg. A few years ago, this is the kind of figure we would have associated with a supermini, and shows the lightweight efficiencies of the new PSA Peugeot-Citroen EMP2 platform that the 308 uses. The styling does make it hard to take full advantage of the car’s slightly more compact size, though: the back window is narrow and the C-pillars thick, and both compromise rear visibility. Leg room, head room & passenger spaceThe Peugeot is rather disappointing for passengers in the rear,…

Although it’s not as big as the 5008, the Qashqai has enough space for four adults and the Tekna+ model we’re testing has premium quilted-leather heated seats that include a massage setting. There is synthetic suede trim on the centre console and arm-rests, plus customisable ambient lighting. Overall, the interior feels very classy. The 504-litre boot is large enough for all my photography gear and, as in the 5008, has a storage space under two removable shelves where I can store all the car-cleaning products that I need for photoshoots in winter. The ride is firmer than the 5008’s and…