Month: November 2024

As Audi has a long history of making SUVs, how will its latest one stack up against the competition?

The premium coupe SUV market is on the rise, and that’s because people like the idea of a taller driving position in a car that has a sleeker, more aerodynamic profile.

The latest Q5 Sportback is offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines that all utilise 48V mild-hybrid technology to help boost economy, efficiency and above all else, lowering CO2 emissions.

Audi’s design language has matured gracefully over the years with subtle changes to make it still unmistakably an Audi but continuing to be modern.

But, what if the new Q5 Sportback is too sober for you? Or do you want something with a little character? We’ve compiled a list of some of its main rivals to compare their practicality and overall image.

Mercedes GLC Coupe

One of Audi’s biggest competitors is Mercedes’ GLC Coupe which, as you might expect, is another coupe-styled SUV.

The interior design is very stylish with lots of plush-feeling materials used throughout and the central infotainment screen is slick, intuitive and has high-end graphics.

Interior space is also good with excellent levels of head and legroom, despite the car’s sloping roofline.

Just like the Audi, there is a trio of mild-hybrid engines that offer decent economy and efficiency.

It may not be the sportiest car in this class and the ride is firm, especially when you opt for the larger alloy wheels. Rear visibility is also poor due to the letter-box style rear window and prices start at a rather steep £60,000 – which is nearly £8,000 more than the Audi.

BMW X4

Another German alternative is BMW’s X4 – which has been around since 2014. It may have been around for a while, but the latest version packs more onboard technology and better driving dynamics.

The X4 is essentially a coupe-derived version of the more practical X3 SUV. Inside, the interior quality is excellent with lots of high-end materials used throughout and it gets the firm’s latest iDrive system which is easy to use and has very high graphics.

Out on the road, the car handles very well and feels how a BMW should do with a sporty edge. It may not have the smoothest ride due to the larger alloy wheels, but it won’t be too uncomfortable for most.

However, its looks are fairly divisive, a problem with a lot of BMW designs of recent times and it’s not as spacious inside as the taller X3 with less headroom and boot space in comparison.

Skoda Enyaq Coupe

Another alternative – but with a less premium badge – is Skoda’s Enyaq Coupe. It may be an electric option, but this big friendly Skoda is an excellent all-rounder that offers a decent electric driving range and interior space.

Under the bonnet, there is a choice of two different battery packs. Things start with a smaller 62kWh unit while a larger 82kWh version unlocks more range.

The latter offers a greater claimed electric range of up to 353 miles of range and can be DC rapidly charged from 10 to 80 per cent in around 28 minutes.

The Enyaq’s boot space is rather impressive at 570 litres and with the seats folded down, it transforms to 1,610 litres.

There’s also a sport vRS model in the range that provides an even better driving experience thanks to its sports suspension.

Volvo XC60

The Volvo XC60 is a practical comfortable Scandinavian choice that gets forgotten about in the world of premium SUVs.

It may not have the coupe-esque look but it’s still a great alternative for those who may want the added practicality and reassurance of a Volvo.

It may not have the same commodious boot space as the Q5 Sportback, standing at 483 litres and 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded, but it still offers plenty of passenger space, class-leading safety technology and some of the most comfortable seats around.

Range Rover Velar

One premium SUV that kind of has been forgotten about is Range Rover’s Velar, which has been on sale since 2017.

The Velar is a svelte and good-looking SUV that comes with bags of off-road pedigree and still offers a great amount of luxury as well as practicality.

Available with a selection of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid powertrains, the Range Rover offers a lot of permutations for a wide audience of buyers. Plus, it has a lovely well-screwed-together interior with lots of standard features as well as having a boot space of 568 litres – which is nearly on par with the Q5 Sportback.

By Cameron Richards

This year, 2024, has been a very exciting 12 months for new cars and these are the ones we want Santa to bring us this Christmas.

Over the last 12 months, we have seen an eclectic mix of new cars that come fitted with either batteries or an internal-combustion engine.

The year has seen the kickstart of the affordable EV, the electric car dedicated to the petrolhead and updates to some of our favourite driver’s cars with petrol engines.

If you think that modern cars are becoming more and more boring, then looking back at the last year may make you think twice.

With Christmas just around the corner, in an ideal world, we would love Santa Claus to bring all of this exciting metal and place it under our Christmas trees, but even though it may be a dream, there’s no harm in imagining the thought.

We’ve compiled a list of the most exciting new cars this year and the ones we would like to see unwrapped this Christmas.

Hyundai Ioniq 5N

It’s a hard one to fathom, but to see the day that an electric Hyundai became one of best cars to drive on the market to date still confuses a lot – but it’s true.

The Ioniq 5N really has created a stir in the automotive world with its artificial engine notes, razor sharp handling, fantastic acceleration and overall good looks and performance. This car really is one of the major highlights in the world of new cars this year.

Under the bonnet, there is a 84kWh battery pack and dual electric motors that pump out a total of 607bhp and 770Nm of torque. Inside, there is a ‘boost’ button’, which for 10 seconds turns 607bhp into 640bhp, taking the car from 0-60mph in just three seconds. Furthermore, the car features illuminated ‘N’ bucket seats and a ‘Racing blue’ matte paint finish all to single out the car from the traditional cooking variant.

Toyota GR Yaris

One of the best hot hatches ever to hit tarmac is the truly fantastic GR Yaris, which this year gained a heavy facelift to improve it even better.

Homologation specials are a rare sight nowadays, but Toyota insisted on making it happen with the GR Yaris. This latest version of the GR has only gone and ironed out all the imperfections of the old car, too.

There is more power, standing at 276bhp and 390Nm of torque. The suspension has been tweaked and the chassis stiffened further with more spot welds to make it more rigid.

A new front bumper design with different sections allows for cheaper repair costs and at the back the Toyota logo has been deleted and the rear tail lights have been refreshed alongside the third stop lamp moved from the spoiler into the rear light bar.

Also, Toyota has given this new GR an updated interior with a digital driver’s display, lower driving position and a new squared and angled dashboard – that gives off a 1980s vibe without feeling old-fashioned.

Out on the road, the car feels even more stable and planted at speeds and there is an immense amount of grip in the wet.

The car is also now available with an eight-speed automatic gearbox as well to sit alongside the six-speed manual option

BMW M5

It’s not very often a new BMW M5 comes along, but this year one arrived and it’s more powerful than ever.

Now, this performance model also comes with the option of an estate variant and is powered by a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

Under its bonnet, there is a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 and 18.6kWh battery pack and electric motor that gives a total of 737bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. The electric motor allows the car to go up to 42 miles on electric power alone and acceleration stands at 0-60mph in 3.2 seconds.

For those looking for a practical, fast and efficient performance car, it doesn’t get much better than an M5.

MG Cyberster

We never thought the day would come, but MG has finally put its electric two-seater open-top sports car into production with the Cyberster.

It features electric scissor doors and a choice of either a single motor or dual motor setup. The latter comes with 500bhp and 725Nm of torque allowing the car to go from 0-60mph in three seconds.

The interior features four screens and plenty of standard equipment, however, the driving position won’t be to everyone’s taste as you sit rather high and the two outer screens are obscured by the steering wheel.

Its exterior design stands out and especially if you go for the yellow paint finish, it certainly turns heads.

Porsche 911 S/T

Regarded as one of the best supercars in the world, the 911 S/T is a GT3 RS in disguise as all of the garish spoilers, wings and stickers have gone for a more discreet and stealth look.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 4.0-litre flat-six engine that produces a total of 518bhp and 465Nm of torque. It’s capable of reaching a top speed of 186mph and can do 0-60mph in just 3.5 seconds. It also features a manual gearbox, bucket sports seats and one of the best soundtracks that comes from any car. It may be a little on the expensive side, but this is a wishlist where price isn’t really an issue here.

Renault 5

On the more sensible front, one of the best-looking cars to come out of 2024 was the Renault 5 – which has made a return after three decades.

This new baby EV will feature a choice of two battery packs – a 40kWh or a larger 52kWh.

The former can do a claimed range of up to 186 miles and the latter can do up to 248 miles. The car also comes with the option of a baguette holder and it utilises Renault’s latest 10-inch infotainment screen with Google Built-in.

It looks very retro and harks back the car of yesteryear with its yellow or green pop paintwork and there is even a hot Alpine A290 version that will be available to buy from early next year.

By Cameron Richards

This new car receives a fresh interior makeover, a redesigned exterior and a choice of three different engines.

Audi has unveiled the second generation of its Q5 Sportback SUV, to rival cars like the Mercedes GLC Coupe and BMW X4.

From launch, the car will come with a choice of three different engines with all boasting 48V mild-hybrid technology.

The entry-level 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol produces a total of 201bhp and 340Nm of torque – while power is transmitted to the front wheels, but a Quattro all-wheel-drive system is available as a cost option.

There’s a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel variant that gives out the same power as the former, but its torque increases to 400Nm. Meanwhile, the sporty SQ5 model comes equipped with a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol that generates 362bhp and 550Nm of torque.

Its exterior styling utilises Audi’s latest design language with wraparound front headlights, a sporty sloping roofline and digital OLED rear tail lights.

Inside, the car incorporates Audi’s latest infotainment MMI panoramic display, which includes an 11.9-inch digital driver’s display, a 14.5-inch infotainment screen and an optional 10.9-inch screen in front of the passenger. A lot of the cabin is made from sustainable materials such as Cascade upholstery Dinamica microfiber – which is made from recycled polyester.

In the back, the Q5 Sportback has a total boot capacity of 515 litres or 470 litres for the SQ5 model. Fold the rear seats down and the former extends to 1,415 litres and the latter has 1,388 litres of space.

The new Q5 Sportback and SQ5 will be available to order as of January 2025 with prices starting at £52,350 and rising to £76,900.

By Cameron Richards

Storm Bert hit certain parts of the UK this week causing damage to buildings, 55 per cent of drivers weren’t concerned about flooding.

The UK this week got a battering from Storm Bert affecting certain parts of the UK. However, a total of 55 per cent of drivers still weren’t concerned of flooding in their areas according to a survey by breakdown service company AA.

A total of 11,329 responses from AA members between November 12 and November 19 2024 were asked their opinion on some of the potential risks caused by the storm.

In Wales, a total of 57 per cent of members were not concerned over potential flooding.

Out of the 11,000 members, 36 per cent said that they felt confident that there are sufficient flood defences to protect local roads while 23 per cent said they were confident that there are enough defences for rural roads, too. In addition, 49 per cent think it is main roads with the most defences and 51 per cent say A roads and motorways have adequate protection from flooding.

In comparison, the study also surveyed peoples’ views on flooding from a regional perspective and found that Northern Ireland had the highest percentage of members with the least concern at 63 per cent, followed by London at 62 per cent.

Meanwhile, 62 per cent of people in the survey say they are confident that there are adequate flood defences in place to protect homes.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “As we have seen across the weekend and today, flooding can cause serious damage and disruption. The randomness of torrential rainfall leading to flood damage perhaps leads people to hope against hope that they are not the next victims. However, particularly with driving, torrential rainfall can be dangerous wherever people travel, not just in areas prone to flooding.”

By Cameron Richards

The British firm will enter into the 2026 Dakar season with its most capable and toughest car in its line-up.

Land Rover had revealed that it will be entering into the 2026 season of the famous Dakar rally with a Defender.

The firm has undergone a partnership agreement that will supply a fleet of support vehicles for Dakar rally officials and VIP media from 2025 until 2028.

But, in the meantime, the company is undergoing work for an official Land Rover Defender Dakar rally car that will compete in one of the toughest rallies on earth – starting at the beginning of 2026. Further details on the car are yet to be announced.

This will be the first time the British firm has entered the Dakar rally and it should lean into the Defender’s strong and capable off-road nature in one of the world’s toughest environments.

Mark Cameron, the Defender’s managing director, said: “Our partnership begins in 2025 when Defender will showcase its capability and durability as the official car of the event, but we are already looking to the future and entering a Defender Dakar Works team from 2026.

“That Defender Dakar works programme will be led by James Barclay, JLR Motorsport managing director, and I know James and his team are inspired by the challenge that lays ahead.”

The official Land Rover Defender Dakar rally car will be revealed during the Dakar 2025 season – which commences from January 3 to January 25.

By Cameron Richards

It will feature a 110.3kWh battery pack and will sit above the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 in Hyundai’s EV line-up.

Hyundai has revealed its largest car yet while expanding its EV line-up even further with the new Ioniq 9.

This new family-friendly SUV will come as standard with a 110.3kWh battery pack that Hyundai claims can help the Ioniq 9 to do up to 385 miles on a single charge.

Thanks to DC rapid charging, the Ioniq 9 can also go from 10 to 80 per cent charge in 24 minutes.

There will be a long-range rear-wheel-drive model that comes with a 214bhp electric motor, or an all-wheel-drive long-range model with an extra 94bhp electric motor located on the front axle to give a total of 308bhp. Finally, there is a Performance model that features all-wheel-drive and produces up to 428bhp.

The Ioniq 9 also comes with vehicle-to-load, allowing the driver to plug in domestic appliances into the car and then they can run off the car’s battery.

The exterior design utilises Hyundai’s latest theme of Pixels with the front LED light bar and headlights. Meanwhile, the squared-effect wheel arches, flush door handles and camera mirrors help improve airflow across the car. At the back, the pixel theme continues with LED high-positioned rear taillights and a flat tailgate.

A space for belonging.
Together, you can do anything.

IONIQ 9
Built to belong

▶ Watch the full version https://t.co/S5VejDdPPo
#Hyundai #IONIQ #IONIQ9 #EV #BuiltToBelong #ResponsiveSpace pic.twitter.com/rpnqce53Iz

— Hyundai Worldwide (@Hyundai_Global) November 21, 2024

Inside, the Ioniq 9 has the same dashboard layout as smaller Hyundai models such as the Tucson with the curved 12-inch infotainment screen and 12-inch digital instrument cluster. There is also a standard eight-speaker audio system with the option of a 14-speaker Bose premium sound system.

Hyundai has also fitted an array of physical buttons to control aspects such as climate control. Meanwhile, the car’s boot capacity with all the seats in place stands at 620 litres. Fold the third row down and this transforms the space into 1,323 litres. Boot space figures with all the seats down haven’t been revealed yet. However, there is additional storage in the front boot with 88 litres on rear-wheel-drive models and 52 litres on all-wheel-drive cars.

Prices and further specifications haven’t been revealed yet, but the Ioniq 9 will go on sale in the UK after its launch in South Korea and the United States.

As we prepare for Christmas, so do Santa and his little helpers, but what if he was to swap his reindeer and sleigh for four wheels?

For many of us, Christmas is one of the most exciting times of the year and Santa Claus has the busiest schedule that no one else can match.

As he delivers millions of presents to children across the globe in just under 24 hours, his reindeers and sleigh go under immense pressure to ensure that he gets the job done on time.

But, you might be asking, what if Santa was to swap his reindeers and sleigh for four wheels? What cars on the market today would he consider if he had a change in transportation?

Forget supercars and two-door sports cars, what Santa really needs is something big, practical and capable of going anywhere he wants to go, to allow him to get his very important delivery to where it needs to be on time.

We’ve compiled a list of the best cars suited for Father Christmas.

Toyota Land Cruiser

If Santa is going to be travelling thousands of miles in a single day, he’ll need something that is going to be capable of conquering any place on earth.

It only seems natural for him to drive a car like the Toyota Land Cruiser, with its four-wheel-drive and rugged off-road capability. Also, with its legendary reliability and durability, it would be the ideal tool for Father Christmas to get around safely and comfortably and always get to where he wants to go.

Toyota’s Land Cruiser is also very practical. It has loads of boot space, and if the rear seats are folded down, the capacity stands at 1,943 litres – enough room for Santa’s delivery needs.

Volvo XC70

Another sensible choice would be to go down the Swedish route and look at the old Volvo XC70 which comes with bags of space and jacked-up off-road looks.

It comes with the brand’s famous comfortable front seats, which are like armchairs – ideal for Santa’s very long journey. Every engine option is strong and dependable and it comes with a very capacious boot which stands at 1,600 litres with all the seats folded down.

The XC70 is also fairly anonymous looking, which is great for blending into the background so Santa doesn’t get recognised when he’s conducting his most important delivery service of the year.

Land Rover Defender

Similar to Toyota’s Land Cruiser, the Land Rover Defender is a strong and capable off-roader that can go almost anywhere where no other car dares to climb.

It may not be as reliable as the Land Cruiser, but older models have proven pretty tough and give Santa everything he needs to get presents delivered on time. Not only that, it has a rather spacious boot, ideal for stowing presents in and with its off-road capability, the Defender should prove no issue if Santa finds himself in a bit of bother.

Mercedes G-Class

It may be an old design, but Mercedes’ G-Class is still a very popular off-roader all around the world and is another car that could easily be Father Christmas’ mode of transport.

Not only has it got a timeless look, but it’s got a great reputation for being a solid and trustworthy workhorse that can rack up lots and lots of miles without any fuss. Plus, newer models utilise Mercedes’ luxurious interior with plenty of equipment to keep Santa Claus relaxed when he’s under a strict amount of time to get everyone’s presents delivered.

Toyota Hilux

There seems to be a trend on this that all the cars are off-road and four or all-wheel-drive. The only pick-up on this is Toyota’s Hilux. Just like its bigger brother, the Land Cruiser, the Hilux is one of the most indestructible cars on the planet.

Being a pick-up, it means that there is a cavernous amount of cargo space in the back and the latest versions come with plenty of equipment to keep Father Christmas happy behind the wheel. And, with a reliability record as good as a Toyota Hilux – the man himself shouldn’t find any issues along the way on his very long adventure.

Even older versions are bulletproof when it comes to reliability and you can pick them up relatively cheaply at less than £10,000 – making it a bargain for Santa.

By Cameron Richards