ROAD TESTS BY MOTORING JOURNALIST TIM SAUNDERS
Advanced motorist Tim Saunders regularly test drives vehicles from the leading manufacturers. Videos on his youtube channel have been watched over 450,000 times.
With over 30 years experience as a motoring journalist, aged 16 he had work experience at Which Car? magazine in London shadowing editor Andy Puddifoot. His first test report on a BMW 520i was published in the Dorset Echo when he was 17 (just after passing his driving test) in 1995. Tim went on to become business and motoring editor at the Bournemouth Echo. Now, his engaging and informative reviews are published in magazines across the UK. "Your pieces are a great addition to our magazines," says Chanel Hosfield, Editor of Life Publications.
Honda CR-V 2.0i-MMD Advance full hybrid
By Tim Saunders
When there’s yet another war that sees fuel prices continually rise you need a vehicle that avoids petrol stations. While I am driving the Honda CR-V full hybrid, which will travel almost 600 miles on a tank, we enter the sixth week of the war in Iran, which sees fuel prices soar to almost two euros a litre in France – where I happen to be evaluating it. It seemed a good idea at the time of booking but now the country is in uproar over the price hikes. In fact it’s the main story in the media during my visit. The petrol stations are only carrying about 40 per cent of the fuel they usually do, meaning that rationing is in place and there are queues at every filling station, causing tailbacks on main roads. Lorries and buses are parked up. The same does not seem to be the case in Britain even though the prices are high.
So every time I start the CR-V I am mindful of these world events.
Driving this SUV is a very enjoyable, relaxed experience. In common with any other vehicle of this type the driver and passengers are high up so there’s a commanding view of the road ahead. The black leather seats are robust and supportive – they’re heated and cooled. And most importantly, it’s easy to drive. Just select Drive mode and push the accelerator.
“Please turn the alarm off while boarding,” I’m asked by a Brittany Ferries member of staff as I park on the Condor ferry.
“I don’t know how to,” I reply sheepishly. I then worry about the alarm going off as the Condor Ferries Voyager cuts through the ocean at a fast speed barrelling up and down along the way. So when I hear a car alarm sounding in the first ten minutes of the crossing, I become concerned but it’s not the Honda and its alarm does not go off on any crossing so that’s impressive.
On the open road the pearlescent white CR-V will keep up with the best of them, it will accelerate to 60mph from stand still in under 10 seconds, which for a heavy vehicle laden with luggage and five occupants is good enough. Equally it will potter around country lanes without complaint. It’s comforting to know that there’s bags of power if required. And it’s easy to park. I don’t like paying for parking so will always try and find somewhere else. I find a lovely space on the edge of Cancale, a picturesque fishing village in Brittany, behind another car but there is a chunky metal bollard behind me. However, the cameras in the CR-V provide an excellent view of this irritating obstruction and I’m able to park without any problem.
My only criticism is that I forget that I’ve left the sunroof tilted open – it would be useful if this automatically closed when the vehicle is locked.
The other issue is that when abroad the DAB function on the stereo does not seem to register so we go back to FM and it works.
The rear privacy glass poses a problem for the Customs staff, who cannot see our children but the cavernous boot is roomy enough for all our luggage and will even carry a hay bale for my daughters’ rabbits.
A smart looking vehicle this sixth generation model becomes a reliable friend over the course of the test.
The CR-V was launched in 1995, the same year that I passed my driving test, aged 17. I feel old.
Facts at a glance
New Isuzu D-Max
By Tim Saunders
Life is one long problem, it seems. Things break and need replacing. Whether it’s a sofa that needs throwing out, doors that need collecting or simply loads of rubbish that needs clearing. All of a sudden the to-do list is depressingly endless. Especially with three children aged 10 to 15 and a house that feels like an ongoing work in progress.
This is the challenging backdrop against which I evaluate the brand new Isuzu D-Max complete with Truckman canopy on the rear. It’s a vehicle that really does solve problems and I am so thankful for it. As it arrives it’s as if a huge weight is lifted. Open the split tailgate at the rear and slide in whatever it is that needs transporting. Large awkward items can be strapped in securely. It’s a Godsend, I tell you.
This updated version is sleek and fitted with the latest technology. With its double cab it allows all the family to travel in comfort while carrying whatever luggage is needed such as Henry’s scooter and footballs.
As I get behind the wheel I am met by endless tailbacks on whatever road I choose to go on, terrible embarrassing amounts of litter by the roadside and the deepest potholes known to man. While the D-Max sadly cannot do anything about the first two, it takes to travelling across tarmac lacking, pitted roads like a duck to water. It does the same with speed bumps. I take my son to football training and these anti-motorist humps are unhelpfully positioned in the middle of the road. Usually they catch my wife’s car but the 5ft wide Isuzu escapes unscathed. Oh, it’s a real joy. Now I can appreciate why such a capable off-roader is a necessity on Britain’s broken third-world-like surfaces. I’ve said it before that the roads in Bulgaria were like this a decade ago and my wife and I were appalled at how we used to have to swerve to avoid deep potholes. Now the roles have reversed and we’re doing the same here. What on earth is going on Sir Keir?
On the school run we spy an RAC emblazoned D-MAX by the roadside answering a breakdown.
I drive to Devon on a Friday night fully expecting yet more roadworks. There aren’t actually but instead temporary traffic lights dealing with flooding on some of the main roads. There have been many weather warnings but driving the Isuzu gives the motorist confidence that they can tackle whatever the world throws at them. With its switchable four wheel drive function it’s possible to change between two- and four- wheel drive at speeds of up to 60mph.
Night driving is a delight on empty roads because it is fitted with a row of really powerful headlights that seem to light up the whole world.
“I love being so high up,” smiles Henry (10) as he savours being in the front seat.
The automatic 1.9-litre diesel is capable of carrying over a tonne in the rear, meaning that heavy builder’s materials or even livestock can be transported without trouble. Adding Adblue into the system reduces the nitrogen oxide and its 76 litre tank will travel over 600 miles, returning more than 33mpg over the course of the test.
The leather seats are hardwearing and when driving for more than four hours at a time I feel that the driver’s seat, which is electrically adjustable, could do with more padding for my achy derriere. It comes with all round electric windows and wing mirrors, air conditioning and a decent stereo.
Facts at a glance
