Articles
Kia Ceed GT
“There’s no push button start,” the delivery driver informs me, rather down in the mouth, as he leaves the Kia Ceed GT on the driveway.
I instantly warm to the GT, a five-door family-sized hatch. This is my type of car, with its traditional key ignition and six speed manual gearbox. There is an electric handbrake though. Turn the ignition and there’s a nice little roar from the exhaust.
As the name suggests this is a sporty little number, a boy racer’s delight. Now, a good car feels like an extension of the motorist and I feel this with the GT. Once I’ve adjusted the seat there’s a good driving position with the steering wheel being just the right distance away from me. The manual gearbox feels just a little bit further forward than usual but I’m not complaining because it all adds to the experience. This is engaging driving that I’ve been missing of late. The bite of the clutch is a little challenging on occasions, simply because it’s a brand new car and I’m used to a more worn one in my wife’s Vauxhall Corsa.
“It’s a 25 plate,” announces my son Henry (9) as he arrives back from school. “I’m so excited,” he adds as he sits in it. He loves his cars.
Little boys seem to be drawn to car keys (with our old car and its primitive key fob we don’t need to worry about keeping it away from the children) but with the Kia, Henry discovers that when he unlocks the car from the key fob there is a button that he can press to open all the windows, which is handy on a hot day. Initially we all think this is rather flash and clever. However, when Caroline puts her arm through the window and Henry, sitting in the back now still holding the key fob, pushes the button for the windows to go back up, we are introduced to an unwelcome danger and the terrible thought that she could have lost an arm if she hadn’t been quick. So Henry and I conduct a little test to see whether in fact the window would keep going up if an object was in the way. We use a stick to test what happens and the window goes all the way up and then back down. I wouldn’t want to replace the stick with my arm.
Power folding wing mirrors, all round electric windows, heated front seats and steering wheel, a sat nav and a decent stereo are all included.
The Ceed’s 0 to 60mph time is under 10 seconds but due to the car being quite low to the ground, coupled with the roar of the exhaust, it does feel much quicker. There’s a top speed of over 120mph. Overall it returns more than 40mpg over the duration of the test where there have been a variety of speeds. I drive it on the school run and take it down the motorway to Horndean for Henry’s Saturday football match.
Externally, its design reminds me of a Mercedes A250 and it feels well put together with the motorist feeling safe in the knowledge that it comes with Kia’s famous seven year warranty. Its striking design gives the car an air of substance. The alloy wheels are striking, too and we notice that they catch the sunlight very nicely.
Facts at a glance
Toyota Corolla HEV
By Tim Saunders
A comfortable driving position is vital and it’s almost spot-on in the Toyota Corolla HEV hatchback. The heated black upholstered driver’s seat feels as if it’s sculpted around my body; it is both comfortable and supportive. This of course is especially important and much appreciated when you have a temperamental back like me.
This self-charging hybrid uses both electric and petrol to drive and is Toyota’s fifth generation hybrid system. Simple to drive, it is fitted with an automatic gearbox, and if selecting the B function instead of D, it will automatically click into ev mode whenever the opportunity arises – upto speeds of 54mph (on the motorway) during our test, which is pretty impressive. When ev mode kicks in it is satisfying, especially when crawling through town as you realise that the air pedestrians are breathing is just that little bit cleaner thanks to the Toyota. Reaching faster roads and pushing the accelerator to the floor sees the 1.8-litre Corolla effortlessly propel to the national speed limit. And this is in eco mode, it’s possible to select standard mode, which is sure to be quicker but less efficient. There’s a cruise control, too for the motorway. Over 60mpg is achieved over the course of the test and it covers more than 400 miles on its 43 litre tank. The Corolla easily accommodates five occupants and there is a good size boot. “But it is a bit squashed in the back,” says Heidi (12).
Externally, the ever so slightly frog-like Corolla with its bulging wheel arches is stylish and certainly eye-catching with its two tone paint job; metallic green body and black roof. Rear privacy glass enhances its side profile, which is nothing short of pleasing to the eye. “I think it resembles an owl at the front because of the shape of the headlights,” muses eldest daughter Harriett (14), who has a growing penchant for design.
The multimedia centre is home to an easy to use sat nav complete with English speaking voice, which is welcome when so many are American. There’s a useful reversing camera, too. The system can be operated by voice command that son Henry (9) tries but it doesn’t seem to understand him, which he finds amusing. Its DAB function allows us to listen to our favourite ‘80s radio station.
The black interior is well put together incorporating electric windows, heated front seats and power folding wing mirrors, all of which add a little touch of luxury.
I put it through its paces on jaunts to Highcliffe in Dorset and Farnborough in Hampshire both of which require some motorway driving as well as time on smaller more enjoyable roads. On one occasion we find ourselves stuck behind a very slow and timid learner driver. Of course, it’s important to leave as much room as possible behind such a motorist in case of sudden braking, which I do and am then able to safely overtake up a hill; the Corolla not breaking a sweat.
0-60mph: 9.1secs
Top speed: 112mph
Power: 138bhp
Audi A3 Sportback Sport 35 TFSi
By Tim Saunders
Stylish luxury. That’s what the Audi A3 offers. It’s a good looking, sophisticated five door hatchback that’s large enough to take five away on a long trip. Finished in dark metallic green there is rear privacy glass with the Audi logo and bonnet grille finished in black.
I last drove an Audi about eight years ago so I am delighted to find myself behind the wheel of one again. I put it through its paces on a journey to the East Midlands that takes in three counties: Northamptonshire, Leicestershire and Derbyshire. Covering over 600 miles allows me to see how it performs in varying circumstances; we crawl in jams on the M1, cruise when we're able to and travel faster along more accommodating rural roads.
While eldest daughter Harriett (13) admits that legroom is a little tight behind my seat, we all travel happily enough in our supportive black leather seats. The driver’s seat is electrically adjustable and I can’t grumble about the driving position; I fit snugly. I usually complain about cars these days only being equipped with boring automatic gearboxes… Well this is no different, there’s a seven speed auto and there are paddleshifts for manual-like driving. However, I currently have painful tendonitis in my left foot and have been hobbling about for two weeks; it's getting better but very slowly. So the fact that this is an automatic and there’s a foot rest for my left foot is actually helpful and over the course of the week long loan, I can feel an improvement in my big toe where the problem is, so thank you Audi.
This model has a little over 1,000 miles on the clock, which means the brakes have barely been bedded in, so braking has to be done carefully otherwise we all kiss the windscreen. It hugs the road and has ample acceleration to keep up with the best of them. The black interior is hardwearing and I like the fabric that has been incorporated on the ergonomically pleasing dashboard. There’s also an electric tilt/slide glass sunroof so that lets more light into the cabin. The sat nav certainly helps to make a journey less stressful but this one can be frustrating in terms of instructions not being as clear as they could be and the information not always being displayed on the head up display projected onto the windscreen in front of the driver.
The boot allows for a couple of suitcases and it’s necessary to remove the parcel shelf for son Henry’s scooter and our coats. Over the course of the journey it returns around 47mpg and will travel about 490 miles on a tank. Cruise control gives reasonable peace of mind when speed cameras are involved, however, it does gather speed when travelling downhill, which can be bothersome.
Overall, it's an impressive hatchback.
Facts at a glance
Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross
By Tim Saunders
A really useful vehicle. That’s what the Isuzu D-MAX V-Cross pick up truck is and it is no surprise that it won the Best Pick Up Truck of the Year in the What Van? Awards 2023.
I have a lot of green waste that has been piling up over the summer and this is an ideal opportunity to take it to the tip. It takes me a little while to understand how to operate the top lid cover on the load bay because I initially think it’s a roll top but it isn’t, it simply pops up like a car boot lid. When I do finally figure it out there’s a nice large space, which swallows lots of my bagged up hedge cuttings. Two journeys are all that’s required to clear my pile.
The D-Max pick-up truck, reminiscent of the one on popular ‘80s US TV drama, The Fall Guy, has the cool factor. It also allows me to help my elderly mother-in-law whose overgrown garden we’ve tidied up. She has plenty of cuttings to get rid of so we use the Isuzu to dispose of these at her local tip.
Thanks for your help D-Max.
“These are popular in the countryside,” says Graham, the delivery driver. “Especially among farmers.” I can see how budget conscious landowners would prefer this over a considerably more expensive and lower down Land Rover or Range Rover.
“It’s even got roof lamps, which they say are excellent for spotting rabbits.” I can’t figure out how to operate these.
It’s equipped with switchable four wheel drive – you just turn a dial. Powering four wheels uses more fuel so everyday road driving is best done on two wheel drive.
It’s a big, tall beast, taking up the best part of my driveway, and commanding respect from other road users. There’s no tailgating this vehicle when you dare to do 30mph in a 30mph zone. Being an automatic, it is very easy to drive and although there’s a push button start, to my delight, there is a traditional handbrake rather than a silly little switch for an electric one as is so often the case these days. It feels heavy duty for tough work.
The cabin is finished to a high standard with good quality hardwearing carpet and black leather seats. The children love this vehicle. Henry is especially smitten with it and enjoys opening the rear bay. Those seats are also heated, which I can imagine will be a Godsend for a soaking wet farmer on a cold winter’s day. The double cabin allows for five occupants to travel in comfort. Behind them is a standard size load bed with security cover, large enough for a calf or a few hay bales, I should think.
It’s a good looking truck and this particular model is fitted with a stone chip protector on the bonnet.
Acceleration and braking remind me of the old Mitsubishi L200, a little jerky and swaying due to the height but you expect that from such a vehicle and it adds to the overall character. In two wheel drive care is required when driving in the wet around roundabouts, I discover, when a little too enthusiastically I accelerate and the off-side front wheel skids but fortunately I’m able to correct this. As a result I select four wheel drive when driving round roundabouts in the wet. The beauty of the system is that you can select four wheel drive while driving up to a speed of about 60mph.
Facts at a glance
Suzuki Swift
By Tim Saunders
Every car I drive these days is fitted with a lazy automatic gearbox and an electric handbrake. I’m getting a bit fed up of it.
Thank goodness that Suzuki is still making cars with five speed manuals and traditional handbrakes. I take delivery of the Swift hybrid model just after driving a luxurious Genesis G80 saloon. Which is unfair because I’m bound to make comparisons which will put the little Suzuki at a disadvantage. Or will they? When closing the doors of the little Suzuki they are quite tinny in comparison but I suspect this aids efficiency. Its namesake is a medium-sized aerial bird, which is a superb flyer. The four wheeled version is a hybrid that will travel around 400 miles on a single tank returning about 60mpg. These are attractive figures and can only be dreamed of by the decadent G80 driver.
I drive it to Christchurch and Liphook, which allows me to put it through its paces. The driving position is good although I could do with the seat being a little further back but don’t adjust it because I’ve got three rear passengers in the rear and leg space is a bit tight. When I rest my arm on the driver’s door as I sometimes do, there isn’t enough padding for comfort. This is probably a good thing because it’s a bad habit of mine and I should always have my hands at the ten to two position on the wheel.
The cruise control is intelligent meaning that it tracks the vehicle in front and brakes or accelerates accordingly. Generally, this is pretty reliable and even maintains the desired speed when travelling up or down hill. Gears can be changed without effecting this function.
I love the efficiency of this little car. It’s the only car I’ve driven for a very long time where the range actually increases after I have driven it! Whether I’m driving on the motorway or pootling around country lanes the Swift returns over 61 miles to the gallon. It’s remarkable. It’s a very tiny engine but it’s gutsy and it’s a great little driver’s car that is really enjoyable to throw round bends - floor it and the roar from the 1200cc engine sounds great – reminding the driver of Suzuki’s motorcycling heritage. It sits in the outside lane very comfortably and gives many a car a good run for their money.
It’s interesting to note that the front seats have considerably better padding than in the luxurious Genesis G80 I was previously driving. The black fabric is hardwearing. I like the splash of cream on the dash. The interior is finished to a good standard. This particular model is loaded with goodies and has all the luxuries you might expect of a larger vehicle; heated front seats, all round electric windows, air con, sat nav and alloy wheels. It’s a shame that the DAB function on the radio isn’t very good so we have to resort to FM.
There’s a good size boot and the lid opens and shuts in the traditional manner of using one’s own muscles rather than pressing a button on a keyfob and waiting. I do appreciate this traditional approach and enjoy it. Many manufacturers are constantly thrusting technology upon the motorist. It is pleasing that Suzuki has drawn a line, as I would, and incorporated some technology but not gone overboard. It’s important to treat the motorist as a human being. Thank you Suzuki.
Externally it’s attractive. This model is finished in burgundy. “I prefer the front to the back,” says eldest daughter Harriett (13) who has an eye for design, which is always a subjective thing.
It’s interesting that while driving this car, I spot countless Suzukis on the road. I’ve never seen so many.
Overall it’s a competent, frugal, low emission, five door hatchback and I’ll be sad to see it go.
Facts at a glance
