Articles
Genesis G80
By Tim Saunders
If conspicuous motoring is your thing then you’ll like the Genesis G80 luxury saloon. During my time with this vehicle I enjoy watching countless double takes and quizzical glances. At the traffic lights as pedestrians walk by. Cyclists turning round as they pass to get a better look. Old folk really concentrating as they walk down a pavement, questioning, “What car is that?” It’s hilarious to watch.
Meanwhile we glide past in luxury and notice that considerably more expensive vehicles do not attract such attention. The G80 – yours for well under £50,000 – is firmly targeted at BMW and Audi drivers wanting something less bland and predictable; to stand out rather than follow that dull crowd. The massive grille and overall styling is reminiscent of an Aston Martin, which is pleasing to the eye. It’s a low slung all wheel drive sports saloon and a fairly sizeable one at that. It does cling to the road. With its all black leather interior there are wood inserts in the doors, which my wife is convinced is real wood but I’m not so sure. At any rate it is finished to a high standard.
We take it for a spin to Cambridge, a three hour, 130 miles drive on varying roads and sometimes some frustrating traffic jams. It’ll crawl with the rest of them or it will drive like a sports car, if allowed. With a nought to sixty time of around six seconds the two-and-a-half litre petrol turbo is satisfying. I would enjoy it even more if it were fitted with a manual gearbox rather than the lazy automatic that all cars these days seem to be fitted with. It’s fitted with a head up display which projects speed and directions onto the windscreen in front of the driver, which is helpful. The sat nav is easy to use and reasonably reliable until you’re on a roundabout or needing to exit a motorway and sometimes the delay can be problematic. Over the course of this quite long journey I discover that there is an automatic posture session that is triggered about halfway through our trip, which massages the driver’s back. It’s a bit off putting at first especially when travelling at speed. Then I discover that the seats both front and rear actively tighten the faster the car travels at 70mph and over, holding the occupants more firmly which should be comforting, but not for me. It’s a case of technology overstepping the mark I feel. I prefer more simple motoring. Which gets me on to the screens fitted to the back of the front headrests. The children, wanting to watch something during our journey, force me to investigate how this can be done. There are a couple of ways, plug a smartphone in and stream, or use a USB. It is at this point that I discover that it is possible to download content from youtube and save it to a USB. So that’s what I do and the children are delighted that they can watch their favourite cartoons as I drive. This is all very well but I have a couple of issues here. One is that they just keep watching and watching, which is really bad for them in terms of tiredness, which affects their behaviour. There’s endless arguing over them wanting to watch it and us not wanting them to. Secondly, it seems that if they watch something we have to listen to it, there’s no way round it unless they wear headphones but even then we cannot listen to the radio while they are watching. So for me this doesn’t work. I can see how it might do for a chauffeur and his VIP passenger but not for a family scenario.
Over a reasonably long journey Caroline and I find the front seats do not have enough padding for our bottoms.
I like the fact that there is a sizeable powered tilt/slide glass sunroof, which is very welcome on a hot summer’s day. The power boot can be a little frustrating because there does not seem to be a button on it to open/close it so you’re relying on the keyfob and if the driver’s door’s open the keyfob won’t open it and you have to use a switch on the dash. A bit too much faffing about for me. But that boot is fairly large and certainly big enough for all our luggage and even Henry’s scooter.
The children are comfortable in the back. Rear passengers also get blinds and can operate the sat nav and music, which is another frustration for me but I can see how beneficial this could be for a chauffeur and his passenger.
Facts at a glance
Toyota CH-R 2024
By Tim Saunders
Environmental credentials, reliability, looks, comfort and performance. Car manufacturers have a lot of boxes to tick these days. Toyota certainly succeeds with its second generation CH-R. This slick looking coupe styled sports utility vehicle is striking for its two-tone paint job; black and bronze. Black at the front and back and on the roof. It’s a different take on two-tone because traditionally the roof would be a different colour to the rest of the body. Toyota’s daring certainly pays off. It’s a futuristic looking vehicle both inside and out.
This is a hybrid petrol electric and it does what it’s meant to do. I drive it after trying an all electric vehicle the week before, which stopped working - while it still had 40 per cent charge - without any warning and needed recovering. So my time with this reliable hybrid is very much appreciated. The only challenge I have with it is that of patience. It is necessary to wait for the system to boot up in the same way as a computer. Wait and you will be able to drive it. Be impatient and you’re left with egg on your face. I know because when I push the power button to get on the ferry to Southampton from the Isle of Wight, I forget about waiting and as a result the gearbox does not engage. I’m tired and switch the car off. This has happened before in a Lexus. I wait and it works. You see when I’m not testing new cars I’m driving an old Corsa with a five-speed manual gearbox and there’s no waiting required. You need a bit of a different mindset with these new vehicles. The CH-R does not have a five speed manual gearbox but, in common with most cars these days, an automatic box.
When I look over my right shoulder to pull out I do find my vision restricted by the design of the rear windows. There’s quite a chunky pillar in my line of vision, which is unhelpful for safety in my opinion. There’s a park assist function but I prefer to rely on my own ability rather than playing second fiddle to technology. We seem to be blindly watching technology take over every aspect of our lives. I don’t like it.
Inside, the driver’s seat hugs me, which is always a good sign. The driving position is one of the better ones and the black leather seats are both hardwearing and practical. There’s a large panoramic glass roof which really does help to make the cabin light especially on those dull days. A tractor slows up the traffic near Newport and the CH-R willingly overtakes swiftly up a hill to get past, leaving a Porsche behind.
It comes with cruise control and a useful head up display which projects your speed onto the windscreen.
The boot is large enough for son Henry’s scooter and other paraphernalia for a day out on the island. It’s encouraging that the alarm doesn’t go off while travelling on the ferry unlike the Audi parked next to us.
“I do like the CH-R,” says oldest daughter Harriett (13), who sits in the back with Heidi (11) and Henry (8). “There’s enough room for us all and it looks very cool.”
The flush door handles pop out of the bodywork on unlocking, which sets it apart from many.
KGM Torres
By Tim Saunders
No sooner has the KGM Torres arrived and an Asian hornet… scary… decides to perch itself on the bumper, for quite some time. We discover they eat bees and the car is parked next to a beautiful lavender bush full of them. It’s enough to make my son Henry (8) rush inside and shut the door and windows. Thankfully we don’t see this insect again. On another occasion, as I’m about to reverse off the driveway, another insect, we think it’s a Maybug flies at the vehicle and promptly rests underneath the windscreen wipers. Try as we might to shoo it off it does not want to leave. Apparently these insects are common in this part of the world between May and July. When the car was delivered it had been valeted. Could it be the scented polish that attracts these insects or do they simply like the Torres?
Anyway, striking design is vital for a vehicle to stand out from the crowd. This is something that KGM has carefully considered with its new Torres SUV. The company, formerly known as Ssangyong, has crafted a car that looks sufficiently different to catch the attention. I don’t know of any other SUV that has grab handles on the bonnet or a grille in the style of the Torres. It even has a daring dash of red on it. Finished in black with its privacy glass, externally it reminds me of a smaller version of an American SUV, such as one you might find in the President’s cavalcade. The cut of the side windows remind me of the old Land Rovers or may be even a Hummer.
Inside it fits five occupants with ease and the boot is pretty big, large enough for the luggage we need for a weekend away in Cheltenham. The interior is black and the black leather seats are fairly comfortable. I like the bronze effect around the dash and this is followed through with the choice of thread on the upholstery. The centre console seems to control most things: temperature, radio, sat nav. This is frustrating for me. In older/other vehicles climate control is independent so you don’t have to wait for the technology to load up.
It’s quite a lethargic vehicle, especially when using the intelligent cruise control. If it comes up to a slower vehicle which forces the car to slow down from say 70 to 60mph and you then move out to overtake, it takes too long to regain that 10mph meaning that it has to be overridden. There are paddleshifts either side of the steering wheel but the problem for me is that this isn’t a very efficient vehicle - with a range of around 340 miles per tank - which is about 30 to 40mpg depending on driving style. So therefore I am not minded to be heavy on the throttle.
As a family bus it does its job competently but I must complain about the sat nav, which in my experience is terrible. It seems to enjoy overcomplicating a route and as a result wasting fuel. Punching in the postcode to find a pre-booked parking space through yourparkingspace.co.uk takes us all round the back streets of Cheltenham when it doesn’t need to. It does the same again when returning home via Oxford where it keeps insisting on taking us in the wrong direction. It repeatedly speaks of roundabouts where there aren’t any and the volume is too low and I can’t figure out how to increase it. All of which results in it being a very frustrating system that I feel is best left alone. It causes no end of arguments between my wife and I, which is not what I need when I’m meant to be relaxing.
Facts at a glance
Nissan X-Trail
By Tim Saunders
I have fond memories of driving the Volkswagen Passat two-litre diesel estate - some ten years ago now - because the acceleration was so impressive and the gearbox so smooth. The engine felt as if it would just go on and on. It was a joy to drive. I’m reminded of this as I sit in the Nissan X-Trail SUV. This is a much taller vehicle and probably a bit longer too because it accommodates up to seven occupants. It only has a 1.5-litre petrol engine. So I am pleasantly surprised when I put my foot down and hear the smooth note of the engine as it revs higher and higher through the gears. It’s just like that Passat. Yet it’s 500cc smaller and only has three cylinders, so Nissan has added a little turbo to enhance performance, which adds fun to the proceedings. The only thing is that if you’re too eager when driving this two wheel drive there is wheel spin, which is noticeable when pulling out of a side road or a roundabout. Nought to sixty in under 10 seconds and a top speed of 124mph while returning over 40mpg. Not bad though.
It looks pretty cool, too, finished in a striking dark grey, slightly darker than the shade used by Volvo. I like it. There was a time when black was the preferred finish for many but this is a definite improvement in my book. The rear privacy glass contrasts nicely against this, too.
We all love the panoramic glass roof, which incorporates a tilt/slide electric sunroof, although Caroline finds that when this is open fully the sun catches her right on the head and burns her, so we have to close it. During the time of the test the pollen count is high and I really appreciate the air conditioning, which soothes my sore eyes and general stuffiness. The seats are comfy, we like the interesting use of fabrics and are surprised to find brown on the dashboard and on the doors inserts. You don’t find brown in many cars these days. It reminds me of my ‘80s childhood when this colour was inside both my parents’ Vauxhall Carlton and Belmont.
The X-Trail is a family vehicle through and through and my two youngest: Heidi (11) and Henry (8) thoroughly enjoy sitting in that third row of seats; Henry preferring to clamber through the boot to get to his throne. Harriett (13) enjoys the peace and quiet of the middle row, which can be helpfully moved forward – so it’s a good way of splitting them up during a fraught and hectic half-term that has seen them having swimming lessons first thing each day and which has tired them out. Then Henry is worried about a forthcoming football tournament, which results in challenging behaviour to say the least. However, long car journeys help to calm him. We go to Bournemouth to collect a dressing table that Heidi has found online and it fits in the sizeable boot perfectly. Returning from our trip to the beach at East Wittering one sunny Sunday we are met with a closed M27 and have to divert a very long way via Petersfield back home. But we don’t really mind because it’s a chance for an extended drive that allows us to savour the beautiful Hampshire countryside. Another excursion is to the tip with bags of garden waste that are easily fitted into the boot. Yes, the X-Trail is a very capable vehicle indeed.
Honda HR-V 1.5
By Tim Saunders
Motorists are an unloved species. They suffer from high taxes, profiteering and potholes. And it’s never going to get better, especially in a recession.
It makes buying a vehicle a really really tough decision and one where the head must rule the heart. This is an area for good, sensible accountancy.
Enter the Honda HR-V. Poring over numbers is boring, thankfully this electric hybrid is anything but. With its striking design, with hints of sporty coupe about it, it is a striking SUV that’s high enough up from each and every atrocious road surface for the driver to almost forget about those dastardly potholes that are getting bigger and bigger. On one road local to me I have seen the road starting to open up with a long crater forming down the middle. In no time at all third world roads are going to be of better quality.
When fuel prices continue rising but more importantly so does the Earth’s temperature, we have to work smarter and Honda claims that this vehicle will return up to just over 60mpg, helped by the fact that it can silently crawl along in EV mode, ensuring that on a full 40 litre fuel tank it can travel up to around 460 miles with emissions as low as 94g/km.
Although the front is quite bold and straight with slanting headlights, it grows on you. The rear is home to straight lines. It’s certainly an interesting exercise in design. The black roof together with the black alloys contrast nicely against the premium sunlight white pearl two tone paintwork.
Inside, the substantial tweed seats are edged with expensive cream leather. We’re not just talking rich tweed though because down the middle of the seat is a chequered flag strip, adding to the luxurious yet sporty feel. The cream theme continues on the dash making a pretty bright and airy cabin that has a high quality feel. The seats are comfortable and supportive. There’s a power boot lid and the boot itself is large enough for a family’s needs.
While the speed limiter is a good idea, I find it awkward to operate but probably the more familiar I become with it the easier it will get. Travelling down hill with the speed limit set at 30mph a loud buzzer goes off as we hit 32mph. I shout at the children in the back thinking they’re messing about with seatbelts but then realise that the noise is the result of the car exceeding the set speed. At best this is frustrating at worst it could cost you points on your licence. I expect a speed limiter to stop the car from going faster than the desired speed - some vehicles are fitted with such systems.
A trip to Somerset allows me to put the HR-V through its paces. We crawl through many sets of roadworks starting on the M27 in Hampshire through Wiltshire right to our destination. At these ridiculously low speeds at least I can rest in the knowledge that we’re in EV mode so not polluting. When there are opportunities to travel as fast as say, 50mph, which is quite rare during the day, along this route, the Honda is quite capable.
I find the large front a little awkward when parking because I’m not completely sure how much space I have but it’s easy enough to manoeuvre.
It’s at night when the fun is to be had. The roads are clear so there are just those pesky speed cameras to bear in mind. The engine can be a little noisy when over revved which can happen when you put your foot down due to the automatic gearbox. However there are gearshifts either side of the steering wheel allowing the driver more control of the gears if preferred. I have few complaints about the H-RV, it’s a joy to drive and most importantly the driver arrives at their destination without any aches or pains – I can’t say the same of the Nissan Qashqai.
Facts at a glance
