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Subaru Outback
The adventurous are the target market for Subaru with its Outback crossover. With its permanent four wheel drive there’s excellent road holding no matter the terrain. As the name suggests you can quite imagine it making its way through the plains of Australia without issue. It looks cool too with its roof rails, matt metal power folding wing mirrors and overall design that screams take me into a field. Pleasingly, this is just what we’re able to do when we go to an excellent charity family day organised by Michael Thornton at Fort Purbrook in Hampshire where we have to make our way down a rough gravel track and park in a field.
On another occasion I take the Subaru Outback on a spin down the A303 to Wiltshire and wish I hadn’t. The Outback is a splendid driver’s car but the A303 is the dullest road I have been on for a very long time. “You’re not being fair,” chides my wife, Caroline. “The surrounding countryside is beautiful.” That’s all very well and the A303 does lead you past historic Stonehenge, I admit, but the problem is that there are so many speed cameras along the way, spoiling a driver’s enjoyment. There’s even a hidden camera at the foot of a hill where a dual carriageway starts. This is just unfair. Having been subjected to a wide load for some 15 miles that I could not overtake I am finally presented with an opportunity when this dual carriageway emerges. I put my foot down, only for a 60mph sign to flash up on the Subaru’s instrument panel. I brake quickly as I start to overtake, not wanting to be booked for speeding. Completely unsafe. I always thought that you could travel at 70mph on a dual carriageway and when I return home I check this to discover that the RAC agrees with me. Thank goodness.
I hadn’t actually selected the A303 in the first place, the Outback’s TomTom sat nav had. This system takes some getting used to because at first I cannot get it to acknowledge my destination but then eventually work out how to get it to do this. It’s not as clear as other systems but once understood instructions are clear and reliable.
Motorists are an impatient lot and when confronted by wide load convoys they all get as close as possible tailgating each other and pushing in where possible. In such situations I pull well back and take a deep breath.
Repeatedly throughout this journey, the Subaru informs me that I should be travelling at no more than 60mph on dual carriageways. Then I find that when travelling down hill the cruise control does not maintain my desired speed but exceeds it, only by a few mph but enough to set a speed camera off, I’m sure. Which means that when I am driving in a 30mph zone down hill, I have to keep on top of the cruise control by pushing it down to 25mph at times and then back up or driving without cruise control on. Or using the speed limiter.
What my family and I love about the Outback is its DAB radio which allows us to play our favourite ‘80s radio station. We love our 80s music and this is the perfect backdrop to our journey to and from Wiltshire.
On our return journey the sat nav must understand my dislike of the A303 and thankfully guides me onto the A36 to Salisbury, which is a far more pleasurable route for me for the simple reason that it is not so littered with speed cameras.
Put your foot down in this petrol Outback and it does have some life, quickly reaching a decent speed. The automatic box is an old man’s way of driving but there are gear shifts either side of the steering wheel for the youngsters. This is quite a chunky estate car, which is great for the children and the cavernous boot is, dare I say it, too large for us! There are useful roof bars, too. Overall it’s a striking estate and this model is finished in khaki, which matches my son Henry’s shorts so he’s happy. We like the tilt/slide electric glass sunroof, too – just the thing for a decent summer’s day.
Another journey sees me take the Outback down the A31 to Bovington and I wish I hadn’t done that either. Roadworks during this trip in the height of the summer holidays, causes an hour-long delay, which is unnecessary and unfair to all the motorists along this painful stretch of road. You would expect to see a roadworker but there are none. The Outback remains calm, the engine stop start cutting in as required while I seethe. But I cannot understand why the sat nav does not alert us to roadworks and divert us accordingly. Surely that would make such technology useful. Anyway, we resolve not to travel along this route on our return journey and instead head for Ringwood on the A35, which is a good decision, until we reach the start of the variable speed limit section of the M27 where Highways England has thought it sensible to reduce the four lane motorway to three by installing a series of cones. There is absolutely no rhyme nor reason why this has been done other than to cause yet more pain and suffering to commuters and travellers. In the midst of our crawl along this section a fire engine with his blues and twos splits the traffic up to get to an accident along the stretch. And then miraculously the traffic starts to flow again.
The Outback has an enormous boot that allows me to take a lot of clutter to the tip. It’s a great vehicle and as we wait for the tip to open Henry discovers that the back of his rear seat can be adjusted and that the camera allows you to see various views outside, helpful for alerting the driver to obstacles.
Kia Niro HEV
By Tim Saunders
As the climate emergency accelerates so too does car design. For me electric hybrids represent the most attractive way of helping the planet – the best of both worlds – without the aggravation. The Kia Niro HEV is one such vehicle, which with its striking design both inside and out, promises to be exciting. My son Henry (7) instantly notices the air vents beside the outside of the rear passenger doors that come out beside the rear lights, next to the boot. We haven’t seen this before and presume it must be a way of creating a more efficient car.
As I open up and sit in the driver’s seat there is a musical welcome, akin to being on a game show. Over time I think this would probably drive me to drink and wonder if there is a way to turn it off but I can’t find one.
The interior is slick and hardwearing with heavy duty plastic on the back seats, which is helpful for families with little children who always rest their tiny feet on the seat backs. The front seats look nicely ergonomically designed and the dashboard is as futuristic as you can get. Occupants feel as if they are sitting back a little, which is unusual but quite welcome, quite a relaxed seating arrangement.
There are a couple of small niggles. The rear parcel shelf is very flimsy, so much so I question how long it is meant to last. And as far as I can tell there is no sat nav. Over the years we have become very reliant on this technology, too much so, I admit but it is useful to have it in a car, giving the driver peace of mind that they are pretty much guaranteed to find wherever their unfamiliar destination might be.
Driving is easy. Insert the key into the ignition, just like a traditional car, no push button nonsense. Select drive on the automatic box and away you go, on EV mode if your right foot isn’t too heavy. The joy of this car is speed coupled with efficiency. If, from a standstill the driver presses the accelerator right down to the floor there is a little delay to begin with and then it zooms into life. And it’s pleasantly quick.
I take it on a spin to Chichester where my wife discovers that the volume control is on the right hand side of the steering wheel, meaning that she cannot turn the sound up on the radio, much to her annoyance. Not to mine, I don’t like the tune she’s listening to! Strangely the cruise control is on the left of the steering wheel, in stark contrast to every other car I drive. So this takes some getting used to. For the price of this vehicle I expect power folding wing mirrors. When I manually push them in I find them as flimsy as that rear parcel shelf.
On another occasion it’s necessary to load it up with hedge cuttings, very carefully, so not to make the interior dirty. The rear seats go down very easily and that flimsy parcel shelf is removed (there’s no way you’d put a parcel on it because it would break). I put a cover down and am then able to get a good number of gardening bags in. It’s necessary to make three journeys to the tip – it’s a large hedge that we’re trimming in a bid to redesign our driveway.
During a drive around the outskirts of Basingstoke I discover that there are in fact two driving modes: eco (with its blue tone on the dash) and sport (with its daring red). Engaging sport mode does see the fuel level decline quicker and the revs increase. It’s certainly more gutsy, which is helpful for overtaking a cyclist on a country lane to Old Basing.
It copes well with my various demands and for me, if the automatic could be replaced with a five or six speed box, I think I’d be reasonably content with this car. It’s large enough for the five of us and the boot is fairly sizeable.
Genesis G70
By Tim Saunders
Eldest daughter Harriett has just taken her Year 7 SATs. In her English she was required to know the meaning of personification. Quite timely really as I find myself behind the wheel of the Genesis G70 2.0T because the marketing literature refers to it as athletic.
It reminds me of the Maseratis and Alfa Romeos I have driven due to the cool air vents on the wings, the bonnet and the choice of fabrics inside like the luxurious suede effect material on the roof lining. Inside it’s luxurious and thought has been given to the textures. I like the diamond covered seats, sporty red seatbelts, metal on the doors and the pedals, all of which cleverly enhance that sporty appeal. There’s an electric sunroof and all round electric windows as well as air conditioning. I find the plastic lever for the parking brake a little on the flimsy side though. My wife would prefer that there were not controls on the side of her seat because Henry (7) in a bad tempered moment pushes it forward, which hurts Caroline.
While it might not have the ground vibrating roar of a Maserati, the hum of the exhaust is far from standard. It is fitted with an eight speed automatic, which unusually has a separate park button. There are accompanying paddleshifts. Finding the correct driving position is quick thanks to electric adjustment controls, even on the steering wheel. I have always been a fan of the sports saloon and many moons ago owned a Mazda Xedos 2-litre V6. It is fair to say that the Genesis is a far superior model, smoother, but I miss the manual gearbox.
Externally, the test model is finished in a sort of brushed matte metal grey, not dissimilar to a flask, my wife says. This is the first time I have driven a car with such a paint job. While it has been possible to get a car finished like this by a third party, it has only just become an option with manufacturers. A bit of research tells me that a different type of care is required than many of us might be used to. Forget traditional car polishes, which will ruin this finish. It’s one for the jet wash and a special type of foam. I like it and I like the fact that the design of the low-slung G70 reminds me very much of an Aston Martin helped by the strikingly similar emblem on the bonnet. Black alloys with red brake callipers and a rear end like a Mercedes C63 and you’ve got a car that has lifted the best bits from many manufacturers to create something of which to be proud.
Last year I drove a Jaguar XE Sport and was disappointed at how cramped the rear seats were. Although the G70 has a little more space in the rear, it’s not much different, which means when the family are in it I cannot have the driver’s seat as far back as I would like. This means that my arms are not straight when I’m driving, which is uncomfortable. It’s low to the ground meaning that it always feels as if it’s going faster than you actually are. While the cruise control is sophisticated, it’s annoying because for instance, approach parked cars by the road side and the brake is automatically applied. It’s not a smooth operation either. So I resort to only using cruise control on longer journeys.
On the motorway a BMW overtakes for the driver and passenger to take a closer look. I take it for a spin to Romsey and on exiting the M27 there’s a clear dual carriageway, which allows me to put my foot to the floor. It’s quick and it holds the road very well indeed, hugging the corners nicely, helped by that tight suspension. So, not only does it look the part but it has all been very well designed to play the part, too. Later as we crawl through 30mph zones, pedestrians stop and gaze. The G70 is a rarity on Britain’s roads and for this reason I like it.
Facts at a glance
Ssangyong Rexton
By Tim Saunders
Britain’s roads are full of potholes. This depressing and embarrassing situation reminds me of when I used to visit Bulgaria before it joined the EU - it now has many superb roads. Prior to EU membership it was perfectly acceptable for drivers to veer all over the road to avoid damaging their cars. In Britain today if you buy a new family or sportscar it will no doubt be fitted with expensive alloys; they are going to get ruined on our dreadful roads, no matter how careful you are. A cracked alloy can cost £1,000 to repair/replace. The answer? Buy a Ssangyong Rexton. You don’t need to worry then because the chunky tyres swallow up potholes. It’ll feel just as at home on the farm, towing a horse box. I drive it during a heavy downpour when the roads are flooded and I feel safe because it carries on ploughing through the deep puddles while other cars avoid them for fear of conking out. Yes, there’s a lot to be said for driving a 4x4 in today’s Britain when costs continue to rise and nothing is seen in return. Don’t get me started on the greedy water companies and their bosses with their multi-million pound pay packets. Southern Water is planning to recycle sewage effluent into drinking water...
The prestigious Rexton is massive, much taller than many off roaders, giving the driver a distinct advantage when overtaking on A and B roads; there’s a very good view of the road ahead. There’s the power to safely overtake the cyclist that we find ourselves behind. However, there is a downside to this height and this is that quite a few car parks have an annoying metal bar above the entrance to prevent such tall vehicles from entering and parking. This means that a bit of forward planning is required when making a journey and will often result in roadside parking. No great problem as it has power folding wing mirrors and is substantial enough not to worry about being clipped by other motorists.
With its large grille and dark finish it doesn’t look dissimilar to one of the large SUVs in former President Trump’s motorcade. I can see the appeal of such a vehicle for Mr Trump. Occupants feel safe, almost infallible. Certainly the Rexton is a very capable vehicle with a good quality finish inside and out. The finish of the alloys is like shiny chrome as you might find on an American SUV. So all in all, this vehicle feels as if it would be quite at home in the States. “I wouldn’t like driving it,” says my wife. “It feels way too wide.” While it does fill our driveway, it doesn’t feel in anyway awkward or clumsy to drive. Despite is mammoth size it is easy to drive thanks to its automatic gearbox and cruise control for longer journeys. There are also paddleshifts either side of the steering wheel should you want a more engaging drive. Should you need to venture off road there’s a dial to select the ‘Part-time Management System’ – this makes me smile - for some reason I start thinking of striking workers…
The information system in the centre of the dashboard incorporates the radio and satellite navigation, which helpfully alerts the driver to where speed cameras are positioned, displaying the speed in km/h. If the vehicle is travelling too fast a red bar appears down the right hand side of the screen…
When driving at night I struggle to find the controls for the headlights and finally discover that they’re on the stalk to the left of the steering wheel. They’re usually on the right.
There are lots of luxuries including nice and comfy black leather and suede seats and a third row meaning that up to seven occupants can be transported. The third row does eat into the boot space but if it is not required the loading capacity is enormous. The children love the size of this vehicle and Henry especially, enjoys sitting at the far back, particularly when he discovers his very own heating controls. The folding second row of seats is quite heavy and could do with being powered to make accessing the third row a bit easier.
This vehicle can be unlocked just by pushing a button on the front door handle as long as the key is on you. It’s the same with opening the boot.
Reversing vehicles the size of the Rexton can be daunting so it is helpful to discover the reversing camera, which helps make light work of this task.
There are plenty of cubby holes and drink bottle holders and the heated/cooled front and rear seats are welcome particularly when I get caught in a nheavy downpour watching my son's football training. The steering wheel is heated and I am pleased to find that the boot lid is powered.
The Rexton fits into the Saunders family with great ease and we like it a lot.
Kia XCeed GT Line S 1.5 TGDi
By Tim Saunders
Youngest daughter Heidi (10) has recently decided that her favourite colour is now green and so she is thrilled to see that the Kia XCeed GT Line S 1.5 TGDi is finished in a not so subtle shade. There aren’t many vehicles about with such a finish which means that double takes are regularly received.
Externally it is finished with a black grille and alloys, which seems all the rage at the moment on many vehicles from Hyundai to Range Rover. Power folding wing mirrors and lights that appear near the front door handles at night help to make life easier.
Inside there are lots of cubby holes and Henry (7) enjoys exploring where they are, discovering a place for glasses tucked away near the rear view mirror and lifting up the lid of the front centre armrest. In the back Harriett (12) finds that there is a ski hatch cleverly concealed in the back. She’s growing, well they all are, and there seems a good amount of legroom in the back for her, particularly.
This top of the range model, priced between £25,000 and £32,000, comes loaded with goodies including front and rear heated seats, a heated steering wheel and bucket front seats that really give a sporty feel. All of which enhances the experience. The driving position is good, helped by the electrically adjustable driver’s seat. It’ll potter about at 30mph quite happily and when required will push its way from a side road onto a busy motorway with ease, thanks to ample acceleration.
The overall finish, which includes a pretty luxurious black fabric, is pleasing, if rather dark inside but at least there’s that glass sunroof for lovers of light. I like the six-speed manual gearbox, too, which is decisive – in stark contrast to the notchy one in my wife’s Corsa. With a 0 to 60mph of 8.7 seconds it’s not lightning quick but does it need to be?
Most of our driving is local and 30mph zones are all too common, so there is little need for a super fast car these days. Venture onto the motorway and speed cameras are everywhere. Where’s the joy? Country lanes, that’s where. Thank goodness. It’s springtime and the sun appears, meaning that we can head to the South Downs with the large glass sunroof open. It’s good to see a sunroof; I’ve always enjoyed the wind in my hair. When we arrive a simple push of a button on the boot lid sees the power boot open to reveal a large enough boot for me to sit in to put my walking boots on.
A Kia has always represented good value for money, because of the seven year warranty that continues to come with all its cars.
Facts at a glance
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