The SUV marketplace is excessively fashion conscious, and so the visuals of such a car play a very big part in its appeal. CX-5 was a rather handsome effort but looks somewhat understated by todays standards. Enter the all-new model and it certainly stamps its authority on the automotive catwalk. Clean lines run from nose to tail conveying a sense of motion. the Kodo design language see the introduction of a new deep chrome trimmed grill that is flanked by a pair of narrow headlights. As the roof gently slopes towards the rear you will find a domed boot lid and a smart set of horizontal lights. Our top specification test car looked great wearing a set of dark 19 inch alloy wheels.

This revolution in design continues inside where the interior is unrecognisable. There is still plenty of usable space, but the perceived quality of the cabin has been taken up a peg or two. Soft-ouch materials line most surfaces with brushed aluminium defining things such as air vents. A contoured dashboard and intricate inserts give it plenty of character. Mazda’s ergonomic touchscreen infotainment display is mounted onto the dashboard with its tumbler and shortcut buttons easily falling to hand. It features all of your usual DAB, phone connectivity, and navigational features, but does lack the option of Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. A pair of supportive leather heated sports seats play host to front occupant, whilst the driver now receives a heated steering wheel too. Rear head and leg room is pleasing, however, the middle passenger does have to straddle a protruding transmission hump. A wide opening electric tailgate reveals 506 litres of boot space and a nice flat floor.

Refinement in the 2017 Mazda CX-5 was a key target for engineers and it is fair to say they have succeeded. With an anal level of detail going into new rubber seals and strategically located sound deadening, engine and wind noise all but evaporates. There is some road noise, likely not aided by our cars larger alloy wheels, but overall it is a tranquil means to travel. Powering this example is a 148 BHP 2.2 litre diesel engine of which is accompanied by a healthy 380Nm of torque. Whilst there is an all wheel drive variant on offer, this configuration with front wheel drive is expected to be the most popular. Sending that power to the front wheels is a 6 speed manual transmission. Right from the get-go the engine proves to be a strong choice with that aforementioned torque available low in the rev range. Mazda have work hard to hush their diesels and so their related soundtrack is kept to a minimum. Around urban environments this SUV scores well with good all around visibility and light steering. It does a great job of not feeling like a large car to drive. This is further backed up by its agility on twisting roads. There is some initial body roll, as you would expect, but it is quick to change direction and has a real sense of composure even when pushing on. The short throw to its gearstick is more sports car than family workhorse and the prime seating position aids with driver connection. That said, the steering is a bit too light at speed and I found myself taking a few stabs on entry to corners in order to get a sense of what the front wheels were doing. That is a shame because in very other respect this is the best handling car in its class. Whilst the ride is a little firmer than the competition, it is supple enough to live with everyday. On the motorway iy is a well balanced cruiser and a relaxing means to travel long distances. Mazda claim 56.5 MPG combined from our car.

Clearly the 2017 Mazda CX-5 has evolved the formula in order to become a more premium offering. It ticks the right boxes when it comes to family life, but also is something that might encourage you to take the long way home. I may prefer the steering setup of its predecessor, but in every other aspect the latest generation is a far superior machine. Despite how competitive this class is, Mazda should be very happy with their efforts. The all-new CX-5 costs from £23,695 (loaded with standard equipment) and goes on sale 30th June.

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The city car class might be made up of small cars, but it is big business for manufacturers. Truth be told, we don’t all need big cars and for many residing within the urban sprawl, something that gets you from A to B whilst being easy to park is a godsend. Kia, over the years, has flourished into a keen contender within the automotive arena. Its wide range starts with the little Picanto and extends all the way up to the 7 seat Sorento. The time has come for the all-new 2017 Kia Picanto to make its debut in Italy where we have come to be amongst the first to sample this compact contender.

Well, somebody certainly put a firecracker under the designers desk whilst drawing this one! Sat next to its predecessor, of which appears reserved and polite, this new car has real attitude. Squat but broad, angry yet composed, a big character but in a small package. The wide “Tiger Nose” grill bridges the gap between intricate raked headlights. This being the top specification car it wears a set of sharp 16 inch alloy wheels and a chromed exhaust tip. Sure, it has that classic box form factor of all city cars, but the overall aesthetic is one that you wouldn’t mistake for another.

Inside the 2017 Kia Picanto GT Line S shares the same seemingly magical trait of the TARDIS, in that “it is bigger on the inside”. For most cars in this class the cabin is a tricky subject, but the Picanto has been intelligently packaged. Front and rear passengers enjoy good headroom with legroom for the rearmost being respectable also. Even the middle occupant needn’t straddle a hump in the floor. Surprisingly boosted two toned seats make themselves at home in the front, as does Kia’s ergonomic touchscreen infotainment system. Alas, those traditional scratchy plastics can be found throughout the interior. That is a shame because other than that the Picanto isn’t a bad place to spend time. Redemption is to be found in a class leading 255 litre boot that can grow to 1,010 litres with the rear seats folded flat. Clearly the 2017 Kia Picanto GT Line S is big on practicality.

This little car has a few engine choices of which can be plumbed in. First up is a 66 BHP 1.0 litre and that is fine for pottering about town, but does feel a bit lacking at speed. Coming soon is a 99 BHP turbocharged three cylinder of which sounds very promising indeed! However, we are testing the 1.25 litre four cylinder naturally aspirated unit that churns out 83 BHP and 122Nm of torque. It is clearly no Ferrari with a 0-60 MPH time of 11.3 seconds, but it is brisk enough and the power band is pleasingly broader than the entry level motor. The 1.25 is much happier on the motorway than its sibling. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 5 speed manual transmission. Said gearbox has a nice short throw but a slight notchy feeling at times. What really stood out for me was this Picanto’s steering. Kia has come a very long way and this car provides the most promising evidence yet that the brand is listening to feedback. Whilst it could possess a bit more feel, the weighting is sensible and inputs are met with a precise response. It was rather rewarding being able to place this pint-sized Picanto exactly where I wanted it on twisting mountain roads. Having the wheels pushed to the very edge of each corner is a plus for handling. There is some body roll but also more grip than you might expect. Stir the gearbox and let its engine rev, the fun is to be found in maintaining momentum through the bends. Obviously most owners won’t be driving their example with anywhere near this much vigour, so you will be pleased to know that we took it to some busy Italian towns too. The ride on the whole is good, larger alloy wheels on the GT Line S do make it firmer, but the standard car soaks up imperfections very well. Visibility is positive and top specification models are further improved with a rear reversing camera. It is an easy thing to drive in a crowded space and feels at home in the hustle of urban life. Kia claims that this example emits 106g/km of CO2 and returns 61 MPG combined.

Prices of the new car start from £9,450 and if you want this top specification 2017 Kia Picanto GT Line S it is £13,950. Kia should be rather pleased with their work as the baby of the range certainly gives other manufacturers something to think about.

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Life is full of pleasant little surprises, don’t you think? Those times where something unexpectedly makes you smile are often the things that help you through a challenging day. I am sure you are all familiar with the quirky Kia Soul of which offers an alternative flavour of hatchback. The new 2017 Kia Soul Sport is just as individual as the car on which it is based, but in this new guise it proved to indeed be a surprise.

Retaining its attitude of breaking the mould, this boxy profile is unlike anything in the car park at the moment. Short overhangs, tall stance, a raked windscreen, it makes a statement. The rounded edges to the design gives it a post-modern feel as opposed to something that was drawn with an Etch-A-Sketch. Large headlights and intricate rear lighting signatures detail this alien craft. Our Sport model finished in a sobering metallic grey actually looked rathe polished. This car receives reworked bumpers, 18 inch alloy wheels, and a neat red pinstripe running along its skirting.

The interior, whilst clearly belonging to a car, has elements that could also double as modern art installations. The speakers sit atop towering vents as the door speakers change colour like some form of technicolour jellyfish. More unconventional shapes can be found throughout making for a cabin that couldn’t belong to anything else. A large touchscreen infotainment display offers everything from DAB radio, phone connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and navigation. Kia’s user interface is clean and ergonomic. A pair of more sporting heated leather seats host the front occupants whilst rear passengers take full advantage of utilitarian shape the Kia Soul Sport provides. Ample head and leg room, with the addition of heated seats, makes of a comfortable place to sit. A glass panoramic sunroof floods the interior with sunlight, boosting that airy feel. The 354 litre boot expands to a highly usable 994 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

Under the bonnet is a 1.6 litre turbocharged engine of which produces 201 BHP and 265Nm of torque. Those numbers place it firmly into the warm hatchback category and a 0-62 MPH time of 7.5 seconds further backs that up. Performance makes its way to the ground via a 7 speed DCT automatic transmission and the front wheels. It doesn’t take a genius to add a little bit of extra spice to a mainstream model, but the big surprise was that this 2017 Kia Soul Sport is actually a really enjoyable little thing to grab by the scruff of its neck. Considering its hight, the Soul is remarkably resistant to body roll thanks to a stiffer suspension setup. The steering could do with a bit more communication, but it is accurate making it easy to place. Select Sport Mode and the steering weight increases as does the throttle response. Keen turn-in is followed by plenty of grip and a good slug of torque when accelerating out of a bend. It isn’t the worlds fastest machine, but it is fun aiming to maintain that momentum through a series of sweeping bends. The aforementioned gearbox appears to know what it is doing too, accurately selecting ratios and engaging them quickly. Once the turbo was spooled up I did find myself with a grin on my face. In a more everyday environment the Kia Soul is still a good allrounder, however, the ride is notably firmer. Ruts in the road make themselves known as the reduced suspension travel results in a pronounced thud. Visibility is positive in every direction apart from the narrow rear window, but that is remedied with the reversing camera on this car. Its compact size makes it easy to park as does the light steering. It is quite happy to sit on a motorway with the cruise control taking care of business, and there is enough get up an go to make positive overtaking progress. Obviously there is notable wind noise due to the cars blunt surfaces, but it does the job if longer journeys are required. Kia claim 40.9 MPG combined.

The 2017 Kia Soul Sport may well be a bit of an oddball, but sometimes that left field choice is exactly what you are looking for. This car can be a difficult thing to define… Warm hatch? Compact SUV? MPV? 4th dimensional being? One thing that we do know for sure is that we rather like it. £23,250 gets you this latest addition to the Soul family.

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The notion of a Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicle is a simple enough concept to understand, but actually a very difficult one to master in reality. To marry combustion with battery power makes a lot of sense when confronting that dreaded range anxiety, yet in reality the execution is rarely seamless. We like the new Optima and so it makes for a good place to start in regards to Kia’s first model of this type. How does the 2017 Kia Optima PHEV do out on the road?

Whilst some hybrid and electric vehicles kick and scream about their environmental credentials with space age design, the Optima takes a more reserved approach. Looking broadly similar to the model on which it is based, the PHEV makes a few aerodynamic modifications. The “Tiger Nose” grill is now shrouded and sits above a much cleaner front bumper. Subtle blue trim has been added along its length, but other than a set of more aerodynamic alloy wheels, it looks near identical to a standard Optima. Conclusion? This very much appeals to those who want their car to look like a car, and not something from the year 2054.

Just because this car has environmental credentials doesn’t mean that occupants have to live in poverty. There is just one trim level and it comes fully loaded with toys. Heated leather seats, DAB radio, cruise control, heated steering wheel, duel zone climate control, and a touchscreen infotainment system all feature. The front seats might not offer much in the way of side bolstering, but they are comfortable. Much like the exterior, the interior mimics the the regular Optima, no bad thing, by providing a durable and well built cabin. Rear passengers are supplied with good leg room, however, the sloping roofline does cut down on space for the tallest of passengers. Boot space is slightly smaller than the standard car, this is due to the onboard battery pack, to a still usable 307 litres. A slight practicality gripe some might have with the 2017 Kia Optima PHEV is that the rear bench can not be folded flat.

Under the bonnet is a 2.0 litre petrol engine of which is paired to an electric motor for a total output of 202 BHP and 189lb ft of torque. Traveling in pure electric mode is somewhat blissful as there is very little noise. A sense of tranquility fills the cabin as you quietly hum to your destination. The 2017 Kia Optima PHEV can travel for up to 33 miles in this state of which encompasses the average daily commute. Charging takes 6 hours from a standard household socket or 4 hours from a rapid charger. I found plugging the car in at night no more of an inconvenience than doing the same with my mobile phone. Something else which aids with day-to-day living is the fact that this is a PHEV and so range anxiety does not exist. In its hybrid setting the battery is used to boost performance or run the car when it is most efficient to do so. Regenerative braking tops up the battery when depleted but in the mean time the petrol engine is more than happy to pick up the slack in a more conventional manor. The combination of the two power sources is relatively seamless and the overall feeling when on the move is one of refinement. This car isn’t going to win any awards for an entertaining drive, but a comfortable ride means that it is a nice way to travel from point A to point B. Long journeys are easily consumed with cruise control turned on and if you find yourself being held up by a dawdler, it is at home enough on the M27 to dispose of them. However, if you were to primarily spend lengthy time on the motorway we would strongly recommend the diesel Optima for overall fuel efficiency on such journeys. Kia claim 176 MPG combined, and whilst pretty unattainable in reality, if you can keep the car primarily running on electricity it can do well for itself. 75 MPG is possible without trying very hard.

You might be surprised to know that this 2017 Kia Optima PHEV is actually Kia’s first Plug-in. Considering the numerous hurdles involved in creating such a car, they have produced a commendable initial offering. £33,995 is a fair chunk of change, but then the equipment level is higher than many competitors. In addition, Kia’s unrivalled 7 year warranty might just be enough to seal the deal.

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Has there ever been a car with such big shoes to fill? A car with so much expectation placed upon its shoulders? Considering the icon that is now Discovery, it is hard to think of another that has so much to live up to. The all-new 2017 Land Rover Discovery is a big departure from its predecessor in many respects. With this “changing of the guard” Land Rover claim that this 5th incarnation is the most capable they have ever produced.

Gone are the straight edges and boxy design, in their place you will find a far more curvaceous affaire. This generation clearly marks itself as a modern and fashion conscious machine that wears intricate details like jewellery. A nameplate sits proudly upon the front wing, the bowed chrome grill makes a statement, distinctive LED lights sit either side, and the subtle hump in the roof plays homage to Discoverys gone by. Something else that hints at this cars lineage is the offset numberplate at the rear. Whilst this feature splits opinion amongst my colleagues, it does grow on you. Considering the vast number of preorders for this car, it is likely something you will get used to quite quickly.

The revolution continues inside as the cabin is also a departure from Discovery 4. Whilst the previous Disco was far from a Victorian workhouse, the new model in HSE Luxury is opulent enough to be mistaken for a Range Rover. Wood trim and high quality bathe the interior whilst aluminium and gloss plastic punctuate the details. JLR’s InControl Pro touchscreen infotainment display offers up the usual tools including; navigation, phone connectivity, and various media including TV. Front occupants take full advantage of that raised ride hight and a comfortable set of leather seats. Said seats are now heated, cooled, and massaging. The middle row provides loads of head and leg room for all three passengers. This trim level also affords them seat mounted TVs and heated seating. Rearmost positions are no longer the “short straw” option as they cater for adults and are heated. The cabin in HSE Luxury guise gets WiFi and more charging points than you can shake a stick at, meaning the children should be more than occupied on long journeys. Boot space with all seats in place is 258 litre, 629 litres with 5, or fold them all flat to receive 2,406 litres. Rearranging the seats can be a bit of a faff in seven seaters but the new 2017 Land Rover Discovery has a tech inspired solution. In addition to the electrical switches at the cars rear, a smartphone app can configure the layout however you see fit long before you arrive with even the largest of impulse purchases. The much loved split-folding tailgate may be gone but in its place is a folding ledge that can take up to 300KG. It serves the same purpose and is actually slightly more convenient.

Under the bonnet of our 2017 Land Rover Discovery is a 3.0 litre diesel engine that produces a healthy 258 HP and a huge 600Nm of torque. It is that torque that makes this car feel effortless in the way it can dispense with motorway dawdlers. The overall driving experience is one of comfort and relaxation. This chassis is particularly talented as soaking up road imperfections, of which there are a lot of in the UK, is not trouble at all. There is some body roll, something to be expected in such a tall vehicle, and over high frequency bumps there is a slight seesawing motion, but generally speaking the suspension does a fine job. Steering is light and accurate with this combination leading to the large car not feeling cumbersome to drive. A host of camera build upon already good visibility. Our test car seamlessly swapped ratios via an 8 speed automatic gearbox. Not only is the box competent when left to its own devices, but it also responds quickly when summoned via the steering wheel mounted paddles. This specification claims 39 MPG combined and 189g/km CO2. The new Discovery is considerably more civilised on road, however, in order for it to earn that Land Rover badge it must also excel off road.

The secret to the 2017 Land Rover Discovery being successful on the rough stuff is a mix of both brawn and brain. All of this cars torque means that it has the mechanical grunt to deal with just about any obstacle placed in front of it, but there is plenty of technology at play also making progress effortless. Air suspension raises the ride hight, intelligent all wheel drive utilises its locking differentials, and Low Traction Launch enables measured progress when it is slippery underfoot. The crowning glory of this cars all terrain ability is Terrain Response 2. This system has selectable modes for just about every eventuality where it will work out exactly what to do with each wheel. An auto mode allows the Discovery to pick for itself meaning that even a total novice is unlikely to get stuck. Being 450KG lighter than the outgoing model actually helps in the wilderness just as much as on tarmac. A wading depth of 900mm is also very impressive indeed.

The 2017 Land Rover Discovery is a machine that over delivers both on and off road. It joins its ancestors with distinction and I think it is safe to say that the brand will see a lot of success with this model. You can have a top specification HSE Luxury car like this from £62,695.

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I have to say that I like the way it looks. Its silhouette is sharp and modern with some unique styling to set it apart from competitors. Creases run from nose to tail and the thin grill it wears on the nose masters the power of the understatement. An overall raked profile gives the GS a dynamic appearance. The rear of our test car, finished with a gloss black element, looked very smart indeed. Contrasting black alloy wheels, roof rails, and kick plates complete a car that sticks very close to its well received concept.

Enter the spacious interior and you will find interesting cascading surfaces, glossy inserts, and concave characteristics. A honeycomb grid of buttons sits below an all-new touchscreen infotainment system of which is a huge improvement over its predecessor. It is considerably more ergonomic to use and also features DAB radio in our test car. However, there are plenty of scratchy plastics around and this somewhat diminishes the perceived quality. The rear bench seats three with good levels of head and leg room for all. A 335 litre boot can expand to 1,336 litres with the rear seats folded flat.

Power is sourced from a familiar 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 164 BHP and 250Nm of torque. These are healthy figures, and once the initial lag from the turbo is overcome, the 2017 MG GS can make good progress. However, this example was fitted with the 7 speed automatic transmission and that is certainly an option box we recommend you leave unchecked! Left to its own devices at low speeds it delivers shifts that are acceptable in terms of smoothness, but sluggish and ill-timed in regards to delivery. Often it changed several gears mid-corner, or noisily dropped ratios in a desperate bid to overcome the turbo lag. Put your foot down and the delay from the engine is amplified by the gearbox that also takes its time in understanding what you want from it. Manually selecting gears from the wheel mounted paddles proved fine, but doing that all of the time in order to ease the frustration rather undermines the point of paying extra for an automatic. I Personally feel that with a manual gearbox the driving experience would be vastly better, but I can’t say for sure until we put some miles on one. I will say that around town the rest of the drive is more refined with engine and road noise being well suppressed. Good steering weight and a resistance to body roll proves that the chassis can deliver, if only it wasn’t hampered buy other drivetrain components. The ride is a tad on the firm side, but that is the trade that has been made for respectable handling. MG claim that this model can return 45.5 MPG combined.

I must also report that the car experienced a number of faults during its evaluation, placing a question mark over build quality. A rear parking sensor went off continuously as if the car was too close to an object, even if parked in an open space. Whilst this error did go away after a few days, it shouldn’t have been there in the first place. Also whilst streaming music via Bluetooth there would be a slight hiss and crackle from the speakers. The icing on the cake was when the 2017 MG GS satellite navigation left me stranded in Devon thanks to a complete inability to navigate me home. I ended up on a farm after continuously retracing the same road it had made me go down not 10 minutes before.

I really wanted the 2017 MG GS to be the car that brought the brand back into the fight. Whilst the initial signs were good, I can’t help but feel disappointed with this SUV. Sure, it offers practicality and good levels of standard equipment, but its other issues makes it difficult to recommend. Especially at the £20,995 this example demands. The range starts from £14,995.

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Whilst the RF retains the long bonnet and short rear overhang of its sibling, its silhouette is notably changed. Follow those familiar creases along its surface, up onto the solid roofline, and down a proud set of buttresses. The addition of these highly sculpted rear elements totally changes the profile of the car. Roof up or down, it is a handsome thing to look at and our top specification test car finished in Ceramic paint looked the part. Visually it comes across as something rather special and absolutely something which turns heads in the high street.

The interior of the 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF will be familiar to anyone who has driven the standard car. Its architecture is identical incorporating a simplistic, driver focused, ethos to the two-seat cockpit. A leather lined dashboard outlined with neat stitching hosts Mazda’s usual infotainment display. It’s ergonomic shortcut buttons and joystick are mounted on a dividing element of the console between driver and passenger. A clearly laid out instrument binnacle puts the rev counter front and centre. Heated leather seats are mounted low in the car for a great driving position. Lower the roof and the the rear deck does an intricate dance the metal panel is folded away in 12 seconds. The clever packaging of the roof means that it doesn’t actually impede the 130 litres of boot space offered in the RF.

Behind the raked headlights of this MX-5 is the 2.0 litre naturally aspirated SkyActiv engine. Producing 158 BHP and 148lb ft of torque, it is slightly more long legged than the rev happy 1.5 also offered. 0-62 MPH takes 7.4 seconds, of which is actually just 0.1 seconds slower than the convertible. Cruising the coastline of England, the little MX-5 can’t help but make you smile. It’s small dimensions make it nimble and on the move refinement isn’t bad at all. Obviously the larger alloy wheels of the 2.0 litre models give a firmer ride, but it is far from unbearable. With the roof up it is notably quieter than the convertible, and when it is down there is less wind turbulence rushing around the cabin. It must be said that, at speeds above 50 MPH or so, there is a vortex of air that forms and causes loud rushing of the wind. To be totally honest this only becomes an irritation if you have the roof down on the motorway, and in reality, who does that? Speaking of the M27, the larger capacity engine has no trouble in this environment and can swiftly disclose of dawdlers. Place the MX-5 on some challenging stretches of tarmac and it is at home. Plant your foot firmly on the floor and feel the petrol engine grow stronger as the needle chases the redline. A satisfyingly mechanical shift into the next gear starts the process all over again. The MX-5 RF weighs 45kg more than standard, thanks to its electric roof gizmos, but unless you drive the cars back-to-back I doubt you would notice the difference. Changes have been made to the steering, suspension, and anti-roll bars, resulting an ever so slightly sharper sports car. Turn-in is immediate and the lessened body roll boosts agility. The connected feeling through the steering is joyous, as is the feedback through the brake pedal. Leaping from apex to apex in this machine is enough to satisfy enthusiasts no end. The masterful balance that this chassis has is the motoring equivalent of “Starry Night over the Rhone” by Vincent van Gogh. A pure linear power delivery allows the driver to accurately conduct the engine with the short-throw transmission delivering with every flick of the wrist. On top of all of that, Mazda claim it will do 40.9 MPG combined.

The 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF has graduated from simply being a highly appreciated motoring icon, to an object of true desire. As well as retaining the core driver pleasing attributes of the car on which it is based, the RF delivers an aesthetic that is just downright sexy. This car at £23,095 it clearly separates itself from the base model. How good is the RF in the real world? I want one more than my next breath.

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I quite often remark upon how far Kia have come over the years. From budget brand to key player in almost every segment, the transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. The Kia Rio is a prime example of this as it has experienced this metamorphosis from the beginning. Its first generation was cheap, but unappetising and wasn’t built of the strongest stuff. The next generation began to make an effort in the visuals department. Third generation Rios were taken seriously by competitors as they not only looked the part, but were good value and built well. Now the fourth generation 2017 Kia Rio hits the road in a bid to make life harder for the Ford Fiesta and Skoda Fabia.

Wielding a new very grown-up exterior, this latest B-segment offering has really come of age. A lower and wider profile with rounded edges is detailed with a tasteful level of chrome. The latest iteration of their famed “Tiger Nose” grill stretches between large headlights. Subtle creases along the cars length lead to a short rear overhang. Unique rear lighting clusters possess bold signatures that run horizontally. This specific 2017 Kia Rio is a First Edition model and so rides upon a set of smart 17 inch alloy wheels.

Enter the cabin to find that this First Edition is a sea of two-tone colour. An interesting matte red effect has been applied to the dashboard to contrast other finishes. Said red worked well with the leather heated seats, also two-tone. They are comfortable, but maybe could do with a little more bolstering. The centre console hosts a 7 inch touchscreen infotainment display of which is easy to use and responsive. Moving to the rear bench, this seats five with good head and leg room, even for the middle passenger. There are some scratchy plastics dotted around, but generally speaking, the interior feels well screwed together. Being the top specification car the interior is loaded with toys including things as extravagant as a heated steering wheel. Boot space is a generous 325 litres or 980 litre with the rear seats folded flat.

If you opt for a 2017 Kia Rio First Edition, under the bonnet you will find the most powerful incarnation of the brands 1.0 litre turbocharged 3 cylinder for this car. Producing 118 BHP and 171 Nm of torque in this guise, power is sent to the front wheels via a 6 speed manual transmission. At low speeds the whole experience is rather refined and mirrors the aforementioned mature visuals. The engine is smooth and quiet whilst the control weights are light for ease of urban navigation. Rear visibility is ok, the shallowness of the window is not ideal, but this car is treated to a reversing camera that makes life much easier. On faster roads the increased weighting of the steering adds precision. This Rio isn’t the most engaging car in its class to drive, but it certainly feels competent. There are good levels of grip and only a bit of body roll. On the motorway the 6th gear found in this model, and not on the lesser powered 1 litre, comes into play. The additional ratio means that it does not feel strained at these higher speeds, although penetrative noise does build. It feels stable and reassuring out on the open road. Kia claim 60.1 MPG combined and emissions of 107g/km CO2.

The 2017 Kia Rio reaffirms that the Korean manufacturer is a real contender in todays market. With a fiercely growing customer base, 7 year warranty offered on all cars, and strong products across their range, Kia are a force to be reckoned with. This Rio in particular highlights their progress from budget brand to being a real thorn in competitors sides. Whilst this First Edition car is costly at £17,445 the range does start at a reasonable £11,995. We would strongly recommend a 2 or 3 grade car as they come with good levels of equipment at a reasonable price point.

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Let’s address the most controversial topic from the beginning. This is not a small car. In fact it is 20cm longer than the outgoing model of which hardcore fans claimed was already too big. The simple fact of the matter is that Mini is no longer about one car. It is an ethos, a design language, a philosophy. If Mini still built one tiny little car from the 60’s it would be out of business by the middle of next week. In my eyes the Countryman allows those who need more practicality to continue enjoying the things they love about Mini.

Now a fully fledged C-Segment SUV, the 2017 Mini Clubman in Cooper S trim certainly looks more grown up than its “cute” predecessor. A more rugged visage has been applied using plastic cladding, a raised ride hight,  and a more squared off design. Familiar Mini traits such as those rounded headlights and even the step in the roof from the old model are retained. Our test car looked sharp in its contrasting black and white scheme, and the addition of bonnet stripes and sporty bumpers further builds its character. Unmistakably a Mini, the new Country takes this model to a new more premium level. Those roof rails also come standard across the range.

The interior continues this highly polished theme with a wealth of soft touch materials lining the dashboard and doors. New vertical vents gives the Countryman its own identity along with a bespoke interior lighting arrangement. A wide touchscreen infotainment display houses the Mini equivalent of iDrive of which is the most ergonomic in almost any car. A slicker interface makes it pleasing to the eye and the touch input is supplemented by a scroll wheel. The heated leather seats in our Cooper S provided ample support thanks to their bolstering. This cars increased length  is notable for rear passengers as legroom for the outmost occupants is plentiful. Headroom is much the same. The middle passenger does have to contend with a transmission tunnel, but the rear bench redeems itself by being able to slide and adjust. Open the tailgate to reveal a wide opening and 450 litres of boot space. Fold those seat flat, something that can be done individually for all three, and that expands to 1,390 litres. A nice little feature is Mini’s “picnic bench” which is a little cushion type arrangement that folds out and onto the rear bumper. This is perfect to perch on and take shelter under the boot door whilst taking off muddy boots.

Under the bonnet of our 2017 Mini Countryman Cooper S is a turbocharged four cylinder engine producing 192hp and 280 Nm of torque. That performance potential is channeled to Mini’s ALL4 all wheel drive system via an 8 speed automatic transmission. 0-62 MPH comes and goes in a respectable 7.4 seconds. The inevitable bouts of rain in the UK that confronted us allowed the extra security of all wheel drive to shine through. High levels of grip enables you to exploit the Countryman’s performance even in treacherous conditions. The aforementioned gearbox is quick to respond when commanded by wheel-mounted paddles, but also competent and smooth when left to its own devices. There is a strong pull as the turbo comes into play and the exhaust emits the occasional crack and pop. Whilst the steering is not brimming with feel, the car doe retain the agility you would expect from a Mini. Body control is good for a tall car, however, the trade for this is a ride that is firmer than the competition. Around town control weights are well judged meaning that this big Mini is never a task to manoeuvre. Visibility is also pretty good, but the reversing camera may come in handy for those upsizing from a smaller Mini. When it comes to the motorway the Cooper S has enough grunt to banish dawdlers to the rear view mirror. A Cooper D is also available, and due to its plentiful torque, that is the model we would recommend for regular trips up the M4.

The 2017 Mini Countryman is a real step-up from the car it replaces. Costing from £22,465 the Mini is still a premium choice, but it is unique and certainly makes a statement in the carpark. It might not be the most engaging car in the range to drive, but that Mini DNA has an undeniable charm. For those who have always desired a Mini but could never justify it due to needing more space, the Countryman is your answer.

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The Kia Niro combines the trending topic of SUVs and combines it with the hybrid class. I think it is fair to say that this car is understated as there are no really bold design features, but for those who don’t feel the need to show off to the neighbours, that won’t be an issue. It still has Kia’s signature grill and also a set of rather intricate LED lighting clusters. Our mid-specification “2” model received a pair of roof rails that contrasted the red paint work. A raised ride hight and short overhangs create those familiar SUV proportions.

Inside the interior has a family focus offering loads of space for everyone. Large windows prevent the interior from feeling dark and promotes an airy ambiance. This trim level really hits the spot as not only is it sensibly priced, but you also get plenty of equipment. A 7 inch touchscreen infotainment display proved responsive and easy to use, and the dual zone air conditioning was a nice bonus. Half leather seats provides a comfortable posts to spend lengthy periods of time. Glossy plastic finishes help lift the cabin and material quality in general is good. Rear head and leg room is spacious with this cars practicality being complimented by a well proportioned 427 litre boot. Fold the rear seats down and that capacity grows to 1,425 litres.

Under the bonnet is a 1.6 litre petrol engine of which is mated to an electric motor and a bank of batteries located under the rear bench. Total output of both combustion and electricity is 139 BHP and 265Nm of torque. Whilst diesel cars might not be as favourable at the moment, they are still the kings of the open road. I clocked a substantial amount of motorway miles in this 2017 Kia Niro and whilst it will happily cruise, the M1 isn’t its natural environment. At higher speeds you loose the economy and the petrol engine doesn’t have the punch for strong overtaking. There is some wind noise, but refinement levels are ok. It’s 6 speed automatic gearbox is reasonably competent when left to its own devises. The Niro makes much more sense in an urban hubbub with stop/start traffic. It can run on electric only for up to three miles, but unlike many hybrids it doesn’t have selectable modes. This is a good thing as instead of you faffing about, the car works out which method, or combination, of power is most economical. Fellow colleagues have proven that if driven like a Nun, the claimed 74 MPG is possible. Watch as your economy fills a tree representing how well you are driving. Within the infotainment system there is also a means of seeing exactly how the car is propelling itself along. Call me a geek, but I found it fascinating as it cycled though regeneration under breaking and switching between how it decided to drive the wheels. When just using electric power a sense of tranquility sets in and it is rather relaxing. However, when the petrol engine contributes its introduction is not the most subtle. Through small streets the Kia Niro feels agile, and with light control weighting, it is an easy drive. Parking is also made stress free thanks to a reversing camera.

The 2017 Kia Niro might not be the most complete car on sale today, but for those who spend much of their time in traffic or buzzing about town, it is certainly food for thought. 88g\km CO2 means that the cost of tax is one less problem in your day. Our test car at £22,795 with equipment such as Lane Keep Assist coming as standard, represents pretty good value. On top of the generous toys, there is also a 7 year manufacturer backed warranty.

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