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For those who enjoy driving, when the day comes to buy something more practical it is often a sad one. Trading keen handling for boot space is the usual formula for anyone with a growing family and for the person behind the wheel, there much missed MX-5 has become a thing of the past. However, Mazda point out that things do not have to be this way and that their Mazda 6 2.2 150ps Tourer Sport Nav Diesel offers dynamic handling as well as all of the more day-to-day necessities.
We have the keys to a 2.2 litre diesel Mazda 6 Tourer of which it much be said, looks thoroughly modern. Just like the new Mazda 3 and CX-5, the 6 is built around the Japanese companies Kodo ethos of design. Its long profile flatters itself with vast sweeping lines and a highly sculpted profile. To be honest it makes a lot of other cars in this class look, well, a bit dull. In its Snowflake White Pearl paint the Mazda 6 Tourer looks every inch the premium product.
Whilst the interior doesn’t offer the same flamboyance as the exterior and when compared with its new baby brother, the Mazda 3, it doesn’t look quite as fresh. That said, its clear logical placement of controls and uncluttered console is very functional. There is a lot of space in the 6 for occupants with rear seating being especially roomy. Plenty of leg and head room in tandem with a comfortable rear bench should keep parents safe from the almost inevitable cries of “are we nearly there yet?!” The boot offers 1,632 litres of capacity which is good but not quite class leading. Entry level cars are well equipped but this being the top specification Sport Nav model it gets the full heated leather treatment, dual zone climate control, reversing camera and 5.8 inch touchscreen satellite navigation. All-in-all the cabin is a comfortable place to be.
With the family boxes ticked keeping the wife, children and dog happy, we should turn our attention to how it drives… The Mazda 6 2.2 150ps Tourer Sport Nav Diesel produces 148BHP and 380Nm of torque. That torque is at its peak from as low as 1,800rpm meaning that this car is perfect for those situations where you need to be quick off of the mark. The car pulls strongly with its Skyactiv engine feeling like it has plenty of guts. Besides pulling power, that aforementioned engine in this 6 Tourer is rated at 67.3MPG combined emitting just 110g/km of CO2. This makes the car frugal on fuel and cheap to tax. Engine noise isn’t the worst in its class but it does find its way into the cabin under acceleration. With smooth and linear power delivery that is our only complaint about the Skyactiv-D motor. Mazda have infused a bit of sports car DNA in the Mazda 6 with its sharp steering and quick rack. Its agility is a defining feature of the cars characteristics making it feel much smaller. The overall driving position is keyed towards enthusiastic drivers as its well bolstered seats sit low in the car. You can place the 6 with confidence on the apex of a corner and its good levels of grip will see it stay there. Another enjoyable aspect is the well-sorted 6 speed manual gearbox which snicks into place in a manner you would expect from a sportier machine. The well sorted chassis and suspension ensures body roll is kept to a minimum, although some might find the resulting ride a tad firmer than they would expect. On motorways the Mazda 6 settles down to a cruise providing a refined experience for the daily commute. On such journeys the cars impressive fuel economy comes into play and with these low running costs company car owners should add the Mazda 6 to their short list. Around town it is easy to drive, although poor rear visibility means that we would suggest the reversing camera to make parking the estate much more convenient.
The Mazda 6 Tourer is a very well accomplished car that stands out from the competition with handsome looks and handling traits very rarely seen in this class. For the man or woman who has to sacrifice their sporty little number for something that suits the family, the 6 certainly retains some of the fun that you desperately do not want to let go of. Our test car at £24,825 with all of its toys isn’t the cheapest estate on the market, but entry level 6’s are well equipped with Bluetooth, 17 inch alloy wheels, cruise control and a touch screen display from as little as £19,595. Considering the level of technology as standard, the Mazda 6 becomes good value for money. This 2.2 litre diesel engine is the pick of the bunch being powerful enough whilst returning excellent fuel economy.
After a nightmarish day at the office where between staring at a computer screen for hours and making endless phone calls, you manage to spill coffee all over your boss’ new suit. The thought of being at home in bed is a welcoming one. However, you have one last obstacle to overcome and it might just be the straw that breaks the camels back. THE COMMUTE HOME! Potentially hours stuck in traffic with a gauze of noisy horns and expletives in the air. Can you make it home before your blood starts boiling? Can the Honda Accord do the job?
The Honda Accord Tourer is made up of clean lines that creates a conservative overall design. Whilst not the flashiest estate in the car park, some rivals have really raised the bar, its chromed trim and polite roof rails promote a sense of maturity and class. This car clearly is not aimed at a younger generation and so its target audience will likely appreciate its more sophisticated appearance. Let us call it “the power of the understatement.” This being the Tourer means that it isn’t a small car, but then its proportions should allow you to reap the benefits inside. Shouldn’t it?
Well, yes and no. There is no denying that the cabin offers a nice amount of space for passengers. Rear head and leg room is generous and large windows allow good amounts of natural light to fill the interior. However, the Accord Tourer has a flaw when it comes to the boot. In this top specification EX model the electric tailgate opens to reveal a big flat loading area. Perfect! The issue I speak of arrises when you fold the rear seats flat and want to load a large object. Two protruding suspension turret housings turn the loading area from a big rectangle into an hourglass shape. This results in not being able to fit wide objects down the length of the car. I know, not a deal breaker, but it could prove to be a slight annoyance considering you would buy this car for its practicality. Moving back into the passenger area, occupants are treated to plush leather heated seats that are fantastically comfortable and typical Honda build quality is seen throughout. Bluetooth and dual zone climate control is also on offer as is a sunroof for those times when you want more of said climate to enter the car. Yet, I have another gripe with the interior… It is horrifically outdated when compared with competitors. A maze of grey buttons and dials illustrated by a digital display similar to that found on an old video tape player? The interface for satellite navigation is like something from Windows ’98 and the clarity of the display isn’t the greatest. Come on Honda! We know the Accord is no spring chicken, but the ergonomics of its rivals are far better.
Thankfully the Accord Tourer is redeemed by the way it drives. Powered by a 2.2 litre diesel i-DTEC engine, it is a strong performer. Its 148BHP is available with a delectable 350Nm of torque meaning that it is more than capable of taking advantage of gaps at junctions and bold overtaking manoeuvres. Power is sent via an automatic gearbox which is absolutely seamless with its cog swapping. Seriously, it is so smooth you could play a game of Jenga and not have your tower of wooden blocks topple over. This Accord also has paddle shifters on the steering wheel for those moments on the school run when you feel like Jenson Button. The ride, though a bit on the firm side, compliments the quick and direct steering resulting in meaningful changes of direction without vast amounts of lateral movement from the body. On the motorway the Honda Accord Tourer makes itself at home. Allowing the automatic gearbox to do its job and setting the cruise control, its quiet engine does all of the work whilst you relax. It is a genuinely soothing drive and one that just about anyone would welcome after a hard day at work. Visibility is adequate in all directions, but our test car was also fitted with a very useful reversing camera which makes parking the big car much easier. The only disappointing factor in the way this car drives is its claimed 44MPG combined, far behind the 72MPG claimed by Mazda’s similarly powerful 2.2 diesel in the 6.
The Honda Accord Tourer’s problem isn’t that it is a bad car, far from it. It is a wonderfully tranquil driving machine that will reliably take you home in comfort come rain or shine. It’s issue is that it is old and whilst you can buy one brand new today, the nameplate hasn’t seen massive changes since 2008. At the £31,990 asking price even of our highly equipped test car, that is a lot to ask for when the competition in this class is of such a high standard. That said, the price might be justifiable to those wanting the peace of mind Honda offer in their build quality.
There are many reasons why the crossover segment is booming. Aesthetically people like the robust looks of a big car as it promotes a sense of security. The high driving position enables a good view over traffic and down onto “lesser” road users. It is also the current fashion to own such a car and those making a large investment do not want to be seen driving something that is “so last generation, darling.” Of course a lot of peoples excuse for buying a an SUV is the odd day when it snows in the UK and that means you will need one with all wheel drive.
This is the revised 2014 Mazda CX-5 2.2 175ps AWD Sport Nav Diesel and if the above sounds close to what you are after, a 4X4 model with a good torque will not send you far wrong. The CX-5 back in 2012 introduced Mazda’s new design language, Kodo. Its fluid body lines and sculpted shape certainly separate it from a class that has become very populated over the years. Being the first of Mazda’s “6th generation” cars the brand has emphasised their desire to offer a premium product in the appearance of the CX-5. This car also introduced a new offering of efficient engines named Skyactiv of which now can be found across the range. For 2014 a refreshed CX-5 brings with it revised suspension, more refinement and some new technology.
Inside the Sport Nav model you will find a cabin upholstered in some rather nice leather and a console that provides excellent ergonomics, even if a little uninspired in its looks. The car seats five in plenty of comfort which the rear quarters supply good head and leg room to passengers not quick enough to call “shotgun.” Its boot is also of a good size. Up front everything you interact with has a nice robust feel to it which is great for a car that will likely become the family workhorse. The infotainment system in this car provides a touchscreen interface for things such as radio, Bluetooth and a built-in TomTom satellite navigation system. The instruments are functional and easy to read with things such as the gear leaver and climate control fall easily to hand. In terms of the driving position, the CX-5 hits the proverbial nail on the head with an arrangement that feels a little bit, dare I say it, sporty.
This sporty flare continues as you hit the road. Despite having a big 2.2 litre diesel engine and a weighty all wheel drive system, this cars agility is astonishing. Obviously the 2WD variant emphasises this further, but even this car feels swift. The immediacy of its change in direction is very commendable not just for an SUV, but in general. Its steering is well weighted allowing for accurate placement of the car on the road. This paired with a nice 6 speed manual gearbox makes for an involving drive. 420Nm of excellent torque is on offer for a 0-62MPH time of 8.8 seconds. This torque plays a huge part in the CX-5’s fun factor, surging the car onwards out of corner exits. Body roll is much less than you would expect from a car of this size enabling you to carry more momentum through sharp bends. The suspension is a tad softer than the 2013 specification but only marginally. However, what you trade for a little bit of ride comfort you gain in handling. On faster road the 2.2 litre Skyactiv diesel goes to work and is more than happy to pound at motorways all day long. Its 170BHP is more than enough for you to make courageous overtaking manoeuvres when faced with a Sunday driver ahead. Engine noise is reduced in the cabin over last year’s car allowing for a bit more refinement, yet under acceleration the diesel engine can be heard quite predominantly. Settle the car back down and order is restored. If you are unlucky enough to stall the car this 2014 CX-5 will restart the engine as soon as the clutch is pressed. Mazda claim that the 2014 Mazda CX-5 2.2 175ps AWD Sport Nav Diesel will achieve 54.3MPG on the combined cycle, an impressive figure for its class.
At £28,395 our test car had all of the bells and whistles including DAB radio, keyless entry, leather and the list goes on… An entry level CX-5 petrol can be had from as little as £21,595. All-in-all the 2014 Mazda CX-5 hasn’t changed dramatically from its inception, but then did it need to? Mazda got the recipe right the first time offering a machine that is very enjoyable to drive.
If you find yourself shopping for a family hatchback you will be spoilt for choice. This is one of the most competitive segments in the automotive industry, and the continuous war between car manufactures for your money means that every year the game of oneupmanship produces even better products. What each brand attempts to do is differentiate their product in some way. If you are looking for a reliable, well priced and fun to drive alternative to a VW Golf, Mazda reckon they might just have something for you.
The 2014 Mazda 3 is a new car from the ground up. Whilst its predecessor was a good car, the likes of Ford’s Focus was a better all-rounder. Todays question is… Can this incarnation finally surpass one of the UK’s best selling cars? Our test car is the 2014 Mazda 3 1.5 100ps SE Nav Petrol and for those who don’t speak Mazda salesman, that translates into an almost entry level hatchback powered by a 1.5 litre Skyactiv petrol engine with 98BHP. The companies new Skyactiv-G petrol unit emits just 119g/km of CO2 and is said to return 56.4MPG.
It has to be said that even without extravagant alloy wheels or posh paint, the new Mazda 3 looks great! Not that its standard 16 inch alloys are anything to complain about. Utilising Mazda’s current design language, Kodo – soul of motion, its energetic body lines and creases give it a dynamic appearance. A long bonnet and chrome grill surround instates Mazda’s intention to push this new 3 upmarket. This model now has an image that very much separates it from others in the C segment.
Inside the cabin has taken a real step-up from its forerunner, introducing a stylised environment that is still ergonomic. These standard cloth seats might not boast all of the electronic gizmos of the top specification car, but they are well bolstered and very supportive. The seating position itself is spot on with the slick 6 speed manual falling to hand and a highly adjustable steering wheel at your disposal. Its instrument binnacle is dominated by a large speedometer supported by two digital displays. It looks very smart, but above all is functional. That is the trend of this interior that packs just enough style but plenty of usability. My only complaint being that some of the plastics don’t do the design justice. A 7 inch touchscreen display sits on top of the dashboard providing the cars infotainment and satellite navigation. Rear passengers are treated to ample head and leg room with an adequate boot located the other side of a 60/40 split rear bench.
The 1.5 litre Skyactive idles quietly and maintains its refinement on the move. Thanks to being naturally aspirated the power delivery is nice and linear, although you do have to work the gearbox to get the most out of it. Whilst the pedal box lacks some feel, the steering does not. Its responsive nature quickly darts the Mazda 3 from bend to bend and a well sorted suspension set up keeps body roll to a minimum. The cars agility and very tidy gear shift creates a sporty edge to this hatchback. These handling characteristics make it one of the most driver oriented machines in its class which will please those who genuinely enjoy driving. Ride comfort is sacrificed slightly for this more involving chassis, but it is far from back breaking. Taking the needle to the redline produces a not unpleasant noise and the cars capable set of brakes inspire confidence in its capabilities. The heavier 2.2 litre diesel option does feel more planted during exuberant moments behind the wheel, but having a lively petrol unit under your right foot is more entertaining overall. There is a more powerful 2.0 litre petrol engine on offer, but for predominant urban use the little 1.5 litre is your best bet. Visibility is good and the precise well weighted steering is an asset around town as well as on more exciting roads.
Mazda have earned a well deserved “pat on the back” for there efforts with the 2014 Mazda 3 1.5 100ps SE Nav. For a reasonable £17,825 as tested, this car gives competitors a real run for their money. Not only in terms of value, but as a driving experience also. All cars come with Mazda’s Smart City Brake Support which will prevent the car from having low speed accidents, say in stop/start traffic for example. Another nice standard feature is Hill Hold Assist, usually reserved for the options list on other cars in this class.
The new Mazda 3 ticks a lot of boxes and does a fine job of giving Ford a few sleepless nights.
The most useful things in life are those that offer maximum versatility. Smart phones enjoy success due to their ability to do far more than just make phone calls, a Swiss Army knife’s design has endured over the years thanks to its many functions. The term Multi-Purpose-Vehicle is often overused by car manufacturers, but Ford with their B-Max aspire to truly live up to the segments nameplate. Can this model really be used for commuting to work on Monday, the weekly shop on Wednesday and moving house on Sunday?
Its compact shape looks particularly nice in our test cars Frozen White paintwork and aesthetically it is clearly a car as opposed to a van with windows. Sporting Ford’s new ovular or “Aston Martin” grill, the B-Max much like the Fiesta is an attractive package proportionally. Its short overhangs and wheels pushed into its corners produce a modern, rather active looking shape. This car isn’t as big as some pictures would have you believe. Although it sits taller than a Ford Fiesta, it isn’t too dissimilar in its length and width.
Clearly Ford have utilised some Time Lord technology because despite its tidy exterior packaging, it pulls off the trick of being “bigger on the inside.” A high roofline facilitates a spacious cabin that seats five with ease. Our top specification Titanium model was fitted with the optional Sony audio system, which may be an extra £400, but the sound quality makes it well worth the investment. Although the instruments and centre console are clear to interpret, they are beginning to age and are in need of modernisation if Ford wants to keep up with competitors. A new interior design will be first introduced on the 2014 Ford Focus and later filter into existing models. The Ford B-Max, as well as its spacious passenger area, has a decent sized boot that also plays host to an under floor storage compartment. However, the B-Max’s real ace up its sleeve is its lack of a B pillar. Its wide opening front doors and sliding rear pair reveal a huge aperture of which can be used for loading and unloading vast objects that wouldn’t necessarily enter the car via the hatch. Versatile folding seats mean that it is actually possible to load an item that is almost the length of the car. The seats themselves are supportive and the driving position is comfortable.
This Ford B-Max 1.0T EcoBoost is equipped with the companies award winning 1 litre engine that in this specification produces 123BHP. I’m sure by now you have heard all about this little three cylinder engine that puts a lot of larger petrol units to shame. Pushing the starter button the lack of noise and especially vibration, considering its odd number of cylinders, is astonishing. Acceleration is effortless with the turbo producing a nice amount of torque to surge the car onwards. Visibility is good and the large mirrors also give you a good idea of what is around you. On motorways this plucky engine can more than hold its own, maintaining good speed with no fuss whatsoever. It even has enough poke to pull off even the most heroic overtaking manoeuvres on the often cutthroat battlefield that is the M3. How good the A4 sized engine is comes as no surprise to me as it is excellent in just about every car Ford decides to put it in. It is how the B-Max handles that impressed me the most. It feels light on its toes with its quick responses to steering inputs and relative lack of body roll. You can really throw this car into corners allowing the torque vectoring system to help rotate it into the bend. There is a good level of driver feedback through the wheel and the brakes are progressive. I actually found myself with a bit of a grin on my face driving down some country roads as the high levels of grip on offer and lack of weight from the engine enable some fantastic handling characteristics to shine through. Should it be this much fun to drive an MPV? There is a touch of turbo lag at times and under hard acceleration that classic three cylinder thrum can be heard, but overall we liked the B-Max as a daily driver. We managed to get 37MPG out of the car over multiple scenarios, which isn’t to bad considering, but is still far from what Ford claim.
Our car with DAB radio and satellite navigation did come to over £18,000 which is a lot for this sort of machine. That said, the Ford B-Max proved itself to be a likeable and versatile car that many people will be very happy with. In fact, we would go as far as to say that it tops its class.
Clever packaging is something that is a great asset to any company’s product. Take Apple’s iPhone for example… Its box is ergonomic, compact and aesthetically pleasing as well as capable of carrying out its primary function of housing the phone. The box echoes the ethos of the product, much like the new Honda Civic Tourer that packages itself around the practicality that its users require.
Around this time last year Honda revealed the Civic Tourer Concept, a design exercise that announced to the world that just because you need an estate car doesn’t mean you have to surrender a your sense of style. The car very much caught the attention of the media and the public confirming to the design team that they were on to a potential winner. A year down the line and the 2014 Honda Civic Tourer is now a reality, and in a rare turn of events, it looks just like the concept car.
You see, usually concept cars are greatly exaggerated echoes of what they eventually become when they hit the roads. Regulations and restrictions tend to neuter them of what made these machines unique on the show stand. Not the Civic Tourer! With its sleek long profile being detailed with sculpted body lines and broad shoulders at its rear, this car really does look the business. Whilst the Civic hatchback split opinion, there is no doubt that the estate variant is not only better looking, but potentially the most visually appealing car in its class. Despite being a Tourer, it is actually only 235mm longer than the standard hatchback. As a result Honda are fielding the 2014 Honda Civic Tourer in BTCC this year.
The interiors dimensions are just as impressive as the exteriors. Coming back to my ramblings of clever packaging, this car has an impressive 642 litres of boot space with the seats up or a whopping 1,668 litres with them folded completely flat. Also included are Honda’s “Magic Seats” which allow you to fold the base of the seats vertically like you would at the cinema. This means you have two areas for storage; the boot for the dog, and the middle for the shopping. Our SR specification test car came with full leather heated seats, Bluetooth, USB, DAB radio, dual zone climate control, voice activation and satellite navigation with DVD player. The cabin is very much somewhere you can settle down for a long journey surrounded by creature comforts.
This specific Tourer is powered by a 1.8 litre i-VTEC petrol engine which is very smooth and compliant. In tandem with its 6 speed manual transmission the car is responsive to throttle inputs and effortless in its gear changes. The steering is better weighted than in its hatchback counterpart and provides the driver with good levels precision whilst cornering. With parking sensors and a reversing camera making it easy to park, the Honda Civic Tourer is well suited to urban environments. On SR grade cars and above, is an adaptive damper system that allows for three modes of adjustment; normal, dynamic and comfort. Each offers a slight change in the ride with dynamic being the stiffest and comfort the softest. We found ourselves leaving the Civic in comfort for the majority of the time, only changing to dynamic when the roads became a bit more exciting. On motorways it is a fairly relaxing drive as you enjoy the support that the seats offer and the caramel-like smoothness of the engine. However, at higher speeds road noise does intrude upon the tranquility slightly which is a shame as the rest of the car is generally quite a soothing experience. In terms of economy, we returned a solid 38MPG in a combination of environments. Our “real world” figures were not a million miles from Honda’s claimed 45MPG, and paying a bit more attention to the cars ECON mode we might have got a bit closer.
Our test car came to £25,350 with all of its equipment, but an entry level car can be had from £20,265. Though that is a tad more costly than some competitors, you do get Honda’s typically excellent build quality and reliability. The 2014 Honda Civic Tourer 1.8 i-VTEC SR is a very solid effort from the company. With looks that set it apart from just about everything else in the car park and unrivalled practicality, it just goes to show that it is possible to have your cake and eat it.
When you need to dig a hole you use a shovel. If you want some money you go to a bank. And if you want a car to transport large objects and potentially a dog, then you get a Volvo. Like a loyal family labrador, a Volvo estate has always been seen as a faithful companion on Britain’s roads. The only downside to these dependable load luggers is that the neighbours wouldn’t glance twice at it. Let us be honest, a big estate car isn’t exactly the sexiest machine you could be driving. That said, the Volvo V60 does a good job of turning heads.
Packaged as a Volvo that still ticks the practicality box, the V60 is a much more sculpted and design oriented car than estates of the past. Bonnet creases add some character, broad shoulders gives a sense of presence, and tasteful amounts of chrome trim highlight to onlookers that this is very much a premium product. Our test car is the Business Edition, a model aimed at those looking for a company car at a reasonable price, but still with the optional extras that make things a bit more executive. In power Blue the car looked very smart even with the standard alloy wheels.
The interior is typical Volvo with each component being engineered to very high standards. Although the centre consoles vast array of buttons is beginning to look a bit dated now, a new interior layout for the company will come with the 2014 XC90, the controls are logically located. Something that always strikes me with the latest incarnation of Volvo cars is just how meticulously detailed the designers have been with everything occupants interact with. Things such as the reassuring feel of resistance when buttons are pushed or the shape of its sublimely supportive seats. It certainly feels like someone cared an awful lot about how people should feel inside the cabin. The instrument panel is predominantly analogue in this Business Edition, but it does feature an Eco gauge showing how efficient your driving is. Space in the second row is ample both in the head and leg departments. Whilst the boot has a flat loading area and is big enough for all of your usual Volvo estate owner needs, it is slightly smaller than rivals thanks to the V60’s tapered roofline. The rear seats fold flat or can be individually lowered making for a versatile space. This Business Edition also receives satellite navigation and Bluetooth.
Our V60 had the keyless option fitted and so with a push of the starter button its 1.6 litre turbocharged diesel came to life. At idle the engine is very smooth with hardly any vibration penetrating into the cabin. In motion the diesel that produces 115HP and emits just 108g/km of CO2 is whisper quiet. Only under hard acceleration does a hum begin to build. This Volvo V60 does have a touch of turbolag that is just noticeable at low rpm, but the turbo soon spools up and provides excellent torque to pull off overtaking manoeuvres. Its 6 speed manual gearbox is smooth and each gear slots into place with minimal fuss. On motorways the Volvo V60 hold its own and is capable of comfortably cruising for long periods of time. Take the car into a more urban environment and you will find it to be a very easy machine to drive with good visibility all around. The steering is precise allowing for accurate placement of the car on the road promoting a feeling of agility. However, the steering feel itself whilst well weighted offers little feedback. I also have a small gripe with the suspension as for a big car where people will spend a lot of time, the ride is firmer than expected. However the upside of a stiffer setup is reduced body roll through corners, in this respect the V60 always feels composed. The range of this car on one take of fuel, provided you drive sensibly is astonishing. I reckon it will easily do over 700 miles and its claimed 63MPG isn’t too far off believable in the real world.
At £24,220 our test car has some tough rivals in the form of the BMW 3 Series Touring and Audi A4 Avant, yet the Volvo sets itself apart from the Germans with unique styling and trademark Volvo safety. It might not be the most engaging car in its class but if it is practicality, a touch of style and fantastic ergonomics you are looking for, then the Volvo V60 D2 Business Edition is a fine choice.
The Ford Focus is one of the UK’s best selling cars, and for good reason. This peoples favourite offers a well priced, reliable and good looking package that ticks a lot of boxes for those looking for a new family motor. However, the cars rivals have really closed the gap since the current generation Focus arrived on the scene, in the case of the new Volkswagen Golf it just pips the Focus to the post in terms of handling. “We want our handling crown back” says Ford. 2015 Ford Focus revealed.
Set to go on sale late this year, this is the 2015 Ford Focus. This latest incarnation adopts the companies new family face, most noticeable the “Aston Martin” inspired grill and and angular headlights. The bonnet is also more sculpted featuring pronounced character lines. 2015 Ford Focus receives chassis changes including new front dampers and stiffer bushes. Inside the console has been completely redesigned ditching the rather dated “keypad” layout for a much more ergonomic interface. With this face lifted model comes a new 1.5 litre EcoBoost engine with either 148BHP or 177BHP, as well as a 1.5TDCi. The highly regarded 1.0 litre engine has been weaker to now deliver 99g/km of CO2.
The 2015 Ford Focus ST is also set to receive similar changes.
The small family car, or C-segment, has really upped its game over the past few years. With fierce competition amongst brands in Europe competing for sales, the quality of their products have become greater than ever before in this continual game of oneupmanship. Peugeot are undergoing something of a revolution after disappointing past sales. Their new products aim to compete with the best cars in their class with a real emphasis on a perceived premium nature. Entering the C-segment fight is the new Peugeot 308, a car that must do battle with the likes of Volkswagen’s Golf and Ford’s Focus.
Peugeot designers are on something of a roll with the 208 and 508 both being fine looking machines. The 308 continues that trend promoting an upmarket appearance within a well proportion shape. Definitive character lines and these unique alloy wheels on this Allure model make it stand out from the crowd. Bold LED light design in tandem with tasteful amounts of chrome trim gives this hatchback a rather smart and mature demeanour.
This specific Peugeot 308 is the 1.6 litre THP 125 petrol engine with, you guessed it, 125BHP. In Allure trim this car starts from £18,595 but our test car has been treated to some toys from the options list such as; metallic paint, panoramic glass roof, keyless entry, cruise control, as well as leather heated and massaging seats. The total cost comes to a rather princely £21,855.
Thankfully from the moment you get into the 308 it immediately feels like a car that costs over £20,000. As a long term purchase the all-singing all-dancing body hugging leather seats are well worth their money. They are beautifully upholstered and supportive in all of the right places offering a comfortable place to sit for long periods of time. The dashboard architecture is noticeably clutter free with only a few buttons for things such as the heated windscreen on offer. All of the cars other features are accessed via its touchscreen display that dominates the interior landscape. The responsive infotainment unit houses everything from air conditioning settings, DAB radio, access to your phone and even systems such as the parking sensors. This Peugeot 308 Allure 1.6 THP 125 panoramic roof allows plenty of natural light into the cabin giving it an open airy feel. However, in the back whilst head room is good, leg room is more restrictive than competitors. The boot is of a good size and will happily swallow the weekly family shop, but again some competitors do offer more space.
Peugeot, as I’m sure you will have seen from their adverts on T.V., are promoting the idea of their cars being more involving to drive. So how does the 308 fare? With the push of a button the 1.6 litre petrol engine hums into life. From within the cabin the engines noise is hushed and refined. Setting off you immediately notice the small size of the steering wheel. With the instruments positioned above the wheel its decreased size along with a fast steering rack makes the 308 feel nimble. Quick changes of direction in a crowded town and a very good turning circle instantly makes it sound urban companion. Visibility is good all around and with technology such as reversing camera and blind spot detection on board, it makes going about your business safe and easy. On faster roads the 308 maintains its composure and reveals itself to have good levels of grip and brakes with high levels of stopping power. Thought the steering doesn’t offer loads of feedback, its quick responses combined with the planted nature of the car makes it enjoyable on twisty roads. The gear changes from its 6 speed manual box were pleasant and whilst this model of 308 isn’t overly fast, it was enjoyable to take up to the redline extracting maximum power from the engine. On motorways the new Peugeot 308 is easy to settle down in for long journeys. The ride is smooth, wind and road noise is minimal, the car is very happy to cruise all day long. In a combination of real world driving conditions we managed to get 37MPG out of the 308.
The 308 is a very big step in the right direction for Peugeot. This car is of a higher quality, more fun to drive and better focused than its predecessor in every respect. It is clear that the French companies new model range is very serious about taking on the best of the bunch. In my eyes the 308 only really fires a blank when it comes to its price. There are a few hard plastic on show and though Peugeot are aiming upmarket, it does little to undercut the price of competitors. That said, the 308 does feels like a premium product and so maybe warrants its cost.
For those cars that will become the family workhorse there have always been many things to consider before purchasing. Is it practical enough for mundane chores such as shopping? How safe is it? Will it be comfortable to use everyday commuting to and from work? However, in todays world there is yet another parameter that has to be taken into account. How efficient is it? With the cost of fuel only going one way and cars being penalised for high CO2 emission, economy has become a higher priority for new car buyers than ever.
This is the Peugeot 508 SW, a rather stylish estate car that ticks plenty of the above boxes whilst adding a generous dollop of extra practicality over a saloon. Peugeot are well aware of the importance placed on fuel consumption and emissions with new strict Euro 6 standards coming into force from later this year on new models, but for all cars from 2015. This particular Peugeot 508 SW gets ahead of the game and is powered by a 2.0 litre diesel engine that the French company has branded BlueHDi. What is so special about it? Well in a nutshell, to cut down on emissions the car effectively adds chemicals and filters exhaust gases in order to expel less CO2. Obviously the BlueHDi is a lot more clever and scientific than that, but the end result is a 150BHP 2.0 litre diesel engine that only emits 110g/km of CO2. Better yet, it will only cost you £20 a year to tax.
Visually the long profile creates a sense of elegance from badge to boot lid. In what Peugeot calls “alpine blue” our test car with chrome trim looked grown-up and overall quite good looking. The 18 inch alloy wheels on this model are very smart and serve well to draw attention to other local features such as horizontal body lines and those steeply raked headlights.
This mature design architecture also lends itself to the cabin which is by far one of Peugeots best. A central control console that leads from the main dashboard divides the driver from the front passenger. On this unit are handy shortcut buttons for satellite navigation, radio and use of the handsfree Bluetooth feature. All displayed on a screen above, the system is ergonomic with navigation inputs done primarily through a small joystick. The cabin feels like a premium place to be with smooth leathers and some glossy trims. This 508 has a full length panoramic glass roof that is great for letting in lots of natural light. Its instrument cluster is a work of art and watching the dials dance into life on ignition and fade away into darkness when you are done with them is a nice feature. On this Allure model the front seats of the 508 SW are supportive and comfortable on long journeys with the added bonus of being heated for those cold days. In the back, head and leg room is plentiful. The central rear passenger can also enjoy a flat floor that is pleasantly lacking transmission tunnel protrusion. Boot space is adequate though some competitors do offer more with their estate cars. A nice feature of the boot is the addition of cargo netting that prevents lone bags from wondering around the space.
On the road the 2.0 litre diesel engine in tandem with its 6 speed gearbox proves to be exceptionally smooth and quiet even under heavy acceleration. The 508 SW is happy both in urban and motorway environment as its silky smooth ride irons out the rutted nature of our roads here in the UK. You are always aware that the SW is a big car, but visibility is good all around and so parking and navigating tight junctions are never too much hassle. The torque on offer is a further asset at busy roundabouts enabling the driver to take advantage of a gap. Pedal feel is good and the brakes, when applied firmly, inspire plenty of confidence in the car. My only real gripe with the car in town is that its steering weight seems inconsistent sometimes requiring no effort at all to turn the wheel, but the next moment being considerably firmer. On dual carriageways and motorways the 508 settles down into a pleasant rhythm and covers ground with ease. There is enough power and torque from the engine to pull off even the most courageous overtaking manoeuvres. Driven with your lead boots on, the Peugeot 508 will merrily guzzle the diesel you feed it, but be sensible and like us you can get 53MPG in real world driving conditions.
The Peugeot 508 SW Allure 2.0 BlueHDi 150 deserves commendation as it has proven itself not only to be a comfortable and practical solution for families, but its economy and cleanliness can also save them money. It might not be as engaging to drive as some rivals but this car feels like a premium product and some, considering the amount of time they will spend in it, will value that more.
