Kia Cee'd 1.4 S
Test car was Italian spec
First Drive

Kia Cee'd 1.4 S first drive

A strong alternative to a Vauxhall Astra or Ford Focus, and not just because of the seven-year warranty. In some ways it beats the market leaders hollow.

29 November 2006
Kia Cee'd 1.4 S first drive
First Drive

Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi S

Roomy and practical if not wonderful to drive. New engine provides a bit more thrust than the old one.

28 November 2006
Peugeot 807 2.0 HDi S
First Drive

VW Touran 2.0 TDI 140

Sensible and good-to-drive MPV now better-looking and self-parking.

21 November 2006
VW Touran 2.0 TDI 140
BMW Hydrogen 7
Hydrogen 7 is much less powerful than standard 760, but still acceptably swift
First Drive

BMW Hydrogen 7 first drive

Proves hydrogen-powered cars can provide levels of performance and refinement that are within touching distance of their petrol-powered siblings.

13 November 2006
BMW Hydrogen 7 first drive
First Drive

Renault Grand Scenic 2.0 dCi

Super-versatile seven-seat MPV now gets a powerful diesel to speed your family to its destination. One of the best MPVs out there, and not bad to drive, either.

10 November 2006
Renault Grand Scenic 2.0 dCi
Seat Leon Cupra
Cupra corners well. Good body control
First Drive

Seat Leon Cupra first drive

Very fast, and quite a lot of fun. But it's only £800 less than the more fun, more refined Golf GTi

10 November 2006
Seat Leon Cupra first drive
First Drive

BMW 335d SE coupe first drive

Beefed-up twin-turbo diesel is the perfect complement to the new 3-series coupe.

1 November 2006
BMW 335d SE coupe first drive
First Drive

Toyota Auris 1.6 first drive

A key new car for Toyota in Europe. Steps up the style, image and ability over its Corolla predecessor.

31 October 2006
Toyota Auris 1.6 first drive
First Drive

Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC EX first drive

Good to drive, well packaged and feels well built. Just lacks some pizzazz.

28 October 2006
Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC EX first drive
First Drive

BMW 325i SE coupe first drive

Something of an oddity, and slightly underwhelming in terms of performance. But the whole package is well sorted and at this price, there are no obvious rivals.

25 October 2006
BMW 325i SE coupe first drive
Mini Cooper
New engine still needs to be worked hard but it's smoother than the old unit
First Drive

2006 Mini Cooper 1.6

Still expensive and not exactly rapid, but the bargain of the range. Huge improvements inside over the old model, too

25 October 2006
2006 Mini Cooper 1.6
Land Rover Freelander 3.2 HSE
Straight-six petrol version of the new Freelander is initially only available as an automatic
First Drive

Land Rover Freelander 3.2 HSE first drive

Nice, but too thirsty and pricey to make this the Freelander of choice.

21 October 2006
Land Rover Freelander 3.2 HSE first drive

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