First drives

First Drive

Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XS

The Sorento has been improved by its refresh, but not by enough to beat Hyundai's Santa Fe

6 September 2006

Kia Sorento 2.5 CRDi XS

First Drive

BMW X3 3.0sd

Good to drive and very quick, but at this price we'd go for the better-looking and slightly bigger X5.

6 September 2006

BMW X3 3.0sd

The C4 can be raised or lowered by the driver

First Drive

Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi

Citroen's new people-carrier is a massive step forward from the Xsara Picasso, and a fine-riding stylish newcomer. This first taste of a pre-production car bodes well.

5 September 2006

Citroën C4 Grand Picasso 2.0 HDi

Twin exhaust pipes for the Sport

First Drive

Suzuki Swift Sport first drive

More nicely warmed through than really hot, but this well-sorted and likeable hatch is the best of its type.

5 September 2006

Suzuki Swift Sport first drive

First Drive

Nissan Murano GTC

The GTC is a concept in progress at the moment, but it has enough delights to make us keen on it

4 September 2006

Nissan Murano GTC

First Drive

Bentley Arnage T

Bentley has given the Arnage an extra stab of power and, finally, a six-speed gearbox

1 September 2006

Bentley Arnage T

First Drive

Mazda 3 2.0 Sport first drive

The 3 is improved by its facelift, but not sufficiently so to challenge the class best - and a few significant drawbacks remain

31 August 2006

Mazda 3 2.0 Sport first drive

First Drive

Kia Carens 2.0 CRDi GS

The Carens has decent packaging and is an acceptable drive. But it is thoroughly unexceptional - and will need keen pricing

30 August 2006

Kia Carens 2.0 CRDi GS

First Drive

Jeep Wrangler 3.8 V6 Unlimited

The Wrangler for the family man has been much improved, but is still fairly rough around the edges.

30 August 2006

Jeep Wrangler 3.8 V6 Unlimited

First Drive

Audi S3

The body is discreet; the engine isn't; the dynamics are still remote. On this first taste, the expensive S3 is a strange combination: raucous yet remote. A UK drive may clarify the situation.

30 August 2006

Audi S3

First Drive

Jaguar XKR 2006 first drive

The XK was good - this, the XKR, is brilliant

30 August 2006

Jaguar XKR 2006 first drive

First Drive

Mitsubishi Evo MR RS

So far only available in Japan, the MR RS offers less weight than the GSR and, crucially, a faster-responding turbo. But you still need 3000rpm before anything happens.

29 August 2006

Mitsubishi Evo MR RS