First Drive

Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE first drive

This is a fine engine in the Discovery and Jaguar XJ, but it struggles to haul the Range Rover Sport or suit its character.

16 February 2006
Range Rover Sport TDV6 HSE first drive
First Drive

Mercedes-Benz SL 500 2006 first drive

Still smooth, versatile and attractive, but now with serious pace and the ability to really control it when it matters.

15 February 2006
Mercedes-Benz SL 500 2006 first drive
First Drive

Vauxhall Meriva VXR

It has its flaws - plenty of them - but the hot Meriva's entertainment value just about wins us over.

9 February 2006
Vauxhall Meriva VXR
Proton Savvy 1.2 Style
The Savvy is a secure handler, if not a fun one
First Drive

Proton Savvy 1.2 Style first drive

The Savvy is cheap, but it has more flaws than its competition

9 February 2006
Proton Savvy 1.2 Style first drive
First Drive

Corvette Z06

Quick and lairy, but the Z06 feels relatively crude. Still, 199mph is very fast and £60k isn’t a lot for a full-grown supercar.

8 February 2006
Corvette Z06
First Drive

Toyota Prius 1.5 T Spirit

Toyota's facelift of the Prius is so minor you might miss it, but the car remains the leading hybrid.

4 February 2006
Toyota Prius 1.5 T Spirit
First Drive

Ford Fusion+ 1.6 TDCi

An improvement over the old model, but there are better rivals for similar - or less - money.

3 February 2006
Ford Fusion+ 1.6 TDCi
Jaguar XK 4.2
XK doesn't feel remotely skittish at speed
First Drive

Jaguar XK 4.2 first drive

Capable, sophisticated addition to the coupé market - deserves consideration

2 February 2006
Jaguar XK 4.2 first drive
First Drive

Fiat Punto 1.3 Multijet

A vast improvement over its predecessor, good value and, in this diesel model, a genuine contender to the crowded small car ranks.

1 February 2006
Fiat Punto 1.3 Multijet
First Drive

Ford Focus 1.8 Duratec Bioethanol first drive

This dual fuel Focus is substantially cheaper to run, as there is no duty on bioethanol. You can buy it from any Ford dealer at no extra cost. The catch? There aren't many petrol stations where you can fill up with bioethanol.

31 January 2006
Ford Focus 1.8 Duratec Bioethanol first drive
First Drive

Toyota RAV4 2.2 D-4D T180

The RAV4 is a strong competitor at the £20,000 mark, but up the price to £27,000 and its case becomes much weaker.

30 January 2006
Toyota RAV4 2.2 D-4D T180
Volkswagen Polo (02-)  1.4 16v (74bhp) Dune 5dr Ha
s
First Drive

Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16v Dune 5dr Ha 2002 first drive

Other than 4x4 looks, the Dune offers nothing more than a standard Polo.

27 January 2006
Volkswagen Polo 1.4 16v Dune 5dr Ha 2002 first drive

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