First Drive

Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC 2005 first drive

Quieter and smoother than the diesel version and drives better. It’s thirsty when pushed, though.

13 December 2005
Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC 2005 first drive
VW EcoRacer
Windscreen can be removed completely
First Drive

VW EcoRacer first drive

Proof positive that it is possible to be kind to the environment and have fun while you're doing it.

12 December 2005
VW EcoRacer first drive
Mazda 5 2.0D Sport
Handsome front view for angular 5
First Drive

Mazda 5 2.0D Sportv

Powerful motor and sweet chassis, but lowlier diesel version is more refined

10 December 2005
Mazda 5 2.0D Sportv
Toyota Yaris 1.0
Yaris is agile and fun to drive
First Drive

Toyota Yaris 1.0 first drive

Expensive but worth it. The Peugeot 207 is going to need to be exceptional

9 December 2005
Toyota Yaris 1.0 first drive
More limo than Lambo
S8 is no faster than W12, but has bags of character
First Drive

Audi S8 2006-2011 first drive

Not as raucous as expected, but still an incredible long-distance luxury saloon

8 December 2005
Audi S8 2006-2011 first drive
First Drive

Lotus Elise Sports Racer first drive

'06 changes manage to update the icon without losing its soul. Still a masterpiece.

6 December 2005
Lotus Elise Sports Racer first drive
First Drive

Citroen C6 3.0 V6

Not multi-talented but a refreshingly different and refined take on a big saloon.

5 December 2005
Citroen C6 3.0 V6
First Drive

Saab 9-3 2.8T first drive

Good-looking estate gets a premium feel from its extra two cylinders, but it can't match the BMW 3-series for driver appeal.

3 December 2005
Saab 9-3 2.8T first drive
First Drive

Chrysler 300C 5.7 first drive

Thirsty, but without the expected performance rewards. We'll wait for the diesel.

3 December 2005
Chrysler 300C 5.7 first drive
Ford Fiesta 1.25
Road noise is still a Fiesta failing
First Drive

Ford Fiesta 1.25 first drive

Not as refined as the new Clio, but fun to drive and a more pleasant place to sit.

2 December 2005
Ford Fiesta 1.25 first drive
First Drive

Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.2CRD first drive

Much improved, but still lags well behind the class leaders.

30 November 2005
Chrysler PT Cruiser 2.2CRD first drive
First Drive

Toyota RAV4 2.4 first drive

More spacious and more refined than its predecessor, but likely to be costlier.

29 November 2005
Toyota RAV4 2.4 first drive

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