First Drive

BMW 335d SE coupe first drive

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Land Rover Freelander 3.2 HSE first drive
First Drive

Dodge Nitro 3.7 V6

Tough-guy looks clothe a strong value package, but in V6 spec it’s no fun to drive

Dodge Nitro 3.7 V6
First Drive

BMW X5 4.8i SE first drive

Takes over where old model left off. High on quality, feel and desirability

BMW X5 4.8i SE first drive
Honda Civic Type S
3dr very similar in profile to 5dr
First Drive

Honda Civic Type S first drive

Needs to ride better or be more involving. Looks like a Type R-lite, but isn’t

Honda Civic Type S first drive
First Drive

Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 Di-D 2006 first drive

It's still the traditional no-nonsense 4x4, but surprisingly capable on and off road.

Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 Di-D 2006 first drive

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