First Drive

VW Touran 1.4 TSI SE 7st

The Touran is very dull to look at and a little cheap-feeling to sit in. But it's a very competent design and the Twincharger engine makes it very much worth considering.

VW Touran 1.4 TSI SE 7st
Audi S8
S8 has many talents, but it's not as fast as the more expensive AMG opposition
First Drive

Audi S8 2002-2015

Installing the Gallardo's V10 in the A8 limousine sounds like a recipe for luxurious mayhem. But the detuned V10 is rather muted in this application and, although the S8 has great charm, it somewhat falls between two stools

Audi S8 2002-2015
First Drive

Vauxhall Antara 2.0 TD

Impresive Antara does enough to back up its good looks; a world away from the old Frontera

Vauxhall Antara 2.0 TD
First Drive

Volvo S80 D5 SE Lux first drive

Volvo's big diesel saloon has its flaws, but its excellent interior and fine cruising ability mean it does stack up as an admittedly quirky alternative to its German rivals.

Volvo S80 D5 SE Lux first drive
First Drive

Seat Leon 2.0 TFSI FR

The Leon FR is compellingly cheap, but you can tell where the corners were cut.

Seat Leon 2.0 TFSI FR
First Drive

Mercedes-Benz GL 500 2006 first drive

If you really need to take seven people off-road, we can’t think of a better way: the GL has Range Rover-like class and ability. Only thing is it feels too big for UK roads.

Mercedes-Benz GL 500 2006 first drive
First Drive

Holden Commodore 3.5 V6 first drive

Worth migrating to Oz if this is the mainstream family sedan. It is a bargain. And if you hold on Vauxhall is brining the V8 versions to Blighty in 2007.

Holden Commodore 3.5 V6 first drive
Subaru B9 Tribeca 3.0 S5 (2006-2014) first drive review
The Subaru B9 Tribeca is only available with a petrol engine
First Drive

Subaru B9 Tribeca 3.0 S5 (2006-2014) first drive

The Tribeca is a well-thought-out car, but hampered by its inherited drivetrain. If it had a good diesel engine it would be a serious contender

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Subaru B9 Tribeca 3.0 S5 (2006-2014) first drive
Mini One
As before, Cooper S gets vent in the bonnet
First Drive

Mini Cooper S 2006-2013 prototype drive

On first impressions the new Mini is every bit as good as the last one and then some. It’s much newer than it looks, better built, more comfortable, more refined, and slicker in everyway. The only downside is a slight loss of character.

Mini Cooper S 2006-2013 prototype drive
First Drive

VW Polo 1.4 TDi Blue Motion first drive

The Blue Motion is a much more cautious step from the company that brought us the Lupo 3L car, but it's a well-judged one. Shame it's not coming to the UK...

VW Polo 1.4 TDi Blue Motion first drive

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