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
First Drive

Audi RS4 Cabriolet

The RS4 Cabriolet does not have the structural rigidity of the saloon, but you can listen more easily to that V8. So whilst it lacks the hard-edged competence of the saloon, the Cabriolet is still extremely desirable

Audi RS4 Cabriolet
First Drive

Mini Cooper S Works GP

This is the best version of the first Mini, for the stiffened suspension doesn't ruin its composure. But at £22,000 and with only two seats, it's also the most expensive and impractical.

Mini Cooper S Works GP
Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Black Edition
AMG expects to make just 100 of these
First Drive

Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Black Edition first drive

Capable but massively expensive track-tuned SLK points the way ahead at AMG

Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG Black Edition first drive
First Drive

Peugeot 407 2.7 HDi

A good engine and plenty of kit, but this is a lot of money for a 407.

Peugeot 407 2.7 HDi

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