Car Reviews | The Irish Times

Land Rover Defender: A reboot that lives up to the hype

Renault Zoe Z.E.50 R135 GT Line: within sight of being a class leading four-star car, thanks to a mix of usable range, competitive price and practical, smart cabin

Is this the best electric car you can buy right now?

Mini Electric: Proper premium appeal with electric fun but limited range will prove a sales hurdle

Mini Electric: It’s a breeze to drive, but it has a major range issue. And it’s not cheap

The new Golf is longer, wider and taller than before, which means a spacious cabin, but takes away a little from its sportier lines.

Car review: Golf is bowing out as VW’s star car. So is the new version any good?

Opel’s new Corsa is big improvement on previous models and boasts plenty of premium toys

Opel Corsa: French takeover helps German supermini reach new heights

Dacia Logan: decent ride quality and fuel economy make up for some rough layout edges

Dacia gets the boot in with affordable Logan

Sportback-and-sides haircut for Audi’s Q3 SUV

Who would have thought a manual, front-drive, three-cylinder, 1 Series could be one of the most truly BMW BMWs you can buy?

BMW goes back to its roots with 1 Series

Upgraded Lexus RX revs up to German challenge

The equipment levels on the Hyundai i10 will surprise even the most cynical car buyer

Hyundai’s smallest model makes a big impression

With 155hp and 250Nm of torque, the Peugeot 2008 GT fairly shifts along. It’ll crack 100km/h in just under nine seconds

From demure to daring: Peugeot’s 2008 compact crossover

Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid XE Premium

Subaru’s Forester e-Boxer: looks blocky but packs a driving punch

The T-Roc R: it asks you to throw away the heritage of the Golf in favour of a non-descript suburban runaround

VW gives us the fast and fun T-Roc R but it’s not so good on the pocket

The 62kWh Nissan Leaf lacks for one major item relative to its opposition: range

Nissan’s big-battery Leaf left behind in electric charge

The new Corsa may lack in star quality, but it does not put a foot wrong in any major way

Corsa’s return sparks new beginning for Opel in Ireland

The Toyota C-HR, which starts at €30,620, offers stylish looks and a premium finish

Toyota C-HR: A proper premium hybrid crossover that’s a halfway house to electric

Ford Puma 1.0 125hp Ecoboost Hybrid Titanium

Ford’s new Puma hits our funny bone

The Model X is not as polished a product as the smaller, cheaper Model 3, but it is fascinating, it is interesting, it is intriguing. And how often can you say all that about a modern car?

Tesla’s next-gen Model X: A frustrating €95k drive – but everyone else will love it

VW Passat

VW Passat plug-in hybrid is the bridge to an electric future

Mazda 3: the saloon certainly looks the part but its engine tech lets it down

Mazda 3: Handsome saloon’s clever engine tech doesn’t stand up in court

The development team of the new Clio has got the interior mix of physical buttons and touchscreen controls just right

Fifth-generation Clio scores with its Gallic charm and practical appeal

Skoda Superb’s 62km electric range means for anyone with a county-to-city commute, you could conceivably get from Monday morning to Friday evening without a single millilitre of petrol being burned

Skoda Superb: Plugin option makes saloon more sensible still

The Mercedes-Benz GLB takes some styling cues from the company’s glorious G-Wagon, though not quite enough in our opinion

Mercedes-Benz GLB: One of the most impressive SUVs of the year

Plug-in hybrid BMW cleans up the image of premium SUVs

The new X6 has a slightly updated shape with a solid stance thanks to its broader shoulder line. It is slightly longer and wider than before but the roofline is lowered thanks to an increased slope to the windscreen’s A-pillar.

BMW’s X6 remains motoring marmite

New Skoda Superb

Skoda Superb: bucking the trend for four-door saloons

The Tesla Model 3 an official range of up to 560km depending on your choice, a 0-100km/h time as low as 3.4 seconds, and a price tag starting at €48,900.

Tesla Model 3 charges ahead as rivals fail to plug market gap

The 2-litre, 194bhp engine is quieter and more refined than its predecessor, but it’s also noticeably more responsive

Mercedes-Benz GLC 220d: Electric dreams can wait

Kia e-Soul electric car: its big selling point is the new 64kW battery with an official range between charges of 452km.

Kia e-Soul: an electrifyingly stylish car

If a car buyer has the choice between a BMW 320d with diesel power, or a new BMW 330e with plugin-hybrid electric power, which one should they choose?

BMW’s new plugin 330e adds up rather nicely

Delightful: the BMW 3 Series Touring is a pleasure to drive and the steering is the best you’ll find in any car this side of your local Porsche garage – it bursts with feel and feedback

BMW 3 Series Touring bucks the trend for crumbling estates

The Audi S4 TDI

Audi’s mighty S4 hoists the diesel flag high

The Ford Focus ST boasts a top speed of 250km/h

Ford Focus ST: Quick and comfortable but is it worth the price?

BMW 118d: the mix of engaging steering and smooth power delivery, combined with a smart modern cabin, is enough to justify its premium badge

BMW’s new 1 Series can go wheel-to-wheel with the best of its hatchback rivals

Overall, the Audi e-Tron crossover delivers proper premium flair in a family-sized car, but at a hefty price

Audi eTron is full of sparkle but lacks some spark behind the wheel

A view of the new Renault Clio (2019)

New Renault Clio feels more grown up, with less fun factor

Volkswagen T-Cross is a fun little crossover, overshadowed by its own hype and the more affordable Polo hatchback

Volkswagen T-Cross: Cool little crossover with strong Polo roots

Volkswagen Passat has been given a mid-life facelift that adds new technology plus a few subtle styling changes, ding in this estate version

Volkswagen’s plug-in Passat embraces new tech services

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC: There are new bumpers and lights, new grilles, some new colour options, and a revised interior with (optional) digital instruments and a bigger (also optional) touchscreen for the MBUX infotainment system.

Merc’s updated GLC keeps one eye on the past and one on the future

‘Hybrids are supposed to be powered by a mixture of petrol and electricity, but the NSX’s engine note will have you convinced that this one runs on venom and rage.’

Honda’s NSX adds hellfire to hybrid power

For the Fast and Furious generation, the driving fun is certainly there in the new Supra.

Toyota Supra’s homage stays true to its roots

With the V8 in full roar, the screech of tyres laying down a layer of rubber on the road, and smoke rising from the rear, it’s a wonderful way to wake up your neighbours

Ford’s Mustang Bullitt more than just a star of a bygone age

Irish road test: Newly refreshed Toyota Camry makes a welcome return

Mercedes-Benz CLA: new model features a stunning design and is a dream to drive

Mercedes-Benz’s new CLA splits the four-door hairs

Honda CR-V: Two engines are offered up in Ireland: the 2-litre petrol-electric hybrid – tested here – and a 1.5-litre turbo petrol

Honda CR-V: The brand is back, and Sliotar Mums can rejoice

The Seat Tarraco: it suffers from that same hesitancy that we’ve seen in other VW Group vehicles

Seat’s seven-seater Tarraco is stylish but dull to drive

The DS 3 Crossback E-Tense can sprint from 0-100km/h in 8.7 seconds and can do the shorter dash from 0 to 50km/h in just 3.3 seconds

DS 3 Crossback E-Tense is more than just a Citroën with notions

The X7’s front grille is as if someone has strapped two garden gates to the front of the car

When size matters, the X7 from BMW fits the bill

The new Toyota Rav4 ticks a lot more boxes. For a start it has the rugged image. It also has the family space

Toyota Rav4: Impressive family crossover with rugged looks and hybrid tech

The price of the Mazda 3 has yet to be released but it could be about €25,000-€26,000

Mazda’s gorgeous hatch brings Japanese craftsmanship to family driveways

DS 7: Stylish French model made for the catwalk not Irish roads

Striking: The BMW 8 Series is a seriously good-looking coupe

BMW 8 Series: A big, beautiful coupe you’ll never want to get out of

The four-door Corolla saloon will be the best-selling version of Toyota’s new line-up in Ireland

Saloon will top new Corolla Hybrid sales, but you should buy the estate

Alfa Stelvio leaves scarlet streak across the landscape

A Corolla that’s pretty and fun to drive? We’re gobsmacked

The Audi Q3 is not perfect, but it’s alright

Audi’s new Q3 is the acceptable face of crossovers

Lexus ES: Eco-friendly aura with proper boardroom luxury

The Peugeot 508 boasts muscle car menace and a premium quality interior

Peugeot 508 proves to be a tempting alternative to elite German saloons

The Vitara gets the fundamentals right. It’s compact, but usefully practical. It’s designed to be light, nimble, and easy around town, but equally adept at dealing with demands of a more rural nature

The Vitara is the Suzuki we get, but not the one we deserve

Hyundai Kona: sales of the eco-friendly crossover in Ireland have overtaken those for the Nissan Leaf during the first 20 days of 2019

Hyundai’s Kona leads the electric charge - for now

The new RAV4 is an intriguing proposition. A car that combines surprising levels of ruggedness, with forward-looking hybrid tech, and big-saloon-style refinement and comfort on a motorway run.

Toyota’s RAV4 goes back to its 4x4 roots

BMW X5 30d M Sport

Still a bit bling but the best driving SUV in its class

The Ariel Nomad relies on rear-wheel drive, chunky tyres, and low weight to keep itself mobile when the going gets slippery or sandy

None madder than an Ariel Nomad

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV plugging the gap between now and the future

This 3 Series is one of the very few relatively affordable cars you can buy that retains that sense of driver engagement and fun

How BMW’s 3 Series got its magic back

Sadly, the e-Niro is pretty ordinary to drive. It’s a pity Kia couldn’t engineer some of the new Ceed into the e-Niro’s steering and suspension

Kia’s electric Niro has star backing but wins no oscars on the road

Honda’s hybrid CR-V keeps it clean and comfortable

The third-generation Mercedes-Benz B Class range will initially comprise B180 and B200 petrol models and B180d, B200d and B220d diesels.

First Drive: Mercedes-Benz B Class is as boxy as ever

The Lexus RX450h-L: the combo of big, smooth V6 and the extra torque from the hybrid electric motor means your journey will likely be effortless

Lexus’ seven-seat RX adds practicality, but only for the smallest passengers

Audi Q8 50 TDI: With adaptive air suspension and all-wheel steering, it wafts along, unfazed by rutted roads.

Audi Q8: the latest German coupe crossover

It would be so easy to dismiss the Audi A6 based solely on its styling, but spend a bit more time with it and the subtleties emerge

Audi plays a safe shot with the new A6, but neatly pots the black

The Jaguar i-Pace is fast, fun, sure-footed, and intriguing to look at

It’s electric: Jaguar’s I-Pace surges ahead of Tesla

Having a Dacia in the driveway during the recession suggested you were sensible with your spending

Dacia’s refined Duster keeps its cost-conscious roots

The Urus costs £165,000 (€186,000) in the UK, and that’s before you even glance at the options list.

Lamborghini revs up to SUV success with the Urus

The Mini just zips along, with a sweet personality and an appetite for fun

Mini Cooper S review: ‘go-kart feel’ provides endless driving fun

“The Fiesta ST gets better the quicker you go and the harder the questions you ask of it.”

Ford’s third-generation Fiesta ST: King of the (back) road

The new BMW X4 xDrive M40d

BMW X4: How can this coupe SUV feel so wrong but still feel so right?

Ford Mondeo Hybrid

Ford’s Mondeo Hybrid arrives late, but still welcome

BMW i3: Like the current crop of hybrids on the road, it recycles resistant energy from braking and the like.

The distinct allure of the BMW i3

Merc’s sober-suited hot-rod laps up the road – and the praise

Behind the wheel of McLaren’s Senna supercar

VW Touareg: can the luxury SUV stop its tribe from shrinking?

Minor changes keep the Mazda 6 feeling fresh

Honda’s diesel-free SUV still hits the practical heights

Hyundai’s come a long, long way and the i30N is the pinnacle of its achievements

Is the i30N the second coming of Hyundai?

BMW’s new X4 is less SUV and more high-rise GTi

Honda’s diesel-free SUV still hits the practical heights

Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2D 4WD Premium Plus Auto

Could the new Santa Fe test Ireland’s faith in the Hyundai crossover?

Subtle update keeps Merc’s C-Class in the hunt

New C4 Cactus has some original traits, even if it has lost some of its distinctive identity by abandoning the plastic “air bumps” that used to blister out from the bodywork.

Citroën plays comfort card in new C4 Cactus

Lexus ES could be the car that tempts executives back to the brand

This is a complete premium package but with the performance of a thuggish hot hatch

Feel the power: Audi puts Quattro back in the race

It is one of those cars that seems almost mystically dialled-in to Irish conditions

The race is not always to the Swift

Volvo creates a box on wheels that’s not boxy

Volkswagen limits new Touareg SUV’s chances of success in Ireland

The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross is good looking but underdeveloped underneath and less than satisfying to drive

Mitsubishi’s new crossover eclipsed by rivals

BMW M5: don’t fight the power of this big family supercar

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Can VW’s pocket rocket Polo GTi leave the Golf lagging behind?

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